Writing the experience of the Grand Union Canal in Harlesden as an intersensorial spatial practice

This essay is written as a discursive experimental expression of the autistic and artistic perspective of making ‘Biodivergent Sites & Sounds’ (BSS). This is an autoethnographic fictional investigation of place, of waterways and of autism as a cultural identity. BSS is an immersive and accessible online experience of the Grand Union Canal (London). BSS was led by transdisciplinary artist and researcher Elinor Rowlands in collaboration with neurodivergent artists and the Canal & River Trust. Most collaborating artists are autistic. This is important to the transdisciplinarity modes and realization of making, thinking and being in this project that this essay explores. A specific new glossary of language emerged through this project that is now being used by the collaborating artists towards leading their own funded arts projects. This new vocabulary articulates modes of practice-based processes realized through making BSS that has the potential to contribute to wider contexts and articulation of creative practices.