ESTHER POLAK

Netherlands

In her work Esther Polak uses GPS systems. They make it possible to render visible a totally new aspect of the landscape, notably mobility, by means of registered tracks. Two successful projects using this technology are AmsterdanREALTIME and MILKproject. In the former a map of Amsterdam emerged simply by visualizing the routes taken by several inhabitants of the city. In the latter a dairy transport was followed through all its stages, from the udder of the (Latvian) cow to the mouth of the (Dutch) consumer, by having all people involved draw their respective routes; when put together their itineraries made one line right across Europe.

Esther Polak’s interest thus goes to the mediated imaging of the landscape. In so doing she is inspired by historical examples in which new technical tools have led to a new image, to a new representation and even to a new perception. Consider, for example, the impact of the discovery of perspective in painting, or the invention of photography, and the way in which they have innovated the representation, and along with this, the perception of the landscape.

The NomadicMILK project that she is now working on is meant to reflect the itineraries of people with a primarily mobile way of life. To this end Esther Polak traveled to West Africa, where the dairy economy relies on mobility. On the one hand we have the Fulani nomads, shepherds who move with their herds from one good pasture to the next, and on the other the distribution of dairy products (PEAKmilk), which is seen to by truckers, traders in the markets, harbor tycoons and distribution agencies. In both these economic environments Polak asked people to register their routes; subsequently their routes were visualized in the field and discussed with the participants, thus making also the personal story behind the routes visible.

Esther’s works posted on Cluster:

GPS artist Esther Polak Follows Nigerian Milk
Nomadic Milk in Ghent
Nomadic Milk Cameroon Version
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Web: http://www.estherpolak.nl | http://www.nomadicmilk.net