Karl Mercer
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karlantmercer.bsky.social
Karl Mercer
@karlantmercer.bsky.social
240 followers 300 following 660 posts
Curating Visibility Fellow at Dover Museum.
Deal Man fan account.
Curator, writer, poet and musician.
Actually autistic disability activist.
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karlantmercer.bsky.social
Friday vibes.

Been ill this week and finally had time to start processing some grief from months ago.

Autism and grief don't mix.
A still from the Wheatus Teenage Dirtbag video, a man in a bucket hat and glasses bathed in a green light making him look almost alone. Above is a quote from the song who h says "Man, I feel like mold." In a wobbly text.
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
So this is real...

Only went and curated like...a whole exhibition, with art and media, and a VR piece especially tailored for accessibility particularly for visually impaired users.
An image of an illuminated doorway. Glass double doors with stickers reading "automatic door" on each panel, are surrounded by wood. Behind them is a distant museum gallery space. Objects, artefacts and interpretation are visible but not discernible. Above the door is an illuminated sign with the exhibition title, At the End of History. Beneath is a small black rectangle sign with an arrow pointing down and text that reads this way. Below that is a green fire exit sign.
October 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
It's been over 3 years since I last put on a display or exhibition.

Think I'm about overdue for a revival, right?
A colourful waistcoat shimmers in gold and purple with a bold paisley-style pattern. In the black, silky pocket section a daffodil pin is poking out, green beads of the stem lead up to a two-tone yellow flower made of plastic or resin. The collar of the waistcoat is raised.
October 2, 2025 at 1:08 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
He's back, in 3D model form!
June 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
World getting you down? Work full on? Personal life a mess?

There's always time for a song or a poem.

Come along to Exposure Open Mic in Waterstones, Canterbury tomorrow to see some amazing artists perform - oh and me!
A colourful poster, the background is green at the top, with orange/red flower motifs, divided with a rounded, cloud-like line with light blue at the bottom. In the centre is a purple-collired image of me with a guitar. The words say "Exposure Open Mic - Karolus Rex - Waterstones, Canterbury - free to attend - 11th April 19:00"
April 10, 2025 at 9:57 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Headlining tomorrow! Writing something new (as always) and bringing out some of my old favourites.

Follow the link for details.

linktr.ee/sunrosearts
March 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
The 2025 answer to the question "What is British Culture?"
An image of a BlueSky post that reads "It's basically just cafes, card shops, charities and vapes now, plus a Wetherspoons." Underneath it reads "March 28 2025 at 11;00 AM - everybody can reply"
March 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
I'm doing a thing!

After winning it last time I will be headlining the Utterance WorldWide Poetry Slam on 31st March in Fruitworks, Canterbury.

Come and hear my incredible tongue at work, and while you're at it listen to the other amazing poets who will be slamming and you judge the winner!
Me, a white male in his late 30s with long dark hair in a ponytail and a short beard, wearing a dark shirt and trousers and pale waistcoat, am bathed in purple light like the bloody emperor I am! The text reads Next Event 31st March theme:chaos Fruitworks Canterbury 19;30pm headlines by Karl Mercer the bottom left corner has the Utterance logo - utterance written in graffiti style text with a sketch of a diamond and a radiant crown above it.
March 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
I'm doing a thing!

Anyone who wants what is now the rarity of hearing me sing my original songs can come to Canterbury on the evening of the 14th March and do just that!

Plus a load of other acts, quizzes and arty stuff going on.
A colourised, purple version of me - a white male in his mid-30s with dark hair, standing in a long coat, waistcoat and shirt, playing an acoustic guitar in front of a microphone. The background is colourful, the top is a mottled green with large, orangey-red flower motifs, with a cloudy dividing line to the light blue bottom. The exposure logo is under the picture of me - it is green block letters reading Exposure only the 'O' is a stylised iris and purple of an eye, with a line sketch of an eye shape behind it. Underneath it reads open mic in plain black lettering. Beneath that, in green with black outline, it reads my artist name Karolus Rex. There is a small black band below that with three elongate yellow ovals that say Waterstones, Canterbury, free to attend, and 14th March 19:00pm.
March 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Just saying, is there a superhero grumpier than the one designed by my 8-year old self...triangle man?

His catchphrase? "I've got points everywhere, but see the point in anything!"
A crudely drawn picture of an anthropomorphic figure made entirely of triangular shapes and pointed lines with the words "Triangle man" written about him.
March 1, 2025 at 5:11 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
I think it's very important heritage folks get out to other experiences and attractions to get ideas and inspiration.

Today I got to visit Nausicaa aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer and get ideas for how to build cool, immersive, interactive experiences. Lots of inspiration there!
A colourful photo of a mass of jellyfish swimming, the light looks purple with the water a deep, dark blue.
February 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
I will do that next week! Here is this week's.
A name tag - the name "Karl" is written in block letters, with a blue outline, red fill and a grey shadow behind. The corners have small bones with little orange and red flowers on them.
February 1, 2025 at 9:01 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
My name tag from Tuesday's co-production group.

Prepping for another session today - what should I draw on my name tag this time?
A white label with the name "Karl" written on it, and a small drawing of a flower. The background is a floral patterned, blue and white check shirt.
February 1, 2025 at 1:43 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
One at Chatham Dockyards, too.
A fiji mermaid - a composite of a preserved fish tail and fake humanoid torso, that may be a monkey.
January 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Yup! Was just looking through my photos to confirm.
A fiji mermaid - a composite of a preserved fish tail, attached to a monkey torso. It has a creepy, toothy grin and is in a cabinet surrounded by other curious objects.
January 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Surely this doesn't meet Spectrum Standards...
An image of a chap in a blue checked suit with the skyscrapers of the London behind him. The sky fades from dark blue and cloudy at the top, to a bright yellow sunrise or sunset. The man's face has been replaced with the head of everyone's favourite anthropomorphic white chalk votive figurine of the British Iron Age, Deal Man. The text at the top reads "East Kent Mercury and Dover Mercury - Follow - January 27 at 3:45 PM - A Deal man will be a contestant in the new series of The Apprentice, starting this thursday read more:" There is a link to the news story.
January 31, 2025 at 8:21 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
"The warden is said to have grown so fattened by his gluttony for souls he morphed into a rapidly expanding porcine beast."
- "Warden's Snout Ring" Item Description.

It's definitely real, you can ask @vaatividya.bsky.social
A painting of a lengthy pig in a barn, stood on some hay. There is a broom behind the pig and a door in front of its head. Outside the door is a lovely world the pig clearly intends to conquer, and a bucker. Beneath the pig is an Elden Ring Health Bar that reads "Warden of All Souls"
January 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
It went alright.
An image of a white sheet of card with a logo for Utterance WorldWide Poetry Slam. A graffiti style diamond wears a gold crown, with ray emanating from it, Utterance is written in the bottom right. To the right of the card is a small anthropomorphic trophy, on a small pedestal with a plaque that reads "Winner".
January 27, 2025 at 10:41 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
I've picked up my pen and poemed and will be performing at a poetry slam tonight in Canterbury!

Should be well worth the couple of quid entry. Some great poets on the bill.

And you can attend online, if you can't make it to Canterbury! linktr.ee/sunrosearts follow link for details!
A poster with seven people on it, the background is pink and purple shapes and arcs, with a white background. There is a graffiti style logo with a diamond wearing a crown and the word utterance. Beneath in plain font it reads "Worldwide poetry slam" and in large text across the middle is reads "Meet the slammers". The date 27.01.2025 and Fruitworks Canterbury are written in the bottom left and right corners respectively. A poster featuring me, a white male in his late 30s with long dark hair in a side parting and ponytail and a short beard. I am wearing a purple and black brocade tailcoat with a black and white skull and flower pattern cravat. Above my head is a graffiti style logo of a diamond wearing a crown and the word 'Utterance'. To the right it reads "mark the date, 27.01.2025 - 19:30-22:30 Fruitworks Event Space or Attend Digitally! Below the portrait of me it reads "Our slammer is... Karl Mercer" and the sunrose arts social media accounts @sunroseartscic and lintr.ee/sunrosearts
January 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
A few 📸 from my trip to the Grant Museum of Zoology yesterday.

My ill-fated studies were in life sciences - I've always had a love for and interest in biology, and the Grant Museum does a great job showing the legacy of life science, through a lens of modern concerns and ethics.
A grainy, sepia-style photo of teeth in a skull - from a lion (Panthera leo). The teeth are pointy, with two long canines in the top and two smaller, pointy canines pointing up from the bottom. A close up of silica-based glassy structures made by the Hexactinellid sponges - or glass sponges. The structure is on the left side, and shows a semi-regular pattern of lines and hole made up of a mesh thin silica-based filaments called spicules. The right side of the photo is dark. A photograph of three different cat skulls in a row - going from largest on the left to smallest on the right. The one on the left has a museum tag on it, identifying it as a tiger skull. The background is dark. A row of animal heads in jars. They are labelled at the bottom with small tags in white, with a colour stripe, the animal name and a small silhouette of the animal. From right to left, a sloth, wallaby, orangutan and red panda. The heads are in reflective glass cases full of preservative fluid. The colours are very bright and warm.
January 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
The Dandy Poet - Back in the Game!

I had a great time at Utterance Poetry Slam last time it was on. I haven't written or performed a lot of poetry since, life rather got in the way. Figured it was time to pick up the pen again.

Why not come along and see what the fuss was about.
An image with a white background and rounded shapes in a pinky-purple colour. At the top is a graffiti-style logo of a diamond with a crown and the word "Utterance" it sits above a photo of a man, in his mid-30s, with dark hair in a side parting, wearing a purple tailcoat with black brocade pattern, and a black and white patterned cravt. To the right it says "Mark the date 27.01.2025 19:30-22:30 Fruitworks Event Space or attend digitally. At the bottom it says "Our slammer is... KARL MERCER" at the very bottom are links to Sunrose Arts social media @SunroseArtsCIC and /linktr.ee/sunrosearts
January 18, 2025 at 9:26 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Apparently I'm in the Lion King now...

Good morning! Anyone wanna get me a coffee?
A picture of a sunrise over the sea, a silhouette of a harbour arm and lighthouse is on the far right of the photo. A small red sun sits left of centre, peeking above the horizon. Most of the photo is taken up by dramatic clouds reflecting the red sunlight.
January 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
This reaction was made for this!
An image of a greyhound like dog. It has beige fur, a long snout, big eyes and a little droopy ear on the side of his head. It looks sad, or fed up, or both. There is a hand gently resting on its head. The caption reads "when your multi billion pound bank wishes you happy birthday but doesn't give you money."
January 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
It's my turn to send my favourite birthday meme to myself...
A two-image meme - the top image is an orange cat eating a white cake, with fruit on top and three lit candles. The background is plain, and the cake is on a plain red table. The caption reads "nom nom nom". The bottom image has a person's body to the left side, their hands wrapped around the cat who is being dragged away from the cake. The cat looks upset. The caption reads "nooo it are my birthday"
January 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
karlantmercer.bsky.social
Last time I did this I got "euphoric", now "insatiable"...

...according to the dictionary I'm gonna have a fun year!
A pale blue background, with a Merriam-Webster logo in the bottom right corner. The word "insatiable" is in the middle of the picture.
January 5, 2025 at 6:38 PM