Map a Mundi

A personal research project of Ohio born, 23 year-old José Rivera, it progresses as a curious mix of music, critical observation, architecture theory, geometric mapping, field-recording, and experimental processes exploring the intersections of aural and spatial experience.

The project takes its name from the Hereford Mappa Mundi, which is the largest known surviving maps of the Medieval World  and commonly referred to as the "Structure of Western Thought". The immediate incoherence and visual disarray of the map reflects the fallen vision of the world at the time. Although a primary motive is to present information ranging from economics, history, geography, and religion, it also encourages its viewers to understand the temporal nature of this world and to "Pass On" without regret. Regarding the name, the addition of the spaces within the set of symbols, or words, gives rise to new meaning; Mappa Mundi (World Map, or Map of the World) to Map a Mundi (Map a World(s) ). Thus, with the addition of space, new meaning is created.

Like a map that contains various layers of meaning, textures, art, history, geography...the sounds aim reflect the increasingly noisy world around us and attempt to digest it as a tool. A tool to intensify powers of observation to facilitate the creation of new spaces, new realms of existence between the ears, extending outward.

" I believe our future depends powerfully on how well we understand this Cosmos in which we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky. "

//carl.sagan