A small portion of the population gets offended at everything they don’t like and hide behind a concept that should never have been taken from its social studies context. The mainstream appropriation of “cultural appropriation” transformed a sociology concept steeped in the study of power struggles between oppressed cultures and oppressors and applied it to every supposed misappropriation of cultural signs and symbols by people who, according to the uninformed masses, have no rights to it.
TC Jewfolk – Away From Religion, Is Judaism A Culture?
I was told by an orthodox Israeli I met on a hike in the English Peak District that I was a Jew. Which made me feel extremely uncomfortable as I was daydreaming about the bacon cheeseburger I was surely going to order at the pub that night and I was looking forward to a side of chips, not a side of guilt.
KOKORO – Japanese’s stadiums food
Japanese’s sports culture is huge, and part of it has to do with going to the stadium for a day of sporting greatness, fun and, yes, food.
KOKORO – Beyond Sumo – a look at Japan’s Sports Culture
It is an exciting time to be a Japanese sports’ fan. The Rugby Union World Cup will take place in the country this September, and the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games are getting ever closer.
KOKORO – Get ready for Tanabata festival!
One of the most popular summer festivals, Tanabata is coming up fast. With a beautiful story behind it and widespread celebrations around Japan, it is time to get acquainted with the “Star Festival.”
Leave Only Footprints: The New Traveller
We go further, for longer and we do more whilst exploring this big blue planet that we call home.
KOKORO – 8 sakura foods that will give you a taste of spring
Sakura season is here and alongside the weather warming up, there are hanami parties to look forward to, as well as a lot of yummy, sakura food.
KOKORO – Kitchen Beauty: natural ingredients from Asia
If you are interested in NutriCosmetics, the Japanese trend taking over the world, you will know this is not a “new” thing. Food and health are intrinsically linked, something people have known for centuries.
KOKORO – Nutricosmetics: The beauty products you can eat
To stay healthy, food has always played a massive role. To be beautiful, we are reminded time and time again that we need to be healthy. As such, the concept of food for health and beauty isn’t revolutionary.
KOKORO – The fifth taste – Umami
Have you ever felt like you were missing the words to describe a particular taste? It wasn’t sweet, sour, salty or bitter. Could it have been umami?
KOKORO – The curious case of wasabi: internationally known condiment very few have tried
Everyone knows what wasabi is. Or at least, most of us think we know about the Japanese answer to horseradish.
KOKORO – Would you like some bacteria to go with your meal?
Bandied about as cure-all, probiotics aren’t just a fad. Good bacteria, probiotics help the gut be healthy, “competing for space and food against harmful bacteria and preventing them from settling in the gut,” as explained on the BBC Goodfood website.
KOKORO – The Okinawan’s philosophy of hara, hachi, bu
When it comes to health and longevity, Japan could teach us all a thing or two.
KOKORO – Harvest your next delicious meal from a Japanese tree
The Japanese language of flowers (hanakotoba) might not be in much use anymore, but flowers are still celebrated, even if their secret meanings are mostly lost.
KOKORO – His Majesty Akihito’s diet
Japan has the last Emperor in the world. No other head of state has a right to the title, which makes Akihito, the current Emperor of Japan, a very special man.
IDOL magazine – Mr. Brainwash Interview
Mr. Brainwash achieved worldwide recognition through Banksy’s Oscar nominated film, Exit Through The Gift Shop. But the man who refuses to accept that he has a “career” – instead explaining that he’s always been an artist and that “art” is something inside of you – has been an active member of the art community for what seems like forever.
IDOL magazine – Luke Edward Hall Interview
There isn’t much Luke Edward Hall isn’t good at, from fashion design to fanzines, styling to photography, this go-getter has dabbled in it all. His actuality reflects his love of all things creative, from his graduate collection at Central Saint Martins, designing for Patrick Wolf and Fox and Flyte, a shop of “curious objects for the home and person.”
SPANISH – Neo2 – Little Boots Interview
Libertad creativa: “Para mí toda esta aventura ha supuesto un viaje de construcción de confianza, he aprendido a conocerme y a confiar en mi instinto. En el último álbum comencé a hacer eso todo el tiempo. Nadie mejor que yo sabe lo que más me conviene, así que debo confiar en mí misma.”
Clique Magazine – Delo gives your water a little “je ne sais quoi”
French women are not the only one to have it all. Since January, British women (and men, let’s not forget them) can also hydrate in style. All they have to do is carry an Evian bottle topped up with a Delo water booster cap.
IDOL magazine – KITSCH Feature
Kitsch! Tacky! Vulgar! No, this is not the exclamation I made when entering my old spinster aunt’s house in the countryside, it is the definition of the current art market.
UMG – Album Review: Ty Segall – Ty Segall
Ty is without a doubt one of modern rock’s foremost genius, very rarely disappointing. He doesn’t have anything to prove anymore, which allows him to end his second self-titled album – the other one being his debut – with a “song,” ‘Untitled,’ that is nothing more than a burst of guitar leading nowhere.
5 things you need to know about Samoa
Never heard of Samoa? Sadly, you’re not the only one. Apparently, great rugby teams and a claim as the birthplace of the Polynesian people isn’t enough to truly be on the map.
UMG – Name your Indie band in 3 easy steps
We remember a time when every band name might have been – kind of – the same, and it was a GOOD thing. Seriously: we KNEW how to spot the indie kids! We could make a beeline for the T at the record shop – when those still existed – and be happy to look through thousands of THE something something’s albums.
UMG – Album Review: The Pigeon Detectives – Broken Glances
The Pigeon Detectives are still around! Yep, we realise this statement might shock you, but bear with us here. The lads from Leeds might have emerged from the noughties’ indie pop rock scene but they kept at it even AFTER everyone moved on.
FRENCH – Ice Black Birds
Un premier single pour Ice Black Birds qui a du punch. Une basse entêtante, un son lancinant et un clip rappelant Mondrian. L’indie rock auquel Sam Denniston nous avait habitués avec The Matadors, groupe d’amis de boarding school qui tournait sur les circuits londoniens a bien évolué.
UMG – Latest Kanye is out!
We never thought we’d feel bad for Kanye West. Some would say he had nothing left to say, but one could also see TLOP as a man baring his soul. He’s not commenting on the world, cause Yeezus is OUTSIDE the world.
UMG – Ground control to Major Tom: five moments Bowie rocked
Our favourite alien and the world’s most influential artist is no more. David Bowie passed on January 10, 2016, two days after the release of his latest and twenty-sixth studio album, Blackstar.
UMG – Making Lemonade with the Queen
Lemonade has just dropped and everyone is talking about it, obviously. One question most watchers/listeners will ask themselves is: has Bey lost her mind? The answer? She sure did! And we’re incredibly grateful for it too.
Digital Present – The meaning of data
Data terminology is part of our everyday lexicon. With data-related issues seemingly omnipresent in our lives, it’s important that we understand what these data-related terms mean in order for us to make sense of our enmeshed physical-digital landscape.
Digital Present – New technologies that changed our lives
Technology is a part of our lives, and we seem to take it for granted. But do we, really? Looking at the different stages and revolutions of technology in relation to art and design practice as well as the products and services affecting the way practitioners work, think and live, this article explores the idea of generational identity through technology.
Digital Present – Visual Literacy – is a picture worth 1000 words?
With most of the tools and media we interact with on a day-to-day basis relying heavily on images, are words taking a backstage? Is 21st century communication mainly visual and if so, is this an issue for society at large?
Digital Present – Are personal recording devices impeding students’ experience of ‘being in the moment’, and if so, does it matter?
Personal recording devices are everywhere. Do you carry a smartphone, a tablet and a camera with you wherever you go?
