“Mississippi. An Anthropocene River” is a project by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) that takes its name from the term “Anthropocene,” which refers to the current geological age during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Through field-oriented explorations, the project seeks to develop a course of action for mitigating this impact and its effects on daily life in the Mississippi region.

This photo, from one of the project’s five field stations along the river, depicts the view of Mississippi River towards downtown St. Louis from a barge operated by Continental Cement Company. The region shows complicated intersections of river management, industry, and recreation. The Field Station there is investigating how the industrial landscape of the Mississippi River can be deciphered by researchers. With his documentation and mapping project “Territories—Watersheds—Infrastructures,” architect and designer Derek Hoeferlin confronts questions about responsibility, agency, and possible futures for the Mississippi River Basin.

To find out more about the Anthropocene River project, check out one of our blogs on the subject and visit the HKW website.