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In This Issue
What's On
Something I Said?
Profile
Laura Dockrill
3 minutes with
Comedian and actress Francesca Martinez
Interview with
Spoken word festival curator Melanie Abrahams
3 minutes with
Live artist and writer Robin Deacon
Feature
Singer-songwriter Mellow Baku and ‘Liming’ spoken word goes on tour!
News and Events
Guest Editor: Nathan Lunt
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Who Are We?
Passionate about literature and words wherever we find them, renaissance one are producers and advocates who work across literature artforms - from poetry and prose to talks, spoken word and festivals - from readings and book launches to theatrically-staged shows and education work.
Our activity involves brokerage and mentoring for writers, producing readings, workshops and tours, project management and strategic consultancy.
Look out for guest editors and new features in the coming months.
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Keep in Touch
Contact Us
hq@renaissanceone.co.uk
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Quick facts about
Southbank Centre
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The world's largest arts centre under a single management, operating concert halls, performance spaces, art galleries, cafes, shops and bars.
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Situated on the south bank of the River Thames next to the popular BA London Eye.
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Presents wide-ranging programmes of music, literature, dance, visual arts, learning and participation and more
VISIT OUR SITE
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3 Minutes With
Robin Deacon
Robin Deacon is an artist, writer and filmmaker and live performer, whose work ranges from biographical documentaries to self-satirical artistic lectures. We discuss with him his multi-dimensional creativity and his upcoming Tilt @ Kings Place project.
What 3 words (would you say) best describe you?
I don't know.
You seem to have a lot of interests, where does this stem from?
A (partial) lifetime collecting things – ideas and objects. Although lately, I've been trying to get rid of the extraneous stuff.
How would you describe the relationship between live art and spoken word?
Well, a lot of live artists come from a visual arts background, so maybe it’s not surprising that a lot of live artists can't write.
Tell us about the piece you're doing for Tilt as part of the Kings Place Festival
The performance is entitled ‘The Argument Against the Body’, and speculates as to what it would be like not to have a body. It’s a more fictional mode of writing than I'm used to – I'm enjoying dealing with facts and truth in a different way.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Finishing my documentary film on the late US performance artist Stuart Sherman. It’s been three years in the making, and I'm nearly done.
Are there any artists you'd cite as an inspiration, if so, why?
I'm very susceptible/suggestible, so often find that I'm under the influence of whatever the last film was I saw, or the last book I read.
What's the most important piece of insider knowledge you have as a writer and performer?
That it’s never a good idea to have your peers as your only audience.
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Welcome to our August Newsletter
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Something I Said?
A weekend of playful and provoking spoken word
Something I Said? is a weekend festival of spoken word this October and is produced by Tilt in association with Southbank Centre. Focusing on the pleasure of saying words, the nuances of ways of telling are explored by multiple writers and contributors through ten unique events.
Curated by Melanie Abrahams, inspirations range from the searingly honest observations of Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks to the intellectual repertoire of BBC Radio 4, from the intensity of rap and poetry slams, to the impact of Hitchcock and Psycho. The artists, raconteurs and thinkers taking part span four generations of the genre’s best, and include headliner Amiri Baraka (pictured here), Stacy Makishi, Sophie Woolley, Bidisha, Caryl Phillips, Kate Tempest, Guy Browning, Maggie Gee, Juice Aleem, Jay Bernard and Turner-prize winner Douglas Gordon.
The festival runs at Southbank Centre from 22 – 24 October
Profile
Laura Dockrill
Poet and Galvaniser
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Laura Dockrill is a woman of many talents – poet, performer, novelist, and this September, London Liming headliner! One of the rising stars of UK poetry, we chatted to her this month about her experience and what’s next in her career.
What 3 words would you say best describe you?
Brave, chaotic, optimistic
How would you describe the relationship between art and spoken word/literature?
I'm interested in how we can inject or find the art and music in the word and visa versa. Really they are all about pissing about, showing off and having a good old play.
The subjects of your poetry range from south London house parties to heartbreaking cowboys. Where do pieces like this come from?
Mainly people I meet, spy and eavesdrop on.
You seem to have many passions – poetry, novels, fashion, illustration, music, theatre. Where does it stem from?
My family and my home. I had a very inspirational up bringing. I am very lucky that I was encouraged to listen to punk and stay up late at parties.
You’ve headlined at Latitude festival, performed at Camp Bestival, the Edinburgh Fringe, and will be at Reading and Leeds festival soon. What’s it like performing to a festival audience, compared to other ones?
Unpredictable. Sometimes close to euphoric, othertimes I'd rather chew glass. Hahaha - oh god.
What has been your greatest professional experience to date?
After my first meeting/ lunch with my publishers, I excused myself to go to the toilet and I sat on the lid and cried my eyes out in disbelief.
Are there any artists who you’d cite as an inspiration, and if so, why?
Yes for sure: writing-wise Flight of the Conchords, Elizabeth Smart, Patrick Hamilton. Performance: All the greats - Charlie Chaplin, Stephen Berkoff, French and Saunders, Harry Enfield... the list goes on.
What creative masterpiece do you wish you'd written?
The Witches
What are you looking forward to in the coming months? Any new projects?
Yes, lots. I am working on an art/ writing project called: MAPS which are a set of illustrated maps of my favourite places. soho, waterloo, Camden. Also working with my word orchestra is really exciting too!
What's the best aspect of the career you've created?
I am always really happy when I introduce somebody to poetry. It's the best feeling. I don't think poetry gets the respect and credit it deserves as a literary craft. I'm just hugely proud to be a part of such a strong poetry network - everybody seems really up for it!
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3 Minutes With
Francesca Martinez
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Francesca Martinez is a comedian, actress and writer praised world-wide for her insightful and hilarious explorations of modern life. She talks to us this month about creativity, comedy, and being your own boss.
Francesca Martinez is a comedian, actress and writer praised world-wide for her insightful and hilarious explorations of modern life. She talks to us this month about creativity, comedy, and being your own boss.
What are you passionate about?
Being alive. Every time I think about the billions of years it took for me to be here now I'm overwhelmed by the magic of it all. I'm well aware that I could have been a pot of humous so I wake up most days being thankful that I exist. It's a great antidote to cynicism and depression!
What are you looking forward to doing in the next few years?
Not dying- on stage and in life.
What has been your greatest professional experience to date?
Ricky Gervais ringing me up to offer me a part in Extras wasn't a bad day. I also love traveling and have been able to perform in some amazing places like New York, Hollywood, Sydney and Cape Town. Mind you, I've also had to perform in Hull, so it's swings and roundabouts!
Tell me a little about your Edinburgh run, either one coming up or a previous experience. Was it eventful and if so why?
I sold out the entire run of my first solo show in 2002 - and lost £12000. Still trying to work that one out! Sure it's got something to do with the Edinburgh Council and my millionaire agent. Ex-agent.
What's the best thing for you about the career you've created?
No early mornings and no boss. Bliss.
What's the most important piece of insider knowledge you have as a writer and performer?
You can never be too much of a perfectionist.
What 3 words would you say best describe you?
Positive, happy, thoughtful, passionate, lazy, - and obviously bad at maths.
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Interview with
Something I Said?A spoken word festival
To gain an inside perspective on what we can look forward to at Something I Said? Nathan Lunt sat down with the curator Melanie Abrahams to discuss the inspirations and drive behind a festival five years in the making.
NL: How was Tilt set up and why?
MA: renaissance one was going along nicely mainly through the proposition of literature related to the book. Gradually, I became confident about being able to create literature myself - what I wanted to explore in the world - and doing this through speech and spoken word. I began to see myself artistically as well as someone who would represent writers, facilitate for them and position them. Tilt was set up in 2005 to have a dedicated focus on spoken word. In addition to supporting spoken word artists in a similar way I had done with renaissance one, Tilt has also been a creative playground.
NL: Why a focus on spoken word?
MA: To view it as a vital artform in its own right. I feel that spoken word enables you to give a good account of yourself. I take great delight in well-phrased, wise, funny and stirring words and their articulation and delivery.
NL: And this year you’re initiating a spoken word festival?
MA: Yes, the ‘Something I Said?’ spoken word festival. Five years in the making and pitched to many venues in London before it was taken on. It’s in October, in association with the Southbank Centre Literature team and presented at their venues. I’m excited as it will explore spoken word in a myriad of ways and lots of exciting writers, raconteurs, and personalities are involved.
Feature
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Feature
Liming goes on tour!
Mellow Baku is a singer-songwriter whose compositions blend elements of Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Funk and Soul. She talks to us a bout her roots, grooves, and the freedom of music.
For more info and tour dates visit Tilt here
Follow us on twitter #Liming
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