Walks In Progress
Filmed drawings, revealing themselves at a gentle walking pace.
It was while in Koli (North Karelia, Finland) that walking had become an essential element within Chrys’ art practice. The drawings would now capture the rhythm of the Finnish landscape along with qualities of moving through it. There would be no preferred vantage point or favourite view; when walking there is no set pace or fixed focus. The drawings became a succession of vignettes marking the shifts and changes in the landscape (see On a Roll & Back to the Beginning). The reference to photography, film and mapping formats enhanced the sense of walking. The drawings would now meander and reveal themselves at a gentle walking pace. Both the making and the viewing actively encouraging an awareness of time, movement, and being immersed in the experience of walking. The images were spliced and edited into a seemingly seamless narrative. A sense of filming had been arrived at before the video was made yet the video process introduced something new. The scale, the boundaries, and sense of space facilitated by filming took the viewer deeper into the landscape. The sound and music would then heighten the sensory involvement.
Working with John Whitfield (Lowlight films) the filmed versions of the Walks in Progress series came in to being: The journey then continued with further collaborations with sound artists and composers Petri Karttunen, Michael Fairfax, Ben Weedon and John Lunn.
The Walks in Progress videos have been screened at film/art events in Finland and UK.
Walk In Progress: Tone
'Walk In Progress: Tone " by UK artist Chrys Allen is a drawing that meanders through the Somerset landscape and alongside (and often in) the River Tone. The irregularity of tree cover in early summer creates a play of light and shadow across a myriad of differing surfaces. There is a sense of movement along with a sense of time passing at differing paces; from the rush of the water through to the quiet slow ageing of the bank side; ambiguous views placed alongside detailed observations of what is near; recollecting the sensory pleasure of being immersed in the landscape and the reverie that walking gives way to. The sound track by Ben Weedon enhances the texture and rhythm of the experience. 'Walk In Progress: Tone " is the 6th in a series of 10m walking drawings by Chrys Allen.
Walk In Progress: Koli Winter
The original drawing was created as part of an Arts Residency in Koli Ryynänen, North Karelia, Finland winter 2011/2012. The experience of walking in winter; the lightness, calm and meditation on it's beauty is evident in the drawing. The artwork was later filmed by John Whitfield of Lowlight Films with music by John Lunn.
Walk In Progress: Towpath
The original drawing was created as part of Cargoes, an arts programme devised by Ignite Futures ! as part of Breath of Fresh Air, Cultural Olympiad across the East Midlands, supported by the Arts Council, The Big Lottery Fund through Legacy Trust and Igniting Ambition. The drawing captures moments during walks along the towpaths of the Grand Union Canal, including Watermead, Loughborough and the locks of Leicestershire. The artwork was filmed and by Lowlight films with sound by Michael Fairfax.
Walk In Progress: Idle Valley
A graphite drawing inspired by Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Retford, Nottinghamshire . The original drawing was created during an arts residency at Idle Valley March 2011 hosted by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust as part of Breath of Fresh Air, Cultural Olympiad across the East Midlands, supported by the Arts Council, The Big Lottery Fund through Legacy Trust and Igniting Ambition. The artwork was filmed by Lowlight films with music by Petri Karttunen.
Walk In Progress: Koli
A graphite drawing inspired by the experience of walking in the Koli National Park (North Karelia, Finland). The original drawing was created as part of an Arts Residency at Koli Ryynänen 2010. The artwork was filmed by Lowlight films with music by Petri Karttunen.
Walk in Progress: Bedrock
A drawing that wanders through the landscape as if experiencing the walk at first hand. The original drawing was created following time spent walking during late summer and early autumn in Koli, North Karelia, Finland 2013. The artwork was later filmed by John Whitfield of Lowlight Films with music by Petri Karttunen in 2014. The sound and filming enhance the sense of movement and fascination with a beautiful and ancient forest. 'Walk In Progress: Bedrock" is the 5th in a series of 10m walking drawings by Chrys Allen.