RAPT is the Rehabillitation for Prisoners Trust and tonight they’re launching Rapture 19 a series of writings by artists such as Tracey Emin, Well Self and Beth Orton – 19 in all. The subject is addiction. The event is at The Rochelle school where my friend Whitney McVeigh had her most recent exhibition which only came down a week ago.
I really don’t want to go tonight . I’m tired. The journalist my mostest and closest hostess asked me. She thinks it something I would like. But there’ll be lots of Friends of Bill who’ll be there . And I have ignored Bill for a good while. I haven’t
ignored his ideas nor practice just meetings. And now I feel guilty nyaaaggghhhh
Keeping it simple after causing her much phone stress with this I give in I go. Apparently she’s already there with work colleagues so I walk in alone. There’s art on the white walls and sculptures in the bright white space which I navigate through the launch chitter chatter. Within a minute I see someone I know. She is beautiful and wise and famous before famous. There are some women who are just that way. Nor is she a friend of Bill. The entire thing is filmed by Sky Arts.
Eventually I find the journalist with her journalist friends, all whom I like, there’s wine and elderflower water. Elderflower water is always a treat. In no time the event begins. Tracey Emin a contributor and supporter sits on the floor and looks like a person who says “the art gallery is another room of my home”. The event is a reading by Will Self. Hearing his unselfconscious tones wrap themselves round other peoples connecting syllables is a total treat.
I’d say there are about one hundred people here. Though I didn’t pay for a ticket I bought a book. It isn’t a book at all. It’s a set of leaflets, 19 raptures, inside one envelope and if you are thinking about buying it I should tell you now it’s worth every single penny and more.