In late May (25th, likely) I'll run a workshop at Magic and Pasta. We're figuring out the exact nature of the event, but largely it will focus on how people relate to and conceptualize bodies of water, especially those we live around. I thank Helen, Kendal, and John for the opportunity! I can also credit many others with this idea: Hydrosocial studies, this lecture, messages with Pierie.
My interest revolves around water as an intractable hyperobject—but also one that is terrifically mundane. We connect to water reservoirs whenever we turn on the tap; we create our own bodies of water whenever we take a bath; you are also probably just a short walk from your closest creek, river, or reservoir. We exist as bodies of water and in bodies of water (the atmosphere), which is especially apparent in the Bay Area.
Talk to any surfer and they'll probably say they feel "connected" to the ocean, inasmuch as they regularly spend time there, paying attention to it. Despite the fact that a complete view of the physics of water flow escape us, plenty of people are extremely adept at "reading" water towards mechanistic understanding and emotional connection. What happens when we give this kind of attention to a nearby creek? To the reservoir that gives us drinking water? To our own bathtubs?
In the face of climate change's disruption of typical hydrologies, perhaps "using water should be like drawing blood" (ref by Éd). I'm also hoping that by physically interacting with Berkeley's bodies of water (creeks and the Bay), we can build a more emotional connection to their dynamism and sensitivity to coming changes.
My interest revolves around water as an intractable hyperobject—but also one that is terrifically mundane. We connect to water reservoirs whenever we turn on the tap; we create our own bodies of water whenever we take a bath; you are also probably just a short walk from your closest creek, river, or reservoir. We exist as bodies of water and in bodies of water (the atmosphere), which is especially apparent in the Bay Area.
Talk to any surfer and they'll probably say they feel "connected" to the ocean, inasmuch as they regularly spend time there, paying attention to it. Despite the fact that a complete view of the physics of water flow escape us, plenty of people are extremely adept at "reading" water towards mechanistic understanding and emotional connection. What happens when we give this kind of attention to a nearby creek? To the reservoir that gives us drinking water? To our own bathtubs?
In the face of climate change's disruption of typical hydrologies, perhaps "using water should be like drawing blood" (ref by Éd). I'm also hoping that by physically interacting with Berkeley's bodies of water (creeks and the Bay), we can build a more emotional connection to their dynamism and sensitivity to coming changes.
The other thing that is interesting about water is that you’re never looking at water alone. You’re looking at water in relation to something. Whether a lake, or a river, or environment. Water is a very dependent material in terms of its neighbors, and you do have to wonder where its transparency comes from. The transparency of water is also the most opaque thing about it. (ref)
Stay tuned, I'll share as details come into full-view.
Bubbling,
Lukas