Touring the psychogeography of Windsor
By Paul Breschuk
Lance Writer
October 29, 2008
 More often than not, our travels through Windsor are hurried and stressful. This agitation is doubled when such travel is done by car, when we engage ourselves in an embarrassingly Darwinian fight for survival.
We are late for school or work, hating any semblance of humanity that is in our way (or has the audacity to be travelling at the same time).
In this arena, our behavior instinctually takes cues from the ancient, reptilian part of the brain that’s responsible for aggression and territoriality. The most extreme example of this is road rage.
During such travels, nothing exists but the destination. Notions of civic appreciation and historical significance are lost in the mix of traffic lights and exhaust fumes. The intricate details of architecture, sculpture, and that pretty white fence on Mill Street, are blurred and trivialized like the scrolling background of a cartoon.
Admittedly, during school months, that strange little kink in the road on Josephine Avenue becomes a high-speed chicane for my car.
But what could be learned from a slower, more intensive observation? What could be learned from approaching such unique local artifacts in person, up close? Tom Lucier may have some answers.
Most know Lucier as a bartender and co-owner of Phog Lounge, tireless promoter of the local arts scene, blogger, and co-host on CJAM 91.5 FM’s “Not In My Backyard.” It was on this radio show where he interviewed Scott Knowles, professor of Urban History at Philadelphia’s Drexel University. They spoke of psychogeography, a term coined by theorist Guy Debord, which describes the effects of a geographical environment on an individual’s emotions and behaviour.
These effects can be experienced by taking an aimless, meditative walk called a “dérive,” from which new understandings of urban landscapes emerge.
Lucier, inspired by his talk with Professor Knowles, is eager to experience Windsor in similar fashion by organizing Big Walk.
This event combines elements of a history lesson, walking tour, and treasure hunt, to create a 16-hour psychogeographical experience.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Nov. 8, Lucier and a small group of urban explorers will zig-zag across the city until midnight. Along the way, they will make many stops for food, rest, and appreciation of the many unique gems the city has to offer.
Every angle of Windsor will be inspected, including industrial sites, parks and green spaces, urban ruins, historical locations, places of arts and culture, and locally-owned businesses.
“Mostly, I am interested in the places between the places,” Lucier said.
“I am excited to hear and see the stuff we mindlessly drive past every day. This is the opportunity to pay attention to the space between Point A and Point B. It’s bad enough that Windsor is considered to many as a place between Point A and Point B, like the truckers who pull their loads through here like we’re a freckle on the map. Now’s the opportunity to pay attention to everything in between, the unrealized magnificence of urban and suburban space,” he continued.
The tour is not just a love-fest of Windsor, however, as Lucier wants to add a critical element to the experience.
He raises questions regarding the city’s dangerous, poorly designed bike lanes and the self-serving placement of the new hockey arena.
Topics such as littering and the crippling de-industrialization of Windsor might also be visited.
One aspect that will be blissfully ignored, however, is the garishness of corporatized spaces like malls and the area south of the airport on Walker Road (otherwise known as hell on earth).
To ensure the best possible experience, participation is limited. Contact Lucier at phoglounge@gmail.com to reserve a spot or ask a question. You can also follow updates on his blog, http://tomlucier.wordpress.com.
Godspeed, Big Walkers.
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