Author Archive
The Magic of Maps
Posted by: aerlyn in Saturna Project on February 9th, 2009
Spanish and English explorers based their claims to trade and territory on rituals of possession and on maps. Mapping involved taking compass bearings, measuring latitude, (guessing longitude), and lowering lead lines to get depth soundings. Much of the work was done from smaller long boats, sent out from a mother ship to explore the contours of a coast previously unknown to Europeans.
As you would expect, a significant part of the Saturna Project involves maps as well. Our team has been very involved with finding good sources, developing animations and using them to illustrate stories of the early European explorations. They’re pretty useful today too, whether you’re looking for the Lamb Barbeque or just a place to pull up your kayak.
Narvaez' Map
Along with Google Earth and online historical map sites, there are serendipitous finds too. One map came to us from Rick Stringfellow, a producer with Electronic Arts, who was here at MDM teaching a design course. It turns out that many years ago he purchased an early map of Canada in a small shop in England and has now made it available to our project. Thank you Rick!
The Saturna Project
Posted by: aerlyn in Saturna Project on January 31st, 2009
Our project, which will deliver an interactive website and materials to create an installation in the Fog Alarm Building on Saturna Island, is off and running. We are most fortunate to have the support of a number of historical experts and community activists. People like Robin Inglis, from the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Gordon Miller, a painter who specializes in the ships of the early Spanish and English explorers, as well as Saturna Island residents, architect Richard Blagborne, Senator Pat Carney and the head of our own Masters of Digital Media program, Gerri Sinclair. The Saturna Project will focus on creating 3D models of the Santa Saturnina, the Spanish ship which gave its name to Saturna Island, and the second European ship to be built on this coast. These elements will make the web pages come alive, along with other layers featuring interactive maps, interviews and more historical detail. The project will provide an interactive experience for potential cultural tourists to the island as well as a way for those who have already made a visit, to go online and stay connected with friends and events there. Beyond the island itself, our goal is to create a template that other small communities across BC could use to promote their own history and economic development, through heritage tourism. With mills closing, and losses in the forestry and mining sectors many communities need to find ways to encourage alternative kinds of economic activity. Our team has a lot to learn and (digital) ships to build, --so there will be more news to report soon.The Saturna Project team meets with Robin Inglis and Gordon Miller
