Tuesday 5 February 2013

A Map of Small Things

“They were maps that lived, maps that one could study, frown over, and add to; maps, in short, that really meant something.” ― Gerald Durrell

The British charity Common Ground promotes the linking of nature and the arts to bring attention to those things which are significant in a personal, local and cultural way but often receive little attention. One of the tools they use is the making of maps by local people. The maps record landscape, artifacts, gathering places and objects personally important to the mapmaker. In this way a collection of maps reveals the shape of a community.                                                                                                                               Made over time the maps become an accurate historical record of the area. When faced with planning decisions the maps become a vital tool in establishing what is important to the community. They trace changes in environment, architecture and social practises. They can identify when to take action and when to let change ensue.

What would be on your map?

A special tree
St Anne's Park is the second largest municipal park in Dublin

 St Anne's Park, Dublin courtesy william murphy
A gathering place
                                                                                                                                                                                  
Habitat for an endangered species                                                                                            

Spotted owl

What would be on mine?

A favourite walk
Dunwich Heath, Suffolk

A crinkle crankle wall in Garden Lane,Worlingham
                                                                 
File:Crinkle-crankle wall, Halesworth - geograph.org.uk - 2847177.jpg
I couldn't find one of garden lane but this is similar courtesy nick macneill 

The black mulberry tree behind the wall and the market garden beyond it

flower-black mulberry
 
The monkey puzzle tree in the garden of a mysterious old house        

                                                                 



Both trees are gone. The market garden is covered in a housing development. The mysterious house knocked down. What if maps had been drawn? What if the trees or garden were on them all? What if we knew the trees were important to everyone? Would the trees still be there?

Make a map. Knit it, paint it, take pictures, make a collage, sketch it, embroider it. It is a beautiful thing to do.

If you post about your map send me a link and I will gather them together in a later post.

22 comments:

  1. I loved this posting and it made me both happy and sad. I think you and I feel the same way about beautiful natural things that are overlooked, under appreciated, and abused.

    You're right. We need to map our passions.

    Thanking you for this thought provoking posting,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sharon. I really appreciate your comments. Mapping our passions is a good idea.

      Delete
  2. How outstanding! This is such a powerful message! I will put this on my creative to do list and see what evolves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be interesting to see what the children would put on the map too. It would probably be quite different.

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful idea. Today, everything changes so quickly, the old is torn down for the new, our woods and orchards disappear, our history is gone. I still have my memories though, at least for now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate seeing our countryside disappear.

      Delete
  4. I love this idea. I t reminds me of the Pooh Bear stories and the map that is a part of each one. It shows all the places that are important to Pooh and his friends. I make a point sometimes of not going back places I've been before because I know they've changed and I want to remember them as they were, unsullied by the present.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean. I usually visit my home in England every 5yrs or so and each time something has been lost. Your latest post is a gem. I am cogitating on something profound to say in my comment.

      Delete
  5. I love this idea. I would map where the quail covey is... where the mourning dove's gather, where the hummingbirds nest and where the red winged hawk sits intently looking over my kingdom before I run out to shoo him away. I actually like your ideas better... a very thought provoking post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carolyn. A map of birds sounds rather nice.

      Delete
  6. This is such a marvelous idea! So many places that are special are covered, mowed down or destroyed. I will have to think about 'my' map. It's rather a large one...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Susan, A large map makes me happy-more special places recognised.

      Delete
  7. What a lovely idea. I would love to draw a map of the town I grew up in and then someday go back and visit to see what has changed :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I,ve thought about it too. I wonder if we would be pleased or disappointed with the changes.

      Delete
  8. Its a brilliant idea to mesh an array of perception among a cross section of local residents and interested parties together. You have thrown in some very interesting suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have made me think of overlaying maps, interesting to see where they would connect. And those things which stood alone would be seen.

      Delete
  9. What an interesting idea!
    I've stared a book were I write things, collect bits and pieces and compile it all onto one page, to show what was inspiring me and happening in that month. I think it will be really interesting to look back through at the end of the year :-D

    Happy Saturday!
    Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beautiful idea Sarah. Do you have a photo of it on your blog?

      Delete
  10. what a delightful idea. Having recently moved to Vancouver Island I don't know that I'm "qualified" to make a living map for where I live now. Though I could easily do so for where I came from in Alberta. Mind you, despite only being here for just over a year, I'm discovering that I already have ventured on the island more than many who have been here for years and years. I love this place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy finding new trails and hidden gardens and quirky little stores.

      Delete
  11. Hello Susan. Thank you for your comment on my blog :-)

    What a thoughtful important idea you present here. I quite love it.

    We preserve history and we preserve what we know and love. Important.

    Love
    kj

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really love this idea. I would have to do some traveling though to find my map pictures! This would be great to pass down to our grandchildren ♥

    ReplyDelete