Prompts for a Strata-Walk
To map the strata, draw your route with paper and pencil or an electronic device, and attempt to map as many thoughts, sensations, and stories as possible on your walk, using two or more of the following strata-probing-prompts:
If in a group, you may wish to designate different prompts to different members, or collectively decide on a few that everyone focuses on (best for smaller groups). You could colour-code your strata and have them on the same map. Or make different maps, or no map!
Share your maps with HPU by email to: hamiltonperambulatoryunit@gmail.com.
- Signed Strata: Identify texts and the systems they belong to (street signs - civic, colonialist; advertising - capitalist; graffiti - poetic or interventionist etc.) Why is the street called Victoria? Did it ever have another name? Should it?
- Architectural Strata: Identify architectural periods. Note lovely buildings, or intriguing buildings, or decrepit buildings and broken curbs.
- Non-human animals Strata: Look for non-human creatures on the street. Pet a cat. Who else lives on the street? Birds? Insects?
- Inanimate Strata: Identify plants (native, invasive, useful, ornamental, etc.), note the rocks.
- Pre-urban strata: Imagine what was here before, the landscape without the city. Do this without resorting to the trope of "untamed wilderness."
- Electrical Strata: Trace the power lines (where does the electricity come from?).
- Shiny Strata: Look for things that are shiny and where the light comes from. Draw or write about them.
- Attraction Strata: Notice what is repulsive to you and what attracts you. You can draw or take pictures. Try to use each of your senses for this!
- Olfactory Strata: Notice the smells of the street. How can you map sound without using words? If you do use words try synesthesia.
- Audio Strata: How does the street sound? What does the street sound? Where does the street sound? Record audio or take notes.
- Speculative Strata: Map what the street could be. Revamp it according to your imagination.
- Tactile Strata: How does the street feel? Make rubbings, drawings of felt strata.
- Storied Strata: Interview strangers (or yourself) on the street and gather stories about the street. What is the street's history? Any anecdotes?
- Cinematic Strata: What are the movie clichés overlaying your city-image? What movies or stories affect how you see place?
- Rhythm Strata: What is the rhythm of the day when you move through place? Are you in rush hour or is it slow? What other rhythms can you sense where you are?
If in a group, you may wish to designate different prompts to different members, or collectively decide on a few that everyone focuses on (best for smaller groups). You could colour-code your strata and have them on the same map. Or make different maps, or no map!
Share your maps with HPU by email to: hamiltonperambulatoryunit@gmail.com.