“Walking (whether on land or on the seabed) involves extending muscles followed by flexing muscles in alternating sequences, a rhythmic pattern controlled by nerve cells of the spinal cord.” (O’Mara, 2019, p.33)
The act of walking can be described as simply as the above statement. Despite that, the truth is that much has been written about it, many layers of meaning and symbolism have been explored and added regarding this human activity.
“Why do we walk? Where do we walk from and what is our destination? We all have our answers.” (Kagge, 2019, p.9)
Walking has been regarder as a meaningful activity along History. In ancient Greece, “the school of peripatetic philosophy (...) was famous for conducting its teaching largely on foot”. (O’Mara (2019) p. 145) Henry David Thoreau said that “The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow”. (O’Mara (2019) p. 145) Bertrand Russel “was an astonishing active walker, and his walking life is dotted through his autobiography”. (O’Mara, 2019, p. 45) Kiekergaard’s day “was dominated by two pursuits: writing and walking.” (Currey, M., 2013, p.19)
“When travelling, I only really feel at home in a new place once I've had the chance to see it on foot. If I’m in a city I go up and down the streets. i’m letting my feet make maps.” (Kagge, 2019, p.40)
Regarding the importance of walking in my practice, I completely relate to these above words by the Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge. While walking, I am discovering and mapping my surroundings while also gathering the raw material for my work, either in parks, the streets or the underground. Walking has this particularity of making me feel closer and understand where I am, particularly if that place is completely new for me.
Among other authors, Rebeca Solnit and both her books Wanderlust and A field guide to getting lost also revealed to be important sources of information and knowledge regarding the act of walking. She explored the multiple theories and authors who talked about this activity whilse also commenting based on her own experiences.
Artists and authors
Rebecca Solnit
Erling Kagge
Charles Baudelaire
Walter Benjamin
Charles Dickens
Books, exhibitions and others
Coverley, M. (2006) Psycogeography. Herts: Oldcastel books
Mason, M. (2011) Walk the Lines. London: Arrow Books
Solnit, R. (2001) Wanderlust a History of Waking. London: Granta Books
Solnit, R. (2007) A Field Guide to Getting Lost. New York: Canongate Books
Currey, M. (2013) Daily Rituals. London: Picador
O’Mara, S. (2019) In praise of walking. London: Vintage
Kagge, E. (2019) Walking one step at a time. London: Penguin Random House
Gooley, T. (2014) The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs. London: TristanGooley
Jackson, L. (2012) Walking Dickens’ London. London: Shire Publications