Great article that clears up the notion that the park was filled with "squatters." Seeing families names on the map of the village and learning that there were churches and a school where Central Park now stands was an eye-opener. The history of Central Park seems to skip from the early days when Native Americans lived in Manhattan to the time when Olmsted and Vaux designed the park. Great to find the missing sections here.
@amyggalexander Q.7 What a great subject. I've been a psychogeographer/flaneur for five years but had no idea those conscious wanderings fell under a name or category. When you explore a place with all of your senses and place no expectations on it - just letting the place be without insisting that it deliver any certain type of experience - I think that's when the place reveals its nuances. That is when you can capture its essence in your writing or photography in a way that a commercial effort usually can't.
It's a little bit like comparing what a photographer can capture in a portrait - perfection, elegance - to what a best friend might capture in a moment with a snapshot - gentleness, quirks, vulnerability. I usually record beauty and color because it's the opposite of what we hear most about in the media about the world - negativity and hopelessness. I'm in awe of beauty wherever, whenever I find it, especially when you are led to believe you will find the opposite.
For the novice I say, honor your desire to wander. The level of focus and appreciation you develop while genuinely exploring benefits the people in your life - you become more interested and maybe even a little bit more interesting. That level of focus also contributes to improving the quality of the work you do whatever your profession might be. A flaneur may sometimes appear to be "wasting time" but in fact important inner work is taking place - savoring life.
It was great seeing Dr. Wright's reaction to catching sight of lemurs - pure delight even after so many years of working with them. Thank you for the link to the IMAX footage.
Imagine the conversation Jose Fuster, "Picasso del Caribe," and Isaiah Zagar, creator of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, would enjoy together. Would be great to hear them share their thoughts on their work.
Flanerie is something I loved before I ever knew there was a term for it. I learned the term from Mark Willis, a writer who described his walks through Paris so beautifully in each of his essays. It came as a real surprise to discover later that he was in the process of losing his sight. It made everything he observed even more poignant. His writing, and that of other flaneurs, serve as guides to reveling in moments and places whether you are traveling far or exploring hyper-locally. Looking forward to a discussion on this topic. In the meantime, enjoy "walking along with serendipity, without pondering where to...giving yourself over, captivated and enraptured, with all your senses and all your mind, to the spectacle." - Victor Fournel