walking, walking






Sunset walks





Friday, March 21, 2008

Silent walk: Ampersand International
8:30pm


We begin at the gallery, turning left out the door. It is a quiet neighborhood until we get to 22nd Street, where we cross, passing a noisy cafĂ©. We walk on the sidewalk along the right side of the street, going down some steps. There is a family getting out of their parked car. We cross the street and the same family does, too, going into their home. We turn right onto 22nd and take a left onto 3rd Street, where we walk along the 4-lane highway, passing the T-rail. It sounds really different here, sort of hollow and quiet except for the passing cars. There are no people. We approach 19th and take a left. My friend Stevie hangs out of a bus door and says, “hey Hope!” and we all laugh in the most quiet way possible. Priceless. We cross over highway 280 and have a really great view of the city on our right, the sounds of cars underneath us is loud and louder. At the end of the bridge we turn around and go back over the highway. Here the view is completely different, the mountains are sparkling with lights. A couple passes us – I wonder what they think? We pass a big group of young guys. At the end of the bridge we turn right. It is a totally quiet street. We turn left on the next street and walk a very dark block, then turn right onto Tennessee. My friend Stevie is standing on the corner with a map looking for the gallery. He joins us for the last stretch. We get back but the door is locked. Lori comes down asking about the walk but we’re still quiet. We walk upstairs and into the party, the sounds are incredible!

Identify
:hair weave, a big chunk has fallen out
:under awnings the sound completely changes
:no sounds of insects
:all of the clicking heels on pavement make a beautiful symphony

Walk with me: 30 Days of silent San Francisco

03/21 - 04/25 : How fast your world is changing
curated by Lori Gordon
Opening Reception: March 21, 6-8:30pm
Ampersand International, San Francisco, CA

I am walking throughout San Francisco for the duration of the exhibition. All walks are completed in silence and will be documented in the gallery as well as here.

Week one:
During gallery hours I will be the host of 20-minute silent walks for anyone who stops by. These walks always end where they begin.

Week two:
Each day I will have either a sunrise or a sunset walk in silence with invited guests I have met during my first week in San Francisco. I will invite them by personal invitation and give them the option of dawn or dusk, meeting them at the location of their choosing.

Week three:
I will go on the walk you suggested and report back to you.

Week four:

Take me on a walk!