PROJECT 1: Method of investigating

Jade Wang 24011292

Unit 1 writing：

Process

During these weeks of the course, I visited Caledonian Park, near my student accommodation. While walking along a footpath, I heard loud bird calls. Curious, I followed the sound and stumbled upon a large gathering of pigeons perched above me. Observing the scene, I realized this was a key feeding spot for the park’s pigeons. I founded feathers in this area. I tried to pick up a lot of feathers along the footpath, but I didn’t know how to use them.

What caught my attention most was their unusual behavior. These pigeons had clearly established a structured routine that stood in contrast to the chaotic flocks found in more bustling areas of the city. They clustered around a few specific trees, always returning to the same spots as if bound by some unspoken rule. They seemed to operate with a surprising sense of order.

This point makes me sensitive.

Theme

This observation heightened my awareness of the subtle dynamics between the pigeons and the two trees. I decided to focus on how the birds interacted with the boundaries between them. My plan was to track their movements and behaviors over time.

Georges Perec examines the concept of movement within urban spaces, analyzing how individuals and groups navigate streets and neighborhoods through distinct patterns. He highlights the subtle yet pervasive nature of territorial behavior, revealing how people claim, avoid, or traverse certain areas, which in turn reflects their relationship with the space they inhabit (Perec, 1974). Applying Perec’s analysis of urban space deepens the interpretation of my observations of pigeon behavior in the park. The pigeons’ interactions with the trees parallel the way individuals and groups occupy and assign meaning to space.

Sitting beneath one of the trees with my sketchbook, I recorded their actions—when they swooped down, wandered the ground, and returned to the branches. I noted how many pigeons were active at any given time, observing patterns in their behavior, including how they moved between the trees and how often they gathered or rested in specific spots.

Form

The primary method I use in this unit is to record. I chose to use infographics to systematically capture and summarize all the pigeons’ activities between the two trees. I believed this visual approach would make it easier to track their behavior, so I used symbols to represent their actions throughout the day, from 9:30 AM to 6 PM. This method allowed me to quickly identify patterns and routines at a glance.

In the infographic, the vertical axis represents time, while the horizontal axis indicates the number of pigeons. Every hour, I recorded how many pigeons were present in the two trees, allowing for an easy comparison of pigeon activity at different times of the day. I recorded the pigeons’ group take-offs and returns, including their quick retreat to the trees during rain. I also tracked their feeding times and noted when they returned afterward. Even when disturbed by dogs, the pigeons consistently sought refuge in the trees.