| Game Art |
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| - Aram Bartholl |
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Aram Bartholl: Map 2006-2010. |
Fig.: Installation
Series by Aram Bartholl. |
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The project 'Map' is a public space installation questioning the red map marker of the location based search engine Google Maps. "Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps." With a small graphic icon Google marks search results in the map interface. The design of the virtual map pin seems to be derived from a physical map needle. On one hand the marker and information speech bubble next to it cast a shadow on the digital map as if they were physical objects. When the map is switched to satellite mode it seems that they become part of the city.
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The speech bubble icon is
also a simple 20
px graphic icon which stays always at the same size on the computer screen.
The size of the life size red marker in physical space corresponds to the size
of a marker in the web interface in maximal zoom factor of the map. Where is
the center of a city?
In the city center series 'Map' is set up at the exact spot where Google Maps
assumes to be the city center of the city. Transferred to physical space the
map marker questions the relation of the digital information space to every
day life public city space. The perception of the city is increasingly influenced
by geolocation services.
