david hanauer: google earth worldwide carpets

The 'Worldwide Carpet' project, initiated in 2008 by Munich-born designer David Hanauer, reimagines traditional oriental rugs by integrating contemporary elements derived from Google Earth imagery. Hanauer's inspiration for this project stemmed from his observation of the highly uniform and somewhat surreal suburban planning in Las Vegas, an area he frequently features in his designs. This approach introduces a conceptual dimension to his work, as he examines urban planning through the lens of rug-making, blurring the lines between traditional craftsmanship and modern design principles. His rugs draw heavily from the aesthetic language of conventional oriental carpets, often incorporating symmetrical patterns, central medallions, and distinct borders. The creation process begins with Hanauer carefully selecting intriguing sections from Google Earth's 3D satellite maps. These selected images undergo minimal retouching before being systematically repeated and reflected to form the final carpet pattern. The primary objective is not to generate entirely new images, but rather to visually articulate the underlying structure and rhythm of urban environments. This process highlights the abstract and often detached nature of large-scale city planning from the human experience on the ground. In some of his works, Hanauer deliberately leaves traces of his methodology visible, such as the inclusion of a 'Google' watermark within the rug's design. This intentional transparency serves to further emphasize the source material and the conceptual underpinning of the project. The finished patterns are then commercially printed onto durable fabric, which is subsequently backed with an anti-slip rubber coating for practical use. These rugs are versatile; they can function as individual small mats or be arranged and tiled into larger configurations of varying dimensions, offering flexibility in their application. Through this project, Hanauer explores the intersection of digital technology, traditional craft, and urban studies. The use of satellite imagery from Google Earth transforms a birds-eye view of human habitation into decorative art, prompting viewers to consider the patterns of human settlement from a new perspective. The project also subtly critiques or at least comments on the standardized and often repetitive nature of modern urban development, particularly in areas like suburban Las Vegas, by recontextualizing these patterns within a culturally significant object like a rug. The contrast between the organic, hand-crafted history of oriental rugs and the digitally generated, geometric patterns of modern cities forms a central theme, bridging historical craft with contemporary digital art. #DavidHanauer #GoogleEarth #WorldwideCarpets #OrientalRugs #ContemporaryDesign #UrbanPlanning #DigitalArt #SatelliteImagery #HomeDecoration #DavidHanauer #GoogleEarth #WorldwideCarpets #OrientalRugs #ContemporaryDesign #UrbanPlanning #DigitalArt #SatelliteImagery #HomeDecoration