The Ecogeoglyphic Observatory (fondly referred to as the EGG) is a project that explores the curious dynamics of present-day industrial development in the region surrounding Boise, and the effects that this process has over the plants, animals, water, stone, soil and people who exist here.
Ecogegolyphic is a neologism coined by me. It breaks down into three parts: Eco - ecology - from oikos, Ancient Greek for house/home. Invoking our home place. Geo - earth - from gê, Ancient Greek for earth. Invoking the material earth. Glyphic - carve - from glyphē, Greek for carve/hollow/engrave. Invoking the act of writing, of carving into stone. Our lines erase their webs. Ecogeoglyphic is a new term for thinking about suburban and industrial development. It implies writing in and over ecologies and geologies, using a certain language that is familiar to us all- suburban sprawl. Through platting the earth for development, and the process of digging out the foundations for an explosion of it in the Boise Valley, companies have been inscribing the earth with their logic. What does this logic express about our time? As new homes and industrial facilities appear, covering the earth with gridded subdivision lines, natural ecosystem relations are erased. If given the choice to explore different options, what traces would we leave on the face of the living earth? The EGG Observatory is seeking field workers! I am an artist who wants to build a project together with people living in the Boise Valley. In it we intentionally observe, document, explore, research and dream. I am creating the EGG Observatory to do just that, but I can’t do it alone. Field Workers will be people who are inspired by the ideas in this flier, and who want to go deeper. I am looking for 7 people to join me as a cohort who will be doing artistic research to contribute to the EGG Observatory. Field Workers will have access to the Observatory studio; be invited on cohort excursions; have opportunities to give art talks on their research; and ultimately develop a project to be shared at The EGG Observatory show at MING Studios in March, 2023. But why focus on Development at all? Perhaps I am so compelled because I love this place, all the way down. I feel sensitive to the dirt, the rocks, the plants, the animals here, and I want to think of them as being inherently valuable. I also don’t want to assume that the ways Development scours across the land is inevitable. I see the logic of Development as the language of our time, written on the earth. I wonder what effects present day choices are having over the long-term viability of this place as a home. Taking this view, the EGG Observatory looks closely at decisions being made in the present, while remaining attached to the past and future by the tender threads of the ecological conditions that support biotic life in our home. Please join me on this strange and wonderful journey! Sincerely, Teal Gardner P.S. Drop me a line: eggobservatory@gmail.com Teal Gardner (she/her) is an artist and educator living in Boise, originally from Nebraska. Her work explores the relationships between humans and the natural environment, especially focusing on infrastructure, development, and land use. She is the founder of The Ecogeoglyphic Observatory. |
CURRENT EGG EVENTS
OPEN EGG
Wednesdays, November - March, 5-8PM Visit with Teal Gardner and project 'Field Workers' at The Ecogeoglyphic Observatory, located in the courtyard at MING Studios. Learn about the project, and how to participate. |
PREVIOUS EGG EVENTS
The Ecogeoglyphic Observatory (Phase 1)
October 15 - November 12, 2022
October 15 - November 12, 2022
PHOTOS Uli Westphal