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Illuminations

@illuminations.bsky.social
3.8K followers 699 following 3.8K posts

Producer of arts docs, screen performance; posts by John Wyver, Professor of the Arts on Screen, Univ of Westminster; expect broadcasting history, esp early TV, theatre, film, visual art Images: Magic Rays of Light / de Stael, Le Saladier (detail), ‘54

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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Not quite yet - there are other distractions - but soon, very soon.
Book of The Rouse by China Miéville, laid on a wooden tabletop.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"We have lost our way, and what is worse we do not appear to care." Start your weekend with this clear-eyed, relentlessly downbeat and despairing post from the ever-essential @chrisgrey.bsky.social chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/leth...
chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com
Lethargy in place of strategy
<a rel="me" href="https://mastodon.online/@ChrisGrey">Mastodon</a>
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
John M MacKenzie, the founding editor of the Manchester University Press Studies in Inperialism series that i have the honour of co-editing, has sadly passed away. Our tributes here: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/blog/2026/09...
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
Celebrating the life and contribution of John M MacKenzie - Manchester University Press
Manchester University Press remembers Professor John M. MacKenzie, founding editor of Studies in Imperialism, with tributes from colleagues reflecting on his scholarship, generosity and lasting legacy...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Second instalment, and now my score of "having seen in a meaningful way" is just 8 out of 40. List is very US-biased, and super-keen on Anthony Bourdain. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century (Gift Article)
More than 500 influential stars, showrunners and other notable names in the world of TV voted on the best series released since Jan. 1, 2000. See what they chose.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Here's me speaking at #alexandrapalace about BBC Television's pre-war Picture Page, early evening on Thursday 1 October. Do join us for what I think will be an interesting discussion. www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/the...
alexandrapalace.com
The Pre-War Popularity of Picture Page < Alexandra Palace
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Here's me speaking at #alexandrapalace about BBC Television's pre-war Picture Page, early evening on Thursday 1 October. Do join us for what I think will be an interesting discussion. www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/the...
alexandrapalace.com
The Pre-War Popularity of Picture Page < Alexandra Palace
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Interesting update from Simon Asquith-Robinson about what's going on with a "trial" on the Films category on #BBCiPlayer: www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/a-small-film...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
A small Films fail @BBCiPlayer - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: In the global scheme of things, the concern I want to highlight this morning is little more than a mote. But apart from the irritation it has provoked, it is a small but potentially...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I have been away, on a trip to Warsaw, Tallinn and Helsinki, and so have neglected the links for the past two Sundays. So here is a catch-up selection. The image is from the fascinating Neon Museum in Warsaw, which I will discuss more in a future post. www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/a-catch-up-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
A catch-up dozen (or so) - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: I have been away, on an excellent trip to Warsaw, Tallinn and Helsinki, and so have neglected the links for the past two Sundays. Here is a catch-up selection of stuff that has rece...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
So far, 5 viewed in some meaningful way -- out of the initial 20 (100-81); gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century
More than 500 influential stars, showrunners and other notable names in the world of TV voted on the best series released since Jan. 1, 2000. See what they chose.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There are a hundred other things this committee *should* be doing…
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Colin from Accounts S3 on BBC Two and iPlayer is simply and gloriously a delight.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There's so much that's terrible in the world right now, and the hideousness being directed at the totally brilliant and brave RNLI crews is just part of it. But at least I - and you - can respond to that in a small way with a donation. rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Just 30,001 people ahead of me in the online queue to book #LFF tickets; I'm curious who the "1" might be.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Great work here from @greavesian.bsky.social ; if you missed his #PendaFen 'skeetalong' (really?) last night you can recreate the experience with iPlayer catch-up - and of course you can, and should, buy his book!
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The restrictions that @greavesian.bsky.social outlines remain in force, and the attempts continue to get the BBC to reverse their damaging decisions that directly impede scholarship.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Interesting Long Read, but Sylvia Peters was not by a long way the first woman to appear before a camera on the BBC… www.theguardian.com/news/2026/se...
theguardian.com
‘A completely unique opportunity’: the secretive process that will decide the BBC’s future
The long read: Every decade, the BBC’s continued existence must be secured through an elaborate multi-year negotiation with the government. But what does charter renewal actually involve – and will it...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The kind of immensely worthwhile and deeply knowledgeable column that only Michael Billington can write from long experience www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/s...
theguardian.com
The Gate theatre’s creative daring gave a tiny stage international scope | Michael Billington
For five decades, this enterprising venue – which is now shutting up shop – broadened the horizons of British theatre
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The kind of immensely worthwhile and deeply knowledgeable column that only Michael Billington can write from long experience www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/s...
theguardian.com
The Gate theatre’s creative daring gave a tiny stage international scope | Michael Billington
For five decades, this enterprising venue – which is now shutting up shop – broadened the horizons of British theatre
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
75: Towards a New (Coventry) Cathedral Thoughts on a visit to an exhibition in Coventry (on until 21 September) that showcases some of the alternative designs for the rebuilding of the cathedral submitted to the 1950-51 competition. www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/75-towards-a...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
75: Towards a New (Coventry) Cathedral - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: To Coventry, to the city’s great and glorious cathedral, and most particularly to the exhibition 75: Towards a New Cathedral (until 21 September), mounted there in the Chapel of Chr...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The popularity of Picture Page Here's me speaking at Alexandra Palace about the one true hit of pre-war BBC television from AP, 'Picture Page'; early evening, Thursday 1 October. www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/the...
alexandrapalace.com
The Pre-War Popularity of Picture Page < Alexandra Palace
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
75: Towards a New (Coventry) Cathedral Thoughts on a visit to an exhibition in Coventry (on until 21 September) that showcases some of the alternative designs for the rebuilding of the cathedral submitted to the 1950-51 competition. www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/75-towards-a...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
75: Towards a New (Coventry) Cathedral - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: To Coventry, to the city’s great and glorious cathedral, and most particularly to the exhibition 75: Towards a New Cathedral (until 21 September), mounted there in the Chapel of Chr...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Currently reading: Claudia Gorbman's terrific translation from @columbiaup.bsky.social of Sylvie Lindeperg's compelling account, published in France in 2021, of the planning and discussions towards the 1945-46 tribunal, with a forensic analysis of the filming. cup.columbia.edu/book/staging...
cup.columbia.edu
Staging Nuremberg | Columbia University Press
As victory in World War II drew near, the Allies decided to hold a major trial of Nazi leaders, which began in Nuremberg in November 1945. Conflict soon brok... | CUP
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
“We have seen many notable closures across the sector in the last two years,” [Victoria] Powell [@indielab.net] said. “We know of many more companies that have quietly closed or mothballed outside the headlines.” ... Illuminations (notable or not) among them. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Tiny cash buffers leave small UK TV firms at risk of going bust, analysis finds
Median £42,000 in reserve not enough to cover filming overrun or delay to series, industry body warns
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
“We have seen many notable closures across the sector in the last two years,” [Victoria] Powell [@indielab.net] said. “We know of many more companies that have quietly closed or mothballed outside the headlines.” ... Illuminations (notable or not) among them. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Tiny cash buffers leave small UK TV firms at risk of going bust, analysis finds
Median £42,000 in reserve not enough to cover filming overrun or delay to series, industry body warns
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Currently reading: Claudia Gorbman's terrific translation from @columbiaup.bsky.social of Sylvie Lindeperg's compelling account, published in France in 2021, of the planning and discussions towards the 1945-46 tribunal, with a forensic analysis of the filming. cup.columbia.edu/book/staging...
cup.columbia.edu
Staging Nuremberg | Columbia University Press
As victory in World War II drew near, the Allies decided to hold a major trial of Nazi leaders, which began in Nuremberg in November 1945. Conflict soon brok... | CUP
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The popularity of Picture Page Here's me speaking at Alexandra Palace about the one true hit of pre-war BBC television from AP, 'Picture Page'; early evening, Thursday 1 October. www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/the...
alexandrapalace.com
The Pre-War Popularity of Picture Page < Alexandra Palace
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The Sunday dozen for Monday morning www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: One of the pleasures of the past weeks was a day’s ‘churching’ with friends in Suffolk, during which we visited the tiny thatched church of Thornham Parva. Behind the altar is the a...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The Sunday dozen Returning after a missed week, links this time from + about Cory Doctorow + Contemporary Films, filmstrips + John Boorman directing Brecht, Aardman + George Lucas, the Saville Theatre + the Brandon Estate, La Scala online, Dolly + more. www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: One of the pleasures of the past weeks was a day’s ‘churching’ with friends in Suffolk, during which we visited the tiny thatched church of Thornham Parva. Behind the altar is the a...
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Rich Hughes @hughesrich.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Always a fascinating set of reading material. Get a brew and settle in.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The Sunday dozen Returning after a missed week, links this time from + about Cory Doctorow + Contemporary Films, filmstrips + John Boorman directing Brecht, Aardman + George Lucas, the Saville Theatre + the Brandon Estate, La Scala online, Dolly + more. www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: One of the pleasures of the past weeks was a day’s ‘churching’ with friends in Suffolk, during which we visited the tiny thatched church of Thornham Parva. Behind the altar is the a...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
An excellent and deeply scary read from @doctorow.pluralistic.net
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Such a lovely review www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
theguardian.com
A Death of One’s Own by Terry Eagleton review – meditations on arriving at a full stop
The literary critic brings his vast reading to bear on life’s most inescapable fact
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Always a delight to walk by the bonkers memorial to Arthur Sullivan in the gardens on Victoria embankment.
Memorial topped by a bronze bust of Arthur Sullivan on a stone pillar against which is draped a mourning semi-naked woman in bronze.
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Ian Greaves @greavesian.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The first BBC repeat since NINETEEN SEVENTY-FIVE. Which is just mad.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Oh look! Tonight BBC Radio 4's Front Row is repeating the edition about early television first broadcast at Easter; with me, the BFI's Lisa Kerrigan, novelist Francis Spufford, and legendary producer Joy Whitby. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, The Birth of Television: A Forgotten History
Samira Ahmed and guests discuss the forgotten history of the early days of television.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Planning for a trip in 10 days' time to Warsaw, Tallinn and Helsinki. Any recommendations for art and eating very welcome. Especially keen to visit here, which was only in the planning stage the last, and only, time I've been to Warsaw. artmuseum.pl/en
artmuseum.pl
Exhibition
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Oh look! Tonight BBC Radio 4's Front Row is repeating the edition about early television first broadcast at Easter; with me, the BFI's Lisa Kerrigan, novelist Francis Spufford, and legendary producer Joy Whitby. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, The Birth of Television: A Forgotten History
Samira Ahmed and guests discuss the forgotten history of the early days of television.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This is what we really, really like: @barneyronay.bsky.social spinning and tumbling and luxuriating with words and ideas about an England Test victory at Lord's (along with 'the Lord’s cultural ossification hub), together with a great photo by Tom Jenkins. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Welcome to Ozball, the low-key story of a low-key England summer | Barney Ronay
Ollie Robinson’s metronomic medium-nip represents the new age – sometimes, you just get the heroes you need
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Captivated by Phelim McDermott, puppeteers and musicians in Tao of Glass at Soho Place. Beautiful and strange and engaging and funny, about memory and mortality, theatre and stories, ghosts, illusion and quantum reality. Our £25 second balcony tickets were a bargain. sohoplace.org/shows/tao-of...
sohoplace.org
Tao of Glass @sohoplace | Official Box Office
The West End premiere of Tao of Glass featuring music by Philip Glass and presented by Phelim McDermott comes to @sohoplace for a limited run.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
New record price for a cappuccino, at WatchHouse, Somerset House: £4.40
A cardboard coffee cup on a table top, with a Georgian facade in the distance behind.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Sunday dozen for Monday morning www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Welcome to this week’s collection of articles and more that I have found engaging and enriching over the past seven days. My header image is Hurvin Anderson’s ‘Audition’, 1999, seen...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The Audible version of this is a great listen, a tale of Alain Delon and Stevan Marković, of movies and modern France and 1968, of politics and power, of sex and death; a bit overlong perhaps, but generally terrific novelised non-fiction. www.hachette.co.uk/titles/edwar...
hachette.co.uk
Murder In Paris ’68
One of the Sunday Times Best Non-Fiction Books to Read in Summer 2026 'In this remarkable book, utterly gripping over 400 pages, high-end novelised non-fi...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The Sunday dozen Hurvin Anderson and Sarah Kane, Patricia Douglas and David Bordwell, Wham! and The Hundred, the birth of the digital age and the effects of climate catastrophe on England's green and pleasant land - and more... www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Welcome to this week’s collection of articles and more that I have found engaging and enriching over the past seven days. My header image is Hurvin Anderson’s ‘Audition’, 1999, seen...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The Sunday dozen Hurvin Anderson and Sarah Kane, Patricia Douglas and David Bordwell, Wham! and The Hundred, the birth of the digital age and the effects of climate catastrophe on England's green and pleasant land - and more... www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Welcome to this week’s collection of articles and more that I have found engaging and enriching over the past seven days. My header image is Hurvin Anderson’s ‘Audition’, 1999, seen...
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IAMHIST @iamhist.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Published today in the @iamhist.bsky.social log, John Wyver (@illuminations.bsky.social / University of Westminster) reflects on 'The Cultures of Early Television' conference, held at the University of Westminster between 2 and 3 July 2026 ❤️📝: iamhist.net/cultures_ear...
iamhist.net
Reflections on The Cultures of Early Television Conference (University of Westminster, 2-3 July 2026) – IAMHIST
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I had been looking forward to this on BBCiPlayer. But tbh there's little of interest about 'Vertigo', and while director Alexandre O. Philippe uses clips from Novak's filmography cleverly, overall it's simply a sentimental, even mawkish, portrait of an elderly actor. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
bbc.co.uk
Arena - Kim Novak's Vertigo
An intimate portrait of a fiercely independent Hollywood star who left it all behind to live life on her own terms.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Terrific from @katewyer.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/a...
theguardian.com
‘Audiences ask to feel my calves!’ The endurance extremists pounding treadmills and pumping pedals at the fringe
How do you keep audiences gripped while cycling 27km per show? From the Australian recreating a Tour de France win to a ‘toxically positive’ spin queen, we meet the acts bringing Olympian fitness to E...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Delighted to have contributed a booklet essay to the BFI Blu-ray release of the 4K upgrade of Mike Leigh's 'Nuts in May' (1976), reviewed here by Gary Couzens for DVD Outsider. cineoutsider.co.uk/muts_in_may_...
cineoutsider.co.uk
Nuts in May
“We want to see the zoo, she said, we want to see the zoo…” Mike Leigh’s Nuts in May, having had a 4K restoration, comes to Blu-ray from the BFI. Gary Couzens heads off to the countryside.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The Sunday dozen for Monday morning www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: The usual Sunday helping of stuff that I have found engaging and enriching over the past week. The header image is of two Hylaeosaurus dinosaurs on the Tidal Lakes Trail in Crystal ...
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
The Sunday dozen AI and a 1991 Nike ad by Godard; Hitchcock + Chabrol + Isabelle Huppert; Telstar, a BBC art gameshow, and a video game based on Michael Heizer's desert art 'City'; Henry Moore and John Berger; Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger; and more... www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
illuminationsmedia.co.uk
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: The usual Sunday helping of stuff that I have found engaging and enriching over the past week. The header image is of two Hylaeosaurus dinosaurs on the Tidal Lakes Trail in Crystal ...
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