Digitally Reconstructed Landscape

Digitally Reconstructed Landscape. Mark Brest van Kempen (2003). The natural landscape of San Francisco has changed remarkably in the past two hundred years. Streams are now channeled underground, the shoreline is radically altered; native species have been pushed out or become extinct, while alien species from all over the globe have become established. When Portola's crew first glimpsed San Francisco Bay in 1769 the landscape before you was covered in grasses, shrubs and trees kept low by prevailing west winds and fog. , This is one of the five signs located throughout San Francisco that digitally recreates views as they might have looked 300 years ago before the city was built. Taken together, the songs create the mosaic of landscape that no longer exists. The artist worked with scientists and historians to produce this imaginary photograph of the past. Using digital technology, hundreds of photographs were spliced together to recreate a view that has been replaced by the current human constructed landscape. , , 1700 , 1.Ceonolhus grew over hillsides along with a variety of other low growing shrubs, shaped by the persistent ocean wind. , 2. Serpentine outcroppings provided a unique habitat for many rare plants. , 3. Sandy, perennially wet areas were frequented by many animals including an occasional Grizzly Bear. , 4. Mission Bay, now filled and built on, was surrounded by marshlands providing a habitat for large numbers of waterfowl. , 5. Mission Creek was spawning grounds for Threespine stickleback and Steelhead Trout. , 6. Poppies, Shooting Stars and Goldfields blooming in the spring colored the grassy hill slopes. , 7. Seasonal encampments were maintained by the Coastanoan people near Mission Creek. , 8. Paintbrush and Pearly Everlasting grew among Coyote Bush and other shrubs. , , 2003 , 1. Monterey Cyprus originated farther south on the coast but traveled north planted as wind breaks and ornamentals. , 2. Serpentine outcroppings now grow Black Mustard, Wild Oats and Wild Radish all European plants. , 3. The financial center of San Francisco now contains humans from every continent. , 4. First permanent dwellings of European humans. , 5. Mission Creek is now part of the San Francisco sewer system. , 6. Mission Bay has been filled to become Mission neighborhood. In many areas, San Francisco has been extended many blocks into what was once shallow bay. , 7. Cape oxalls originated in South Africa. , 8. Eucalyptus trees were imported from Australia.