The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

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Phillis Wheatley: An American Genius

The Recovering Academic • 356 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art & Illustration Faith & Spirituality Education
  1. Phillis Wheatley, an African genius, overcame immense challenges to become a renowned poet, showcasing resilience and talent in the face of adversity.
  2. Wheatley's poetry masterfully blends reason and emotion, demonstrating a deep understanding of Enlightenment principles while infusing her work with joy and beauty.
  3. Despite facing skepticism and struggles during her lifetime, Phillis Wheatley's legacy endures as a reminder of the enduring power of art and literature to illuminate the human experience.

We're moving from Black History Month to Women's History Month and partying at the intersection

The Austen Connection • 373 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Education Art & Illustration Music
  1. Celebrating Black History Month and Women's History Month together is important
  2. There are many great Black authors and stories that are intersecting with the world of Jane Austen
  3. Exploring historic and contemporary works that celebrate Black history and women's history is enriching
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Fear of the Surreal

Counter Craft • 940 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Fiction Philosophy Humor
  1. Surrealism in art resists simple meanings and concrete interpretations, seeking to evoke the subconscious and inspire individual interpretations.
  2. Surrealism challenges traditional symbols and meanings in art by using new imagery that avoids fixed cultural interpretations or subverts established meanings.
  3. There is a prevalent tendency for art consumers to seek simple interpretations and allegories, but celebrating art that resists easy understanding can lead to unique and profound experiences.

What's got my attention this week #33

The Shift With Sam Baker • 179 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion & Beauty Literature Health & Wellness Music Art & Illustration
  1. DJ Annie Nightingale, Radio 1's pioneer female DJ, passed away at 83, leaving a legacy for others to follow.
  2. Mean Girls growing up, Kate Moss turning 50, and the forgotten feminist Shere Hite are discussed in the newsletter, offering a mix of pop culture and feminist insights.
  3. The newsletter also delves into topics like creativity blocks, female luxury in method acting, and the emotional depths of hotel rooms, providing a varied and thought-provoking read for subscribers.

The Limits of Science: Why Einstein Believed Science Needs the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 319 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Literature Art & Illustration History
  1. Einstein believed that a holistic education balancing science and humanities is essential for cultivating fundamental human values and morality.
  2. He emphasized that over-specialization and narrowly technical competencies can lead to lopsided thought and hinder human development.
  3. Einstein highlighted the importance of ethical values guiding scientific knowledge to maintain a healthy and humane society.

TITAA #42: Liqueured Up in the SciFi Wild West

Things I Think Are Awesome • 275 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art & Illustration Science Poetry Games
  1. Monks in the Alps make a secret green liqueur involving a mysterious alchemical manuscript and 130 plants.
  2. Chartreuse monks are facing production cutbacks to focus more on prayer due to environmental impact concerns.
  3. Recent advancements in AI art tools, video and sound generation, and narrative agents offer exciting creative possibilities.

The Many Muses of Taylor Swift

Litverse • 259 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music Art & Illustration Literature Philosophy History
  1. Taylor Swift's art is deeply inspired by her relationships, turning her ex-partners into muses for her songs.
  2. Taylor Swift's ability to create a shared reality through her music on the theme of love resonates with a wide audience.
  3. In the world of popular art, artists like Taylor Swift offer a 'plane of illusion' where audiences can transcend individuality and escape fears while enjoying universal themes like love.

The Infinite Wonder Of... London Street Furniture

Londonist: Time Machine • 259 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Design
  1. London street furniture like phone boxes and bollards can hold infinite surprises and creativity, from book-swaps to woolen decorations.
  2. Interesting initiatives like converting phone boxes into unique shops and decorating post boxes showcase the creativity in London's streets.
  3. Even seemingly mundane objects like bollards have gained online popularity and inspired products like bollard-themed tea towels.

You're smart

Becoming Noble • 259 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Fiction Faith & Spirituality Humor
  1. Encourage readers' opinions: The author appreciates readers' sophisticated contributions and encourages them to voice their thoughts more frequently.
  2. Engaging with cultural works: The discussion delves into the interpretation of cultural works like Harry Potter in terms of political ideologies, showcasing diverse perspectives.
  3. Joining liberal organizations: The importance of engaging with different viewpoints and building with people who promote progress and meritocracy is highlighted.

Two English Eccentrics

A Hundred Billion Bottles • 79 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion & Beauty Art & Illustration
  1. Mark Buxton and Sarah McCartney both found success in perfumery through unconventional paths, showcasing that formal training is not always necessary.
  2. Buxton and McCartney prioritize creativity and unique ideas over commercial considerations, resulting in distinct and unconventional perfumes.
  3. Their stories highlight the importance of following one's passion and instincts, rather than conforming to traditional expectations for success in the perfume industry.

Time to Upgrade to Full-blown Aluminum Hazmat Suits

Deep Fix • 216 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Therapy Podcasts Art & Illustration Culture
  1. Social media is a major cause of mental illness in teen girls and screen addiction has negative consequences for many.
  2. Quality podcast interviews can lead to insightful conversations on topics like addiction and healing.
  3. Aesthetics are important for storytelling, emphasizing the value of human-made art over AI-generated creations.

Ground Beef Ashtray

Opaque Hourglass • 199 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Humor Literature
  1. Sculpting an ashtray from ground beef fulfilled a need for unsanctioned belief through a unique and drastic act.
  2. The ground beef ashtray, though initially disgusting, became a feature to be protected as a symbol of creative power and cultural uniqueness.
  3. The final act of giving the meat ashtray an elaborate pagan burial in the grease bin symbolized letting go but also respecting the unique creation.

Phone booths

The Leftovers • 139 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture History Literature Music Art & Illustration Humor
  1. Phone booths in the UK were used for advertising sexual services with flyers, with interesting transformations over time, highlighting cultural shifts.
  2. Superheroes like Superman and British vigilante fantasies have unique associations with phone booths, showcasing creative interpretations of iconic imagery.
  3. The song "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand" captures themes of confusion, existential observation, and beauty, resonating with the complexities of life.

A Requiem for Techno-Optimism

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music Technology History Art & Illustration Fashion & Beauty
  1. The 1990s techno-optimism was a period when many assumed that history was moving towards an intensified democratic capitalist future.
  2. Vaporwave music and aesthetics reflect a sense of nostalgia for a future that never arrived due to disillusionment with consumerism, pollution, and unmet technological promises.
  3. Vaporwave's emergence from the internet allowed it to create its own visual style, untouched by traditional music scenes, portraying a retro-futuristic world obsolesced by modern technology.

Weekend roundup for 29 July

London in Bits • 157 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Art & Illustration News
  1. The newsletter covers various events in London, including striking parking wardens, a new hotdog offering, and a skateboarding exhibition.
  2. There was a significant increase in subscribers due to positive feedback on Reddit.
  3. The newsletter features an interview with artist Max Colson and offers subscriptions at ÂŁ5 a month or ÂŁ50 a year.

The Art of Regret

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
📚 Literature Regret Nostalgia Philosophy Art & Illustration
  1. Regret is a part of life that teaches us lessons and keeps us grounded in humanity.
  2. Nostalgia, while holding good memories, can also bring pain and a yearning for the past.
  3. Learning to navigate and express regret can lead to self-discovery and growth, showing that embracing one's past can be a path to wisdom.

McLuhan's Narcissus Trance

Banana Peel Pirouette • 138 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Philosophy Literature Art & Illustration Fiction
  1. Marshall McLuhan's concept of 'the medium is the message' emphasizes that the format of media is more important than the content.
  2. McLuhan discusses the process of 'outering' and 'interiorization' of technology, where tools become externalized human capacities and then integrated into everyday life.
  3. The current digital culture is shaping human interactions and identity by blurring the line between technology and humanity, ultimately leading to a potential future where humanity and technology merge.