What Makes a Map Persuasive? Or Not? (Conversations on Cartography Series)

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What Makes a Map Persuasive? Or Not? (Conversations on Cartography Series)

Featuring PJ Mode, map collector and curator, in conversation with Arthur Dunkelman, curator, Jay I. Kislak Collection.

Thursday, May 11, 2023, 1 p.m. (EDT)

Join PJ Mode and Arthur Dunkelman as they explore some examples of persuasive maps and analyze whether they are effective or not—and why.

"Persuasive cartography" refers to maps intended primarily to influence opinions or beliefs—to send a message—rather than to communicate geographic information. Persuasive maps have been used to affect the perception of circumstances in virtually all aspects of life: religious, political, military, commercial, moral, and social. Many techniques have been deployed over the years to this end, including allegorical, satirical, and pictorial mapping; selective inclusion and exclusion; unusual use of projections, color, symbols, graphics and text; and intentional deception.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
PJ Mode is a retired lawyer who practiced law for more than 40 years in Washington and New York. He has been a student and collector of old maps since 1980, and now focuses on researching and collecting “persuasive cartography,” maps intended primarily to influence opinions or beliefs—to send a message—rather than to communicate geographic information. His collection now includes more than 1,200 maps, in 27 languages, dating from the 15th century to today. The collection is going to Cornell University, and about two-thirds of the maps are already online at Mode’s Persuasive Maps website. The website includes links to high-resolution images and detailed notes on the maps along with additional information and video talks about persuasive mapping. Read more »

ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Prior to joining the University of Miami Libraries as the Curator of the Kislak Collection, Arthur Dunkelman served as Director and Curator of the Jay I. Kislak Foundation for 24 years. In 2004 a portion of the Kislak Foundation Collection was donated to the Library of Congress; Dunkelman was responsible for managing the transition and establishing research and public outreach programs. Two exhibitions, "Treasures of the Jay I. Kislak Collection" (2005) and "Exploring the Americas" (2007 to present), highlighted the materials and brought them to national and international attention. He also edited a comprehensive catalog of the collection, published by the Library of Congress. Read more »

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What Makes a Map Persuasive? Or Not? (Conversations on Cartography Series)

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