ORIENS

Through this project a change in the way of understanding the orientation of the human being in the world is proposed because, traditionally, the North has been used as a geographic referent with which the representations of the Earth have been aligned in maps and terrestrial globes; this orientation is the one that is maintained even in the imaginary of the people. Through Oriens, we suggest a more natural way of orienting oneself in the environment, towards East or Orient, which is the place where human beings observe the sunrise.

Our proposal is not arbitrary but arises from a critical review of the physical and geographical perspectives that have been used to date. We intend to generate a new line of discussion by questioning the hegemony of the North as a reference of orientation.

For the first time in history, a geographical perspective is supported by scientific arguments. Now the time has come for its release, and thus open a reflection in the community about a new opportunity to see the world.

To spread our project, we look for cultural spaces such as museums, map fairs, book fairs, cultural centers, schools, universities, squares, parks, etc., where we can promote, in a selfmanaged, independent and sustainable way. The materials we published: books, maps and globes, are designed based on our geographical proposal. In order to approach in a didactic way, we have developed recreational means to inspire a human vision of the world, more free, fair and natural.

The following is a summary of the cultural arrangement that has been planned, the objective of which is to provide dynamic and interactive exhibitions:

EXHIBITION STAND

The module includes an inflatable semi-spherical dome of 10 meters in diameter that represents the world: both the Earth and its shape and the space environment in which we live within the cosmos. The interior of the dome represents the surrounding space from our position as terrestrial observers, which will facilitate the reading and understanding of directions or cardinal points and their meanings.

General Goal

Through this dome-stand, the aim is to offer visitors a natural reading of the geo-perspective or geographical perspective – from wherever we are. The exhibitions that take place have an average duration of 4 minutes – to allow the circulation of as many visitors as possible – and that everyone, of different ages, can have the opportunity to hear the explanation of the project. The dome-stand, has the capacity to receive an average of 25 people per exhibition. Inside the dome, the contents of the project will be presented by means of the presentation of our book on Geographical Orientation, a world map, an astronomical map and a 12cm diameter inflatable globe.

Both our publication and the products, which consist of a promotional kit, are part of a set whose sale allows us to finance the project Part of the economic resources of this cultural work will be destined to the production of more domes and promotional sets to be able to extend the social coverage of the proposal and, thus, to offer temporary jobs, as exhibitors, to students recently graduated from universities.

Another part of the resources will be used to finance research focused on the astronomy and ancient geography of the equatorial Andes, carried out by the Quitsato project, which is the focus of studies of this proposal.

“Appealing for the time and space needed to motivate a world in equity. ”

Sincerely,

Cristóbal Cobo Arízaga
Director of Quitsato
www.quitsato.org
Director of Oriens
www.oriensgeovision.org