It’s nearing the end of 2021 and - as ever - I’ve not followed through on my inner-commitment to post on this blog more. I don’t know why that is - there’s always interesting stuff going on and things happening, or things I’ve found to share. Maybe next year I need to be less precious about what constitutes as being worthy of posting (because, of course, the content I put on here in general is of such a HIGH standard and relevance…) Anyway, here’s just a bunch of stuff to round out the year, as I definitely won’t post again until 2021…
‘Around 3.35pm’ (my Middlesbrough meteorite) is officially coming down next week. It’s actually already down, courtesy of Storm Barra, so if you didn’t see it, you’ve missed it. Thankfully I got the great pictures here on my website, so please check them out. Thanks again to Middlesbrough Council, Navigator North and Neon Workshops for everything they did. It’s a work I was really pleased with and it’s had a great reaction from the public. So cheers all.
In other news, I’m talking to Common Wealth Theatre here in Cardiff about a project. The conversations are in the earliest of stages, but it looks like we’re committed to doing some RnD together, which is very exciting, as the project could be huge. If you don’t know Common Wealth, check them out, they’re really great. I’ve had the pleasure of attending a couple of their events recently (Rent Party and a poetry open-mic/book-launch with Patrick Jones - lyricist for James Dean Bradfield’s ‘Even in Exile’) and both were excellent and really filled me with love and warmth for the tangible value of creativity and an arts organisation genuinely embedded in their community. If you’re in the Cardiff area, make a new year’s resolution to go to one of their shows/projects in 2022.
As ever, there are a few other things in development - possibly a couple of books (about other people), a new zine, a shop on my website, lots of stuff - but I’ll let you know about them as and when the time is right in the new year.
I’d like to finish up with a few links to a selection of things I’ve found myself inspired by, or making notes of, as I’m bimbling about on the internet. So…
Ceri Hand is currently offering an advent calendar of free advice via her instagram (and probably other places too). Incredibly helpful, simple and insightful, daily bits of advice on developing, maintaining, and sustaining a career as an artist. Check it out…
An article about hackers sending anti-capitalist manifestos to till-receipt printers…
A writing exercise by @TereseMarieM one that I’m definitely going to be using with my students to help them develop new artwork.
A free download of a book by François Matarasso called ‘A Restless Art’ about participatory art.
A google doc by Melissa Arkley listing hundreds of feminist extreme metal bands (yes, they do exist!)
A great thread about education and our limits of understanding around the right/best/actual way to deliver it by David Bowles.
An incredible list of radical online collections and archives from New Historical Express (formerly Hatful of History)
(I should flag up that I’ve not asked permission to share this stuff, but it’s all been publicly shared on websites and social media platforms. I’ve tried to give full credit, and if any of the creators want me to amend/remove the links/info for any reason, just send me an email. Everything is shared with love and respect.)
Hope you enjoy the links, hope you have a good break if you’re having one, and all the best for the year ahead.
