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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 · 1h
I didn't know it was a thing, so that's good to learn. I can't see who or what it benefits, and I can see it could quickly become very annoying. I "approved" this one because I was curious, but others will go into the bin before they reach the site.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 1h
Might this be the first comment "authored" by an AI agent to feature on the Illuminations blog? And if so, why? 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 · 4h
Rarely agree w Jonathan Jones, and I haven't seen the show, but this feels like a necessary piece: "This is not a real exhibition. It’s a magazine spread. Not only are there style mags in the show, its design has the breathless superficiality of a glossy layout." www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
The 90s: Art and Fashion review – this isn’t an exhibition, it’s a magazine spread
The Young British Art of the 1990s was brash and macabre but also intelligent and emotional. This breathlessly superficial show reduces it to a stylish pose
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 5h
Thoughtful, informed and, to a degree, encouraging from @samfr.bsky.social - I hope @chrisgrey.bsky.social might take this up in his next post. samf.substack.com/p/the-route-...
samf.substack.com
The route back into the EU
Back in 2022 I wrote about the long-term prospects for undoing Brexit and made two predictions.
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Parkes Institute @parkesinstitute.bsky.social · 22h
1956 seen through the eyes of an exile: free screening of Robert Vas's My Homeland (BBC, 1976) at the Liszt Institute London, 3 Nov, 6.30pm. Parkes Director James Jordan joins the panel with poet György Gömöri. Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-hungar...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Hungarian Uprising 1956 - Seen Through the Eyes of an Exile
Robert Vas: My Homeland - Film screening and panel discussion
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
So much to love about Le Giornate del Cinema Muto in Pordenone, but one of the very best things for those who can't get there is publication of the full catalogue as a free .pdf www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/wp-content/u...
giornatedelcinemamuto.it
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Robert Vas' 1976 BBC documentary My Homeland about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution is an extraordinary film about politics + poetry (w Michael Bryant + Judi Dench), memory + exile; this 3 Nov Hungarian Cultural Institute screening is a very rare chance to see it. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-hungar...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Hungarian Uprising 1956 - Seen Through the Eyes of an Exile
Robert Vas: My Homeland - Film screening and panel discussion
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thrilled to share news of a screening of a major Robert Vas documentary, My Homeland (BBC, 1976), his powerful, poetic response to the Hungarian Revolution; showing w discussion at the Liszt Institute - Hungarian Cultural Centre London, 3 November - to reserve: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-hungar...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Hungarian Uprising 1956 - Seen Through the Eyes of an Exile
Robert Vas: My Homeland - Film screening and panel discussion
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
So farewell, then (from @theguardian.com at least) Marina Hyde. It's been real. And wonderful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
It's true: this is my final column. You have exactly 24 hours to complain before my inbox self-destructs | Marina Hyde
Yes, after 25 years I’m signing off, and I’ve cherished every moment – especially storming the French embassy with a (toy) AK-47, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thrilled to share news of a screening of a major Robert Vas documentary, My Homeland (BBC, 1976), his powerful, poetic response to the Hungarian Revolution; showing w discussion at the Liszt Institute - Hungarian Cultural Centre London, 3 November - to reserve: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-hungar...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Hungarian Uprising 1956 - Seen Through the Eyes of an Exile
Robert Vas: My Homeland - Film screening and panel discussion
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I too had a very brief stint working as a scaffolder’s mate www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Britain’s scaffolding should be a source of national pride - instead we’re struggling to recruit workers | Adrian Chiles
My dad and grandad were scaffolders. I even did it myself for a short time. It’s brutally hard work – but it’s something the tech bros will never take away, writes Adrian Chiles
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Always happy to be here.
Television transmitter at Alexandra Palace silhouetted against a blue sky with white clouds.
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Very good Eddy Frankel initiative @theguardian.com - a weekly guide to free shows in commercial galleries, where often some of the best and most interesting art can be found, but which is often ignored by critics; good tips in this first all-London edition. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
Explosions of colour, cold war paranoia and hyper-erotic intimacy: five free shows to see
In a new series, we review the best art exhibitions currently showing in commercial galleries, where entrance is free
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Illuminations @illuminations.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Still keen to keeping going?
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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
Sadly “unavailable”, at least in the UK (and it is terrific)
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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 · 16/09/2026
Benvenuto Cellini
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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
… and the BBC Charter is ofc a very active document, in no sense “rarely consulted”, and not (as invariably objects in archives are lazily characterised) “gathering dust”.
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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
063
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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