‘Why Maps?’ A Question for Giovanni.

I’ve always been struck by one very important detail about Giovanni’s paintings — some of them are painted on maps. Not just any kind of map. Nautical maps. It’s a unique detail, and one that keeps drawing me in to look closer at the canvas. It always cries out to me to learn more. So, I asked him: “Why do you sometimes paint on maps?”

About 15 years ago, I had a roommate who had the curious and amazing job of working on a tugboat in New York City. I was hanging out with her one lazy Sunday as she was going through some of her stuff. I asked her what she was throwing away. It was a big batch of nautical maps from her boat.

She explained that the coastline changes so much that the maps are updated every couple of years, rendering the old ones ancient and obsolete. She said that was kind of sad, and I agreed. I unfolded one of them to take a look. I decided I would do an art experiment with this old map just to see what might happen. I have always been a fan of new materials and love working on linen or canvas that already has a color applied or that perhaps has its own texture going on. Every little bit of personality helps.

I did not have very high hopes in my studio when I began to mess around with the maps. They were repelling water, coffee, and acrylic paint, but I hung in there and decided to try my oils on them.

I did not have very high hopes in my studio when I began to mess around with the maps. They were repelling water, coffee, and acrylic paint, but I hung in there and decided to try my oils on them. The old maps soaked those oils up like a sponge. It’s amazing that something made to be so tough and waterproof could turn into a work of art so quickly. I took all of the maps she had, and from this day I have been using them.

Some of the reasons I paint on maps are the fact that I like recycling. When we look around our wonderful planet and see the world needs all the help she can get, I feel good that I am doing some little part by using something that the Gods have already given me. The maps also have zero memory. That is, if you roll them up like a normal poster or as you would high-end paper, they flatten right back out, even after years of being rolled up. A rolled-up piece of expensive paper is useless if you do this to it. These maps are also sturdy and lightweight. When I sell the maps to collectors they ship very easily and very economically. Finally, they just look so good to me with the background all primed-up and raring to go.

I have really come to love the nautical maps. I love collecting them almost as much as I do painting on them.