Mulling over the disappearance of Paolozzi’s magnificent sculpture ‘The Wealth of Nations’ and linking it to the burach that is Picardy Place for pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and bus drivers, I penned the piece below for local newsletter the Spurtle: “There was a time in the recent past when Edinburgh had more ambition. When building South Gyle, both shopping Centre and … [Read more...] about Reclaiming life and space at Picardy
Scotland’s Left must move beyond slogans
“ARISE ye starvelings from your slumbers,Arise ye criminals of want,For Reason in revolt now thundersAnd at last ends the age of cant.”– The Internationale The problem is that Scotland is still in its slumbers. The diminution of debate to the primal level of Yes v No has a debilitating effect, but suits the protagonists on either side as it does not raise questions of power — … [Read more...] about Scotland’s Left must move beyond slogans
Poems for the dawn
I went out to the hazel wood, Because a fire was in my head. WB YeatsAnd what a fire it is in Ben Okri’s head. Luckily for us he’s set it down in this volume of poetry which takes you through the day from the unknown hour to invocation hour and ranges the continents to the very tip of the highest peak. Here is truth that we need to hear and confront in this viral age. First … [Read more...] about Poems for the dawn
Blame Westminster but Holyrood has powers
Holyrood has the money in the bank, the funding and the power it needs...Gordon MunroCouncillor Gordon Munro was suspended from the Labour group on Edinburgh City Council after refusing to back the SNP-Labour coalition budget in May. He made no apology, 'All councils in Scotland have been short-changed by the SNP government,' he says in a clip from the Zoom council meeting. … [Read more...] about Blame Westminster but Holyrood has powers
Voices for humanity: Max Richter’s quiet protest
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Universal Declaration of Human Rights When Max Richter was composing The Blue Notebooks, his meditation on his personal experience of violence and that of the Iraq war, it was his wish to, "…invite the … [Read more...] about Voices for humanity: Max Richter’s quiet protest