Category Archives: Los Angeles Public Library

Los Angeles Public Library

Maps Unfolded

“As powerful works of imagination, maps straddle the lines between art and science, and capture a sense of precision and romance.”

That’s exhibit co-curator Gloria Gerace speaking about the current exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library titled L.A. Unfolded. This sentence points out that maps are not necessarily straightforward and factual. I hadn’t thought of maps as having “remarkable stories to tell” as the curators describe. This exhibit features a 1791 Spanish Explorers California Coast map, and a variety of types of maps from real estate maps to tourist guides.

The other co-curator Glen Creason adds, “Maps are not always accurate, are not without prejudice, and are rarely perfect, but they teach us about our place in the world.”