Special Issue WARP x Soapbox Journal

Special Issue WARP x Soapbox Journal results from the Walking as a Research Practice Conference 2022 Proceedings. It is part of the follow-up strategy devised regarding the outcomes of the WARP Conference organised by Alice Twemlow, Francesca Ranally and me. This event occurred at the Allard Pierson Museum, University of Amsterdam, in September 2022, supported by the CUS, ASCA and NICA, University of Amsterdam. The Conference brought together scholars from many different fields in the humanities, the social sciences, the arts, and creative practitioners for a transdisciplinary dialogue about the capacities of walking practices as research. Walking has prompted a critical reassessment of conventional methodologies and viewpoints by focusing on the body, senses, placemaking, and transformation.

Diverse perspectives on cultural phenomena, concepts, and objects

The collaboration, inspiration, and discussions that emerged from the Conference resulted in the creation of the Special Issue WARP x Soapbox Journal. It is a collection of papers by international speakers from various fields who incorporate walking in their research practices bringing together researchers in different fields, artists, and enthusiasts. Along with Soapbox’s managing editor, we gathered, edited, and facilitated peer review wherever possible and encouraged creative works that challenged the traditional academic paper format. Through this combination, the journal aims to offer diverse perspectives on cultural phenomena, concepts, and objects that shape our worlds, particularly our cities and urban practices.

Walking within the social humanities as a universal act

The book explores both traditional and non-traditional sources in search of ways to promote interaction and participation beyond academic circles. It places walking within the social humanities as a universal act that carries unique meanings depending on the location and constant dialogue with oneself, others (human and non-human), and the commons. Following the premise that performing a path is documenting it, the authors wholeheartedly immerse themselves in the research process by practicing walking. Therefore, we wanted to create a reading experience reflecting that immersion. Thus, every editing and design decision was influenced by this goal.

Complication of the problematic place of artistic research

Having the book as a walk as a prompt followed all the book's content and physical development stages. Written submissions are not only articles but also invitations for the reader to take on a walk. They reflect a complication of the problematic place of artistic research, especially walking as a research practice within it. For this reason, this book (and the Conference that preceded it) showcases different ways of researching by part of the artist/researcher and, simultaneously, different ways of reading by part of the reader.

Take it outside the streets

The material aspect of the book follows the same idea and results from the close collaboration between the editor, designer, and binder. As a result, a unique way of holding and reading the book was achieved, enhancing the reading experience and daring to take it outside to the streets, making it more immersive. It follows ergonomic notions of holding the book in one hand while walking. For example, it should constantly be folded to ease the movement. This means that written text is presented primarily on the recto side of the page, leaving space on the verso side as possible space for note taking. The book's binding allows its folded state to be in a continuous movement between walking and reading, emphasising that the practice in urban space has no end or beginning. 

Through this book's publication, we aim to impact fields related to spatialities, particularly urban practices, by challenging the conventional notions of spatial existence. We strongly believe that our bodily movements play a crucial role in shaping our physical and discursive engagement with the environment, leading to active participation in the urban commons. Our intention is to leverage the book's content as a creative force that inspires the generation of new spatial ideas in an interdisciplinary manner.

To better understand the content featured in the Special Issue WARP X Soapbox Journal, please visit the Soapbox Journal for Cultural Analysis. There, you will find a detailed introduction with an overview of the book and all submissions available for reading. Additionally, you can purchase a printed copy of the book.

Bring Your Own Book

The book was presented at Enter Enter during the Bring Your Own Book exhibition on the 28th of September, 2023. The audience was invited to join the authors in a reading walk inspired by the book's premise. The event started with a brief introduction by Alice Twemlow, followed by reading performances by Kamila Wolszczak and Nienke Scholts. Sally Stenton conducted an online reading performance and walking practice, followed by Jana Sofie Liebe, the book's designer, and Lynn Gommes, the managing editor, who engaged in a conversation. The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Simon King and Darren O'Brien, two of the authors, joined the discussion online.