New Borders
You have been given a new country. Now decide how it should work.
In New Borders, pupils work in groups to build their own countries and imagine the societies that might exist within them.
They must decide what their country needs. How will people find food? What rules should everyone follow? Who makes the decisions? Will there be a military—and what happens at the border?
Gradually, a collection of countries takes shape across the floor. Each contains what its creators consider important: perhaps farms, windmills and soldiers—or cinemas, telephones and other things they want in their new society.
When the countries are complete, each group presents its choices. The other participants can ask questions, challenge their decisions and discuss the different societies collectively.
New Borders combines sculpture, collaboration and conversation. Abstract questions about democracy, identity, resources and power become something the participants can build, negotiate and reconsider together.
The project was first developed with pupils in grades 5–7 in Vennesla Municipality in 2017. A new version was presented through Den kulturelle skolesekken as part of Arendal’s 300th anniversary in 2023.
Developed and performed by JAM PUBLIC.
