Map Assignment

Psychogeographical Map

Psychogeography is a subjective, rather than objective,

impression of space. Invented by the Situationists, an

international group of artists and tricksters based in Paris

(1957-1971), it is a way of expressing and recording

emotions, memories, and personal reflections.

Map your personal impression of where you live.

Are there certain places that hold special meaning for you?

Has your town or neighborhood changed over time?

Write down some free associations, feelings, memories.

Think of visual equivalents for your impressions:

a color (warm or cold?),

a texture (smooth or rough?),

a type of line (crisp or supple?).

Go to maps.google.com and find your location.

Zoom in so that the scale (bottom right) reads 100 ft (per inch, approx.).

The scale is important because the square shouldn’t be too large or too small; you want just have a few streets or roads reaching the outer edges.

Transfer the lines of the map onto a 8"x 8" inch piece of paper

(watercolor or bristol is best).

I will demonstrate a technique for this in the video.

Return to your notes about where you live and consider colors and textures you want. Or make it up as you go––follow

your own muse. You can paint, collage, use watercolor or patterned paper.

Think of your map as an abstract composition rather than a realistic diagram. Focus on patterns and textures instead until your familiar place looks unfamiliar. Turn the square around and find different possibilities.

Experiment with different patterns, colors, and orientations. Once you find a combination that you like, you are done. How do you see where you live in a different way? If you could change something about where you live, what would it be?