Review of the Book ‘Encounterism’ Written by Andy Field

ENCOUNTERISM: The Neglected Joys of Being in Person, by Andy Field

In this modern age, we have found ourselves easily falling out of the habit of experiencing real-life human interactions. The pandemic forced us to keep our distance and rely on technology to connect with others, resulting in a disruption that we have yet to fully recover from. We have become accustomed to the comfort of our screens, forsaking long-lost practices like commuting to work or going to the movies. Unfortunately, recent trends in undesirable behavior indicate that we have also forgotten how to coexist peacefully with one another. It seems that we need to relearn the art of human connection, to rediscover the joys of encountering others in person.

Enter “Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being in Person” by Andy Field, a British artist who seeks to inspire us to venture out into the world and engage with the people around us. According to Field, even our most mundane interactions on the sidewalk can be filled with excitement, tension, and the potential for compassion to flourish.

Field poses thought-provoking questions: What do we lose by avoiding the streets? What understanding of the world and each other are we denying ourselves by spending less time in close proximity to strangers? These questions challenge us to reflect on the value of personal encounters and the perspectives they offer.

In an author’s note, Field reveals that the concept of “Encounterism” predates the pandemic and that he wrote much of the book during the resulting pause in our lives. This may explain why some chapters feel like relics of a bygone era, failing to acknowledge the paradigm shifts that have occurred. It also clarifies why the book heavily relies on research that can be done from home, missing out on the immersive understanding that personal experiences can provide.

Field’s most compelling writing captures the visceral experiences he holds dear, such as dancing in clubs or watching movies in a crowded theater. These activities foster empathy among strangers united by a collective rhythm or a shared cinematic encounter. However, the book falls short in conveying the profound significance of physical presence in our interactions. It briefly touches upon the heartbreaking inability to hold hands with loved ones during the early days of the pandemic, but fails to truly explore the desperate yearning for in-person connections.

These missed opportunities result in a dissonance throughout the book, leaving the reader longing for a more thorough examination of the value of being present with others. While Field shares captivating anecdotes from his career in theater and performance art, he neglects to delve into the challenges faced when transitioning to remote work, particularly for art forms that rely on in-person engagement. The book has its moments of brilliance when discussing the sense of community found in city parks during the pandemic, but it falls short in fully exploring the tangible rewards of physical togetherness.

We now have the opportunity to rediscover the multisensory joys of being in each other’s presence. However, traditional art forms like theater continue to face financial crises due to limited audience sizes. In this fragile moment, we need a compelling argument to drive us back to engaging with the world in person, rather than through screens.

“Encounterism” opens with a quote from Georges Perec, questioning the power of our habits. However, our habits have evolved greatly in recent years, and it is essential to acknowledge and examine the new routines and norms that have emerged. While Field’s book captures moments of personal connectedness, it misses the mark in fully exploring the profound yearning for in-person contact that many experienced during the pandemic – the need for physical touch, the desire to be fully present with loved ones, and the longing for unmediated human connection in a three-dimensional reality.

Laura Collins-Hughes, a freelance journalist, writes about theater for The Times.

ENCOUNTERISM: The Neglected Joys of Being in Person | By Andy Field | 288 pp. | W.W. Norton & Company | Paperback, $17.95