In a new series, London’s leading arts figures reveal the books, films, TV and more they're loving in lockdown.
Choreographer Wayne McGregor gave us his recommendations, from Tiger King on Netflix to Derek Jarman.
Podcast
Kane Chattey’s direct, raw and gripping artist-to-artist talks in So, You Wanna Be an Artist are erudite and make for essential listening. His guests are uncensored and manage to open up and share their most vulnerable thoughts with us. Kane interviews as conversation, avoids the obvious and digs deep.
Books
I’m so glad that everyone managed to raise enough money to save Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage in Dungeness. While we can’t visit the site at the moment, Thames and Hudson’s book Derek Jarman’s Garden — the last Derek wrote — explores the paradise of the surrounding desolate, shingle garden that he made there. It is a thing of wonder and imagination.
TV
I’ve been gripped by Tiger King: Murder Mayhem and Madness, on Netflix. Life truly is sometimes much stranger than fiction. It’s compulsive, jaw-on-the-floor viewing. Quite different — In His Own Words, the magnificent documentary (also Netflix) about the enigmatic fashion icon Martin Margiela — fashion as a mind-blowing creative act.
Music
The pioneering American electronic and tape artist Ruth Anderson (born 1928) died at the end of 2019, before she was able to see Here, her incredible 70-year retrospective album — her only album, in fact — released. I’d also recommend Jóhann Jóhannsson and Yair Elazar Glotman’s multimedia project Last and First Men, inspired by the cult science fiction novel by Olaf Stapledon. This work, which includes a film, is an elegiac meditation on memory and loss, narrated by Tilda Swinton. Jóhannsson’s last poetry.
Blog
If you need inspiration, need surprising, need reminding, need brilliant insight and connection, go to Maria Popova’s blog, Brain Pickings. It is all here. Maria writes about art, science, philosophy and creativity but always with a singular vision and insight. Start with Susan Sontag on Love or In Praise of Shadows — why every technology is a technology of thought.
Games
Long days with family, long days solo — in lockdown, wherever you are there is always time for a game! We were introduced to Bananagrams by friends who were expert, competitive players and we quickly became as obsessed! It’s quick to learn, fun, fast and interactive. Black Sonata is a unique solo board game that combines hidden movement with logical deduction, steeped in literary history.
YouTube
For a hit of pure joy, just search “old movie stars dance to Uptown Funk”. The editing here is so musical, it is pure choreography and this four-minute wonder will definitely make you smile. Go on — dance as if no-one is watching!
Wayne McGregor’s new online platform is Re:Live Digital, waynemcgregor.com/digital/relive
