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Maps become art in CAC exhibit
Friday, May 16, 2008
Maps have long been more than just a document to get one from here to there.
Maps have also served as political tools, a way of teaching, a metaphor for exploration and a cultural voice.
Extras
And as a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center, "Uncoordinated," shows, maps can also be the basis for a work of art.
"The exhibition is a thoughtful show about how mapping as an activity and as a tool is used by artists from around the world to talk about a myriad of global issues," said chief curator Raphaela Platow in a press release. "This show is highly political but in a personal way and features a wide range of intriguing works in all media."
The works — which includes installations, paintings, photographs, videos and sculptures — demonstrate how human beings position themselves in the universe, within a culture or in time or how they map their own identity.
"Every map is a cultural construction that geographers, scientists and artists create to convey meaning," said Clare Norwood, the show's curator. "In this context, maps provide a globally relevant and universally understood medium for communication, expression and recording of history, culture and topography"
For example, Radcliffe Bailey explores African-American historical themes in his collages that merge maps of slave trade routes with Marcus Garvey's Black Star Line, a trade route meant to connect black-owned businesses in North America, Africa and the Caribbean.
The exhibition includes artists Brian Alfred, Noriko Ambe, Radcliffe Bailey, Jimmy Baker, Jonathan Callan, Matt Coors, Russell Crotty, Leila Daw, Qin Ga, Torben Giehler, Zach Herrmann, Marco Maggi, Stefana McClure, Tim McMichael, Aleksandra Mir, Mollie Oblinger and elin o'Hara slavick.
CONTACT this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
how to go
WHAT: "Uncoordinated: Mapping Cartography in Contemporary Art
WHERE: Contemporary Arts Center, 44 W. Sixth St., Cincinnati
WHEN: May 17 – August 17, 2008
COST: $7.50 adults; $6.50 seniors; $5.50 students; $4.50 children
MORE INFO: (513) 345-8400; www.contemporaryarts
center.org
