Speaking of the Arts by Diana Moxon

If Monocle Radio and KOPN Community Radio had a baby it would be Speaking of the Arts.

Diana Moxon had been making a delightful, intelligent show — focused on Missouri art! — for half a decade, and it ended six months ago. Gah! Why was I listening to British journalists interview international artists on Monocle Radio when I could have listened to a British journalist interview artists close to home on KOPN?!

Alas.

At least it’s all archived online.

Eminently binge-able, the 55-minute episodes kept me company in the kitchen through the whole preparation of a fall-vegetable-ricotta galette (see photo above). In order of listening:

• A chat with visual artist and sculptor, Nick Cave
• A once-a-year art show, some dance, x-acto knife art, and a flutist
• A fictional Utopian Ozark settlement and abstract metal horses

The variety, optimism, eloquent introductions and sharp questions of SOTA (can I call it that?) reminded me of why I started The New Territory: there is cool sh*t happening here! There are creative people here! Right here!

The wave of guests also reminded me, “Oh yeah, life/art is all a process and a journey” (I need to be reminded of this often), and, “There is nothing stopping you from making cool art too, Tina.” (Hmm.)

Audio accesses these gentle nudges in an intimate way, I think, and I’m glad there’s a local archive to turn for inspiration. I can’t wait to hear what Diana does next.

Pocast Specs

Official webpage of Speaking of the Arts
1:1 interviews
55 minutes weekly
2018-2023

This reflection is part of my new project, Last Words.