Sounds a terrible thing though - all this abandonment and loss - being cast out into the void.
I’m stuck into a book by Niall Griffiths called Broken Ghost: almost finished it but am needing to share possibly the most vivid and lyrical portrait of contemporary life I’ve read in many years. I’m unnerved by its prescience and a little haunted. Seeing that TATE Britain are offering up a huge William Blake exhibition, I can’t think of anything I’ve read recently that conjures up that shimmering mysticism imbued in Blake’s work than this book. Part rural idyl, it's the poetic equivalent of Blake meeting Irvine Welsh while gently drowning in bladderwrack. Recovery - addiction - and the possibility of a miracle and the all-pervading power of social media - albeit tempered by the reality of vapid contemporary politics, Brexit and inevitable social collapse. It’s not a barrel of laughs - but it’s the most visceral and vital thing I’ve been consumed by in years. It begins on the Preseli Hills in west Wales where three people experience an oblique and shared vision - and are imbued with an overwhelming sense of wellbeing…
Then there is smug Rees-Mogg posturing for posterity on the front benches of Parliament. I have been repulsed by the way he’s been described in the press as both languorous and languid! WTF? This is just part of his arrogant self promotion. Having consistently filibustered political debates and with his feeble attempts to bamboozle other MP’s with words designed to flummox, (floccinaucinihilipilification* is such a word) the man is dangerous and insidious. But then the way the media refer to the man leading the Tory parties as ‘Boris’ -this friendly bonhomie repulses me just as much. Let’s stop humanising this flaccid and arrogant liar. Then I suppose as a species, we somehow get what we deserve - the inevitable bogymen of the western world.
Connections Through Culture - Southeast Asia Mobility Programme
The British Council are delighted to share with you a new mobility programme Connections Through Culture. In August 2019, Connections Through Culture will be launched in Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Please share with your networks, with apologies for any cross-posting.
This programme aims to develop exciting cultural exchanges and collaborations between artists, arts professionals and arts organisations, and to support long-lasting relationships between people from East Asia and the UK. Celebrating the diverse cultural expression in both regions, the programme offers support, information, advice and networking opportunities for professional development. Grantees both from the UK and the East Asian countries benefit from the inspiration gained from exchanging ideas and sharing their cultural history. Connections Through Culture UK-Southeast Asia is on its pilot call. Grants will be offered every three months.
Round 1 application:
26 August to 26 September 2019
Results out: 28 October 2019
Grant travel should be between January to March 2020.
FULL DETAILS HERE.
Yardsticks & Dreamscapes this Tuesday evening - only five tickets left for this Manchester-focused work. Details here.
* the action or habit of estimating something as worthless
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