Re-tracing Bangalore (working title)_Mine the City_Independent project

I am right now working on a new project that will extend my learning from Mine the City. [Stuff like: Storytelling, typography, understanding the juxtaposition of text and image are what I learned in this semester.]

What I am intending to do for the project is to revisit the design process of how the present day map of Bangalore came into existence, and re-create a map that will fictionalize certain variables that can open up new conversations and thoughts.

My initial research suggests that Bangalore has undergone massive change. Lot of adjectives which are used to describe the place today like the ‘garden city of India’, peaceful, a ‘pensioner’s paradise’ etc. stems from certain design philosophies that were used two centuries back with the advent of the Britishers. I am not changing any of those thoughts here. But what I intend to do is to build dialogues by creating alternative realities by experimenting with the process of mapping. I am not sure at this stage if ‘reality’ is the right word. It could be fictional history etc. I am still reading to learn how to accomplish this project. As it is in an early stage, I am going through many readings, philosophies, works etc.

Everyday tons of websites, products and apps are launched. But only few stand out and sustain themselves in the process. A lot of the products are just tweaked here and there; sometimes they are a by-product of an interesting concept gone wrong. Coming from an arts background, I really feel that establishing a line of thought, process is as essential as having a good idea. Concepts and ideas could stand the test of time if only it has been executed through a thorough methodology.

The other thing is about introspection. Compared to an artists, a designer who works on commercial brief often have diverse work portfolio. It is essential that we keep questioning where these works are going, how they are received and what their future is, et al. To expand on this I will use the following talk of Anthony Dunne:

https://vimeo.com/37557758

It is called What If... Crafting Design Speculations.

Anthony Dunne had coined the term critical design with Fiona Raby. This video is essentially explains that. Though the terminology is new, but from what I understand, the process of thinking critically is not really new. Why I find it relevant right now is that in the mapping project, I will basically be pointing out few facts, questioning their basis – all through fictional stories. Interestingly movies have explored this concept long back. They would use scientific data to create make-believe environments and bring in characters from real life and create situations/variables where certain issues are questioned. Take the fictional story in Da Vinci Code, it was popular because it used certain known facts, created a logical story based on them and opened up different line of thought.

I agree with Dunne that not everything needs to be solved; at times it is about questioning what is already there. I want to expand on the previous idea of how a map is ‘built’, expand their roles and see if by playing with certain elements I can bring in a point for discussion. What I hope to create is a build space that resembles the real, yet is not.

A friend of mine pointed out that it should not turn out something 'cliche'. And I really cannot promise that. But I am definitely pushing myself to understand what it means to reflect. By looking closely at an ubiquitous map, I am trying see to things that has been overlooked. I think before creating something new, it is necessary that I learn to question. Questioning the validity, finding answers, looking for solutions, creating newer objects and again looking back- that is what I mean by a process.

And I know how vague it sounds right now. But that is good. Somewhere I have to start. Being confused is at times good because it makes us work extra, and I think it will be fun.