The internet has brought a swift and drastic change in our attitude towards photographs. Thousands of photos are uploaded online every minute, creating considerable visual noise around us. Many of these images are by tourists; they take a shot of a particular spot over and over, with the sheer purpose of having visual proof that they themselves were there.
PLA.net is a book that presents the countries of the world with a twist. Unlike conventional atlases, we can’t find any pictures, maps or information about the nations included. It is rather a pool of internet images and representations of these places – the product of an equalising algorithm. This algorithm mines photos which have been uploaded from a given country, with no subsequent editing or intervention. In the end, the assembly of images offer an alternative take on the true character of the countries they signify.
