The WIP #12: Open as usual
The Week in Photos (16-22 March 2024)
I had a rant this week about how wasteful it was to add touch-free sensors to pedestrian crossings. I have never seen anyone use them that way and, if you’re paranoid about germs, why not use your elbow? The majority of pelican crossings are placebos, controlled not by buttons but by the need to manage traffic at intersections.
A by-product of the rant was that—thanks to Luke— I now know that there are accessibility features such as this thimble-like cone that rotates so that blind people know when the green man is showing. I have been feeling for them ever since.
Despite the arrival of Spring, I’ve been under the weather this week, but have been managing to keep busy (as usual).
I saw the Willy’s Chocolate Experience graffiti before it was painted over.
On Tuesday, there was an inspiring talk at the Mitchell Library by Alistair McIntosh, an author, land rights activist, and community organiser who convincingly advocates for connection and conviviality.
We have a long way to go before we reach the level of connection. Look at all the weird self-contained party limousines driving hedonists around town.
One day, I’ll do a Dougie Wallace-style series.
Remember the Brexit referendum? Noni Stacey does and has published a book about the art that was produced by Remainers, including work from people like Simon Roberts and Margaret Mitchell. Compared to the emotive language of the Leave side, Remain posters were refined … Stacey thinks they were complacent they would win. I wonder what kind of work would have been produced if they could have seen the consequences?
On Friday, thanks to a recommendation from Milda, I made it to the Glasgow Short Film Festival. I particularly enjoyed Gala Hernandez’s film about extropianism and Total Refusal’s unsettling Kinderfilm about the absence of children in Grand Theft Auto.
Then I set off to Paisley for Refractive’s screening of Tish. I have a lot to say about this, but want to save it for a future blog.
It was nice to be in Paisley, only 9 minutes away by train but like another world.
