Introduction

Taking inspiration from Ortelius’ 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’ (Theatre of the World), the first modern atlas, it is my aim to gain insight into the way in which the world is organised. Not by means of abstract maps and purely geographical data, but by arranging photographic registrations of the world according to personal criteria.

The archive consists of images categorised according to gesture. These 'Gestures' show traces and effects of human interventions. The images can be taken anywhere; they all emphasise that people, regardless of their geographical location, have similar ways of organising and designing their daily environment. Examples of these gestures are found in the way in which elements are adapted, concealed, demonstrated, mirrored, displayed and so on. Besides a somehow objective view, the archive reveals a more subjective and expressive way of perceiving and interpreting the surroundings. The system is in a constant state of development and is extensively brought up to date when new images and categories have been obtained. One image can be included in different categories and systems and, in consequence of this, trigger opposite meanings.

For the online presentation of this archive two of the categories, Refer (References) and Speculate (Speculations), have their own presentation format. These representations react on the many online photo archives that work for instance with geo-tagging and other navigation structures and will actively be brought up to date.

‘References’ makes us understand how (garden) architecture, business and private interiors, institutes such as the museum and recreation parks express their respective views of less than familiar locations and cultures. In the navigation the images are to be found at the place they represent instead of the place they were originally taken. ‘Speculations’ is made up of images of spaces that represent a specific era in the past. These spaces are reconstructed or conserved to explain, glorify or commemorate a certain period of time.

This website gives the possibility to follow the process of the research Theatrum Orbis Terrarum besides public presentations in exhibitions and publications. Since 2007 I have presented the archive in several exhibitions and formats (e.g. MuHKA in Antwerp, Tent. Rotterdam, Bonner Kunstverein, Museum de Paviljoens in Almere, FRAC NPDC Dunkerque). Besides posters and contributions to publications there is a B/W pocket publication of this research published in 2007.



Colophon:
Developed by Marjolijn Dijkman (ongoing since 2005)
Photographs: Marjolijn Dijkman
Made by Rekall Design
Published by the Jan van Eyck Academie

This research has been made possible with the generous support of the Jan van Eyck Academie