The New York Times > Arts > Art & Design > How to Cross Borders, Social or Otherwise

The New York Times > Arts > Art & Design > How to Cross Borders, Social or Otherwise - this NYT article has an interesting review of art that questions legal and societal definitions of identity as they become more stringent in the post-9/11 US-dominated world. What does the concept of borders and border crossings mean? Why is crossing them illegal and where is the sense in the boundaries that run through the vast expanse of the alps or the lakes and rivers of the north. Why are we expected to travel with posessions and claim so much suspicion for getting rid of the pull of things and travelling light? What is identity as it is encased in the plastic of cards complete with a bad picture and cursory description of association with some entity or another. Why are some of these "identities" are easier to get and some are harder? Which are "fake" and which are "real". As the world hurtles towards the madness envisioned by Orwell, Bradbury and others, as we repeat those mistakes that we had never learned from, how long will it be until the art that questions fundamentals of law and the basis of homeland security is banned from view lest it give people ideas...