Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan

2007

"Adrenaline is the oldest psychedelic drug known to mankind”

Francis Alÿs

Close-up of Mongolian child through glass panel at sunset. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Close-up of old car speed meter, in Fiat 500 white car. Sunset light. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Small old Fiat 500 on road, reflected on side mirror. Green fields and blue sky in background. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Crop field at sunset, cloudy sky in Mongolia. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Close-up of young girl resting head on table, black hair, green and orange jumper. Old wall and window in background, set in Mongolia. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Old white Fiat 500 driving through water pond at dusk in Mongolia, mountains in background. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Dirt road, mountains and blue sky with clouds. Number 500 in black on car glass. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Man and child on motorbike in desert landscape, carrying big rolled up sleeping bag. Sky and clounds in background. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Desert landscape, clouds and sunset. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Old white Fiat 500 car on dirt road raising dust, mountains and sky with clouds in background. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Old white Fiat 500 car with open door, Mongolian man with brown tunic and orange belt, holds door open. Mountains in background. Part of "Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan" (2007) project by artist Paola Cassola.

Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan (2007)

photographic prints on lambda and cotton paper
70x100 cm (27.5x39.3 in)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

“Beyond Boundaries. To the Land of Genghis Khan is my attempt to physically cross and personally explore as many borders, boundaries, cultures as possible in a limited time and space. I drove a 1964 Fiat 500 car, for 13.000 km, in 30 days, through 10 states: from London-Hyde Park to Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). The car broke every now and then. The clock was running. By engaging in a hazardous situation I wanted to investigate if exposure to danger would alter my senses and produce a different response in my perception of pain. Psychological and physical resistance were pushed to the extreme. The adrenaline generated by the constant state of stress, the overwhelming tiredness and the uncertainty of the itinerary worked as a natural painkiller and drive.

My photos, video and travel notes are the artistic testimony of this experience: a great love story, a very personal challenging journey and ultimately, the arrival of the first 60s Fiat 500 car in the land of Genghis Khan”.

Special thanks to the partners, copilots and contributors in this project: Yves de Changy, Olivia Paquot, Luca Gagliardoni, Manfredi Terzi, Carlotta Vento.