大象传媒

Long-haul flight or drive stretching ahead? Commuting while everyone else is on holiday? We’ve picked out seven seriously interesting stories to keep you riveted through even the most tedious journey.

Join writer Olivia Laing as she delves into the world of cellist, composer and musician Arthur Russell, who was part of New York’s vibrant downtown scene in the 1970s. Though his life was tragically cut short at the age of 40, Arthur’s experimental music became well respected and he even collaborated with people like Allen Ginsberg. This is an inspiring and incredibly moving documentary that will live long in the memory.

Listen to Olivia Laing’s portrait of creative artist Arthur Russell.

Have you ever heard a pigeon whistle? That’s what Nathaniel Mann set out to do after he discovered the Chinese art of pigeon whistling: a tradition, possibly thousands of years old, in which tiny flutes are attached to pigeons in flight. Nathaniel teams up with a man known as “Pigeon Pete”, whose life-long passion for pigeons made him the perfect trainer for the birds. But will they succeed in their attempt to create a pigeon whistle?

Follow Nathaniel Robin Mann and “Pigeon Pete” as they attempt to make music in the air, using the Chinese art of pigeon whistling.

Did you ever think a convent of nuns would be working to save one of the world’s most endangered amphibians? That’s exactly what is happening in a monastery in Mexico, where the Sisters of Immaculate Health are working to save a species of salamander called the axolotl. Known for their medicinal properties and their ability to regrow their limbs, axolotls are now the focus of a mission to save the species.

Listen: Victoria Gill travels to Patzcuaro to examine the interesting relationship between these nuns and the scientists, who are working to save the Axolotl.

After being diagnosed with early deafness aged 25, Frank Swain worked with sound artist Daniel Jones to hack his hearing aid and tune into the sound of the Wi-Fi around him. In this documentary, Frank meets other body hackers who are finding new and exciting ways to rewire their bodies.

Follow Frank Swain on his mission to ‘Meet the Cyborgs’.

Storyteller Andri Snær Magnason takes us on an adventure to discover Icelandic tales full of gruesome, scary characters, like the ones his grandmother told him as a child. As Iceland becomes less insular and steps out onto the world stage, Andri explores the ancient Icelandic traditions at the heart of these stories… This documentary is partially recorded in Binaural Stereo, so make sure you listen on headphones to enjoy it fully!

Join Andri Snær Magnason as he explores Iceland’s lullabies, myths and mysteries.

Have you ever looked at a piece of chewing gum and thought that it would make a great blank canvas? A world away from the traditional art of paintings and sculptures, some artists are looking at art in a different way, on a much smaller scale. Dr Lance Dann takes us on a journey into his personal passion for miniature art and explores its enduring charm.

Take a peek at this wonderful documentary, as Lance Dann discovers a world of tiny art.

Marie-Louise Muir takes us on a journey to explore the tradition of keeners in Ireland. Popular until the 1950s, keeners, which means crying in Gaelic, were women paid to wail, sing, and cry at funerals and wakes. Marie-Louise travels to the island of Inis Mor, to hear about this haunting tradition.

Join Marie-Louise Muir as she explores the tradition of keeners and funerary rites in rural Ireland.