Global Projections

 Going off my work in “World Map” I decided to examine systems of world map making more directly. When making any map, the cartographer must make subjective decisions as to what to obscure and what to include. There is no such thing as a truthful map, and this is clearly seen when examining systems of projection. While the world is a sphere, most maps are on flat paper so the shapes and lines of the globe must in some way be translated onto the 2D surface. Traditionally, this is done through careful mathematic calculations that create a mirage of subjectivity. However, those “projections” (ex. Mercator, Robinson) prioritize some information, like direction or size, at the cost of other detail, like shape or position. I wanted to create a new form of projection that would highlight the subjectivity of the cartographer and their decisions’ affect on the eventual map. To do this I decided to carve a globe out of wood and then make the map by rolling the globe, covered in ink, around on paper. This resulted in infinite possibilities of world maps all consisting of ribbons of ink left behind as the ball rolled around. In these maps my hands and motions are evident as are the places I focus on and the kinds of images I try to create—it is a “Gewirth projection.” If someone else had done this action the results would reflect their own focuses and biases. Ideally, if exhibited, this would be an interactive piece allowing people to create their own maps by rolling the globe on paper.