Introduction

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is an ongoing worldwide investigation and an attempt to rethink existing representations of the world. Taking inspiration from Ortelius’ 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’*, 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.

This online publication gives the possibility to follow the process of the research besides public presentations in exhibitions and publications and will actively be brought up to date. For this online presentation I developed special representations of the categories Refer and Speculate. These representations react on the many online photo archives that work for instance with geo-tagging and other navigation structures that pretend to give a true insight in the world. References and Speculations try to question ideas about authenticity and knowledge production.

'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.

‘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' contains images of spaces that speculate about a specific period of time in the past. This system creates an image of the representation and adaptation of history. The images are put on a timeline on the period in time they represent. All empty space in the timeline are periods that are not (yet) present in the archive.

This online publication 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 (among others MuHKA in Antwerp, Tent. Rotterdam, Bonner Kunstverein, Museum de Paviljoens in Almere, FRAC NPDC Dunkerque).

Colophon:
Developed by Marjolijn Dijkman (ongoing since 2005)
Photographs by Marjolijn Dijkman
Made by Rekall Design
Published by the Jan van Eyck Academie
Online since October 2008


* Ortelius's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre/Mirror of the World) is considered the first true atlas in the modern sense. It was published in 1570.