Category: Culture

Culture

Virtual Youtubers – What’s the appeal?

By Laura Dazon It sounds like it’s straight out of Black Mirror: Virtual YouTubers ÔÇô or ‘Vtubers’ ÔÇô are your typical “like and subscribe” influencers, except for one thing: they’re not real. They display human characteristics, they vlog and crack jokes, but their existence is entirely artificial. If the typical appeal of YouTubers is their sincerity and authenticity, why have so many viewers flocked to … Continue reading Virtual Youtubers – What’s the appeal?

Laura Dazon
Culture

The Hothouse | Theatre review

By Saoirse O’Connor Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà There is a moment towards the end of The HothouseÔÇÖs first act where it feels like youÔÇÖve suddenly started watching a different play. Moments previously the audience were rolling in the aisles and with the flicker of a red light (and some well-placed electrodes) they sat transfixed as a man writhed in agony mere centimetres away. It is … Continue reading The Hothouse | Theatre review

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Culture

My Wales | Exhibition Review

By Cinzia Appetecchia Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà In the heart of Cardiff, the MADE art gallery recently hosted a photography exhibition by a local artist and photographer, Kyriacos Asprou, to which I had the pleasure to be invited to see his work. I found a collection of pictures taken during a long trip around the country to frame the essence of what Wales has to … Continue reading My Wales | Exhibition Review

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Culture

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Theatre Review

By Neus Forner Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Beautiful: The Carole King Musical follows the life story of Carole King, an incredibly well-known singer and composer. This musical focuses on the tale of love, success and friendship surrounding Carole KingÔÇÖs life. Full of musical numbers, this show is catchy and upbeat, making it hard not to sing along and dance to many of the songs.  Regarding … Continue reading Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Theatre Review

Neus Forner
Culture

An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

By Lewis Empson Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà J. B. PriestlyÔÇÖs staple of the whodunnit genre is as pertinent as ever within todayÔÇÖs society. Watching it unfurl on stage with social commentary still as relevant as its debut in 1945 is an engaging and thought-provoking experience. We are first introduced to a dirty, dimly lit street inhabited with impoverished children, contrasted with the decadent home of … Continue reading An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

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Culture

On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

In the previous instalment of our photography series, I guided you through all the jargon you need to know when approaching photography. Today I will talk about budgeting and how to navigate the plethora of equipment on offer, another tricky aspect for beginners. To facilitate your journey through photography, I also interviewed the photographer Ieuan Berry, who works in the shop Camera Centre, located in … Continue reading On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Culture

Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

By Amelia Field Coming all the way from Cuba, International ballet star Carlos Acosta brings his superbly talented company to the Wales Millennium Centre. To give background to the company, Danza started up Acosta Danza in his home Havana where dancers are scouted and enter the company at the age of 12 to undergo eight years of training before they are ready at the age … Continue reading Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

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Culture

Into the Woods | Theatre Review

By Rachel Nurse Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Brothers Grimm hit the YMCA stage with an epic fairy tale about wishes, a witch and the wicked choices we make brought to life by Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One society. Laura Martin directs the well-loved musical ÔÇÿInto the WoodsÔÇÖ where a witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales … Continue reading Into the Woods | Theatre Review

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Culture

Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

By Luisa De La Concha Montes In early January, I woke up to find my Twitter feed flooded with very outspoken opinions about Jeannine CumminsÔÇÖ most recent book, American Dirt. As I started interacting with the two main writers that reviewed and criticised the book, Myrian Gurba de Serrano and David O. Bowles, I realized that I was witnessing something quite revealing, and potentially, something … Continue reading Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Culture

Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

By Tabitha Jukes The open-mic storytelling platform is crafting safe-spaces in Cardiff to share, laugh and discuss inclusive sexuality, real-life sexual stories and experiences in an evening of inclusive entertainment.  So, what exactly is Smut Slam? Created by artist, performer and sex activist Cameryn Moore in February 2011, the first Slam took place in Boston. Zoom ahead nine years, and the ÔÇÿdirty-story telling open micÔÇÖ … Continue reading Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

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Culture

Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

By Tabitha Jukes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As part of The OtherRoomÔÇÖs eight-week Spring Fringe programme, which champions native and non-native alternative theatre, and showcases innovative performance in Cardiff. I was able to enjoy CB4ÔÇÖs debut show Back to Berlin. The show does exactly what the grassroots and developing Cardiff- based theatre company intends: presenting theatrical storytelling, with a difference. It is informative, entertaining and … Continue reading Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

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Culture

Work To Be Done | Photography exhibition review

By Luisa De la Concha Montes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Last weekend, Ffotogallery launched their latest exhibition ÔÇ£Work to Be DoneÔÇØ, a visual meditation on gender stereotypes in Europe. The collection showcases the work of Beta Bajgart, Johan B├ñvman, Katrina Neiburga, Mikko Suutarinen, and Nella Nuora. The exhibition starts with Johan B├ñvmanÔÇÖs ÔÇ£Swedish DadsÔÇØ, a series of portraits depicting dads that have decided to take time off work to … Continue reading Work To Be Done | Photography exhibition review

Luisa De la Concha Montes
Culture

Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

By Molly Govus Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW Jeremy Dyson and Andy NymanÔÇÖs production of ÔÇÿGhost StoriesÔÇÖ has been touring around the globe since February 2010, but this in no way means the performance has lost its fear factor. With a running time of 80 minutes and no interval, before I even sat down in my seat I … Continue reading Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

mollygovus
Culture

AI and Discrimination

By Amelia Field Artificial intelligence has been around as long as technology has but we have seen its rise in recent years due to the introduction of such devices as AmazonÔÇÖs Echo and smart devices. From Netflix suggesting us films to being able to open our phones with purely our faces, artificial intelligence has permeated its way into our everyday existence without us even knowing. … Continue reading AI and Discrimination

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Culture

The Book of Medicine | Theatre Review

By Maja Metera Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Book of Medicine is a musical written, directed and performed by Cardiff Healthcare Drama Society. It follows two medical students at Cardiff University ÔÇô Alexandra and Harrison ÔÇô through their academic and social journey. It is loosely based on The Book of Mormon, the Tony Award winner which is considered one of the funniest musicals of all times. … Continue reading The Book of Medicine | Theatre Review

Sofia Brizio
Culture

Stacey Dooley | Theatre Review

By Indigo Jones Stacey Dooley has paved the way for a new wave of female journalism and as a result, has inspired many young women to follow in her footsteps. Throughout her career, she has presented numerous documentaries on various topics, most recently including a documentary on the goings-on of a psychiatric unit which aired last week on BBC Three. This event which was hosted … Continue reading Stacey Dooley | Theatre Review

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Culture

Stories Told by the Media

Words by Muskan Arora From listening to the radio to having our news a few touches away, media has rapidly grown to be the biggest storyteller. Mostly, our perception of any event that has happened across the world is influenced by the way media platforms project it. Media chooses what should be consumed by the reader and vice versa. As a media student, I understand … Continue reading Stories Told by the Media

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Culture

Life Lessons from ‘Sex Education’

The popular Netflix series ‘Sex Education’ raises a variety of issues associated with sex, family, and relationships. Some of these are everyday problems we all face and although often presented with hyperbolic or comedic effect, teach us a lot about the more awkward aspects of life. What it is all about For those who have not watched ‘Sex Education,’ it follows the journey of underdog … Continue reading Life Lessons from ‘Sex Education’

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Culture

Interview: The Story of Cardiff Artist – Jian Chen’s Fine Art

by Nicole Rees-Williams. Considering Q3 is currently focusing on the theme of ÔÇÿStories,ÔÇÖ it is absolutely necessary to consider the story behind individuals in the creative field. Becoming an artist is essentially becoming a storyteller. Each picture could hold a meaning that you would never know upon your own first glancing, and this is what makes art such a fascinating form of storytelling. We were … Continue reading Interview: The Story of Cardiff Artist – Jian Chen’s Fine Art

nicolereeswilliams
Culture

Repainting Barbie Dolls; A new artistic trend or pointless vandalism?

By Harriet Lowbridge The fad of repainting Barbie dolls came about in the early ÔÇÖ00s. People have been cleaning off and recreating the faces and bodies of Barbie dolls, Bratz dolls, and Monster High dolls. You want it, you can probably find it. The dolls give people the chance to express themselves, break away from social stereotypes and create realistic dolls in the image of … Continue reading Repainting Barbie Dolls; A new artistic trend or pointless vandalism?

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