Philosophy in the Pub

At the Swan & Rushes, Infirmary Square, this evening for Philosphy in the Pub (PIPS), which takes place there on the first Wednesday of every month. Each meeting is based around a stimulus. The stimulus this time is chosen by Clare, who facilitates with a typically light and gentle touch. We're each given a photocopied page from a book by Michael Leunig, the Australian artist, cartoonist, humorist, philosopher (and much else besides). The page has six cartoons with captions (or six short texts with illustrations), prompting an hour of reflection and discussion. the main point, I'd say, is that we have a natural tendency, desire or need to join things which are possibly (or probably) disconnected - to make a big story out of smaller elements. Normally, our stimulus is text-based. It's a refreshing change to have something mostly visual. there's even discussion about having a stimulus that works with other senses at future meetings.

Of course this would all make better sense if I could reproduce the page from Michael Leunig's book here, here, but I can't, for copyright reasons. Michael Leunig is an acquired taste - but one I'm glad to have acquired. Something about his melancholic yet resilient take on life speaks very directly to me. And he makes me see, think and laugh about the most unlikely things. Much of his writing and drawing has a spiritual theme; indeed, he has published illustrated prayers, in which a cartoonist talks to God. Promotion for his books tells how, in 1989, Leunig began an experiment. Asked to produce a weekly cartoon for the Australian newspaper, Sunday Age, he wondered, "if newspapers might carry some small spiritual message of consolation as a tiny reparation for the enormous anxiety and distress they can create." Since then, two published collections, A Common Prayer and The Prayer Tree have brought his unique humour and intriguing drawings to a wide public across the world. (adapted from copy on the HarperCollins Austalia website)

If you've not encountered Micahel Leunig before, faithful reader, then I'd urge you to check him out. The early moments may be a bit bumpy, but your patient acquaintance with him will definitely be rewarded.

Find out more about Michael Leunig:
http://www.leunig.com.au/

Find out more about Philosophy in Pubs all over the country:
http://www.philosophyinpubs.org.uk/INDEX/index.asp

Find out more about the Swan & Rushes:
http://www.swanandrushes.co.uk/