While seeking shelter from the rain years ago, I ventured into the ruins straddling the border of the Netherlands and Germany—now an open space adjacent to the freeway, once housing a customs office in North Aachen. During my Borderland Residency, I delved into comprehensive archive research in Aachen and Heerlen, gaining valuable insights into the checkpoint's appearance half a century ago. The nearby garage/storage, yet to be demolished, captivated my attention. With permission from the Bundespolizeiinspektion Aachen, I 'collected' four tube light bases dating back to 1979, along with other items.
I sold three intact tube light bases to metal recycling companies in Landgraaf, Kerkrade, and Aachen afterward. To my surprise, the proceeds exceeded expectations (Euros), with the highest value coming from a can of Coca-Cola. However, I was uncertain about the proper procedure for declaring this income to the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands). Fortunately, an opportunity for this exhibition allowed me to legally transfer the income by categorizing it as a private collection under my name, and utilizing it to contribute the VAT to the taxation department. Besides, I received positive feedback from representatives of the German state agency regarding my 'collection,' as conveyed in email correspondence.