unbound

Enclaves—small pieces of one country entirely surrounded by another and situated across national boundaries—show that borders are not only fluid but often the result of history, political negotiation, cultural adaptation and accidental decisions.

‘Unbound’ combines multi-layered narratives to explore the complexity of this patchwork of territories in terms of their geographies, borders and symbolism, and people across Europe. 

Representing footprints from the history of Europe, they reveal the fluidity of national identity and sovereignty, whilst demonstrating how we adapt to complex and often unusual circumstances. Whether it’s through economic opportunities, legal adaptations, or cultural blending, they challenge the conventional understanding of borders and encourage us to think more flexibly. Although seen by many as a complication, they offer insights where differing nationalities, laws, administrations and people work together to overcome differences and absurdities, and provide practical local solutions.

France(Llivia, Spain), Belgium (Monschau, Germany and Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands), Netherlands (Baarle-Hertog, Belgium), Switzerland (Büsingen, Germany and Campione d’Italia, Italy) and Germany (Jungholz, Austria), Cyprus (Dhekla, UK) and Slovenia (Brezovika, Croatia). Enclaves—small pieces of one country entirely surrounded by another and situated across national boundaries—show that borders are not only fluid but often the result of history, political negotiation, cultural adaptation and accidental decisions.