Blue planet poster

Poster and scenario

The blue planet poster is designed to carry the process for the scenario Integrate your worldview, come closer to your natural self. What is behind the design and function is described below. During the introductory meeting of the lifemaps project there is room to answer questions about the poster.

Design

Nature evokes the natural in us

The Blue Planet with its oceans, a whale, an inner area with hills, a beehive. The poster gives an impression of nature, as surroundings in which to create a map. Nature – even a plant in the office – evokes the natural in us. A felt connection between humans and nature is essential for everybody. It is this connection that inspires people to design regenerative approaches and societal solutions which include nature.

The whole reality

A key principle for the posters, sticker sets and scenarios is: see the whole reality. The poster facilitates the mapping process in such a way, that the overview which results is holistic. When working with the poster, a connection is made between the person, citizen, society, economy, nature and the planet. A connection between the person, the places where she/he lives, works and visits – and the world. The overview forms a foundation for exploration.

Water and what it can symbolise

Water is life-giving. Our bodies consist mostly of water. It is everywhere, at the surface, above and below. The stream on the poster can represent the water. It can also symbolise connection or awareness. Every one of us looks at the world from our own framework of reference and also sees the environment through that lens. It’s important to become aware how we’re doing this. In our times, where global issues are impacting our local realities more and more, we need to open up to perspectives other than our own and leave room for not knowing.

An active volcano

A volcano is a natural phenomenon. It can also symbolise threat or risk. On the poster it is placed outside of the stream, to indicate that, as humans, we don’t have direct influence on its functioning. It is there to make us aware of the fact, that many people only accept threats – or a reality – when it comes closer to our own homes. Choosing to see what is there, even when it is threatening, serves us better on the longer term.

The importance of place

The area within the black and white border represents the environment where we live or any other physical places where we are, at a certain moment in time. Living is taking steps, doing, making, .. – activities in which we use our bodies. For our creations we move about, handle materials, make use of natural resources, .. For all of those doings, we are in a certain place – this can even be the location where we are, while we go around the world over the internet. Connecting with the physical place is similar to connecting with our bodies – we cannot live fully without that. It is important to pay as much attention to those places as we pay to our home stead.

Function

Know your limits

The outer area of the poster indicates the global scale. The black and white border helps to remember, that as human being you have limits. In your mind you can reach distant destinations. In your imagination you can visualise ideas as big as you like. Your mind can analyse, describe and judge, quickly. But, when it comes to making a decision or taking action and you have to include the material aspect in it – this is when everything comes to life. The preparation for the creation of a map starts when you choose sticker themes, which relate to your views and ideas or vision. The area outside the border is the place to put them – except, when a chosen theme plays a real role in your life – in that case they are placed inside of the border.

What’s important in your daily life

For the area inside the border you choose sticker themes, which play a role  and have direct impact in their lives. Themes which are really important. Themes, that are close to your heart. Themes, which are an essential part of who you are. The stickers within the black and white border complete the overview on the area outside of it.

Your sphere of influence

The filled-in part of the poster within the black and white border will give an indication for and provide examples of what you can call your sphere of influence. What this means and how you can work with this awareness, will become clear, when you explore your map. The process will bring up ideas and spark inspiration. It will show you suggestions and possibilities to make changes, when you would wish to change something. The process will bring up new questions. It’ll show you ways to cope with what you encounter in your life.

The area outside the border on the filled-in poster will give you a unique overview of your views. To see everything you carry inside on the poster is a gift to yourself. Part of the lifemaps project is storytelling – sharing your views with each other. Using your chosen themes on the poster as stepping stones will make this easy. Expressing yourself like this will benefit you personally as well as in conversations with others.

Only a subset of all issues shows up on a filled-in poster. This is a blatant truth, of course, but seeing this and seeing what is not there, can hold important personal messages for you, when you participate in a lifemaps project.