Past Events

Political power. Personal power. Economic power. Sexual power. Spiritual power. What's behind our desire for it? Who has it? Who wants it? Who needs it?
 

Is it true that "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"?

Political power. Personal power. Economic power. Sexual power. Spiritual power. What's behind our desire for it? Who has it? Who wants it? Who needs it?
 

Is it true that "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"?

Story underpins human existence. Although there have been great societies throughout history that did not use the wheel, there have been no societies that did not tell stories.

This event brought together an eclectic group of panellists from various disciplines including the narrative arts, business and psychology.

Story underpins human existence. Although there have been great societies throughout history that did not use the wheel, there have been no societies that did not tell stories.

This event will bring together an eclectic group of panellists from various disciplines including the narrative arts, business and psychology.

Though there is and always will be risk, Western society right now is safer for its citizens than its ever been. So what are people so afraid of? Are there political and market drivers that keep us needlessly afraid? Of the "terrorist"? Of a less-than-perfect body? And how different might things be if we were only afraid of the truly fearful?

"What are fears but voices airy? Whispering harm where harm is not. And deluding the unwary. Till the fatal bolt is shot!"
Wordsworth

To achieve results in any field of endeavour, I must have a clear vision. But vision alone is not enough. Unless I also take action, and enrol others to do so, all I have is a dream. So what are the key characteristics of a strong vision and/or an enrolling visionary leader?

"The dreamer has a vision but cannot act. The puppet acts but has no vision. The player moves the world."
Er, Me

Most of us seek some outlet through which to express ourselves creatively - we seek to draw, paint, movie-make, sing, play, write, act, build, garden, digitise, invent, postulate, transform, scientise, entrepreneurise and such like. What do we get out of this? What drives us?

On the panel we had Kathy Hinde (technically innovative installation artist), Molly van der Weij (Dutch professional visual artist who applies her skills to visualising future scenarios), Gareth L Powell (acclaimed science fiction writer from the West Country) and Clive de Carle (retired businessman who now focuses in researching practial solutions to the world's current crises).

On the panel we Dr. Sue Tate (feminist art historian), Wolfgang "Wolf" Kettler (erotic portrait photographer) and Spencer Maybe (songwriter and burlesque striptease artist). Performing we had the Bath Spa String Quartet, Kitty Kane (burlesque striptease artist) and Spencer Maybe (aforementioned).

On the panel we had Keith Bradley (senior partner in Feilden Clegg Bradley architects, 2008 Stirling Prize winners), Rhodri Samuel (Regeneration Manager for BANES Council), Gitte Dawson (chief "King Bladdud's Pigs" organiser) and Francis Moran (area coordinator for Bath Greenpeace). On top of them (not literally) we had great songs, juggling, unicycling and lovely food.

On the panel we had Matthew Graham (co-creator of Life on Mars and Bonekickers), scriptwriter and film director Max Newsom and Gavin Maxwell, Producer and Director of two of the programmes in the BBC2 documentary series "Wild China". The evening featured music by local experimental duo "The Blood Choir", a screening of "The Making of Bonekickers", a teaser trailer for Max's new film "Loved Up", great food and relaxed socialising.