The researchers locating the site.

Photographic documentation of the exposed Carbonado, with scale reference.

The researchers planting the Non-Earth State flag, a replica of Haquet's original flag design for the proposed region.

The reenactment site.

The Non-Earth State installed in the 'Artifact' exhibition in London.

(with Chloe Brillatz)

This piece is a performative reenactment of research conducted by geologists August Haquet and Alex Milfort, who in 1996, proposed the notion that portions of Earth are not native to our planet. While studying the carbonado diamond in Brazil, Haquet and Milfort found early clues that this mineral had been cast to Earth approximately 3.2 billion years ago in a meteor shower, believed to have originated in the Beta Pictoris planetary system.

Possessed by the profundity of their discovery, Haquet and Milfort began lobbying the Brazilian government to cede a very small portion of Brazil, which they claimed to be wholly comprised of interstellar matter. The pair presented their case before the Brazilian National Congress three times between their initial discovery and 1999. Their pursuit of the Non-Earth State ended unsuccessfully, due to Haquet's diminishing health.

This historical fiction was reenacted in London's Hampstead Heath on 30 July, 2011. Photographs of the reenactment, along with bespoke interstellar geology devices were exhibited in 'Artifact' at Imperial College, London.

Photography by Diego Trujillo.