The great historical tradition of maps as caricature, of satirically portraying current society, power, wars, etc. The familiar 18th century toilet humour. Endless invention in adapting shapes and places and known figures to fit.
Brings to mind the Peter's or rational map, an attempt to be truer geographically - fairer. Also British Library collections and exhibitions.
Satirical political maps including some by James Gillray.
Reflection
In a way it exposes the truth that all maps are political, or a point of view, or look at the territory through some lens or another. Our current attempts at apolitical or rational maps may look just as skewed in a couple of centuries. Comic maps have a noble provenance, endlessly ripe for retelling and remaking.
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| The Peters Projection. An Area Accurate Map. |
http://www.petersmap.com/peterms.gif (accessed 3rd July 2011)
15th July 2011
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