Classifying, Analysing and Experiencing Maps - Advances in Cartography and GIScience - page 43

4- Experiencing & creating maps and the outside world
4.1 Experiencing and creating maps
When we study maps based on visual information and abstract knowledge
our experience is enriched by our less rational parts of our mind. When we
look at a map with historical connotations - e.g. Fig 6B (see also Fig 2B ) -
our fantasy adds elements to the map that we not always are aware of. The
fascination of old maps probably depends on this effect. The arrow in
Figure 6 pointing from “ d ” to “ e ” and from “ f ” to “ g ” is an attempt to
visualise this enriched experience. The second symbol at the arrows heads
symbolise the experienced contents of the maps rather then the maps real
contents.
Even a current topographic map, as map C, can activate memories and
awaken associations when we look at it. A green shade on the map can
very well recall memories of wandering in forests as well as a blue wavy
line may remind us on fishing tours in the past (see “h” to “k”).
Even a statistical map can have associative values, even in a lesser extent
but still. The background map together with statistical symbols may very
well remind us of experiences in that particular area. Even the pie-charts
may recall memories when we try to connect the symbols content to
reality.
Similar deviations from the factual contents to experienced contents in
maps are not map are not only possible but also probable. Map 1E is in it-
self such a deviation from pure abstraction to cartographic expression. The
Tolkien-map probably is inspired by maps, read by Tolkien himself. The
pictorial card from Scania is hardly independent of topographical maps.
These and other influences could be visualised in the same manner as in
Figure 6 .
Figure 6 is inserted in the 3D-diagram in Fig 7 as the plane “CREATING
and EXPERIENCING MAPS”.
The same combination of the visible abstract and emotional elements are
probably is present even when people create maps and similar artefacts. It
is obvious that the creator of a cartographic product, based mainly on vis-
ual observations must also deal with the process of creating abstractions.