Annotated Topography

“Following a rambling conversation with his dear friend Robert Filliou, Daniel Spoerri one day mapped the objects lying at random on the table of his room, adding a rigorously scientific decription of each. These objects subsequently evoked associations, memories, anecdotes; not only from the original author, but from his friends as well: a beguiling creation was born. Many of the principal participants of FLUXUS make an appearance. It is a novel of digressions in the manner of Tristram Shandy or Robbe-Grillet; it’s a game, a poem, an encyclopaedia, a cabinet of wonders: a celebration of friendship and creativity. The Topography personifies (and pre-dates) the whole FLUXUS spirit and constitutes one of the strangest and most compelling insights into the artist’s life. From out of the banal detritus of the everyday a virtual autobiography emerges.”

Instructions

Most maps refer to a field of objects. All of these objects and spaces are triggers for other associations, They trigger memories of other objects, remind one of other landscapes, or scenes from literature, television cinema, politics, or advertising. Some help us understand cultural or social contexts. Some relate to the law or literature. Some relate to scientific knowledge. Some relate to non-human occupants of the site, and so on..

Referencing drawings or aerials of a Chicago park, trace the perimeter boundaries of all objects, territories, spaces, landmarks, and other measurable features.
Number every object.
Annotate, associatiating each number to a complementary encyclopedia. Each entry of the encyclopedia can include instructions on use, historic information, an analysis of related socio-cultural practices, general associations, personal memories, daydreams and other relations.

Possible Tools:

Drawing on Paper
Adobe Illustrator

Relevant Texts:

Spoerri, Daniel. Anecdoted Topography of Chance.
George Perec, Think Classify.

Other Inspiration:

Michael Landy, “Breakdown” (link)

ChicagoParks to Reference:

Use any park in the (list) as a constraint or reference, exhausting the landscape, space by space, object by object, Try not to ‘overmine’, or ‘undermine’ the survey, Objects contain objects. Objects are contained by other objects. Spaces contain spaces. Spaces may be contained by spaces.