Last month, a rare tweet for J.K. Rowl ing spa rked widespread speculation about her much awaited new book. Remaining as secretive as ever, the details of this new book are being kept well under wraps; all eager fans can be certain of, is that it will be “very different to Harry.” In anticipation, her website is down for refurbishment, but reveals another snippet of information, that the new novel is for adults. It has also been confirmed that she has a new p u b l i s h e r, L i t t l e , B r o w n , t o accompany the change of direction. However, they are as tight-lipped as Bloomsbury, not even revealing the tiniest hint about what the new novel will be about. Aficionados are obviously overjoyed at the news, but within media circles, questions have been asked wondering if J.K. Rowling can hack it writing for an adult audience, doubting whether the new book will be as successful as the Harry Potter series.Given Rowling’s loyal readership, the book is bound to be a success. The Harry Potter books appealed the adults as much as they have appealed to children, suggesting that she will already have a large market ready to receive her books. While some might argue that writing a ‘proper’ adult novel is much more challenging than writing children’s literature, no one can deny that Harry Potter was far from simple. The rich narrative, the

fantastic characters and fascinating magical creatures have captured the imaginations of many a reader, children and adults alike. Following on from this, it would suggest that Rowling’s novel will engage adult imaginations with her enchanting writing, whether the subject matter is magic or not.

However, given Harry Potter’s success, selling over 450 million copies worldwide, we must ask the question whether the new novel will stand up to reader expectations? After all, it would be an almost impossible feat to repeat such a fabulous achievement that holds such a dear place in many readers’ hearts. The move from children’s books to adult literature seems logical; Harry Potter was first published 15 years ago, and the children that grew up waiting for the next instalment would be young adults now. Natural progression to keep up with the generation first bewitched with her stories seems to dictate that Rowling will do well to aim her new novel at adults, especially given the loyal fan base already established to receive it. I think it is safe to say there are high hopes for her new work, but it seems unlikely that Rowling will fail to please her adoring fans. Nonetheless,

tapping into the new market of readers who have completely bypassed succumbing to the Harry Potter craze will prove harder to win over, given their most probable cynical outlook on her work, not having read it. However, those who give it a go are unlikely to be disappointed, because there is no moving away from the fact that J.K. Rowling is an exceptional writer with a sharp imagination. While nothing is being revealed yet, the world awaits an announcement later on this year, as to the title and release date, with the eagerly awaiting fans hoping for a hint as to what this new book might be about.

Topophobia is the new multi-artist exhibition currently showcasing at the atmospheric Bluecoat arts hub in Liverpool. Mixing many different styles and mediums, the exhibition looks into the irrational fear of places and how we as people can fit ourselves neatly into them without jarring and creating chaos at the same time.Work consists in various forms and mediums such as video art, drawing, painting and sculpture amongst others. Maps and cultural reference points seem to be a theme explored by many of the artists on show whether i t’s Anne Eggebert’s beautiful and startlingly accurate pencil drawings of Google-map like expanses or Marja Helander ’s charming and quaint photographs of c u l t u r a l j u x t a p o s i t i o n s a n d absurdities.Matze Einhoff’s video piece Brache Berlin is also a highlight. Its crane shots of a disused piece of land become hypnotic in their repetitive viewings and the overall effect is of an urban roller coaster dipping in and out of the grass and buildings. It’s only when the viewer becomes aware that the land was actually part of a military zone within the Berlin Wall

that the piece takes on a political edge and the freedom expressed by the camera and artist seem ironically extreme compared to the previous inhabitants who will of course have been under very strict and hostile restrictions.Abigail Reynold’s interest ing photography is also an interesting and intr icate addit ion to the exhibition. Photographs are hidden within photographs with only occasional shapes cut out, revealing aspects of heavily juxtaposed pictures such as a field hiding a large army or the countryside hiding a desolate landscape only inhabited by a van and some mesh fencing. They demand close up viewing and it’s not until the pictures are taking over the field of vision that the hidden pictures jump out. Seemingly picturesque photos are given a clinical and urban edge playing with our ideals of the perfect place and trying its very best to make us dislike them, perhaps even fear them

These are only a handful of the ten artists on show so there is plenty of interesting work to see in a variety of different styles throughout the labyrinth space, all of which are thought provoking and make for enjoyable viewing. Topophobia is a perfect examination of the modern, cultural obsession with place and in these times of constant media and ever-invasive forms of identifying place in position to ourselves, this exhibition opens up a most welcome discourse on the subject.

THE SPHINX 14

John KirbyThe Living Dead retrospective at The Walker Art Gallery

Big Mick...Baz Rathbone and The Smell of Football

This lively performance combines a minimalistic set and relies on innovative use of body movement to create everything else. With their absurd clowning around, the actors switch between dozens of characters to tell an engaging story about the surveillance culture familiar to us all. The play tackles heavy concepts in a playful manner, using physical comedy and agile movement.Welcome to Shutterland, a world where everything is monitored and recorded. After an unexpected turn of events, Lublin finds himself finds himself trying to escape the system that has forgotten his past and decided his future for him. With every secret that is uncovered, a long lost past c o m e s t o l i g h t a g a i n . T h i s humorously profound smash hit from Edinburgh festival is gracing the stage of Unity Theatre for one night only.

THE most thrilling exhibition to hit Liverpool this year, Robots and Avatars, thrusts its audience into another dimension. Coalescing both virtual and physical worlds, the display innovatively explores the relationship between advanced technology and cultural identity. The work is a collaboration between FACT and London-based design collective body>data>space, whom efficaciously re-imagine technology for a new reality departing from the clichéd pop culture image. The interactive nature of such an exhibit works well in the spaces provided; Public space is brilliantly exploited by Bricelj’s Robovox which is sure to catch some coveted attention. Who wouldn’t adore a machine that spoke aloud a statement, protest or a declaration of love simply from a mere text?

Topophobia exhibition at the Bluecoat - Art review Adam Scovell

J.K.Rowling and the new book Simal Patel

Topophobia

Ends: 22/04/2012Entry is free

J.K. Rowling’s Career

11 Books17 Literary Awards450m sales

Following on from their 2011 album “Euphoric / / / Hear tbreak \ \ \” Glasvegas are bringing their new synth laden sound around the UK gearing up for the festival season. Over the last few years they have made waves in the industry, as an exciting band on record as well as a full throttle, no holds barred, onslaught in the live arena. The tenderness of James Allen’s lyrics is coupled with the reverb drenched guitar and the wall of sound created by the rest of the band, providing a unique live experience that is never the same twice over. Luckily we can all experience these Glaswegian rockers as they take to the O2 Academy on the 4th of April, with plenty of swagger and the reverb turned all the way up to 11.

Shutterland preview Robots & Avatars preview Glasvegas preview

Simal Patel Dani Telford Samiran Culbert

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