Through Gateshead Arts Team I was paired locally with a young mum and an older man for this ‘lockdown’ project. Over the autumn of 2020, we shared experiences of walks made individually in our local woods. My role was to collate our ‘findings’ in such a way that they could act as prompts for further looking, moving and listening. We walked with each other in mind, trying to sense the woods through the eyes, ears and feet of each other. From the gathered material 6 compilations of our words and imagery were formed. As we didn’t know whether the pieces would ever be exhibited, I adapted them for a variety of formats: online, as 6 posters, and/or origami leaflets, as well as (hopefully, at some point) 6 sculpture/s to be moved around and among in a gallery.
https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/15795/Gateshead-Archive-COVID-19-Collection
Artwork is made in response to place and walking is integral to the process of thinking and making. Artist commissions and residencies have resulted in site-specific installation and performance. Over the last decade, projects have become more research led and investigations into place and space have focussed more on walking and mapping processes. Since 2018, the ‘place’ of research has broadened to encompass much of Europe, with a focus now on the historical and visual emergence of contour lines on maps. This project informs an interdisciplinary PhD (funded through AHRC). For further information please see: http://www.karenrann.co.uk/index.htm