This five-minute video essay was extracted from the longer video installation from the British Council-sponsored Parallel Walking exhibition at Artefact Gallery, Stirchley in February 2022. It is combined here with the 'Female Calculations' text from Parallel Walking zine (text below).
The film is available for showing at film nights and festivals. Please get in touch if you'd like to show it. The longer video installation is 1 hr 40 mins and lives here.
Zine / exhibtion info and links: http://walkspace.uk/parallel-walking/
Female Calculations transcription
What will happen if I enter this space?
A lone female walker in the city often brings a subjective algorithm of fear to her walk, one that factors in both positive and negative data points.
For example:
- weather
- lighting
- time of day
- the number, gender and proximity of others
- type of area
- path type
- visibility
- clear exit
- proximity to help
- shoe type
- femininity of clothing
- previous location knowledge
- lived experience
- attitude
- locator apps
- self-defence weapon
- skills in kung fu
- unconscious bias
- …and more.
You can optimise your personal algorithm to reduce the fear.
For example by:
- walking tall
- looking fierce
- wearing running shoes
- avoiding shortcuts
- holding keys as a weapon
- …and so on.
But the calculation still takes place. It informs how, when and where you walk. I enjoy walking the pedestrian paths in my city. But sometimes the simple act of going for a walk can feel like a psychological battle.
Hire/commission me: fiona [at] fionacullinan.com