Progress: March 28, 2009

I decided I wanted to use Google maps along with the Mapquest maps to examine the different mapping formats. For the former, I needed my waypoints in decimal format. I found a great site to do Latitude/Longitude Conversions. This would have been useful when I was creating my digital maps in the beginning of this process. All the Quebec topographical maps were in the degrees, minutes, second format, while the Swedish maps were in the decimal format. At the time I didn't know the difference. I simply reformatted the decimal data into the degrees, minutes, second format, not realizing that I was bypassing the mathematical formula. I didn't realize that latitude and longitude values can be set using different notations: Decimal Degrees (DDD) (For example, 58.7500N) and Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS). (For example, 58°45'00"N). You can even use the Degrees, Minutes with Decimal Seconds (DMM) notation. The result is that my three Swedish maps were slightly off.

S-1 N 58°45'00" E -17°00'00" or 58.75N,17E

(not N 58°75'00" E- 17°00'00")

S-2 N 66°19'01" E -22°49'59" or 66.317N,22.833E

(not N 66°38'00" E- 22°83'00")

S-3 N 60°32'60" E 16°16'59" or 60.55N,16.283E

(not N 60°55'00" E- 16°28'00")

I didn't take note of the discrepancy until I was tweaking the Google code for each map. This is what happens when you learn as you go along. I really don't mind looking foolish, as so many of my creative choices in the past have stemmed from errors and accidents. Getting lost and taking detours in the physical realm (cycling), has its affinities in the creative realm as well. The chance happenings that you cannot plan. You can only set the stage for them to happen by being open.

Process: Hidden boundaries

Due to the ephemeral nature of my project — where I am trying to map waterways, often mutable as they are subject to time and weather — it is fitting that the Google maps and the Mapquest maps often reveal different boundaries. For example, Mapquest names and outlines the Whitefish Lake Indian Reserve 6 inhabited by the Ojibwa Whitefish Lake First Nation that is situated beside Panache Lake (PA-1). Google uses the reserve's official name (Whitefish Lake 6) without indicating it is a reserve, and does not include its boundaries. However, if you Google the term "Whitefish Lake Indian Reserve 6", it does bring up the Google Map. Mapquest seems to be more explicit with its tracing and naming.

It underlines my thoughts on mapmaking: that the map is related to its maker. There is not one Map, nor is there solely one interpretation of the world or reality. If something is missing from a map, does it mean it does not exist? Who decides what is worthy of being documented? What choices am I making while working on this project? What are my own motives?

Progress: March 7, 2009

Though I've worked on this project off and on for years due to sorry finances and a little detour through academia, the timing couldn't be better for completing the Tongue Rug project now in terms of new social media tools. The blog is the perfect medium to make the virtual sladdakavring.

• Each tag (A-1, LE-1, LA-1, etc.) becomes the individual tongues which make up the Tongue Rug.
• At the same time, each tag corresponds to a topographical element (body of water, bridge, etc.).
• The time-based entries allows me to keep track of my cycling logs as well as the associative thoughts and mini essays which surround this project.
• Commenting feature invites the public's participation and has the potential to alter the shape of the virtual Tongue Rug.

I'm looking forward to investigating the possibilities of the blog; playing, exploring, stretching and tweaking it, imagining new uses for it in both a formal and theoretical manner.

Progress: October 2008

Handed in my revised thesis. Should graduate in November. Working full-time now for the Canadian Council on Learning. Spend a lot of time on the computer. I need to work with my hands more: enter cardboard, collage and glue. Finally back to the Tongue Rug project.

Dear Diary: September 3, 2007

… I went to the storage space to get 4 wheels to install on the wood “closet” that Jo gave me. Unfortunately, I rushed the job and the wheels weren’t level. The wood on the ends and the back was not good quality. I decided to take it apart and conserve the good wood only. I didn’t have space in the living room anyway. I still have visions of making “the Rolling Studio” someday when I have access to a studio space.

It was a lot of work to take apart (and noisy! My neighbours must be annoyed). I’m only half way through. I made two trips to the storage space but stopped as the sun went down. It is a secluded area. I wanted to take precautions. The hallways are not well lit. I was so content walking across the canal to my “studio space”. I love that area – it is quite beautiful with the trees lined up and the arch of the bridge. Felt at home in that I could go out in my “mucking out” clothes with a bandana in my hair. And feel quite comfortable. I don’t miss the over dressed pretence of Monkland. It’s a North End Halifax feeling…

 

Progress: June 2007

Moved out of the Décarie dump. Now live close to the Lachine canal in the South-West of Montreal. Found a storage space on the canal: still looking for an affordable studio space for larger works. At least I now have a small space to continue working on the digital aspect of Tongue Rug. I've found a ghost lake in the area: Lac aux Loutres. It used to be where the Lachine canal is now. The thesis is almost complete. Starting to make mental lists of what needs to be done for Tongue Rug. Looking back at the long convoluted art making process, I should call my project Tongue Rug : the blog of defeat, or better, L'Éloge de la lenteur.

Progress: March 2007

Need to find both the time and the space (an affordable studio space) to finish Tongue Rug post-graduation. Artist residency? It's hard to find a good garage space in Montreal. In Halifax, it was easier to make large-scale sculptures. Maybe I should scale down my assemblages. I could make miniatures and blow them up digitally. What I need now is a House of my own.

Progress: February 2007

Having to start over might not be such a bad thing. Working for IBM during my studies, I am seeing firsthand the potential of Web 2.0 (mashups, blogs, wikis, etc.). What I had previously wanted to do on my own (by hiring a programmer), is now possible by using free social media tools. The time aspect of my project can be visualized in a very quick manner. The question is, can I deconstruct readymade blogs to fit my vision?

Progress: January 2007

Apartment broken into. Thieves stole my computer, scanner and all my CDs. Hadn't backed up my work in a while. Lots of art files lost though I conserved the majority of my thesis. Très demoralizing. Had to downgrade from the G5 to an old G3 iBook. Good thing though, is that I'm more mobile now. It reduces the scope - in a technical sense - of the Tongue Rug project. I am forced to make it more low tech which is a good thing. I'm realizing it is less a project about mobile technologies (GPS), than about crafting the space and time needed to create.

Dear Diary: November 22, 2006

… I enjoyed Adam Gopnik’s talk [Concordia Reading Series]. Especially his words at the end when he was answering questions. What he said related to the last two weeks. The need to write physically. Make it concrete – get it out. Make it a feat of endurance and stamina – it will be terrible but it doesn’t matter. It’s out, then you can make it good. Also, you have to write your way out of a problem – work. And it is good to find something you can “usefully attach an obsession to”…