Neo-Geo Notebook

MapWarper, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Andrew Turner came to New Orleans last week to meet up with NetSquared New Orleans and faculty at the Tulane School of Architecture. Both meetings were quite informative and very valuable. These are a few of my notes.

1. MapWarper. This tool is in development and indeed comes with the following warning: Proto-Alpha - expect it to break and stuff to get deleted!

MapWarper is a tool for creating a custom basemap. My source map was from a Tulane student project in 1950, documented on 35mm slide and scanned into the New Orleans Virtual Archive. Basically the user indicates matching points between two maps. And a new map layer is born. I picked a tricky source, so my map is a bit more warped than it should be. I asked Andrew about the next step after MapWarper and I think that's where it flies a bit over my head. Nevertheless a cool tool to play with a have a better understanding of how one could create a custom basemap for a presentation. I would love to have a virtual library of historic basemaps stored in layers, so one could view data on different maps. Just layering two maps together can provide some interesting information about the changes in urban fabric over time.
2. EyeFi Explore. This is a souped up memory card. It can automatically upload photos to your computer or online photo storage service, like flickr or picasa. It also geocodes the photos (and records this info in photo EXIF profile) IF there is a wireless hotspot. I used this card last week in a trial session. It worked fairly well, but was unfortunately not accurate enough. And was of course ineffective in sites without wireless hotspots, like the Lower Ninth Ward. Interesting tool, but not as good as a gps.

3. Flickr Commons. Another great resource. Some top institutions (Library of Congress, Smithsonian) are uploading archival images with no known copyright restrictions to the Flickr Commons for all to use. The Commons encourages the public to assist with the description and tagging of the photos.

4. SlideShare. This service allows one to upload a powerpoint or keynote presentation. Very nice. Review Andrew's presentation at Tulane here: Rebuilding a City through Community Participation, Neogeography and GIS

Many thanks, Andrew!

NeoGeography in New Orleans

Tulane School of Architecture, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Andrew Turner (High Earth Orbit) is a neogeographer, a thoroughly modern mapmaker. His products include Mapufacture, recently acquired by Fortius One, and PocketMaps, paper maps of dynamic data. He is the Chief Technological Officer for the GeoCommons which integrates public data into publicly accessible and modifiable map formats. Maps for the rest of us.

I had the pleasure of working with Andrew on the NetSquared mashup challenge in May. Together with Alan Gutierrez, we presented on the active and ongoing process of Citizen Monitoring of the Recovery. See Squanderedheritage. We discussed ways that extraordinary citizens had responded to this profound need for information as their neighborhoods were actively altered in the aftermath of the storm. Documenting the city and its myriad conditions. Then uploading those images to flickr and picasa. Accessing public information and creating google maps of demolitions. Trying to link the photos and the maps to tell our stories.

My Regional Modernism class was inspired by this activity to create our own maps of modernist sites. This facilitated the documentation of these buildings which are vanishing from the urban fabric at rapid pace. The work continues. Thanks to a NetSquared grant, we are able to bring Andrew Turner to New Orleans for these special events. He is eager to meet up and help us determine the right tools for our mapping needs. Two events are scheduled this week. Free and open to the public.

Net2NO meetup #3:
NeoGeography and the Geospatial Web experience
Tuesday 11.11.08
6 pm
in the back room@ the Bridge Lounge
1201 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
please rsvp here

and

Practical NeoGeography: Integrating GIS in the classroom and the field
Wednesday 11.12.08
noon
Tulane School of Architecture Richardson Memorial 204
The St. Charles Avenue streetcar stops in front of Tulane. The Richardson Memorial Building is the second rusticated stone building back from the front circle.

Regional Modernism Endorses Planning

Vote yes on the amendment to the city charter to give the master plan the force of law.


We also heart Barack Obama.

Jack Robinson's Canal Street

photo: Jack Robinson Archive

who: Jack Robinson
what: an exhibit of twenty-one photographs of Canal Street c . 1950
where: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel lobby, 500 Canal Street
when: opening reception, Thursday October 30 from 5 - 7 pm
then: Prospect.Everyone, Thursday October 30, from 7-10 pm @ 500 Julia Street

Club Desire (THREATENED)

2604 Desire, originally uploaded by Karen Apricot New Orleans.

The Cornerstones Project celebrates "the everyday monuments and gathering places of New Orleans neighborhoods." The Neighborhood Story Project and Tulane City Center collaborated to produce the Cornerstones Book which is already going into its second printing. They are continuing to grow their registry of these often overlooked social and cultural landmarks. Anyone can nominate a structure or site of social significance. Below is the text from my nomination of Club Desire.

Name of public place: CLUB DESIRE
Address/location: 2604 Desire St. corner of Law
Neighborhood: Upper Ninth Ward, Florida Development

Why does your place deserve to be nominated? Explain in detail why this place is important, such as how it tells an important story from history, houses cultural activities and traditions, serves as an important space for socializing, or enhances the beauty or artistic character of your neighborhood.

The club was likely built sometime between 1920-1940 in an a hybrid mission / moderne style. The entrance was lined in glass blocks which glowed when the club had live music. The club hosted the finest of New Orleans jazz, rhythm and blues: Fats Domino, Deacon John, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday.

Please include any details about the site or physical features if the place. Also, are you aware of any physical damage or plans that threaten the future of the place?

It is on the imminent health threat list. On Monday 10.20.08, the Club Desire was slated for review by the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee.

Are you aware of any other individuals or organizations that may have more information about the place you nominated?

In May WDSU reported that attempts were being made by Marguerite Doyle-Johnston to save the club. YouTube

FutureProof is designing a new sustainable house for Ms. Doyle-Johnston who hopes to save the Club and renovate it into a community center.

Fats Domino would be a great interview. According to this interview with Rick Coleman, Fats Domino was discovered in 1949 playing at The Hideaway across the street from Club Desire.

For more photos, see Flickr. David Keyes, Preservation Resource Center Advocacy Department, Karen Apricot, Julie Dermansky, New Orleans Lady, anthonyturducken,

National Maritime Union (under renovation)

National Maritime Union, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Last week, I went to Albert Ledner's National Maritime Union to view status of the current renovation. Unfortunately the exterior glazed brick has been covered in plaster. The glazed brick interior is intact. At least for now.

see new photos in flickr.

ELEMENTAL :: art opening

MANDALA :: MANDORLA (detail), originally uploaded by francinestock.

I have a new body of glass work on display at the BECA Gallery this month. Three of the pieces include multi-faceted glass chains. The individual links are assembled and fused from multiple layers of small glass bricks. In BRIDGE and MANDALA :: MANDORLA the chains are strapped to woven rubber canvas made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and stretched across a wooden frame. The rubber and glass play off each other in a pure material dialogue of tension, elasticity and rigidity. A series of TEXT::TILES continue an ongoing interest in the evolution of language and drawing and the correlations between books and walls. My art work is heavily influenced by my studies of bookmaking, architecture and philosophy. The center piece of the show, a monumental WOVEN PANEL, was previously displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center. The fused glass panel is assembled from pieces of recycled mid-century green jalousie glass. The panel is bound and suspended with sisal rope from the center beam of the gallery.

The show officially opens Saturday night from 6-9 pm in conjunction with Art for Arts' Sake. There will be a sneak preview tonight from 6-7.

BECA Gallery (map)
527 St. Joseph St. New Orleans

slideshow