Culture & Politics

Culture & Politics

Cinema as Inquiry: On Art, Knowledge, and Justice

For many viewers, cinema is a form of paid entertainment to relax or escape. In academic circles, cinema is mainly defined as a means of communication, representation, or an aesthetic…

By

Frances Negrón-Muntaner

14 Min Read

When Pop Stars Play Working-Class Heroes: Music and Labor

Bad Bunny, wearing a green baseball cap and a black suit, holds up a Grammy award while speaking at the microphone. His working-class aesthetic, often reflected in his music and performances, raises questions about labor, authenticity, and pop stardom.

Culture & Politics

9 Min Read

Architecture and Domicide in Syria’s War

War in Syria has caused massive home destruction

Books Culture & Politics

11 Min Read

Patria y Vida: Challenging Cuban Dictatorship Through Art

Four men stand together, with one in the center displaying the words "Patria y Vida" written across his bare chest. The image evokes the spirit of the song "Patria y Vida," which has become an anthem of resistance against the Cuban dictatorship. Their serious expressions and dark clothing underline the song's powerful message and the unity of Cubans in their fight for freedom and justice.

Culture & Politics

27 Min Read

Eros and Emperor: Mishima Yukio’s Homoerotic Nationalism

Capture the essence of Yukio Mishima, an emblem of Homoerotic Nationalism, as he intricately weaves together sexuality and patriotism in his literary and political pursuits.

Culture & Politics

16 Min Read

Urban Precarity: Art’s Political Lens

Vibrant street mural depicting a colorful, abstract urban slum, symbolizing the complex layers and hidden narratives of urban precarity.

Culture & Politics

15 Min Read

The New Man: Redefining Humanity in Communist Albania

The New Man statue in Durres, Albania, stands as a silhouette against the sky, symbolizing strength and forward-looking determination, while a group of lively people mirror its stance, celebrating the spirit of unity and progress.

Culture & Politics

12 Min Read

Political songs: An Unsung Hero in Political Struggle

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist Ani DiFranco performing at the Etown Concert, where she focused on a selection of political songs, demonstrating her unique blend of musical artistry and social commentary.

Culture & Politics

15 Min Read

Politically Speaking Art in Albania: Echoes of Dissent and Duality

Politically Speaking Art: A horizontal illustration showcasing the evolution of political art in Albania. At the center, an Albanian artist holds a brush. The left half of his face is in shadows and grayscale, symbolizing communism. The right half is bright and vibrant, representing democracy. On both sides, snippets of his paintings depict scenes of resistance and hope. In the background, silhouettes of historic Albanian buildings and contemporary graffiti symbolize freedom of expression.

Culture & Politics

13 Min Read

Manga Politics: Gender Norms in Japanese Artistry

A manga-styled woman, drawn with Renaissance artistic techniques, set against a backdrop that shows two contrasting worlds. On one side, there's a modern office setting with elements of corporate Japan, and on the other side, a traditional Japanese home. The woman is caught in the middle, torn between these two worlds. Her attire blends traditional kimono elements with a modern business suit. The color palette is inspired by Renaissance art, but the imagery and tension in the scene speak to the gender norms discussed in the article, creating a visually striking contrast.

Culture & Politics

14 Min Read

From Dylan to Beyoncé: Pop Music’s Role in Social Change

Pop music: A woman in the center holds an electric guitar and wears modern headphones. The other figures, dressed in 19th-century attire, hold musical instruments instead of weapons.

Culture & Politics

10 Min Read

Human Rights in ‘Money Heist’: A Reality Check

Horizontal illustration that combines Renaissance style with modernity. Human figures wear red masks, evoking the 'Money Heist' series. Employing Renaissance painting techniques: soft colors, earth tones, and pastels. Detailed shading, accurate perspective and proportions. Includes contemporary elements in the composition while maintaining the Renaissance aesthetic.

Culture & Politics

12 Min Read

From Play to Politics: Gaming’s Uncharted Social Realms

Renaissance-style illustration evoking gaming, depicting a 16th-century knight wearing virtual reality glasses.

Culture & Politics

8 Min Read

K-Pop: A Symphony of Global Power, Politics, and Heart

Horizontal illustration that fuses the Renaissance with K-Pop. A group of idols, dressed in Renaissance attire, poses for a group portrait. However, instead of a classical setting, they are in a modern recording studio with contemporary instruments and equipment

Culture & Politics

10 Min Read

Politics & Pop Culture: The Revolutionary Dance of Influence

Lavish Renaissance hall, filled with gentlemen and ladies donned in exquisite garments. The walls are adorned with large paintings, drawing inspiration from Pop culture characteristics. While one painting might use the repetition of an object, another showcases the serialized representation of a popular figure of the era. Bright and contrasting colors from the Pop Art world are blended seamlessly with the deep and rich colors of the Renaissance.

Culture & Politics

9 Min Read

From Vandalism to Voice: The Revolutionary Power of Urban Murals

Horizontal illustration that presents a scene where a Renaissance artist, clad in period attire and holding a feathered quill, is sketching a design commonly found in contemporary street murals. In the background, a bustling Renaissance market unfolds, albeit with modern touches like people wearing headphones or using smartphones.

Culture & Politics

10 Min Read

Selected Works in Social Sciences and Humanities

The Book Curator

Laureate Picks

Book cover-The Blue Plate_A Food Lover's Guide to Climate-Chaos _Climate friendly.

Climate-Friendly Food Choices: The Blue Plate

c0ver of the book Seeing Us in Them

How Group Empathy Can Transform Politics and Society

Enslaved People _Cover-of-the-book-Patchwork-Freedoms_Law-Slavery-and-Race-beyond-Cubas-Plantations-by-Adriana-Chira

Patchwork Freedoms: How Enslaved People Won Their Rights

cover of The Creole Archipelago: Race and Borders in the Colonial Caribbean

Rethinking Colonial Caribbean History

Colonialism-Cover of the book Ruling Emancipated Slaves and Indigenous Subjects

3 Ways Colonialism Shaped Modern Inequality

Cover of the book Resisting-Change-in-Suburbia

Asian Immigration and the Myth of Suburban Stability