March 12th, 2023

Prompt: “No vacancy”

Mili St. John, Maria Sommer

Mili St. John

Maria Sommer

“The Cambridge Dictionary defines vacancy as, ‘a space or place that is available to be used’.

But there is no vacancy.

The prompt ‘No Vacancy’ makes me reflect upon the political and public attitudes toward migration in the UK: the illegal migrant bill, Brexit, and the Windrush Scandal.

Displaced populations, migration, and asylum are extensive and complex issues linked with nationalism and its negative connotations. I hope we remember that Britishness is curry houses, Friday prayer, M&S knickers, David Attenborough, Christmas pudding, Nottinghill Carnival, thanking the bus driver, Graham Norton’s red couch, deep-fried Mars bars and so much more.”
- @sommer.maria


“No Vacancy. No Boats.” 
Video with text and sound
03/12/23