Musings about the Future
themes, values, seeds, ideas, symbols...
Major Themes
Restoration & Renewal of Purpose
Under my watch, the Chart House, the Tower and the Stables will be restored, and the site will rejoin the community over time.
They will be given a new purpose, and return to play an active role in the community in line with our guiding principle of "Leading while Remembering".
I feel is that our society is quick to embrace the modern and tear down the past, and when I cycled past this property in the summer of 2016, and saw the for sale sign, I was sad that here was another part of Canadian history that would soon be lost, then it struck me that I could be the one to change this path and figure out how to make it a thriving part of the community again - so I bought it.
My thinking is that giving the site a new lasting purpose - one that re-integrates it with the community, builds on the past and leads the way into the future.
Renovations and restoration has started.
The Chart House masonry has been sandblasted and repointed.
The tower got some TLC before winter, as selected window frames were repaired.
The Intersection of Art & Technology
Technology has too often been created by technical people, with narrow, primarily functional and economic goals. Doing things because we can, not because we should. Typically without considering what I consider the bigger picture like restoring nature, leading by example, involving the community, taking the long term view, making a positive difference, citizen science, green, blue, aesthetics and more.
One example is something important to me - renewable energy - it is no different. Most of it is ugly (no artist at the design table), and ignores many examples and approaches that nature has to offer (Biomimicry would be a good start).
So - we intend to work on ideas and prototypes that combine art, technology and nature in the renewable space primarily, with the community, with an emphasis on encouraging fresh new ideas from young minds.
“If we are serious about attaining 100% renewable energy infrastructure, then it will have a profound influence on the visual environment of our cities and rural landscapes,”.
Biomimicry.org/asknature Nature as model, Nature as mentor
St Lawrence River Ecosystem
Projects that research & enhance the health of the St. Lawrence River Ecosystem
Energy Independence
We will explore the opportunity to generate enough on-site renewable energy to be independent.
Permaculture Research and Demonstration
Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems.
Some context imagery ...
Inspiration
If not now, when ?
~ Larry Schoff
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face
And stars fill my dream
~ a mystery artist
I am a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
~ a mystery artist
Oh, father of the four winds fill my sails
Across the sea of years
~ a mystery artist
With no provision but an open face
~ a mystery artist
Come on, oh let me take you there
Let me take you there
~ a mystery artist
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."