Using data, diagrams, maps and visualizations to challenge dominant
narratives and support the resilience of marginalized communities
Diagrams of Power collects contemporary artworks and projects that use
data, diagrams, maps and visualizations as ways of challenging dominant
narratives and supporting the resilience of marginalized communities.
The artists and designers featured critique conventionalized and
established truths that obscure important histories or perpetuate
oppressive regimes; they also contribute to positive social change by
engaging communities and providing alternative strategies for
storytelling, communication and organizing. Historical and contemporary
uses of data and visualization in colonization, surveillance and
management are problematized through critical interventions that use
performance, embodiment and counternarratives. The publication is the
product of an exhibition organized by Onsite Gallery at OCAD University,
Toronto, in 2018.
Diagrams of Power features works by artists, designers, cartographers,
historians and collectives including Julie Mehretu, Iconoclasistas,
Burak Arikan, Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman, Bureau d'Etudes, Ogimaa
Mikana, Department of Unusual Certainties, Josh Begley, Lize Mogel,
Philippe Rekacewicz, Margaret Pearce, Joshua Akers, Anti-Eviction
Mapping Project, Vincent Brown and others.
