April 15th, 2015

For those interested in the Arts and Crafts movement and the recent revival of interest in traditional crafts, this event should be really interesting. I'm a particular fan of Tom Hodgkinson, whose book - How to be Idle, I read some years ago whilst being very idle indeed on a beach in the Maldives! 


Would William Morris use an iPad?
24 April at 7.30 pm
The Conservatoire, Blackheath

The Arts and Crafts movement was a response from William Morris and others on the edge of the Pre-Raphaelite movement against the rise of manufacturing, which they felt was soulless, lacked aesthetic and trapped people in poverty. They venerated artisan and traditional techniques, a simpler rural life and were social revolutionaries.
In the wake of recession, the rise of digital technology and 24/7 marketing, modern communities are reacting by forming farmer's markets and hosting kitting bees, while 'low' lifestyle books are flying off the shelves. Are we seeing the beginnings of a new arts and crafts movement, and if so what does that look like in the age of the iPad?

The three speakers will be:
Tom Hodgkinson, editor of  The Idler website and contributor to The Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian and The Sunday Times.
Jan Marsh is current President of The William Morris Society and a biographer and curator, and a trustee of the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow.
Jane Burton, former Head of Content and Creative Director, Tate Media and now at Christies!

This is a free event, Reserve tickets here.

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