Laura Oldfield Ford's narrative of longing and urban memory in Whitechapel

Laura Oldfield Ford's first-person narrative, published in ArtReview's January & February 2016 issue, recounts a psychogeographic journey through London's Whitechapel area, blending personal reflection with urban exploration. The text describes receiving an unsolicited email from an unnamed man returning to England, triggering memories of past encounters in the city. Set against a backdrop of derelict warehouses, old dockyards, and locations like Aldgate East and Commercial Road, the story unfolds during a London winter, with references to Christmas and snowy pavements. Characters include Dee, Asim, and an unnamed crew, adding to the social texture. The narrative captures themes of dislocation, coded messages, and the sensory experience of the city, including scents like Hermès Eau des Merveilles and sounds like Calvin Harris's 'How Deep Is Your Love'. It details the protagonist's internal conflict about meeting the man, culminating in a wait at a pub and a walk home through icy conditions, highlighting the interplay between memory and urban space.