Forest Flaneur is a workshop programme exploring the impact of tactile perception on the artist’s process.

The Forest Flaneur method arose from a practiced based doctoral thesis in studio art exploring the impact of tactile perception on the artist’s creative process. This workshop programme led by Rosalinda Ruiz-Scarfuto introduces the participant to how the tactile memory dynamic is ignited through gentle engagement of the finger pads and intuitive movements in a rural setting. Layers of perception are added as the sessions unravel on a journey into the wilderness. First the visual aspect of an ecosystem is explored as a baseline of the space, then the tactile perception layer invites a focus to details. As each participant follows their own random mode in situ, Nature reveals its inner core through attraction.After the walks, a quiet gestation period in solitude allows the tactile memory to become embodied in our essence. Sharing our investigations in joint collaboration, enriches the empathy to the environment and ourselves combined. Be pleasantly surprised to indulge in nature’s call “to touch and be touched.”

A visual walk is the first entry point to the landscape as a baseline to feel the space of the ecosystem. A tactile walk (outdoor) is designed to understand gentle touch using our finger pads. Later, creative expression (indoor/outdoor) in solitude is encouraged. Longer tactile walks involve random movements in Nature based on individual attractions to natural elements (outdoor) in silence. Then, time for creative expression (solitude) and finally could share our expressions informally and open the group to join for a performance (collective) in some workshops. See thesis published in the book, The Forest Flaneur.

Background

I have recently finished my practice-led PhD on tactile perception and its impact on the creative process following the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty and discovered the Forest Flaneur style of walking suitable for this type of creative process. In this research project, I have extended heritage materials to the 3D poetic canvas to link the local narrative to my artwork.

I do a visual colour palette after a non-tactile and tactile walk surveys. These walks consist of sensory perception inputs without foraging in the environment for optimal respect. My work is not based on a collage or found objects but rather tactile memories that given a gestation period to incubate before actual palette and composition begin. Sketchbook and notes of poetry and images (non-toxic) colour pencils are my method of keeping some ideas fresh. See REBOUND for an in depth view of Phd project.

Most of my work is to isolate the tactile perception on the second walk by a general survey (non-tactile walk) to lay the groundwork. The details are highlighted in the tactile walk. The Flaneur method allows random moving in order to allow for tactile attraction (where do we want to touch?). The visual dominance on the first walk sets the stage for the second tactile walk. We are relaxed with the overall picture in mind and it is easier to concentrate on tactile details. I use haptic intuitive over kinesthetic movements to access tactile inputs, emphasizing the finger pads to collect data via two channels: 1) heart with the pulse from the blood; 2) brain from the current running through the nerve endings. This fusion of heart and brain consciousness begins to form a literary and colour palette to utilize for the 3D poetic canvas. I incorporate cultural heritage to be able to combine the natural elements in context of place. Therefore, my expertise is in sculpture, visual arts (painting) and poetry.

I believe the planetary harmony can be achieved with a fusion of nature and humans in concert with each other. We have the ability to propel the literary and visual arts forward for a caring consciousness via tactile perception. My research has shown an increased environmental empathy with tactile perceptio that adds a depth of bonding to nature beyond visual cues. Meanwhile, the flaneur open walking style builds on the intuitive creative by allowing random playful movements. To sum up, the Forest Flaneur methodology involves intuitive bonding to nature and can expand art and literature beyond the human centered view of a landscape. It means scanning the overall ecosystem visually, and then moving towards the details of the minute geological contours with touch. By tapping into that tactile richness, a unique transfer occurs for a broad spectrum of creative expression. The experience is exhilarating and surprising!

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Rosalinda Ruiz Scarfuto, PhD

Poet-Painter

Experience

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