Hello everyone
It’s First Sunday this Sunday and we’re going to do something a little different. I’ve been sifting through The LRM archive and a few themes keep recurring. One of these is the pleasure we find in what Richard Mabey calls “accidental nature,” the blurred lines between what we call civilisation and the beauty of buddleia colonising derelict buildings and the gorgeous textures and potentials of canalsides, embankments and neglected playgrounds. Of course we are not alone in this delight, or our search for the edgelands. Marion Shoads work is well worth a read here http://www.marionshoard.co.uk/Documents/Articles/Environment/Edgelands-Remaking-the-Landscape.pdf.
The second theme is the contradictions and (im)possibilities of communal flâneurie, a subject which I’ll return to another time, and my fear that some people feel they need to be told how to dérive. You do not, and please don’t save wandering for First Sunday. We all have the power to transform place through wandering here, now, and always. So…..
It’s First Sunday this Sunday and we’re going to do something a little different. I’ve been sifting through The LRM archive and a few themes keep recurring. One of these is the pleasure we find in what Richard Mabey calls “accidental nature,” the blurred lines between what we call civilisation and the beauty of buddleia colonising derelict buildings and the gorgeous textures and potentials of canalsides, embankments and neglected playgrounds. Of course we are not alone in this delight, or our search for the edgelands. Marion Shoads work is well worth a read here http://www.marionshoard.co.uk/Documents/Articles/Environment/Edgelands-Remaking-the-Landscape.pdf.
The second theme is the contradictions and (im)possibilities of communal flâneurie, a subject which I’ll return to another time, and my fear that some people feel they need to be told how to dérive. You do not, and please don’t save wandering for First Sunday. We all have the power to transform place through wandering here, now, and always. So…..
A First Sunday with
multiple options and elements which I hope you will choose to contribute to. On
Sunday you are invited to go for a walk on your own, anywhere, anytime, but
please let it be guided by nature. You may follow birds, or trace lines of
moss, or let your eye be drawn towards swirling leaves. Simulacra and
spectacular “nature” may be included too; what are the fake plastic trees
trying to tell us? Concentrate on the way flora and fauna penetrates the city,
challenging, buegulling and enchanting us. Also try and think about how the
experience is shaped by solitude. Record your journey any way you fancy, in
your head, photos, drawings, words, tweets @thelrm or just stay in bed and make
up a story.
On Monday the experiment will be repeated collectively (or conducted for the first time if you skipped the preceding paragraph). Please gather in The Britons Protection, Great Bridgewater Street at 7pm, we’ll leave at 7.15 and explore the same notions together, doubtless ending with a blether and a beer.
Everyone is welcome to take part in either event, Sunday or Monday, if you have any questions, comments or want to say hello please send me a message or email loiter@hepzombie.co.uk tweet @thelrm or call/ text 07974929589
Finally, a prize will be awarded for evidence of the most audacious buddleia, interpret that as you will and please get your entries to me before the end of the year.
Love and golden apples
On Monday the experiment will be repeated collectively (or conducted for the first time if you skipped the preceding paragraph). Please gather in The Britons Protection, Great Bridgewater Street at 7pm, we’ll leave at 7.15 and explore the same notions together, doubtless ending with a blether and a beer.
Everyone is welcome to take part in either event, Sunday or Monday, if you have any questions, comments or want to say hello please send me a message or email loiter@hepzombie.co.uk tweet @thelrm or call/ text 07974929589
Finally, a prize will be awarded for evidence of the most audacious buddleia, interpret that as you will and please get your entries to me before the end of the year.
Love and golden apples
Morag x
