Dear all,
I have chosen a single image to focus our concerns in the seminar, though it is probably neither single nor an image. It is called “Cuadro de la historia natural, civil y geográfica del Perú” (1799), (“A Peruvian tableau of natural, civil and geographic history”), a 3.20 x 1.50 metre oil on wood panel, belonging to the Natural Sciences Museum of Madrid. You would better start by looking to the cuadro, and then asking yourself what kind of representational device is this. A cuadro is a painting, a picture or a canvas, but also a synoptic chart, a table or tableau, a grid or a graphic description encapsulating some certain taxonomy of life. This picture gives us a chance to explore other visual devices to display diversity. I have added other images to the website: a tree of life, a Casta painting , an early biogeographical plate, a landscape… You should say something about these images and think of some others. The aim of the seminar is to help us to think about the idea of diversity from diverse angles, considering different geographies of life, and stressing the visual aids for representing it. According to last years’ experience, I think it would be possible to work in 4 o 5 groups, each one organized around one image, one iconographic motif or visual metaphor… Suggestions are welcome, of course. That’s enough by now. Best, Juan
