One of the most beautiful diagrams I have seen is the Evogeneao Tree of Life – A diagram of evolution that:
“helps students to understand evolution at a glance.”
The diagram contains seven listed distortions that have been built in to keep it simple. I can’t share the diagram here because it is protected by copyright, but encourage you to visit the link above, highlighted in green text. I am interested in these distortions, and how helpful/unhelpful they are, and what they could mean? I would really like to see what the diagram would be like without the distortions. I am interested in what it means to embrace complexity and ambiguity in a meaningful way.
I’ve been thinking a lot about simplicity, complexity, and distortion through my practice with Morecambe Bay and associated research. To make some of those thoughts visible, and to address why I seemed to be going round in circles, I made this mind map with some post-it notes and the headings – deliberate distortion, cognitive distortion, simplification. I added the heading ‘education’ towards the end. As the page filled up it became impossible to keep things separated. On the one hand there is an unclear route to resisting manipulation through critical thinking, which somehow has its origin in simplification, and on the other, a much clearer route to fascism. I am sure I must have missed some important points – this is just me thinking over a cup of tea! Maybe I over-simplified it too? Or, did I put it to one side when it started to become complicated? It is such an interesting thing to think about!
A question emerged – Could I use the ghost gear fragments I have been collecting from Morecambe beach for the last six months to make a ‘diagram’ to think with, about complexity, through the simple repetitive act of tying knots to create a structure.
‘Jumble’, my diagram of coastal complexity, grows slowly, with care. Over time, they have acquired ‘others’ – a magnifying glass, a mirror, a spoon, and a green ball! Jumble is not a unity. Working with Jumble has become like tending a plant, or perhaps an ecosystem, or a community? They have certainly become an entity with character. Some of their connections are weak and tentative while others are strong and definite. Adding more ghost gear to Jumble, and making new connections, has knock-on effects elsewhere. I try hard to maintain Jumble’s integrity. A find on the shore triggers more growth. Where will Jumble end?
Working with Jumble has been thoroughly engaging, but I can see how some of you might think I have finally ‘lost the plot’. Is Jumble a diagram, really?
Using a mixture of graphite and coloured pencils I decided to bring Jumble back to 2d, to see if I could make them into a diagram in response to the Tree of Life. The diagram ended up more like a botanical drawing, which isn’t surprising considering that I have a background in scientific illustration. A conversation with a friend prompted a scientific name for Jumble – Contaminato maris, which means – contamination of the sea – A reminder of Jumble’s tragic evolution. I tried to honour the complexity and individuality of Jumble within the drawing, but could go much further. I think this just the beginning.
Jumble is an experiment, a diagram, a growing collection, a drawing in 3d and 2d, an intriguing entity to think with. They are made with care from carelessness, but without expertise. They are by turns funny, joyful, sad, and frustrating. I have developed a soft spot for Jumble – can you tell?
Thanks for visiting!