Memory Maps
Geographic Memories
A memory map is born of two sources: first, from the graphic maps that appear everywhere, from the classrooms to newscasts to airline ads, and are therefore burned into our visual memory; and second from the experience of travelling, which can inform or reinforce our abstract impressions of maps. If the first source is essentially a mental snapshot, with some areas that are in sharp focus and others hazy, the part born from experience is more complex — as we cross over borders from one territory into another, we are logging a linear narrative, and possibly superimposing that narrative onto some two-dimensional representations in our minds.
I lived in the state of Maryland for about eighteen years, and must have seen that state’s outline tens of thousands of times. State maps can be like dissected rorschach blots — shaky, undulating biomorphs cut by sharp perpendicular corners.
When it comes to drawing the state’s outline from memory, many details are out of reach. It’s not so different from drawing the likeness of someone you know. You may “see” a person’s face vividly in your mind, but trying to render it accurately from memory reveals that the mental picture is far from complete.
Phase I: Drawing the Map
I began making memory drawings of a U.S. map sometime in July 2010. The most challenging aspect of this exercise, by far, has been the avoidance of maps showing the states, which can be nearly impossible. Try going to Texas, for example, and not seeing a few thousand representations of the state outline in a matter of days. Some states are just proud of their shapes. Staying clear of California maps has been a bit of a challenge too, since I live here, but I have developed a habit of averting my eyes when these images present themselves.
After numerous experimental map drawings, some abandoned halfway, some completed but lacking a state or two, I eventually drew a complete map that included all the lower forty eight. And after some refinements, a couple of weeks ago I made a memory map which felt adequate to take to phase two.
Phase 2: A Survey
This phase involves distributing copies of the map to people who have lived in one or more states and have geographic memories that they might contribute. Each map is contained in an envelope which includes a short survey for gathering written feedback, and a space for drawn corrections. The first batch of one hundred maps will be distributed during the month of September. The feedback, both written and drawn, will be evaluated and the information gathered will be incorporated into subsequent memory maps.
Some results from the survey can be viewed via my Flickr stream, in the set Memory Map 1.
September 08 2010 06:15 pm
Lena on 26 Sep 2010 at 10:17 pm #
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and have enjoyed seeing your artwork. I really liked the pictures of your Memory Poem installation but it’s your most recent project made me want to comment for the first time.
The project really appeals to me because I love learning about geography and have maps hanging all over: it’s both a personal interest and professional aspect of my life. I’m a schoolteacher always trying to encourage global awareness and incorporate world geography into lessons in various ways.
When I meet people for the first time and find out where they’re from, especially people from abroad, I look up the location on a map. (While that may sound slightly creepy, it’s really about furthering intercultural understanding on a personal, “Basis” level. Diplomats and politicians can do their diplomacy [damage] on an international political level but I think the most valuable [or at least positive] exchange can happen on a small scale, bit by bit.) Seeing your project on how we personally relate to geography goes back to that fundamental, personalized awareness: we see maps of political boundaries all the time so it’s interesting to create and discuss personally-created ones.
Your drawing of Maryland intrigues me because, as a native Virginian, I have to smile when I see how your version of Maryland rivals Virginia in size and the Delmarva Peninsula kind of tapers off sans VA. I think of the unintentional ethnocentricity at play (for us all) and the questions it raises. I guess it need not be negative but certainly can be an impulse for reflection and extension. Speaking of which, this gives me some ideas for an upcoming lesson: of course, I’ll give credit where credit is due!