Indonesian batik is a wax-resist dyeing art form that goes back centuries, most strongly rooted in the island of Java. Using methods such as batik tulis (hand-drawn) and batik cap (stamped), artisans apply hot wax to fabric to resist specific dye baths, repeating the process if multiple colours are desired. The motifs range from geometric…
The World Chess Championship has long stood as the pinnacle of intellectual sport, tracing its origins back to 1886 when Wilhelm Steinitz defeated Johannes Zukertort to become the first champion. After more than a century of giants like Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca, and Garry Kasparov, the 2024 Championship marked a new era. Indian grandmaster…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the film and television industry in 2025, transforming various aspects of production, from scriptwriting to post-production. AI tools are now employed to analyze audience preferences, predict box office success, and even assist in generating content ideas. This integration allows creators to tailor stories more precisely to viewer interests, enhancing engagement…
The Cities of the Weft trilogy by Alex Pheby introduces readers to a mesmerizing world unlike many in contemporary fantasy. Set across an archipelago of cities, each ruled by powerful Masters or Mistresses, the series weaves political intrigue, magic, and personal ambition into a tapestry of dark wonder. What stands out is the vividness with…
In 2025, a captivating trend is sweeping interior design: drawn-on decor. This movement embraces the charm of hand-drawn illustrations on furniture, walls, and accessories, offering a personal touch that digital designs often lack. Designers like Jess Murphy of The Lawns Collective and artist Tess Newall emphasize the desire for authenticity, uniqueness, and emotional connection to…
Sean Wang, a Taiwanese-American director, is rapidly carving out a name for himself on the global cinema scene through work grounded in emotional authenticity and cultural nuance. His short documentary Nǎi Nǎi & Wài Pó clinched both the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award at South by Southwest in 2023, and later earned a nomination…
Nia DaCosta has rapidly emerged as a cinematic powerhouse in contemporary Hollywood. Her debut feature, Little Woods (2018), not only won the prestigious Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, it also marked her as a voice of compelling narrative depth and directorial precision. Building on that strong foundation, DaCosta directed the rebooted Candyman…
Speculative fiction, particularly alternate histories, thrives on the art of “what if.” By reimagining pivotal moments—like if the Library of Alexandria hadn’t burned, or if ancient empires endured—authors invite readers to step into worlds that reflect, challenge, and transform our understanding of reality. This genre demands deep research, pulling from historical records, cultural studies, and…
zoomacademia.com – 12 Years a Slave (2013), directed by Steve McQueen, is a harrowing and powerful film based on the 1853 memoir of Solomon Northup, a free Black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. This Academy Award-winning masterpiece, lauded for its unflinching portrayal of slavery’s brutality, remains a cultural touchstone in 2025 for its historical…
Climate fiction, or “cli-fi,” is a rising literary genre that merges storytelling with the urgent realities of climate change. This subgenre explores the human experience in future or altered worlds impacted by environmental collapse, rising seas, or global warming. Authors like Margaret Atwood and Kim Stanley Robinson have brought cli-fi into the mainstream, crafting gripping…
