A reflection on the undulating terrain of Manhattan’s northern edge, most commonly referred to today as Washington Heights.
At the tip of the island, topography forms boundaries. At times physically imposing and seemingly inaccessible, they take shape in sheer cliffs and fast-moving bodies of water. Such landforms create natural borders and pockets of settlement for diverse streams of migrants that make up the region’s demographic. These boundaries rise from the island’s bedrock, often appearing solid and impenetrable, yet within their hollow core a vast landscape could be explored. Alternate Geography spatializes these boundaries, mapping the critical yet little known links between distinct enclaves in the region.
The project features three series, each taking a distinctive formal approach to chart Uptown’s geography and its evolution. The work consists of thirty plates to create a visual database accompanied by narrative text that informs the body of work. Together, they present a unique window into northern Manhattan’s complex make up.
A reflection on the undulating terrain of Manhattan’s northern edge, most commonly referred to today as Washington Heights.
At the tip of the island, topography forms boundaries. At times physically imposing and seemingly inaccessible, they take shape in sheer cliffs and fast-moving bodies of water. Such landforms create natural borders and pockets of settlement for diverse streams of migrants that make up the region’s demographic. These boundaries rise from the island’s bedrock, often appearing solid and impenetrable, yet within their hollow core a vast landscape could be explored. Alternate Geography spatializes these boundaries, mapping the critical yet little known links between distinct enclaves in the region.
The project features three series, each taking a distinctive formal approach to chart Uptown’s geography and its evolution. The work consists of thirty plates to create a visual database accompanied by narrative text that informs the body of work. Together, they present a unique window into northern Manhattan’s complex make up.
