Collective Mapping, 2015

The Argentinian collective Iconoclasistas (Julia Risler and Pablo Ares)—pioneers in the production of collective maps that stimulate the creation of focuses, visions, and perspectives that trigger reflection about a common territory—carried out a collective mapping project with Santa María la Ribera neighbors in 2015. The mapping was focused on distinct aspects related to the quality of life in the neighborhood. Work sessions were focused on debating and exchanging information about issues of infrastructure, green areas, the use of public space, types of transportation, the state of housing, and the presence of real estate developments.

The sessions took place in spaces at Casa Gallina and in neighborhood sites that are widely used as public space, such as the Alameda park, the market, and the front of the church. For the exercises, Iconoclasistas designed different tools, such as maps, icons, and surveys with the goal of collecting information from both the workshop participants and the neighbors who passed through the public spaces. After three weeks of sessions, more than 200 participants shared data to form a contextual imprint of collective reflection from the neighborhood.

This exercise shaped many of the subsequent projects included in inSite/Casa Gallina’s programming, since it enabled an approximation of the interests and concerns that were brewing within the communities that inhabited the neighborhood.

—Josefa Ortega

Curator: Osvaldo Sánchez
Final Project: An interactive print together with a publication summarizing the process and tools used to carry out the mapping.

Participants in the workshops and mapping: Gabriela Galván, Elena Ibáñez Bravo, Irene Andrade, Gabriela Amor, Paloma Rivera Uribe, María de los Ángeles Hernández, Luis Miguel Barro, Guadalupe Cristóbal, Sergio Corona, Carlos Atl, Daniela Fontaine, Brenda Raya, Uriel Arteaga, Brenda Strempler, Diego Carrasco, and almost 200 participants in street mapping exercises.