‘Trajectory’
The term trajectory can be used to describe an impulse, or a movement, through space and time. According to Doreen Massey, in her book For Space (2005), nothing is fixed and there are no constants but movement, change, and flow. Massey regards space as a simultaneity of ‘stories so far’, and place as gatherings of these stories.
Anthropologist Tim Ingold (2008) suggests that rather than referring to matter and form, we should allude to the fluxes and flows of materials and forces. Ingold rejects the notion of the object, static and inert in an open world, but suggests that we should, instead, consider the temporal and refer to ‘things’ which emerge and entangle along a series of lines. Deleuze and Guattari (1988), refer to these trajectories as impulses of desire, or ‘lines of flight’, and they apply this notion in an expanded sense to describe the flow of information and ideas (an example: political movements).
Anthropologist Tim Ingold (2008) suggests that rather than referring to matter and form, we should allude to the fluxes and flows of materials and forces. Ingold rejects the notion of the object, static and inert in an open world, but suggests that we should, instead, consider the temporal and refer to ‘things’ which emerge and entangle along a series of lines. Deleuze and Guattari (1988), refer to these trajectories as impulses of desire, or ‘lines of flight’, and they apply this notion in an expanded sense to describe the flow of information and ideas (an example: political movements).
In the context of my own research, I refer to ‘trajectory’ in a number of ways. Primarily, as a walker, it suggests my own path as I wind my way. Along this path I note how my course intertwines with those of others; human and non-human. New trajectories are exposed; those of association (lines of thought, chains of events) and new spaces of potential are opened up. These are the ‘sideways’ tracks drawn to attention by Phil Smith in Mythogeography.
I occasionally refer to an autobiographical trajectory; that of the sense of my own passing through life; or even my life passing through me. My life can be compared to a film; each day, hour or moment a separate frame, composed of multiple selves: me now/me then; me here/me there. A life-line suspended between birth and death.
William Kentridge also talks in terms of trajectories and trails in terms of life's journey. He regards artists as damaged people that have the desperate need to leave art as markers behind them. He views the career of an artist as a trail of retrospective intent, with artworks left to mark the journey as a 'trail of breadcrumbs'.
William Kentridge also talks in terms of trajectories and trails in terms of life's journey. He regards artists as damaged people that have the desperate need to leave art as markers behind them. He views the career of an artist as a trail of retrospective intent, with artworks left to mark the journey as a 'trail of breadcrumbs'.
As an artist, another form of trajectory that interests me is the line made by human hand; that of pencil on paper, or paint on canvas. This is the line referred to by Paul Klee when he wrote of ‘taking a line for a walk...’. When I use line to make a mark, it may be to describe the outline of a form, to draw a map, or to represent a movement; an impulse such as the flight of a bird, or the growth of a bramble. Sometimes, however, there is no representational purchase; it is simply an emerging line, and lacks nothing for that simplicity. An empty gesture.
In all these forms, trajectories refer to notions of relationality and interconnectedness. However within all this there is a curious paradox. There is a divisive aspect to trajectory as well: draw a line across a piece of paper and you cut the space in two. Tracks become paths, paths become roads, roads become motorways...
In all these forms, trajectories refer to notions of relationality and interconnectedness. However within all this there is a curious paradox. There is a divisive aspect to trajectory as well: draw a line across a piece of paper and you cut the space in two. Tracks become paths, paths become roads, roads become motorways...
