Networking as an artist – mapping, places and locations

A map translates spatial positions into an at least two–dimensional layer by means of a virtual (assumed/ agreed) coordinate–system. Thereby fixed points (locations) and lines of movement (paths/ roads) are recorded that result in a network which makes experience (orientation) possible.
But maps also can be read in a negative way: due to its extension the un-space between the lines of movement can be interpreted as “space” that possibly hides points, traces of movement and experiences left behind by the author.
From this point of view maps can be seen as a subjective presentation of knowledge. This conclusion is not new (one may think of the wonderful excessive usage of it by the Situationists) but holds interesting topics still to explore if it is confronted with the idea of “cyberspace”. The cyberspace read literally as a technological “space” also makes the recording of locations possible but neglects the concept of space as such (considered as something that has to do with expansion and distance). So, basically it is one–dimensional because all places are merged into one point. But, combined with fleshspace it is multidimensional because suddenly the dimension of time can be added, as well as technical conditions, personal relationships, addictions, fears, dreams, ... in short: “realities” are emerging. naturally these realities are of interest for artistic interventions within networks (personal and electronic ones).

Being such an artistic network we are trying to explore these individual realities. Most of us haven't met in fleshspace yet though a certain basis has been established that can be seen as a personal network of relationships. Works created within this network are dealing with exactly these realities:

The connection of places through assumed concepts as presented in «remote impressionist art:» a square consisting of four colourfields shows the current colours of heaven in four different places in this world. United in a 5th, 6th, 7th ... location (the work is residing on the net and thereby theoretically vieweable in an infinite number of locations simultaneously) something like a relationship is emerging between those places only by means of a single collective activity: watching heaven.

A translation of realities into the electronic space and back is shown in the work «project MetaMap version 0.1," which again deals with relationships, but is expressed and processed completely differently. The MetaMap is based upon personal agreements made between the participanting artists. Short trips in the real “flesh space” world were documented and drawn on a collective map resulting in a space which does not exist in reality but can be read as an existing topography of a personal network. The medium of the map thereby points beyond the mere subjectivity of its contents and connects locations in time, space and relationships.
The fixed points (locations) and lines of movement (paths) become variable and the virtual coordinate–system becomes real for each participant.

carlos katastrofsky
editing: sabine hochrieser

__[paraflow]pond.