Geology Flags Project

 

 

The complete set of flags of the Geology Flags Project are envisioned as a comprehensive system of geo-taxonomy, an indexing and revealing of the geologic materials and structures beneath any given site.  The full expression of the flag system would have a range from pure chemical elements through mineralogy, paleontology, processes, materials, formations, tectonic structures and architectural analogs present above, beneath and/or extending from a site of study.  The diagrams on the flags are derived from geologic and architectural symbols for materials and processes and can be used in different combinations to describe any site with new flags for special or new attributes being generated as needed.  The ideal installation would involve numerous flagpoles distributed throughout an extended site with appropriate flags on each pole indicating the lateral changes in geologic information below, like free-standing core samples.  The architectural extension of the geologic materials displayed as flags at appropriate sites correlates the built environment  and the contemporary Holocene era with subterranean materials and time frames.  This idea refers to the concept of anthroturbation, described in an essay written about the work, Holocene Terrace, shown at Lance Fung Gallery, NY, NY, 1999, an extract follows:

 

"Cities, architecture, roads and other civic constructions made by mankind of earth materials during our Epoch (the Holocene) may be considered in a geologic context as forms of Ôanthroturbation.Õ1 This term describes the disturbance, dislocation and restructuring of geologic formations and materials by human agencies into new forms.  These processes have analogies in the natural world, such as: mining as erosion, transport as flow and construction as sedimentation.  Likewise, the built topography of a city can be understood in geomorphic terms: streets as canyons, buildings as plateaus, sewers as caves and plazas as playas."

 

The Geology Flags Project were shown in a prototype configuration for the exhibition, Topographies, at the San Francisco Art Institute, in March 2004.  These flags, designed for the geology of San Francisco, focused on the main rock units of the Franciscan Formation, including: meta-graywacke, radiolarian chert, serpentine and meta-basites as well as a Holocene architectural material of the built environment, reinforced concrete.

 

John Roloff, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. This term was developed in conversation with the geophysicist, Paul Spudich.