Mapping a Living Earth

Beginning with a short introduction to the history, legacy, and implications of mapmaking, participants will be invited to step outside of their preconceptions, drawing new neighborhood maps that decenter dominant - or even human - perspectives. We will examine an array of different mapmaking techniques across cultures and species, and participants will have the option to trace local topographic maps to use as foundations for later drawings. The group will then take a short walk through Mount Prospect Park, where we will observe the park’s human and non-human users, mapping their experiences of the local landscape through drawing. Working across multiple scales and user groups, participants might examine nesting patterns of local birds, record point densities of fallen leaves, survey plant or animal life within a confined area, or imagine alternative landscape designs that prioritize accessibility, habitat restoration, or play.

Host or Publisher Field Meridians