Action II | Reconnecting with the Outside
For my second action, I decided to show myself I could research in different ways. I decided to explore my environment, but not in the way of going into restaurants and local stores, I decided to look down. During a number of days, I walked around and collected pieces of nature that were fallen. I gathered leaves, sticks, and pebbles. After collecting, I sketched them out, made impressions with them, and made arranged them in a composition for the day. During my walks, I paid attention to the time of day and weather.
My perception of myself and my surroundings differed depending on the day. Quite interesting was the day I went to Whistler and decided to take this practice there. I was with Sita and Leea, and it was interesting having to explain what I was doing, but a lot more fun than doing it alone.
When I went out just to do this by myself, I felt very self-conscious about kneeling down and picking up leaves. However, once I decided to do it during walks where this wasn’t the objective, I felt less conscious and had less of a “on-the-job” feeling. I do have a caveat that the time I went out just for this was the first day I started the practice, and that may have influenced my feeling self-conscious as well.
Out of the different ways to represent my walks, I quite enjoyed the impressions with paint, as that gave me new eyes to look at the pieces I chose. With it, I found details on the leaves that are intricate and beautiful, but this representation didn’t work with all leaf types or with pebbles.
I don’t know if I am more connected to the place I gathered my pieces of nature, but I am definitely looking at it and observing it more. I have also questioned my connection to nature and to the city as well as my ease in just participating in picking things up.
To bring it together, I have designed a small zine that compiles my walks and reflection but also invites people to take up this practice for themselves.
This is such a great project Giulia!