the center of all things (when maps become flowers)...

this image was found in a 1947 radio news magazine i was cutting into tiny pieces for some work. it is one of my favorite maps i've seen, and the tiny b&w photo almost slipped by me unnoticed.

the caption reads: three dimensions on paper: ohio state university has solved the problem of designing non-confusing models of antenna field patterns by using a series of 2-dimensional cardboard figures. each represents the vertical field pattern in a given direction...

i love the idea of a map as an object, or a small model; and the notion of the "stem" at the center is the location with all things radiating outwards from it. the map is the center of the mapmaker's universe and location, making it also time specific if the center is not fixed in space (an antenna yes, a human no). i love the idea that you could have multiple objects/maps of the various paths through days, lives, jobs, life, etc...of course, they also remind me of some of contant's models for new babylon...