Monday, 13th
August, 2012
On Anticipation
My last day of work - Friday,
31st August
Now we can make a date.
Whilst my motives for travel
are personal the desire could possibly date back to what de Botton states as
broader historical movement that goes back to the latter half of the 18th
century. Although I feel the desire can be traced back further to the ancient
pilgrimages and probably even further. It seems most Christian activities hold
their origins deeper in time.
For de Botton the notion of
journeying in terms of 18th century travel related to beginnings of
city dwellers beginning to travel in numbers through the countryside. Whilst
travelling was seen as a means to restore physical health it was also an
attempt to restore harmony to the soul, a harmony that related to an
enlightened society that had moved away from religion to a more scientific
positivist viewpoint. It was also a harmony that related to an increased
population in terms of people in England
and Wales
living in a town. By 1900 the number had risen to 15% from 50% in 1850 and 17%
in 1700.
Bibliography
C Cotton, 2007 The Photograph As Contemporary Art Thames
& Hudson: London
De Botton, 2003 The Art of Travel Penguin: London
E Newby, 1995 A Book of Travellers’ Tales Pan Books
Ltd: London
Tolstoy L, 1969 What Is
Art? And Essays on Art London: University Press Oxford
Copyright Mark King 2012
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