Culture & Literature – Page 10 of 37

23Oct

By Safia LiesnhamNo Comments

Artist of the Month: Shreya Jayanna

Shreya is a talented illustrator and digital artist who aims to feature the beauty and diversity of her own culture. After studying advertising at the University of Arts in London, she began to find her love for art once again, and with the recent rise in appreciation for different cultures Shreya decided it was important to involve her own, and she does this by highlighting the beauty and variety seen in cultures within South-East Asia. One of the things that inspired Shreya to rekindle her love for art was seeing so many Desi content creators on her social media timelines, and at only 21-years-old she had rarely seen so many people showcasing what made them unique. Just by seeing other artists celebrating their remarkable cultures, it made Shreya want to celebrate her own and in turn th...

The Most Diverse Booker Prize Shortlist in History

23Oct

By Reena BakirNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Literature

The Most Diverse Booker Prize Shortlist in History

In its 51 year run, the distinguished Booker Prize shortlist has never featured a more diverse selection of writers. Announced September 15th, the six authors shortlisted for Fiction include four writers of color and four women, with only one author from the UK. Considered one of the most recognized literary privileges in the English-speaking world, such an interesting feat proves that the publishing industry is embracing the importance of new and unheard voices. By rejecting exclusivity and instead embracing openness, this year’s diverse selection of books celebrates the cultural variety that the chosen writers bring with them. The New Wilderness by Diane Cook Bea wants to save her five-year old daughter, Agnes, from being consumed by the smog and pollution of their home c...

Review: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

23Oct

By Jack WrightNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Literature

Review: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

I feel bad for my friends. I haven’t shut up about Ocean Vuong in recent weeks since reading his T. S. Eliot Prize winning collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds. The 2017 collection is evocative and moving. Many of the lines within highlight the excitement and energy found within contemporary poetry: & remember, loneliness is still time spent with the world. Or, my personal favourite: Sometimes I feel like an ampersand. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is Vuong’s first novel. The title is taken from one of the poems found within Night Sky with Exit Wounds, a collection in which the poet considers his own family story. Family sits at the heart of this novel and so too do love, loss and life. The story within detailing the experience of a gay, Vietnamese-Ameri...

The BFI leads the way with an online experience at the 2020 London Film Festival

23Oct

By Harry MearNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

The BFI leads the way with an online experience at the 2020 London Film Festival

Doubts surrounding the capability of organising the national film festival this year have been subdued by the efforts of the BFI (British Film Institute) as the annual London Film Festival (LFF) transferred from the big screen to a fresh online streaming service. Despite the flurry of cancelled film and cultural events across the globe in the midst of the pandemic including the Tribeca Film Festival, pop-culture titan Comic-Con and the glorious Cannes, the LFF led the way with a new platform for virtual festival-goers. The wealth of industry events available included revealing behind-the-scenes footage and talks with directors and producers that were very satisfying for anyone seeking the means to break into the business. I would recommend making the most of available talks and spotlig...

This month’s album review: Limbo – Aminé – 7/10

25Sep

By Thom Cuffin-MundayNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

This month’s album review: Limbo – Aminé – 7/10

Aminé’s second studio album sees the rapper define his sound following his 2017 debut Good For You. With Limbo he develops his lyricism from a primarily immature, albeit enjoyable and entertaining, style to a more poignant and topical approach, whilst still bringing with it Aminé’s quick wit. Written during the first half of 2020, the lyrics are partially inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black Americans killed by American police, with Aminé delaying media for the album so that he could join the BLM protests spanning across America. Kobe Bryant also features heavily as a source of inspiration for the album with Aminé saying in Woodlawn that he was like a dad to him. This culmination of a father figure dying and a powerful mo...

An Introduction to Music at Royal Holloway

25Sep

By Thom Cuffin-MundayNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

An Introduction to Music at Royal Holloway

At Royal Holloway there is plenty to do, in particular when it comes to music. Of course given the social distancing measures that must be adhered to this year, events and socials may be slightly different than previous years, but all of our societies are doing their best to adapt to the new norms! Jane Holloway Choir The Jane Holloway Choir was set up in January 2018 as a non-auditioned choir for students, and prides itself on being run by students for students. The choir strives to provide its members with the chance to sing in an amateur choir at weekly rehearsals, and perform in chapel services and concerts, both on campus and in the local area. The Jane Holloway Choir is a great opportunity whether you have previously sung in choirs and are eager to continue, or ...

25Sep

By Thom Cuffin-MundayNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

Royal Holloway Introducing…

Here at Royal Holloway we are lucky to have a wide breadth of musical talent, and as the Music Editor of Orbital, I hope to bring you some new, up and coming faces each month! If you would like to be included in a future feature, please contact me directly at [email protected]. Miriam Endersby: Miriam is a 21-year-old soprano singer, currently studying French and Italian at RHUL. She recently spent a year-abroad placement at Istituto Monteverdi Conservatoire in Cremona, Italy, where she studied with the sopranos Federica Zanello and Maria Billeri, and the bass-baritone Mario Luperi. Miriam has a particular interest in baroque and early opera, and is currently writing a dissertation on gender and power in Handel’s Italian operas. She also enjoys Gilbe...

25Sep

By Thom Cuffin-MundayNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

The Ultimate Freshers Playlist

In a year that will have more flat parties than nights out, a good playlist is more important than ever. Here’s the biggest hits to add to yours! · WAP - Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion · Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles · Savage – Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce · Break My Heart – Dua Lipa · Blueberry Faygo – Lil Mosey · Spice Girl – Aminé · EARFQUAKE – Tyler, the Creator · goosebumps – Travis Scott · Kill the Director – The Wombats · Ransom – Lil Tecca · ...

Artist of the Month: The Clay Drop (Jessica Moore)

25Sep

By Safia LiesnhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

Artist of the Month: The Clay Drop (Jessica Moore)

The Clay Drop is a project by the wonderful Jessica Moore. Jess specialises in a number of colourful clay earrings made from polymer clay, all designed and handmade by her at home. My favourite things about The Clay Drop are the vibrant colours and funky patterns, the perfect addition to any outfit, I have about 5 pairs of The Clay Drop’s earrings myself. The process of creating the earrings is quite complex. Each earring is made from polymer clay that is rolled into a slab. The clay slabs are then cut into shapes and the clay is baked in the oven, the edges are sanded down and holes are drilled. After this is done the studs and hooks are attached and the earrings are ready to be sent to customers! Whilst perfecting her process Jess has managed to create a variety of different patterns an...

25Sep

By Harry MearNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

The Fate of Cinema

Can the film industry survive in the post-pandemic world? In the midst of a global crisis that has ravaged economies and industries worldwide, how can cinema prevail against suffocating lockdown measures and rivalling threats with little leg-room for social-distancing? Since the UK and most of the world effectively halted in March in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, the repercussions and restrictions dealt to the public have had dire consequences for us as individuals but also for the industries and workers dependent upon an active society. The film industry and cinemas survive upon the millions of moviegoers who flocked to the pictures before lockdown barred the doors to a summer of blockbuster releases. But the survival of cinema in its current form where chain venues like Od...