for my map assignment, i chose to explore High Street (124th Street & Area). originally, this started out as a google map but somehow it took a life of its own and became this:
i don't know exactly how it happened; it kind of just did.
at each of the points, i have a little blurb about the significance of each location in regards to how it affected or made me think about my movement within that area. the pictures in between are interesting images/views i saw as i was travelling from point to point. not necessarily places you need to stop at, but just to provide a bit of perspective into what i noticed (or in some cases, what my partner pointed out to me) as i discovered an area.
i wanted to make it more about the walk itself rather than reaching certain points. thus, i wanted to make my map appear to be more of a "photowalk" and because googlemaps was not particularly useful in that aspect, since it's more focused on the point itself, this diorama (?) came to life.
while i was working on this assignment, i found that i was constantly changing my ideas on how i wanted this map to be presented. eventually, this was the final end product, although i'm not exactly sure as to how i feel about it. i'm proud of the work i did but i still feel like i need to add more - that it's not yet complete. its similar to what i feel i've learned in 380 so far - i enjoy the class and i love the fact that it's more conceptually based (as a science major, this is a rather welcomed change) but i feel as there's still more to it, both literally and figuratively speaking.
*special thanks to my friend Diana who braved the cold weather to walk this map with me and helped take photos :)
This looks really neat! I feel like pictures don't do it justice, and I'd have to get up close and take a look at it to fully experience it. [Insert obvious metaphor about how this holds for Edmonton, cities, etc. here.]
ReplyDeletethe pictures in between are interesting images/views i saw as i was travelling from point to point. not necessarily places you need to stop at, but just to provide a bit of perspective into what i noticed (or in some cases, what my partner pointed out to me) as i discovered an area.
I feel like this is an essential part of "discovering" a place, actually, and fixing it in your mind as something memorable. Finding all of those little spots you have to stop at. Like a sign whose meaning got subverted by hilarious graffiti, or a particularly beautiful view. Anyone can talk about a place's atmosphere or history or whatever, but it's those little details that give it authenticity.
English 380 feels incomplete to me, too. This isn't a criticism, though! The incompleteness is essential to the point of the course, and it's fascinating: in order to "complete" our coursework, we have to experience Edmonton on our own terms, and keep experiencing it. Which isn't something that's going to be done within three months. Or in any span of time, really. Edmonton's not a closed text, and building a sense of place is an ongoing project, I think.
I love the visual representation of your map! It looks so cool, and also slightly confusing. This is not at all critical, it is probably because I can't see it close up, but it reminds me of how I feel about Edmonton. The way that everything in your map is sort of interconnected and leads to other pictures and stories really reflects the way I think alot of people feel about the city. We all have these awesome places that hold memories for us and lead us to other memories, but are often confused about our over all feeling about the city as a whole. I think your map looks fantastic (you make my own map seem uncreative!).
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