Paper short abstract:

In context of our artistic and research projects on patterns of mobility and migration we develop models as 3 dimensional cartographies understood as "deep maps", partly in a participatory manner. They work as interfaces for triggering conversations on site and for the dissemination of findings.

Paper long abstract:

In contrast to data mining our 3d models are based on qualitative research conducted on site and - in best case - exhibited at the very same site:

Our installation "EXIT St. Pankraz. A motorway service area as a transnational hub of migration routes", developed in the context of an art in public space festival in Austria, was placed directly on the large parking lot. On the macro political level the 40m by 20m large 3d-model represents an abstract cartography of 12 individuals paths who frequented this spot for very different reasons. It consisted of a wooden frame and board construction, travel destination names mounted as oversized letterings to the sides. Juxtaposing the rather abstract bird view network-diagram (following e.g. Beck's London Tube design) on each path a loudspeaker was mounted, displaying on a micro-political level the experience (of political changes) of 12 individuals in short audio-tracks (a.o. German-Turkish ‚guest worker' family, lavatory attendant, local fitter).

The positioning, its significant design, the compelling aesthetics and basic usability attracted a wide spectrum of visitors. Triggered by the installation visitors got more and more talkative. But due to the logic of an art festival we had to leave soon after the opening. When we later were invited for a similar project in Germany, we understood already the setup itself as tool for conversations and research, being able to simultaneously react on new inputs, by adding, cutting and extending paths to our on-site 3d model.

mhmz.at/2007/12/07/exit-st-pankraz/