Radical Observation: An Introduction

‘Radical Observation’ is an artistic research method that is designed to impart an awareness of natural world dynamics to designers and stewards of urban food forest projects. Recognising that community groups learning to become ecosystem stewards have diverse educational and practical backgrounds, this method centres developing an individual and group methodology for practical landscape and soil care, based upon continuous site observation.

The primary application of Radical Observation revolves around understanding the forest garden by practicing different approaches to observation, referred to as observational postures. As of this writing, the practice’s 50+ observational postures direct attention towards natural-realm processes which, in turn, inform landscape and ecosystem design and guide maintenance in any given project environment.

Developed through practical experience, this method aims to quiet the mind to enable focus on time- related processes e.g., plant growth through seasons, the spatial flow of plant communities, and the need to support keystone plant and animal life at specific moments. The objective of Radical Observation practice is to evolve into knowledgeable stewards by grasping the patterns and rhythms of an ecosystem, and to view oneself as an integral part of that environment i.e., as part of the community.

Crucially, Radical Observation exercises are meant to be carried out individually, in silence, and as the first activity upon entering the site. The Radical Observation postures range from brief ten-minute sessions to month-long endeavours. They resemble meditative practices and focus on site details best appreciated alone, yet later integrated into a deeper understanding of the location through communication with the group.

Over time, these new perceptions contribute to a framework for prioritizing group tasks and roles in forest garden stewardship, on both a daily and long-term basis. With regular practice, the acquired knowledge becomes embodied and is ever expansive as the practitioners as a group seek insights within the ecosystem itself.