For my own work, on the surface there is plenty to look at. There is a decoration on the borders of my map that I've been working on so far. The map itself is just that. When we look at any map, how do we interpret it? For my own money, I always imagine and generate what kind of cultural and societal apsect are embedded in the map. A globe of the Earth might show what cities are named and the topographical qualities to our world; all of that tells a story.
So when I look at my own work I like to imagine what implications I'm making about the world I create. The Barthes-ian analysis of map-making might be to interpret the symbols and style of the map to be a part of the world in which it was created for. The drawings on the edges tell a story about events that may have occurred and from there, the intent of the map's designer. Perhaps a Barthes-ian analysis might also be to interpret the inter-workings of fantasy as a cultural concept. There are plenty of tropes in my work, like animals as a recurring theme, old houses with banners, the North vs the South.
My final project is coming along. The largest work in the first half of the term is nearly done. I have to ink the drawings and lay down the actual land-masses which will be the quickest process. Soon I'll move on to the next set of drawings.
I wonder how much seeing maps growing up influences the vibe of the maps you create, especially when you are generating things from your head.
ReplyDeleteIt is really intriguing to see how symbols and images are used to tell stories in mapmaking, and how they can change the connotation, linguistic and ideological meaning of an image entirely. What specific symbols are you interested in using to tell your story? What art and or fantasy films are you drawing from? I am thinking a lot about the ideological implications of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings maps now. How could they fit into your narratives or inspire them?
ReplyDeleteNot to be weird, but today while I was working on photography I saw as you planned/worked on your map and it was super interesting to see you think? if that makes sense. It was even greater to see how you were drafting and adding to your map which I thought was interesting to see your map making kind of evolve since we had Installations together!
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