Normal? Festival of the Brain brings science and art together over four days to delve into and question the brain. Since the world went into lockdown the festival has continued, presenting brilliant events online and socially distanced. Now, we are delighted to present a jam-packed weekend to help with those January blues.
Start the weekend with cocktails and neuroscience, then Instagram the apocalypse, have your own personal portrait and then find peace on Sunday with Stacy Makishi.
We start the weekend on Friday 29 January with Growing the Stuff of Thought. Join four of the biggest brains, most fun people, and forces for good in cutting edge neuroscience research, writing and artwork. Grab a cocktail or a cuppa, and expect your mind to blown as we hear from Professor Selina Wray telling us about her most recent work using cutting-edge techniques; Philip Ball shares insights and a reading from ‘How To Grow A Human’; and Charlie Murphy with electronics engineer Robin Bussell discuss their latest responsive artwork. Click here for more info.
On Saturday morning, artist and poet Sophie Herxheimer will listen to your personal power struggles, triumphs and tales, and draw them for you live in ink, over Zoom, in your own personal 20 minute session. Sophie will use her magic inky drawing power to get something surprising and powerful down on paper for you and about you. Later you will be sent a same size print of your own drawing to keep. Click here for more info.
In a new film developed from his stage show, performer and Normal? Festival friend Byron Vincent brings the force of his wit and wisdom to shine a spotlight on the post-satire age. It’s a glib, postmodern world in which cynicism is cool, modern life is rubbish and sincerity is for suckers. Click here for more info.
We wrap up the weekend with Stacy Makishi and The Church of the Latter Day Sinners. Join Stacy Makishi for the Church of the Latter Day Sinners and celebrate all your flaws, foibles and f*ck ups. More mess than messiah, Stacy Makishi makes sermons out of the muck and miracle of being human. Everyone is welcome at this digital Sunday service, as it offers a different kind of communion where people can come together to share joys and sorrows, do uncool dancing and meditate on what being human in 2021 really means. Imperfect people welcome! Click here for more info.