4S/EASST 2020 -- Methods in Studying Data/Natures -- Trans*feminist scanning practices for geocomputation

Panel: Methods in Studying Data/Natures

Wed, August 19, 10:00 to 11:40am CEST (10:00 to 11:40am CEST), virPrague, VR 16

 

Abstract

During recent years geocomputation has become increasingly entangled with so-called 4D visualization. The contemporary infrastructure of fossil fuel extraction depends on these software tools for geological data handling, interpretation and modelling of subterranea. In this paper, in the context of co-research workshops, as part of the creative practice research work "ROCK REPO" we discuss hands-on engagement with entangled game engines and earth modelling software--collective explorations of the space-time matterings of geocomputation data. We argue that when undergrounds are rendered as 4D objects – these imaginaries align with other geo-computation tools, to form normative understandings of inhuman agency and the representation of the earth-as-resource. From smooth sliders that move across mega-annums of geological time to the technical temporalities of generating point clouds through LiDAR, these practices, make present undergrounds as visible data volumes in space-time. In turn these volumes are rendered as available for timely and optimised extraction. Drawing on the inquiries of the “ROCK REPO” we suggest that there are multiple space-time matterings present in computational environments. In addition we argue that this is a practice of “eventual (in)consistency” in which multiple renderings of space-time intersect all the time and at the same time not at all. As a response we propose a set of trans*feminist scanning data practices for affirmative responsibility-taking.

The Underground Division (aka Helen Pritchard, Jara Rocha, Femke Snelting)