2009 Review: Bryony Quinn

Date
29 December 2009

For the next few days the reviews will be coming from a bit closer to home, starting with our fantastic intern Bryony Quinn.

Bry’s image from 2009, “The 40th anniversary of the moon landings, seeing Buzz Aldrin talk and then spending months going through all the incredible imagery and footage that has been surfacing has made my year. 2009 has definitely been Moon themed and Astronaut shaped. Very inspiring stuff, and pure joy to learn about.”

Mark out of 9 for 2009?

A healthy, short-term-memory-induced 9. The irreparable damage caused by the loss of an epic eBay battle over a collection of The Whole Earth Catalog’s = -1. Lost, but not forgotten.

Best new discovery?

My favourite discovery is that a ‘fathom’ is the distance between your finger-tips when they are outstretched. It comes from the anglo-saxon word for ‘embrace’ because that’s what you do with all of your arms. Also the music of the most excellent tUnE-YaRdS.

Best idea?

The most rational idea I had is a soon to be real Book Club called Club Book. I saw this on a back cover: “You’re friends would like to join this club” and thought “yes. They would” but I should start one. The premise is that we all read a short piece of writing and then give a visual response instead of a verbal one. Like a picture-book club. That way we can all see what people imagine as they read the book rather than thinking too much about the clever symmetry in prose, as you do.

What were you doing this time last year?

This time last year I was living above a florist and the flat smelled great all the time.

What broke? How did you fix it?

My favourite pen broke so I replaced it with 5 of the same, this way I won’t have to feel the annoyance and irrational grief that only the failing of your weapon of choice can evoke.

What piece of work really stood out for you?

I can’t see a biblical style rain storm without clapping thanks to Standing Ovation by Bernard Giguonon. And the photographer Taryn Simon, her work is a perfect combination of fascinating insights into hidden America and a beautiful, painterly composition. Both make intellegent work that lasts longer than the time it takes to navigate the ‘next image’ button.

Favourite Book/Album/Film?

Working in a cinema part time means I have seen too many films – top 3 (in no particular order) Duncan Jones’ Moon, Cohen Brother’s A Serious Man and Steve McQueen’s Hunger (technically 2008, but I’m still thinking about it). With books it’s a fiction/non-fiction toss up between J.M.G Le Clezio’s Terra Amata and sci-Lord Issac Asminov’s Realm of Measure. Favourite album is a firm, keeps-getting-better dos by Wooden Shjips.

Did you get Swine Flu?

Maybe I have had just a touch of swine.

What are you going to miss about 2009 and what are you looking forward to in 2010?

2009 was a lot more than I could have hoped for, working for good people, doing good things. 2010 is the year I graduate/dissolve into a puddle.

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About the Author

Will Hudson

Will founded It’s Nice That in 2007 and is now director of the company. Once one of the main contributors to the site, he has stepped back from writing as the business has expanded to become The HudsonBec Group.

will@thehudsonbecgroup.com

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