Geopoetics Explained

Geopoetics is an interdisciplinary approach that combines elements of geography, poetry, and philosophy to explore the relationship between places, landscapes, and human experience.^{[1] [2] [3]} Geopoetics as a term was coined by Scottish Poet Kenneth White in 1979, his original manifesto and definitions of geopoetics have been expanded upon by researchers and poets in the subsequent decades.^{[4] [5]} Despite this, geopoetics as a concept has been difficult to define clearly.^[6]

Geopoetics has been widely employed by critical geography as part of the response to the quantitative revolution in geography, and stresses qualitative approaches.^[7] It seeks to bridge the gap between the objective study of physical geography and the subjective, emotional response to landscapes and environments. It is described as harmonizing art and science.^{[8] [9]} In general, poetry can be used as a method for presenting and analyzing data, and geopoetics is in part an outgrowth of this.^[10] Within the discipline of geography, poetry can be employed to teach abstract geographic concepts, such as the Four traditions of geography, in the classroom.^[11] Geopoetics encourages individuals to engage with the world around them more profoundly and meaningfully, often through creative expressions such as poetry, prose, and art. Geopoetics has gained traction in the 21st century as many geographers seek to incorporate artistic expression into their work and as more artists enter the discipline of geography. While geopoetics can present information in unique ways, analyze phenomena, and express meaning, it can also advocate for potential actions, influence policy, stimulate imagination, and seek to shape potential futures.

History

Origins

The term "geopoetics" was coined by the Scottish poet and writer Kenneth White in the 1979s. White's work was heavily influenced by his experiences traveling and living in various remote and natural landscapes, particularly the Scottish Highlands. His observations and reflections on these places led him to develop the concept of geopoetics to merge the scientific and the artistic in exploring landscapes.

Development

Geopoetics gained recognition and popularity primarily in academic and literary circles during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It has been embraced by poets, writers, artists, and scholars worldwide as a way to rethink and reimagine their relationship with the environment. Geopoetics emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and their surroundings and challenges the traditional separation of the natural world from the cultural and creative realms. Geopoetics has been used to communicate the environmental issues surrounding bi-catch in the fishing industry.^{[12] [13]} In one such application, poems were written about non-target species impacted by the shrimp fishing industry to bring attention to the value of these species and illustrate what it is like on a fishing boat. Geopoetics has been employed to communicate information related to anthropogenic climate change.^{[14] [15] [16] [17] [18]}

Contemporary Relevance

Geopoetics is an evolving field of study and artistic expression in the 21st century.^[19] It inspires writers, artists, and environmentalists to engage with and reflect upon the environment innovatively. In an era of increasing environmental awareness and concern, geopoetics provides a framework for addressing environmental challenges and fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

Notable Figures

• Kenneth White (b. 1936): A Scottish poet, essayist, and geographer, is regarded as the founder of geopoetics.
• Eric Magrane: American geographer and poet who has published significant academic content on geopoetics as a discipline, including peer-reviewed publications and textbooks.
• Gary Snyder: an American poet often associated with the Beat Generation and the San Francisco Renaissance, has explored themes related to nature and geopoetics in his poetry.^{[20] [21]}

See also

• American Association of Geographers
• Geosophy
• Qualitative geography
• Transcript poetry

External links

• The International Institute of Geopoetics official website

Notes and References

1. Italiano . Federico . Defining Geopoetics . TRANS- [En Ligne] Accueil . 2008 . 6 . 6 . 10.4000/trans.299.
2. Magrane . Eric . Situating Geopoetics . GeoHumanities . 2015 . 1 . 1 . 86–102 . 10.1080/2373566X.2015.1071674 . 219396902 . 21 August 2022.
3. Book: Magrane . Eric . Russo . Linda . de Leeuw . Sarah . Santos Perez . Craig . Geopoetics in Practice . 2019 . Taylor & Francis . London . 10.4324/9780429032202 . 9780367145385 . 203499214 . 1 . 21 August 2022.
4. Bobbette . Adam . Geopoetics: A New Political History . Environmental Humanities . 2023 . 15 . 3 . 235–250 . 10.1215/22011919-10746112. free .
5. Web site: Kenneth White and Geopoetics . Scottish Centre for Geopoetics . 22 October 2023.
6. Book: de Leeuw . Sarah . Magrane . Eric . Keywords in Radical Geography: Antipode at 50 . 2019 . 9781119558156 . Chapter 26: Geopoetics. John Wiley & Sons .
7. White . Kenneth . Elements of geopoetics . Edinburgh Review . 1992 . 88 . 163–178.
8. Web site: Wheeler . L. Ann . THE SONORAN DESERT: A LITERARY FIELD GUIDE EDITED BY ERIC MAGRANE AND CHRISTOPHER COKINOS . The Los Angeles Review . 7 February 2017 . 5 November 2023.
9. Web site: White . Kenneth . Geopoetics – A Scientific Approach . The International Institute of Geopoetics . 6 November 2023.
10. Web site: Illingworth . Sam . Creating poetry from data to aid analysis . Times Higher Education . 5 May 2022 . 6 November 2023.
11. Donaldson . Daniel P. . Teaching Geography's four traditions with Poetry . Journal of Geography . 2007 . 100 . 1 . 24–31 . 10.1080/00221340108978414. 143703609 .
12. Magrane . Eric . Johnson . Maria . An art–science approach to bycatch in the Gulf of California shrimp trawling fishery . Cultural Geographies . 2017 . 24 . 3 . 487–495 . 10.1177/1474474016684129 . 2017CuGeo..24..487M . 149158790 . 21 August 2022.
13. News: Gavenus . Erika . Bycatch –The Complexities of Shrimp Trawling in the Gulf of California: A collaboration between Maria Johnson and Eric Magrane . 3 September 2022 . Millennium Alliance for Humanity & the Biosphere . 2017.
14. Magrane . Eric . Climate geopoetics (the earth is a composted poem) . Dialogues in Human Geography . 2021 . 11 . 1 . 8–22 . 10.1177/2043820620908390 . 213112503 . 22 August 2022.
15. Nassar . Aya . Geopoetics: Storytelling against mastery . Dialogues in Human Geography . 2021 . 1 . 1 . 27–30 . 10.1177/2043820620986397 . 232162263 . free .
16. Engelmann . Sasha . Geopoetics: On organising, mourning, and the incalculable . Dialogues in Human Geography . 2021 . 11 . 31–35 . 10.1177/2043820620986398 . 232162320 . 22 August 2022.
17. Acker . Maleea . Gesturing toward the common and the desperation: Climate geopoetics' potential . Dialogues in Human Geography . 2021 . 11 . 1 . 23–26 . 10.1177/2043820620986396 . 232162312 . 22 August 2022.
18. Cresswell . Tim . Beyond geopoetics: For hybrid texts . Dialogues in Human Geography . 2021 . 11 . 36–39 . 10.1177/2043820620986399 . 232162314 . free . 20.500.11820/b64b3dd4-c959-4a8e-877f-85d3058ce4b1 . free .
19. Novikova . M. L. . Markelova . T. V. . Geopoetic Image as a Cultural Token, Process and Result of Aesthetic Reality Modeling . RUDN Journal of Language Studies, Semiotics and Semantics . 2023 . 14 . 3 . 658–685 . 10.22363/2313-2299-2023-14-3-658-685. free .
20. Web site: Carolan . Trevor . On GeoActivism / GeoPoetics . Green Technology Education Centre . GTEC Canada . 5 November 2023.
21. Book: Sun . Ayni . Translation as an Intertextual Dialogue: "Cold Mountain Poems" and Gary Snyder's Geopoetics . 2023 . Universidad de Granada . Granada . 978-84-1195-055-8 . 5 November 2023.