FYI #41
The best new novels for autumn 2024, from Sally Rooney to Jonathan Coe and Haruki Murakami, via the Guardian. Includes a link to an extract from Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel, Our Evenings.
Reading Roman Krznaric’s History for Tomorrow (2024) made me want to learn more about the Water Court (Tribunal de las Aguas) of Valencia… ‘The Water Court of Valencia is a benchmark for collective management and governance of a resource as scarce as water. [It] provides users with a service of mediation in their conflicts and acts as a safeguard for the rights of each of the irrigators.’
ZAHALKAWORLD – an artist’s archive, a major survey exhibition of Anne Zahalka’s work at the National Art School. Open until 19 October.
Program for this year’s Sydney Design Week, including talks by architects David Gianotten and Sumayya Vally.
A more Sydney-centric list that usual.. but I’m keeping my eye on updates on the redevelopment at Nielsen Park. The beach has been closed two summers
Pleased to see the lovely One Minute Park project, created by Elliott Cost, awarded the 2024 Tiny Award.
‘A violinist walks into a bank: 50 bold and extravagant years of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’, via the Guardian
‘What will the role of poet laureate look like in Australia? UK poet laureate Simon Armitage has some answers’, via ABC News
Typewriter interview with Elisa Gabbert, by Austin Kleon.
‘Stay In This Enchanting Sydney Cottage (Only Accessible By Boat!)’, via the Design Files.
Kathryn Schulz reviews Turning to Stone by Marcia Bjornerud, for the New Yorker, ‘Studying Stones can Rock Your World’
Every Frame a Painting video essay on the sustained two-shot, created by Taylor Ramos & Tony Zhou, via Kottke
Podcast listening highlights this week:
Elif Shafak on the power of storytelling, freedom of expression and the global water crisis, via A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard. I enjoyed Shafak’s new novel, There are Rivers in the Sky. The references to Gilgamesh made me put a translation by Sophus Helle on my reading list.
Two conversations with Dan Harris on his Ten Percent Happier podcast - with Maria Popova, creator of The Marginalian and Ethan Nichtern, meditation teacher and writer.
Tarot, Tech, and Our Age of Magical Thinking, via the New Yorker’s Critics at Large podcast with Vinson Cunningham and Jennifer Wilson