Critical Analysis of Missing Voice
I found this walk very interesting. Firstly, it required me to visit an area of London I had never been before and secondly as I found the story very interesting. I felt entranced the whole walk through, almost as if I was floating around London and through side streets (it definatly took me places I would have NEVER walked through before) at times I felt intimidated by my surroundings and on occasion I removed me earphones just to touch reality for a few seconds.
I did find the story a little spooky, especially with the use of whispering voices which gave it in eerie quality, and subconiously aware of the walks title "Missing Voice" which I felt created mystery before the walk even began.
I was very aware of my presence in each area and my surroundings, however at times I was so engrosed in the story that I felt invisible and did not move for people also walking on the pavements or through bustling streets.
I particularly enjoyed sitting in the Church, not somewhere I would choose to sit, and throuoghly enjoyed listening to the choir voices, at the time there was also a choir rehersal, which made the walk become even more 'real'.
I did however come across some obstacles during this walk, firstly by getting my bearings in line with the story initially and then towards the end of the story as some walk ways were closed due to maintanance work.
I found the very end of the walk particular moving, and I felt that it evoked such strong emotion within myself I became lost within the busy setting of the station, leaning against the balcony watching the people before I found myself trying to find the man running for the train!
Test Site
I really did not like this instillation piece, as I found it purpose slightly ridiculous. However, I definatly was not going to travel down any of the slides, as I was not sure of there safety and therefore just admired the structures. Therefore I felt I got little out of Carsten Holler's work.
I think people did not understand the concept of the work and saw it as an entertainment piece rather than seeing the logic in why it was placed there (and I don't think they really cared- it was just an elaborate tourist attraction for the Tate Modern!) And to believe that slide may one day replace stairs etc seemed a ridicolous concept. I do however understand that it purpose was to transform our everyday, however for me it simply interupted it as I would not travel by slide, and it created a huge obstacle.
A Crirical Analysis of 'And While London Burns'
I began this trip in the buisness area of Central London and travelled through the interweaving buildings listening to the deep, sad voice that was softly taking us through the area, steadily guideding our travel. The tale begins within a small shopping centre as we stand central looking up into the blue sky (looking rather odd to any passers by! Especially as I begin laughing to myself to the voices comical remarks about randy polar bears!)
I slowly guided through the buildings listening to the mans depressive tale of love and loss, alond with small interludes of music. There were slight feelings of unease as we felt we were intruding through the buisness offices. Especially walking through the Royal Bank luxury shopping centre, with the suited and booted buisness men and women eating in the centre of the area and the luxury shops that surrounded it, it became extremely intimidating and I felt out of place within that environment.
I did not find this walk as interesting as the one before, and found myself trawling through quite a boring environment, and again one that I would not walk through. I did find myself drifting off on occasion and having to catch up with the story at times. I think it would have been interesting to have used a more anitmated voice- I would have definatly kept better attention, or even tweaked the story to create something more interesting.
I was very amused when I had to walk round and round the tube station and then stare into a big fan in the wall, I was then very aware of people looking at me! More so than when I was looking into office windows or through the up-market shopping centre.
I did not enjoy this walk as much as 'Missing Voice' and I would have been happy to miss walking up the Monument, as I found the music very boring and was a little bit angry when I got to the top and the story was over! However, from the top of the Monument there was a great view!
