I wonder if they can map read?
A new map is being created of Sydney, but not the usual kind, this is a map of….bird surnames!
The bizarre idea was dreamed up by Kate Sweetapple, a visual communication designer from the University of Technology, in response to a project commissioned by Dr Naomi Stead from the University entitled Mapping Sydney.ÂÂ
Perhaps in acknowledgement of her own unusual surname, Dr Sweetapple began to research bird surnames using an online telephone directory. These she then mapped, adding a bird silhouette to mark each household that contained a feathered surname. She now has 938 bird silhouettes on her map, representing 36 species. She has rather aptly chosen the title Avian Surnames for her project.
Once such surname on the map belongs to Ruth Seagull from Rose Bay. Ruth was born in Israel as Ruth Sigal and migrated to Australia 20 years ago. ”I thought I would like my surname to suit where I live, so when I did my name registration, I made it Seagull,” she explained. Ruth is delighted with the map and thinks it’s a fantastic idea!
Dr Sweetapple said her work was dedicated to all those who have had to explain their surnames. She is now working to produce a fish map!
But the project has an artistic element to it. Dr Naomi Stead, the brains behind Mapping Sydney, commissioned various people to produce maps of the city that were unique in their perspectives. “My commission was the map could be based on the artist’s own experiences, perceptions, wishes, inventions, memories, statistics, geographies, or theories about the city.�
Mapping Sydney is exhibiting various maps on Sydney, including one by animator and filmmaker Jane Shadbolt entitled Map 9 K11, which are stories of lives spanning over 15 years, in 5 shared houses across 5 suburbs, all mapped out in a similar layout to a street directory.
The maps will be displayed at the DAB LAB Research Gallery in Sydney from August 27 to September 25. For more information visit www.dab.uts.edu.au.
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