Take five with MTV’s Duncan Penn
The Charlatan: Where did you guys get the idea for the name The Buried Life?
Duncan Penn: The name came from a poem written 150 years ago by a poet named Matthew Arnold. It spoke to exactly what we were feeling in our lives.
TC: What were some of the difficulties you encountered along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Capturing the castle
My first experience in London, England was listening to a tour guide explicitly describe the murders of several prostitutes. The women were killed by Jack the Ripper in London’s Whitechapel district during the 1880s.
Being easily frightened, this was not my preferred introduction to the city. It was a field trip taken with my literature class at Herstmonceux Castle, so it did have a purpose, and a good one too.
Capturing the castle
It was the opportunity of a lifetime. From the first day in the Atrium when I saw pictures of Herstmonceux Castle, to the last day when I took the long plane ride home. I couldn't believe I could be so lucky.
I had no preconceived notions of the castle experience. I was an open book to the experience and allowed each day to write its own synopsis in my memory.
The utter beauty of Herstmonceux Castle filled my senses.
Some sensitivity please?
In some ways, things are improving for women in Sierra Leone. More women are in positions of power and leadership than ever before.
However, there is still a long way to go for the average woman, especially in rural areas.
One major area is work. This was really emphasized in a small group activity I observed at a gender sensitization workshop. Each group was assigned a person (man, woman, boy and girl) and had to write down all the activities that person typically did in a day.
Around the world in a semester
1. You arrive at the airport. The furniture is unconventional — the lighting fixtures look like bubbles and the chairs are shaped like stingrays and eggs. You’ve just had your first encounter with Scandinavian design.
2. You feel like a snack. You step away from the baggage carousel to a stand selling hot dogs. You order one wrapped in bacon, covered in a thick yellowy sauce and possibly pickles. It goes down well with a bottle of chocolate milk.
