Harteography

Harteography is a term that describes the artistic and often unconventional depiction of maps or mapping-related imagery. It is not a formally recognized academic discipline but rather a creative practice that borrows from cartography's visual language. Harteography can manifest in various forms, including paintings, drawings, digital art, sculptures, and even performance. The intent behind harteography is often to evoke a sense of place, memory, or narrative, rather than to provide accurate geographical information. Artists may use traditional map elements like coastlines, borders, and place names, but they often distort, abstract, or recontextualize them. This can involve layering personal experiences onto a geographical framework, creating fantastical landscapes, or commenting on the nature of mapping itself. The "harte" in harteography can be interpreted in several ways, perhaps suggesting a deliberate departure from strict cartographic conventions, an exploration of the heart or emotion associated with a place, or even a playful inversion of the precise nature of mapmaking. Ultimately, harteography prioritizes aesthetic and conceptual exploration over geographical accuracy, offering a unique perspective on how we perceive and represent the world.