A Small Idea
TAoN No. 202: It could be a big addition to everyday journeys. And more.
Hi all,
Today something a little different, maybe at first even a little confusing — but in a good way!
I received a very interesting note recently from filip jaśkiewicz, who describes himself as an artist, director, and “object theater maker,” from Poland. He was, he tells me, “inspired and encouraged” by The Art of Noticing to start a project he calls The Small Things Travel Agency. This, filip explains, echoes his own method for noticing and exploring the world. Here’s more from him:
In 2025 I officially started the smallest travel agency in the world. It’s an agency run by me in cooperation with tiny figurines: The Pig, Yeti, Always Amazed Beardman, Antelope, Man with His Hand Raised and many others.
The idea for a travel agency run by objects was born when I discovered that walking with them gives me a new perspective of the world. I later figured out that spending time with small objects boosts my creativity, gives me relaxation and re-discovers the space within myself and all around me.
I have special exercises I do during our walks, but sometimes I just go with the flow and let The Time do its own thing. Just paying full attention to your tiny travel guide can be game changer.
Naturally I was interested, and filip answered a few questions for me. Obviously this is not so much a travel business as an imaginative and entertaining way of approaching the world. In short, he explained: “If you take part in our travels, you have to let this tiny figurine be your guide and trust it.” He does this himself: “After every walk I try to write down every note, every thought, every little discovery we made together.”
There’s more at filip’s Instagram.
For those of us not in Poland and unable to take a walk under the specific direction of the Small Things Travel Agency and its guides, I think it’s safe to say we can borrow from the spirit of the project and experiment with how traveling with a tiny companion might affect our attention. Surely you have some interesting little tour guides of your own you can choose from? Then just follow the guidance of the Agency’s manifesto:
Filip also graciously passed along a couple of additional small-traveler prompt ideas:
Whenever you feel stuck or bored, you can try one of Small Things Travel Agency’s challenges!
Take your guide to any grocery shop/shopping mall/public space and try to transform it into playground. Just you and your guide. Have fun!
Think of your guide as a God. Then go for a walk together!
I love all of this! Thanks for reaching out, filip!!
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OKAY THAT’S IT!
As always, I value your feedback (suggestions, critiques, positive reinforcement, constructive insults directed at me, not at anyone else, etc.), as well as your tips or stories or personal noticing rituals, things we need a word for, and of course your icebreakers: consumed@robwalker.net. Or use the comments.
—> Or just click the heart symbol. That always makes my day.
And thanks for reading …
rw
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This...this is psyhogeography run by fairies.
I love it.
I used to put small objects such as these into brown lunch bags for my students to draw, using only their sense of touch to introduce them to the shapes (no peeking!). Not the same thing, but a very good way to see without one’s eyes. Mr. Peanut was the easiest for them to identify (that hat and peanut texture let them perceive something they had already experienced), as was a rubber alligator, but a tiny pagoda was nearly impossible. Most students drew a turtle. And the wooden figurine that looked like a fertility goddess was even harder than the pagoda. I wonder if the goddess would like to take a walk when it warms up. She’s still hanging out in my studio and would probably enjoy getting dusted.