My buddy Gibson, designer of the Avenging Narwhal, has a history of interesting projects. Last Friday he sprang another one on us. I’ve talked before about the power of changing your commute, but Gibson managed to make his commute a creative act. He walked the 16 miles from his house to the office instead of driving. How does that change the experience of a commute? What details do you notice. Below is the email he sent me last Friday immediately after completing the event.
In My Day
Performance Art Project by Gibson Holub
Today I walked to work. 16 miles.
I left at 3:45 AM from my house in Seattle and headed up Hwy 99.
The sky was clear. The moon was half empty. I was armed with pepper spray.
There aren’t many people out at 3:45 AM on a Friday, just a lot of cops and cabs.
I saw the first glow begin on the horizon at 4:30.
My feet started hurting at about 5.
I arrived at Accoutrements in Mukilteo at 8:42 AM.
So door to door, it took me 4 hours & 57 minutes.
That makes my walking speed 3.23 mph.
I went through 41 stop lights (or somewhere close to that, as I was a bit groggy).
I wore a pedometer. When I arrived it read 32,308 steps.
I recorded the event with some photos. I took a picture of myself every 15 minutes or so.
I’m currently experiencing some serious discomfort in my legs.
I think I’ll pull the shoelaces out of my shoes and frame them.
Artist’s Statement: The Search For Meaning
Why did I do it?
I did it because it was absurd. I did it because it was liberating. I did it because I knew it would be challenging.
I did it because I’m inspired by the unexpected, the unannounced and the completely unnecessary.
Is it art? Who knows, but I walked 16 miles to work today for no reason and it made me feel alive.
Creative Creativity 