Blog Post 6: Maps and Visual Spaces

    Chapter 8 of the book discussed mapping tools which are an integral part of political and social work with statistical information. Addresses demographics, research management, infrastructure development, and security concerns. Mapping platforms are complex, but they are all made up of data points, base maps, and labels. In humanities is used to show something on a map, analyze any aspect of spatial experiences, narrate an event using a map or maps to present the argument, interpret a map's historical and critical form, create a map from place-based references, and employ coordinate data or use a map as a picture. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems which is designed to integrate maps with data for analysis and presentations. Shape files and pixel images are just two ways to store information visually for mapping. An example of a pixel image is a jigsaw piece since it can only be moved, copied, and pasted, not manipulated by shape. While shape files are vector-based files that can be readily scaled and resized without losing their shape. This relates to my current curation project since we will be uploading pictures/images to Jstor and having to narrate the picture by writing a caption about all its information. 

    Chapter 9 talked about three dimensional and virtual models. To make a 3D model requires three components: model objects drawn as forms in a design tool and a rendering engine to add surface texture, color, and the representation of materials. There are four steps to make a model which entails creating a wireframe project with a 3D modeling tool, give it properties like shape, color, texture, etc, give the model a scene, and lastly, add interactive features. 3D models also come from a variety of formats, but many early ones are no longer used as technology has been improving. 

    I took a look at Mapping Color in History, and they are a Digital Humanities project that brings together the scientific data drawn from existing and on-going material analyses of pigments in Asian painting from a historical perspective. It hosts a searchable database with mapping capacity to track the appearance and usage of pigments across time and space. It takes an object-based entry method for data collection instead of a pigment-based organization scheme. It also records the historical and technical information on the analysis, providing valuable data on the history of analytical methods.

    Part of my DH analysis project included a section of VR tours of different historical landmarks and museums. I think this is a helpful tool we have access to today since it allows anyone from anywhere to visit these places with zero expenses. My thoughts on visual tourism is that it allows an initial interest to be peaked and by viewing online on a VR tour they get to see which could in return influence them to go visit the real thing in real life. Viewing something online can allow people to get a better understanding of it then in return it will most likely increase the amount of people who may want to see it in real life.