An interview by Emma Beer, published in ‘The Wellingtonian’, 24 November, 2011. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; What begins with Michael Joseph Savage and Gordon Coates and ends with Rob Muldoon and Roger Douglas? A new exhibition that catalogues 60 of the most important makers of modern New Zealand, curated by Wellington…
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Lynn Freeman interviews Brian Easton: 27 November, 2011. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; Lynn Freeman interview http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/art/art-20111127-1333-brian_easton_economist_and_art_curator-048.mp3
Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; 60 Makers of New Zealand: 1930-1990:Â is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from 24 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. It was curated by Brian Easton. The following is a list of items on the website. At the end is the list of individuals who are…
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60 Makers of New Zealand: 1930-1990: is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from 24 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. It was curated by Brian Easton. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; The following are the panels to go with the portraits. (Each is constrained to 250 words.) They are also tell…
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60 Makers of New Zealand: 1930-1990: is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from 24 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. It was curated by Brian Easton. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; Thank you for coming this evening. I hope you find the exhibition interesting and provocative. I am sure you will…
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60 Makers of New Zealand: 1930-1990: is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from 24 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. It was curated by Brian Easton. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; Choosing 60 New Zealanders to reflect the development of New Zealand was not easy, says Dr Brian, Easton Curator of…
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60 Makers of New Zealand: 1930-1990: is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from 24 November 2011 to 12 February 2012. It was curated by Brian Easton. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; This exhibition is an experiment to see whether a history of New Zealand can be represented by a series of…
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In March 2011 we were invited by the Editor of the Christchurch City Libraries’ Digital Library Web Team, Richard Liddicoat, to write something for the Canterbury Earthquake for the Christchurch Public Library. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Dear Richard, I could not write to anyone in the Christchurch Public Library about what is happening after the…
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I was asked to write for the March 2011 New Zealand Books Month something about my reading. Keywords: Literature and Culture; There are hosts of books which opened up new vistas in my adolescence and the decade after. My reading today could not be possibly offer similar experiences; instead it enriches these landscapes. The exceptions…
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The Great Gatsby recognises the essential role of the economy in human experience. Listener: 8 January 2011 Keywords: Business & Finance; Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; On occasions, Auckland has outbreaks of Great Gatsby parties. This name alludes to the classic F Scott Fitzgerald novel, narrated by Nick Carraway who lives on New…
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We should be so Lucky. Listener: 25 December, 2010. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; A country road. A tree. Evening. JOHN: Charming spot. Inspiring prospects. Let’s go. BILL: We can’t. JOHN: Why not? BILL: We’re waiting for economic growth. JOHN: (despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You’re sure it was these policies? BILL: Which? JOHN:…
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Children’s classic The Wind in the Willows is also a fable for adults. Listener: 9 January, 2010. Keywords: Literature and Culture; Macroeconomics & Money; The “Poop-poop” rang with a brazen shout in their ears, they had a moment’s glimpse of an interior of glittering plate-glass and rich morocco and the magnificent motor-car, immense, breath-snatching, passionate,…
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Launch, Fairfield House, Nelson, 10 October, 2009 Keywords: Literature and Culture; Have you noticed that we launch a book, but open an gallery exhibition? I’m going to open this book, and I invite you to do the same. For, of course, the book is an exhibition of Janice Gill’s paintings – as many…
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Contribution to the catalogue of the Vivian Lynn exhibition at the Adams Art Gallery, VUW (October 2008 – March 2009). Keywords: Literature and Culture; It is said that if you remember the 1960s, you were not there. The 1970s were much more problematic, not least because of the new wave of feminism. What was a…
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Presentation for the “ 3 Books, 3 Scholars” seminar in the J.C. Beaglehole room – 27th May Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; When it was first opened over forty years, this room was a part of the teaching rooms of the university. I guess I am confessing that I am a…
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A Spirited Conversation: 7 April 2008. Keywords: Globalisation & Trade; Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History; When I began the study which led to my book, Globalisation and the Wealth of Nations, I assumed that ultimately globalisation would destroy nations. I knew that globalisation had created the modern nation-state, which hardly existed…
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Keywords: Literature and Culture; It is hard to talk of Shirley Smith’s final years, when that extraordinary mind left her long before her body did. Layer after layer of her adult life was stripped away leaving her child-like presence. She still received visitors, ever so politely, and with gratitude, in the way a child might….
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Why Doesn’t Our Biggest City Have A More Thriving Cultural Life? Listener: 8 September, 2007. Keywords: Globalisation & Trade; Literature and Culture; Asked the difference between Auckland and yoghurt, Wellingtonians are likely to say that the culture is alive in yoghurt. Saying that Wellington has more classical music, more professional theatre and,…
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I was invited to write about a favourite poem by students from Auckland Girls Grammar. It was to be part of a collection “Dear to Me” published in July 2007 by Random House, the royalties going to Amnesty International (New Zealand). I wrote two essays – to give the students a choice. They chose this…
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On Friday, November 17, 2006 the NZSO celebrates Shostakovich’s 100th anniversary in the Wellington Town Hall. Who cares? Listener: 18 November, 2006. I love a live symphony orchestra: the electricity of the concert hall sound; my eye identifying key instruments for my untutored ear; those inelegant sawings, bangings and puffings (harpists aside) that…
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