mapconception

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The  Project

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Mapconception is an on-going collaboration between Arzu Arda Kosar and Deb Diehl, who share a fascination with the historical cartography of Los Angeles County. We're interested in the ways psychological perceptions influence the practice of mapping, and how it continues to shape ideas of ownership and belonging in communities.

 We've made and have exhibited several maps  where viewers are invited to participate.  Each map encourages a  particular historical or psychological examination of  LA county, and  allows viewers to record their ideas and relationship to it.  

We are  currently working on projects that will incorporate a series of videos, shot at the boundaries of former Spanish and Mexican era Ranchos, and an on-line interactive psychogeographical map.


The 2D Maps

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The "Harbor Map" depicts the area in and around Rancho San Pedro, the first California land grant  "given" in 1784 by the Spanish government to one of its Spanish soldiers.  The map is made of three 4' X 6' layers of plexiglass that overlay in the following manner: 

Background Layer: Thomas Guide maps of currently Los Angeles County and city boundaries.

Layer 2:  Chumash and Tongva Native American Villages  est. between 7000-8000 BC (Yellow Dots)

Layer 3:  Boundaries for five of the first land grants established  in 1784.
 
Topmost Layer:  Interactive layer where members of the     South Bay were invited to demarcate where they live.


                                                                                                           

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Terra Incognita

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Terra Incognita means the "unexplored or unknown territory".  For our 9' X 12' "Terra Incognita Map"  we asked viewers to mark areas of central LA County according to three criteria:

•Places they they consider Terra Incognita and didn't want to go to or  explore

•Places they they consider Terra Incognita and wanted to go to or explore

•Places they know well and feel comfortable in




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Future Work

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We intend to continue creating of maps with the help of community residents from each region of LA County.  If your school or organization is interested in hosting or participating in the project, please contact us!


[email protected]
[email protected]


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