Greyland is a concept for an alternative, virtual zone for stateless people; people who cannot return to their homeland. It offers this, by claiming a virtual, online territory, for the purpose of research and visualisation of findings.

A stateless, or undocumented person has no citizenship or nationality. Most undocumented persons are refugees or irregular migrants.  Stateless persons are excluded from political processes, undermining their rights and responsibilities as members of a society. Often living in the margins of society, making themselves invisible through fear of being arrested, or waiting in limbo for the outcome of their application for a residence permit. They’re constantly faced with the possibility of being deported.

The status or definition of irregular, undocumented or stateless migrants is complex. In our research we take a broad definition of the term stateless.

Greyland is a research into what the affects are of being ‘stateless’. What affect does the inability to go home have on the idea, (re)construction and memory of what or where home is? How is the notion of home constructed in a space that is estranged?

Based on conversations with people who have experienced being stateless, we are collecting and archiving stories and perspectives.  Our research and findings will be archived and visualised in this virtual space.

Currently under construction: www.greyland.info

Greyland is a Foundland project; a collaboration between Ghalia Elsrakbi, Dirk Vis and Rosie Heinrich.