‘<i>Isla Abierta</i>’ or <i>‘Isla Cerrada’?</i>: <scp>K</scp>armadavis's Pre‐ and Post‐Earthquake <scp>H</scp>ispaniola

<jats:p>Border relations on Hispaniola have always been characterised by contradictory dynamics. After the 2012 earthquake some hoped that the catastrophe could signpost the beginning of better border relations. Well before the earthquake, the artist David Pérez a.k.a. Karmadavis had urged the inhabitants of the island to consider Hispaniola as an <jats:italic>isla abierta</jats:italic> (open island) where one could develop a national identity in relation with and not in opposition to one's neighbours. After the earthquake, Karmadavis continues to denounce how Hispaniola is still an <jats:italic>isla cerrada</jats:italic> (closed island) that fails to realise, appreciate and celebrate itself as a <jats:italic>estructura completa</jats:italic> (complete structure).</jats:p>