This circular map of the world is based on Ibn Hawqal’s model of the Balkhi school of geography. The Fatimid version gives central prominence to the Nile River and the Mediterranean territories. Following the Balkhi cartographic legacy, the map focuses less on names of cities, and more on names of territories and political regions, such as Byzantium, Khorasan, land of the Turks, the Franks’ land, Ethiopia, Andalusia, and Egypt. This map is geometrical in design; a blue ring representing the “Encompassing Sea” surrounds the circular earth. Lines are straight or arched, rivers are parallel lines, lakes are drawn as circles, and towns are indicated in dark dots. Even though this map claims to be a map of the known earth, it focuses more on regions that are predominantly inhabited by Muslim populations. While the peripheral provinces and territories of China are indicated in the map, no details are specified. Interestingly, Constantinople and the Byzantine provinces occupy a central space.

Introducing contemporary environmental and displacement issues, we incorporated oil tankers navigating the Encompassing Sea, pointing at the environmental risk. Representing contemporary migrancy, we added dinghies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, one dinghy carrying refugees to more “stable territories”, another sinking in the sea. Indicating environmental crisis, dead fish float in the waters.

Shifting Perspectives: Ibn Hawqal Map
(90cm x120cm, appliqué and embroidery, 2024)

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