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Doubts surround validity of huge self-portrait created by tracking a GPS on its way around the globe
Erik Nordenankar, an artist in Stockholm, Sweden, says that he put a GPS device inside a package and gave a transportation company very detailed instructions where to send it.
Over 55 days, 62 countries, and 100,000+ miles, Nordenankar says the steel case containing the GPS was shuttled about according to his coordinates, and when it returned to Stockholm, he downloaded the information into his computer. The route taken by the GPS created the contours of the apparent self-portrait.
But questions remain: how was the route followed so well, especially in places such as where it dips down into the south Atlantic, only to suddenly reverse and head toward Europe? How did the unit’s antenna stay connected at every point and in every type of transportation? Surely at least once on such a journey, a driver would get lost following his vehicle’s GPS trying to deliver a legitimate package — statistically (and ironically) speaking, of course — and throw off the contours.
Most of all: what kind of transportation company follows requests to fly a package around in circles to make big curly hair loops in the sky (click image to enlarge the detail of the apparent course of the GPS over the rough, chilly waters in far northern Europe)? This is the biggest concern of all: the gut feeling that this is all advertising. We are not mentioning the transportation company here, since it smacks so strongly of a marketing gimmick and it’s a letdown if that’s all it is.
It’s a clever gimmick, of course, and admirable in its conception; but it’s sad to think that all the best ideas, and artists, all serve the dollar rather than the spirit.
On the other hand, if this really happened (and there is apparent supporting evidence on the official website, biggestdrawingintheworld.com), then hats off to both the artist and the courier.
But for now, pardon our cynicism.
