Music and podcasts have been doing a lot to help get us through lock down and have helped us think about a more positive future. One podcast that expertly brings this together is Dissect. Dissect is a serialised music podcast that examines a single album per season, one album per episode. You can expect lyrical analysis, a break down of the album’s production, expert opinion and social commentary. We’ve been listening to the season about The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, but with seasons on Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”, Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and Frank Ocean’s “Channel Orange” amongst the back catalogue, there’s a lot to get stuck into. Listen here.

As part of Bomb Magazine’s Theory + Practice Series, American essayist and academic Saidiya Hartman has revisited W.E.B. Du Bois’ short story from 1920 “The Comet”.  In “The Comet”, Du Bois imagines a world after the pandemic of 1918, when only two people in New York have survived, a black man and a white woman. Hartman explores the themes, context and lessons from the story, here.

Earlier this week, hip-hop artist, author and educator, Akala hosted an Instagram live about police and protests. In it, he answered questions from the audience and shared insights and knowledge from his books, research and own experience. Our review? Coherent, nuanced, necessary. The full Live is now available on his Instagram page, here.

Whilst we’ve been in lock down and with more time than usual to ponder different ways of living better, I’ve been thinking a lot about Utopian ideals. Fiction has a great number of utopias to explore, and we can find inspiration in these idealised communities. The word utopia literally means ‘no place’, and it was coined by Thomas More in 1516 as a concept; the word dystopia was invented later by John Stuart Mill. For our purposes, a utopia is a place that we desire to be, whilst a dystopia is a place that we fear. Both can be great to read about in these changing times.

In Farenheit 451, Ray Bradbury described a future in which humanity leads a kind of utopian life, in which everyone lives in controlled environments with massive screens on their walls on which they watch an endless soap opera called The Family – which they find more gripping than their own family life. Sound familiar? In this world, all books are burnt, as they are dangerous to society. But some people rebel, and learn books off by heart so they can share them with future generations. If you were to learn a book by heart, what would it be? What book would you save from the flames?

The world of Fahrenheit 451 has much in common with Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Here the population is kept calm and happy by taking the drug soma and having no-strings-attached sex. But the world he portrays is also sinister and fundamentally flawed, with people being bred in bell-jars, then classed according to their genetic structure into Alphas, Betas or Gammas. The population is hypno-fed stock phrases every night so that they grow up believing that their class is the best place to be for them. Huxley wrote a far more optimistic novel called The Island in 1963, which was his last work. In The Island, he writes a utopian model for people to live freely, happily and fulfilled lives where they take a drug called moksha which allows them to see the world through the eyes of someone who has been ‘liberated from the bonds of the ego’.  Huxley’s paradisial utopia was set in a tropical island where free love is the norm, contraception is encouraged, and strong family ties are not strongly nurtured. It’s a revealing experience to read these two novels alongside each other, comparing Huxley’s Heaven and Hell. Through his own experiences with mind-altering drugs, Huxley felt that he had invaluable insights to share with others – so it’s interesting that both his version of paradise, and his version of hell, have drugs at their centre.

Another fascinating utopia can be found in Ernest Callenbach’s 1990 novel, Ecotopia. This novel created a blueprint for a society where people lived in harmony with nature, the government was run by women, and cities were kept small, to avoid pollution and overpopulation. This is one of the most loved utopias in fiction – a place where readers genuinely want to live.

For more dystopian visions, you can’t go wrong with reading some JG Ballard. One of my favourites from the great author of modern dysfunctional societies, is Cocaine Nights. In this novel, people live in gated communities, permanently on holiday, lacking nothing. But they are bored; they pay people to commit crimes in their perfect worlds, setting a snake into paradise, just to live things up. Ballars is not renowned for his positive views on human nature, but he definitely makes for entertaining reading.

I wonder what ideas about utopias you might have after living life in lock down? Has it made you feel differently about how you might life in the future? Can the literature that you’ve been reading help you to recreate your world in a new form?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Tweet me, or email ellaberthoud@gmail.com .

]]> https://hosb.org.uk/latest/isolation-inspiration-7/ Fri, 29 May 2020 11:46:19 +0000 https://hosb.org.uk/?post_type=hub-posts&p=171922  

Last year, the V&A’s “Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up” exhibition sold out, it sold out a lot. If, like us, you missed it but want to find out more about one of Mexico’s most famous artists, you can here. 33 museums and cultural collections from around the world have collaborated to bring their collections online. You can browse self-portraits, drawings and some of Frida Kahlo’s personal possessions to learn more about her work and legacy.

Gal Dem Magazine has compiled tips, tricks and inspiration to show us all that making our own sustainable wardrobe is possible, with a little bit effort. Find out how to ditch fast fashion here.

The Paris Review has gathered together the great and good of the literary world to take us through what they’re finally making time to read through lockdown. Read the full list from writers including Jennifer Schafer and Eddie Grace here.

We want to know what your reading / writing / watching / listening to during lock down. Email your tips to member@hosb.org.uk.

Are you cooking the same few dishes on rotation? Us too. The charity Migrateful usually run in-person cookery classes led by refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who are struggling to integrate and access employment. Right now, they’re running classes online. You can add Ethiopian, Trinidadian, Ukrainian or Lebanese to your cooking repertoire and help support people to learn English and build confidence. Loads more info and how to sign-up, here.

Check out some of the superstar DJs who’ve played at the House in days gone by over on our Spotify Channel. With mixes from Craig Charles, Gilles Peterson, Toddla T and Norman Jay, they’re the perfect soundtrack to a sunny Bank Holiday. Listen here.

What’s keeping you entertained in lock down? Let us know: member@hosb.org.uk 

Stath Lets Flats is the BAFTA award winning comedy that follows hapless Stath as he tries to let flats (you probably worked that out from the title, didn’t you?) In an online short released by the show’s creator Jamie Demetriou this week, we catch up with Michael & Eagle Lettings Agency as they meet on Zoom to figure out how they can keep doing flat viewings during lock down. Spoiler: they can’t. Watch here. Both seasons of the full-length episodes are available on All4.

Want to know how this pandemic will end? Us to. This article from the New York Times features analysis from medical historians about how other pandemics have ended. Read the article here.

We’re loving this visual round-up of how cinemas around the world are responding to social distancing, from Lonely Planet. Cinemas in cities from Berlin to Cork are finding innovative ways to provide socially-distanced cinema, see how here. In the UK, the Luna Cinema is soon-to-launch a drive-through experience, sign-up for more details here.

What’s keeping you entertained during lock down? Let us know, email member@hosb.org.uk

When: Wednesday 20th May, 7pm

What: Labyrinth

After goblins kindnap Sarah’s (Jennifer Connelly) baby brother, she must venture through a labyrinth of creatures, puzzles and David Bowie in an extremely tight leotard to save him. Expect puppets, music and to see far more of Bowie than you bargained for.

How: Labyrinth is streaming on Netflix, and we’re going to use the chrome extension Netflix Party to watch and discuss together. We’ve put together a short how-to below.

To watch and discuss the film with us in real time you’ll need access to Netflix and Google Chrome.

You’ll need to:

Download the chrome extension “Netflix Party” from the Chrome web store – don’t worry, it’s free

Once downloaded, a red NP (NetflixParty) icon should appear next to your HTML browser box allowing you to host/join film watching parties

Let us know you’re joining the party, by emailing member@hosb.org.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 20th May

We’ll share the film’s URL with members who are joining the party

You’ll need to click on the URLc we share and then click on the red Netflix Party icon to join

Prepare your preferred film viewing snack

Sit back, watch and chat!

Can’t join the Netflix Party? Feel free to watch the film in your own time on the platform / channel / DVD of your choice, you can share your home cinema set-up over on our social channels.

Have a film favourite you want to discuss? Let us know! Drop us a note with your suggestions using the member@hosb.org.uk email address.

Over to Ella…

For putting it all into perspective:
Pulitzer Prize winning “The Overstory” by Richard Powers is a read that will take you into the very rings of the trees in the giant Redwoods of California, and show you different ways of looking at them, all woven through a story of activism, love and gaming. It’s a complex book but elevating and inspirational, and makes our human woes seem like a small matter in the great scale of time and natural history.

For making you laugh:
“Bad Monkey” by Carl Hiaasen – the Californian writer is guaranteed to make you laugh as he writes his dark perspective on life in the Florida Keys. Carl mercilessly rips the pomposity out of landowners, politicians, and tourist magnates, and creates a satisfying crime riddle to be solved, taking you along with him for a high-speed ride.

For a book-shaped comfort blanket:
“Comet in Moominland” by Tove Janson. The first Moomin book written by the Finnish genius that was Tove Janson, inhabiter of tiny islands and creator of irresistible woodland folk. This book is perfectly appropriate for this almost-apocalyptic moment in our lives. The enchanted folk of Moomin Valley have seen signs that a comet is coming, and they are fearful and anxious. As they wait for disaster, they turn to philosophy and helpful potions that might save them, until the denouement. Read this and be reassured that all will be well in the end!

For shaking cabin fever:
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towes. The unlucky Count Alexander is incarcerated in a luxurious hotel in Moscow for 30 years, sound a tiny bit familiar? The Count is such excellent company that you will wish you were stuck with him for another 30 years, and you might even  wonder why you felt so claustrophobic in the first place.

For escapism, drama and excitement:
“Papillion” by Henri Charriere. This rollicking read takes you through a series of escapes, lucky chances and high drama chases. All told in the charismatic voice of the Butterfly, Charriere’s depiction of himself, this book is based on the story of his own life. Once you pick it up, you’ll find it impossible to put down..

For shaking that claustrophobic feeling:
“The Martian” by Andy Weir. Mark Watney is stuck on Mars, his crew have all left him for dead, and he has barely enough oxygen and water to keep him alive for a day. How can he survive, the only man on Mars, for the next four years? Watney’s resilience, humour and powers of survival are an inspiration to anyone who is struggling with the privations, socially and physically, of our terrestrial lockdown.

For historical escapism:
Pick up Maggie O Farrell’s fantastic new novel, “Hamnet”. This reveals the life of Shakespeare’s son, and how his death affected the entire family, and indeed, the writings of Shakespeare. A magical, enchanting book, it gives the reader a whole new outlook on the life of the Bard, and will have you looking forward eagerly to your next visit to the Globe, either virtual or once lockdown is over.

Enjoy your reading

Looking for some inspiration for the audio round on the Zoom quiz you’re hosting? Popbitch have you covered, find almost 40 different ten-track rounds here.

We’ve been reminiscing about Employment Academy kitchen takeovers and have dug out one of our favourite plat du jour recipes to share. Check out Nisha’s recipe for Gujarati Fresh Vegetable Curry here, and read a little bit about why this dish is important to her.

What’s keeping you entertained and sane during lockdown? Send your #inspo tips to member@hosb.org.uk 

The House of St Barnabas’ mission is to break the cycle of homelessness, delivered through its social enterprise members club and integrated Employment Academy. It has never been more important to engage community to increase and amplify this work. Mission is what makes membership of the House of St Barnabas unique, and everyone at the House of St Barnabas is excited about the energy and experience that Gillian brings to lead on growing and engaging our membership in support of this.

Chief Executive of the House of St Barnabas, Rosie Ferguson, said: “We could not be more excited to have Gillian join our team. Her combined passion for culture, enterprise and impact make her the perfect fit for the House of St Barnabas. We know Gillian will make a critical contribution through this challenging time and ensure we are looking to the future with insight and optimism.”

On her appointment, Gillian Jackson said: “The world is changing, and businesses will need to rethink their approach to community, brand and culture now more than ever. I am passionate about working for an organisation that puts rights at the heart of its mission. Like Livity, the House of St Barnabas was built on the belief that creative participation is most one of the most effective routes to get people out of inequality, which is central to the work that I do. I am excited to hit the ground running and build a diverse, culturally relevant and thought-provoking strategy for the business.”

The recruitment process for the Director of Engagement role was led by Prospectus.

Last year’s joint Booker Prize winner, author of “Girl, Woman, Other” Bernardine Evaristo, has penned a new short story, you can read it online here.

NHS Million has worked with loads of contemporary artists from around the UK to create posters for to print and colour at home. We love Dom & Ink’s. Use these to keep the kids occupied or give yourself a mindful few minutes. Download here.