Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person

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In a post-covid world where articles on loneliness and social media's distorted mirror proliferate, we still encounter difficulties or problems that are interruptions to our own desires (p. It always bothers me afterward, and I do my best to apologize where possible, but this book really reminded me how much deeper it can go when we don't treat people well and/or don't appreciate everyone we come into contact with. The chapter also showcases his strong attention to detail such as the Steve James "City so Real" documentary. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.

In an author’s note, Field says right up front that the idea for “Encounterism” came before the coronavirus pandemic, not in response to it, and that he wrote much of the book during “the caesura it created. The light touch of a hairdresser’s hands on one’s scalp, the euphoric energy of a nightclub, huddling with strangers under a shelter in the rain, a spontaneous snowball fight in the street, a daily interaction with a homeless man―such mundane connections, when we closely inhabit the same space, and touch or are touched by others, were nearly lost to “social distancing. A friend once said she didn't think there's been a time when we were, but I don't believe that and hope that I can remember that my encounters with others is my opportunity to spread kindness so it can grow. This may sound very dramatic, but the reason it is worth mentioning is the project we worked on and the questions he asked me turned into my own personal rabbit-hole of life. The book was written while the pandemic was going and seem to be finished right around when restrictions were being lifted.The RA is a unique institution, an independent charity with a mission to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists, where art is made, exhibited and debated. Haughty nightclubs, community parks, backs of car seats and movie theaters give us physical space to relate differently, and be different. Encounterism is a joyous immersion into the everyday pleasure and shared humanity we stand to lose in an increasingly digital world. I’m a positive/optimistic/enthusiastic person, but Field’s words take this to another level by mixing it with childlike wonder – that feeling of experiencing something for the first time. The light touch of a hairdresser's hands on one's scalp, the euphoric energy of a nightclub, huddling with strangers under a shelter in the rain, a spontaneous snowball fight in the street, a daily interaction with a homeless man--such mundane connections, when we closely inhabit the same space, and touch or are touched by others, were nearly lost to "social distancing.

Into this precarious state of affairs steps “Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being in Person,” an argument by the British artist Andy Field for venturing out among the populace.A great mix of social commentary, experience of the self and some thoughtful insights into our ancestral past.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. It is worth declaring that I had a single ‘in person’ encounter with Field in April 2022, which pretty much changed my life. We collaborate with authors across all adult fiction genres, and also handle children’s books, young adult and cross-over fiction. A bit scattered in parts, the work weaves its way through the last 150-odd years pulling on examples of how interactions in various forms have forever changed the way we interact as a society in a sort of association game.

We must not lose sight of working with people we love working with… Therefore, meet in person, share those experiences, get hungry together, get hot/cold together, share in each other’s pains, radiate, share in joy, confidence, awkwardness, nervousness, and everything else that defines what it is to exist on this planet – together. Andy Field – along with his partner Beckie Darlington – have an international programme of projects which is really helping forge the next generation of architects, planners, urban designers and flaneurs, by asking them what they want from their cities. There are nine chapters with "Notes on Sources' at the end of the book that directs you to the articles read in preparation for this book. Rather than being a long book just divided into continuing chapters, this is split into standalone essays that give you the opportunity to read, reflect, and put it down for a bit.

Field will draw upon his expertise in live performance that uses everyday people from around the world, to consider the choreography of each of these encounters and what they feel like, inviting readers to consider their interactions in the real world with the same precision and detail as carefully managed artistic encounters. This book has 9 different story's within using everyday situations, some might not be as everyday depending on who you are and where you live. Urban life really does require human interaction, Field explores this with child-like passion, and helps remind us that remote-desktoping your life is not life at all. Conceived before the pandemic, Andy Field’s ode to sharing space in person glosses over the ways our everyday habits seem to have changed for good.However, in doing this, as you read the pages, you imagine your own experiences in similar situations; and thus the first reading of the book really becomes about your own memories and encounters. You never know what someone else is going through, which could be a lot worse than how you think your bad day is progressing. A playful, analytical, informed, and poetic exploration of the delight and transformative power of real-life encounters. The authors little stories are good reminders about the joys of being in person for a time when we're all often focused on the potential awkwardness, tense situations, or even danger.