The Exactitude of Maps

The "Exactitude of Maps" is a soundscape that represents the data layer interwoven with the urban landscape. By sonifying user reviews and rankings taken from digital maps and linking them to their physical locations, the project enables listeners to wander through the virtual heat map of the city revealed by aggregated user data. When tuning into this new sensory experience, listeners are invited to consider who has access and who profits from this detail-rich, live representation. What is the relationship between users, who generate data by adding their businesses, uploading their travel photos, or leaving reviews, and the platform providers that can monetize this?

This project was done in collaboration with Felipe Fonseca Schmidt and the sound artist Tim Courtyn. It was made as part of the CODE23 project, funded by IMPAKT, Werktank, Privacy Salon and transmediale.

Concept: Rebekka Jochem & Felipe Fonseca Schmidt
Implementation of audio walk: Rebekka Jochem
Sound artist: Tim Courtyn
Exhibition Design: Rebekka Jochem