Acknowledging her tendency to converse with strangers and wanting to share these moments in a creative way, this new project represents Gemma Seltzer’s interest in using digital technology to develop her artistic practice.
The blog is primarily a creative writing exercise for Gemma to produce a sequence of one hundred hundred-word short stories. It will also offer her an opportunity to communicate her frequent encounters and to identify patterns in her social behaviour.
This activity will mainly take place in London, a city full of strangers. There are millions of people living here and Gemma may end up meeting them all. Through positive interactions with new people, she intends to spread a bit of good energy throughout the capital.
Speak to Strangers fitted in nicely with Josie Long’s project One Hundred Days To Make Me A Better Person, part of the London Word Festival 2010. Read their response to the blog here and also here. Speak to Strangers was featured in the Independent on Sunday magazine on 7 March 2010.
Gemma’s observations so far:
I have noticed that I don’t talk to children or the elderly, I spend a lot of time in shops or walking around the city and I never go west. The strangers seem to be part of a mass now rather than a series of individuals. I’m not just talking to random people, rather building an unlikely network of Londoners whose disparate lives are being brought together and chronicled online. I see the world through the books I read. In my blogs, there’s a trail of Tóibín, Bowen, Faulkner, Hugo Williams and Hempel. The best interactions are the unexpected ones.
Hi Gemma, I hardly ever read blogs but seeing as it’s yours, I thought I’d make an exception and I’m glad I have. It’s a great idea, looks lovely and the writing (which is obviously the most important bit) is good and quirky, and very Londony (makes me feel very homesick). And writing every day – yay! I’d like to vote for day 10! Keep it up. Love from Yorkshire, Katrina xx
I am on the case! This is good “crazy”
This is such a lovely idea ! I am putting on my links on Poetry Mosaic !
love Naomi xx
Hi Gemma
Crikey – you have been busy talking to all those people. What a great idea – keep it up!
Jo x
thanks Jo. Yes, I’m still talking away. How’s the writing going? You should add a story on here… gem x
Oooh, I’m back again, and glad. Very glad to see more and more of these vignettes of London life – peppermint tea, odd brides and same-sex loos – grand!
Gemma,
The counter has disappeared but before it did, there were over 1000 hits!
At that rate your 100 blogs, over 100 days could well interest 100 x 100 people. Maybe there’s a mystic meaning to it?
Gerry10001949
very mystic gerry. what do you think it means?
I thought the counter was a bit indulgent after a while, but it’s back now due to popular demand!
Hey Gemma, what a great idea! You write beautifully. Hope all is well in London town.
Ed
Ed! Thank you. So nice that you had a read. Hope your international adventures are fun. Wanna write a blog post? x
Beautifully observed and stunning writing Gemma, I really enjoyed reading them.
Thanks Mrs M. I had a good English teacher once upon a time who set me on the right path…. happy Christmas to you xxx
Really enjoyed your blogs Gemma!
Will you be doing some blogs based on Israel?
Gemma, loving this blog – feel I’m slightly hogging the contributor page, but I’m finding it a great way to keep writing and to make something out of random London moments.
Sarah
x
hurrah! Keep doing it, and keep spreading the word! oh ad I’ve added a link to your site in exchange 🙂 xxx
I really love the sentiment behind this site, Gemma. I’ve written about it at http://www.colouringacorner.com and wish you all the best with it!
What the best thing about your post I found.. Its been well observed. That’s why I find some great idea for share.
Gemma, I really like your project! Have started to read the 100 encounters, brilliantly left-field and intriguing micro-stories. I did a sort-of-similar-ish thing myself last year in Borough Market, called the Listening Post. http://artofconversation.typepad.com/art_of_conversation/2013/07/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-final-episode.html
I am a professional researcher, make a living from talking to strangers, aiming to develop more ‘wild’ conversations – aim to find some as interesting as your encounters …
keep it up!
Kevin
hi gem
hi gem
i enjoyed reading your blog …i am new her and i want to read your blog also please send me you travels and adventures meeting strangers…i have an article please do comments at Strangers