Blog post 6: Maps & virtual spaces


Blog post 6: Maps & virtual spaces


Coming into this chapter of reading, I was not sure what exactly I was going to learn from it. However, after reading it I was able to get some of my questions about mapping answered. To effectively display information on a map, it's crucial to consider both the content and the type of map that best suits your needs. While Google Maps is highly accessible and user-friendly, even the simplest mapping projects require careful thought. Questions about distances between places, travel times, and the natural and social features that define a region all relate to our spatial experience. These inquiries intersect with issues like accessibility, transportation, isolation, communication, and development patterns, as well as the significance of land and location concerning status, class, and symbolic factors such as myth and ritual. It’s important to distinguish between aspects of research that are fundamentally spatial and those that are only tangentially related to space due to their location. For instance, while the location of a place may not be inherently a spatial issue, the time it takes to reach it certainly is.


Next, looking at chapter 9 and virtual models. “The virtually rendered world is also often created from a single point of view, extending monocular perspective (invented in the Renaissance as a “realist” convention that is associated with a voyeuristic and objectifying gaze) and its way of depicting 3-D space” (Mulvey 1975). This quote stuck out to me because I thought the concept of virtual worlds being from a single point of view was an interesting concept. However, it leaves me with a couple of answered questions. First, what does the concept of a virtual world mean and what are the restrictions with it? To me it would relate with anything that an individual or group renders. 


Lastly, virtual tourism and heritage present exciting opportunities to explore and engage with cultural sites and experiences in ways that were previously unimaginable. Virtual tourism allows people to visit locations they might never physically access, offering immersive experiences that can include everything from virtual reality tours to interactive online exhibitions. This can enhance understanding and appreciation of heritage, making it more accessible to diverse audiences.

In relation to the upcoming curation unit, these concepts can be particularly relevant. Curating virtual experiences allows for innovative storytelling and interpretation of heritage, using multimedia tools to convey the significance of cultural sites and artifacts. It can also promote inclusivity, enabling individuals from various backgrounds and locations to connect with heritage in meaningful ways.

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