Hamish Fulton
21 Days In The Cairngorms
Walking, one of the most basic of human activities, has long been both the inspiration and subject of exploration for artists. Walking is a way of measuring, a way of encompassing a territory; its pace and rhythm creates a frame in time and space which is delegated by the person walking. In his walks Hamish Fulton actively tests himself and his body: he has undertaken a full week of walking without sleep; he has walked from one side of the country to the other; he has refrained from talking for a full week while walking. The physical involvement of walking creates receptiveness to the landscape and this accessibility opens the potential for any individual to take part; to make one aware of the environment, and of oneself.
The Cairngorms are one of the last wilderness areas in Europe. Few other places offer the possibility of several days of walking without human interaction or interference. The Cairngorms, as Hamish puts it, ‘have a special place in my heart’. Huntly is situated on the foothills of the Cairngorms but, regrettably to some, not within the geographic and political the boundaries of the National Park.
While exploring the physical and psychological connotations of Huntly's motto "Room to Roam," Hamish seeks to make a geographic link between Huntly and the Cairngorm national park. The walk will encompass 21 days of walking and roaming around the Cairngorms with one rucksack only. No shops, no B&Bs, just Hamish, his rucksack and tent. The walk started on 18 April from Huntly and will ended on 8 May at Glenmore Lodge.
Huntly Walking Festival 15-18 April 2010
Can walking be art? A walking festival with Hamish Fulton. Among discussions, exhibitions and other events, Hamish organised 'choreographed walks' which required community participation in realising tasks (such as walking the length of three metres in one hour) and emphasised the flexible and subjective nature of walking. Special guest Shadow Curator: Mary Jane Jacob.
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