Locative Media & The City

Would the Derive have the same experience interacting within their urban environment, if they were more knowledgable about the historical facts, economics, and specifics linked to the city they're in? How does being informed about a particular place that you may be "deriving" through impact your over-all experience. Seon Hyoung Kim made a good argument for the act of derive, through wander and chance, and letting our intuitive senses be on alert as to where we should go next. "The city and being lost in the city helps to create a personal map of the space and the senses" as she puts it. I agree that thinking and reacting intuitively to our spacial surroundings based on what may stimulate our senses can be more liberating.

I too enjoyed Chris's map of his Buffalo. It seems to get to the point about how we perceive our surroundings, and what we feel are the most important ways to navigate through them. Not having been in Buffalo that long, i too gravitate towards a distinct pattern that involves the North/South corridors of Delaware and Elmwood, pretty much Military to Main. I almost always get lost in Cheektowaga. Internal compass doesn't seem to work there.
As far as cities go, I would say Buffalo was planned out well. Main arteries are very long, and run across the whole city, versus being short and segmented.

I found the lecture by Erwin intersting and informative. From a standpoint of "Art as Business", there are some valuable concepts to be abstacted from this artist. He is obviously successful at what he does, and has garnered some "cool gigs" as a professional artist; city contracts and large expensive endeavors that have considerable budgets. Perhaps his success can be observed through some main elements of his work. He has a distinct and signature style that has branded him well. Signature style is important, versus having a vague and varied display of works that seem to not define the artist in a distinct way. You may argue that his work is too similar and seems like the same approach from installation to installation, but his signature technology and aesthetic approach is working. There is a power displayed in the scale of his projects. There seems to be nothing timid about his confidence to tackle some serious spaces. This engineering confidence i'm sure serves him well in dealing with munincipalities, corporations,etc.. whom are a lot more apt to deal with an artist that can execute their work well.

I would say after Thursday's lecture, I'm a bit closer to getting a grip on the meanings and motivations behind the authors of the readings. I do find the fusion between tangibles and intangibles, the physical world, and the world of ones thoughts, perceptions and imagination interesting and yet confusing at times. Each receiving equal weight, if not leaning to the intangibles. A map is a product that historically holds a good deal of intergrity. When I think of a map, i think of something that is factual, strong, unbiased in ways. It is intended to guide and perhaps enlighten us to a better understanding of our environment.