Heath Bunting's Illegal Border Crossing as Art Performance
In August 2007, artist Heath Bunting illegally crossed the border between Hungary and Austria as part of his ongoing project BorderXing, which provides a guide for crossing borders without authorization. The performance was commissioned by Galerie im Taxispalais in Innsbruck. Writer Sissu Tarka participated virtually via SMS messages exchanged during the crossing, documenting the experience. Bunting was previously stopped and questioned under the Terrorism Act at Stansted Airport in May 2007. The project explores borders as sites of control, mobility, and resistance, engaging with concepts of site-specificity, technology, and political activism.
Key facts
- Heath Bunting illegally crossed the Hungary-Austria border on 26 August 2007.
- The performance is part of BorderXing, a guide for illegal border crossings.
- Sissu Tarka participated via SMS messages during the crossing.
- Bunting was stopped and questioned under the Terrorism Act at Stansted Airport in May 2007.
- The project was commissioned by Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck.
- Bunting used a Google map and a plastic bag with food for the crossing.
- The border crossing was between Kormend, Hungary and Gussing, Austria.
- Bunting was arrested at Gatwick Airport in September 2007 under the Terrorism Act.
Entities
Artists
- Heath Bunting
- Sissu Tarka
- Kayle Brandon
- Miwon Kwon
- Michael Hardt
- Antonio Negri
- Josephine Berry Slater
- Marko Pelijhan
Institutions
- Galerie im Taxispalais
- IRATIONAL.ORG
- The Second International
- Stansted Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Afterall
Locations
- Hungary
- Austria
- London
- Soho Square
- Tottenham Court Road
- Glasgow
- Stansted Airport
- Reggio Emilia
- Italy
- Kormend
- Gussing
- Vienna
- Innsbruck
- Bristol
- Finsbury Park
- Camden Town
- Gatwick Airport
Sources
- Afterall —