Modern Gothic at the Catto gallery

Featuring Pam Hawkes and George Underwood, each belonging to a particular strain of European art – one that focuses on the senses and the mind over pure logic and realism, a tradition stretching back to the dark ages via Fuseli, Bruegel and Bosch. Pam Hawkes This new collection of work by Pam Hawkes is an… Continue reading Modern Gothic at the Catto gallery

Mickey 17: Robert Pattinson delivers a double dose of dysfunction in Bong Joon-ho’s darkly humorous Sci-Fi satire

In Mickey 17, director Bong Joon-ho returns to the big screen with a sci-fi satire that combines biting social commentary with a hefty dose of dark humor. This film, a follow-up to his Academy Award-winning Parasite, is far from the subtle, intricately layered critique of class dynamics that won hearts and Oscars in 2020. Instead,… Continue reading Mickey 17: Robert Pattinson delivers a double dose of dysfunction in Bong Joon-ho’s darkly humorous Sci-Fi satire

The controversial history of colourising black-and-white photos

The ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI) image colourization were recently brought to public attention when several historical images were altered using digital algorithms. Irish artist Matt Loughrey digitally colourized and added smiles to photos of tortured prisoners from Security Prison 21 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which was used by the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79.… Continue reading The controversial history of colourising black-and-white photos

London Literary Tours: embark on an unforgettable journey through the city’s literary soul

In an age where literature often feels confined to the pages of books and the walls of academia, London Literary Tours emerges as a vibrant antidote. Led by passionate guides Mike Carter and Cindy Lawford, this unique venture invites literary enthusiasts to explore the city through the eyes of its greatest writers, weaving together their… Continue reading London Literary Tours: embark on an unforgettable journey through the city’s literary soul

Queer East Festival: On The Road

Queer East Festival: On The Road will head out across the country from September to December, offering its biggest tour yet and showcasing a remarkable line-up of contemporary feature films, documentaries and shorts as well as special events that highlight a wide range of LGBTQ+ stories from East Asia, Southeast Asia and their diaspora communities.… Continue reading Queer East Festival: On The Road

Marie Antoinette’s Breguet watch to be displayed in London

One of the most renowned and valuable timepieces in the world, the Breguet No. 160 ‘Marie Antoinette’ watch, will go on display for the first time in the UK at the Versailles: Science and Splendour exhibition, opening at the Science Museum in London on December 12, 2024. This masterpiece, designed by legendary Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis… Continue reading Marie Antoinette’s Breguet watch to be displayed in London

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: a spirited return to Tim Burton’s gothic playground

Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-anticipated sequel to his 1988 cult classic, lands with all the macabre flair you’d expect from the director. While the film doesn’t quite capture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of the original, it’s still a gleefully twisted ride that manages to stay true to its roots while offering up some fresh, if… Continue reading Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: a spirited return to Tim Burton’s gothic playground

Starve Acre: a brooding dive into folk-horror with atmospheric weight, but lacking in scares

In Starve Acre, director Daniel Kokotajlo delivers a haunting, slow-burning folk horror adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel. Set in 1970s Yorkshire, the film stars Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark as a grieving couple whose lives unravel as they encounter ancient, malevolent forces lurking beneath their home. Despite its strong performances and eerie atmosphere, Starve… Continue reading Starve Acre: a brooding dive into folk-horror with atmospheric weight, but lacking in scares

Take off your headphones, get out of your head

I didn’t put in my headphones or listen to any music for a week. This is what happened. If you are of my generation (Gen Z), then you have probably been a chronic music listener for as long as you can remember. Since I got my first pair of headphones in my early teens, I have… Continue reading Take off your headphones, get out of your head

What’s the point of art?

One of the great paradoxes of human endeavour is why so much time and effort is spent on creating things and indulging in behaviour with no obvious survival value – behaviour otherwise known as art. Attempting to shed light on this issue is problematic because first we must define precisely what art is. We can… Continue reading What’s the point of art?