Walking in Pairs, a collaborative walking art project where two people walk at the same time but in different locations. It is an enquiry into the nature of the connection and resulting work made.
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Walking in Pairs is a collaborative project. It uses walking art to enquire into the nature of creative connection and influence over geographical distance. Contributing artists may or may not have worked together previously. The pairs will agree the sort of walk they will take in advance: duration, location, and media or materials to be used. Each walk will be different. What unites them is that the artists are walking together in spirit, but apart in location. Curious about the influence one has on the other’s work, they will have created a bond through intention and common interest, and will be actively investigating the relationship, personally, and through creative output. It is embodied research into the nature of influence, looking at possible correlations and common themes that may or may not emerge despite there being geographical distance between the artists.
The Process
The couple will meet and talk about the upcoming walk. Its parameters will be agreed. There may be a prompt and/or quote(s) shared. Written passages, images etc may be exchanged in advance so that we have them in mind as we prepare/research, walk, and make / create work. There four questions (see below) to bear in mind while walking, concerning the nature and outcome of the walk and work created, and these will be discussed at the initial meeting to ensure both parties have a shared understanding.
The walk will take place and artistic work made.
There will be a follow-up meeting to discuss and share experiences and work created.
Finally, after four walks, there will be a wider group meeting to compile research findings and consider the work made across the project.
The prospect of a group exhibition, further funding, and any follow-up will be discussed.
Duration
August 2025 – October 2026.
Number and geographical location of collaborating artists
Walking artists from Scotland, England, and Canada are so far involved.
Questions *
· If you walk ‘together’, but geographically apart, how is it different from walking together in person?
· Is the your walk and work influenced by your partner who is walking at the same time?
· Is there an obvious or ‘felt’ connection between you as you walk? How is this manifested?
· Can you hear or see your partner in your head while walking? Do you feel that your partner is with you, or do you feel something else?
· How is the experience changing over time?
Project Process
1. Plan four walks and choose someone to make them with, at a distance (distally). You may walk with the same person for all four walks, or change partners.
You can pair up with someone you know by reputation, have a connection with, or have previously met. Alternatively, you may have no prior knowledge of them. You do not have to know anything about the other person you have decided to walk with.
2. You will be walking in geographically different locations from each other, but at the same time and with a shared aim.
3. You will be making work during or after the walk while following mutually agreed prompts.
4. At the beginning, middle and end of each walk, you will stop for a moment and tune into your partner (ie picture each other and/or call to mind each other’s work, focus in some way on the other). You may want to make contact with them by phone through speaking or messaging. For the rest of the time, you will carry on in your own way, alone.
5. At the end of the project, you will meet with your partner, either in person or virtually (phone, Zoom etc) to:
a. Show your work and share your experience
b. Discuss the above questions *
Follow Up and Presentations
After the four walks, there will be a wider group presentation to whoever is interested (perhaps at a Last Tuesday Café) during which the findings of the project will be shown and discussed. Similarities or differences will be noted. The above questions will be discussed. Nb. It would be interesting for the experience and/or work to be compared to other experiences / work made from the same walks by people not participating in this project if appropriate eg if the walk(s) happened during a First Friday Walk.
It is hoped that an exhibition might be curated: explaining the idea, showing the pairs’ work, and presenting any findings on the nature of influence and communication when walking in pairs, together, but geographically apart.
Contact Tamsin Grainger tamsinlgrainger@gmail.com for support or to find a partner.