The Old Oak - Film Review

United by a Meal: Ken Loach's Plea for Diversity

 

The Old Oak - Illustration Agnes Prygiel, 2023

 

    Ken Loach's latest film, "The Old Oak," portrays the arrival of Syrian refugees in a small Northern town. TJ, the local pub owner, and Yara, a Syrian photographer, establish a kitchen offering free meals to anyone in need. This initiative serves as a bridge, fostering connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the movie's motto: "Those who eat together stay together."

    The film touched me on a personal level as in some ways it is not only about the Syrian refugees in particular but also about me - a Polish migrant (now a British citizen) and people from diverse backgrounds living together in the UK without knowing or understanding each other's journey. I would say that those who do anything together usually stay together. Ken Loach pinpoints a bigger, underlying issue - the shortage of social enterprises allowing people from mixed cultural origins to meet and bond. 

    Every individual arriving in the UK carries a part of their heritage within them. Immigration is motivated by varied reasons: economic, political, or personal. It is easy to generalise, pigeonhole, be hostile or just patronising. But at some point you have to form connections and make friends with those around you. Where will you start? How do you explain your culture to someone else? Ken Loach's exploration of these themes is particularly important in today's political climate.

04.10.2023, Agnes Prygiel

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

Carolee Schneemann's Legacy in 'Re-Thinking the Trace' Exhibition

From Action Painting to Tangled Connections

 

Carolee Schneemann performing in 1971, illustration by Agnes Prygiel, 2023

Artwork produced during M. Lohrum's performance, Stone Space Gallery, 2022

  

   

    In 1952, art critic Harold Rosenberg coined the term "action painting" to describe the use of expressive bodily movement in artistic creation. This technique, pioneered by Jackson Pollock, found a distinct manifestation in the work of Carolee Schneemann—an enigmatic feminist who explored her own body within the context of cultural norms. In her performance "Up To & Including Her Limits" (1971-76), she drew disorderly lines on sheets of paper while suspended naked in a leather harness. Unable to touch the surface or maintain a position, Schneemann utilized her movements and muscle strength for an exhaustive and dedicated creative process.

 

    Schneemann's influence resonated in the "Re-Thinking the Trace" show at The Stone Space Gallery in East London on May 20th, 2022. During the preview, eight participants, meeting for the first time, drew continuous black lines on large sheets of paper. The resulting artwork, a convoluted explosion of strokes, explored the interplay and clash of lines, forming a tangled eruption of connections.

 

    Conceptual and abstract thinker M. Lohrum orchestrated this captivating show, delving into questions of ownership and authenticity. Participants, including illustrator Cherry Cheuk Hei Kwan, book artist Titus Barker, gallery volunteer Maureen, and conceptual artist Iz Elliott, contributed to the unique collaborative artwork. Responding to a social media advert, they engaged in a drawing experiment guided by specified rules.

 

    The powerful artwork created during the performance is exhibited at The Stone Space Gallery until June 12th, 2022.

 

Agnes Prygiel / 28.05.2022 / London

Multifaceted Artistry of a Young Composer

Dreamnote Unveiled

A Journey into the Multidisciplinary World of Noah Max

Noah Max

   

    I was deeply honored to receive a personal invitation to Noah Max's Dreamnote exhibition at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill. The showcase featured a compelling collection of expressive abstract paintings and emotional portraits.

    Noah, a young yet accomplished creator, primarily delves into the world of music. As a composer and conductor, he founded the Echo Ensemble Orchestra, and his debut album, "Songs of Loneliness," was published by Toccata Music Group in early 2022. His chamber opera, based on John Boyne’s "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," explores Max’s Jewish heritage and the history of the Holocaust.

    Diving into Noah’s artistic profile proved captivating, uncovering his mastery in music, paintings, video art, and poetry. Often compared to Baroque composers for his multidisciplinary approach, Noah's talent shines through.

    Displayed at The Tabernacle, "The Candle Lagoon" panels and the portrait of British musician and conductor John Whitfield are truly captivating. The first two pieces were created during a live classical concert, responding directly to the vibrations and emotions evoked by the music. The study for John Whitfield's portrait was crafted in the composer’s final days while battling cancer.

    In a conversation with Noah, I discovered the profound significance of dreams in his life. Much like the visions of the sleeping mind, his paintings invite us into a universe of spontaneous experiences and diverse interpretations. Intuitive paint splashes and broad brush strokes connect Noah with the legacies of Edvard Munch and Keith Haring.

    Meeting this gifted creator, whose artistic exploration spans multiple genres, was truly wonderful. I eagerly anticipate his next projects.

Noah Max - https://www.noahmax.net/

Agnes Prygiel / London / 25.05.2022