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Video: watch the walking
art-work on the beach

by Martin Jefferies

More than 100 people put their best foot forward to become part
of a bizarre arts event in Margate.

The group wrapped up warm to complete seven laps of the bathing
pool near the Nayland Rock shelter, while a number of camera crews
- including one precariously perched on top of the Arlington House
tower block - filmed their every step.

The footage will form part of an exhibition at the town's Turner
Contemporary in 2012 by 'walking artist' and photographer Hamish
Fulton, from Canterbury.

The 63-year-old has been commissioned to produce a series of
group walks in the county - the first of which took place last
January when around 40 people followed a route along the perimeter
of Canterbury’s original city walls.

He said: "Some people have asked whether what I'm doing is art
but my answer is always the same: I'm an artist so therefore this
is art."

Volunteers from St John Ambulance were on standby to offer first
aid treatment to anyone who slipped on the walk or fell into the
icy sea.

Walkers were also given safety advice by organisers and told to
take care on uneven surfaces.

But the decision to use a pool in which several people have
drowned was criticised by Cllr Iris Johnston, who represents the
Margate Central ward at Thanet council.

She said: "I'm sure the film will look very impressive but there
are signs everywhere to warn people of the dangers of walking on
the edge of the bathing pool. This sends out completely the wrong
message in the run up to the summer season."

Mr Fulton, who became the oldest British man to have reached the
summit of Mount Everest in 2009, has walked in more than 25
countries over the past three decades.

His work has been influenced by everything from the culture of
American Indians to the meditation of Buddhist monks.