Wednesday 19th May 2021
Hello All,
I hope your week has been good so far!
Thank you for sending in book recommendations and Photos- keep them coming.
Enjoy this week’s newsletter,
Bea🐝
WHAT CAN I SHARE WITH YOU TODAY?
10 years with Hayao Miyazaki – A Documentary
I am currently watching this Documentary about Hayao Miyazaki, the writer and director of many of the studio ghibli films.
I have been a fan of the Studio Ghibli films since I first watched Howls Moving Castle when I was younger. For those who are not acquainted with Ghibli, it is a Japanese film studio that makes animated films. Their collection includes Spirited Away, Grave of the fireflies and Castle in the Sky. They are known for their detailed and beautiful animation often creating films without scripts and letting the actors ad-lib. The English dub of the films often includes a cast of big names in Hollywood such as Billy Crystal, Olivia Coleman and Matt Damon.
I am loving this documentary because I never knew behind the films there was a troubled creative who has put so much of his life and experiences into his films. Below is an image of stills from the documentary which perfectly pictures Miyazaki’s creative process. A process that seems to be full of anxiety, self-reflection and procrastination.
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY ON NHK TV
Enjoy Reading?
The Element by Ken Robinson
Goodreads: The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion.
When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels. “The Element” draws on the stories of a wide range of people, from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney to Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons”; from Meg Ryan to Gillian Lynne, who choreographed the Broadway productions of “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera”; and from writer Arianna Huffington to renowned physicist Richard Feynman and others, including business leaders and athletes. It explores the components of this new paradigm: The diversity of intelligence, the power of imagination and creativity, and the importance of commitment to our own capabilities.
I read this book after watching Ken Robinson’s informative and funny TED talk ‘Do schools kill creativity?’
You can watch Ken Robinson’s TED talk here:
Book Recommendations From You
Navigating the Planetary: A guide to the planetary art world – its past, present, and potentials.
“I’ve just finished this series of essays, case studies, interviews, and short academic articles as part of my course work, and really enjoyed it. I know, “academic,” eww. But, it was actually a pleasant read. It’s great for anyone who is looking for a global approach to making or thinking about art in a modern world. The holistic approach to thinking encourages you to recalibrate art’s position within the social, economic, historical, and ecological scope. If you’re interested in contemporary art, this is a great book for you.” – Amber
Thank you for this suggestion Amber!
Click the Books to find out more about them.
Click the button to send me your favourite titles!
look forward to hearing from you.
LECTURES FROM MY DAD
My dad is like a sponge when it comes to facts and stories.
My whole life he has told me these, a simple question can turn into a whole history/art/politics lesson.
Throughout my life they have sometimes proved very helpful, other times just boring and I forget them almost immediately (especially ones about Cricket).
I once went for an interview at Channel 4 for an assistant producer job and they put us in groups and gave us a quiz. Luckily my dad had told me so many facts about the broadcaster the night before I got all the answers right!
I thought I would share one of his lectures with you all!
BOUDICCA THE WARRIOR QUEEN – by Jonty
Boudicca the warrior queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe led an uprising in Roman Britain. She is depicted in the bronze statue by Thomas Thornycroft riding a chariot with blades protruding from the axels, she is wearing a crown with neatly brushed hair and her two daughters are hanging on to the chariot. A very bad example to all parents who take their children to school in chariots today. You can visit the statue on the Victoria Embankment (a 2 min walk from Westminster bridge).
We know little of Boudicca, except what the Romans wrote about her. But modern historians believe the chariot with the blades and destructive weaponry was invented by the Romans to cover their embarrassment that the great roman legions were overwhelmed in battle by an angry mum with a tribe of peasants armed with sticks and stones.
The Romans eventually defeated the Iceni and Boudicca died in battle. So be careful of the mums with prams on the school run!
Photos by Fernande
From the Yorkshire Dales and walking around the Walthamstow Wetlands.
Thank you for sending these in Fernande!
We would love to share your photos in the newsletter. Press the button to send them in.
Add a little message about your photos and what you have been up to.
I look forward to hearing from you!
That’s it for this Wednesday. I hope you all have a good week and enjoyed this week’s content from Dragon Hall!
Stay Safe,
Bea
Covent Garden Food Bank
Please do contact us if you need a food parcel – CCGG @7Dials can provide you with a free food package each week.
If you need help with shopping, collecting medication or just want someone to talk to by phone – please let us know. You can contact Amber at amber@dragonhall.org.uk or you can reach John either at john@dragonhall.org.uk or 07759 646507 in case of an emergency.
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Your donation will support vulnerable members of our communities with food via Covent Garden Food Bank, calls via the phone support line and assistance to get online for those who are digitally disadvantaged.
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Please do contact us if you need a food parcel – CCGG @7Dials might be able to provide you with a free food package each week. If you need help with shopping, collecting medication or just want someone to talk to by phone – please let us know.
You can contact Amber at amber@dragonhall.org.uk or you can reach me either at john@dragonhall.org.uk or 07759 646507 in case of an emergency.
That’s all for now – You can contact Amber at amber@dragonhall.org.uk
……….or you can reach me either at john@dragonhall.org.uk or 07759 646507 in case of an emergency.