Nº84: Cecilia Reeve
The London-based animator and painter talks Bodymania, free fringe cuts, and her solo show at Twilight Contemporary.
We’re back with Cecilia Reeve. Read on to find out what she’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations every week.
Cecilia Reeve is an animator and painter based in London. She recently graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Experimental Animation.
☞ MY SOLO SHOW: My solo show ‘What the Water Gave Them’ is on at Twilight Contemporary on Essex Road is open until 5th April - I’m showing a series of new paintings and animations 💙.
☞ BODYMANIA: The Bodymania animation screening at the Tate from 2017 is also an amazing resource of really cool animations from the 70s exploring female bodies and sexuality. Unfortunately, the films aren’t linked but you can find most of them on vimeo, particulary recommended Suzan Pitts Magnum Opus ‘Asparagus’ which is available on MUBI :).
☞ EDGE OF FRAME: Edwin Rostrin’s Edge of Frame Substack is a new development of his acclaimed experimental animation blog of the same name - it’s an amazing resource of experimental animation recommendations, screenings and interviews. I particularly loved his interview with amazing animator Amanda Bonaiuto about her new film. He also organsies screenings and showcases in London too!
☞ PRIORI’S PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY: One of my favourite playlists of music - so much to discover.
☞ CURRENTLY WATCHING: New comfort watch The Lord of the Rings BTS on YouTube - currently loving watching bits of this before bed, it’s so nostalgic and really funny.
☞ CURRENTLY READING: Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez. OMG this book is maybe one of the best I’ve ever read?? I went to so many bookshops and kept picking up and deciding against it as it sounds very scary and long but wow this book is so immersive and gripping. Set in Argentina (and some of London) between the 60s-90s. It follows a father and son who are part of a secret occultist group. It has some really graphic, horrific descriptions that kept me from sleeping but I cannot put it down - cant recommend enough!!
Also will never stop recommending Kelly Link’s collection of short stories ‘Get in Trouble’, a magical realist collection set in America with lots of hurricanes.
☞ PODCAST: I recently discovered the ‘Search Engine’ podcast, (would definitely recommend if you enjoy ‘Heavyweight’, ‘The Mystery Show’ or ‘This American Life’). I wont say too much but this episode - ‘Why is the pool at Buckingham Palace a secret?’ - covered so many things I love; a good mystery, gossip and swimming pools.
☞ CAFE/BAR/PUB:
Toconoco - Very cute affordable Japanese cafe in Haggerston (very very busy when it’s sunny!) also great if you have kids
Cafe Kick - I am such a sucker for this bar - the drinks are great and everyone is really hot
The Palm Tree - A pub in mile end, such a fun old pub feels like a relic from pre war London
☞ OPINION: Being overly earnest online is in!
☞ ADVICE: Go to Taylor Taylor in Shoreditch to get a free fringe cut and you basically end up with the best bit of a blow dry for free!
♪ LISTENING TO: Dimension door on NTS. I think I wrote my whole dissertation listening to this mix on repeat, very ethereal and great to zone out/ focus to.
☠ HATES:
How I am constantly leaving all my socks on the floor
Film Freeway
The Spurstowe Arms
People watching TikToks out loud on public transport
Thanks Cecilia! Follow Cecilia here!
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