Author: Paula Scher (Princeton Architectural Press, 2011)
Mapping has played an essential role in shaping human history. From military use to the division of land, cartography has molded and biased our perception of the world around us – intentionally including and omitting information at the whim of their makers.
Although the mass popularity of maps seemed to have diminished during a few decades of the 20th century, the rise of powerful technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – that captures, stores, manipulates, analyzes, manages, and presents all types of geographically referenced data – has revived our long-standing passion for cartography. The popularity of Google Earth and Google Maps speaks to this fact directly.
Given this popular interest (not to mention marketability!), artists and graphic designers are rediscovering new and wonderful ways to include maps in their work – exploring and pushing cartography as a medium beyond its traditional uses. Well-known American graphic designer, illustrator, painter and art educator Paula Scher is one such person and her new book – aptly called Paula Scher MAPS – showcases her beautiful cartographic exploits.
The book is extremely simple in content. It begins with Paula Scher’s short essay All Maps Lie (republished online at Design Observer website in tandem with a slideshow of a handful of her maps) that describes her introduction to maps, how they deceive, and her interest in them. In her words:
I began painting maps to invent my own complicated narratives about the way I see and feel about the world. I wanted to list what I know about a place from memory, from impression, from media, and from general information overload. They are paintings of distortions.
This is followed by a short foreword by author Simon Winchester citing the importance of Scher’s work in the context of a time that has seen the rise of the “mindless tyranny of geographic information systems” and a dwindling interest in the craft of paper map-making.
Paula Scher’s map-related works are then presented in three sections – Paintings, Installations, and Drawings and Paintings – all of which are image-heavy, accompanied by with minimum descriptions (title, date created, size and medium). The pieces – and their accompanying detailed images- are wonderful and extremely beautiful in their integration of text, colour, layering and cartographic space. The large format of the book (11″ x 12″), with several images running across a two-page spread, was well chosen to exhibit the works in print. Although there is truly no substitute for seeing these sizable pieces in person.
Looking at the sheer density of information and grandeur of each map, the book cannot help but stir ones curiosity as to Scher’s process. How did she go about putting these pieces together? Unfortunately, this is where the MAPS falls short. Nowhere in this book is that fundamental issue addressed. This will certainly leave followers of her work disappointed.
That notwithstanding, as a strong collection of delightful works from a talented and skilled cartographic mind, Paula Scher MAPS is a great addition to the library of map fanatics and graphic design geeks. Worthy of inclusion on ones upcoming Christmas list.
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For a glimpse of Paula Scher’s maps visit this website. You can also get more information on the book at the Princeton Architectural Press website.
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Erick Villagomez is one of the founding editors at Spacing Vancouver. He is also an educator, independent researcher and designer with personal and professional interests in the urban landscapes. His private practice – Metis Design|Build – is an innovative practice dedicated to a collaborative and ecologically responsible approach to the design and construction of places.