Seen & Unseen

Process, practice and protest

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Count Binface and a fox protesting stand either side of new prime minister Andy Burnham.

New politics can’t outfox protest even in an age of AI

Creativity and belief will always drive dissent

“Andy Burnham’s uncontested coup de parti sees him elected Labour Party leader and the UK’s newest prime minister. It was only in January that he was blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election, foiling his first attempt to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. But things change. Still, Andy Burnham is no stranger to protest. No sooner had he won the Makerfield by-election in June – flanked by Count Binface and a man in a fox costume – than the crafty fox stole his moment to protest animal rights. Days later as Burnham was sworn in at Westminster, he was heckled by backbenchers. And soon enough fossil fuel protesters were aiming shouts of “Don’t Burn’em, Burnham!” at him outside Parliament. As PM, he’ll be bracing himself for more.” Read more at Seen & Unseen…

Be better, be Punk

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London punk 1970s - 50 years of punk music
From Museum of Youth Culture on Instagram.

“At the last General Election, I spoiled my vote. In the booth at my local polling station, I quietly pressed a stubby pencil into the ballot paper and wrote ‘BE BETTER’ across all the boxes. When I threw open the curtain, I was met with quizzical looks; a feeling of anarchy was burning in my heart. I felt so good. It was one small act of resistance against a political class I felt kept letting people down. I wanted them to be better, I believed they could be. But how?

50 years ago, there was a real troublemaker in town. One that dared to defy both the Establishment – and established thinking. Bursting onto the music scene in 1976; Punk was a musical force. Its anarchic energy and bold attitude bumped up against everything, to change the cultural landscape forever.” Read more at Seen and Unseen…

Music’s euphoric moments

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What if I touched heaven?

A woman dances lost in music in a club, holding her partner's hand - for an article by Alex Noel, writer and digital marketer.

“That absence makes the heart grow fonder is arguably as true for love, as it is for music. Think of that song – the one that defined a particular era of life: hearing it again can stop you in your tracks. The same is true for a favourite artist or band; whose album you listened to on repeat, imbibing every phrase and refrain. When they finally release new music or go on tour again; our heart-fluttering excitement tells us how much we have missed them, how truly we love them.” Read more at Seen & Unseen.

The Humanity of Third Places

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It’s in Third Places we can be our most human

A group of Gen Z twenty-somethings gather around a table at a London supperclub or Third Place - for an article by Alex Noel, writer and digital marketer.

Why gathering in-person fights against the fragmentation

“In my favourite local cafe, I pause mid-step to take a sip of the coffee I’ve just ordered. Setting it down on a table, I slide into my seat and turn my attention to the music playing over the speakers. It’s always good in here. It’s one of the reasons I like this place…” Read more at Seen&Unseen.