Wanderlust & GAIA

In geography books from the 1800's the observations of the world provides a record of our long held fascination and curiosity for the lands beyond. That drive to search for understanding continues to capture our imaginations and propel our explorations further.

Maps from geography books published in 1860’s - 1880’s are cut and recombined. Combining the maps with antique wooden shoe forms, map pins and thread, suggests a journey charted, imagined, or remembered. A unique perspective of mapping the world is depicted utilizing the antique materials in sharp contrast to our present day issues and conflicts, affecting untold populations around the world.

The carefully charted topographies, geographies, boundaries and coordinates are ultimately transformed, inviting new explorations. Layering the paper, responding to the antique cartographic renderings and the contours of the shoe forms, playfully suggests new narratives.

The environmental impacts of climate change which are currently under scrutiny and investigation, and impacting us globally, can be traced to previous generations' interest in the study of the atmosphere, and wind and water currents charted in the maps of physical geography books in the 1800's.