Walking is often a communal activity. Without using digital technology, this walk aimed to keep an element of that shared experience between the walkers whilst they were apart.
Each artist walked separately whilst connected through common activity at various fixed moments. At pre-arranged times, the walkers stopped and reflected in and on the same direction. At each point, they made a piece of work. Earlier they had all been invited to be aware of the other walkers, somewhere else, doing something similar at that moment. The work produced was to be connected with the view in a particular direction, or its traditional associations, or something else chosen by each artist.
1.30 The Start. Each artist chose their own route and shared it with the rest of the group before leaving.
East 2.00pm
The direction of dawn, traditionally associated with new beginnings, spring and childhood.
Jo Hofman East
Sunrise Direction
Skylarks: liquid sounds high up and hidden
Cool wind from west blowing into East
Remains of strip of ploughed field.
The rest bright monoculture green.
Billowing clouds
Wood energy: Feeling slightly tense and self critical,Wooden quality.
Feeling i need to loosen up .
Andy Freedman East
Isn’t this the time for a fresh start? To begin again. To learn from what’s been going wrong and causing suffering to what lives here. For the young, we could take baby steps. We could put energy into new ideas. It doesn’t have to be how it is. We could look at how it came to be. Then maybe how it could be
Jo Hofman West
Memories of walking home with the unseating over the fields
Sorrel: red and golden.Other name Dock leaf.Takes the sting out of Nettle sting
Golfinches:A flock dip and dive across the field chattering together.
Stubble field; spring crop cut.
Metal energy: I found the stick i had dropped earlier Now feeling low energy, missing the shelter of home and warmth.Realise i need to breath deep to reclaim the energy to walk home.
Jo Hofman North
LOOKING Up the hill behind our cottage in Washpool. The sun retreats up the hill in the evening. Eggs and bacon, Tiny little yellow flower in hidden in the grass. Greater spotted woodpecker clucking away as i draw warning call, nest in tree opposite. Rich meadow grassland of herbs and flowers. Suddenly the sun goes behind dark cloud.
Water energy: Deeply cold as I return home. Very weary .Feeling a bit low and depressed now.Drained .Sudden lapse into lockdown blues. It all feels bit too much and overwhelming.I feel despondent about the project and the thought of completing it.
I had had a 4 mile walk and dance in the morning as well as the walk this afternoon.All too much!
I need a sleep to revive me.
All the Directions of the Walk
Richard Keating