This project began as an inquiry into addressing Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and seeking justice for his victims, focusing on Little Saint James Island where Epstein’s most egregious acts occurred. Following the scandal, the island was set for transformation into a luxury resort by 2025, prompting me to explore alternative forms of resistance such as art installations and even radical proposals like destroying the island to counteract redevelopment. This led to a deeper reflection on the neutrality of land itself, merely rocks and sand, uninvolved in human misconduct. The project challenges the notion of land as inherently neutral, influenced instead by its users. The notorious reputation of Little Saint James, now tied to Epstein, underscores how land assumes the character of those who control it. This realization spurred a design intervention aimed at making the island difficult to develop and exploit, aligning with reparative and justice-oriented goals for Epstein’s victims. The design includes removing land where Epstein’s properties stood, installing systems to cleanse the area and collect microplastics, and an elevated pathway to minimize further disturbance, ultimately prompting a reevaluation of the island’s narrative.
