Kaart van Zuid-Amerika 1669 - 1733

This undated map of South America was made by an anonymous cartographer. The map is a product of its time, reflecting the European perspective and the colonial gaze directed towards the continent. It emphasizes geographical features and political divisions relevant to European powers, while often overlooking or misrepresenting indigenous perspectives and knowledge. Consider how the map flattens the lived experiences and diverse identities of the people who inhabited this land long before European contact. The act of mapping itself becomes a form of claiming territory, a visual assertion of dominance. The lines drawn on this map carry weight, shaping not only geographical understanding but also the political and social realities of the region. It invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in representation, and on whose stories are told—and whose are left out—in the construction of our understanding of the world.