The hottest Art Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

The Wit's Guide to Bureaucracy

Get Wit Quick • 373 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Bureaucracy involves making copies of everything in triplicate.
  2. Bureaucracy reflects a system that demands perfection but is hindered by human nature.
  3. Rebelling against bureaucracy can be seen as a modern hero's journey.

THE BROOKLYN BOHEMIA OF '80S AND '90S

The Nelson George Mixtape • 373 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Fort Greene and Clinton Hill in the '80s and '90s were hubs of African-American and Latin creative talent.
  2. The Brooklyn Boheme era included artists from various fields like music, literature, and film.
  3. Spike Lee's party in Fort Greene Park inspired Nelson George to work on a book about that vibrant and ambitious time.

A Pilgrimage to Ravenna

Cathedral Effect • 373 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The city of Ravenna is known for its church mosaics and has a rich historical significance.
  2. Ravenna was a crucial city in Western Europe during the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian.
  3. The art in Ravenna's churches reflects a different portrayal of Christ compared to Western medieval art.

The Wit's Guide to Spending

Get Wit Quick • 373 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. When spending money, you can't keep doing it forever. There's a finite amount to spend.
  2. Cakeism philosophy is about having your cake and eating it too. It's humorous but not practical.
  3. Attention and time are more valuable than money. Spend wisely on things that matter.

Intentionally spiraling out

Austin Kleon • 1958 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. A simple notebook exercise can help reduce anxiety and make you feel a bit better. It's a small step to calm the mind.
  2. Listening to Mel Brooks' memoir is not just funny; it feels sweet and comforting. It's like connecting with family through his stories.
  3. Pre-ordering the special edition of 'Steal Like an Artist' is a great way to support and celebrate its 10th anniversary, plus you'll get a signed copy!
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The soul moved the pen, and broke it.

The Common Reader • 1275 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📚 Literature Art
  1. Flaubert's intense and disturbed personality was essential to his artistic style and work.
  2. Flaubert's commitment to creating a perfect novel like 'Madame Bovary' involved intense emotional investment in his writing.
  3. Flaubert's belief in detachment for the sake of art and the importance of creating style through observation rather than raw emotion are key aspects of his writing advice and artistic process.

Reality: A Lesson on Love from John Muir

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. John Muir believed that to truly love nature, you have to understand it deeply. It's not just about enjoying beautiful views, but learning about the details and the science behind them.
  2. Muir's connection to Yosemite went beyond a short visit; it was a lifelong love. He spent years studying and exploring, showing that genuine love for something requires commitment and care.
  3. Sharing your passion for nature with others can inspire them to appreciate it too. Muir used his writing to invite more people to see and love the natural world around them.

A good heist novel, an excellent animated movie for adults and kids, and four new songs I like

Read Max • 579 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. A great heist novel can be really exciting and fun to read. It's full of action and clever plot twists.
  2. There's a new animated movie that's perfect for both kids and adults. It's visually stunning and family-friendly.
  3. Music lovers might enjoy checking out some new songs that have been released recently. They add a fresh vibe to your playlist.

Anna Gát: What to Read This Weekend #48

interintellect • 216 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Universities are no longer investing in equipping students to face humanity's challenges.
  2. There is a tension between the secular and enchanted in societal thinking.
  3. Understanding and navigating the complexities of cancer treatment can be hopeful with a positive prognosis.

Hidden Open Thread 388.5

Astral Codex Ten • 206 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. This post is meant for paid subscribers only.
  2. It invites readers to engage in a discussion through comments.
  3. It highlights that the content may be exclusive and not accessible to everyone.

Films About Flies

Animation Obsessive • 627 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Flies are often seen as symbols of death and decay, especially in horror movies. Their creepy presence adds to the unsettling atmosphere.
  2. Two different animations titled 'The Fly' were made in the 1960s and 1980s in Yugoslavia and Hungary. Both films are considered horror, but they explore deeper themes beyond just the fly.
  3. The first 'The Fly' was nominated for an Oscar, while the second one won. This shows the artistic impact and recognition these films received in the animation world.

Musings.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 34 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Appreciating what we have can be done by imagining its loss. Think about what life would be like if you never had that thing or person in your life anymore.
  2. Joy comes from connections with others and being in a state of flow. When we build relationships and engage deeply in activities, we often find happiness.
  3. Vagabonding is about choosing experiences over possessions. It’s about taking time off from everyday life to travel and enjoy new perspectives.

A Map of Cosmographia

Cosmographia • 159 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Our time on earth is limited, so we should make the most of it by learning and exploring.
  2. The world is full of beauty, from diverse cultures to fascinating stories.
  3. Cosmography aims to unite various disciplines like history, geography, anthropology, and more into one grand endeavor.

Lonely Charts Personals ... or Chartbook 352, the Valentine's edition.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. People shared personal ads looking for romantic or meaningful connections, often with quirky and creative descriptions. It's a fun way to meet others who share similar interests.
  2. The ads covered a wide range of backgrounds and preferences, from academic and professional interests to unique hobbies and personal values. This shows the diversity of experiences people are looking for in relationships.
  3. There is a light-hearted, humorous tone throughout the personal ads, making it clear that many are just looking to have fun and enjoy the process of connecting with others.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 555 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. SALLY: A critic wondr if big coorption own right to hmonitor rmntrnh imbmcdtord, wht thn to dcid&n in cngdgnw, mbttngh
  2. SALLY: If whr thm mnd hrny mnmpt whr not, hw co mmdnmr gtnmtgttb dt   rmb whr yfth nvwhnt; whyd tkgfn
  3. SALLY: Whrk wbdy wncr hbdy; bnvtywn pmtqnphnwnwtrbpdi wjhtnwhng

Plug your writing on our Substack

Disaffected Newsletter • 639 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. You can share your creative work like writing, music, or art with others. It's a chance to connect and show what you do.
  2. Feel free to leave links to your projects in the comments so others can check them out. This is a great way to support each other.
  3. By subscribing to the newsletter, you can stay updated on new posts and help support the creator's work.

There are no mistakes in art

Trying In Public • 179 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art
  1. Art has no mistakes, it's all about personal expression and creativity.
  2. Focus on the process and enjoyment rather than seeking perfection or validation.
  3. Creating something that excites you is more important than winning or achieving perfection.

Remember when hip hop was fun?

Disaffected Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Hip hop used to be about fun and enjoyment. Many people miss that energy in today's music.
  2. The culture of hip hop has changed over the years, and some fans feel it has lost its playful spirit.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help us appreciate the joy that hip hop once brought to many listeners.

Deejaying on the hedonic treadmill

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 15 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Using DJ tricks like volume and sequencing can help us balance our feelings and experiences on the hedonic treadmill. It's all about finding the right mix in life.
  2. Reading can sometimes be frustrating if a book is too long, but it can still be engaging. It's a journey of wanting to know more while feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Recent shows and music can bring joy and surprise. It's fun to discover new artists or enjoy those earlier seasons of beloved TV shows.

Combining 143 World War II movies into one series

ww2supercut’s Substack • 3 HN points • 14 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The World War II Supercut combines 143 movies into a 12-hour series. It aims to make the timeline of the war easier to understand by using clips from popular films.
  2. Creating this supercut was a huge task that involved a lot of research, editing, and watching movies quickly. It's important to break big projects into smaller, manageable parts.
  3. The project highlights a bias in films, as many popular WWII movies mainly reflect Western perspectives. The creator tried to include a variety of viewpoints but found it challenging.

The creative path

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Creatives often have non-traditional career paths that can be confusing to those in standard jobs. Success for a creative person can look very different than for someone in a typical career.
  2. Even those who seem successful in creative fields, like acting or music, often struggle financially. Many still have to work other jobs to support themselves, even if they are getting regular work.
  3. Having a supportive network, like family and friends, can be crucial for creatives. It's important to have people who believe in your dreams and help you navigate the ups and downs.

We Shall Reclaim Literature with Horror

Trantor Publishing • 279 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Horror in literature holds a power to transgress that eludes progressives.
  2. Tragic horror and demonic horror represent different sub-genres within the horror genre.
  3. Anarcho-horror is predicted to emerge as chaos ensues, offering a guide to confront and navigate troubled times.

The Time of Big Walking

Wild Information • 216 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Different indigenous peoples have unique ways of measuring time that are closely tied to nature and subsistence.
  2. The Sámi people have a calendar with eight seasons and twelve months that reflect changes in the environment.
  3. A year for Arctic peoples is not just a fixed number of days but a flow of natural events like bird migrations and frozen lakes.

Kraków

Cosmographia • 339 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🏝 Travel Art
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography based on a specific location like Kraków.
  2. To access the full content of the post, subscription and payment are required, indicating premium access for subscribers.
  3. The author shares a blend of creative content in the form of art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography focused on Kraków, offering a unique and immersive experience to subscribers.

#136 Design on fire 🔥

Design Lobster • 339 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🪑 Design Art
  1. In the past, unique devices were created for fire escapes, like a helmet-worn parachute, but ultimately changing building designs was more effective for safety.
  2. During the 17th and 18th centuries, pole screens were used to prevent makeup melting near fires, showing that design can solve practical problems.
  3. Design should not only function but also consider how it makes users presentable to others, as seen in the evolution of pole screens for makeup protection.

Immediatism

Secretum Secretorum • 580 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Immediatism focuses on creating genuine connections and experiences with others, rather than getting lost in the busyness of modern life. Meeting face-to-face with a group can already be considered a revolutionary act.
  2. Art and creativity should be less about selling or commodifying, and more about shared experiences and direct engagement. Real art can happen in private, away from market pressures.
  3. The struggle against societal norms and alienation involves recognizing that true fulfillment comes from relationships and creativity, rather than work and consumption. We should prioritize making a life, not just a living.

The standard in poetry is that you have to try to write poetry

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
📚 Literature Art
  1. Writing poetry should be encouraged, even if it's not perfect. Everyone can express themselves, and that's important.
  2. There's a worry about what people enjoy in poetry. Not all poetry connects with deeper feelings, and some seems too simple.
  3. Good poetry should strive to break through ordinary language and create a fresh perspective. It's about making the reader see things in a new way.

Touch Grass

Soaring Twenties • 185 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. It's important for everyone to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature. This helps to balance our lives in a digital world.
  2. Talking about our struggles with the internet is necessary and helps create awareness of its negative impact on us.
  3. Creativity often thrives when we step outside the usual boundaries and explore fun and silly ideas. Enjoyment can come from unexpected places.

honoring existence

spencer's paradoxes • 334 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. The importance of recognizing and appreciating day-to-day moments in life
  2. Struggling with the fear of inadequacy when sharing personal observations through writing
  3. Finding purpose in writing to honor existence and embracing the imperfect, yet genuine nature of storytelling

Recharging by Disconnecting

if not, Paris • 334 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Art
  1. Vacation is a time to put away the gadgets and reconnect with what matters by disconnecting.
  2. Taking time away can give you the space to focus on new experiences and meeting people in novel landscapes.
  3. Writing from happy places and sharing those experiences can be a way to reacquaint readers with past writings.

Whistler’s MILF

quite useless • 334 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Visiting storied restaurants for lunch at off-peak times can offer the same menu at a discount.
  2. Opera at the Metropolitan Opera showcases phenomenal music and acoustics, making it a must-visit for Mozart enthusiasts.
  3. Attending live performances, like the play 'A Doll's House,' can provide an intense emotional experience and a chance to see brilliant acting.

A ticket to the freak show

Austin Kleon • 1458 implied HN points • 27 May 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Reading can be a great way to escape tough times. Enjoying books like 'Three Men in a Boat' can really lift your spirits.
  2. Connecting with art and culture through activities like museum tours can be inspiring and help you appreciate history.
  3. Taking care of your creative self is important. Good advice includes protecting your time, reading good books, and spending time alone.

Vol. 2, Issue 21 - Aiden's Parting Pokémon Gift

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Aiden shares a touching memory about a special Pokémon card gifted to him by his friend Seojin before she moved away. It shows how friendships can leave lasting impressions, even if they become distant.
  2. The Pokémon community continues to grow, with new card sets and events being announced regularly. It's exciting for fans to stay updated and connect over their shared interests.
  3. Nostalgia plays a big role in Aiden's journey with Pokémon, as he takes a break from gaming and later returns to reignite his passion. This shows that interests can come back to life at any moment.

Rough Draft 2024, Part Two: Reflecting on a decade of work

polymathematics • 139 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Embrace uncertainty in life, as unexpected experiences can lead to the best outcomes. It's okay to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed; it's part of the journey.
  2. Finding the right balance in work and personal projects is important. It's essential to focus on what truly matters and avoid feeling like you have to compromise.
  3. Setting clear goals can help you stay organized and motivated. Aim to create specific projects that bring you joy, and don’t be afraid to reassess your direction along the way.

Shopping Is Not a Legitimate Hobby

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 440 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Shopping isn't a real hobby. It often lacks the skill and creativity needed for true hobbies.
  2. Many people enjoy talking about buying things, but this can feel shallow compared to hobbies that involve making or doing.
  3. There's a distinction between enjoying a product and having a meaningful hobby that involves skill and passion.

No thank you!

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 17 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Art
  1. Sharing is valuable, whether it's insights, recommendations, or personal experiences. It's a way to connect with others.
  2. Books about writing can really help improve your skills and understanding of the craft. Some classic titles are must-reads for any aspiring writer.
  3. Watching great films or exploring new art can inspire creativity. There's always something to learn or enjoy in different forms of media.