August Flânerie

Flâneurs like Baudelaire meandered through the streets, alleys, and glass-roofed arcades of Paris, partaking in what Balzac called “the gastronomy of the eye.” On a bench, you become a stationary flâneur (something of a contradiction in terms). Instead of strolling through the world, the world strolls by you.

Paris, the figure of the solitary stroller who both records and comes to symbolize the emergence of the modern city has a name – the flâneur.

These days it is possible to live particularly disembodied existences, enabled by environments and transportation so comfortable you can wear flip-flops in New England all winter long if you want to. My hope is that the quest every day for a good photo causes you to be outdoors and on foot more. On foot it is impossible to remain out of touch.

Psychogeography: a beginner’s guide. Unfold a street map of London, place a glass, rim down, anywhere on the map, and draw round its edge. Pick up the map, go out into the city, and walk the circle, keeping as close as you can to the curve. Record the experience as you go, in whatever medium you favour: film, photograph, manuscript, tape. Catch the