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Walking as a subconscious artistic practice in contemporary life is an intriguing concept that blends the ordinary act of walking with the potential for creativity, self-discovery, and cultural critique. This practice draws from the traditions of psychogeography, the Situationist International, and other movements that explore the relationship between individuals and their environments. Here’s how walking can be understood and utilized as a subconscious artistic practice:

1. Psychogeography and the Dérive

Psychogeography, popularized by the Situationist International, explores how geographical environments influence emotions and behavior. The dérive (drift) is a central practice within psychogeography, where individuals walk through urban spaces without a predetermined route, allowing their surroundings and subconscious impulses to guide them. In contemporary life, this practice transforms walking into a form of exploration and artistic expression, revealing the hidden narratives and emotional landscapes of cities.

2. Walking as a Meditative Process

In a world dominated by speed and efficiency, walking can become a meditative practice that slows down the mind and body, allowing for deeper reflection and connection with one’s surroundings. This mindful walking can lead to spontaneous creative insights, as the subconscious mind is given space to wander, making associations and connections that might not arise in a more structured environment. As an artistic practice, this form of walking emphasizes process over product, valuing the journey and the thoughts it provokes.

3. Walking and Memory

Walking through familiar or significant spaces can evoke memories, emotions, and associations. This subconscious interaction with the environment can be seen as a form of storytelling or narrative creation. Contemporary artists might use walking to explore personal histories, cultural memories, or the collective unconscious, using the act of moving through space as a way to access and express deeper layers of experience.

4. Resistance and Subversion

In contemporary urban environments, where space is often commodified and controlled, walking can become an act of resistance. By choosing to walk in places that are neglected, forbidden, or overlooked, individuals can reclaim these spaces, challenging the dominant narratives of how space should be used. This subversive approach to walking can uncover alternative perspectives on the city, making it an inherently political and artistic act.

5. Mapping the Unseen

As an artistic practice, walking can be used to create maps that go beyond the physical geography of a place. These maps might chart emotional responses, social interactions, or other intangible experiences encountered during the walk. Artists might document their walks through sketches, photographs, writings, or even digital media, creating layered representations of the environment that blend the real with the imagined, the conscious with the subconscious.

6. Everyday Life as Art

By embracing walking as an artistic practice, the boundaries between art and everyday life are blurred. This aligns with contemporary art movements that seek to democratize art, making it accessible and integrated into daily experiences. Walking, in this sense, becomes a way to infuse art into the mundane, turning the simple act of moving through space into a creative and transformative experience.

7. Connection with the Environment

Walking encourages a direct, physical engagement with the environment, fostering a sense of place and presence. This connection can inspire works that reflect ecological concerns, urban development issues, or the relationship between humans and nature. By walking, artists and individuals alike can develop a deeper awareness of their impact on the world and use this understanding to inform their creative practices.

Conclusion

Walking as a subconscious artistic practice in contemporary life transforms an everyday activity into a profound form of creative expression. Whether through the dérive, meditative walking, or subversive exploration, this practice allows individuals to engage with their environments in new and meaningful ways. It invites a rethinking of space, memory, and the boundaries between art and life, making the simple act of walking a powerful tool for creativity and self-discovery in the modern world.