Resting in the public realm is complicated. Rest is not safely accessed by everyone for lots of different reasons, bringing to the fore physical, social and cultural barriers to slowing down and being still when we are out and about.
Born out of my own artistic wandering, pausing and writing practice that has emerged slowly through this project since 2018, I have created some creative research activities that invite local people to document their own journeys, taken at a time of their own choosing.
A short audio briefing and 9 tasks to pick and choose from will gently guide people towards a mindful wandering and resting experience, asking them to document their discoveries along their route. The experience closes with the invitation to write statements for a Care Manifesto for Woolwich.
I hope that these activities act not only as an artistic and playful way to wander, but also enliven debate about safe, equitable access to the public realm. These activities also act as a participatory method of gathering important information about how people feel about resting, loitering, lingering, hanging out and pausing in public.
I hope that our Care Manifesto will be a call to action when its sent to Royal Borough of Greenwich’s planning team in a open letter in November 2022.
Would love to hear from you.
woolwich wandering 