A dynamic topography for visualizing time and space in fictional literary texts

Abstract

This paper presents research on creating interactive prototypes for visualizing temporal spatial relationships in fictional literary texts. Developed within the context of the Chronotopic Cartographies project, a practice-led inquiry yielded dynamic visualizations from literary texts, the research explores the development and application of interactive three-dimensional environments illustrating the ‘chronotopic’, time-space relationships across a series of fictional literary texts. Expert feedback highlights the potential of the interaction model as a useful visual paradigm for supporting methods of reflective inquiry hypothesis making. The work also represents a potential model for creating interactive temporal visualizations which support hypothesis making across a broader sphere of the humanities.