Concept Work 14–15: This is not an Atlas page 72 + 158
by Rana Tabbara
Kollektiv Orangotango. (2018). This is not an Atlas: A global collection of counter-cartographies. Germany.
The concept of a protest is often belittled to a mere demonstration or group gathering. However, this is not the case as protests are about executing “different actions in different places” at once (Orangotango, 2018, p.72). People can choose to either join a protest and follow others or create and organize their own protest, allowing it to be more independent and powerful. To reach this kind of liberty and self-direction in protests, it is important to have put together an action map. This is a political map that demonstrates “contact points, landmarks, demo-routes and protests in the surrounding area” (Orangotango, 2018, p.72). Such information can be updated through following up with media, fact-checked news circulated on mobile phones and its utilities and apps.
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a map available online that acts as a database. In central Europe data maps surpass maps that are done by official entities given their competitive quality. Specialized programs can allow ordinary people to create advanced maps, which can be enhanced with visuals and imagery brought by other editing programs.
Topographic maps depict a land and its detailed areas through presenting “geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show the shape of the land, the mountains, valleys, and plains by means of brown contour lines” (U.S. Geological Survey, p.1).
Ushahidi is a crowdsourcing tool that comes in the form of a map. It is used by people who want to contribute information to the map as it gives them full independence to do so.
Police have come to use maps for surveillance purposes and to repress protests. Smartphones and digital devices are being used by law enforcement to get data regarding the protests and participating individuals.
Hidden object format looks at scenes from a bird’s eye perspective. It includes diverse and uncountable scenes and narratives, which are condensed into a single area or space. This format triggers audiences to search, find and sparks imagination through creating connections between characters, places and social issues.
