billpapa.org Reading (b)log

A Strategy and Experiments in Mapping Sociospatial Practices

Mounajjed N, Peng C, Walker S

This paper in the relatively new journal Human Technology is about the use of ethnographic methods by artists. Ethnography is used as a tool for a growing number of disciplines, something that is essential for its prosperity (Marcus, 2003 cited in this paper). On the other hand it notes the increasing use of ethnography by artists to visualize “invisible” patterns: of relevance here is the concept of ”Ethnographic Mapping”.

The authors attempt to operationalize ethnographic mapping by the development of a flexible tool that includes ethnographic mapping, observations, interviews, photos, videos etc: the intervention protocol. They use it pragmatically and adapt it according to the situation at hand. What I find interesting in this paper is that it is a reminder of how art can inform science: artists are visionaries and can sometimes see openings we don’t (as I explained in the post about J.R. Leegte).

References

• Foster, H. (1996). The Return of the Real: Critical Models in Art and Theory since 1960. Cambridge: MA: MIT Press.
• Marcus, G. E. (2003). On the problematic contemporary reception of ethnography as the stimulus for innovations in its forms and norms in teaching and research. Anthopological Journal on European Cultures, 11, 191-206.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 at 12:28 am and is filed under art, design, ethnography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.