Ninni’s pick: Unfinished Business: The Fight for Women’s Rights

I was really looking forward to visiting The British Library’s exhibition on the history of feminist activism and women’s right in the UK. The library is shut at the moment, but the stories of the exhibition come to life on the web space and the podcast series. My favourites are the story of how the invention of the bicycle liberated women and how Indian-born socialite Sophia Duleep Singh became a suffragette. https://www.bl.uk/womens-rights

Emilie’s pick: Augmented

Southbank Centre is devoting five days in January to disability in the arts, in collaboration with Unlimited. The Festival will include performing arts, talks and workshops as well as film and comedy – and for the first time it will be possible to attend anywhere in the world, thanks to the virtual format. I’m especially intrigued by the film Augmented, based on the real life experience of Sophie Woolley, who regained her hearing after 22 years, thanks to transformative technology. Follow her and others on 13.–17.1. https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/performance-dance/augmented?eventId=862203

Jaakon valinta: Tracks of Silence

I already look forward to next summer, and the international, multidisciplinary Silence Festival, which is held in the village of Kaukonen in Kittilä, Lapland. I had planned a trip there last summer, but the pandemic canceled the whole festival, and I couldn’t get to experience this great, state-award-winning festival on the spot. As it so happens, the festival organisation has just released a video, with memories from Kaukonen and past Silence Festivals. I can now watch it to get in the right mood to plan a new trip for next summer. Kaukonen will be filled with artists again 10.–13.6. https://youtu.be/nwDOf-5vlGw 

Annika’s pick: London Art Fair

To any contemporary art fans out there – in January it’s time for the London Art Fair. The festival will be all virtual, with over 50 leading modern and contemporary art galleries from all around the globe taking part in it. Each viewing room consists of 20 art works, accompanied by audio and written commentaries to enhance the experience. Or if galleries aren’t your thing, there are interesting workshops to choose from. I’d love to learn about old art techniques like the process of cyanotype or constructing a camera obscura.

London Art Fair, from 20th to 31st January. More info and tickets for the workshops (around £15) https://www.londonartfair.co.uk

Volter’s Pick: Bland Fanatics by Pankaj Mishra

The end of year break is the ideal opportunity to set time aside for reading. I used my spare time to finish Pankaj Mishra’s Bland Fanatics, an illuminating and incisive collection of essays from a truly original and disruptive thinker. Add this to your 2021 reading list if you haven’t already! 

You can purchase Bland Fanatics here. 

Photo: Bishopsgate Institute