This week has seen an inundation of articles fusing art, medicine and science. And local art world news. I hereby present the links so you may read them for yourself:
http://www.newscientist.com/special/six-ways-that-artists-hack-your-brain?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727781.300-brainhacking-art-making-an-emotional-impression.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Gallery-chief-critically-ill-after.6544494.jp
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727781.100-brainhacking-art-twisting-mirrors-unreal-shadows.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
http://www.londonlongcopy.com/How-to-Enter.aspx
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19471-brains-grey-matter-helps-you-introspect.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/09/robots-draw-graffiti-over-london-landmark.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727781.500-brainhacking-art-getting-your-wires-crossed.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
That last article is timely; I was just talking about synaesthesia with my friends during the week. When I was wee, I thought it was normal to choose colours by the way they tasted or felt or sounded, so I never mentioned it. When I was a tween I decided it probably wasn't normal so I'd better not mention it. I still rarely mention it but there, I've said it now. Do you still wonder why I only wear black?
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
happy equinox
One day Scotland may move its rocky bulk to a region where the decline in temperature isn't accompanied by such a dramatic reduction in light levels. Until then, I must celebrate the autumn equinox while pretending that I can tolerate the prospect of darkness ahead. I love the darkness; I just need to balance it with sunshine. Within the same day, preferably. I don't notice the cold. The actual nocturnal darkness will bring the opportunity to see the full Harvest moon on the equinox and also Jupiter close by.
It's the Golden Hour at the Forest Cafe on Bristo Place tonight (Wednesday) from 8pm if you fancy listening to storytellers and music. (free, BYOB). Wheelchair access to the ground floor.
To make the most of the sunshine hours at the weekend, Prestonpans is invaded in full historical regalia for the Battle of Prestonpans stretched to cover Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th, while Musselburgh racecourse hosts the Royal Scots family day at the races on Sunday from noon till teatime. Entrance is pricey but the racecourse will feature many forms of entertainment, including The Golden Lions parachute display team (I'll be watching) though if the wind picks up, the parachute regiment could feature in Sunday's segment of the Battle of Prestonpans instead. Closer to home the Canal Parade sees both an assortment of watercraft and landbased entertainment all the way from Tollcross Basin out to Ratho. You don't have to worry about choppy water if the weather is bad; the canal isn't very deep.
If you are of a more indoors and retail-ish persuasion there's The Bead Fair at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 26th, 11am - 4.30pm (£4). There are other craft fairs this weekend but this is the only wheelchair accessible one as far as I know (let me know if not!)
Painting Edinburgh Green will be held in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street 11am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday http://transitionedinburgh.wordpress.com./
for more information on how you can take part in embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.
Speaking of sustainable lifestyles, I've been stuck indoors ill and inconsolable for two weeks now, so getting out on the autumn equinox means I will be thinking my own inner celebratory thoughts as well as the seasonal ones. If I get my hands on the paraffin I'll be having some visible celebrations too.
Religions and spirituality of all variations feature this week. My friend Emily has the first of her book signing events on Thursday 23rd at noon at the Faith Mission Christian bookshop on Gilmerton Road, for the newly released 'A time to care - loving your elderly parents'.
Ohhh I almost forgot! It's Doors Open Day all across the city this weekend, with so many venues to choose from that even with access issues there are plenty of strange things to get into: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/area_programmes.aspx?areaid=16
Edinburgh Doors Open Day is organised by The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh's Civic Trust), with support from Brown Shipley. Now in its 20th year, the event has become one of the capital's most popular free days out.
This is your chance to explore some of Edinburgh's most architecturally, culturally and socially significant buildings. From heritage landmarks to the newest of the capital's architecture, Doors Open Day offers visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entry fee.
All venues feature behind the scenes tours, activities, exhibitions and/or talks which bring the history of the building and its everyday use to life. Many sites organise additional free activities for children and families.
It's the Golden Hour at the Forest Cafe on Bristo Place tonight (Wednesday) from 8pm if you fancy listening to storytellers and music. (free, BYOB). Wheelchair access to the ground floor.
To make the most of the sunshine hours at the weekend, Prestonpans is invaded in full historical regalia for the Battle of Prestonpans stretched to cover Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th, while Musselburgh racecourse hosts the Royal Scots family day at the races on Sunday from noon till teatime. Entrance is pricey but the racecourse will feature many forms of entertainment, including The Golden Lions parachute display team (I'll be watching) though if the wind picks up, the parachute regiment could feature in Sunday's segment of the Battle of Prestonpans instead. Closer to home the Canal Parade sees both an assortment of watercraft and landbased entertainment all the way from Tollcross Basin out to Ratho. You don't have to worry about choppy water if the weather is bad; the canal isn't very deep.
If you are of a more indoors and retail-ish persuasion there's The Bead Fair at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 26th, 11am - 4.30pm (£4). There are other craft fairs this weekend but this is the only wheelchair accessible one as far as I know (let me know if not!)
Painting Edinburgh Green will be held in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street 11am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday http://transitionedinburgh.wordpress.com./
for more information on how you can take part in embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.
Speaking of sustainable lifestyles, I've been stuck indoors ill and inconsolable for two weeks now, so getting out on the autumn equinox means I will be thinking my own inner celebratory thoughts as well as the seasonal ones. If I get my hands on the paraffin I'll be having some visible celebrations too.
Religions and spirituality of all variations feature this week. My friend Emily has the first of her book signing events on Thursday 23rd at noon at the Faith Mission Christian bookshop on Gilmerton Road, for the newly released 'A time to care - loving your elderly parents'.
Ohhh I almost forgot! It's Doors Open Day all across the city this weekend, with so many venues to choose from that even with access issues there are plenty of strange things to get into: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/area_programmes.aspx?areaid=16
Edinburgh Doors Open Day is organised by The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh's Civic Trust), with support from Brown Shipley. Now in its 20th year, the event has become one of the capital's most popular free days out.
This is your chance to explore some of Edinburgh's most architecturally, culturally and socially significant buildings. From heritage landmarks to the newest of the capital's architecture, Doors Open Day offers visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entry fee.
All venues feature behind the scenes tours, activities, exhibitions and/or talks which bring the history of the building and its everyday use to life. Many sites organise additional free activities for children and families.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
As someone who has moved house 14 times in 15 years, my packing, unpacking and charity shop eviction skills know no bounds - in theory. As someone ill and in pain, the boundaries are verging on the ridiculous. With my bedroom filled to the gunwhales from the flit last week, I had to just shut the door and ignore it because helping clear out the Big Red Door - and spending as much time with the others as possible before they head for the hills, or to the next job - is my priority this week. Even if all you can do is sit in a corner and feed cookies to those hefting luggage past, it's better than doing nothing (keep telling yourself that when all feels futile).
Not today though, the room didn't stop spinning so there were no corners in which to sit. I'm sitting up in bed pouring with sweat but thinking there probably isn't a heatwave. I'm even feeling peckish now, but in the absence of ability and mobility, I'm going to have to phone the cafe and ask them to bring a baked tattie and salad round.
So that's my weekend probably curtailed to the point of barely a brief bonfire but what does this weekend hold for those taking a break from actually working for a living? Well, the Leuchars Airshow is on Saturday but don't go through to Leuchars for it unless you actively enjoy neck strain and traffic jams; go up a hill (there's a good selection) and watch from a slight distance. Its too late to register your firey steed for Sunday's Edinburgh March Riding horse procession but you can still go watch the lucky (faster) 250 or so riders. Its the closest most of us will get to watching wild animals stampede across the great plains. I am biased because I like horses and smartly turned-out riders but my feelings are mixed about the pecking order.
Anyone with a garden or a lottie, for Dawkin's sake take a shovel and a bucket with you as there will be free fertiliser in abundance. Check the parade route to see when it passes nearest your roses. That reminds me, I see a small, aging geranium in the garden has just produced a little white bud, optimistically waiting to unfurl in tomorrow's sunshine.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Riders-saddle-up-again-for.6519340.jp
Starting at Lang Loan Road at 10.30am, heading to Cragmiller Castle then Holyrood Park. Check the website for the rest of the route and viewing details.
Not today though, the room didn't stop spinning so there were no corners in which to sit. I'm sitting up in bed pouring with sweat but thinking there probably isn't a heatwave. I'm even feeling peckish now, but in the absence of ability and mobility, I'm going to have to phone the cafe and ask them to bring a baked tattie and salad round.
So that's my weekend probably curtailed to the point of barely a brief bonfire but what does this weekend hold for those taking a break from actually working for a living? Well, the Leuchars Airshow is on Saturday but don't go through to Leuchars for it unless you actively enjoy neck strain and traffic jams; go up a hill (there's a good selection) and watch from a slight distance. Its too late to register your firey steed for Sunday's Edinburgh March Riding horse procession but you can still go watch the lucky (faster) 250 or so riders. Its the closest most of us will get to watching wild animals stampede across the great plains. I am biased because I like horses and smartly turned-out riders but my feelings are mixed about the pecking order.
Anyone with a garden or a lottie, for Dawkin's sake take a shovel and a bucket with you as there will be free fertiliser in abundance. Check the parade route to see when it passes nearest your roses. That reminds me, I see a small, aging geranium in the garden has just produced a little white bud, optimistically waiting to unfurl in tomorrow's sunshine.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Riders-saddle-up-again-for.6519340.jp
Starting at Lang Loan Road at 10.30am, heading to Cragmiller Castle then Holyrood Park. Check the website for the rest of the route and viewing details.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Big Red Door costume & prop sale
Theatre costumes, props and furniture sale
Saturday 4th Sept
11am - 6pm
Big Red Door
10 Lady Lawson Street
(wheelchair accessible)
a corner of the wardrobe
This Saturday you have the chance to go behind the scenes of tePOOKa's Big Red Door and explore the contents of the best dressing up box in the city. The costumes, accessories, props, furniture, fittings and theatrical misc are all for sale and must all go as our Door is sadly about to close forever.
If you've ever wanted to do a Mr Ben, if you've ever thought Armstrongs was too expensive to buy more than one party oufit at a time, if you're putting on a play, if you want to transform your flat/ partner/ offsping/ garden/ shed, if you're looking for material for a crafty project, or just if you've ever loved the Big Red Door household, come along on Saturday with carrier bags, rucksacks and spending money. Maybe bring a van too as there are settees, armchairs, lighting rigs, workbenches and chests of drawers (full of beads, feathers, zips and threads, mmm) to go too.
And stilts, scaffolding, platforms, unicycles, mirrors, dragons, drums, horns, flags, banners, wood, whips, keyboards, clothes rails, curtains... BUY BUY BUY
A moment from the farewell final cabaret last weekend - seven fantastic hours of talent!
Saturday 4th Sept
11am - 6pm
Big Red Door
10 Lady Lawson Street
(wheelchair accessible)
a corner of the wardrobe
This Saturday you have the chance to go behind the scenes of tePOOKa's Big Red Door and explore the contents of the best dressing up box in the city. The costumes, accessories, props, furniture, fittings and theatrical misc are all for sale and must all go as our Door is sadly about to close forever.
If you've ever wanted to do a Mr Ben, if you've ever thought Armstrongs was too expensive to buy more than one party oufit at a time, if you're putting on a play, if you want to transform your flat/ partner/ offsping/ garden/ shed, if you're looking for material for a crafty project, or just if you've ever loved the Big Red Door household, come along on Saturday with carrier bags, rucksacks and spending money. Maybe bring a van too as there are settees, armchairs, lighting rigs, workbenches and chests of drawers (full of beads, feathers, zips and threads, mmm) to go too.
And stilts, scaffolding, platforms, unicycles, mirrors, dragons, drums, horns, flags, banners, wood, whips, keyboards, clothes rails, curtains... BUY BUY BUY
A moment from the farewell final cabaret last weekend - seven fantastic hours of talent!
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