Really, It's All About the People...

As lovely as it was to see all the amazing art, and hear all the brilliant literature, and see all the fantastic sights, that were on offer over the weekend, what's really the best part of anything, for me, is meeting up with friends and acquaintances, old colleagues and new enemies (hopefully... Life would be dull without 'em!), and meeting new people from every area of the city and, even, beyond... So, here is a blog post about just some of the people I bumped into in this region's little back alleys, over the cake tables at many open houses/studios, and at the openings and private views and readings that make the thing such a stand-out celebratory shindig, really.

Beginning at the beginning, with those closest-to-birth, as it were... This little chap clearly finds the Made in Roath programme a very tasty treat! Nom nom nom! (Greedy thing, grumble, etc...! ;-)  )

Standing on tables is de rigeur at very large openings, for example this one, on Saturday evening, at Cardiff MADE... Holding a glass and wearing glasses at the same time (as I do myself) is also very 'in' ;-)

Feather in hair... I approve! A reluctant Patricia Brien smiles for the MabCam #pretty.

It was great to catch up with Emma Geliot randomly in Milgi's yurt... Here she is, showing off her latest purchase and pulling a funny face. Ha ha, Emma! Shouldn't do that when there's someone standing there who's willing to blog people's confessions, secrets, and so on... Embarrassing poses, postures, faces, accidents, faux pas, etc. are a bonus as far as I'm concerned! In any case, I was happy to see the lovely Emma, and also to receive a copy of the new magazine she edits, Culture Colony Quarterly, which offers 'An Independent Perspective on the Arts' and features articles on the Venice Biennale, Diffusion Festival, NoFit State Circus, and much more besides.

A poet we all know *cough, hum* is featured in the mag, along with young poetry prodigy Johnny Giles, who *does* feature rather a lot at events I put on, as well in my own life generally, but I promise I am only including him here because, like myself, he is performing at a fair few of the literary events this week - so far, this weekend, he has read at Mark Blayney's Octopoet (Friday), Spirituality in Art (Saturday), and last night at Back of the Pub Poetry Club, which wasn't officially part of the festival, but made a link by having the quietly astounding poet and MiR literary co-ordinator Christina Thatcher as the feature. Here is young Johnny, still just 20 years old!

Outside the Cardiff MADE opening, this pair caught the eye of my camera... Tom Dewhurst and Antonia - Dewhurst. Hey.... Are you two related??! *Checks Facebook quickly* *Is still unsure...* Glad to see you enjoying the wine, though!

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Having one's picture taken is one thing, but having it captured by the artist's implement - well, that is quite another. Here, Rachel Helena-Walsh and Erin Rickard have their faces fondled, figuratively speaking, by young artist Wing Tang.

Anyway, more art n stuffs to be posted, later, along with further confessions as well as some guest posts from people involved in the festival... Until soon! x