Temporal Toposcopes

Traditionally toposcopes are graphic displays that indicate names, heights and distances of mountains and other natural landmarks that can be seen from a certain vantage point. As an abstract representation of the visible and surrounding nature, it is a typology that has strong links to cartography and industrialization, and further back to ideals of enlightenment. In the context of current environmental changes, Emma Theodórsdóttir has designed a toposcope for an aggregate quarry that will result in the removal of an entire Icelandic mountain. The location-specific information object for observing a future mining site is presented alongside a personal video essay. It opens a conversation regarding the gaze of preservation.