The idea of 'flirting' with space is central to this book. Space is conceptualised as being in constant flux as we make our way through various contexts in our daily lives, and is considered in relation to encounters with complexities and flows of material culture. This book focuses on journeys, which are perceived as dynamic processes of contemporary life and its spaces, and how creativity happens in the inter-relations of space and journeys encourage creativity. Unravelled through a range of empirical case studies of journeys through and encountered with space, this book builds new critical syntheses of the intertwining of space and life. Based on investigations undertaken by the author over the past 20 years, it explores the mundane and the exotic, the 'lay' and the 'artistic', combining and inter-relating them in a diversity of time and expression, fleeting and surviving. Such investigations, using both visual and non-visual material, include examinations of allotment holding, the work of artists, caravanning and tourism, photography and parish maps. The analyses of such seemingly disparate subjects are linked together and build on each other to create a fascinating and original view of humanity's interaction with space. Included are fresh discussions of belonging, disorientation and the working of identity and play. The notion of 'gentle politics' is introduced.

About the Author
David Crouch is Professor Emeritus in Cultural Geography and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Derby, UK

Reviews
'Crouch invites his readers on a journey that meanders through the workings of myriad artists, sojourners, and theorists, evoking resonances between seemingly unrelated pathways of intellectual and emotional discovery. Flirting with Space is a work of enchanting potential, written from the unique perspective of a mature artist and distinguished scholar.' Sally Ness, University of California Riverside, USA 'A phenomenal and sensational work, Flirting with Space speaks of David Crouch's intense and passionate interest in how it feels to feel. His spatial theories on life as it's lived are spry and vital, asserting the generative and creative power held by people, trusting in the ordinariness of emotion and common experience, and seeking out practices of humane value.' Hayden Lorimer, University of Glasgow, UK 'In offering the reader a scholarly account of how to live more creatively, Flirting with Space surely achieves something significant. David Crouch is an academic in the field of cultural geography so it is not surprising to find cultural geographic ideas playing centre stage in this book. What is more surprising, perhaps, is the way in which he weaves those ideas together with others more at home within the disciplines of philosophy, art history, social science and cultural studies, skilfully traversing disciplines in a potentially useful way.' Cassone 'Flirting with Space offers an illuminating insight into the lay geographies and practices of performativity, travel/tourism and creativity and an important contribution to theorisations on space, the body and emotions, and everyday life.' Journal of Tourism Consumption and Practice '... this is a book for reading for pleasure and I am sure it must have been written for the same reason.' Geografiska Annaler Series B 'David Crouch's extensive specialist knowledge [...] and an unusual breadth of reading, inform every aspect of this highly intelligent and persuasive book. I take it to be a timely plea for en



Book Information
ISBN 9781138249776
Author David Crouch
Format Paperback
Page Count 166
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 249g