Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Mental Mapping explores the connections between individuals and their environments, both physical and virtual. An extensive interview process with the participants is analyzed using large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, intended to map each participant’s unique cognitive networks. The project draws inspiration from the notion that artificial, organic (i.e., the brain), and social networks share underlying neural structures and processes.
Participant interviews undergo thematic, sentiment, and network analyses to discover insightful patterns to find and represent mental connections. These mental maps are expressed through film-based photographic portraits, enriched with dynamic visual displays and audio excerpts from the interviews. Additionally, photographs of the evolving landscapes contextualize the mental maps within broader physical, social, and digital environments.
This inherently experimental project challenges traditional boundaries between art, science, technology, and community engagement. The unconventional approach provides a unique perspective on how we perceive and connect with both our internal and external worlds—developing a shared sense of identity and belonging across disciplines and geographies—helping redefine the scope and impact of collaborative art projects.