Walking Artists Network

The Walking Artists Network (WAN) is an international network dedicated to walking as a critical and artistic practice; it reflects the growth and increased interest in walking art.[1][2][3] It is based at the University of East London's Centre for Performing Arts Development and contains a network of over 500 members from across the globe, though predominantly based in the United Kingdom.[4]

Founding

WAN originated in late 2007 when a small group of artists in central London invited ‘all those who are interested in walking as a critical spatial practice’ to its first meeting.[5] It was further developed in 2011 through a successful Arts and Humanities Research Council bid, which provided funding for international development of the network.[6] This enabled it to open up to a wider membership, develop a website and fund the Footwork research group. WAN currently runs the Step by Step seminar series at the University of East London, bringing together artists and academics to discuss ideas around walking,[7]: 80 and maintains an active email discussion community through JISCmail.

Walking Encyclopaedia (2014)

In 2014 the Walking Artists Network collaborated with Airspace Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, to produce The Walking Encyclopaedia (2014) a gallery exhibition and online archive of walking practices that includes more than 150 walking practitioners and artworks.

Ways to Wander (2015)

In 2015, a collection of walk suggestions, experiences, techniques and case studies by members of the Walking Artists' Network was published by Triarchy Press with the title Ways to Wander.[8] The book was an 'output of the AHRC funded 'Footwork' project, and edited by Qualmann and Claire Hind.[9]

Walking women

In 2016 network members took part in two programmes of work fore-fronting the work of WALKING WOMEN[10], at Somerset House, London and Forest Fringe, Edinburgh. Artists presenting their work included Jennie Savage, Amy Sharrocks, Deirdre Heddon, Kubra Khademi, Louise Ann Wilson, Rosana Cade, The Walking Reading Group on Participation, Monique Besten and Alison Lloyd. The Live Art Development Agency published a guide to Walking Women following the events. A radio programme featuring artists involved in the programme was broadcast on Resonance FM in July 2016.[11]

Further reading

Claire Hind and Clare Qualmann: Ways to Wander: 54 intriguing ideas for different ways to take a walk Triarchy Press, 2015

Walking Artists Network website

References
  1. Heddon, Deirdre; Turner, Cathy (1 May 2012). "Walking Women: Shifting the Tales and Scales of Mobility" (PDF). Contemporary Theatre Review. 22 (2): 224–236. doi:10.1080/10486801.2012.666741. ISSN 1048-6801.
  2. Owen, Louise (1 November 2013). "Robert Wilson, Walking (Holkham Estate, 2012)". Contemporary Theatre Review. 23 (4): 568–573. doi:10.1080/10486801.2013.839177. ISSN 1048-6801.
  3. Doonan, Natalie (25 March 2015). "Techniques of Making Public: The Sensorium Through Eating and Walking". Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches Théâtrales Au Canada. 36 (1). ISSN 1913-9101.
  4. "Walking Artists' Network". www.walkingartistsnetwork.org. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  5. "History". 23 March 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  6. Research Council UK. "Footwork - The Walking Artists Network as Mobile Community". gtr.rcuk.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  7. Morris, Blake (15 November 2019). Walking Networks: The Development of an Artistic Medium. Rowman & Littlefield International. ISBN 978-1-78661-022-5.
  8. Bonnett, Alastair (1 September 2017). "The enchanted path: magic and modernism in psychogeographical walking". Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers. 42 (3): 472–484. doi:10.1111/tran.12177. ISSN 0020-2754.
  9. Qualman, Claire Hind Clare (24 July 2015). Ways to Wander. Triarchy Press. ISBN 978-1-909470-73-6.
  10. "WALKING WOMEN - Events". Live Art Development Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  11. FM, Resonance. "Clear Spot - 14th July 2016 ('Er Outdoors #3)". Mixcloud. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
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