|
Starting point of position I & II are images of a website of a cruise liner that is travelling
around the world. On the website there are daily updated images of a webcam that is put up on the
ship's bridge, maps and information on the current position and the climate. The imagery was
taken out of context, additionally all textual information was removed from the maps.
Fascinating is the fact that two very differnt image systems are pointing
to the same part of reality. The camera on the ship's bridge shows the same position as the
purple dot in the center of the map. We are always in the center, the world is rotating
around us. The yellow line supposes movement but still we barely know where we are as the
sea does not supply any information on the exact location. The map, stripped of any textual
information, does not give enough reference. Assigned to photography as well as cartography
are qualities of orientation. Both are
systems of visualization even though photography supposedly includes the idea of authenticity
whereas cartography includes a notion of construction. Both systems are widely questioned with
the images shown. The boat itself is a perfect example of the non-location as Marc Augé puts it, it is bare of any attributes of individuality and is marked by a certain anonymity. This anonymity can be found in the images which reject anything definite by their restraint dealings with the visible. |