CFP: British Library Symposium: Maps in Context
14th June, 2010
Call for papers
Recent study of maps has attempted to understand the contexts in which they were produced, and the functions they fulfilled. In particular, the qualities of display maps have not received sufficient attention in the wider context of wall decoration of both interior and exterior spaces
from early modern to twenty-first century Europe, nor has their relationship to other forms of decoration such as paintings, sculptures, tapestries and murals been adequately studied.
The symposium will be held in conjunction with the British Library exhibition 'Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art,' which will focus on the artistic, political, social and symbolic qualities of maps as opposed to their scientific properties. The exhibition will be arranged as a series of spaces, such as a school, the rooms of a palace, a board room and an open space, which will reflect their original audiences and functions.
Suggested themes papers may address but are not limited to:
The symbolic and iconic qualities of cartography
The iconography of the Renaissance palace
Artistic influences in mapping, and cross-fertilisation with fine art
Artists who also made maps
Maps in the wider context of art history
The propaganda use of maps
The map as an instrument of government
Maps for the masses - the function of maps in public spaces
The manipulation of the cartographic image for non-geographical purposes
If you wish to present a paper please send an abstract of not more than 250 words, along with a brief biography, by 30th January 2010 to Tom Harper (Tom.harper at bl.uk)
