Go on a walk.
The point is to walk, not just think, talk, read or write about walking.
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Google the name of your town, city, or neighbourhood.
Notice where Google plants its pin.
Put down your phone and leave all maps behind. Walk to the pin.
Since the early 2000s there has been an increase in artists who are walking as an essential part of their artistic practice. Available as part of Rowman and Littlefield International’s Radical Cultural Studies Series, Walking Networks: The Development of an Artistic Medium covers three contemporary organisations that have contributed to the development of the artistic medium of walking—London’s Walking Artists Network, Scotland’s Walking Institute and New York City’s Walk Exchange. Framed by five walking exercises, the book invites the reader to participate in
a practical exploration of artistic walking practices through the creation a memory palace for the medium of walking art.
“Blake Morris’s book is a wonderful introduction to the walking practices that have emerged in the last decade. [ . . . ] Walking Networks presents an inspiring vision; the challenge now, in the face of disembodiment and intensifying digital commodification, is for future walking to sustain, enhance, share and transfigure it.” - Phil Smith (Mythogeography)
“Blake Morris’s book is a wonderful introduction to the walking practices that have emerged in the last decade. [ . . . ] Walking Networks presents an inspiring vision; the challenge now, in the face of disembodiment and intensifying digital commodification, is for future walking to sustain, enhance, share and transfigure it.” - Phil Smith (Mythogeography)
Upcoming
27 October - 3 November 2024 ︎
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British Summer Time - Season 11
British Summer Time is a series of short sunrise walks in consideration of the time change. Over nine seasons, walkers from across Europe and the Americas have joined me to explore the dawn.
Starting the day the United Kingdom switches from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time and continuing until the United States switches to Standard Time, I will walk from 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after. Please join me by doing the same wherever you are.
Dates: 27 October - 3 November 2024
Time: From 15 minutes before sunrise until fifteen minutes after.
Location: Wherever you happen to be.
Share: I take a picture at the beginning, middle and end of my walk, but you can feel free to document it any way you please. You can email your results to blakemwalks@gmail.com, and/or share them on social media using #WalkBST #WalkingArtistsNetwork
British Summer Time - Season 11
British Summer Time is a series of short sunrise walks in consideration of the time change. Over nine seasons, walkers from across Europe and the Americas have joined me to explore the dawn.
Starting the day the United Kingdom switches from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time and continuing until the United States switches to Standard Time, I will walk from 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after. Please join me by doing the same wherever you are.
Dates: 27 October - 3 November 2024
Time: From 15 minutes before sunrise until fifteen minutes after.
Location: Wherever you happen to be.
Share: I take a picture at the beginning, middle and end of my walk, but you can feel free to document it any way you please. You can email your results to blakemwalks@gmail.com, and/or share them on social media using #WalkBST #WalkingArtistsNetwork
WALK WITH ME
blakemwalks@gmail.com
Blake Morris
Doctor of WalkingIn 2006 I walked away from theatre.
I was concerned about capitalism.
I was concerned about participation.
I was concerned about climate change.
I was concerned about sustainability.
I was concerned about spending my days locked in a dark room.
I was concerned about participation.
I was concerned about climate change.
I was concerned about sustainability.
I was concerned about spending my days locked in a dark room.
Walking was a way to enter the world.
As I walked I realised I wasn’t alone. Networks of walkers with concerns similar to mine were emerging. In Huntly and Helsinki, London and New York City, artists were walking, talking and thinking together. A medium was being developed. Since 2009 I have been dedicated to making art works that can only be experienced as a walk. No matter the content, the medium is constant: the walk is the work of art.
A walk of art is an invitation to move through the world with an artist’s design. So I invite you to walk. No matter how far apart we are, we can walk together, just get in touch.
As I walked I realised I wasn’t alone. Networks of walkers with concerns similar to mine were emerging. In Huntly and Helsinki, London and New York City, artists were walking, talking and thinking together. A medium was being developed. Since 2009 I have been dedicated to making art works that can only be experienced as a walk. No matter the content, the medium is constant: the walk is the work of art.
A walk of art is an invitation to move through the world with an artist’s design. So I invite you to walk. No matter how far apart we are, we can walk together, just get in touch.
Blake Morris is a walking artist and researcher. He holds a PhD in Drama, Applied Theatre and Performance from the University of East London. He is a co-founder and current director of The Walk Exchange. You can find him on Instagram.