Gardenarium, 2000 - 2006

Walking is an immersive research modality that often informs my practice. Here are sample images that include the use of various other wayfaring apparatuses. My interests are focused on the conceptual outcomes made possible by mapping projects.

Drawing inspiration from Karen O'Rourke's seminal work, "Walking and Mapping: Artists as Cartographers," my research modality for this project is deeply rooted in the evolving paradigms of cartographic practices. O'Rourke posits that the human propensity for mapping is an innate function of the primate brain, which has been externalized and objectified throughout human evolution. Initially, the act of mapping was a rudimentary endeavor facilitated by the use of sticks to etch basic symbols into the earth. However, as human cognition and technology advanced, these maps transcended their utilitarian origins to become intricate and aesthetically sophisticated artifacts.

In the contemporary milieu, characterized by the ubiquity of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), high-resolution satellite imaging, and a globally interconnected Internet, the very ontology of maps and the act of mapping are undergoing a transformative shift. My artistic practice is situated within this complex cartographic landscape, utilizing an array of modern navigational tools such as GIS and GPS to explore the conceptual possibilities engendered by this new era of mapping. These technologies serve as instruments for spatial representation and critical apparatuses for interrogating the multifaceted relationships between space, identity, and the sociopolitical implications of wayfinding in a hyper-connected world.