New Map New Me

Tommy Smits received a grant to research metalwork. Through old maps such as the Mappa Mundi, he explores historical depths and the interplay between subjectivity and objectivity. He wants to challenge the hegemony of digital navigation, advocating a return to old maps. By infusing metalwork with the poetry of cartography, he aims to uncover hidden stories and cultural meanings. In the project, he makes connections between map-making and contemporary expression.

Tommy is an artist and photographer based in The Hague. He explores the relationship between history, interpretation and imaging. Using sculpture, photography and film, he creates tangible objects from photographs, experimenting with framing and form. He questions how history is perceived and interpreted, focusing on the role of the observer. Inspired by personal and archival sources, Smits gives new meaning to images and objects. He strives to create enduring artifacts that connect past and present and challenge conventional notions of preservation and interpretation. Sometimes Smits buries his own images and sculptures as if to contribute to archaeological discoveries.