Observant Nature

Can we relearn how to encounter more-than-human forms of nature with humility and awareness? How can we revive this way of being amidst our ecological and social distress? 

Each workshop session consists of two parts:  

The Act of Observation: Following an introductory listening exercise, we take part in a short discussion on the methods of observing and encountering the more-than-human world. This can be in the form of phenological processes, patterns, overall impressions, as well as particular events, beings/bionts, and symbionts. Individual reflections, and then the documentation of your encounters. 

This will be an open process. Participants may choose the form of documentation they would like to use. It could be a recorded verbal testament, a written journal, prose, or poetry, or it could be illustrative. 

Participants can express their reflections in any language they feel comfortable using. If necessary and desired, these reflections can be translated into English and German for resource purposes at a later date. 

In this workshop series facilitated by Sebastian Warne our goal is to consider the following questions: 

How can we develop a sustainable, open, curious, and respectful practice of observing more-than-human nature?

Can this involve reverence? Reciprocity? Communication? Care and healing? 

Care and healing for whom—the self? Other humans? Other beings? Other systems, forces, or spirits?  

What place or value can this practice hold in our individual and communal lives? 

The workshop will be held in English, but group-assisted German translation is possible.

Observations made during the workshop are added to a publicly accessible community archive displayed in the Times in Common project space. 

You can register for the workshops by filling out this form.