Back to index of Nerve 10 - Spring 2007

Culture Vultures

By Colin Serjent

Nerve magazine has teamed up with BBC Radio Merseyside. Six of our regular reviewers and feature writers have agreed to go on air to discuss art exhibitions, plays, books, poetry readings and other art-related issues and events.
Called Culture Vultures by Radio Merseyside, the six people in question - Adam Ford, Helen Grey, Mark Langshaw, Hana Leaper, Alicia Rose and Kenn Taylor - will join a database of reviewers set up by Angela Heslop, who used to present the Artwaves programme.
“We want to tap into people's different interests,” said Angela, “and producers of different programmes on the station will regularly use these Culture Vultures.”
They will appear on programmes such as the Breakfast Programme, Claire Hamilton's Art & Culture programme and Roger Phillips' Extra programme, where they will be asked to take part in panel discussions to debate a topical issue in the news.
Hana was the first of the Nerve Culture Vultures to go on air. Speaking about the Loop Overview 07 exhibition of abstract art, held in March at the Cornerstone Gallery, she said “It will provide me with the opportunity to comment on what I've seen and allow me to process the experience more thoroughly.”
Adam wants to express certain perspectives of art and culture, which are currently not being reported in the media, and said he is “particularly interested in taking part in debates on Phillips' Extra programme.”
Alicia's main reason for being a Culture Vulture is “giving an insight to listeners to the station about what I consider the best bits of art and culture taking place in Liverpool.” Her main preferences are to do book reviews as well as exhibition and live music reviews.
This is an exciting and useful new project, joining mainstream and community media, in a process which will help build up a culture of participation and dialogue in the city.