Toby Blackman
@tobyblackman.bsky.social
Art and Architecture: Site, Writing, Photography | Senior Lecturer, Newcastle University (he/him)
Pinned
Toby Blackman
@tobyblackman.bsky.social
· Jun 22
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
Reposted by Toby Blackman
"We still don’t know 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 where Prince Andrew’s reported £12M payment to Virginia Giuffre came from."
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
"We still don’t know 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 where Prince Andrew’s reported £12M payment to Virginia Giuffre came from."
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
@lewisgoodall.com explains why the taxpayer may have helped foot the bill.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
Reposted by Toby Blackman
For the inaugural issue of Draught Journal @draughtjournal.bsky.social:
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins
<p>There is something indescribably intimate about the act of interrupting one’s reading, the act of marking one’s place in a book, a subtle gesture t
draughtjournal.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
For the inaugural issue of Draught Journal @draughtjournal.bsky.social:
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
On Bookmarks and Other Ruins—a reflection on the bookmark as a fragile site of memory, desire, and incompletion, accompanied by images of my own bookmarks.
draughtjournal.com/article/on-b...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
They thought it would take 193 years to clean the air in London, but they did it in 9
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
London Ulez reduced nitrogen dioxide to legal limit, mayor says
The mayor of London says the fall in airborne toxins is due to the Ultra low emission zone expansion.
www.bbc.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
They thought it would take 193 years to clean the air in London, but they did it in 9
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
“Dr Gary Fuller, associate professor in air quality at Imperial College, described Ulez as a "game changer" for reducing toxins & he "could not recall a policy that matches its impact" www.bbc.com/news/article...
THANK YOU to the editors at Visual Studies @visualsociology.bsky.social for inviting my review of The Use of Photography by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie, translated by Alison L. Strayer–another exquisite literary publication from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
The use of photography
Published in Visual Studies (Ahead of Print, 2025)
doi.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
THANK YOU to the editors at Visual Studies @visualsociology.bsky.social for inviting my review of The Use of Photography by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie, translated by Alison L. Strayer–another exquisite literary publication from @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
doi.org/10.1080/1472...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’
Gender critical novelist urges writers to reenter prize they boycotted and may ask judges not to shortlist his novella
The gender critical Irish novelist John Boyne has said he has been brought “very close to the edge” by the backlash to his inclusion on the longlist for a literary prize for LGBTQ+ authors.
Ten authors and two judges withdrew from the Polari prize and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers signed a petition calling on Polari to remove Boyne’s novella Earth from its longlist. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The Trust seeks to appoint an Assistant Director, a newly-created position in our centenary year. This broad-ranging grants leadership position will cover three major activities: grant-making, representing the Trust and leading on key areas of policy development. www.leverhulme.ac.uk/news/current...
August 15, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The Trust seeks to appoint an Assistant Director, a newly-created position in our centenary year. This broad-ranging grants leadership position will cover three major activities: grant-making, representing the Trust and leading on key areas of policy development. www.leverhulme.ac.uk/news/current...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The UK government should be “going out of its way” to ensure Palestinian students can take up places to study in the country’s universities instead of “obstructing” them, the University and College Union has said. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Visa rules ‘obstructing’ Gazan students from UK universities
UCU’s Jo Grady urges Home Office to ‘do everything it can’ to ensure students with offers to study in the UK are able to do so
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The UK government should be “going out of its way” to ensure Palestinian students can take up places to study in the country’s universities instead of “obstructing” them, the University and College Union has said. @julietterowsell.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
January to June, 2025
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
July 1, 2025 at 1:52 PM
January to June, 2025
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
Some days, I read ten pages.
Others, I (need to) re-read the same paragraph ten times.
And occasionally, I read a book in a single sitting.
Reading sustains me, and brings me joy.
The old, existing dining room radiator FELL OFF THE WALL.
July 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The old, existing dining room radiator FELL OFF THE WALL.
Just finished Grace by Paul Lynch.
And I am not ok.
And I am not ok.
June 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Just finished Grace by Paul Lynch.
And I am not ok.
And I am not ok.
Entirely reasonable.
all i want is to one day own a modest sized home in a walkable neighborhood and raise money for shelter animals. wear an outfit i like, walk to the grocery store, buy some nectarines, feed cats, and live in peace. just don't understand why achieving this is so hard
June 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Entirely reasonable.
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
June 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Marseille: Architectures of Transit in Novel, Film and Place (1936-1945 and 2001-2021)
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
New OPEN ACCESS publication: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I’m proud of this one—a work exploring occupation, borders, identity and exile—and grateful to many.
Reposted by Toby Blackman
LONDON NW5 FRIENDS:
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
June 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
LONDON NW5 FRIENDS:
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
a very poorly cat is being discharged from hospital tomorrow. This is fab, but the timing is tricky - the wonderful owner is receiving in-patient medical care until Monday.
Can you help cover the care gap? Or know someone who can?
Pls share 🙏🏽
Reposted by Toby Blackman
I just fully got the shakes seeing that clip of the little girl escaping from the burning building
May 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I just fully got the shakes seeing that clip of the little girl escaping from the burning building
Reposted by Toby Blackman
Inside the NY apartment where Christo & Jeanne Claude cast their spells.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
May 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Inside the NY apartment where Christo & Jeanne Claude cast their spells.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/r...
Reposted by Toby Blackman
The unbelievable condescension we’re already seeing today towards working class people- suggesting they don’t travel to Europe or their kids might not want to go to university and study in Europe- is quite something to behold.
May 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The unbelievable condescension we’re already seeing today towards working class people- suggesting they don’t travel to Europe or their kids might not want to go to university and study in Europe- is quite something to behold.
Very much look forward to reading this from Kreider and O’Leary!
May 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Very much look forward to reading this from Kreider and O’Leary!
Reposted by Toby Blackman
🚨 New report from the Bennett Institute warns that social & cultural spaces like libraries, galleries & community hubs risk being overlooked without better ways to measure their impact. They’re vital for economic growth & tackling inequality.
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/value-o...
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/value-o...
April 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
🚨 New report from the Bennett Institute warns that social & cultural spaces like libraries, galleries & community hubs risk being overlooked without better ways to measure their impact. They’re vital for economic growth & tackling inequality.
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/value-o...
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/value-o...
Just finished On the Calculation of Volume, Book II by Solvej Balle – only to learn Book III is not published until November.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
April 29, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Just finished On the Calculation of Volume, Book II by Solvej Balle – only to learn Book III is not published until November.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
PLEASE LIFT ME UP
The shot which unlocked my thinking, writing and work on the house and home, grabbed late at night when I rolled the carpet back.
Fingers crossed this one's also selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Artful Dodgers for the beautiful digital C Type and for supporting a rush job.
The shot which unlocked my thinking, writing and work on the house and home, grabbed late at night when I rolled the carpet back.
Fingers crossed this one's also selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Artful Dodgers for the beautiful digital C Type and for supporting a rush job.
April 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
PLEASE LIFT ME UP
The shot which unlocked my thinking, writing and work on the house and home, grabbed late at night when I rolled the carpet back.
Fingers crossed this one's also selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Artful Dodgers for the beautiful digital C Type and for supporting a rush job.
The shot which unlocked my thinking, writing and work on the house and home, grabbed late at night when I rolled the carpet back.
Fingers crossed this one's also selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Artful Dodgers for the beautiful digital C Type and for supporting a rush job.
In Concrete, at the Softest Stages
A morning spent mounting and framing prints preselected for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
Fingers crossed this one's selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Make It Easy and Rhys Herbert for the print tutorial and guidance.
A morning spent mounting and framing prints preselected for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
Fingers crossed this one's selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Make It Easy and Rhys Herbert for the print tutorial and guidance.
April 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
In Concrete, at the Softest Stages
A morning spent mounting and framing prints preselected for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
Fingers crossed this one's selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Make It Easy and Rhys Herbert for the print tutorial and guidance.
A morning spent mounting and framing prints preselected for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
Fingers crossed this one's selected and hung.
THANK YOU, Make It Easy and Rhys Herbert for the print tutorial and guidance.
Reposted by Toby Blackman
This stupid, mean, cruel small-minded country
April 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This stupid, mean, cruel small-minded country
Reposted by Toby Blackman
breaking my lenten vow but for a good reason - the final crowdfunder for student A.
People across the world helped A re-enrol for 2nd and 3rd year at uni after their financial backing fell through, nightmarishly, at the end of 1st year... www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-a-gra...
People across the world helped A re-enrol for 2nd and 3rd year at uni after their financial backing fell through, nightmarishly, at the end of 1st year... www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-a-gra...
Help A graduate
Help A graduate by paying the last of her fee debt
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
April 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
breaking my lenten vow but for a good reason - the final crowdfunder for student A.
People across the world helped A re-enrol for 2nd and 3rd year at uni after their financial backing fell through, nightmarishly, at the end of 1st year... www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-a-gra...
People across the world helped A re-enrol for 2nd and 3rd year at uni after their financial backing fell through, nightmarishly, at the end of 1st year... www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-a-gra...