Getting Out

[poliphilo]

It was easier when Ailz was working towards her OU degree; then we had a compelling reason to get out of bed early at regular intervals and go into town and be edified. Now we have to create our own motivation- and our own programme of events.  But- as I've found by digging around (which the Internet makes so easy)- there are plenty of occasions for edification out there. The Whitworth gallery (my favourite gallery in the region) has a programme of Tuesday Talks- featuring biggish names- artists, critics and gallery folk- and most of the other local galleries and museums lay on something similar. Then of course there are all the exhibitions- which are constantly changing- and all the fixed things- stately homes and churches and  monuments-  we still haven't visited. Really there's no reason- except sloth- why we shouldn't do something cultural once or twice a week. 

Yesterday we went to a Tuesday Talk. The speaker was Roderick Buchanan- a Glaswegian artist who mostly does installations and videos. He's currently working on a commission for the Imperial War Museum- looking back at the Irish Troubles through a study of Catholic and Protestant marching bands. I didn't fall in love with his work, but I found it interesting and engaging and he's a lovely man. Besides, the point was simply for us to be there- and not sitting at home in our dressing gowns. 

I've seen how old people dry up and curl in on themselves- I don't want that to happen to us.

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

One of the delights of age is being able to go to what one likes when one wants to. And there is so much happening these days that is attractive. Manchester must have loads of cultural opportunities. Enjoy!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes. Manchester is an exciting city. :)