Mapping the Anthropocene: hopeful futures is a creative programme exploring the role of data and mapping to make things visible, particularly in the context of the climate emergency.
Mapping is a method to understand complex systems, relationships and power structures. Curated by humanities researcher Inge Panneels, featuring artwork by artist Lise Autogena and Joshua Portway and platforming at Inspace, Mapping the Anthropocene will specifically engage with mapping as a way of understanding abstract climate change data and to reflect on how economics, the environment, data and technology intertwine and crossover.
The Exhibition will showcase new interpretations of two works by Autogena and Portway: HavObservatoriet – Edinburgh, and Drip – 115.2205 ml/hr.
Havobservatoriet – Edinburgh (Sea Observatory Edinburgh) is a dynamic visualisation of the real-time sea conditions around every oil rig in Scotland, shown across the Inspace City Screens. Drip – 115.2204 ml/hr is a physical installation within the venue; a computer-controlled pump will drip oil from the ceiling of the exhibition space so that the gallery fills with oil at precisely the same rate that the global sea level is rising. The works will be visible on Inspace City Screens, in the venue during the day, and along the streetscape during the dark November evenings.
Content Notice: This exhibition presents work that addresses and reflects on issues relating to the climate emergency. We recognise this is a challenging and sensitive topic that some viewers may finding triggering. If you have any questions about the programme please contact designinformatics@ed.ac.uk
Mapping the Anthropocene
An exhibition exploring the role of data and mapping to make things visible, particularly in the context of the climate emergency
Exhibition details
Dates: 4-15 Nov 2026 (Closed Mon & Tues)
Times: 10:00-17:00 daily | Free/Drop-in
Location: Inspace, 1 Crichton St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9AB
Audience: General public
Venue Access features: Accessible toilets, Assistance dogs welcome, Baby changing facilities, Seating, Step-free access, Wheelchair accessible
Inspace City Screens
Dates: 4-15 Nov 2025
Times: 17:00 – 1:00 Daily | Free/Street viewing daily
Location: Inspace City Screens Exhibition, Potterrow, Edinburgh
If you have any enquiries about Inspace programming and the venue, please contact us at designinformatics@ed.ac.uk
Event Programme
Exhibition Late and Panel Discussion
Join us for a lively discussion with the team behind the project, chaired by Inge Panneels, inviting artists Lise Autogena and Joshua Portway and guest speaker Chris Fleet, Map curator at the National Library of Scotland, to speak about mapping as a tool to better understand complex data and the world around us.
Date: Thurs 5 Nov 2026
Time: 18:00-20:00 | Free/Ticketed
Location: Inspace
Designing for Hope
On the opening weekend of ‘Mapping the Anthropocene: hopeful futures’, and the final weekend of the 2026 Festival of Social Science, we invite you to join researcher Ari Beckingham for an exciting workshop aimed at young people and their care givers, using Augmented Reality (AR) technology to explore perceptions of climate change within their daily lives.
Date: Sat 7 Nov 2026
Time: 13:00-14:00 | Free/Ticketed
Location: Inspace
Guided Lunchtime Tour
This intimate guided tour involves a walk-through of the artwork and resources on display, with curator and researcher Dr Inge Panneels, providing the opportunity for more detailed insights into the concepts behind the work and the context within humanities research.
Date: Thurs 12 Nov 2026
Time: 13:00-15:00 | Free/Ticketed
Location: Inspace
Supported by
This programme is partially funded by the ESRC Festival of Social Science, with support from the Institute for Design Informatics, and Inspace.
This programme is also part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5 – 14 November 2026. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.
