Sunday Culture
Welcome to my weekly musings on what has tickled me culturally. Not intended to be contemporaneous or a 'must do/watch/read' list, more of a reflection on what has got my brain going over the last week.
‘Whamageddon’ is still all to play for as we smash hard into December. I’ve not quite fully immersed myself into the festive madness but am allowing little bits in here and there. I’ve spent 3 days horizontal with illness this week; catching up on that which feeds my soul has switched me back on.
Here are some things I have been wrapping my ears and eyes around:
What I'm reading: A book called ‘For and Against a United Ireland’ by Fintan O’ Toole and Sam Mc Bride. Commissioned by the ARINS project, they are two journalists who have examined the arguments for and against, presenting them here objectively and regardless of their own opinion. The rationality of it, YES. The ability to set aside that ingrained desire in favour of a critical examination has sung to me.
As with all things on this subject matter, you do have to be in the mood for it.
What I'm watching: as part of my ongoing efforts to slow down and appreciate what’s in front of me, I’ve discovered this gorgeous visual podcast “A Dose of Dandy’ on YouTube. I’ve been letting Nicholas and Nathan guide me through their reflections on finding beauty in the everyday. It’s made me want to clean everything in sight and has inspired me to update my Christmas décor game. They’ve just wrapped up season 1, check out the very timely art of hosting episode.
style icons, I'm too much of a spiller to wear all cream.
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing an old French short film called ‘Paris qui dort’ at a salon event hosted by Cinetopia. It‘s a 100 year old silent Surrealist film in which several people wake up to a Paris that has fallen asleep. Hijinks ensue. The sonic artist Aurora Engine performed a live score that she produced, absolutely stunning. I was fully immersed and captivated by being able to see what Paris looked like 100 years ago. Empty streets and characters craving it had very strong lockdown vibes…plus ça change, plus la même chose.
Cinetopia is an Edinburgh based film community that hosts screenings, provides networking events for creatives and generally brings film lovers closer to movies and each other. Check them out if you’re looking for something different that might not get an airing in big screens- they pop up all across Scotland.
What I’m listening to: Rosalía's 'LUX'. Lyrics in 14 languages. A stunning concoction of high church music, propulsive beats and soft lyricism. Brava. Listen to it in a oner.
(And Leslie Odom Jr’s Christmas album, his voice does something to me. Stay tuned for future reflections on the power of the voice).
May your Sunday have space for rest and indulgence, if that is what you need. Have a great week ahead.
Deirdre x
