Thinking with space-time dimension of place (II)

(Open Spatial Laboratory)

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Notes: The work arising within the Open Space Laboratory has a long-lasting character, with various groups of people and more-than-humans being able to enter it. It has the character of an open workshop – an event. The OSL framework represents an open process of embodied learning.

Thinking with the space-time dimension of a place requires us to rethink the common position of time as the dominant dimension that determines change, and instead take a broader and more interconnected view of the landscape (this also applies to the underwater world), both in time and in space.

Through these numerous moments, we get an idea of how deeply the weather and the place are entangled in the possibilities of meeting more species, and how they contribute to the emergence of relationships between children, the weather and other creatures. What children learn about can not be extracted from the weather, but only by thinking with the weather can we differently see the ways in which children could establish relationships and new understandings.

The convergence of conditions offers a possible starting point for speculation about possible forms of life, types of dwellings, materials, etc. These images form, a mixture of something magical, but above all real. What emerges, when we have the opportunity to develop in mutual kinship.

Many of our walks arise from chance encounters and sightings. We stand in the background and are always available. Each encounter is an encounter with something unusual with time that will many times outlive our world or change completely through it. Children leaving the site thinking that their architecture – a sculpture to dry the grass – the sculpture will somehow continue along with the weather, even though the process of transformation and decay will remain unknown.

The big dead plants I had on hand,

I loaded them with big rocks to keep them from flying off.

And I threw grass on the plants.

I threw grass or some other plants on the structure,

which I cut with my machete.

When my supplies started to run low,

I kept some plants there for next time. (Váva 7. years)

photo Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Calheta de Nesquim Azores Atlantic Ocean 2024