In The Walking Project, the walker is free in the city – but limited by the rules of the walk. The desire to enjoy freedom is juxtaposed with the desire to be controlled and told what to do. The walker becomes both free and submissive; controlled and in control.
Master and puppet.
The use of technology
This interdependence of the walker and the audience (or public) is also highlighted by the use of technology in The Walking Project: As the complexity of our society and life increases, so does that of our dependence on technology.
The role of technology in The Walking Project is twofold.
On the one hand, it collapses the geographical distance between two remote locations and people, and establishes a link between them, creating a unique experience for both the artist and the audience.
On the other hand, it also reflects on the impact of technology on the individual and the society as a whole. Technological development has had a profound impact on the concept of the body. The physical limitations of the human body have been overcome by machines, our cognitive abilities have been extended and our possibilities to communicate have been dramatically increased by technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet.