Welcome back to Art Histories, the podcast! The warmer weather has hit and this episode should prove to be a wonderful audio accompaniment to sunny afternoons in the garden soaking in some Vitamin D - we all need it after the past eighteen months. Although that might be slightly ambitious, today's show covers some lofty texts...
Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives.
For Episode 5, Olivia records with the deliciously funny James Hunter and prepares herself mentally and emotionally for a Stephen King sandwich - she treks over train tracks and dirt roads with the boys from 'Stand by Me' to find Ray Brower's body, goes 'Blue in the Face' with American Punk band Alkaline Trio, and returns to King with the singularly moving 'The Green Mile', softened by Tom Hanks' soothing presence. There's a touching discussion around the frailty of boyhood, and how seemingly insignificant events can rob us of our innocence, Olivia learns just how much a particular Alkaline Trio lyric means to James (spoiler: it's a lot), and an impassioned defence of the emotional significance of a mouse named Mr Jingles (yes, really). This episode was as interesting as James is and prompted some of the most heartfelt and involving confessions Olivia's been privy to on the show, proof that you can never judge a book by its cover (particularly a Stephen King book). Enjoy!
Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!
