This month, Jackalope Ranch opened its first curated exhibition, You Are Here: A Collection of Maps of Phoenix at Regular Gallery.
While you still have a chance to check out the show, which will be up until November 12, we'll give you a little background on each creation.
1. What were the inspirations for your map?
I wanted to make something that unabashedly represented Arizona and not just Phoenix. What better way to do that than with an image of Colt Single Action Army Revolver aka the "Peacemaker"? It is Arizona's official state gun and Arizona also happens to be one of only two states in the country to have an official state gun.
It made sense to let this revolver, which is clearly a symbol of pride for the state, be the focal point of the print. The words in the back are from the Arizona March Song. There's also a map of Arizona in there somewhere, but let's not get ourselves distracted here -- we must continue to focus on the important matter of having an official state gun.
2. Give us a childhood memory of a map.
All my childhood memories of maps are painful. They are mostly related to geography classes and my vain attempts to memorize locations of various countries that I'll probably never visit.
3. Do you think maps and cartography are important?
I am directionally challenged and usually can't tell my north from my south. Without maps, I wouldn't be able to find a local Bass Pro Shop even if there was a trail of deer carcasses leading the way.
4. What are your map's boundaries and how did you choose them?
I kept it simple and went with the state boundaries. I also had a difficult time trying to find a free vector shape of Phoenix so going with Arizona was an easier option.
5. Would you create another map and/or representation of Phoenix?
I would like nothing more.
See Saleem's work, along with pieces by Melinda Bergman, Monica Aissa Martinez, Angela Cazel Jahn, Marshall Shore, Sarah Hurwitz, Breeze, Sue Chenoweth, Carrie Marill, and Luster Kaboom, visit Regular Gallery during gallery hours (Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m.) or email [email protected] for a private showing.
