Performing pathways: exploring the cultural heritage of the pedestrian through movement and digital media

The paper will share new outputs and reflections from the ongoing interdisciplinary collaborative research project ‘Pathways’. Initiated in 2021, ‘Pathways’ emerged from the collaboration between dance artist Paula Guzzanti and digital media artist John D’Arcy. The project explores the contemporary transformation of pedestrian culture using digital capture, documentation, and mediation of movement performance. ‘Pathways’ aims to foster critical reflection upon the pedestrian’s sensorial andsociocultural experience within urban environments, and how contemporary developments in transport infrastructure may help or hinder sustainable livingpractices. This intervention will explore recent project developments including the production of a VR 360-Video walking experience; an interactive Google Earth map; and an XR location-activated audio walk. The presentation will also offer a specific focus on core aspects of the Pathways project such as sustainability, fostering citizenship and advocacy around future urban development, and framing pedestrian movement as a form of cultural heritage.