01



02


03


04


05


06


07


08


09


Notes


01    Topographical Model, UK, 2016 
02    Topographical Model, UK, 2016 

03   Detail of Topographical model, UK, 2016 

04    United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Article 121, Regime of Islands, JM, 1982  

05   Volcano Growth - Latest Activity Report, Smithsonian Global Volcanism Database, US, 1973 - 2013, 
volcano.si.edu  


06   Watan Marine Private Estate Report, Island Laws, UK, 2014


07    Footage of the rising Island, Credits: Smithsonian Global Volcanism Programme, volcano.si.edu 


08   Heat Map, Image Credits: JCG - Japanese Coast Guard - Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, JP 2014  


09   Rendering of Nishinoshima Island before it merges with Rosario Island, extending Japans maritime borders, JP / UK, Nov 2014
 



~ Proximity Of The Enemy


A new island around 1,000 km south of Tokyo that was created by a volcanic eruption a month ago has more than doubled in mass. It has not been named, given the possibility it will unite with neighbouring Nishinoshima Island in the Ogasawara chain. As volcanic activity is continuing, the government is closely watching. If recognised as Japanese territory, the new island would expand the nation’s territorial waters by several hundred meters.’ Japantimes, 13 December 2013

In 2013 volcanic eruption caused the appearance of a new island in the Pacific Ocean - maritime set of an ongoing dispute between neighbouring nations. The rise of Nishinoshima caused the expansion of Japans Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) - an area that stretches 200 nautical miles of a national coastline, allowing individual countries to exercise sovereign and jurisdictional rights such as the exploitation of resources. The Volcano Island catalyses the ongoing economic and geopolitical conflict of the East China Sea and its undefined borders. The project uses various media - topographical model, film and text - to reenact the sudden rise of the Island and its political implications. Considering individual actors within - a Japanese Coast Guard, a Chinese Fisherman and a private Investor - a scenario is drafting a possible future of the island. Outcomes are not contained objects, but rather a point of departure replicating the ridiculousness of a maritime dispute.



Proximity of The Enemy, Exhibition ‘Of The Sea’, Chatham Historic Dockyard, UK, 2016