From punk revivals to banned books, this week’s issue traces how rebellion moves through culture, from the runway to the library shelf to the movie screen and asks what happens when art meant to provoke becomes art meant to please.
Banned Books Week, October 5th to 11th, recently passed, bringing more attention to the slogan 'Buy Banned Books'. Hence the question: what are the most banned books in the U.S. and why does this matter?
In lieu of mythologizing, One Battle After Another and Andor focus on organizational commitment and personal sacrifice needed to fuel a revolution.
Sometimes, meaning seems meaningless. When there is neither Cat nor Cradle to be seen, how can we trust the prejudices of a taught but false reality? Kurt Vonnegut asks this question in his expansive religious and scientific satire novel, Cat's Cradle.
After twenty-five years of wanting and waiting, the punk souls have finally returned with a brand-new edition and fashion collaboration. Happy birthday, NANA, and welcome back!
From a Los Angeles fire to a federal shutdown: culture under heat, scrutiny, and delay.
Is still the open ended question in this day of modern online discourse and never ending opinions, but do we need to answer it differently and change our mode of conversing with others?
Whether it’s the town of Quahog or the very real world of beauty marketing, schools, and social media, young teenagers like Meg are frequently pressured by their surroundings into feeling not enough. Join us for an honest conversation about body image anxiety and how we define “ideal beauty”.
Stories of revolution have long faced the struggle of delivering a message meant to agitate through a medium designed to satisfy and entertain.
This week, we look at how pop culture and politics mirror our fears, desires, and divisions.
Rachel Kushner's novel Creation Lake shows us that liberal activists want the same things that humans have always wanted, and conservative forces just want to be left alone to do as they please. The differences in political extremes often lead to the same end points.
From the spotlit fictional stage to the real-life practice rooms and competitions behind the curtains, what do KPop Demon Hunters and Girl Crush each say about the modern K-Pop industry?
Film & TV
Artists like Nathan Fielder and Tim Robinson are playing out our social fears on the screen, and the results are equal parts hilarious and disturbing.
Weekly Newsletter
From fireworks on sacred peaks to films that thrive in silence, literary detectives, and a timeless Brazilian groove—your weekly dive into art and culture.
Culture
It is so confusing to be a girl raised on Nancy Drew, Miss. Marple, and J.B. Fletcher when you realize how scrutinized these characters are today, considering their historical context.
Film & TV
Dialogue is great. We all love dialogue. But when movies let it go, they can ascend to even greater, more distinctly cinematic heights.
Art
Famous outdoor brand Arc'teryx and pyrotechnic artist Cai Guoqiang lately apologized after their collaborative fireworks display nearly blew up Tibet's sacred mountains and damaged the local ecosystem. Is the fusion of nature and art a homage or desecration?
Weekly Newsletter
Nearly 100 years later, she remains louder, bolder, and stranger than ever. Plus: Grizzly Man, Art Basel, UT Austin Research, and more.
Art
For Art Basel, the timing is delicate. And a lot is at stake.
Film & TV
Is Timothy Treadwell, as presented in Werner Herzog's documentary, a role model or a cautionary tale? In fact, he's both at the same time.
Culture
Mona Awad's "Rouge" shows us the way in which culture becomes a cult which we have to choose to escape for our own sanity.
Animation
And More Behind the Early Design, Jazz, and Production.
Weekly Newsletter
A data-led ranking of city centers; making art in turmoil; a novel that foresaw loneliness; where cinema’s erotic charge went.
Music
We researched the top cities for new musicians to flock to using 6 different metrics.