archaeography

North, South. Children, men, women, dogs. Strollers, bikes. Running sneakers, rain boots, walking shoes. We have imprinted our presence on the landscape. As the snow defrosts on this dirt running path, a new path is in the process of being formed. The various tracks made transform the previous path into something different, a differently textured, differently experienced, differently seen place. Although muddy now, as the sun begins to harden these new imprints, the footprints, paw prints, stroller marks and bike tires become incorporated into the path, creating a more lumpy surface, a surface that has become difficult to run over, bike over, walk over. Not only are we unconsciously altering the natural landscape, but we are simultaneously taking a part of it with us on our soles, tires or paws and transporting it further along the path; we have entered a co-constituent relationship between the human and the landscape. But as human actors, can we consciously decide not to add our footprint to the collection, not to alter the natural landscape? On either side of the muddy imprints, a hardened, narrow path remains, standing firm against human or animal manipulation or transformation. If we choose to avoid the assemblage of footprints and take the side routes, is our presence on the path invisible? The landscape too is constantly assimilating, constantly adapting to the weather, to our presence. If the sun continues to bake the muddy path, will the footprints and imprints begin to be smoothed over by the frequent foot traffic? If another snow or rain falls on the path, will the imprints be erased, only to be reformed, reinstituted, re-imagined by a completely new set of relations, a new set of imprints, a new set of actors? Are our footprints only a temporary interaction with the landscape? Do the natural processes determine the ultimate form of the path and we, as humans, can only play a small role in its formation? For now, my presence is imprinted into the land, my sneaker’s sole has recorded my north and south movements.