Bodies of Water

This book documents embodied research at swimming pools across London. Through engaging in the ritual of swimming and following the route through the physical and ephemeral layers towards the pool, I attempt to understand the changes in behaviour and perception that allow people to engage in changing, sunbathing and exposing their bodies in public; behaviour which would seem outrageous in any other context.

The key documentation techniques used are photography, sound recording, written text, sound mapping and choreography mapping.

These led to 6 physical elements being identified which signify and facilitate these behavioural changes. They are the boundary, transition, runway, bench, lifeguard and edge and are mapped through collage of the combined research.

Parliament Hill Lido

relaxed individual ritual happy community friendships shared connection catch-up club personality confidence comfortable trust meditation alone together open walled safe space valued

11am Thursday 13th October 2022

Walking into the space, I felt a change in atmosphere. An immediate warmth and comfort brought by the relaxed and unguarded nature of people. This is their safe space, their place where they can be who they are, naked, without fear of judgement. This comes from the collective nature of everyone gathering for the same purpose. It is a distinctly individual ritual which is done alongside one another. There is complete trustvaluables are left unattended and friendships have been born out of this activity. Taking photographs felt like a breach of trust, like I was invading their safe space, a violation.

I felt comfortable changing by the poolside, in view of everyoneall ages and genders, with conversations going on all around me. “Are you still working there? I’ll give you a lift”.

Contrasting characters interacting with ease and familiarity.

Removing clothes is removing any indication of class and background. Everyone enters the water as equals, brought together by this body of water. Personal items occupy small spaces on benches, creating a condensed portrait of each person as they shed their manufactured identities.

Hill Fields, Gordon

peaceful zen contemplative individual ritual quiet relaxed religious hidden nature minimal humble old

Heath Mixed Pond

Hampstead

1pm Thursday 13th October 2022

A walk through wooded paths leads me to a small gate in a hedge. This is the concealed entrance to the pond. Framed beautifully by trees, the floating buoys and a small jetty are the only indication of human inhabitation.

Leisurely charged entry by a woman reclining on a bench, I tip-toed past the lifeguards and to the changing areaa bare, open yard which hasn’t changed since its victorian beginnings. Surrounded by trees and birdsong, it feels like the natural act to remove my clothes before making my way gingerly to the entry point.

There is no chatter. I resist any noise, trying to slide silently into the water so as not to disturb the serene sounds of the surrounding wildlife. I talked to a man in the changing rooms who has been swimming in the ponds for years. He told me about a party they had there last week which had 100 people there enjoying cake, tea and a syncronised swimming performance. The place was very quiet and empty and there wasn’t much interaction between swimmers, so this was surprising.

Dryburgh Rd, London SW15 1BL

Public Indoor Swimming Pool

Managed by Places for People Leisure Ltd. on behalf of Wandsworth Council

Putney Leisure Centre

business serious barriers quiet healthy no photos light grand peaceful chlorinated machine exhausting friendly individual intimidating padlocks heated diving competition exhibition lanes lessons community

12pm Monday 17th October 2022

I was asked not to take photos by the lifeguards who were no older than 18. I took some photos secretly. The place was like a machine, people coming for a purposemostly exercise. They did this in isolation, individually swimming up and down without interaction with anyone else. And then they leave. There is no hostility, everyone is happy to be in their individual ritual.

32 Endell St, London WC2H 9AG

Public Outdoor Swimming Pool

Operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited on behalf of Camden Council

Oasis Sports Centre

community hidden legacy sun terrace walled enclosed golden years private relaxed overlooking old residents busy competitive comfortable crowded fitness belongings social trust bustling surrounded open

11am Wednesday 19th October 2022

“Excuse me, this is the slow lane”. I was asked to move by someone who was fed up with the business of the pool. This was swiftly followed by a lovely conversation with a local of the pool who made me feel part of the community atmosphere which is very clear. The changing room was a hub of social activity, an enormous part of the lives of those who use it.

Brockwell Lido

expensive tedious admin young slow lanes cold friendships huddled shelter happy trust turnstiles enclosed open walled no photos fitness frustrating

12pm Saturday 5th November 2022

It was a very cold and rainy day but the pool was still full of swimmers. There was one sheltered tent by the poolside, about 2m x 2m with a few benches. People were huddled here, trying to get changed, leaving their valuables in the shelter while they swam. Conversations were struck up, bonding over the shared experience of the cold.

Brockwell Park, Lambeth SE24 0PA Public Lido

Operated by Fusion Lifestyle Limited on behalf of Lambeth Council

boundary transition runway bench lifeguard edge