“We are not prepared to expose our staff to the contents of this publication.”– Original printer upon rejection of manuscript.
Dark Habits takes its inspiration from the classic Pedro Almodóvar film on the occasion of the group exhibition, La Movida.
This contemporary visual art group exhibition, curated by Sarah Perks, takes the artistic and socio-cultural movement La movida (literally ‘the movement’) of post- Franco Spain as its thematic heart.
Excess, clubbing, drugs, artistic freedom, gay rights, pornography and more all collided in an outpouring of freedom from suppression and a desire for making up on lost time in the early 80s in Madrid.
Nineteen contributors explore freedom and indulgence, hedonism, transgression, sex and moral conventions through short stories, poetry, essay, experimental writing and flash-fiction in this standalone alternative to a rigid exhibition catalogue and the latest in the exploratory HOME publishing stable. Edited by Bren O’Callaghan and Sarah Perks.
The original printer refused to print the book upon receipt of the text, deeming it ‘obscene’. An alternative, less subjective printer was found. The La Movida project was supposed to be a reminder of less progressive times and celebrating 40 years since the abolition of censorship. Decide for yourself if the content is unfit for more fragile readers…
We will be joined by a number of contributors on the night, each delivering a short reading of their submissions, including La John Joseph, Jonathan Kemp, Patricia MacCormack, Sarah Perks, Greg Thorpe, Marissa Burgess, Anne Louise Kershaw and Adam O’Riordan. Hot black tea and/or alcohol will be available should weakened knees give out.
The book is available to buy online from Cornerhouse Publications.
Note: the launch takes place at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
Contributing writers: Oreet Ashery, Shumon Basar, Marissa Burgess, Mercedes Cebrián (translated by William Gregory), Chantal Faust, La JohnJoseph, Jonathan Kemp, Anne Louise Kershaw, Omar Kholeif, Patricia MacCormack, Adam O’Riordan, Sarah Perks, Heather Phillipson, Natasha Stallard, Esther Teichmann, Greg Thorpe, Jason Wood & James King.