Post-Nations: Redefining Citizenship in a Post-Nation Era
Post-Nations is a conceptual art project that explores the transformation of nationhood and citizenship in a world where traditional nation-states are increasingly challenged. In this speculative future, citizenship evolves into a flexible, transactional model untethered from geography, ethnicity, or inherited identity. Instead, it becomes a subscription-based service, offering tailored benefits and privileges designed to meet individual needs and aspirations.
Post-Nations' emergence is rooted in current and historical trends: the rise of citizenship-by-investment programs, the complexity of global taxation, and the growing prevalence of dual and multiple residencies. These shifts, combined with technological advancements and globalization, have disrupted the conventional constructs of nationhood. Post-Nations reimagine citizenship as a customizable “belonging plan,” akin to subscribing to digital services like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace or selecting an insurance package. Subscribers gain access to a range of perks, such as streamlined global travel, economic incentives, and community-based resources.
A key feature of the Post-Nation concept is the development of a Post-Nation Stock Market, a dynamic platform where citizenships are bought, sold, and traded. This speculative market reflects the fluid value of Post-Nations, as individuals invest in or divest from citizenships based on perceived benefits, global trends, and personal priorities. The market introduces a new dimension to global mobility, enabling individuals to choose affiliations that align with their aspirations while simultaneously challenging the idea of static, inherited citizenships.
PostNations provokes critical questions about the future of belonging:
What happens to traditional notions of loyalty and identity when citizenship is commodified?
How will this shift impact global inequality, accessibility, and mobility?
Will Post-Nations democratize access to resources or deepen the divides between the privileged and marginalized?
Through installations, digital projections, and participatory experiences, PostNations envisions a world fifty years from now—a world where the boundaries of nationhood dissolve into a subscription-based reality, offering an intriguing and unsettling glimpse into the future of human belonging.