Mappa Mundi Notes

After re-watching the Mappa Mundi Documentary,



I've taken down some notes on phrases which I could use to create a script, should I need a voice over. My main focus is to create environments for a Documentary but to focus on something other than the obvious facts the map gives. Seeing as 'Life and Death' is a major, yet underrated theme on the map I aim to bring these subjects to light.

History of the world

Events of the past, some 1000’s year apart

Events such as Cesar sending out people to map the world before Christ, crucifixion of Christ and Noah’s Ark

The whole world is like a book written by the hand of God

As seen in Judgment Day- heaven on the left, hell on the right, Crucifixion, Horseman, Latin word for Death around the outside.

‘Here is the World’, says the Map ‘enjoy it for you will soon leave it’

Though teaming with life the map is more about Death.

Life in the next world was the only certainty.

Notes from Meeting with Alan

After having my first Tutorial with Alan, I’m glad to finally be able to focus on one strong idea and get started on my minor.

At first I had two ideas, one for a games trailer for the Mappa Mundi. The other was to create enviroments for a Documentary.

Out of both ideas Alan thought the trailer idea should be put to one side for now, as this would demand a certain language. He also thought that the Documentry had cklearer boundries rather than the trailer.

He thought that the documentary idea has much clearer boundaries.
You might want to pick one place or image and focus on something interesting about that, rather than attempt too many different areas.

To help the idea of the Documentry working he suggested that the main thing to concentrate on initially, is finding something contentious or debateable in the map, something that can spark a debate - so, is it a map of the world or of life, for example...this will then take your subject to another level and make it so much more interesting. It will also allow you to think about different interpretations.

To help in terms of research he also recommended that I take a look at something called the ‘Phaidos Disk’. The disk as displayed below:



is a complete mystery because of the way it was created. The symbols are pressed on using a technique which was not invented by the Chinese until years on.

Project Proposal + Timetable

The Mappa Mundi Proposal

Right time to restart updating my blog frequently. Above is my project proposal for my minor project.



I've also created a timetable for myself so I can see what I'm supposed to be doing over how many weeks.

Dissertation Book List

Bit of a boring post but it's more for me to make some notes on books with which I could use for my dissertation. One of them was also suggestion made to me by Chirs Hunt after I asked for a book which might be good for quotes on 'Hyper- reality'. He suugested I take a look at the America book by Jean Baudrillard

America

Faith in Fakes: Travles in Hyperreality

How to Travel With a Salmon

Travels in Hyper Reality

Confession of an Ugly Stepsister The Film (2002)

Well this was a pleasant find and a most welcomed one. I'm using 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister' by Gregory Maguie in my Dissertation to answer why people write Fanfiction. What I didn't realize was that his book was made into a film in 2002. After watching it, I've realized I was very disappointed. The plot of Confessions is to show that both Iris (one of Clara's step sisters) and Clara herself were both forced into something they didn't want to do. The book shows that the only reason Clara (the Cinderella character of the book) goes to the ball is because Iris asks her to. Where as in the film they have reverted back to the original Cinderella story. They even involved magic (though thankfully very little) of a rat being turned into a pair of shoes.

I could go on about the differences between the book and the film (of which has rather annoyed me). Either way the film, although starts of like the book doesn't follow true to it.

@ Phil: Dissertation Book Help

Phil, are there any books on hyper reality you could recommend for me (that I can buy from Amazon) for my dissertation?

So far I've looked at these

Faith In Fakes
How To Travel With A Salmon
Travels in Hyper Reality

But any recommendations would be good, thanks :-)

Map Exhibition and Ideas

As suggested by Phil, I went to Hereford with Tom for the day to go and see the Mappa Mundi. I'd arranged, upon arriving at the Cathedral to meet up with a Hereford Map expert, Rosalind. She showed us around the Mappa Mundi exhibition and explained what certain parts of the map were. Rosalind also showed us the English translation of the map as well as a new digital restoration of how the map would have been coloured. To also help me understand more about the map she took Tom and I up into the Cathedral's private library.

The library was full of what looked like old books as well as information on all the ancient artefacts found around the Cathedral. Rosalind showed us a books called 'Mappa Mundi: The Hereford World Map' as well as a book containing a list of all the text from the map which had been translated. The Mappa Mundi book I was able t purchase from the shop as well as a poster of the English translation of the map to help with my work. I also need to email Rosalind back to let her know what parts of the map I would like enlarged.

Tom said I needed to come up with an angle in which to base my animation. He pointed out that the Mappa Mundi looks like it could be a board game of some sorts. With this in mind I looked at different sorts of games. The main one which spring to mind was an interaction DVD board game called Khufu the Mummy





I had the idea of designing some environments for such a game to put into an advert of some sorts. I would also aim to add in one or two of the creatures as the pieces used for the players to move around.

Another idea I had was similar to a Harry Potter game I have. In the game, the player is given 3 locations they must reach on the board before racing back to their common room.

'As a student you will visit famous destinations in and around Hogwarts collecting House Points as you go whilst trying to avoid the hazards along the way. The object of the game is to be the student who earns the most House Points.

From the Start position you must plan your route around Hogwarts without losing all your House Points or getting expelled. But watch other players' moves carefully: if they land on one of your Destinations you can knock them back to the Start and relieve them of their House Points.' More info here

With this I would again create some 3D environments to be shown as well as add in characters for game pieces.