Looking Sideways: 10 Things
This week: a Blake biography, The Big Sea at Kendal, and the diabolical power of Milton
1. I’m reading this brilliant biography of William Blake at the minute (above).
Who I really know nothing about, despite him being one of those Gen X cultural avatars (the lineage went Blake > Aldous Huxley > The Doors) I discussed with Jamie Brisick in the latest episode.
Catch up with that conversation below:
2. Rest in peace, Michael Gardner. Big loss, this one.
3. Stop press - I’m going to be presenting a special showing of The Big Sea at Kendal! The documentary is deservedly in the Best International Film category, and I’ll also be conducting a post show q&a with film-makers Demi Taylor, Chris Nelson and Lewis Arnold.
It’s gonna be a busy one! I’ll post the link for tickets next week.
4. Three stories that you could say are related.
‘Our leaders are collaborators with fossil fuel colonialists’. Tim Winton in the Guardian.
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5. The Atlantic on why Milton was the hurricane ‘scientists were dreading’.
6. Finally: America. Are you ok?
7. In which Wim Hof is accused of domestic abuse.
8. I had a great time at The Snowboard Asylum’s ‘Since 89’ private view last night. It’s a brilliant photo exhibition showcasing the history of UK snowboarding in all its glory. The show is on at the Copeland Gallery in Peckham into the 13th - find out more here.
9. This BBC documentary about the Brighton bombing is a really powerful piece of work, especially the thread about the ensuing friendship between bomber Patrick Magee and Jo Berry, who’s father was murdered by Magee in the attack. UK only.
10. Finally - Is anybody using the Substack Chat function? As I’m on of their best-seller (lol) they keep sending me emails trying to get me to use it. So I just thought I’d ask - is it a good place for that Looking Sideways book club thread I get asked to do every now and again? An exclusive Insights thread?
If you’re on the there, let me know using this shiny button, below.
What did I miss? What did you think of this week’s list?
Nice one Matt - looking forward to hopefully watching the Big Sea at Kendal having heard so much about it on the pod!