Group dérive

Group DĂŠrive

Melissa Hearon Madeleine Pinaire Scott Hughes Micanopy, Florida 2014 University of Florida Digital Studio, Mapping and Place

derive (dɪˈraɪv) vb 1. (usually foll by from) to draw or be drawn (from) in source or origin; trace or be traced 2. (tr) to obtain by reasoning; deduce; infer 3. (tr) to trace the source or development of

In psychogeography, a dérive is an unplanned journey through a landscape, usually urban, on which the subtle aesthetic contours of the surrounding architecture and geography subconsciously direct the travellers, with the ultimate goal of encountering an entirely new and authentic experience.

Wikipedia. (2014, July 22). Dérive. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive

Process photos, screen shots, compass readings and conversations excerpts can be found here: UF Micanopy Group Derive

Process Notes: Our group members are all located in Florida, which inspired us to meet for this derive. We worked to choose a location that was between Lake City and Ocala, where two of the members live. This location needed to have plentiful areas with street views in Google Maps and be walkable. Micanopy seemed to be the perfect fit!

Because one member of the group was guiding the derive digitally, because she lived further away, so it was important that street views were available. This allowed Melissa to zoom into certain features and explore past images of places that we were currently exploring.

We could then examine the similarities and differences and see how the places had changed. The street views would also allow Melissa to lead the derive by letting her see and follow what she was interested in. The two on the ground would then report back to give her a clearer image of the place.

We began the derive at the Micanopy Post Office in town. This allowed us to be close to the residential streets, parks, and downtown area. As we began walking towards town, we stopped to check with Melissa and work on giving coordinates. The longer that we stayed in that location, the more that we noticed. What stuck in our minds were the shoes tossed over the power lines above. This idea of allowing ourselves to pause, be in the moment, and looking more closely was prominent in our derive.

The two of us on the ground in Micanopy were first drawn to the center of town because of the tall buildings and old homes turned into businesses. Then, we made our way to the more residential areas by following textures of buildings, trees, and fence lines. We stumbled upon old brick walls and arches; small houses tucked away, dirt roads, and the Micanopy Historic Cemetery. After examining these places, we found our way back to the center of town where we then made a small loop and traveled south on a dirt road. There we found a row of old jukeboxes sitting outside and followed the sounds of little frogs. Again, we made a loop down another treed dirt road and returned to the main road in town.

From town, we walked east towards the old brick government buildings. We went off of the sidewalk and walked around the city

hall and library, discovering a large red garage. As we travelled through the grass and fire rescue parking lot, we noticed two worn shuffleboard courts. These flat, faded green slabs were undetectable on the sidewalk by the street. It took going off course, around the library, and through the grass for them to become visibly. We sat at the benches, contemplated the original uses for buildings, and looked. It was then that we noticed the row of mailboxes with beautiful rhythm. Again, pausing had allowed us to see more than only walking. Those moments between the steps are equally important when exploring and seeing places in new ways. These mailboxes then led us back to the post office and the days derive concluded.

Our group approached this derive as an experiment. We wondered if we could have someone follow along our steps digitally and report back. We wondered how to incorporate video so that the derive would be experienced in real time by all. Unfortunately, there are challenges with technology. One main challenge were areas in which we lost service and could not communicate with Melissa.

There were also issues of Melissa’s phone going out and not being able to receive our audio and video updates. Overall, we learned the importance of practicing navigation skills so that all members feel comfortable with the tools.

In our eyes, the derive was a success because all members saw Micanopy in a new way. Whether on foot or on through Google Maps, we experienced the place through maps and mapmaking. We saw the beauty in textures, learned the history of the town through names of streets and those on graves. We met people along our way, such as the guide in the museum and other people walking through the town. Digitally, Melissa was able to do research and see the town from above, offering her a unique vantage point. From there, she could see and understand how the town was planned and discover the uses for the spaces.

Because we recorded our derive in many ways, including journaling, sketching, and photographs, we decided to combine these elements to tell our story. We decided on a grid format because it mimics the grid layout of the town of Micanopy and the streets that we all traveled. By juxtaposing the elements of the derive, we force the viewer to closely examine these locations as well and make the connections between the images. We were going to offer one geolocation coordinate as a caption to each image to allow this derive to

be reproduced by our group or by others. However, as the derive blended areas together along our walk, we sometimes encountered the same roadways and intersections as well as iconographic storefronts. We decided to leave the images arbitrary and let them speak for themselves. All of the images in the groupings are closely related geographically. The geo-locations identified in the compass readings and process photos challenge the viewer to discover how the images relate visually in the actual landscape. They could then apply this skill to their own walks and further examine the spaces around them. As well as trace some of our findings in our route.

The images are in a book format in order to give the documentation of the derive a sense of time. They are placed generally from start to finish and leave the viewer with a sense of closure. At the end of the book, we allowed a space for each of us to reflect on the experience because we all took away different things and noticed different elements along the way. This space gives each of us a space to share those insights with the viewer.

Reflections: Melissa Hearon Micanopy Florida in the virtual realm was interesting in that I could see all the old buildings and the oldest gravestone. But, the difficulty was in trying to provide directions to my two group members.

My two group members tried to send the coordinates through a phone app as to where they were exactly starting at for the derive.

But, the coordinates they sent me were not written in a way that I could just input them into the search bar on Google Earth. I could not figure out how to put in the degree symbol even though the help results stated that I should be able to use alt plus 248 it did not work.

Therefore, my group members resulted in taking pictures of the intersecting road signs where they were at in order for me to find their location. I would look up those roads in the search bar in Google Earth and then proceed to direct them to the next location either telling them to go North, South, East, or West. They would then wander off in other directions as well and then proceed to tell me their location again.

I unfortunately did not learn a lot about Micanopy Florida going through the digital route I found it kind of frustrating in that I was stuck behind a computer while my group members were able to experience the area for their self. But, I did learn that Micanopy had a lot of historical content that goes all the way back to the 1700’s.

Throughout the area there were very old Baptist churches as well as old southern style houses. Micanopy seems to be very proud of its history for they chose to leave old remains of plantation homes as well as post in their main welcome sign a brief description of the heritage that it is the first to have been on a land grant from Spain and become the first American Territory in the new country. The houses that still remain on the main strip which is downtown on Cholokka Blvd. have been converted into businesses such as stained glass shops, gracious living, art galleries/museums and restaurants.

When you go east from the main strip it takes you towards pretty much natural land that has been preserved with trails and the old graveyards which also contains the remains of an old wall.

I had moments of sitting in front of the computer just staring wondering what my group members were seeing or doing because it would take some time before I heard back from them. It was like having the controls but being blind. I tried to view photos and road signs or buildings on Google Earth to pass the time away but it is nothing like actually experiencing an area for yourself. I wondered what it would be like to be able to actually take photographs there with all the old architecture and the artistic things that were present there. Just being able to walk on dirt paths that you know were at one time very significant to Florida as well as America due to the sugar plantations as well as the Indian trading posts. These facts that I have picked up on were all from the individual images within Google Earth.

So, Google Earth does provide a good deal of information for anyone who wishes to travel to see the world. But, like I stated previously being able to enter in coordinates should be updated as to allow for someone to be able to find an exact location in real time.

Madeleine Pinaire Madeleine As someone who enjoys exploring and navigating, I was overjoyed to begin this derive. I had yet to truly travel Micanopy on foot. It has been one of my favorite small Florida towns, even though

I had only driven through a few times and explored trails at the edge of town.

We found so much that others who spend the day walking through the main part of town never would have discovered. Almost immediately in town, we were pulled down side streets, following textures on old buildings and fences surrounding properties. Much of the derive was spent on these residential streets and dirt roads. This shows that one does not need a quaint historic town to find beauty. It was away from the historic shops and bed and breakfasts where we discovered the most. The way that moss hung through a fence, spots on century old gravestones, and vines creeping up signs are my most vivid memories.

I began to see this derive as a single line, meandering the streets and grassy areas of Micanopy. I saw all of my documentation, the drawings, writings, and photographs, all working together to create this line or path of the journey. At the conclusion of the derive, I enjoyed piecing these different materials together to create a more complete image of the journey, which became our grids. They act as the pieces of the derive reconfigured to be in chronological order. It is then that they are truly meaningful because we can all get a better understanding of what we experienced.

From this journey, I learned that I enjoy derives with others more than derives alone. As someone who often goes on hikes and runs alone, it was strange to have someone with me. I wasn’t sure how it would work and if it would help move the derive forward.

When working with someone who is on the same level of seeing, it is exciting to share the discoveries. I would find myself calling Scott over and getting the coordinates of locations in order to save those spaces and memories. We would all see small and beautiful things, although different things. When we share this knowledge, we see even more in the moment and learn to see more.

Scott Hughes I really enjoyed this group derive. We approached this project as an experiment, with loose bounds and forethought. As a derive would have it. Upon arrival to Micanopy, I met with Madeleine and we both established contact remotely with Melissa.

Starting at the Micanopy Post Office, we traveled by foot along the sidewalks; roadways paved and unpaved, and explored local lots

and a local cemetery. As expected we encountered some problems when trying to work remotely using technology in an unfamiliar setting. However, overall the experience with some adjustments was very exciting and I feel that I gained knowledge in many areas of life through this experience.

I really enjoyed exploring Micanopy without an agenda of destination or specific things to look for. As Melissa could provide directions, Madeleine and I would take her insight on landmarks and possible areas to avoid and explore. These were decided extemporaneously and at times required readjustment. When we slowed down we noticed more things in our environment, also taking notice of the various ambiances we encountered when walking briskly and fluidly.

The experience offered us the chance to work collaboratively, problem solve encountering dead zones regarding reception, Google maps and geo-location coordinates. We discovered new places and were surprised to see the historic cemetery on our path. In another area little frogs scattered about as we meandered down a dirt road.

We stopped to enjoy their chirping and observe their quick movements.

We ended our route in a loop, and just before, we stopped in the museum that we had passed on our way into town. Filled with artifacts and a knowledgeable curator, we learned even more about the township. I began seeing my experience as a map within maps.

Some of the photographs were of textures that reminded me of maps.

There were maps in the museum, explaining the history of Micanopy and identifying key personas within.

I look forward to taking a derive again, alone and with friends. It was a valuable experience, one I am grateful for having.