We are running four public events during this year’s Being Human Festival of the Humanities, exploring the themes of Hope and Fear. Each event is based on one of our Archives and research carried out at LJMU. All are free to attend and places can be booked on Eventbrite by clicking on the event title.
Pretty Shambolic
Friday 18 November, 5pm – 6.30pm, Frederiks, Hope Street
You are invited to a punk fashion show exploring punk subculture and its evolution over the past 40 years. British punk fashion evolved in the 1970s, a reaction to the society around it which drew from many sources to form a defined subculture. Iconic designs were created by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren but there was also a strong DIY ethos with most fans putting together their own looks. In subsequent decades, punk style has been re-appropriated by many different designers – the people who purchase punk-inspired clothes may not be aware of the origins of this rebellious and colourful form of self-identification. Students will explore connections and contrasts between the 1970s and today, setting up dialogues across the generations which compare the hopes and fears of young people in both eras. The show will feature designs by students from Knowsley Community College, inspired by the exhibitions research carried out at LJMU based on the England’s Dreaming: Jon Savage Archive of Punk. Support for this event has been provided by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the organisers of Being Human.
Project Cybersyn
Thursday 17 November, 6pm – 7.30pm, Liverpool Central Library
This event explores the ideas of visionary theorist Stafford Beer, who was an Honorary Professor of Cybernetics at Liverpool John Moores University. In the early 1970s he worked on Project Cybersyn, an ambitious attempt by the socialist government of Salvador Allende to develop a cybernetic approach to running the Chilean economy. The Operations Room, a futuristic hub resembling a set from a science fiction movie, was designed to enable ministers to view information in real time and make informed decisions: a virtual network envisioned long before the invention of the Internet and digital technologies. After the military coup on September 11, 1973, Cybersyn was abandoned and the operations room was destroyed. The session will consist of short readings including a dramatised piece by Nicholas Mortimer depicting the ideas behind Project Cybersyn, followed by a discussion on the themes of utopia and dystopia.
Advertising and Imagining the post-war world in Britain
Thursday 24 November, 6pm – 7.30pm, Redmonds Building, LJMU
Commercial advertising between 1939 and 1945 played an important part in everyday life in Britain, projecting a fanciful ideal and a symbol of “modern” life. This illustrated lecture describes how advertising happened to correspond with the prevailing political debate which rejected high-sounding rhetoric in favour of the practical realities of everyday life and the material ambitions of the electorate. The advertisers gave form to what it was that people were fighting for: looking forward to a post-war world with the promise of a bountiful future. Using images from brands such as Vimto, Oxo, Yardley Cosmetics, HP Sauce, Bournville and Stork Margarine, Dr. David Clampin will introduce the debate on the relevance of the promises made in 1945 to 2016 and the issues we face today.
Saturday 19th November, 2pm – 4pm, Aldham Robarts Library, LJMU
How do we talk about memories about school? This oral history workshop looks at a period of great change in British education, particularly for women. The post-war period visualised a whole range of occupations for women, even though this experience would eventually prepare them to make good wives and mothers. These ideas about the importance of science, of literature, of management, are also evident in magazines from the period. To start to stimulate memories and stories about education, ambitions and choices we will use archive materials. The IM Marsh College of Physical Education Archive and material from the Femorabilia collection of girls’ and women’s comics and magazines always provoke strong nostalgic response with scenes of classrooms in issues of Girl, Bunty, Diana and Judy. However, the questioning and prompts can be used to bring to light memories from any generation. We’d love to hear from people who attended IM Marsh or have a particular recollection of school stories from any era, but everyone is welcome.
Follow our dedicated twitter feed for these events: @prettyshambol.
Being Human is the UK’s only national festival of the humanities. Find out about other events at www.beinghumanfestival.org or follow them on Twitter @BeingHumanFest.
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