Maps and Models: reviewing the synergies of environment and electronic art

Through examples of work researched and made by New Zealand and visiting international new media artists at SCANZ, this research project examines the role of new media arts in visualizing contemporary models of place.                                

Through interviews, review and dialogue with artists who are researching and producing art work within the Environmental Response theme at the SCANZ residency at WITT, this project aims to identify, reflect upon and visually map the concerns of these artists.                                

Through the examination of stories and images communicated in these specific works of art, the project will develop new models of representing and communicating the converging terrains of the specific Taranaki environment, and digital mediascapes.                               

This is a written research project that aims to review the practices undertaken at SCANZ by national and international artists, working under the Environmental Response strand. Specifically, I hope that through artist interviews, art and process reviews, and dialogue with the artists surrounding key aspects of their research and production, to create a ‘map’, of the theoretical concerns of this important emerging art field. While I am a practicing artist, with a specific concern for environmental responsiveness, and working with new media, this project is an opportunity for me to take a step back and create research and reflection within the field of practice that I am fascinated with. The research could lead to numerous possible outcomes, including but not limited to articles, papers and curatorial guidelines for the Intercreate Research Centre. My main aim however is to create a kind of map (or series of overlapping maps), as a visual reflection of the key areas being research and interpreted by the artists at SCANZ.

I bring with me research already conducted in this field, such as reflection upon the, by then, recently completed One Day Sculpture: Dunedin project, (Dec08-Jan09) which integrates new media arts and site-specific sculpture, working with artists Walker and Bromwich, Adam Hyde and Douglas Bagnall, as well as a theoretical overview of literature relating to the history of place and cartography.

The project is a part of ongoing research in the role of new media arts in visualizing contemporary models of place, with a specific focus on arts in New Zealand.

While the research period at SCANZ would not allow for final production of writing, a draft of the findings will be presented back to artists for further reflection.   

Caro McCaw is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Leader in Communication Design at Otago Polytechnic. Her research interests include examining situated creative practices, participatory art and design, and particularly the relationship between material location and networked culture drawing from examples in the fields of both art and design. Caroline is studying extramurally towards a PhD in Brisbane, Australia.