Project Cityscope is presenting a series of creative talks on the edges of architecture and design entitled New Structure.
Tonight Lisa Ward explores the special condition of Western lands, much publicly owned and "useless". She traces from the Louisiana Purchase, surveying, the Small Tract Act of 1938, to California's Senate Bill X1-2 - a far-reaching 2011 energy bill, with impacts on our region.
Ward contrasts "modern" land use with the patterns of Indian land use over tens of thousands of years.
I have always loved the dissent of Douglass in Sierra Club vs. Morton 405 U.S. 727 of 1972, later expanded in the essay Should Trees Have Standing by Stone, also 1972. That case, also known as Disney vs Mineral King, was over the plan to construct a ski resort adjacent to Sequoia National Park. Ultimately the resort idea failed, and the land became part of the national park, forever "useless".
Architect and artist Ward leads an exploration tonight of the land and our relations incorporating stills, voice, video and music.
Tickets in advance, free on Eventbrite. New Structure by Project Cityscope www.projectcityscope.org at the Shout House, 210 SE Madison Ste. 11 7PM Free
