Globalization and the rapidly increasing density of urban centers (more than half of the world now lives in a city) is requiring diverse societies to develop visual and cultural mechanisms for articulating their relationships both to their own community and to the “whole” world, a world which, economically and technologically speaking, is already right in their (our) backyard. In the last century, and especially in the last 30 years, artists have made maps, subverted maps, performed itineraries, imagined territories, contested borders, charted the invisible, and hacked physical, virtual, and hybrid spaces in the name of cartography. This studio course examines the intersection of creative mapping, globalization, power and emotion via lectures and discussions, hands-on workshops and studio projects. We look at the history of the map and cartography as a powerful tool for producing the world. We examine historical precedents for creative mapping practices (Surrealists, Situationists, Land Art) and engage critically with the current locative craze in the fields of social media, business and design. Students in this course are introduced to contemporary mapping practices and technologies including walking, GPS devices, GIS software, mobile applications, and DIY aerial photography with a focus on open-source tools. Students are encouraged to map immeasurable, ineffable and invisible territories along with concrete, material realities.
No specific technical experience necessary.
Open to senior,fifth-year, graduate