MARTIN KEMP – on science and the visual arts

In the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, the inventors of photography, and contemporary sculptors, as well as in the discoveries of Galileo, Darwin, and Stephen J. Gould, there is evidence of ways in which artists and scientists have perceived the world and responded to its patterns. There are “structural intuitions” reflected in all their work.

In his latest book, Seen & Unseen, Martin Kemp, Professor of the History of Art at the University of Oxford and specialist in the work of da Vinci and imagery in the science of anatomy, explores the responses of artists, scientists, and their instruments, to the world, ranging from early representations of perspective, to pinhole cameras, particle accelerators and the Hubble telescope. Good. Art and science make friends!

ELIZABETH WILSON – on Bohemians: the Glamorous Outcasts

What is a Bohemian? Do you know one? What does a Bohemian look like, think, and do? Is a Bohemian someone who chooses poverty in order to produce art; someone who dresses flamboyantly and uses various substances to aid inspiration; and hopes to become famous?

In her latest book, Elizabeth Wilson, author of 12 books and holder of numerous lectureships, currently Visiting Professor of Cultural Studies at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London, identifies the key elements of being bohemian: being a city dweller, free of the constraints of provincial life. Do you agree? There’s more!

JUDY COOK – sings North American songs that tell stories!

As part of Swindon Folksingers’ 48th anniversary celebrations, Judy Cook brings her phenomenal repertoire of ballads and Anglo-American songs to Swindon. Joy may be unconfined!

POEMS & PINTS & MUSIC! – a night of verbal and musical high jinks,
with Elvis, Ashley, Sara-J, Maggie, and the Minnesota Twins!

Performance poetry from four fabulous versifiers, and the music of youth.

Here is a quartet of experienced stand-up poets and young musicians who bring linguistic thrills, musical spills, and excitement, plus not a little food for thought to the Festival’s antepenultimate night at the Arts Centre.

Radio 4 wit, 2006 World Slam Champion, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, Elvis McGonnagall is the sole resident of The Graceland Caravan Park, where he writes verse while drinking malt whisky.

Reading bard with a comical beard, and assorted poetry collections to his name, including Postcards from the Hedgehog, Ashley Harrold is a multiple Slam winner and a tasty dish for word and poetry lovers, whatever their diet.

Sweet-talking Sara-Jane Arbury makes words mean more than they lay claim to in even the best dictionaries. She excels at short, sharp, gentle shock treatment. Former winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature, Maggie Harris is a prolific writer of prose and poems. Her work takes her, and her readers, across land and sea to you and me.

Talented, home-grown, young, and beautiful, the Minnesota Twins, aka Casey, Jaz, Kit, Ben, Mike, and Jacob make music that reaches parts you really want reached. They also make you want to write home, or at least to your lover.

This promises to be an evening that will make you like people you already like a little bit more!