Mapping for Change
A page from Subjective Atlas of Serbia, by Annelys de Vet
Map Fest takes place at Mediamatic on July 6, 8 and 9 brings together kindred spirits to explore, create, define and oppose maps.
The Fest started with an evening on Mapping for Change with Wietske Maas, Christian Nold, Malkit Shoshan and Annelys de Vet. Hosted by independent curator Nat Muller.
Mapping for Change is about defying and opposing existing structures. It decentralizes power, handing it back to individuals and allowing local communities to organize themselves autonomously. Alternative maps and visualizations are used to challenge and change official policy. They allow for multiple views and voices to live side by side.
Here is a Review: Mapping for Change written by Daniel de Zeeuw
Speakers
Malkit Shoshan (FAST)
Malkit Shoshan is an Israeli architect based in The Netherlands. Since 2004 she has been the director of the Foundation for Achieving Seamless Territory. FAST uses architecture and planning to overcome the conflict of causality, fight injustices, and raise public debate on the issue of human rights violation through planning. Malkit spoke about Atlas of the Conflict Israel – Palestine, a publication in which she maps the processes and mechanisms behind the rise of the Israeli state over the past 100 years.
Wietske Maas’ work focuses on the co-existence of plants, humans and animals in cities, and on the city as a natural, autonomous source of food. Wietske presented some of the invisible edible geographies of a city, based on her most recent research for Casco’s Grand Domestic Revolution and about recipes as a meridian map of the vegetative underworld of Utrecht.
Annelys de Vet is the head of the design department of the Sandberg Instituut. As a graphic designer, she is heavily involved in the public and political discourse concerning the cultural representation of national identity. Annelys discussed her subjective atlases. In these publications, she maps a country, region or political entity in collaboration with local residents
Christian Nold is a London based artist, designer and educator. His projects deal with social, political and environmental innovation. Christian talked about his latest project, Bijlmer Euro, a local currency designed for Amsterdam Zuid Oost. The complimentary currency instigates meetings and social connections, supporting community development.