FRIENDS OF THE PLEISTOCENE (FOP)
Welcome to Friends of the Pleistocene (FOP), founded in 002010. Friends of the Pleistocene is a research and communication design organization. We are dedicated to exploring the conjuncture between landscape and contemporary human activity at sites shaped by the geologic epoch of the Pleistocene (2.588 million to 10000 years BP, Before Present). Through our projects, we create contexts and speculative tools for humans to recalibrate their sense of place within the geologic timescale. As a FOP member, you can evolve new pathways of cognition and use them to sense, design, and act in accord with deep time.
Friends of the Pleistocene is a project of the non-profit design studio and art collaborative smudge (smudge studio inc.) based in Brooklyn, NY. During 002010-002011 FOP was the producer of smudge's project Geologic City, funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts, Architecture Planning & Design program and by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).
FOP produces and carries out research and design projects. Our projects respond to conjunctures of landscape and human activity shaped by the geologic epoch of the Pleistocene, and geologic time more generally. Our interactive events and devices (for visualization, interpretation, imaginative and cognitive projections) invite humans to project their imaginations from present land use back into geologic time and forward into speculative geo- and bio-futures. Our mission is to extend humans’ capacities to sense and live in relation to geologic time.
BLOG: FOP maintains a blog archiving news and data relevant to the interests and projects of its members. The repository includes updates about FOP projects and exhibitions, as well as breaking news about research and discoveries related to FOP's mission. It is an online resource of information, images, and research collected and offered for the purpose of opening new cognitive pathways and extending human capacities to sense and live in relation to geologic time. Current project updates on all FOP projects can be found on the FOP blog.
PROJECTS: FOP engages in field expeditions and remote residencies. We study, document, and creatively respond to how the geologic epoch of the Pleistocene continues to shape our daily lives and how humans use geologic-shaped landforms and environments. Our projects include photographic image-sensations; "take away" speculative tools for exploration and cognitive recalibration within the geologic timescale; printed works such as posters, newsprints, booklets, field guides, and diary-maps; and informal public education events.
MEMBERSHIP:
Become a Friend of the Pleistocene! Membership is open to all.
FOP membership entitles you to timely correspondence regarding all FOP activities and projects, exhibition and event invitations, an official FOP welcome kit, including a complimentary copy of the printed field guide, Geologic City, A field Guide to the GeoArchitecture of New York.
Annual membership is $25. All memberships are tax-deductible and directly support FOP's daily running costs and ongoing research.
** This project is not affiliated with The American Quaternary Association’s Friends of the Pleistocene though we greatly respect their work and recommend visiting their site.
visit us / contact us:
FOP welcomes your thoughts, ideas, and feedback. We're also interested in possible collaborations.
Please direct inquiries to:
friendsofthepleistocene@gmail.com | smudgestudio@gmail.com
or email to make an appointment to visit us.