ART & CULTURE

Once upon a time, there lived a girl who was born into a family deeply entrenched in traditional gender biases. Her father's lineage hailed from the mainland, where the desire for a male heir was ingrained in Chinese family culture. During her formative years, she often heard relatives chastising her mother for not producing a son. They'd criticise her mother, saying, “What's the point of earning money if you can't bear a son?” “Why couldn't you have been a son?” Her mother's reproach was cutting. Right from birth, her worth seemed measured by her gender, relegating her to an inferior status. A simmering resentment grew within her. “Why should having a son automatically make someone better? Are boys inherently more capable? Can't I excel just as well as a boy?” Many things pe...

“Talent and wisdom have never exempted anyone from the trials of fate.” J.K. Rowling The Harry Potter series has sold over four hundred million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time. In February 2013, J.K. Rowling was ranked the 13th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom by BBC Radio 4's program 'Woman's Hour'." Who says that the peaks of life are immune to setbacks? In recent years, J.K. Rowling has become embroiled in controversies surrounding discrimination against transgender individuals, resulting in significant criticism. Many Harry Potter fans have claimed that she has undermined her own work. The fallout from her remarks has led several actors to refuse to work with Rowling again, while online campaigns calling for boycotts hav...

In the summer of 2023, a sense of having lived through a whole century had settled in after the pandemic. Looking back to the days when social distance kept everyone indoors, some individuals diligently exercised to maintain their peak physical condition, while others found themselves gaining a few extra pounds due to their sedentary lifestyles. In this backdrop, there was a young woman sprawled on a couch, her gaze fixed on her reflection on the television screen. Yes, she had indeed put on a bit of weight. Meanwhile, scrolling through Instagram revealed a pervasive discourse about weight loss, exercise regimens, and dietary restrictions. The mounting pressure became palpable. In response, she decided to create an exaggerated version of a plump girl. As she gazed at this portrayal of a c...

A decade has been dedicated to building the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marking a legendary era in the making. However, after ten years, one must question how long the superhero film craze can sustain itself. Box office numbers don't lie, and over the past year, the development of superhero films has fallen short of expectations. It appears that the public is experiencing a phenomenon known as "superhero fatigue." Amidst the saturated landscape of superhero films, a glimmer of hope emerges with the arrival of the first African-American female director in the MCU, Nia DaCosta. She is responsible for crafting the first-ever female superhero film in MCU history, "The Marvels," set to release this November. Nia DaCosta, a remarkably young and talented emerging filmmaker at ...

Be original or die. Yevonde Middleton The timeless concept of the “Goddess” endures as a symbol of flawless embodiment and noble beauty. Evolving with the times, the term “Goddess” has been adapted to modern jargon like “KOL” and “internet celebrity”. In the realm of social media, tutorials on effortlessly capturing “Goddess Portraits” have become ubiquitous: guiding girls in striking authentically alluring poses and angles, and offering boys universal photography techniques. While we won't delve into the debate on the validity of this trend today, have you ever wondered about the original progenitor of the “Goddess Portrait”? Meet Yevonde Middleto, sometimes described as an eccentric artist, but revered within her profession as Madame Yevonde. In the 1930s, when the norm f...

Announcement: The Debut of M&S's Pioneering All-Female Leadership Team! It's official: Marks & Spencer (M&S) in the UK has unveiled its groundbreaking all-female management team, poised to lead the grand opening of five flagship stores and oversee a workforce exceeding 1,000 employees. A remarkable aggregate of over 115 years of combined retail experience (with an average of over 19 years per member), this strategic move by M&S shines a spotlight on the crucial facets of gender diversity and equality in the corporate realm. M&S's bold action underscores a powerful principle: leadership prowess transcends gender boundaries. The criterion is competence, not gender. However, it's worth noting that an all-female ensemble may not be a universal requirement. As per...

It's been said that dreamers are crazy,yet I think it's the ones without dreams who truly lose their sanity. Madame Song Huai-Kuei Starting from late July, the question 'Who is Madame Song?' has ignited widespread curiosity. However, the answer is far from straightforward. To begin with, Madame Song holds a multitude of titles, including “Artistic Pioneer”, “Business Elite”, “Cultural Ambassador” and “Fashion Maven”. Moreover, her substantial influence has led to her being commemorated by the esteemed institution, M+. Born in China in 1937 during a tumultuous era of conflict, she herself sparked a revolution in the realm of Chinese-Western culture. Her name is synonymous with Song Huai-Kuei. Clothing can mirror a person's character. Don Kenzo and life becomes a captivati...

“Isn't it (being deaf) a major disadvantage in boxing?” “Keiko has excellent eyesight. While she might not be extraordinarily gifted, I must admit, she possesses remarkable courage.” Premiering at the end of July, Small, Slow but Steady is an adaptation of the life of a deaf Japanese professional female boxer Keiko Ogasawara. The film delves into how boxing transformed her once tumultuous life. Despite her small stature, slow punch speed, and inherent physical limitations, Keiko (portrayed by Yukino Kishii), a determined deaf female boxer, hones her willpower through her unyielding gaze. With her unique rhythm, she throws every punch in the journey of her life. It's important to approach Small, Slow but Steady without preconceived notions of a typical sports or inspirational ...