dermografia VIII - punk rock time
Hello hello,
How are you? It’s pouring it down with rain here today, which has made a change from the high temperatures and humidity that have defined the past few weeks. That said, the weather remains unfriendly.
//happening
I started trying to write this edition just after we found out that Boris Johnson was the new prime minister, that news was bad and the headlines have just got worse since. Sharing and making art feels too frivolous at times like this. Like window-dressing, a distraction from what’s really going on.
I try to tell myself that’s not really the case. These letters, like most art I’d guess, are about connection, and connection is important right now. And art and actions are important right now.
I’ve not read them yet myself, but Beth Pickens produces 2 zines after Trump was elected that will probably be useful to UK artists now: Making art during fascism and On artists and hopelessness. She’ll send free PDF versions if you email here.
If you want more action than art, then there’s XR, Sisters Uncut, LAFA and Women’s Strike Assembly. These are just the orgs I know, if you have other recommendations then do let me know and I’ll share.
//aesthetic pleasure
WET NEON ” the defects of ordinary roads in an ordinary city after the ordinary rain.”
//the blood factory
After sharing the blood factory video in the last email, the brilliant Gillian Jane Lees got in touch with more info on what happens in the blood factory, where it is, and more creepy-amazing photos by Greg White. Turns out the factory is in the UK.
Read Take a tour of Britain’s eerily beautiful ‘golden blood’ Factory and The man with the golden blood for more. And join me in enjoying the term ‘golden blood’.
See you in the streets,
//Hellen