Films to watch, books to read, exhibitions to virtually visit and more in the age of self-isolation and social distancing
- TextAnother Man
Watch
1. Now is the time to dive into MUBI’s ever-evolving curation of films. On the current roster is Park Chan-Wook’s Sympathy for Mr Vengeance (2002), Claire Denis’ High Life (2018), Charlie Chaplin’s A Countess from Hong Kong (1967) and Steven Shainberg’s Secretary (2002).
2. Seminal queer film Nighthawks is available to watch on BFI Player (among an extensive catalogue of other must-watch films to rent). The 1978 film was supposed to screen as part of the BFI’s Flare festival, which has been cancelled due to the pandemic. Read our interview with Nighthawks’ director Ron Peck here.
3. Like many other cultural institutions, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen has closed its doors for the foreseeable future, but the museum boasts a wide-reaching, fascinating selection of films on its YouTube channel – settle in to watch Marina Abramović or David Hockney drawing or a series of films dedicated to Yoko Ono.
Buy
1. Independent publisher Loose Joints releases People of the Mud this month, a beautiful photography book by Luis Alberto Rodriguez depicting hurling players, Irish dancers and local farmers in County Wexford, Ireland.
2. Alighieri, the jewellery brand founded by Rosh Mahtani loved for its mystical “modern heirlooms”, has announced that 20 per cent of online sales proceeds will go to the Trussell Trust, a UK-based charity that supports a network of over 1,200 food bank centres.
3. Dancing Ledge by Yann Faucher is out now, published by the London-based The Club of Men Editions. The book comprises Faucher’s portraits of three boys, taken on the beaches of Dorset; a celebration of male friendship and camaraderie inspired by amateur wartime photography.
See
1. The National Portrait Gallery’s newly would-have-opened exhibition Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things may not be physically accessible, but the seminal photographer’s archive is available to view online. (Plus, revisit our feature on Beaton’s spectacular style.)
2. If you happen to be based outside of London, in the vicinity of Brighton and Hove, the gallery Morena di Luna is open by appointment and currently showing an exhibition of Paul P. dreamy portraits.
3. Daniel Cooney Fine Art in New York is also open by appointment, and additionally boasts a wealth of information and imagery on each of its compelling artists – from Benjamin Fredrickson and Arlene Gottfried to Robert Giard and Antonio Lopez.
Listen
1. The Habitat is a podcast that chronicles an experiment that took place in Hawaii, in which six volunteers live in a Mars-like environment for a year and work as imitation astronauts. One for those feeling anxious or stir-crazy thanks to self-isolation and social distancing.
2. The right music is essential for staying sane while working from home – isolation screams out for Mark Ronson’s favourite sad bangers.
3. With extra time on our hands comes the chance to revisit (or indeed visit for the first time) classic novels. Find everything from Virginia Woolf to Oscar Wilde on Audible.
Read
1. Taschen’s new XL edition of Peter Beard is out now, and compiles the photographer and adventurer’s collaged and annotated diary entries, detailing his fascinating life (Dior’s Kim Jones is a lifelong fan of Beard).
2. Gareth Greenwell’s second novel, Cleanness, is set in Sofia, and follows an American teacher as he navigates life and love in the Bulgarian city.
3. The Topeka School, Ben Lerner’s acclaimed 2019 novel, traces the senior high school year of Adam Gordon, and the complexities of his family and friendships. For more book recommendations, head to AnOthermag.com’s guide to reading during a pandemic.
