Rescue of the IGN sensitive archive

Exploring and voicing cartographic practices

This artistic research project was born out of a collective desire to give a right of existence to a cartographic archive that was saved at the last minute from destruction in 2020, when the National Geographic Institute (IGN) moved from the site of the Abbaye de la Cambre in Brussels. What can we learn from this shared asset, which has been decommissioned by the public institution that is part of its raison d'être and pride?

The aim of the project is to explore and restore the collection as a common artistic and cultural heritage. The first stage was the physical rescue of the collection and its temporary storage on the premises of the Atelier cartographique. The work carried out on this occasion has enabled the richness of the collection to be appreciated. The project is to list, describe and classify the maps, to describe, classify - in short, to bring the archive to life on the basis of sensitive criteria, by making it speak, so as to enhance not only the documents themselves, but also what they say about the trades, techniques and production processes.

A second objective is to mobilise the archive to shed light on the mysterious relationship between the trades and crafts of the map and the public and the public institution, that is to say, beyond the IGN, the public actors, the public players who use cartography and computer graphics to inspire and inform the reasons for public action.

The project will be punctuated by calls for cartographic practices and a weekly meeting in the map attic of ESA La Cambre. They will consult the maps and submit artistic contributions. artistic contributions.