Readings, Lectures, Talks, Debates - the best of January

Readings, Lectures, Talks, Debates - the best of January

21 December, 2011
by: Spoonfed Arts Team

Our selection of the five best talks, readings, lectures, debates and other wordy-based events taking place across London next month.

Wednesday 11th January
About Time @ LSE
Free, 6pm
It's not that we're lazy here at Spoonfed, but we've long believed that the five-day working week is a curious anachronism. Turns out we're not the only ones, as this January sees a host of illustrious academics gathering at the LSE to discuss this very issue. In partnership with the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, this panel discussion examines the social, economic and environmental benefits of a far shorter working week.


Saturday 14th January
Beyond the Veil @ Conway Hall
£10, 10.30am (full day)
Ooh this should be fun! A full day at Conway Hall promising a closer look at spirits, mediums and ghosts. Unfortunately, the panel looks likely to miss some of more controversial aspects around the issue. On the one hand are big-shot sceptics like Chris French and Richard Wiseman, while on the other are tricksters like Paul Zenon and Ian Rowland. It'll be interesting to see what Hayley Stevens says, but this is crying out for a genuinely alternative viewpoint from Rupert Sheldrake or Graham Nicholls.


Monday 16th January
Richard Tuttle & Richard Shiff @ Geological Society
£12 (£6 concessions), 6.30pm
The 2012 Royal Academy Schools Annual Lecture sees acclaimed American artist Richard Tuttle discuss his work with Richard Shiff, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the University of Texas. With his small-scale works on paper from the 1960s and '70s, Tuttle emerged as a leading figure of post-minimalist art, whose influence can be seen in the works of, among others, Jim Hodges, Tom Friedman and David Hammon. Should be a fascinating evening. Win tickets!


Friday 20th January
Royal Manuscripts – Making An Exhibition @ British Library
Free, 1pm
A great opportunity to spend your lunch break with the curators of the British Library's brilliant Royal Manuscripts exhibition. Scot McKendrick and Kathleen Doyle are giving an informal presentation in the Conference Centre about the behind-the-scenes process of putting the whole show together, the difficulties and the highlights. The exhibition itself is an engaging and complex treat, and this should be too. Read Tom's review of Royal Manuscripts.



Wednesday 25th January
The Art of Cooking @ Whitechapel Art Gallery
£7, 6.30pm
An absolute treat for artists and foodies alike. As the worlds of art and food continue to merge ever closer together (spearheaded in London by the likes of Caroline Hobkinson, Crystal Bennes and Blanch & Shock), contemporary artist Hannah Collins spends an evening at the Whitechapel chatting with legendary chef Ferran Adria, from the world-famous ElBulli in Spain. The event marks the launch of Collins' new book about Adria.


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Image credit: National Postal Museum

Spoonfed Arts Team