A calendar to review
Calendar outing for #NothingToReviewHere
Æ editor Thom Dibdin and photographer Peter Dibdin are bringing back their #NothingToReviewHere project with a 13-page calendar for 2021.
The captioned images were taken during 2020’s abandoned Edinburgh Fringe and published daily throughout the fringe period on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The brothers are now selling the A3 calendar to help fund an exhibition of all 33 images of the series.
Cover of the Nothing To Review Here calendar. Pic: Peter Dibdin
The images of #NothingToReviewHere capture something of the empty spaces where venues would usually exist, with Thom adding the words to Peter’s images.
Each image features Thom with the “fringe reviewing kit” he has used for over 20 years of covering the Edinburgh fringe – standing by his bicycle in a different loud shirt every day with a pen in one pocket and a notebook in another.
The captions express something of the atmosphere of the place, listing some of the things which remain with a reflection of what is missing – and what has been in that place over its history as a fringe venue.
The brothers have also entered a 20-strong selection of captioned images for the John Byrne Award, under the title What remains of the Fringe when there is nothing to review? which can be viewed by clicking this link.
The pair went to a different erstwhile venue every day and, with some extras for Edinburgh’s other festivals, published a series of 33 different works taken between Friday 7 and Monday 31 August 2020, each combining an image with supporting words.
“The idea grew out of a weekly photo portrait project we have been doing for over a year,” says Thom. “We were taking shots on the Castle esplanade just after lockdown eased, and realised that our next shot would be on what should have been the first day of the Fringe.
January is looking good in the Nothing To Review Here calendar. Pic: Peter Dibdin.
“There was only one place to take it – outside the Fringe Office on the High Street. And obviously I had to wear the outfit I would normally use to review shows in the fringe.”
In a normal year, Thom would be reviewing up to 50 or 60 shows during the fringe. During the 2020 fringe, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, none of the venues were open to the public so there were no live shows to review.
“We had always planned to put our images on social media but never got round to it,” continues Peter. “When one of us suggested we go daily with the shoot during the fringe, it seemed the obvious thing to put up a daily image.
“Our ultimate aim is to create an exhibition of the images which we hope can go on display when the fringe returns – so that people who weren’t here can see the essence of what remains when there is nothing to review!”
Purchase
The 2021 calendar is in A3 portrait format, spiral-bound and colour printed on 150gsm silk paper. It is produced in a limited edition of 150 numbered and signed calendars.
The calendars will be published on December 16 and are available to buy for £15 each plus a flat-rate £4.95 p&p for UK postal delivery. All income generated by the sale will go towards the printing and framing costs of a future exhibition of the 33 different images.
NB: The calendar is now officially sold out. We have just released four – that is FOUR – more calendars. If you would like one email DibdinBrothers@gmail.com, including a snail mail address it can be sent to.
Links
The calendar is now officially sold out, but today, 21 December, we have just released four more.
For information email: DibdinBrothers@gmail.com.
The 33 original #NothingToReviewHere posts can be seen on social media.
Click here for Twitter;
Click here for Facebook:
Click here for Instagram.
The brothers have also entered a 20-strong selection of captioned images for the John Byrne Award, under the title What remains of the Fringe when there is nothing to review? which can be viewed by clicking this link.
ENDS
