Anna Jermolaewa

120 m, installation, consisting of 4 C-Prints and one panel, 2015

120m
120m
120m
120m

Hundreds of Syrian refugees are crossing the Russian-Norwegian border on bicycles above the Arctic Circle -- discovering a new way to reach Europe while avoiding the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. It is not allowed to cross this border on foot, so one must be on wheels (because Russian authorities prohibit pedestrians to cross the border). Furthermore, according to Norwegian law, cars cannot take passengers into the country without the proper documents. This causes a situation where refugees arrive in Murmansk, buy a bike, catch a ride to the border, and then cross the last 120 m by bicycle. Therefore, on the Norway side of the border, one can see hundreds and hundreds of abandoned bicycles.