GPS Drawing and Situationism

Multidisciplinary artist Jeremy Wood has been making some interesting work using GPS devices to draw his routes on foot. Interestingly, for the Traverse Me map, Jeremy avoided using roads and paths as much as possible. It brings to mind one of the basic exercises of situationism. The idea is that when you take a new route - one that is off the main drag, so to speak - the “spectacle” is revealed and the experience is supposed to be enlightening, bringing back the spirit of adventure and discovery. So tomorrow, while on your commute to work, or whatever, try taking a new route. Also consider this; if you go by car - try a bike ride, if you go by bike - take a walk, if you walk - try skateboarding. A refreshing situationist exercise.

From the artist:

I responded to the structure of each location and avoided walking along roads and paths when possible.

The route was recorded with GPS technology and was walked in stages over the 300 hectare site.

My shoes turned brown in the dry fields and they turned green in the long grass.

Security was called on me twice on separate occasions and I lost count of how many times I happened to trigger an automatic sliding door.