“Road, topographic, and political maps symbolize geographical elements or spatial relationships. Though maps find diverse uses like navigation, urban planning, or data visualization for education, the political maps in the Representing Congress series specifically highlight territorial boundaries, scrutinize voting tendencies, and expose power dynamics in different city areas. Adjustments to the size and outlines of a district directly affect the representation of political power in Washington D.C. Foregrounding the politics of changing boundaries, Thompson likens his work to that of a politician when he notes “I draw lines. Artists draw lines. And politicians draw lines.” The second installation in the series consists of an oversized twenty-four-foot composite map of the shifting historical boundaries of what was then Michigan’s 14th congressional district that included Belle Isle. Made from vinyl flagging tape used to indicate property boundaries in surveying, the installation renders abstract information more spatially accessible for increased scrutiny.”

— Curator Nadja Rottner’s wall label text for Andy T’s Urban Vision