Archive for February 4th, 2010
Another Scotland is Possible! The Joy of Jonathan Meades and Momus
Gerry Hassan
February 4th 2010
I have just watched the second part of Jonathan Meades’ idiosyncratic, challenging work of genius, ‘Off Kilter’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mqlzz/Jonathan_Meades_Off_Kilter_Episode_2/, his travelogue around Scotland – part rumination, part history, part observations on life, place and the meaning of it all.
The first programme was on Aberdeen and focused mostly on its architecture, while this second one mostly covered Lewis and Harris, and centred on the landscape, the ether and feel of the place. Meades commented that its awesomeness made it felt like being witness to a glimpse of ‘the furthest future’ and ‘the end of the world and the beginning of a new one’.
I cannot help but think that Meades is providing a wonderful, original account of Scotland which is uplifting and liberating. His reflections on ‘spirit’, ‘faith’ and ‘rock’ seem to succeed where Neal Ascherson tried (and to my mind completely failed) in ‘Stone Voices’. Read the rest of this entry »
