Territories and Interfaces

“In this project, your task is to develop a personal psychogeographic map for a physical space or journey. You’ll be collecting data based on your own experiences and translating that information onto a geographic map of the space. This process will result in the creation of a novel interface for communicating your data, which can take the form of physical, digital, print, or object representation…”

Brief of Project 2

Project Context and Focus:
“Impression Winchester | 2023 Autumn to 2024 Spring” is a psychogeographic exploration of the surroundings of Winchester School of Art and my daily commute. Living alone abroad for the first time, I chose Winchester as my subject to reflect on how its environment influenced my emotional state over six months. My work captures the interplay between the natural landscape, architectural elements, and seasonal changes, emphasizing how these factors affected my perceptions and emotions.

Media and Methodology:
The project employs digital photography and collage to create a series of psychogeographic maps. These media allowed me to document and artistically represent the dynamic interactions between Winchester’s environment and my personal experiences. By integrating my photographs into digital collages, I aimed to visually convey the fluctuating moods and atmospheres influenced by changes in weather, light, and seasons. The project draws on theories of psychogeography, particularly those by Guy Debord, and is inspired by contemporary photographers who explore the relationship between place and emotion.

Evaluation and Future Development:
Reflecting on my work, I find strength in my detailed observation and ability to translate personal experiences into compelling visual narratives. However, I recognize a need to expand the multimedia elements to enhance the immersive quality of the project. In future developments, I plan to incorporate audio and interactive components to deepen viewer engagement and effectively communicate the themes. Additionally, I aim to explore other environments, continuing to refine my approach of integrating personal experience with geographic observation.

Self-Analysis and Emotional Impact:
Before starting the project, I conducted a self-analysis of my emotional state, noting how my moods fluctuated due to weather conditions. The long nights and frequent rain in Winchester affected my mood, while the return of sunlight revitalized my spirits. This self-reflection was crucial in understanding the deep connection between my psychological state and the physical environment, a central theme in my work.

Relevance to Climate Change:
The increased rainfall and changing weather patterns observed during my time in Winchester are consistent with broader climate change trends. Research by the Met Office indicates that extreme rainfall events in the UK are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming. For example, rainfall events exceeding 20mm per hour could become four times as frequent by 2080 under high emissions scenarios. This highlights the importance of understanding and documenting the impact of climate change on local environments and personal experiences.

“Impression Winchester | 2023 Autumn to 2024 Spring” is an artistic journey through time and space, offering a personal narrative of how the changing seasons and environmental conditions shape our inner worlds. By presenting this project on my portfolio website, I hope to share the intricate and often subtle interactions between our surroundings and our emotions.