'Who Owns the Land?'

The work ‘Who Owns the Land?’ takes as its starting point the ad coelum doctrine - a principle of property law. Originating in the 13th century, this ancient law proclaims the extent of land ownership beyond that of the surface. Although now acceptable in a limited form, real property/estate encompasses airspace, wild animals, trees, plants, flowers, water, mines and minerals above, on, and below the surface of the land. The video work probes private land ownership, associated public rights, and notions of power and value. Videoed on the surface, beyond the horizon, and below ground, this work asks: Who owns the land? Who owns the ground below? Who owns the sky above?