Yoko Ono:

"I'm walking so many miles a day. At this rate, I will walk to the end of the earth sometime in my life."

Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice By Michael Oliver

For my reading, I was assigned a book by Michael Oliver titled Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. Michael Oliver had a spinal injury from a swimming accident in 1962 giving him insight into both worlds as a walker and non-walker, which are two terms he uses throughout the book to refer to people with and without disabilities.  One interesting thing about the author is that, he is gay as well physically disable, so he deals with a lot of discriminative social issues in his life, giving a unique perspective on the subject.

When the general public defines disability, they say it’s "a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses or activities."  But in terms of my reading and taking equality into consideration, we are looking at that definition as the route of the problem and redefining it as the "social effects of physical and mental impairment."  Some examples of these social issues include, stairways that don't include ramps and bigger font for the visually impaired.

In the reading, Oliver looks at a disability model and identifies the pros and cons of each.  The Individual/Medical Model recognizes the disability first and sees people with disabilities as sick or in need of a cure.  Whereas, the social model recognizes that some people have physical or psychological differences, which may affect the means, by which they function. 

The Social Model takes on the perception of someone who is physically disabled.  It recognizes that people are disabled due to barriers that exist.  It should not invoke pity or the need to be taken care of.  Oliver uses the 'The Social Model' as a starting point in reframing how society views disability.  Disabled people should be allowed to enjoy the same freedoms and choices as those who are not considered disabled. 

This book was an important read as it truly underlines the issues disabled people face on a regular basis.  Oliver also talks about social and political movements that have taken place in an effort to raise awareness and equality throughout the world.

In Conclusion, Michael Oliver ends with a quote by author and anthropologist Carlos Castaneda. “We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong.  The amount of work is the same." Meaning we can either build an exclusive society or an inclusive one.  The understanding of disability is crucial in developing an inclusive one.

Final Walking Piece Pt. 3

The space I will be confined to is my bed.

Final Walking Piece Pt. 2

I just thought of using this blog as a means of recording my thoughts throughout my 3 day non-walk for my final piece. Get ready!

The Cut Pt. 2

Another video from Pacific Mall that didn't make the cut.

Abraham Lincoln:

"I'm a slow walker, but I never walk back."

Not the only ones

Came across this blog on the uses of walking in art.
http://walkart.wordpress.com/

Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys, I Like America and America Likes Me, 1974*

*inspiration for walking in a confined space

Final Walking Piece

I had come to the conclusion that for my final piece I will be doing a non-walk.  I will be confined to a space for a certain amount of time and not leave, going about my day while staying in that space.

Man On Wire

The most beautiful thing about this film was Phillipe's passion and drive for the project.  It was truly wonderful.  Nice way to start off the thinking process for my final piece.

The Cut

A video from Pacific Mall that didn't make the cut.

Nuit Blanche

I forgot to blog about it but the other night on Nuit Blanche someone yelled "Yeah Parkour!"

Richard Serra:

"Basically, what you really want to do is try to engage the viewer's body relation to his thinking and walking and looking, without being overly heavy-handed about it."

Vito Acconci

Vito Acconci, Following Piece, 1969

At the Mall

On Friday, our class went to Pacific Mall in Markham to perform 3 types walks.

Walk 1: A Collection
I collected a group of different mall walkers conversation.  I made a set of rules in which whenever I or the person I was following (as recorded) got awkward, I would stop.

Walk 2: A Walk Against the Plan
I laid down across the end of the escalator so that people had to take an extra step over me when getting off the escalator.

Walk 3: An Action
I assisted Elise and Courtney by documenting an action of stacking 3 benches so that people had to walk around it.  (See below for consequences)

Overall the field trip was quite entertaining.  Concluding our third walk, we were escorted out of the mall for the disturbance we had caused. Oops.