The Project:
Life can inspire change.
Art forms from awareness.
Life + Art merge to form this Walking Project.
Start: September 15, 2011
End: October 15, 2011
Goal:
To walk 10,000 plus steps a day in order to
explore,
contemplate and
become more aware of Nature,
my desires and
well-being.
During each walk, I leave a "mark" somewhere along the way. This mark holds a message (love, hear, be, laugh, etc.) for whomever comes upon it; it also serves as a reminder to the fact that "WE" are "HERE" together.
Each mark/walk is documented with a photograph that best depicts the gist of the day's walk - as shown in the photos here <--- .
I accept invitations for walks. Call me!
WALKINGARTPROJECT.
THOUGHTS ON PHOTOGRAPHS
1. I'm not a photographer.
2. I use the camera to document the experience.
3. Though mere documentation, I do look at the snapshot in an artistic way. The entire walk seems to revolve around aesthetic awareness.
4. I use a basic editing software to alter photos.
5. I generally "know" what moment will define the walk and mark it using tape. I generally take the shot at that moment - but sometimes I have to come back due to people being around.
6. All shots are taken at a public venue. Since some people might think of this as littering vs. art - I find that I must hurry. So far, I don't believe anyone has witnessed the tape moments (besides my mom, who often walks with me).
7. I often take other photos while on the walk - but without the tape.
8. I find it impossible to "capture" nature.
9. My photographs do not do justice to the actual event.
1. I'm not a photographer.
2. I use the camera to document the experience.
3. Though mere documentation, I do look at the snapshot in an artistic way. The entire walk seems to revolve around aesthetic awareness.
4. I use a basic editing software to alter photos.
5. I generally "know" what moment will define the walk and mark it using tape. I generally take the shot at that moment - but sometimes I have to come back due to people being around.
6. All shots are taken at a public venue. Since some people might think of this as littering vs. art - I find that I must hurry. So far, I don't believe anyone has witnessed the tape moments (besides my mom, who often walks with me).
7. I often take other photos while on the walk - but without the tape.
8. I find it impossible to "capture" nature.
9. My photographs do not do justice to the actual event.
THOUGHTS ON WALKING
A "derive" is a drift - an aimless yet enlightened walk that defies human-made boundaries and examples the psychology of a place.
Such drifts were utilized in the 1950's by the Situationists, with Guy Debord at the helm.
Whereas the Situationists may have been trying to combat the capitalist spectacle, others have used walking and awareness to find spiritual insight. Think of the labyrinths used for ritual and meditation since the days of Classical Antiquity; or the traditional Buddhist teachings that identify four meditation postures: sitting, walking, standing and lying down. The most common meditation posture after sitting is walking. Likewise, art theorist Lucy Lippard discusses the difference between "space" and "place" - space defines landscape, but space combined with memory defines place. Such varied reflective practices allow for the multiple layers of a walk's narrative to emerge:
- the physical (the real objects)
- the virtual ephemeral (the belief systems)
- the real ephemeral (the wind, smell, sense).
THOUGHTS ON PROCESS
1. I don't publish my name on this site due to the fact that some people might think I am littering - not making/being art.
2. If I return to a site a few days/weeks after I taped it - and see my piece - I feel happy.
3. If I return to a site a few days/weeks after I taped it - and see my piece has fallen or moved dramatically, I pick it up and throw it away appropriately.
4. These walks impact my psychology, health and wellness.
5. These walks impact my painting. I am working on a series of postcards (stay tuned!)
6. Sometimes I drive quite far to find a new trail.
7. I sometimes invite others to walk with me. I enjoy the one-on-one conversations/interactions.
8. If I don't make it 10,000 steps, I will not post an image. So far, I generally walk a few thousand steps more than that a day.
MORE TO COME ...
1. I don't publish my name on this site due to the fact that some people might think I am littering - not making/being art.
2. If I return to a site a few days/weeks after I taped it - and see my piece - I feel happy.
3. If I return to a site a few days/weeks after I taped it - and see my piece has fallen or moved dramatically, I pick it up and throw it away appropriately.
4. These walks impact my psychology, health and wellness.
5. These walks impact my painting. I am working on a series of postcards (stay tuned!)
6. Sometimes I drive quite far to find a new trail.
7. I sometimes invite others to walk with me. I enjoy the one-on-one conversations/interactions.
8. If I don't make it 10,000 steps, I will not post an image. So far, I generally walk a few thousand steps more than that a day.
MORE TO COME ...
FIRST WEEK (9/15 - 9/22) RECAP:
Miles trekked = 30 (<--- map indicates hiked trails.)
Pounds lost: 4.2
Trails: Involved Kalkaska, Glen Arbor, Sanford, Midland and Bay City, Michigan treks.
Images shown below from Sept. 15-19th.
Images shown below from Sept. 15-19th.
CLICK on the images below to see them larger.
