Tuesday, July 24, 2018

AHIQ #35: Maps


I thought the next AHIQ invitational was ready but have found myself repeatedly drawn to a new idea. Whether my mother’s passing made me consider past events or all the journeys by plane and car allowed time for reflection, traveling through history and over these long distances refocused me on diaries, connections and maps. I propose Maps and Mappings for our next six months’ study.

"Maps ultimately testify to our belief in the value of exploration, whether the compass is pointed inward or out. To do so is to appreciate the value of the mind as a dynamic vessel of exploration; it does not travel according to the limits of the compass rose, but moves by association. And when the mind comes to rest, when it ceases its orientating leaps and shunts and association, we find ourselves back where we started, where Here intersects Now." Stephen S Hall

Wikipedia defines a map as "a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions or themes" that  "may represent any space, real or imagined, without regard to context or scale."

Road maps, geologic maps, treasure maps,

Texas Geologic Map, UT Austin 1992

landscape and house plans.

Eichler home floor plan

Instead of large-scale geography, it could also be the location of genes on a potato chromosome ...

 Schematic representation
of the shape of DNA
and the base pairs
from PotatoGENE website

Or an imaginary or spiritual journey. My mother had an old needlework picture of the human heart. Not the Valentine heart but a realistic model with all the veins and arteries showing. Religious virtues were inscribed in different regions. I'm not sure where that picture went. She did have some downright scary art.

It could be as simple as a garden or as complex as the paths of every person in a city. Ed Fairburn combines portraits with maps. It could be as small as a pinhead or as wide as the cosmos.

The Milky Way Collapsing by Kukicho-san

"A map is a means for discovery, to be used for any kind of territory. It is a way to get from A to B, sometimes by way of Z. Most simply, a map is a cry from the wilderness, saying 'I am here!'" Katherine Harmon

Maps can relate time and frequency. David Ramsey’s post on cartographic mapping  revitalizes all my the timelines we made in grade school. Who knew they could convey so much? Many bloggers map their label frequencies on the sidebars. The more frequently the label is used, the larger that phrase appears.

Want to read up on mapmaking?

Map Art Lab by Jill Berry and Linden McNielly (2004) is a series of creative weekly exercises for mixed media. Only a few directly address quiltmaking. This book is also suitable for teenagers.

Map Art Lab by Jill Berry and Linden McNielly

Alicia Merrett has made map quilts since 2008. Her book, Mapping the Imagination (2014), is out of print but she has three Contemporary Quilt Demonstration videos on YouTube. You can find examples of her work in her gallery.

Valerie Goodwin's Art Quilt Maps (2013) specifically addresses making map quilts reflecting her training as an architect and professor.
Art Quilt Maps by Valerie S Goodwin
Her work involving imaginary and real places can be seen at:
Other artists working with maps as the foundation of their painting, collage, or quilting include
"Maps have been used to demonstrate position, location... but they can also teach history. They can be used to hold stories and feelings about a place." Diane Savona

This Pinterest board has more links but is certainly not inclusive.

The opportunity to express history and feelings in patchwork, collage, stitching, painting, and stamping makes me believe this could be an interesting challenge. I hope you'll join us.

Also posted on AdHocImprovQuilts blog.

Enjoy the day, Ann

12 comments:

Cathy said...

Oh, my goodness...lots to think about for this one!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I already left a comment on the group blog - and I wanted to be sure to comment here as well. You DO know how to throw down a really good challenge! I'm already formulating an initial post for the group blog - my mind is crackling with thoughts.

Julierose said...

This looks fascinating--if a bit technical, I had seen that last book "Art Quilt Maps " on Amazon. I'll be interested to see what you all make...being a musician, I automatically think of mapping chord changes somehow.... hmmm...food for thought...hugs, Julierose

Cynthia's Creating Ark said...

Very interesting thinking. Mapping the journey from the first idea to the final finished piece.

Ann said...

I hope there are many creative ways to interpret this.

Ann said...

I wanted something very open-ended. You'll have a unique take.

Ann said...

I'm glad you find it fascinating and hope it's a good challenge. Music. Wow. That would be interesting. I've seen temperature quts recently. What would each day's chord or key look like?
These quilts will each be such a reflection of their maker.

Ann said...

I like that idea, Cynthia. I hope this would be open-ended enough to interest us all.

vivoaks said...

I have fallen in love with your 30-year Sampler quilt. Can you tell me where I could purchase the pattern?
Thank you!! Vivian wvoaks at comcast dot net

Ann said...

I drafted it from tradional designs. No pattern for sale.

vivoaks said...

Oh dear, I wanted to make a quilt for my husband's masonic organization to use as a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Your pattern jumped out at me as soon as I saw it, and I figured it would be perfect for the quilt I want to make. I need to have it done by next April, and most of the blocks I want to use are to be appliqued. I've put it off longer than I should have already. I've been quilting for years, but have never attempted to design a quilt. I feel very inadequate at attempting it, so was hoping to use your pattern and just change the designs of the blocks. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do.... Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Guess it's time to put the thinking cap on and figure something out. Blessings, Vivian

Ann said...

Jinny Beyer's older block books explain how to draft patterns. It shouldn't be too hard since you already have many of them made. Good luck.