Bear 71
Written by John MacphersonThis has been around for a while, but I revisited it this week as I’d been involved in a discussion about the ways that technology ‘distances’ viewers from nature. I was arguing to the contrary and cited this piece as a good example of technology, and data, driving an innovative understanding of the natural world. Some of you may not have seen it.
It cleverly utilizes data, metadata and a story, with ‘trailcam’ remote imaging interspersed throughout, to weave a compelling narrative that ultimately packs a considerable emotional punch. It also enables viewers to be a part of the narrative, enabling them to appear within the screen via webcam and be ‘aware’ of who else is participating simultaneously. It’s a full 20 minutes long and some might argue it could have been shorter and worked just as well, but the storyline as it is held my attention with no difficulty. I’m not a great fan of the anthropomorphic approach to natural history, but this piece with the bear as narrator, worked for me.
Here’s some of what WIRED had to say about it:
Bear 71 is a unique and powerful way of telling the story of a bear under the influence of human technology, using that same technology as the medium. By adding viewers as markers on the map alongside the video feeds from animals and fellow visitors to the site, Bear 71 allows its audience to watch surveillance of fellow participants while at the same time being subject to surveillance. The pervasiveness of observation throughout the story helps to bring the viewer deeper into the story, nurturing a deeper sympathy and connection with the wild’s wired animals.
It’s clever and it’s innovative, but the great thing is that at its heart it relies, simply, on a very compelling story.
Author — John Macpherson
John MacPherson was born and lives in the Scottish Highlands. He trained as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards, before completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and then qualified as a Social Worker in Disability Services. Along the way he has cooked on canal barges, trained as an Alpine Ski Leader & worked as an Instructor for Skiers with disabilities, been a canoe instructor, and tutor of night classes in carpentry, stained glass design and manufacture, and archery. He has travelled extensively on various continents, undertaking solo trips by bicycle, or motorcycle. He has had narrow escapes from an ambush by terrorists, been hit by lightning, caught in an erupting volcano, trapped in a mobile home by a tornado, kidnapped by a dog's hairdresser, rammed by a basking shark and was once bitten by a wild otter. He has combined all this with professional photography, which he has practised for over 35 years. He teaches photography and acts as a photography guide & tutor in the UK and abroad. His biggest challenge is keeping his 30 year old Land Rover 110 on the road. He loves telling and hearing stories.