Seeing the Landscape Through Textual and Graphical Media Products

Abstract

Space is a central element in human communication. In this chapter, the authors compare representations of landscapes in different media types, including texts, maps, and virtual reality to show how they express spatial conceptions. Such a comparison is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind combinations and transformations among different media; hence, it forms a useful basis for analysing media interacting with spaces more generally. Taking a step back, the authors then discuss how the materiality and concreteness of space interact with the abstract conceptual level of models. This makes it possible to study traditional two-dimensional maps and texts as well as three-dimensional modelling and virtual reality systems. Finally, the authors introduce virtual reality as a new media form in the light of empirical experiments conducted at the University of Cologne.