#bethiredale

Is it possible to use this small inch of digital matter to stage a revolution? Would that be okay? Is this thing on? Right if you’re paying attention: go and see Track by Graeme Miller. It’s like having a stranger take your brain by the hand and very slowly walk you through a small emotional car wash. From the moment you lie back and begin to move, you can feel your brain float up and away and into screensaver mode. I saw both instalments of this piece at the Hat Fair, and both were extraordinarily relaxing. If I had to choose between the two - Track under the willow trees would win because nature always does. This is not to diminish the cathedral experience; the noise of the hustle and bustle around both the Tracks is inescapable, but the sounds almost melt away into the background, like lift music. It’s as though your brain dives into the visual majesty and leaves the noise bit to sort itself out. It’s got to do wonders for your mental wellbeing.

The willow trees are breathtaking, they should star in more. The sunlight dancing through the leaves and flickering against the dark brown bark; it’s paradise. In fact, the sheer beauty of the spectrum of greens on show make it feel like nature’s showing off, when in actual fact it’s Graeme Miller who’s showing off. Let’s give him much more power, let’s make him our glorious leader. He seems to have his priorities exactly right.

This piece bullies you in the best possible way. It forces you to sit back and smell the flowers.

Beth Lawless