I went to the Writers’ Festival on a day that the EDiM subject was ‘draw your art space’. I don’t really have an art space. I sometimes draw at the kitchen table, sometimes lying propped up on my bed, and sometimes in the lounge. But the place I draw most is out in the field. As I was at the Writers’ Festival that day, I drew there.
Most events are held at Walsh Bay, although there are events all over Sydney. It is a complex of old wharves and warehouses, some of them incorporating theatres. Our first event was a free one and it was in a curtained off section of a huge shed. I drew the inventive and highly appropriate light fittings. The discussion was between Marieke Hardy and Benjamin Law interviewed by Catherine Deveney. It was hilarious. If you’d like a taste and haven’t already looked at Benjamin Law’s link, do so now.
Our next event was Joe McGinniss talking about his experiences in researching his book about Sarah Palin. I wish I lived next door to this man. I’d be running next door all the time to discuss news events and curent affairs about all manner of things.
Next was a panel with Dame Stella Rimington, discussing a question that recently got her into a bit of trouble. Dame Stella, as chair of the Booker Prize judges said that a winning book should be ‘readable’, and that upset a lot of people. If you watch this clip you can get a look at the venue of the writers festival also.
The last event was another freebie and was a debate on the subject ‘does the Australian arts community take themselves too bloody seriously?’ Two for and two against, and all highly entertaining, especially the food critic who spoke for and talked about chefs as artists (they think so!)
Must stop. It was a wonderful day. I was totally exhausted and I could blog on about this for a very long time.
That sounds like a fabulous day indeed, Wendy. And boy, I could sure use some laughter in my days. I am just way too intense and take things much too seriously!