11 Mental Maps Kreuzberg

11 Mental Maps Kreuzberg focuses on subjective notions on the Berlin neighbourhood Kreuzberg, formed through personal experiences, feelings and everyday life practices of a group of residents. The research relied upon the method of mental mapping by asking the participants to draw a personal map of Kreuzberg. The mental maps involved places that are subjectively meaningful to the residents, accompanied by a brief explanation why these places are important. Based on this information – one mental map of Kreuzberg and numerous street signs, whose content was related to the explanation notes, were created. Using the same visual language and form as official street signs in Berlin, installed on the mapped locations the signs contested and subverted the formal narratives and functions of these places.

The project is the final Master Thesis at the Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weißensee, Department Space Strategies. It was presented in 2011 in the public space of Kreuzberg, Berlin and in the public space of Skopje, under the title 9 Mental Maps Skopje, as part of the Private/Public Festival for art in public space.