FRANCE'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOLLOWING BARNIER'S RESIGNATION

13 December 2024

France's Political and Economic Challenges following Barnier's resignation

We will consider the current political and economic situation in France following Macron's calling elections in July 24 and the resignation of michel barney, the prime minister, after only two months in office, together with its budgetary challenges, its market implications, and the broader European context. 

We will also need to consider the very limited options available to address these issues and provide a long-term stable outlook.

Key Themes:Political Fragmentation: France's recent snap election resulted in a fragmented parliament, making it difficult for Macron to govern effectively and pass necessary reforms. The election led to a parliament split among: Right-leaning parties (~1/3 of seats), Establishment and Left-leaning parties. This split made it difficult for Macron to implement policies effectively.

Budgetary Crisis: France faces a really significant budget deficit, exacerbated by a populist backlash against spending cuts proposed by the government, as well as, one suspects, rhe effete warlike and changeable Mr. Macron. 

This led to a no-confidence vote, further deepening the political crisis. The Prime Minister Barnier proposed a plan to address France’s large budget deficit by curbing spending. But this plan faced strong opposition: Both right- and left-wing parties in France are generally populist and opposed to budget cuts.

Financial Market Concerns: The political turmoil and budgetary issues have negatively impacted France's financial markets. Borrowing costs for French sovereign debt have increased relative to German yields, even passing Greek, reflecting heightened risk perception. The political turmoil has affected France’s financial markets: Borrowing rates for French sovereign debt have widened relative to German yields, reflecting increased risk perception and raising interest repayments.

Structural Economic Challenges: France's problems reflect a wider trend in Western democracies where generous social programs are promised without sustainable funding mechanisms. The situation is further complicated by France's membership in the Eurozone, which means, it does not have sovereignty over its currency and thus limits its control over monetary policy and imposes the EU's strict 60%-3% deficit and spending limits. In fact, France’s fiscal issues reflect a broader trend across Western democracies: Governments often promise generous benefits without clear funding mechanisms. This increasingly worries bond markets, which are after all, the major source of liquidity in the system. France, in particular, is known for its "expansive" ie generous, welfare system.

Limited Options for Solutions: France faces a "trilemma" - it cannot print money freely, it cannot significantly increase taxes without negative consequences including capital and entrepreneut flight, nor can it easily stimulate economic growth. 

This lack of flexibility severely constrains its ability to address its economic challenges. The inability to tax, grow, or print money freely presents a severe challenge for France and other EU nations.

Long-Term Outlook: The long-term economic outlook for France and the broader Eurozone remains pretty unclear and uncertain. Without significant innovation and productivity improvements, how can France meet its financial obligations and sustain generous social programs? The depreciating euro and potential further rate cuts by the ECB European Central Bank could exacerbate these challenges. Without significant innovation or productivity improvements, the economic outlook for Europe appears bleak.

Key Facts:

• Debt has been steadily increasing
• High marginal tax rates, particularly impacting lower-income earners
• European economic growth has been slow, largely due to low productivity
• Europe lags behind in technological advancements, particularly in the burgeoning AI sector.

Worries:

• This has left France in a political limbo, with a new Prime Minister tasked with drafting a more widely acceptable budget.
• Unlike monetary sovereign nations (e.g., the US), France is constrained by EU rules and lacks control over monetary policy (managed by the ECB).
• Monetary policy is controlled by the ECB, which enforces strict deficit limits of 60% debt to GDP and max 3% govt deficit, that are more like a gold standard and just as unattainable.

Conclusion: France faces heroic political and economic challenges that demand immediate attention. The lack of easy solutions and the constraints imposed by EU membership further complicate the situation. 

Addressing these issues and worries will require not just bold and innovative policy solutions to stimulate growth and improve productivity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of France's social programs, but agreement in a fragmented Assembly of representatives, whose main concern are accession to the presidency rather than the country's national interest and a national interest that is, in any case, difficult to define, given the mix of ethnic and religious groups now making up most western societies.

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LIFE EXPECTANCY IN GLASGOW IN 2024

7 December 2024

Glasgow no longer has the lowest life expectancy in the UK

Life Expectancy in Glasgow Challenges and Lessons

No surprises here

Women in Glasgow continue to have the shortest life expectancy in the UK, and while men have improved slightly, they still rank poorly. In stark contrast, the south of England leads the way with significantly higher life expectancy. This survey confirms what we already know from previous surveys.

Thete are probably a few interlinked factors responsible:

Diet and Health Conditions: 

Poor diet contributes to chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Housing Conditions: 

Damp, poorly insulated housing is harmcful to health.

Environmental Factors: 

Air pollution and the industrial legacy of regions like Glasgow worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Economic Disparities: 

Lower incomes limit access to nutritious food and quality healthcare.

Healthcare Access: 

Preventive healthcare, like screenings and vaccinations, is less accessible in deprived areas.

Education: 

Affluence often leads to better education, which in turn fosters healthier behaviours like improved diet, reduced smoking, and regular exercise.

COVID-19’s Role

Nationwide policies to manage COVID-19 delayed healthcare access, worsening existing health issues. This impacted the entire country, but deprived areas have struggled to recover.

Addressing the Root Causes

The patterns are clear - inequality lies at the heart of these health disparities. Solutions focus on the usual culprits, the goals shoukd be:

Reduce poverty

Improve education to make individuals aware of health issues abd lifestyle choices.

Invest in healthcare infrastructure and ensure accessibility.

Target deprived areas with tailored public health campaigns.

Beyond Politics and Policies: A Culture of Hope

More than politics, policies and programmes, we need to create a culture of hope. People need to see a future worth striving for, one where health and wellbeing are attainable as the basis of enjoying life. This involves fostering hope and resilience in tge community and providing opportunities for all.

Personal Actions

While the broader issues require setting strategic goals, with solutions and measures of progress, for readers here, we can:

Get Regular Health Check-ups: 

Early detection can prevent or slow severe conditions.

Monitor Air Quality: 

Understanding and dealing with pollution can protect long-term health - buy an air purifier which costs naybe £150 and will keep the air in the room clean.

The challenge lies in moving beyond correlations and analyses to meaningful action, "rfe execution oremium" as it is called, ensuring everyone has the chance to live a healthier, longer life.

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EXPLAIN WHY FRANCE IS BANKRUPT

7 December 2024

France is bankrupt. It matters because it cannot manage its currency and furthermore the Euro is a weak currency, while it is the dollar that leads as the world's reserve currency.

Since 2020, the French national debt has increased by €850 billion, but its GDP has increased by only €450. They've put in €850 to get out €450 There's €400 gone missing in four years, in waste and corruption.

In 1990, by GDP per head, France was 11th. Today she's 25th. Over the last two years, France is the only country in Europe to see its national debt increasing, with the result that interest rates are now higher in France than even rates in Greece. This amazes anyone with the slightest love or knowledge of the country.

So I want to compare France with Germany from the beginning of France's economic woes. We will skip part I, the post-war 30 glorious year boom, and focus here in part II on the following 30 years of economic history under Mitterand, Schroder and Merkel. In part III, let's look at the last thirty years.

FRANCE

Mitterand 1981 - 1995

Over President Mitterand's three termain office, 1981-95, debt to GDP increased by :

Term 1 - 20-25%

Term 2 - 30-40%

Term 3 - 50%.

Economic policies were local - Mitterand's socialist reforms, nationalisations and increased public spending led to inflation and stagnation; 

But the context was global - the global recession of the early 1990s - The global oil crises of 1973 and '79 were the result of arab protests and oil embargo after the 1967 six day war and the failure of the attack by egypt and syria on israel, in the 1973 Yom Kippur war, over continued occupation by israel of these countries' land.

(As an aside, we note that israel to this day has never defined its borders which can only mean a fundamentally expansionist policy from the get-go in 1948.

We don't understand enough, or rather we don't have "a narrative", a peer-reviewed account by historians of repute, explaining how France's economic success known as "the 30 glorious years" after WW2, was stopped by events in the Middle East : Israel's UDI in1948, the responses in the form of the 1967 and 1973 wars, further reponse with the oil embargoes in 1973 and 1979. 

Maybe there is no agreed-upon tying together of the pieces, but following widespread condemnation of Israeli govt behaviour after 7 October 2023 we are freer to openly talk about these things....end of aside.)

The sudden rise in oil prices led to stagflation (low growth, high inflation), which persisted into the early years of Mitterand's time in office '81 to '95.

After the wars came the embargoes and the inflation, and this brought, thirdly, domestic challenges - in the early 80s, unemployment was 8% esp young pple and industrial regions. Inflation peaked at 13.4% in 1981. 

Mitterand's socialist economic policies, in the context of these global and local contexts, meant that structural deficits referenced above began to build up and became more pronounced as economic growth slowed.

In sum, to understand why France is bankrupt today, look firstly at events during Mitterand's 14 years in office :

- Early socialist economic policies

- The shift mid-term to austerity and later fiscal pressures

- Global economic challenges dating back from 1948, through The Thirty Glorious, to wars and embargoes from the 1970s, through to the stagflation of the 1990s.

GERMANY

Let's remember that by the early 2000s, Germany was known as the "sick man of Europe" (inflation, unemployment). How did Germany manage to recover? Could this help France?

Schroder 1998-2005 and Merkel 2005 - 2021

Strategic goals : Tax reforms, industrial relations, nuclear power

Germany’s economy revived, outpacung France's, driven by a series of structural reforms focused on labour market flexibility, fiscal discipline and industrial competitiveness. Simple things like low-paid, low-tax "mini-jobs", better matching of claimants to vacancies and tightening welfare eligibility conditions. These are simple, practical things that seem to have escaped the french administration.

Germany made some obvious improvements

1. Tax Reforms

- - lower corporate taxes to encourage investment

- - simplified taxation for SMEs

- - pension reforms : gradual increase in retirement age to address demographic pressures.

2. Industrial Relations

- - sectoral wage agreements, so companies could negotiate directly with employees rather than unions.

3. Nuclear Power

-- Germany also decided to shut down its nuclear power industry, which had negative consequences for france as well.

Under Angela Merkel (2005–2021)

Various strategic goals : balanced budget, eurozone stability, support for high-tech industries, vocational training, energy transition.

1. Fiscal Discipline & Balanced Budget Policy

Restrain govt spending. Merkel itroduced a "debt brake" in 2009, enshrined in the German constitution, limiting federal and state governments’ ability to run deficits.

This ensured fiscal sustainability and so built investor confidence.

2. Eurozone Stability

Stabilise the eurozone during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2010 European debt crisis, keeping Germany at the heart of European economic policy.

3. Industries of the future

Push innovation with support for small enterprises and high-tech through programmes promoting digitalisation and automation in manufacturing.

4. Encourage vocational training and apprenticeships to align education with industry needs.

5. Energy Transition

Controversial yes, but Merkel’s energy transition policies (shift from nuclear and fossil to renewables) created growth in green technologies and related industries, although at higher costs, costs that France too had to bear.

CONCLUSIONS

We have referenced France's 30 glorious years when it was recovering from the effects of World War 2. We have looked at the roughly following 30 years under Mitterand, Schroder abd Merkel. Comparing economic policies in the two countries, we can notice:

1. Labour Market Rigidity in France

France retained a more rigid, less mobile, less flexible, labour market, with stricter employment protections and higher costs for employers. 

(Reforms like Macron’s 2017 labour laws came much later and faced and continue to face much heavy resistance.)

2. Fiscal Policies

While Germany prioritised fiscal discipline, France failed to limit budget deficits and public debt, and this meant less to invest in sectors that might have driven future growth.

3. Economic Orientation

Germany focused on manufacturing and export, France relied on domestic consumption and services. 

(Export-oriented economies tend to outperform consumption-focused economies as this forces an emphasis on productivity, competitiveness, and - where successful - rising external demand. Thus employment and balance-of-payment surpluses.

 If Germany is failing today, it is because it has lost it's source of cheap Russian  inputs to manufacturing; and because instead of investing in future growth, it has again made the mistake of focusing on political objectives in its war with its neighbours....this shoulsd be an op-ed!)

So in sum, Germany created a competitive labour market, fiscal sustainability, and export-driven growth. 

Aswhere France, through political and societal resistance to reform and labour rigidity, some call it simple laziness on the part of the French, who had become accustomed to an easy life from colonial profits, could not propose, still less implement, changes to make her economy more competitive. Even now, Barnier's proposal to trim public debt has cost him his job after only two and a half months in office.

Lessons learnt. Winning strategies emphasise adaptability, fiscal discipline, industrial innovation and outward economic orientation.

PART II

Coming next...

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PROPAGANDA PODCAST

6 December 2024

Propaganda

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/2944804a-e048-4ef4-a33b-b6c89a6b3fa6/audio

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UKRAINE PODCAST

4 December 2024

Podcast on Ukraine

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GEORGIA’S CRISIS: IS THE WEST BACKING REGIME CHANGE

Georgia’s Crisis: Is the West Backing Regime Change?

Georgia is facing yet another geopolitical storm, as protests in Tbilisi against the democratically elected Georgian Dream government enter their fifth night. While Western media frames the unrest as a fight for democracy and EU integration, evidence suggests the old playbook of Western co-ordinated efforts to destabilise the government under the guise of "democratic values".

President Salome Zourabichvili has openly aligned herself with opposition forces, calling on Western nations to support a “national movement”, this against her own government. Her appeal comes after Georgian Dream’s, her own government's, decision to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, citing concerns about "external interference". Critics allege this delay is a pro-Russian move, but the government insists it is a pragmatic move to preserve Georgia’s sovereignty amidst growing tensions with Moscow.

In fact, these protests mirror Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan revolution, same old playbook refined at each turn of the wheel. Activist groups are often seeded by Western money. An NGO sets up, then recruits bright local youth by offering good salaries, and thesse act as relays for western influence. The have many tactics - currently, they amplifying accusations of election fraud, even though Georgian Dream secured and overwhelming 54% of the vote in October’s parliamentary elections. LGBTQ+ and progressive activists have added fuel to the fire, promoting cultural agendas that clash with Georgia’s conservative, Orthodox Christian, what we would regard as authoritarian values.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has condemned the opposition for inciting “co-ordinated violence” aimed at toppling the constitutional order. He has ruled out negotiations, pointing to the use of riots as a tool to force Georgia into a confrontation with Russia. This strategy, familiar from Ukraine, seeks to frame Georgia’s government as anti-democratic while pushing the country towards alignment with Western geopolitical goals.

The West criticises Georgia for its slowness to adopt democratic reform. The government’s decision to suspend EU talks is branded as anti-European, but it does a more cautious approach to avoid the devastation and disaster that is Ukraine. However, foreign-backed NGOs and activist groups have created a narrative that portrays any delay in EU integration as betrayal, concession to putinism, compromise etc.

The role of these NGOs cannot be ignored. Often described as advocates for democracy and human rights, the reality is that they serve as vehicles for external political interference, promoting social and political instability under the banner of liberal ideals. In Georgia, these organisations appear to be laying the groundwork for a regime change that serves Western interests, not the interests of the Georgian people.

The protests highlight the usual divide between narrative and reality. While opposition leaders and Western officials accuse the government of undermining democracy, Georgian Dream’s actions align with a wish to protect the country's sovereignty and stability. Yet the West’s focus remains on the ideologic narrative around human rights and democracy and freedom to choose, even if it risks turning Georgia into another proxy battleground which could lead to the deaths of its use and the destruction of its infrastructure assets.

Ultimately, this crisis is not really about democracy at all, it is about more about control. The purpose is power, access to GEorgia's resources, weakening Russia by removing a linchpin into the Caucuses, strengthening Western bloc hegemony.

Will Georgia’s sovereignty be respected, or will it be sacrificed in the name of Western hegemony? History suggests that interventions of this kind rarely end well for those on the ground. Instead, they often lead to ongoing destruction, lasting instability, with the Western powers cutting nd running in the end as in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghnistan.

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DELUSION AND REALITY

2 December 2024

https://youtu.be/YD9ZD0DLUHQ?si=uNfLOQMD-MuFMe-V

Alistair Crooke argues that Washington clings to the "end of history" belief in eternal American hegemony, driven by a quasi-religious faith in liberal democracy as global salvation. He contrasts this narrative-driven Western mindset with the reality-driven approaches of Russia and China, predicting eventual crises unless compromise, humility, and realism are embraced.

Alistair Crooke makes a couple of interesting points. He says that the end of history theme (meme), following the collapse of the Soviet Union is still strong in Washington; and he also says that there is this quasi religious belief that the world is on an upward path towards salvation, salvation that only a liberal democracy can offer. Well, same thing said two different ways: American hegemony is eternal.

Or put it another way, the American military is the strongest in the world and America will prevail.

So this is a root of what we recognise as delusional thinking. Aswhere, reality is that we are in a multipolar world and we are getting back to the old idea of sovereign states, rather than being vassels of an American empire.

Maybe the Empire has another 10 or 20 years, if it continues down this road. Maybe more realistic is to think that it would be possible to negotiate a few compromises and prolong that hegemony, just by sharing a bit, by listening, by conceding something to a common good.

Anyway... It's the usual argument that we are familiar with, which is that the west is narrative-driven while russia and I guess china are reality-driven.

On the one hand, we have "the art of the deal" Trump who thinks that you can go in and start shaking sticks, and then in this atmosphere of fear, cut a deal 

And yet there's also the hope that Trump will permit some debate i.e. listen and understand the point of view of the other side, ie introduce a glimmer of reality.

More likely is that there is all this excitement and hope that Trump will overcome and solve our problems, and then there'll be the honeymoon period.

But by Q225, imho, we'll find ourselves back in crisis with the realisation that debt and the deep state are still there and that, actually, Trump is their new spokesperson, that's all.

The trouble with soaring on the wings of your dreams is that you risk getting burnt and the only place you have to land, is in the sea of reality!

Bit gloomy? Happy Christmas!

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CHINA'S GLOBAL CIVILISATION INITIATIVE & RESTORING THE WESTPHALIAN WORLD ORDER

Another interesting piece from Glenn Diesen's substack: "China's Global Civilization Initiative & Restoring the Westphalian World Order"

is.gd/OdWQmm

1. Historical Context of the Westphalian World Order

The Peace of Westphalia (1648) established:

A balance of power among sovereign equals.

The principle of indivisible security, ensuring opponents' security for lasting peace.

A shift away from hegemony, conquest, and domination to sovereign equality.

Origins:

Europe’s Thirty Years' War demonstrated the dangers of hegemonic ambitions.

The Westphalian system replaced overlapping authorities (e.g., the Catholic Church) with national sovereignty.

Legacy:

Evolved into international law and the UN Charter.

Initially limited to Europe but gradually extended worldwide post-colonialism.

2. Erosion of the Westphalian Order

Cold War dynamics and US hegemony:

Post-Cold War, the US promoted a revisionist order based on its dominance.

This system relied on sovereign inequality under the guise of universal liberal values.

It aimed to prevent the rise of rivals but was inherently unstable and temporary.

The rise of a multipolar world necessitates rediscovering principles of balance and indivisible security.

3. China’s Global Civilization Initiative

Advocates for a return to sovereign equality and a balance of power, rejecting universalism.

Emphasizes civilizational diversity to reassure nations that China seeks cooperation, not hegemony.

Complements China's global economic and security initiatives, supporting a stable multipolar order.

4. Key Principles and Implications

Indivisible Security:

Peace depends on guaranteeing all states' security, avoiding zero-sum rivalries.

Inspired the Concert of Europe (1815) and extended through the UN Charter.

Current Global Shift:

The world is moving from US-dominated unipolarity to multipolarity, requiring new frameworks for stability.

5. Conclusion

China’s initiative aligns with the Westphalian principle of sovereign equality, offering an alternative to intrusive hegemony.

The restoration of a multipolar balance of power can ensure global stability and cooperation amidst declining Western dominance.

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CAUSES OF THE IRAQ WAR, ACCORDING TO RAY MCGOVERN

28 November 2024

https://www.youtube.com/live/Nu27FCNlges?si=50d30MZOZ1oUhVcJ

What were the true objectives of the Iraq war, according to Ray?

Ray has repeatedly affirmed that the true motivations behind the Iraq War were multifaceted, centering on oil, support for Israel, and the establishment of U.S. military bases in the Middle East. He encapsulates this perspective with the acronym "OIL":

O for Oil: Securing control over Iraq's vast oil reserves.

I for Israel: Bolstering the security interests of Israel in the region.

L for Logistics: Establishing permanent U.S. military bases to project power throughout the Middle East.

McGovern has been a vocal critic of the intelligence used to justify the invasion, asserting that it was manipulated to support predetermined policy goals. He emphasises that the war was not about weapons of mass destruction or spreading democracy, but was driven by strategic interests in oil, regional dominance, and support for allied nations. 

In his activism, McGovern has consistently repeated these points, arguing that the Iraq War was a "war of aggression" and a violation of international law. He has called for accountability for those who orchestrated the war under what he considers false pretenses. 

McGovern's insights are informed by his 27-year career at the CIA, where he served under seven presidents and was involved in preparing the President's Daily Brief. His post-retirement work has focused on advocating for integrity in intelligence and foreign policy. 

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PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN EUROPE

28 November 2024

Summary:

A recent conversation between Glenn Diesen, Jeffrey Sachs and Alexander Mercouris examined the political changes unfolding in Europe. 

The initial optimism surrounding the European project, as a region dedicated to peace and prosperity, has significantly diminished. The original objectives were to resolve continental conflicts peacefully and to use collective bargaining power to achieve greater economic and political independence. Peace from an EU that would "keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down". Prosperity from unleashing and coordinating the powerful economies of Europe.

However, things have not worked out for Europe. It is currently facing several critical challenges:

War and De-industrialization: Ongoing conflicts and a decline in industrial activity have destabilised the region.

Socio-economic and Political Instability: There is increasing unrest and uncertainty within European societies and governments.

Excessive Dependence on the United States: Europe's reliance on the U.S. has grown, impacting its autonomy.

Diminishing Global Relevance: Europe is becoming less influential on the world stage.

Key Points:

Failure to Adapt to Multipolarity: This is the starting point to any understanding and resolution. While the rest of the world adjusts to an emerging multipolar global order by diversifying economic connections and adopting "multivector" foreign policies, Europe has not succeeded here. It has clung to bloc thinking.

Subordination to U.S. Interests: it has in effect been vassalised within the American Empire. European nations have subordinated themselves to the U.S., meaning loss of sovereignty or decision making power, leading to economic decline and political subordination. This has had knock on consequences in terms of an electorate that can see. Its representatives turn to america before turning to national needs, and a leadership that because its power has been so limited has only succeeded in recruiting politicians of mediocre ability.

Declining Rationality in Policy Decisions: European policies towards Russia have been counterproductive, knowingly placing the continent on a collision course with Russia.

Increased Security Dependence: The proxy war with Russia has heightened Europe's security reliance on the U.S., allowing Washington to impose bloc discipline.

Proposed Steps for Reversing the Decline

Reversing Militarisation: Europe needs to de-escalate military tensions and dismantle the militarisation of dividing lines within the continent.

Diversifying Economic Ties: To avoid over-dependence on any single state or region, Europe like any sovereign entity needs to diversify its economic relationships - this is the way to build national character, enhance competitiveness and increase political autonomy.

Regaining Political Independence: By reducing excessive reliance on the U.S., Europe can reclaim its sovereignty and rationality in policymaking.

Conclusion:

The Youtube conversation highlights a critical need for Europe to reassess its current trajectory. By adopting a 2040 Vision, with strategies, policies and programs that embrace multipolarity, diversify economic partnerships, and restore political autonomy, Europe could reverse its decline and in time regain lost sovereignty over its affairs and re-establish itself as a region of peace and prosperity.

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THE POWER OF A SCRIBBLE - DOROTHEA ROCKBURNE

28 November 2024

A line

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/nov/27/dorothea-rockburne-bernheim-gallery-review

Review of Dorothea Rockburne's  

Dorothea Rockburne is a renowned New York-based artist, celebrated for her multidisciplinary approach, blending mathematics, art, and philosophy. Known for her minimalist yet conceptually rich work, she is part of the modernist tradition that engages with geometry and structure. Rockburne studied at Black Mountain College, an experimental art school, and her career has been marked by her unique ability to translate mathematical principles into visual forms.

This exhibition at the Bernheim Gallery in London marks the first major UK showcase of her work, an extraordinary milestone considering she is now 95 years old. Despite logistical challenges—such as sourcing the right chipboard in Britain—the exhibition reflects Rockburne's enduring ability to create art that is both simple and profound.

The standout piece described is a continuous graphite line running through the gallery's walls, forming an uninterrupted, waist-height pathway around the space. This single, mesmerizing line interacts with the architecture of the gallery, negotiating corners, recesses, and interruptions like doors and windows. Its subtle details, such as the graphite dust left behind, emphasize texture and presence, transforming the space into an active participant in the work.

This show highlights Rockburne’s ability to balance intellectual rigour with emotional impact, offering viewers an engaging and meditative experience. It underscores her status as a groundbreaking artist whose works continue to resonate deeply.

MY TAKE

Dorothea Rockburne’s graphite line is being heralded as a profound artistic statement, yet to any world-weary discerning gallery groupie, it seems more like overthinking a scribble. The line piddles dutifully like a dog on a lead, sniffing round the walls of the gallery, stopping at every corner and door, before moving on. Actually, I'd like to tell this story from the point of view of the little doggy.

Critics are waxing lyrical about its “continuity” and “engagement with space,” but honestly, it feels more like the product of a rather dull geometry lesson. Be sure to visit in the morning.

Then there is the poetic waxing on about the “faint residue of graphite dust” and the “whisper of effort” which could just as easily describe a boy’s afternoon mischief, marking a wall with chalk or – let’s be real – seeing who can wee the longest line against a fence. At least that competition had stakes - here though, we’re left wondering why a simple line demands our meditative reverence. Yes, it’s unbroken, but so is the queue at the post office.

The exhibition supposedly transforms fundamental and mathematical spatial awareness into whole metaphors for life, thought and history. But can a line really say that much? Really? Or are we all just nodding earnestly at the emperor’s new pencil? 

Perhaps Rockburne’s greatest feat is her mastery of minimalism: who else could weave together a lifetime's strands of experience into a single cord meandering  around a room, connecting and convincing so many of us it holds the secrets of the universe?

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