Earlier this year participants were invited to observe, identify and record living things in the Holt Microforest using the citizen science platform iNaturalist. We’ve observed birds, plants, fungi, insects and more.

In this workshop, we will investigate how we might represent and visualise this data. We will sketch, diagram and doodle, creating graphics that show us something about this special place. These graphics will form part of the final creative outcomes of the Living City project.

No prior experience or technical knowledge is required. BYO laptop, tablet or phone (optional).

Limited spaces, please register.

About the facilitator: Professor Mitchell Whitelaw is the Head of School at ANU School of Art & Design. His research spans practice and theory in the fields of digital design and culture; working with data and computation as core materials in a creative research practice. Current themes in his research are Redesigning Biodiversity Data and Design for Digital Heritage and Humanities.

About the location: Gawari Mada Micro-Forest and Food Forest can be found at the Boyle Place Playground (opposite the Holt Shops across Beaurepaire Crescent). A Micro-Forest is a small but complete ecosystem that mimics a forest on a tiny scale. It’s a dense pocket of diverse vegetation that contains trees, shrubs, climbers and ground-covers that create a mini-ecosystem. A Micro-Forest captures carbon, breaks down decomposing organic material to return nutrients into the soil, creates habitat for wildlife and has a cooling effect on the surrounding area. Learn more.

Living City: people, plants and place is a three-year visual arts and design program working with Canberra’s suburban communities and many urban natural environments. The program encourages accessible and inclusive, art-based engagement with urban spaces while addressing climate change, urban biodiversity, wellbeing and conservation. This program is funded by ArtsACT and the ANU School of Art & Design.