Kaart van Azië 1774

This is an anonymous map of Asia. The map presents a grid of lines, a symbolic language intended to control and understand the world. Think of how ancient civilizations projected their understanding onto the stars, creating constellations and narratives to explain the heavens. Similarly, this map projects a European worldview onto the Asian continent. We see the world divided and measured, a gesture of claiming knowledge. These lines are not merely objective; they reflect a desire to impose order and rationality on the unknown. Consider the psychological implications: the grid represents an attempt to reduce anxiety about the unfamiliar, a way to make the vast and complex world manageable. Maps like these are not just about geography. They also reflect a deep-seated human impulse to define, categorize, and ultimately, control our surroundings. The act of mapping itself becomes a powerful expression of cultural and psychological forces. A way to reduce uncertainty and make the unknown 'known'.