The State Library of Victoria is an architectural marvel of Melbourne, and a pretty inspiring 'suppository of all knowledge' to use an actual quote by a former Prime Minister. It also regularly stages exhibitions. A recent one featured zines. I am fascinated by bookmaking, book art, book ephemera, publishing, and hands on making. Despite this, … Continue reading The zine scene
Reviews
Review: Dunkirk, Loving Vincent (& other stories)
It might be that I've seen Loving Vincent and Dunkirk close together but there's something about both of them that appeals to me as a writer. Both go back to primary sources in that they use the letters of Vincent and Theo van Gogh, and the speeches of Winston Churchill in the dialogue to effect … Continue reading Review: Dunkirk, Loving Vincent (& other stories)
Review: Loving Vincent
The Melbourne International Film Festival is on and of everything on offer I have managed to see one film. But it was a good one: Loving Vincent at the Forum Theatre. Twas three sittings to a sell out crowd, if that indicates the interest in this. To understand this work is a stunning creative and … Continue reading Review: Loving Vincent
Review: It’s always got to be blood
Art can be many things, an escape, a refuge, a comforting but stimulating vision of what is immanent and transcendent, or a reflection on the human condition, or a combination of these, or something else entirely. For Science Week, the Science Gallery in the Frank Tate Building of the University of Melbourne opened. It's first … Continue reading Review: It’s always got to be blood
Review: Buddha’s Smile
If you are going to see the exquisite Hokusai showcase at the National Gallery of Victoria, or even if you aren't, the temporary exhibit Buddha's Smile is worth a look, and a listen. I'm not suggesting a direct link between the exhibits, by the way or even a broad, 'let's lump all the Asian art … Continue reading Review: Buddha’s Smile
Review: Syria – Ancient History Modern Conflict
The Ian Potter Gallery at the University of Melbourne is displaying Syria - Ancient History Modern Conflict until the end of August. I took a look because (no surprise at all) I'm fascinated by old things. But also because of a sense of a need to bear witness to archaeological and preservation work that can … Continue reading Review: Syria – Ancient History Modern Conflict
Review: Dreamland Japan
The National Gallery of Victoria is currently exhibiting more than 150 works of art (prints, books, manga, cloth items etc) by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Even if you haven't heard of him, you may know one of his pictures, because it is now one of the most famous and reproduced scenes in the world: … Continue reading Review: Dreamland Japan
Doctor Who: a Time Lord’s winged chariot
You'll got the Andrew Marvell reference To His Coy Mistress for the episode titled World Enough and Time yeah? It's apt. Not just this episode with its portents of doom, and accurate time dilation Black Hole physics. No. The entire series has indeed felt time's winged chariot hurrying near. Most episodes have felt overtly rushed or truncated, except … Continue reading Doctor Who: a Time Lord’s winged chariot
Doctor Who: Roam where you want to
Apologies for the delay, but as with so much of this season, Doctor Who feels like it's biding time until the big finale. Having said that The Eaters of Light, promised a bit and delivered more than recent episodes. I acknowledge I've been hard on them, but when a great thing falls a little way from being … Continue reading Doctor Who: Roam where you want to
Doctor Who: Here’s a thought
Themes in Doctor Who repeat because history repeats, and stories do too, as per The Lie of the Land. I am endlessly interested in how stories are in and of their time but also universal, cosmic, mythical. How any story set today can refer to 'fake news' but also be about the first story humans … Continue reading Doctor Who: Here’s a thought
Writing Bec 