Abstract thinking
psychogeographic maps art series
2020
Abstract Thinking is the central theme underlying all works produced in 2020.
This body of work forms part of Philippe Halaburda’s ongoing exploration of psychogeographic mapping, in which abstract thought serves as a method for translating conceptual ideas and intangible systems into visual form.
Through dense geometric compositions, the works construct abstract topographies that resemble cartographic representations of cognitive and emotional space.
+ Abstract thinking: 2020 series overview
• Studio: Brooklyn, NY
and Newport, VT
• 51 series: canvas, paper,
and sculpture
Created in 2020, the theme of abstract thinking reflects a period of heightened introspection and perceptual recalibration. Through abstraction, the works articulate mental landscapes shaped by tension, repetition, and spatial negotiation. Rather than illustrating geography, the series maps thought patterns, emotional pressure, and perceptual drift through geometry, rhythm, and layered surfaces.
Concept & theme
By experimenting with spatial relationships, repetition,
and visual motifs, the series seeks to convey the depth and the richness of abstract thinking.
Variations in scale, density, and alignment generate tension and movement, capturing the complexity of thought
as a dynamic, evolving system.
These works challenge conventional notions of representation, positioning abstraction as a tool for inquiry rather than depiction.
Materials & process
To create these abstract topographies, I employ a methodical approach based on layering, arranging, and refining geometric forms with precision and intent.
Each element within a composition contributes to a broader visual narrative, symbolizing distinct facets of abstract reasoning and conceptual exploration.
Geometry functions as a language, allowing complex ideas to be built, disrupted, and reconfigured across the surface.
Artistic context
Abstract Thinking extends my psychogeographic practice by focusing inward, mapping cognitive processes rather than external environments.
The works invite viewers to engage with abstraction as a navigational experience, where meaning emerges through structure, association, and perceptual discovery.
In doing so, the series foregrounds the beauty and complexity inherent in abstract thought itself.
