"Whenever you go to a place for the first time, you probably look for supermarkets, restaurants, and shops that you will need for your daily life. Nowadays, many people use the Internet to search for places and plan their activities. I always feel happy and excited when being guided by local people about that place. However, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, I did not have the opportunity to travel and learn about new places" - artist Shiori opened up about the project idea.
Through this project, artist Shiori hopes to compile local people's sharing about places, services, and facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, and shops in the area where they live for those who are planning to travel or live long-term in a certain place. In this way, those who cannot travel at the present time can "indirectly travel" to many places and discover new things of each land.
Participants simply submit a selfie and tell a little about the area they live in.
The way to participate in the project is quite simple. Participants just need to tell about the area they live in, the content shared must answer at least the following questions:If I were to visit your city or area, what places (activities) would you recommend to get a taste of local life? Is there anything special you would recommend about that place (activity)?
Participants will take a photo of the location (activity) and upload it. Note that if sharing a photo of a store, the photo must clearly show the sign, one full-length photo, one top-down photo, and one outside photo.
The images are expected to be printed as postcards on analog paper. The work will be exhibited atMAP 2021, both online and in person.
Illustration of a postcard
But why postcards?
"As you all know, postcards are an old method of communication that had its heyday in the 1900s. Back then, people used postcards to send each other messages like 'I'll be on the train at 5:30 am' or 'It's a nice day'. Back then, it took a long time for a postcard to reach the recipient. Even now, it takes a week or two for a postcard to arrive. In this MAP 2021 program, we are connected online, so we don't feel the physical distance despite the time zone difference. However, when I think about the distance between us and the physicality of (empty) space, I wanted to record them in analog form as postcards, and turn them into works of art," shared artist Shiori.
The project accepts registration and contributions from November 4 to November 26, 2021. Readers can register to participate.here.
