Map as Utopia

Anna Juliano

In this installation entitled Map as Utopia, designer Anna Juliano explores the relationship between cartography and social justice. Over the years the city of Denver has been experiencing a boom of growth and construction resulting in the gentrification of surrounding neighborhoods. These neighborhoods, historically inhabited by marginalized groups, have unique stories and identities that are slowly and methodically being erased. How can the concept of critical cartography disrupt the traditional maps commonly used in Western culture, which often mirror the prevailing power dynamics of our current society? Additionally, how can cartography and graphic design explore the challenges affecting people by the unchecked growth, gentrification, and lack of resources by the city around us?

This series of counter maps depict a story where the cherished history of the city of Denver is being razed to make room for cheaply built developments in the most at risk neighborhoods, resulting in scores of gentrified areas such as the Highlands, Five Points, and RiNo. It highlights the high cost of living and conveys a sense of displacement and a troubling future. These narrative maps use hierarchy, scale, repetition and connected design and cartographic principles to bring us a chronicle of Denver, exploring the ideas of place, industry and the communities caught in between a changing world and the past.