I didn’t know who Anthony Gormley was (although I did know some of his art). But I must say this interview was a breath of fresh air. His profound insights into the importance of art in our lives, in politics, and in shaping our collective humanity resonated deeply with me. Gormley's eloquence, devoid of any hesitations or filler words, was captivating as he articulated the profound impact of art on our psyche and self-determination. His impassioned plea for art to be an essential part of every child's curriculum struck a chord with me. Gormley's endorsement of Keir Starmer, not based on political allegiance but on character and empathy, was both refreshing and insightful. His trust in Starmer's understanding of working-class roots, his commitment to levelling up, and his appreciation for culture and art spoke volumes about the kind of leadership we need in these tumultuous times. This was probably the best endorsement for a politician I’ve heard in years. Gormley's perspective serves as a reminder of the power of authenticity and humanity in shaping our collective future. His words resonate deeply, offering hope and inspiration in equal measure. I loved every second of this and will probably listen to it again…I could hear him talk all day. Thank you Rory and Alastair for this wonderful moment of hope and intelligent empathy!
I have no words to describe how good this was. I thought Sapolsky's interview was as good as it gets but this was on a different level. It even made me feel a bit emotional. I'm in awe. Thank you!
Thank you as requested for bringing in the voice of a creative/artist to your podcast. Both the arts and politics are about the betterment of man and society and we can all learn more by considering the input of other experts. I found this to be a brilliant and thought-provoking but life-affirming episode. Please TRIP keep innovating by bringing in voices from all spheres of modern life. Congratulations.
I've never knowingly watched or heard AG in my more than half a century. Quite to my embarrassment. Listening to his life story, and getting to understand his work and reasoning for such, was very interesting. Back to politics, his reaction to Brexit mirrored mine, apart from being so much more calmer than I am at times. Sad and angry sums it up. I also enjoyed his meditative few minutes, and the story behind that. Definitely something to read up on. Not generally a fan of still art (with a few exceptions), AG has encouraged me to take much more notice of his work especially, and that of others in general. Really enjoyable ❤
What an excellent conversation. As a teacher I find myself arguing on the behalf of the arts all too often. It is heartening to hear an artist being listened to and engaged in political conversation. 🎉
Fascinating. Brexit the result of a lack of imagination - yes! Proportional representation needed- yes! Sculpture a feature of continuity with our past - yes! (Listen up statue desecrators). The child escaping imposed religion by a kind of infantile meditation - yes - survival, resistance! Art and culture one of our biggest assets in soft power - yes! Britain producing great ideas which are then developed and applied outside Britain - yes, sadly! One of your best interviews yet. If Starmer can save our society by injecting the value of art, culture and history back into the school curriculum there might be some hope. But sadly, many of our institutions have been overtaken by mindless philistinism and an obsession with DEI and its ramifications which stifle creativity and intellectual progress. If a political leader can solve that one we might have hope for progress but, alas, political leaders have their eyes on staying in power not long-term goals.
You don’t know anything. Perhaps you could do a bit of research yourself and not just regurgitate the same old nonsense ignorant people say in the pub.
I went to his expo in Voorlinden near Den Haag (NL) in the summer of 2020 and it blew my mind ... his work is also much more than the human figure sculptures.
This was wonderful thank you so much. What a giant! And he gave me a reason to vote for Sir Bore Starmer, for which I will always be grateful. Because honestly, I wasn't even gonna get out of bed for the poverty of the Labour offer.
Illuminating, informative and fascinating episode. I too am a Vipassana practitioner in the Goenka tradition. Rory really should take Alistair with him for a 10 day retreat. Knowing of Alistair's documented MH issues I feel (like me) the benefits for our own well-being of learning this practice are life changing and life enhancing. Get him organised Rory! Another cracking interview.
This artist is able to change our relationships with each other by the strength of his words as well as by his creativity. May his advocacy of art as a human necessity inspire our future leaders to promote art in the education of children.
The problems with the costs of NHS cannot be solved by fiddling around the edges, only an increase in wealth specific taxes will ever address the shortfall. Equally, AI is coming, and justified or not, every company that can will offload staff to increase their profits. In effect, shifting the burden to the state while the execs, owners, shareholders pocket the benefit yet again. Why not put laws in place that mean any company offloading staff due to AI needs to pay a higher tax for 2-3 years to cover the costs on the state while that person retrains.
First, I listened in the podcast until the end Alester told about the funny incident in Camden Lock. I thought I needed to watch it. No regret! To see their expressions, mediation, artwork, explanation. Fab! Thank you, The Rest Is Politics Team.
DANKE for this beautiful inspired and inspiring conversation. I loved all of it but I was especially moved when near the end of the conversation Anthony was speaking while holding and sensing the objects in his hands. And it gave an extra sweetness that the objects were chosen by the wisdom of a (pokemon-loving 😊) child. And as an artist (musician) myself I love it when art in its seriousness and playfulness is put in the middle of life, education and politics and not just put aside as a pretty add-on for idle moments.
My son is a sculptor in stone, inspired by Mr Gormley amongst others. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and hope you'll invite more artists to the programme, perhaps Andy Goldsworthy.
Gentlemen congratulations that interview was a cracker! You had the full attention of my ears and eyes this Sunday morning as how could one understand the intepretation of pieces Rory had for Anthony to intepret which was trully fascinating. Would be great to interview more artists both local and international on the podcast say 2 to 4 in a year. All in all Gentlemen continue the good work.
He chose well for the work he could take with him. I saw that once in a sculpture park in Yorkshire but I didn't get the feeling it was my ancestors looking back at me. Instead I felt very empowered with a captive mass audience all looking up at me. To be honest, I felt a bit like Hitler, Stalin, Liz Truss, or one of those mad fellas. Either way, remarkable feeling and incredibly effective piece of art.
My introduction to this brilliant artist and person. Thank you for a most interesting and thought-provoking conversation. Gromley makes us feel, think and see the world in hopeful and inspiring ways. And yeah, I thought Gromley was Allistair at first glance. Talk about separated at birth!!!
How amusing: Alistair pulled a JK Rowling: 'enervated' means to lack energy, not to become excited. I had a large smile thinking of Gormley collapsing into a heap at the mention of politics.
Absolutely loved this podcast…especially the emphasis on the knowledge that we humans need to feel our embodied presence in the world rather than totally focus on the more cerebral realm of reason and the use of models we’ve designed to represent the life of the mind. And I could easily see how the latter has unfortunately become the core of today’s politics and therefore has made it so difficult for so many to “experience” politics as necessarily essential to the existence in which they are grounded. Prompts me to think of Iain McGilchrist’s grasp of how politics has been captured by the left cerebral hemisphere which is primarily focused on manipulating the world of conceptual thinking and its models of everything versus the right cerebral hemisphere’s understanding of the need to ground ideas/concepts in their embodied context.
I could do with more like this. Fabulous interview, especially Anthony's view on the intersection of art and politics. I'd love to see more activism in art. Artists are invariably intelligent people whose views are every bit as valid as our current vapid political class.
Please be less down on the NHS. We hear a great deal about its failures but very little about its many successes. I have a daughter who we were told would likely be dead by the time she was 15. She is 45 and works at a senior job in the NHS. She is not cured but thanks to the NHS has a normal life expectancy. I am old but might have died 15 years ago and once or twice since but for the NHS. We have cost and are costing the NHS a lot of money. The NHS may be unique in that much of its resources are spent in increasing its future liabilities. Certainly parts of it can be better run. In common with some (many?) other industries it suffers from the delusion that experts in the core function will make good managers. Some do. But it takes few who do not to do much damage. It is possible to make the NHS less expensive? I doubt it.
There is a reason why we hear a great deal about it's failures. What would be the point of it if it didn't have successes ? Which health service in the developed world doesn't have similar successes. The NHS needs change that will make it sustainable, which it isn't as it is.
@@johnwalton5720 It is so easy to say it needs change. Do you have any sensible and practical proposal for such change? Unless you do you are just another pointless critic.
@@philipsmith1990 Didn't say it would be easy. How long would my business have lasted if I only increased my prices if my customers voted for it? There are numerous alternatives, as Wes Streeting is discovering.
You know what this is all about :-) Here’s a little story: Big fish swims towards two little younger fish; big fish greets little fish, ‘Hello boys, how’s the water?’ Big fish swims on and the two little fish carry on; then one turns to the other and says, ‘What’s water?’ Now that story I spotted in New Statesman, but the question isn’t just political; it goes to the very heart of who we are, what is this illusion that we think is reality? ‘Art’ is an attempt to get a grasp on, or give meaning to ‘being’; to make sense to ‘experience’. And that is why it’s so important. Kindness, compassion, tolerance have to be at the centre of life: we really need to start setting out ideals and living up to them.
