Institute of Curious Minds
Fascinating stories, talks, debates and live interviews from international artists, experts and boundary-pushing thinkers. From illuminating Q&As with headline DJs from across the festival to discussions about the future of spirituality and money, food fads, fake news and even how to have better orgasms, this is a place where curiosity is king.
dates & times
classes, talks & panels
Friday
Lost Village Poetry
09:15 - 09:50
Morning! Wake up to the beautiful and anti-esoteric ramblings of a number of emerging UK poets each morning with Lost Village. Have a poem to share? Let us know and we can offer you a space to share your synonyms with the festival.
With Ollie Feather, Jess Muller and Poetcurious
The Power of Fashion with Pam Hogg
10:00 - 10:50
Iconic fashion designer Pam Hogg discusses her life’s work, from earnest beginnings at Glasgow School of Art, to forming her first punk band and dressing Beyonce. Pam will be interviewed by author of The First to Know, How hipsters shaped the zeitgeist, cultural theorist Lida Hujic
Six Simple Steps to Creating a More Sustainable World, Now
11:00 - 11:50
Want to save the world but confused on where to start? Let our sustainability expert Briony Pete guide you with a handful of manageable steps. Leave feeling ready to be the change and make a difference, today.
With Briony Pete, founder of the Circular Economy
Football, Feminism & Everything Inbetween
12:00 - 12:50
It’s been an exciting year for women in sport, in this panel we bring together a number of key names, pioneers and ambassadors of the movement.
With Trisha Lewis, founder of Romance FC, Jacqui Mcassey, Fashion Comms Lecturer and founder of Girlfans Zine, and Felicia Pennant, Vogue writer and founder of Season Zine.
So You Think You Want to Run a Restaurant?
13:00 - 13:50
For many food and drinks buff’s running a restaurant is a dream come true, but what it is like to actually do it?, should you start with a pop up? A food truck? Supper Clubs? We have gathered a panel of experts who have been there, seen it, done it.
With Kate and Lee from Black Axe Mangal, Zoe from Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, and Rik and Will from Kricket.
Private Parts with Venus Libido
14:00 - 14:50
Private Parts is the show from badass feminist illustrator and activist Venus Libido that dives into all things sexy, saucy and naughty. Expect free-flowing, raucous, spit-your-tea out stories, some actually good advice, and a few sur(prizes) too.
Venus Libidio (illustrator and activist), Nadia Lee (sexpert in residence) and Ashnikko (musician)
Natasha Caurana Presents 'At First Sight' The Marriage of Love and Photography
15:00 - 15:30
Using photography as her tool, Natasha Caruana unpicks the personal experience of falling in love at first sight. Natasha searched for the truth of this romantic phenomenon by studying scientific experiments, people’s experience and mother nature. She created the photographic series At First Sight and, en route, learnt a number of ways to increase your chances of experiencing love at first sight too.
Lucy Ridgard Presents 'Secret Utopia'
15:30 - 16:00
Lucy Ridgard talks through her most pioneering photography projects to date, detailing her creative process and how to get that iconic ‘shot.’
Printed Matter: How Magazines Build Community
16:00 - 16:50
We bring together a number of print and online publications to talk about ‘community’ what it means to them, how they foster it and why it matters. Now.
With Shira Jeczmien from Screen shot, Gigi Rio Hewison from This Cult Agency and Sam Blenkinsopp of Trippin.
Inner City – Good Life 30 Years On
17:00 - 18:00
The many lives of Kevin Saunderson: Q & A with the Inner City frontman.
Hosted by Duncan Dick of Mixmag.
DAATA Editions take-over: The More We Are Together
18:00 - Late
Daata Editions the most simple way to buy & collect digital artworks, They have curated a number of nightly screenings with works from the most pioneering video and performance artists in Europe. Sit back and enjoy.
Saturday
Lost Village Poetry
09:15 - 09:50
Morning! Wake up to the beautiful and anti-esoteric ramblings of a number of emerging UK poets each morning with Lost Village. Have a poem to share? Let us know and we can offer you a space to share your synonyms with the festival.
With Will harris, Lucy Mercer, Iris Colomb, Poetcurious and Hugh Foley
How to Hustle (And Why You Should)
10:15 - 10:50
Do you have a secret hobby you would love to turn into a business? Or perhaps a burning desire to quit your job and go it alone? In this panel we hear from a group of unlikely entrepreneurs who did just that, hosted by Courier magazine regular and start-up business specialist Fleur Emery.
With Sophie Hawkins, Lily Hirasawa (Yumchi), Casey Sorenson (Hingston+Co) and Sukpaiboon (Her Coffee)
Fergus Thomas Presents 'Documenting Community'
11:00 - 11:30
Meet Fergus Thomas, Documentary photographer in this 30 minute showcase of one of his most spectacular projects to date where in Fergus infiltrated one of the last ever pigeon breeding communities in Wales. Fergus will showcase his findings and discuss some of the quirky and unique characters he met when finding himself very much in the heart of this community.
How I did it: Building a Movement with Love Brother
11:30 - 12:00
We hear from the founder of Love Brother, Bob Jones on why he quit his career in the creative industries to support men and mental health through his new digital platform and online community.
Jeremy Deller on the Role of Music in His Work
12:00 - 12:50
The Turner Prize-winning artist talks about a selection of his music-inspired projects as well as his latest documentary film, ‘Everybody in the Place: An Incomplete History of Britain 1984 – 1992.‘
DTF? Dating Horror Stories Told By Comedians
13:00 - 13:50
For this year’s festival we have assembled a motley crew of comedians and tasked them with bringing together their best tales of singledom in the hope that we might all learn something.
With Russel Hicks, Tom Ward, Faye Tracey, Naomi Cooper, and Clara of Nice n Spiky.
CBD: Myth or Magic?
14:00 - 14:50
CBD seems to be this years ‘avocado’ popping up in everything and anything, appearing to be a wonder ingredient that can cure all ills, but is that true? In this panel we explore what CBD is and why it’s such a buzz product right now with a number of leading experts.
The Roots of Techno
15:00 - 15:50
With Mixmag editor Duncan Dick.
Laura Pannack on young love and digital self esteem
16:00 - 16:30
Laura Pannack is a London-based, award-winning photographer. Renowned for her portraiture and social documentary artwork, she seeks to explore the complex relationship between subject and photographer. In this session laura will discuss two of her most popular projects ‘Young Love’ and ‘Digital Self Esteem’
Lucy Hardcastle on the Relationship Between Art, Emotion and Data
16:30 - 17:00
Lucy Hardcastle is an interdisciplinary designer and digital artist. Her work focuses on tactility, visual illusions and sensual aesthetics through digital rendered pieces, sculpture, set design and moving image. In this showcase Lucy will discuss how data and theories of emotion inform her work and in particular a new large scale commission for London Design Festival.
DAATA Editions Takeover: Krispy Kremes
18:00 - Late
Daata Editions the most simple way to buy & collect digital artworks, They have curated a number of nightly screenings with works from the most pioneering video and performance artists in Europe. Sit back and enjoy.
Sunday
Lost Village Poetry
09:15 - 09:50
Morning! Wake up to the beautiful and esoteric ramblings of a number of emerging UK poets each morning with Lost Village. Have a poem to share? Let us know and we can offer you a space to share your synonyms with the festival.
Dirty Eating, an In Conversation with Deliciously Stella
10:00 - 10:50
How do you like your Haribo eggs in the morning? We ask Instagram satirist Deliciously Stella how she took down clean eating and finds out what’s next for the comedians account.
Moderated by Georgia Lewis-Anderson (SBTV, The Fox Project)
How I Did It: Getting An Arts Space Off The Ground
11:00 - 11:30
Ever wondered how to get an arts space off the ground? Helen Ralli founder of Hart Club talks us through how she did it.
GIRLI on social media and self esteem
12:00 - 12:50
Young London-based rapper GIRLI takes to the stage to discuss her personal brand of electronic cyber-sugar pop. Expect chatter on some of her key musical influences, girldom, rebellion, city life and how this pop princess navigates the world of modern day social media.
Future Sex: Whats Next for Pleasure?
13:00 - 13:50
Must watch panel discussion which aims to unpick what’s next for the big ‘O’ in pop- culture, politics, online and between the sheets.
Why Music Mentoring Matters
14:00 - 14:50
We welcome pioneering women in music community she says so to the stage to discuss their latest initiative and the importance of mentorship in the arts. Hear from a selection of music industry professionals and emerging talent alike.
Daata Editions Takeover
17:00 - Late
Daata Editions the most simple way to buy & collect digital artworks, They have curated a number of nightly screenings with works from the most pioneering video and performance artists in Europe. Sit back and enjoy.