Happy Sunday!
Apologies for being a day late this week – it’s been pretty intense, frankly. A week of moving out of the studio at breakneck speed – which means our lovely little cottage is now crammed full of boxes. Gulp.
Also a week of getting ducks in a row for the next phase – finishing a website for new freelance work (www.agnesdavis.uk) and beginning the juicy task of booking in interviews with people I want to celebrate for this Chasing Angels series.
Please stay tuned, because I have some of my favourite creators lined up to share their highs, lows and wows – brilliant souls doing genuinely great things for you to be inspired by, coming to this mini weekend supplement over the next few months.
Before the excitement of a new year runs away with us, I wanted to share my favourite cultural pick-me-ups from the last dozen months.
Ten things that really shifted my mood in a better direction and stayed with me, so that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them now.
I’ve chosen things that were new to me last year, often recommendations. I hope you’ll find something new-to-you to enjoy, and continue the cycle by recommending them forward too.
1. FT Weekend Culture Podcast
Found by chance typing ‘culture’ into Spotify podcasts, this is probably my favourite discovery of all last year. I listen while cooking in the evening and the moment host Lilah Raptopoulos’s gentle New York enthusiasm starts to announce the week’s topics I find myself in warm-hearted, intelligent and humorous company.
Each episode is a surprising and nourishing exploration of contemporary culture from angles you just wouldn’t expect and I find it a failsafe escape from the midweek domestic slump.
2. Artful – Ali Smith
Where to start with this book? Given to me years ago by one of my favourite people but only finally opened to read this autumn. A series of lectures, a journey through grief, a love story, everything I’ve ever wanted to ask about writing. Drown in it. Then come up for air with a shriek of joy for life.
3. A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles.
In a hammock chair under the crab apple tree, I passed a whole summer weekend in thrall to this beautiful book. One rare, child-free window of complete rest. Elegant, educational and seamlessly written, with a narrative as interesting and understated as its hero. I never wanted that weekend to end.
4. Passing, directed by Rebecca Hall – currently available to watch on Netflix
Passing is a beautiful, extraordinary film that wouldn’t let me stop thinking about it. Exquisitely acted with delicate cinematography, the narrative explores how differently two mixed-race women in 1920s America embody their truths. There’s so much I want to discuss about this movie. Please watch it and then let’s have a conversation. It changed everything for me.
5. JR: Chronicles - Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery
Completely by chance on a hot summer’s day in London I walked into the cool aircon of JR’s exhibition off the King’s Road. Not knowing what to expect, I was absolutely captivated by the humanity and power of his lens.
Most interesting was that there was another exhibition on at the Saatchi that day, also photography, showing horrendous bloodshed and destruction in South America. The images were equally powerful and memorable (though I can’t remember the photographer’s name), but with none of the love to heal, unite and celebrate that JR shows in all he does. The exhibition is over now but do look into his work – definitely one of life’s cultural angels.
6. Circle of Style – https://circleofstyle.com
Is Instagram shopping dangerous? Yes. Does it make you feel guilty? Maybe.
Is it bad for the planet? Not this time.
Circle of Style nabbed me on an algorithm and I fell completely, guiltily head first; but I would still fall again tomorrow if I needed any more clothes – which I do not. But maybe you do…
Here’s the premise – you take a (very) long quiz on their website to establish exactly what style you like, select your budget and once a month they’ll send you a personally curated box of garments to fit and suit you. The magic part is, against the odds, it works.
What’s even better is that all the clothes are secondhand and of exceptionally good quality – designer labels you wouldn’t normally justify, at high-street prices. You’d think there’d be huge room for error – how can they know what will suit you without meeting you? But as I mentioned, it’s a very long quiz, and from the one box I ordered I’d happily have kept everything.
Once you’ve tried things on and pranced about your bedroom like a brand new you, just pay for the keeps and send the rest back guilt free. It’s ethical personal styling from the comfort of your own home. And although I sound like an #Ad, I’m actually just really impressed that clever clogs are creating tech to help people enjoy fashion more sustainably. Plus it’s fun.
7. Surviving Death – Netflix
This surprisingly sensitive documentary about near-death experiences, reincarnation and other between-the-veil encounters really is worth watching. Although I’d personally skip the episode on clairvoyance.
You might have already decided it’s not for you. Fine.
But I’m glad to remember the extraordinary experiences seemingly normal people sometimes encounter, and be made to think a bit differently about this incredible change we will all one day go through.
8. Abstract with Neri Oxman – Netflix
The Abstract documentary series is a fantastic hidden treasure on Netflix which follows experts in creative industries at the top of their game – from Nike trainer designers and typographers to architects and Neri Oxman.
Everyone I’ve recommended this episode to just comes away saying, ‘Neri Oxman is soooo beautiful.’ Yes, trigger warning, Neri Oxman is distractingly beautiful. She’s also a radically out-of-the-box-thinking bio-engineer, researching experimental new materials to create art and architecture using living organisms. Pretty mind blowing. Pretty, and mind blowing.
All the Abstract episodes are enlightening but this was particularly ker-pow.
9. On the Verge – written, directed and acted by Julie Delpy, Netflix
Yes, I watch a lot of Netflix. Comfort food, this one, for me at least. A quirky and fresh little series by the wonderful French actress Julie Delpy, who you might remember for the brilliant Before Sunrise trio of films she made with Ethan Hawke over three decades.
I wouldn’t say this is perfect television but in a world where Netflix can’t create box sets fast enough to satisfy our collective appetites, I’ll forgive the slightly dodgy soundtrack to this one.
Delpy has created an interwoven narrative through which four 40-something women with messy lives in L.A. explore juicy topics around ageing, professionalism, parenting and identity for both men and women. It’s irreverent and unexpected and you can see Delpy thinking her way through the process. I really enjoyed it.
10. My favourite music of 2021
This one is a bit exposing because Spotify knows my recommendations better than I do. But what better way to celebrate the music that uplifted me through 2021 than to give you the whole bare truth of it?
You can listen to the playlist on Spotify here.
Please feel free to share with others who might enjoy the inspiration.
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