Happening and un-happening

'Writers and artists have always veered between contrasting versions of history. On the one hand, it is argued, history is about global events - war, conflict, famine, terrorism, mass movements of people around the planet - and to record history means being in the front line, at crisis point, bearing witness to violent change. On the other hand there are those who see history as the slow march of time, with most of us largely untouched by political turmoil, since our lives consist of what human life has always consisted of: birth, work, procreation, friendship and play. One view values journalistic reportage, the other eternal verities. One view is happening the other, un-happening.' - Faith Blakemore, Different Views - The Guardian 21 October 2006