connecting thru grasses IKG – week #1
Introduction:
Thanks for begin part of connecting thru grasses an ongoing participatory project started in 2020 that looks to prairie grass ecosystems as well as the technologies that map and reflect the diminishing biome. As a participant in this project you are being asked to plant grass seeds in at least 2 different locations across the Canadian Prairies [here defined as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba] and map their coordinates on the google map documenting the project. Instructions as to how to use the map can be found on the signup page.
As part of the project, we will perform prompts together (at a distance) as we prepare to plant our prairie grasses. Spending time considering the ways in which we both image and imagine the land around us, together we will focus on strategies for visualizing and narrativizing the complex stories wrapped up within our relationships to land. Specifically, we will consider the visual perspective of TERRA, a NASA research satellite that will soon fall back to the earth.
Each week (for 3 weeks) you will receive an email from me with prompts to consider as you plant your grass seed.
Background:
connecting thru grasses considers how satellites passing overhead reflect an image of the earth (and thus of ourselves) back to us, and how these images shape or mis-shape our understanding of the land and our relationship to it.
The TERRA satellite was launched December 18, 1999, with a life expectancy of 6 years. It was expected to die in 2005 – it is years overdue. Surpassing expectations, it has been orbiting the earth now for 21 years.
connecting thru grasses asks you to consider what images TERRA‘s imaging instruments (which capture and construct an image approximately every 8 minutes per orbit) fail to capture – what might be happening on the ground during the time it misses, and how these omissions result in a reading (ie: an image) that isn’t quite complete.
Just after the second iteration of the project, NASA announced that the TERRA satellite is now moving into lower orbit on its way to being decommissioned. They don’t know when, but expect that sometime between 2025-2026 it will begin to crash back into the earth.
“Since early 2020, and after decades “orbiting at 705 km above Earth’s surface and routinely crossing the equator at approximately the same time every day, TERRA is now drifting.” Over time, TERRA will begin to slowly get closer and closer to Earth – crossing the equator earlier and earlier as time passes.“
This participatory project is an extension of the larger work now on exhibition at IKG in Calgary.
In Preparation:
Ideally: find a location(s) outdoors or near to an open window as you perform your prompts.
Before considering your prompts: find out what time the TERRA satellite will be overhead of your location:
1. First, check out the satellite timetable I’ve prepared below – it provides dates and times for when TERRA will pass overhead of Calgary. The info is generated from data provided by In-the-sky.org [I’ve made a step-by-step pdf on how to search satellite time tables yourself — it’s up online here]
2. While it isn’t critical that TERRA be overhead at precisely the time when you perform each prompt (though it is encouraged!), consider that satellites are often above you taking images of the earth below.
Here’s when TERRA will be overhead Calgary this week:
Prompt One (week #1):
closeup picture of little bluestem grass seed.
FIRST: The seed pack you picked up from IKG contains a mix of tall grass seed (all natural across most of North America). Read a little bit more about each grass.
Start thinking now about where you will plant your seeds. As you select your location(s):
Consider the space that grasses require to grow (both above and below the earth).
Many grasses have fibrous roots that can extend far (and across) down into the earth. Here are the approximate root lengths for the seeds we’re all planting:
* The roots of Little Bluestem can extend down as far as 5 feet.
* Canada Wild Rye’s root system can exceed 2 feet on all sides.
* Sideoats Grama can have roots that extend 2 to 4 feet.
Think about the location(s) where you plan to plant your grass seed;
Imagine how far the roots of your soon to be growing grasses will spread;
Imagine the same distance above ground as below.
Spend some time documenting this imagined spread of your soon to be growing grass roots (use whatever materials you have at hand).
Consider:
– a location with enough light and water where your grass can grow undisturbed;
– a location that has personal meaning to you;
– a location where you can watch the grass growing over the years.
Additional things to consider about your planting location:
● Sun
● Water (grasses are quite drought tolerant)
● Soil (grasses are tolerant of different soils)
● Height (grasses often grow to 2 to 5 ft)
● Disturbance (mowing, city clean ups)
If you can, visit your planting location (either in person or online using satellite technology) and hold onto an image of it in your mind (what do you remember about that location? how does it look? smell? feel? what memories are tied to it for you?). Make a note of your thoughts as you imagine your grass growing in that location. If you’re ready to plant some of your seed, do so and add your thoughts to your location when you map it online. You can also wait to plant your seeds until after all 3 prompts are shared in coming weeks.