Maps and art

is the purpose of geography to make war?

Representation of human beings
an exhibition of maps and art

 

The artistic works and installations set up in the three sections perform the same function as basso continuo in music, a harmonic support that ties together all of the materials in the exhibition. The musical metaphor is particularly apt for engaging the public – this is the purpose of the entire layout of the exhibition – and invite it to consider the question that gives meaning to the entire project: Is the purpose of geography to make war?

Paradoxically, looking at the Earth from above, from God’s point of view, helps us become more empathetic with the dynamic of the human adventure. In 1570 the Flemish, Abramo Ortelio, drew a planisphere seen from the clouds, inviting the observer to ponder the condition of the world, especially in his time, torn by religious wars between Catholics and Protestants. The Blue Marble, the first photo of the Earth taken by the crew of Apollo 17 in 1972; the geographical rugs that provide extraordinary materiality to the mappa mundi created with close knit patterns by the hands of a highly skilled Afghan women; fragile creations by Marco Ferreri and Latifa Echakhch who, respectively with the Terracotta planisphere and the Globus map, have provided a tangible representation of the human condition, demonstrating the limitless fecundity of the dialogue between art and geography.