Regardless of restrictions, can we walk for walking’s sake? Is it possible to walk without purpose or reason? Can we set off at one point and walk, not knowing where the walk will take us; or in choosing to do so, are we not inflicting an element of choice onto the walk?
Can we walk without care, without concerns; food, water, shelter, weather, safety? Do we have to be prepared to walk; shoes, bag, route, phone? Are we free to leave? Should we let others know where we are going and when we’ll be back? Or can we lose responsibility? Is it a mere dream to imagine it or are there possibilities?
Epic walker, Richard Long, talks of freedom and independence, but despite his seemingly unfettered walks, Richard Long imposes his own restrictions, conditions and sets of rules. With walking as art practice, he documents, purposefully makes his mark, notes the distance. His walks are constrained, not necessarily free.
One might detach oneself from purpose, but the new purpose is inherent in the intention to go for a walk, whether that is for the sake of walking alone or for arts sake.