aimlessness 2
This project seeks to remind us of those times we spend alone and how this can present itself differently from one person to another and from one time to another. Think of it as a catalogue of basic human activity when that individual is lacking in direction.
2
contents
In youth we would often find ourselves at loose ends, wandering neighbourhoods without plan or goal. A lack of ready cash and meaningful direction meant that we were often left to our own devices. What occupied us were primarily self-focused concerns .
Tim Nick
4 – 11
Constantine
36 - 43
Tim
28 - 35
Karl
Henry
20 – 27
12 – 19
44 - 51 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
Tell us about the last time you wandered aimlessly.
“
52
Where would you most like to wander aimlessly?
In my free time I like to while away many hours on the Internet chatting with friends far and wide, researching and promoting my various interests and arranging activities around those interests so, I end up having far less free time than I would like... I also watch a little TV, but oddly, mostly the same few shows. Long-running series and serial dramas are mostly too much of a time commitment. Since the wifi failed on my laptop I have been largely unable to combine the two activities successfully so the TV goes off and I climb wearily back onto the world wide web. The place I find myself wandering aimlessly is usually London when I have time to kill, sometimes three or four hours when I have to fill time between something I’ve gone there to do and waiting for my travel home: the joy of making plans in advance and the inflexibility of affordable travel. Better that than rushing though and there’s always coffee... I do this at least once a month these days, sometimes more. When I have a spare weekend I will go into my home city and invariably when I get there I discover that I really have nothing to do there so I end up wandering, exploring, windowshopping, avoiding the crowds. I believe this is why they invented galleries and coffee shops. The best place for me to be aimless is by the sea, although rivers and canals work too. There is something about water that is endlessly fascinating and satisfying. The sea can either add to your sense of wellbeing or enhance your feeling of restlessness. It’s always and yet never the same. I love strolling along the seafront in Brighton from deepest Hove to the Palace Pier and sometimes beyond, looking at the sea and feeling the weather, usually alone in the ceaseless company of other walkers, joggers and dogs. The fact that Brighton is currently a city where the bearded man is king adds an extra layer of satisfaction to having nothing to do but amble and browse.
“
3 simple questions...
What do you like to do when you have free time?
“
“
“ “
Having a busy life and working long unsociable hours, my free time is mainly spent just sat chatting to friends and doing nothing. I enjoy the gym and swimming where I have no distractions of the modern world and it’s just me. It sounds strange but wandering aimlessly to the shop was the last time. It’s a one-mile walk and it was a cold frosty morning. I just gazed around while walking looking at everything with the cold frosting. Nothing says aimless and lost like being in a wood, the sun breaking through the branches of the tress, with the dancing shadows the branches throw on the ground. You can just walk without a care in the world.
In my spare time as a sports coach - I like to think of myself as a fitness warrior fighting a battle against sedentary lifestyles The last time I did this was in London following I night out - I came out of a club and instead of turning left and walking 500m to my hotel I turned right and got completely lost found myself on the wrong side of the river and i also lost approximately 2 hrs wandering aimlessly around the streets of London.. Sat on the sunny side of the street.
53
“
I don’t seem to have much free time lately but when I do I love to walk about with my camera hoping to grab a shot. If I’m at home I love to listen to music or watch dvds and feel emotionally attached to them. I can’t honestly say the last time I just wandered aimlessly... It may have been in a shop - where I was lost in thought. Turkey, Lake Garde, the Lake District anywhere peaceful.
54
“ “
“
Explore the minds of people’s of people I meet online. Cyber world is a fish net of the good, the bad, and the ugly. When I did something wrong, and I was shocked I got caught out, and the conveniences were devastating. I felt out of control of my situation. I pride myself on control, but sometimes life has a way of taking that way from you. Damn, that’s honest. At Alton Towers Theme Park
t s a l y o u y d i d n e h w ? s s so – e n s s e l m i a y o enj
credits
First thanks goes to the models herein - you were supportive, understanding, trusting and essentially made all this possible. Not only to the six in this book but to all those who help me to hone my craft with their time and patience. I also thank the models of the first aimlessness volume - and to the feedback I got from that - it led to this and the enhancements that have come with it. Thanks to everyone who inspires, mentors and otherwise educates my photographic imagemaking - I am truly endebted to you all. An especially huge thanks to those close to me who put up with the endless time I devote to my creative endeavours. If you have constructive feedback on this project, or wish to collaborate with me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Jon facebook.com/butilikeit • @butilikeit • www.butilikeit.co.uk 55
aim
er e to just wand m ti e th n e k ta Ever ke you? ere your feet ta h w e se d n a ons aimlessly iffering locati d e rs ve a tr ys Six gu eir thoughts. while lost in th lly. photographica m e th s re tu p Jon Eland, ca
l 2 essne ss
k butilikeit.co.u