HighWaterLine

Book Release Party

Tuesday, June 3rd
Botanica Bar
(Houston b. Mott & Mulberry)

Come join me in celebrating the documentation of the HighWaterLine project. Limited copies will be available.

BOOK RELEASE

The HighWaterLine Book is out! It is a beautifully designed book (thanks to my wonderful designer, Caitlin Martin!), with a ton of images and stories about the project.

It is for sale on Lulu.com, but if you want to get a special edition, come by the book release party on Tuesday, June 3rd (will post location soon).

Upcoming events:

Sonoma County Museum Ecocentric: Video Lounge January 26 - April 20, 2008 Includes the HighWaterLine video documentary by Justin Lange. (There’s also a Ruth Asawa show on - her work is beautiful, so take a trip up to the wine country!) http://www.sonomacountymuseum.org/

Eyebeam Feedback March 13 - April 19, 2008 Focusing on the process of creating various eco-visualization projects, this exhibition will feature the tools and project ephemera from the HighWaterLine project.

Exit Art E.P.A. (Environmental Performance Actions) Opens March 15 Human/Nature Panel: March 26 free cingular mp3 ringtones christian music ringtones info phone remember ringtones free cell phone ringtones boost free ringtones phone ringtones verizon make your own free ringtones download free ringtones download midi ringtones metro pcs phone ringtones free ringtones verizon free ringtones sprint download midi ringtones 24 ringtones sprint pcs ringtones free music nextel real ringtones free verizon cell phone ringtones download free ringtones tracfone cricket download free ringtones (with me), copresented by Ecoartspace & Nature Conservancy Includes the HighWaterLine video documentary (produced by Cicala Filmworks/Canary Project and filmed/directed/edited by Justin Lange. This show will include documentation of performances eigenes online casinoonline video pokerroulette gratis spieleninternet spielbankbaccarat online spieleroulette softwareonline kasinoportalkeno online spielestrip roulettecasino poker roulettefun roulette onlineonline baccarat spielevip casinorealistische internet spielbankbeste casino onlineroulette downloadcraps spielonline slots spielencasino tycoonwww casino net comwww casino spieleeinarmiger bandit spielenkasino comrealistisches internet casino,kostenlos spielautomaten spielen,realistisches casinocasino games kostenlosonline casino deutschlandroulette systemsswiss casino onlineblack jack online spielencasinospiele mit echtem geldinternet gamblingkostenloses freispieladvanced video pokermobiles casinocasino club rouletteonline kasino spielonline wettecasino games downloadcasino online pokercasino online no deposit bonusparty poker spielgeldplay free omaha pokerpoker spiel zum downloadenpoker turnier regelnpoker cardsstrip poker full gametexas holdem pcpoker zum online spielentexas holdem ohne anmeldungparty poker software about environmental issues and is curated by Ecoartspace. http://www.exitart.org/

Re-Mapping the Line

So you might know that I am putting lots of images and stories up on the maps from the project - you can access them all through the timeline. Click on the dates of the weekend, then click on “detailed map” on the right under the map. There you can see images and where they were taken and read more about the experiences along the way.
CommunityWalk Map - *High Water Line* - Manhattan, West
In addition to that, I am interested in working on maps that explore the areas around the 10′ above sea level line. Looking at the obvious things, like ethnicity, age, income, number of people in household, language spoken. But also other things like the infrastructure and what area it services (so who would be affected if the power station in Dumbo was flooded). Things like distance from transportation in case of evacuation. Immigration status (are the coastal dwellers new or old New Yorkers). Types of industry. I am sure there is more to investigate, but this will give me a good start.

If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in working on this part of the project. I am interested in working with cartographers to generate the first version of the maps and artists to interpret the data. Email me through the contact page.

Speaking of global issues

Saturday was an exciting day for the HWL project. After drawing the chalk line through the financial district, I was going to spend the day not walking and talking, but pretty much staying in one place and meeting the people passing through.

I was up early to load up the ZipCar with all of the beacons and equipment to install the illuminated beacons in Battery Park. After a number of people said I wouldn’t get a permit to install in the park, I got enthusiastic support from the Battery Park Conservancy and City Councilman Gerson’s office and was able to install the beacons and chalk the line through the park. (It’s a good thing too, since I was indeed asked for permit proof for the first time in the project).

I installed around 40 beacons from the Greenwich Street entrance down almost to the water. I chalked from the East entrance of the park all the way to the water and then back along to Greenwich Street, chalking in between the beacons.

This line was interesting in some of the things that lay below it. Not only was Clinton Castle on the other side of the line, but also the Staten Island Ferry Building, the Governor’s Island Ferry Building, the Whitehall Street subway station and the Battery Tunnel - that’s a lot of transportation infrastructure.

After setting up the beacons, filling them with water and capping them off, I did the chalking with the assistance of my friends Sky and Margo. We spoke to some ladies visiting New York from Wisconsin and Florida, a couple from Long Island who had brought some friends to the Statue of Liberty, and a gentleman from India who was visiting on business.

He was very interested in the project because he felt that Americans were very much talking about environmental issues in comparison with India. He said that despite the severe weather events which they have faced, and the potential massive devastation that could occur with climate change, there was not a public discussion around environmental issues. Instead the entire country was obsessed with growth, development and acquisition of wealth. It’s too bad that developing countries don’t look at America and instead of thinking “we want all that” think maybe, we want more, but we want it in a better less devastating way.

As the day wore on, the crowds in the park ebbed, and as the sun was setting the TF1 crew came out again to see the beacons in the park. I went along the line of beacons and lit all of the led’s at the bases.

The beacons lit into a glowing blue line of light. I have to admit, I was stunned with the beauty of them. It was such an interesting contrast with the rest of the project - most of the chalking is noisy, interactive, always moving. The beacons are quiet, still and contemplative. The few people left in the park were enjoying the serenity of the beacons in the park. A gentleman from New Jersey who was on a bike ride, stayed in the park for an hour or so and enjoyed walking around and photographing the beacons. I also got to talk to a local resident for some time who really liked the installation in the park and appreciated the site-specificity of the work and the message which it brought to a diverse crowd of people visiting the park.

I really enjoyed watching the transition of the park over the day. Early in the morning I spoke with a man who fishes off the walkway on the water and a man who has been feeding the squirrels for years, and all the squirrels come to sit on and around him. Then the vendors started setting up and the Statue of Liberty guys came in and got on their costumes - they are all short large men in those outfits! Then the crowds started coming in and the buskers showed up. There is an amazing amount of cooperation between the various factions that operate down there - it is all very professional and friendly - they help each other out, take turns entertaining or taking breaks, etc. As the day drew to a close, the tourists disappeared, a truck showed up and took away all the vendor carts and the illegal bag salesmen filed in. Then it all emptied out and the locals were able to enjoy the peace and quiet of a beautiful waterfront park. It was a long day, but endlessly fascinating.

Sorry about the fuzzy beacon images, both Jose & I didn’t think to bring a tripod!

Can you spare five minutes for the environment?

One of my favorite things that has been written about the project was written by Andy Goodman, of “good ideas for good causes.” He talks about the people on the street pleading for you to stop and give some time (and money) regarding any number of good causes, and then says “In one of America’s busiest cities, Mosher isn’t stopping people to talk about global warming. They’re stopping her.”

I put that to the test in Lower Manhattan this weekend.

I had myself sort of psyched up for the chalking from Brooklyn Bridge to Chambers street,where I would pass by South Street Seaport, Wall Street, through Battery Park and then past the World Trade Center site. I had in my mind that it would be a really different weekend, it would be the first really business heavy area, the first big tourist area, the WTC site, and the area with the highest security. All of that certainly made for an exciting weekend, but there is more. Let me tell you about it…

Friday I biked from home to the Canary Project studio, arriving at about 9:15am. I was met by a cameraman and sound guy from TF1, French news television. They were to follow me around for the day. They shot some stuff of me checking out the maps and loading up the trike (chalker, 50 pound bucket of chalk, misc locks, camera, my bag) and took some shots of Ed and I heading out. We rode to the gas station so that I could put some air in the chalker’s tires (it’s called the heavy hitter and it’s tires deflate bi-weekly). Then on the road again.

A little ways on the TF1 guys stopped me because they wanted to try a different shot. The cameraman wanted to ride on the front of the trike and film me while I pedaled along. I’m sorry, you want to do what? He wanted to sit on the heavy hitter and face me (with an enormous camera) and ride along. I, um, well I don’t know. He protested that he didn’t weigh much and it wouldn’t be for long, could we just try it out? Keep in mind that I am already pedaling about 100 pounds of weight on the trike, which is a single speed (no gears) with cruiser brakes (pedal brakes) and some super bouncy shocks (I feel everything).

Reluctantly I agreed - concerned more for his safety than for my ability to pedal it - so on he popped and off we went. Turns out the ol’ trike can make the weight not feel so bad. It was a little awkward to have to look around the huge camera in front of me, but all in all a pretty fun experience. At the end of the block the cameraman jumped off and off Ed and I went for the Brooklyn Bridge.

It can be a pretty slow slog up the long ramp on the bridge (although Ed said I “booked it” but I think that is a relative term - “booked it” compared to expectations not other bike speeds). The first couple of times that I rode over the bridge, I had to walk part of the way. Now I can make the whole ride up - not that it is easy or fast by any means. I get quite a lot of looks along the way as I pedal the trike across the bridge. Most in sheer wonderment - I don’t know if the looks are for the tricycle or for the chalker on the front (might be both). The bikers on the bridge are an interesting story too - I get about half that are totally wowed by the trike and think it is a hell of a thing, and about half who seem more annoyed than anything (I am after all like an SUV in the bike lane).

Ed and I met the TF1 guys at the Manhattan side archway on the bridge. First we did a shot of me riding down past the cameraman, then I had to ride back up again and down one more time since the sound guy was in the first shot. They were apologetic about making me ride uphill again, but at least it wasn’t a steep part, and I explained it wasn’t a big deal since I did this ride pretty frequently lately.

Then the cameraman again requested to ride on the front. I knew it would change the braking dynamics, but was willing to give it a try. Up again, perched on the chalker and off we went for the long downhill ride. Wasn’t too bad except for the crowds of tourists (which can make unexpected swerves and movements on the bridge) the swing of the heavy camera when he panned (the front of the bike can be squirelly) and the soreness in my leg from holding the brakes on…We looked a little like a super budget film crew or something.

At the base of the bridge the cameraman hopped off and we went on our ways (I have to take sometimes a much more circuitous route) to meet up again at Water Street and the south side of the Brooklyn Bridge. There we were also joined by Jose, who is doing some documenting of the project, and we had Megan from Canary Project, who met us on the bridge when Ed had to leave. I unloaded everything and locked up the trike, filled the hopper of the chalker with the 50 pounds of chalk, walked over to the bridge wall and started putting down the line.

It was pretty quiet on the north end of South Street Seaport, was able to just go along quietly chalking on the cobblestones. At the plaza where Fulton, Pearl and Water come together we started to see a lot more crowds - mixed bag of tourists and business people. And a traffic cop that I skirted around on my way across the busy plaza.

I wound my way through the forest of skyscrapers, marking chalk lines past construction sites and lines of hungry business people waiting in line for their lunch. While I got a few curious glances, most people were rushing to or from their lunch break. A few security guards gave some harsh words - not to me but to the people documenting - warnings about photographing the buildings. About halfway through and still no people interested in talking about what I am doing (what a contrast from the Brooklyn neighborhoods!)

The TF1 guys found someone who was asking about the project and corralled him over to talk to me about it. A block later and a young woman asked “What are you doing?” I came over to tell her about it, but when the cameras got close she shied away saying “I don’t want to be on camera I was just being nosy!” But she let them film as I explained the project and handed her and her workmate some Action Packets.

I talked to a number of the street vendors, they had more time to spend talking and asking questions. Most of them were from outside the area - one from Jersey, a couple from Queens - and they were interested in the larger impact of climate change and talked about their own experiences with flooding and storms and the changes they had notice climatically in their own areas. We finished the day chalking right up to the edge of Battery Park, where I would continue (on the other side of the construction) on Saturday.

More images of the bike ride coming soon from Canary Project…

Map links fixed…

My apologies to all who visited the site yesterday and today. Appears a number of the “Detailed Map Views” on the timeline page were broken. I have fixed all of those, so now you can see where the High Water Line is, has been or will be in your neighborhood.

Flood or drought

Today i walked past a mural in Canarsie that depicted (among other things) a desert scene. I assume it commemorates a homeland for many of the residents in the area. For me it was a reminder of the strikingly different range of effects of climate change. While I am out drawing a line where flooding could become more common, someone else could be drawing (one would presume with sand) the line of where world deserts could expand to within a certain time frame. The effects of the drastic alteration to our climate will play out in drastically different ways in various regions around the world, whether it is sea level rise, coastal erosion, increased storm strength which result in frequent floods to coastal cities. Or extreme drought which expands deserts and alters food growing patterns and water scarcity. A loss of habitat for multitudes of species, heat waves which turn fatal, the list goes on.

Today was a good day, if a bit of a busy day. I had the inimitable Ed with me, and the assistance of the lifesaver Megan (thanks for coming through in a pinch and always having the chalk there when i needed it) and Chris Neidl, who is a constant motivator and inspiration. We were joined by a handful of people documenting the project for one entity or another (more on that later). Needless to say it was a very different feeling from being on the road with only 1 or 2 other people (which is a more typical day). I can’t tell if it made people more or less likely to talk to me. I should have Ed guest blog on this as it seemed a lot more people asked him what was going on because he didn’t have all the cameras on him (which was kind of awkward and embarrassing for me - but I am glad that it will let the project reach a broader audience). Regardless, a number of people did stop to talk to me.

One woman claimed it was serendipity that she walked out of her house just as I was walking by. She was definitely already concerned about the Paerdegaet Basin overflowing and we talked about her motivating other community members to talk to their representatives. We also talked about some of the challenges a densely populated but not well served neighborhood faces in living more sustainably. She asked me a great question, “what are you getting out of this?” I had to have her rephrase the question because I didn’t understand wha she meant. She said, “well who do you represent, or what political office are you trying to get?” i had to laugh out loud. “me?! Nothing! I’m an artist, I’m just doing it to help people visualize global warming and to give them the tools to do something about it!” she was suprised that someone would be so altruistic. But then i thought about it and said that what i wanted was for people to take action to fight global warming to save new york-and the earth! And that i thought that was actually asking for a lot.

Rain Delay…

It was bound to happen, but really it works out for the best. We had some changeable weather, and some of the people who were going to walk with me were unavailable at the last minute, so I will be drawing the last of the first sector tomorrow (Sunday, 5/20). It will also be some of the longest lines covering the shortest distance, the first weekend day and in the densest residential area yet. I hope to get to meet some interesting people and get a chance to talk to a lot of people about the project and climate change…