Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person

by Andy Field

Overview

A playful, analytical, informed, and poetic exploration of the delight and transformative power of real-life encounters.

The light touch of a hairdresser’s hands on one’s scalp, the euphoric energy of a nightclub, huddling with strangers under a shelter in the rain, a spontaneous snowball fight in the street, a daily interaction with a homeless man—such mundane connections, when we closely inhabit the same space, and touch or are touched by others, were nearly lost to “social distancing.” Will we ever again shake hands without a thought?

In this deeply rewarding book, Andy Field brings together history, science, psychology, queer theory, and pop culture with his love of urban life and his own experiences—both as a city-dweller and as a performance artist—to forge creative connections: walking hand-in-hand with strangers, knocking on doors, staging encounters in parked cars. In considering twelve different kinds of encounters, from car rides to video calls to dog-walker chats in the park, Field argues “that in the spontaneity and joy of our meetings with each other, we might find the faint outline of a better future.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781324036586
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	07/18/2023
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	604,222
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Andy Field is an artist, writer, and curator based in London whose performances around the world create encounters between strangers. He is codirector of the award-winning Forest Fringe, and a regular contributor to publications including the Guardian.

Editorial Reviews

05/22/2023

Performance artist Field (Performance in an Age of Precarity) offers a spirited ode to in-person interactions. Blending science, history, and personal anecdotes, Field serves up loosely connected considerations of how such activities as going to the movies, clubbing, sharing meals, and walking pets provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with others. He laments that changing social norms have transformed public spaces from sites of social interaction into “transit routes,” recounting the discomfort he felt conducting interviews with strangers for an art project in Bedford, England, and noting that in the Middle Ages, the same thoroughfare would have been filled with throngs of people trading and socializing. However, opportunities for such encounters still abound. Going to a hairdresser, Field contends, is one such occasion: “Allowing your whole body to be under their control demands a kind of trust that in today’s world feels almost radical.” Elsewhere, Field describes a study that found moviegoers release chemicals detectable by smell during funny and suspenseful moments, creating a communal experience irreplicable at home. Field’s enthusiasm succeeds in “render the ordinary briefly strange” and makes for an enjoyable paean to small connections. This is a blast. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Andy Field's book reawakens us to the neglected majesty and beauty of the everyday. His book returns us to a childlike state of wonder. It's profoundly charming - and, in the best sense, lovely."

Alain de Botton

"It is easy to forget: life is a delicate matter of meetings and partings. Andy Field provides a gentle, beautiful reminder."

John Kaag

"I loved this beguiling, uplifting debut by an artist, writer, and curator who specializes in human interactions. From the hairdressers’s chair to sitting with others in a car, and fleeting meetings while walking in the park, Field examines the nature, grace, and importance of everyday, face-to-face human interactions…Prepare to be ‘newly dazzled by the wondrous complexity of our interactions with each other.’"

The Bookseller - Caroline Sanderson

"From the history of the haircut to the mystery of The Jetsons, Andy Field is the freshest, most down-to-earth, most constantly surprising (and endearing) explorer of urban life I’ve read in a while. He seems to know everything, but he carries himself lightly. And whether he’s guiding us into mass snowball fights on the streets of London or the meaning of holding hands, this unmet stranger cheerfully reminds us all of the value of touch and the virtue of trying to see the world anew."

Pico Iyer

"Modern-day transcendentalist Andy Field weaves reflections on cultural touchstones from Diane Arbus to the Jetsons in celebration of the person-to-person encounter—whether that's a phone call with a lover, a snowball fight with strangers, or a sweaty nightclub dancefloor."

Ada Calhoun

★ 2023-03-25
According to this engaging book, building personal connections takes courage, but it’s worth the effort.

In the 21st century, many of us have forgotten how to forge meaningful relationships with those outside our inner circles. However, while we might be out of practice, we can rediscover how to do it. This is the underlying message of this book, a textured exploration of the myriad forms of human contact. Field, a performance artist based in London, has participated in events that have been surprising, comedic, and poignant, and he has drawn crucial lessons from his experiences. The author’s essays cover a wide range of topics, from the intimacy of a haircut to the collective joy of a dance party to the importance of holding hands. Field believes that humans have a basic need for contact, and the isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was psychologically damaging at both the social and personal levels. With the pandemic waning, it’s the perfect time to reconsider our interactions, renew our relationships, and be open to the wider world. Field also shows how the move away from face-to-face interaction was underway before the pandemic. Though he appreciates the utility of smartphones and Zoom, he is clear that we should not let them take over our lives or replace the nuanced warmth of conversation. Deepening a friendship is something that enriches life, but the other ingredient is being willing to venture into the unknown by connecting with strangers. Field discusses how temporary communities suddenly form, such as when sheltering from a rainstorm or with a spontaneous snowball fight. He also looks at cinema audiences at a horror movie, showing how catharsis, like many things, is better when it’s shared. In fact, the author recommends you give this book to a stranger after reading it—an appropriate conclusion for a quietly inspiring book.

A poetic, insightful examination of human connections and unexpected intimacy.

Kirkus Reviews