Live at the Palace Festival: A Celebration for Ages 5 to 75!

Superstylin' at the Palace: A Groove Armada Night

Groove Armada by Agnes Prygiel, 2023

    

    I don't go out so much these days, I have to admit the unpopular fact. Adulthood can be somewhat uninspiring. I always try to time my not-so-wild-anymore late-night explorations with the TFL's timetable and head back home before the departure of the last tube. I would not leave home without a phone charger, comfortable shoes, and a cashmere jumper in my backpack (just in case it got chilly in the evening). Trying to party while knowing I have to get up early the next morning somehow takes away the sheer spontaneity of the experience.

 

    On 28.05.2023, I ventured out to Live at the Palace festival, featuring Groove Armada. The past and the present come together when you listen to one of your favorite bands live. I used to play Groove Armada's records at university while working on my last-minute art projects during those late nights in the dorm. Revisiting the music of my younger days at a slightly different stage of my life was like an affirmation of growth and change.

 

    It was wonderful to enter the accommodating space of the festival, joining in with the dancing crowd ranging from 5 to 75 years old. It was impressive to see such a diverse and inclusive crowd.

 

    The concert was organized on the premises of Fulham Palace in West London, with a quiet zone and beverage station in the Tudor-era gardens, currently transformed into a community-run project. The garden's entrance gate was so tiny, I had to lean down when walking under it. It made me realize that people in the past were much shorter than we are today!

 

Agnes Prygiel, 31.05.2023, London

Exploring the Artistry of Motorcycle Journeys

Wanderlust on Two Wheels

 

Illustration: Agnes Prygiel, 2023

    It's been nearly a year since my last post. The past 12 months have been dedicated to travel, photography, and my motorcycle. Can motorcycling be somewhat artistic, fitting the original theme of my blog?

    For me, the worlds of motorcycles and art are distinct and distant. On my motorbike, I escape everything, including art and the concept of being an artist. At the peak of my journeys, I disconnect from everything except the challenges of the road. Muscles tight, body exhausted, senses alert, I sharpen my focus and clarify my future goals.

    Considering this, does the element of hardship and battling against the rain, wind, and our own weaknesses not remind us of Matthew Barney's "Drawing Restrain"? In his performative work, he explores hindrance, difficulty, and monotony by attempting to etch lines on a wall while connected to an expanding rubber rope. The rope restricts movement, challenging the artist to overcome it with sheer strength and muscle power.

    A 250-mile ride in adverse weather conditions is incredibly tiring and extreme. Let alone a much longer touring experience, spanning days and geographically varied lands. Your body stiffens and aches from hours in the same position, often soaked despite wearing supposedly fully waterproof £1000 laminated Goretex gear. So why endure this hardship? 

    Adversity is transformative. I change after each tour, feeling more resilient, capable of handling more than expected.

    During expeditions, I encounter the profound beauty and power of nature. Stunning places, hidden waterfalls, phenomenal cliffs, and the breathtaking sea resonate with my sense of serenity and solitude. I'm often amazed by the shapes of rocks, the direction of waves, and patterns on trees. I stop for hours to capture memories as a woman traveler and to photograph the perennial landscapes.

    So, is it art or not? I suppose it is.

Agnes Prygiel, London 30.05.2023