In delving further into the origins of the chorographic images, I grew acquainted with the private worlds of sixteenth and seventeenth century mapmakers: a world characterized by interconnectivity and cooperative dynamics. The chorographers all participated in an interwoven network that ultimately all connects to Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg and their publication.
READ MOREThe collection of Boston chorographies provide evidence for a compelling narrative regarding mapmakers’ approaches to the city because of the variety of possible viewpoints as well as the disruption caused by the Revolutionary War. Boston’s unique location on the Shawmut Peninsula gives the cartographer unparalleled access to multiple locations both to look on and out from the city. In the early 18th century, this aspect of Boston is exaggerated by the use of manipulated space by the authors too. They utilize the variety of “real” viewpoints while also creating their own new views. Later, the Revolutionary War itself laid fertile ground for the comparison between the works of soon-to-be American printers and British ones. John Carwitham’s 1730 view of Boston sits at the relative beginning of this story with many other similar views of Boston Harbor. These 18th century views of the harbor are central to early depiction of Boston, but are subverted by the Revolutionary War, after which later works continue to move away from the traditional representations of the city.
READ MOREThe goal of this project is to take the human-made annotation data from a 2D chorography and use this data to create a 3D model of the city it depicts to reveal interesting information encoded in these maps.
READ MOREThe Houdini network of the Sandcastle project is a reflection of the team’s division of work, according to people’s area of specialty.
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