Border Atlas
an edition curated by Joost Grootens
Shu-Hua Chang & Marianna Czwojdrak
2015
graphic design
research
visual identity
Upon arrival at the Geneva airport, one is confronted with the popular image of Switzerland: luxurious and expensive watches. In most advertisements the high-end watchmaking is being worn by women presented as ‘successful’, ‘independent’ and ‘classy’. Is it a true representation of the female citizens of Geneva?
The starting point for the research was to explore the diversity of the female representation in Pâquis, a district in Geneva full of contrasts. It is located between the train station and Lake Léman. The bank of the lake represents the stereotypical, cliché ambience of Geneva, and presents as international, luxurious and elegant. In contrast with the advertised version of Geneva, in the very centre of Pâquis can be found a vibrant multiethnic area and a red light district. This space is hidden from the public eye and is not reproduced in consumer materials. Space Oddity aimed at discovering invisible borders that contain silenced realities within Geneva.