E. STRANGE PILGRIMAGE
The afternoon started with a journey to the top of the moors via Harcles Hill Quarry where we each collected a stone large enough to weigh a large roll of paper down against the wind.
After climbing Harcles Hill, we reckoned with the relatively new stone path on top of the moors leading to Pilgrim’s Cross, and the histories and multiplicities present within each stone slap. Laying a 10 meter long roll of paper along the path, we used charcoal rubbing to engage with the surface and connect with the materiality present. As runners, cyclists, and walkers passed by, we invited them to tread along the paper, further extending our collaboration to those outside our group, adding unexpected marks.
We then took a pilgrimage to Ellen Strange via Pilgrim’s Cross, picking up a palm sized stone along the way. At Ellen Strange we all took part in a meditative drawing, using our sense of touch to explore the stone we had collected. We recounted the story of Ellen Strange (worth a search if you don’t know it).
Sat on the floor with our eyes closed, we each turned our stone around in our non-drawing hand, whilst moving a pencil around some paper with our drawing hand. Not drawing what we think it looked like, but what it felt like. Time moved slower than usual, perhaps even took a pause, or a slip.
After the drawing we reckoned with the ritualistic act of adding a stone to a cairn and made our way down Moor Road, and to the pub.
The MAY BE ON THE MOORS walks are now concluded, but the exhibition is forthcoming. Join us at @altogetherotherwise on the first weekend of July to see all of the work made during these walks, and maybe also take part in drop-in workshops that hope to add to the living flow of the exhibition.