David Stamp

Bartertown

16 - 22 MAY 2005
Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy, North Uist

In a darts match where the winner takes all, two rival factions compete for land rights in Bartertown. A “reconstruction” of an event from 40’s Antarctica, Bartertown explores the birth of culture, survival and self-sufficiency.

Bartertown will see two men take up residence on the small island of Fathoire in Loch Maddy (North Uist) for one week.  Separated from civilization by 1km of water, these two men represent the fictional countries of Davidonia and Timtoria.  Upholding rival land rights to the piece of turf they stand on, they settled the disagreement by playing a darts match each day at noon.  The victor of the daily contest won sovereignty over the island for that day and the right to hoist his standard for all to see.

Bartertown is loosely based on an actual custom that happened on Deception Island (Antarctica) in the 1940’s; one that saw the personnel of an Argentine, British and Chilean base use sport as the means of settling an international dispute over land.

The dart matches took place everyday at 12’noon.

Darts Match video

View video of the Sunday's Dart Match (Quicktime)

Daily Winners

Special Thanks to

Tim Facey, Vango, Warwick Wireless Ltd., Andy MacKinnon, All the staff at Taigh Chearsabhagh, Niall Johnson at Uist Outdoor Centre, Debbie at Gael.net.