Float, 1 : 1 scale model of a boat used to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to the Italian island Lampedusa by 25 asylum seekers, paper, 520 x 175 x 60 cm

Float took place in Scheltema Complex in Leiden, in the Spring and Summer of 2009. To commemorate the presence in Leiden 400 years ago of the Pilgrim Fathers, as part of the program Utopische Nest/ Smaakmakend Scheltema, the persecution and flight of the Pilgrims was linked with the situation of present day asylum seekers.

Interview with Radio 1 Atlas, July 12, 2009, podcast deel 2

Installation and film in Zaal 1 Scheltema. 

The heroic story of the Pilgrims is well known; on being persecutued in England for their religious beliefs they were forced to flee, and in doing so became the symbolic founders of the United States. Less well know is that before their flight across the Atlantic, they were granted asylum in Holland, at that time one of the most if not the most tolerant countries in the world. There they stayed for 11 years before emigrating to America.

Film still performance Float

On July 22nd, 2009, 150 paper boats were launched into the river Vliet, on the Rapenburg in Leiden, the Netherlands, at the exact place the Pilgrims left the city on their way to America 389 years before. The flotilla consisted of 75 Zodiacs and 75 damlopers or damschuiten, transport boats used during the early 17th century.

Detail damschuiten

"...the Pilgrims who fled from their homes in England first and foremost were immigrants rather than nation builders, and their experiences were not much different than those of other newcomers, then as well as now. Anxiety, uncertainty and confusion were the emotional costs of migration." Joke Kardux and Eduard van de Bilt in Newcomers in an Old City: the American Pilgrims in Leiden 1609-1620.

Paper models of the damschuit, each 20 x 5 x 25 cm

Paper models of a Zodiac, 22 x 14 x 3 cm, launched as a flotilla into the river the Vliet in Leiden, on July 22nd, 2009.

The Red Cross estimated that in 2008, 1 in 5 people do not survive the journey over the sea from Africa.

Float, detail

Float, detail

Float, detail

Present day asylum seekers use a different kind of boat; often very small rubber boats or Zodiacs to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy from Libya.

Jerry can, 1 : 1 paper model, 31 x 19 x 22 cm

One of the most important things on the journey across the sea is the supply of fuel and water. Most of the boats have only enough supply for two days, the time it takes to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy if everything goes well.

Digital prints, 40 x 64 cm each; maps of Northern England, and Southern Italy & Libya, with excerpts from interviews with asylum seekers in Sicily and Of Plimouth Plantation.

"...Oooooooh, I was happy! I didn't think I would make it. Especially when our fuel got finished, in the middle of the sea. I was confused, dumbfounded. I was confused, afraid of death, that maybe I would pass from this place. But suddenly a rescuer came, I was the happiest person here, even today I am still happy, my life...it was not an easy experience, psychologically. Psychologically, it was not easy in that moment, in that particular time when our fuel got finished. What will you do? You can't go outside, you can't jump to the river, you can't use your legs to go outside, you'll be dead. Waiting, dumbfounded, so I was confused. That moment, for one full day. In the sea, suddenly rescue came. I was so happy, even today I am happy. I feel the joy in me because I am alive...because I feel maybe I would have died right now, because of this experience, so it was just God, God has helped me..." 

Excerpt from interview with Sani

Agrigento, Siciliy, 12 x 12 cm, photo

"Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees & blessed ye God of heaven, who had brought them over ye vast & furious ocean, and delivered them from all ye periles & miseries therof, againe to set their feete on ye firme and stable earth, their proper elemente. And no marvell if they were thus joyefull, seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on ye coast of his owne Italy ; as he affirmed, that he had rather remaine twentie years on his way by land, then pass by sea to any place in a short time ; so tedious & dreadfull was ye same unto him. 

But hear I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amased at this poore peoples presente condition; and so I thinke will the reader too, when he well considers ye same. Being thus passed ye vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation (as may be remembered by yt which wente before), they had now no freinds to wellcome them, nor inns to entertaine or refresh their weatherbeaten bodys, no houses or much less townes to repaire too, to seeke for succoure."

Excerpt from Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford