Diagrams of Power: Visualizing, Mapping and Performing Resistance

Using data, diagrams, maps and visualizations to challenge dominant narratives and support the resilience of marginalized communities

Diagrams of Power collects contemporary artworks and projects that use data, diagrams, maps and visualizations as ways of challenging dominant narratives and supporting the resilience of marginalized communities.

The artists and designers featured critique conventionalized and established truths that obscure important histories or perpetuate oppressive regimes; they also contribute to positive social change by engaging communities and providing alternative strategies for storytelling, communication and organizing. Historical and contemporary uses of data and visualization in colonization, surveillance and management are problematized through critical interventions that use performance, embodiment and counternarratives. The publication is the product of an exhibition organized by Onsite Gallery at OCAD University, Toronto, in 2018.

Diagrams of Power features works by artists, designers, cartographers, historians and collectives including Julie Mehretu, Iconoclasistas, Burak Arikan, Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman, Bureau d’Etudes, Ogimaa Mikana, Department of Unusual Certainties, Josh Begley, Lize Mogel, Philippe Rekacewicz, Margaret Pearce, Joshua Akers, Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, Vincent Brown and others.