Positions Through Triangulating

∆ 3 Synthesis

The Shipping Forecast map was the starting point of my Unit 2 research, when I delved into the possibilities of mapping, and countermapping. I aimed to show the artificiality of borders and further challenge the map’s neutrality. Studying Forensic Architecture’s (2025) practice I saw an even stronger correlation between mapping and power. They tell stories of conflicts from the point of view of everyday people instead of governments and institutions. This inspired me to shift from a macro to a micro scale. Consuegra (2025) uses Google Street View to show the presence of food delivery riders, whose work goes unseen in the context of platform capitalism. Analysing his work made me reflect on the stories behind these workers. Exploring the amplitude of mapping led me to Knight’s (2021) abstract maps. The use of overlayed tracing paper added the time dimension, suitable for analysing workers who are always moving through space. This approach inspired my following experiment, when I observed and traced the paths of riders on Granary Square. Creating something from my point of view instead of secondary research, and doing field work made me feel closer to the subject.

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Positions Through Triangulating

∆ 2 Writing

Reference Point: State of Matter

Vienna based State of Matter is an artist duo composed of Fabio Hofer and Ana Mikadze, who research the work of delivery riders in the city from a unique position, since Fabio is a rider himself, while also considering the broader context of platform capitalism. Their main project, We Wish You A Safe Ride (2024), happened as part of the Wienwoche Arts Festival, when volunteers were called to work as delivery riders. This gave the workers paid time off to connect and socialise with other workers, and attend workshops on themes like labour rights, healthcare, and collective organising. The event took place at the Riders Collective’s headquarters, which also featured open-access bike repair workshops, and a walking tour of the invisible food delivery infrastructures of Vienna. The duo also curated the exhibition Between Pick-up And Drop-off (2025) at the Wien Museum, which featured video portraits of riders telling their stories, alongside objects, maps and other visuals showing what it’s like to work as a food delivery rider in Vienna. 

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Positions Through Triangulating

∆ 1 Studio

Language can be used to deceive. The term “gig” in gig economy attenuates the reality of not having job security by borrowing a word from the music industry. Similarly, corporations use branding to hide damaging aspects of its services. Deliveroo’s HOP feature nudges users into buying groceries after ordering food from a restaurant. The name makes it seem like it’s no trouble at all for the rider, hiding the fact that the rider will have to make an extra stop, which means more time waiting and not enough extra pay.

Language can also be used to send coded messages. This poster is written in Portuguese with some letters missing, making it very difficult to be read by British police officers. It features a large white area that would serve as a notice board for people who wanted to advertise accounts for rent, the only way migrants with no working visa can earn a living. It was screeprinted on Deliveroo’s HOP packaging.

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Positions Through Dialogue

When I created the maps of delivery riders on Granary Square, I noticed how people inhabit the same space in very different ways. Riders were always moving — except for one or two who stopped briefly to check their phones — while other people sat around eating, drinking, and enjoying the sun and the water fountains. People were in the same physical location, but in different social spaces. I saw a link with maps as I saw these social borders between them. Additionally the time dimension of the maps I created made me want to explore what time means for delivery riders in the context of platform capitalism. The conversation with Nina Paim made me realise the need to be more specific about my research. At that point I wanted to keep researching delivery riders, which was too broad. Which riders? Brazilian, migrants, or any rider? What do I want to know about them? Am I only interested in their work, or also where they came from and how was life before? How and where will I get this information? Through interviews, secondary sources, or both? What do I want to do with this information? What is my audience?

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Positions Through Contextualising

Building on previous iterations, I started a medium exploration, folding my handmande countries’ names into a zine and I experimenting with the shapes of countries’ sea areas.

The resulting patterns relate to topographic representation or expansion of sea areas, and the zine format to folded maps.

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