A challenging post to share, Let's Take a Walk #60, took place on October 9th, 2023, 2 days after the terrible attack on Israel from Hamas, the beginning of the current conflict. Almost two weeks ago, so many people died on the Israelis' and Palestinians' sides: civilians, children, young and old suffering. The hostages taken by Hamas have yet to be brought back home.
I decided that as a call for Peace, LTAW#60 would take place in Strawberry Field on the day of John Lennon's birthday. #ImaginePeace, here is part of the song we all know so well and are longing to make it a reality; imagine all the people living life in Peace.
All the countries that helped in the creation of Strawberry Field
Together we sang Imagine.
Imagine all the people living life in peace.
A short poem for peace by Charlis @possibly_poet on Istagram
and then, a chance encounter with the beautiful @goddessauracollection a Union Sq. Farmer Market.
I thank you for your continuous support and participation.
To celebrate The International Day of Peace Let’s Take a Walk #59 took place at Ward's Island in Toronto together we observe the IDoP traditional one minute of silence at noon. As we explored Ward's Island in Toronto, we focused on Peace. Peace around us and in the world, we all want it don't we? don't we? and for peace of mind, for our children, our children, we all need it don't we?
I am so grateful to Catharina Goldnau the wonderful #tweetmaster & #storyteller, to Heather Gentleman for guiding me to the discovery of Ward's Island, to Susan Steward to introducing me to her friends Heather and Catharina and to you dear friends whose presence is so deeply appreciated.
The knitting: for this walk the gathering of stories began in New York and continued on Ward's Island the day prior the walk. We talked of peace, shared concerns and hope. I learned about the inhabitants of the Island, their resolve to save their homes and prevent the construction of a casino. The entire walk can be seen @LetsTakeaWalk_World on Instagram
Let's Take a Walk #59
Free Library
Some of the people who worked on the preservation of Ward's Island
Schlepping Displaying
Merging two projects, @LetsTakeaWalk_World & @DancingAlonewithmyShadow
Let's Take a Walk is a worldwide walk I lead using Twitter, since 2009. As it evolved, it became an on-site performance, participants from anywhere in the world can join in via X Twitter @mcayer and @letstakeawalk_world on Instagram Live. During the performance, I encourage observers to join in. On-site, a Town Crier, Tweet Master, and Drummer assist me. During the walk, we pause questions on a specific topic(s) #Peace, #Earthday, #HumanRight, prompting dialogue, inviting participants to sing a song, say something nice to someone; as we journey, the knitted overskirt I wear (created days before each walk with passerby) unravels, leaving traces. Performance artifacts, film, and photographs of our journeys are compiled into an installation, showing the experience of our group walking in different places yet moving in sync. See all the walks on this blog. So far, there have been 59 walks; each is a shared moment—a step towards Peace. Duration detail: Performance time 40 minutes, of which 20 minutes are shared via Twitter and Instagram Live #WalkingTogetherApart.
Thank you so much to those who joined in for Let's Take a Walk #58 via Twitter @mcayer & Instagram Live @LetstakeaWalk_World. LTAW#58 occurred at Greyfriars Kirkyard In Edinburgh during the EdFringe Festival, #walkingtogetherapart for #OurChildren and #PositiveChangesThroughStoryTelling.
Here are some images, but the entire walk can be viewed on InstagramLetsTakeaWalk_World
The Stories-tellers Eric and Paul
The Town Crier & Sound Designer Patti.
The TweetMaster Elena
I was your Guide
The Storytellers enchanted us by spinning a yard about Harry Potter, JK Rolling, the Immortals, Tom Riddle Grave, Tardigrade, and The Dog Bobby.
"Without the inspiration of the past there would be no Harry Potter for millions to enjoy. The ancient cementry of the walk gave rise to he who can not be named".
I would rather have Peace. Together, we walked, sang #DonaNobisPacem, and asked ourselves, "What creative magic can you do for your community?" We stroked the dog Bobby's nose for good luck while thinking of you; legend has it that when Bobby's master died, he stayed on site for fourteen years.
As we walked we acknowledged the Magical power Children have and the incredible work the young adult generation does to bring positive changes in the world.
My gratitude goes to the excellent Tweet Master Elena Messinger, the playful Town Crier/ Sound Designer Patti Cohen, and the wonderful Storytellers Eric Messinger and Paul Katz.
Thank you so much to all of you who joined us virtualy, I hope that you enjoyed Let's Take a Walk #58 as much as we did.
I am so grateful for your participation and look forward to our next walk, #walkingtogetherapart #withLoveforPeace.
Thank you so much to those who joined in for Let's Take a Walk #57 via Twitter @mcayer & Instagram Live @LetstakeaWalk_World.LTAW#57 took place as part of the Marmalade Festival at The Old Fire Station in Oxford England.#walkingtogetherapart for #SocialChange #withLoveforPeace.
The Colors of the walk; Orange as the color of the festival, Oxford Blue, of course, and Pink, as the 12th of April was the International day of Pink.Together we walk, we sang #DonaNobisPacem and we posed ourself the question "What is, in your mind, the most pressing social change that needs to take place?"
On Tuesday the 11th, in preparation for the performance and on-site of LTAW#57, I worked with passersby, knitting and sharing stories, posing questions directly related to the theme of the performance.
"What is, for you, the most pressing #socialchange" that needs to take place?" #gatheringstories.
Many participants spoke of issues close to their lives; I was touched by two men who maintain the market square behind The Old Fire Station yet can not afford anything in Oxford. Both have several children to raise, they live outside Oxford. #wagedisparity.
Each Line a story. Speaking of the urgency in climate change, the need for opposite parties and different countries to find common ground, #environment #justice, and #womensright were a large part of the conversations.
On Wednesday the 12th we shared LTAW#57, the rain forced us back into The Old Fire Station. We felt lucky to have a place to go to, a shelter.
We stoped by Andy Owen's installation Rocket Folly, #environment & #climatchange.
LTAW#57 ended at the cafe, where everyone joined in #donanobispacem #grantuspeace, we all want #peace, don't we?
Here with the wonderful team. Tweet Master:Paul Katz, the playful Town CrierDelelza Brooks and the Poetic DrummerWayne Aspinall, and one of the participant, Katai Mulenga, thank you for your participation, kindness and joie de vivre.
Finally, Thursday the 13th, Shlepping & Displaying, I walked around Oxford, near the site of LTAW#57 displaying the unraveled dress, performance artifact following LTAW#57, an impromptu and ambulatory exhibition.
#Justice and #Respect where offered as ways to create positive social changes, exploring solutions together.
Let's Take a Walk brings people to share a moment, a step toward peace. Participants from anywhere in the world join us via Twitter @mcayer and Instagram @letstakeawalk_world, #walkingtogetherapart. On-site, a Town Crier, Tweet Master, and Drummer assist me. Addressing topic(s) related to the walk, prompting dialogue, and inviting audience participation. As we journey, the knitted overskirt I wear, created days before each walk with passerby, unravels, leaving traces. Performance time 30 minutes. So far, there have been 56 walks. As part of the project, I maintain this blog where you can view many of the descriptions and images of the walks.
I am grateful for your attention and participation.
#walkingtogetherapart. Join us from anywhere in the world, whether from indoor or outdoor via @mcayer on Twitter. A 20 minutes shared journey.
This project began in 2009 as a virtual Twitter guided walk. Participants from anywhere in the world join in via @mcayer.
Over time it evolved into an on site performance as well.
So far there have been 42 walks; each is a shared moment—a step towards peace.
Walking together, though apart, we’ll journey along the same path. On site I’m assisted by a Town Crier, Tweet Master and Drummer. During the walk, I ask questions about specific topic(s). Prompting dialogue, inviting participants to sing a song, say something nice to someone, etc. In example LTAW #39 took place during The Climate Strike, LTAW #40 adressed social justice. Walk #41 and #42 took place during the shelter in place due the the Covid-19 pandemic.
The onsite performance involves a knitted overskirt I wear (created days prior each walks with passer by) as we walk, it unravels, leaving traces of our journey. Performance artifacts along with film and photographs of our journeys are compiled into an installation, showing the experience of our group walking in different places yet moving in sync. All are documented http://letstakeawalkmc.blogspot.com Contact me via https://twitter.com/mcayer or via my web sitehttp://www.mariechristine.com if you wish to be notified on the next walk details.
Duration detail: each walks require two days or more of knitting & conversation with passer, performance time is about 40 minutes of which 20 minutes are shared via Twitter. Thank you for your interest. Marie Christine
My multidisciplinary practice focuses principally on performance and installation, addressing environmental issues and current events that affect us regionally and globally, such as human rights and the environment. I seek public participation via story-sharing and collaboration with artists of various disciplines.
I often develop my projects over the years. Performances are informed by passersby's responses to questions I pose. I make costumes and objects from various materials such as drier's lint, fabric, hangers, yarn, wax, and wire. I use video, photography, sound, and social media as a medium.
I conduct workshops that encourage upcycling and human interactions and perform participatory walks to people anywhere in the world via Twitter.
Walks, movement, dance, voice, prepared text fashioned from gathered information, and improvisations shape what I present to the public.
Swiss-born, NYC resident since 1985 Instagram @dancingalonewithmyshadow @mck_workinprogress @letstakeawalk_world @mcayer27 Twitter @mcayer
