Reading Response #2

The article I chose to read was Phillip Lopate’s On The Aesthetics of Urban Walking and Writing. I chose this article because ever since I started going on my drifts, I have been viewing the world in a different way. No longer am I just wanting to get to my final location, I am finding the little things in life, and taking in the subtleties I see everywhere I walk. By just the title alone, I was drawn to my new adventures of walking, and wanted to go even more in depth into the culture of Urban Walking.

In this essay, Lopate points out his progression of walking, and the bumps in the road that he went through. Starting when he was little, he pointed out how we all take habitual routes, not knowing where we truly go and why, just that we grind our own footpaths going the same place we have always been going. He then goes and talks about his walks in New York, and how the people aren’t different by race, religion, etc, only by if they are “in your way or not.” He also goes on to explain how walking can bring out “a pure self-absorption unembarrassed by witnesses” as well as “a secret conviction that one is being watched by Higher Powers.”

In addition to walking as picking up the uniqueness of the world, he also goes on to explain how the rhythmic and repetitive walking can lead to the triggering and inspiration of rhythmic and flowing poetry whether it is mechanical sounds, or to crazy people yelling their lungs out on the streets.

In all, he sums up that he has lost this urge to walk just to walk, with his marriage, blaming only himself for losing his touch and relationship and equivalence with the world. Much like a relationship, one must give it equal and satisfactory attention to keep the relationship alive.

I feel that the ideas and arguments presented in the article relate to my own practices as a media artist 100%. While reading, I could totally compare to learning about the subtleties of the world around us, finding that it has its own rhythm and music of life. This relationship must always be nourished and payed attention too, otherwise the connection will be lost and you will become blind to the wonders around you.