Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Article
  1. Culture
  2. Sport
A sufer carries a longboard into the waves

The surfers seeking the stoke of cold water enchantment

Riley Ellis
The reverence of waves breaks over beach-bums and ancient monks alike.
4min read
Article
  1. Awe and wonder
  2. Culture
Ravers pose together for a selfie.

The rave: a last bastion of hope?

Isaiah Morris
Was the Brat summer the last chance for rave culture?
5min read
Article
  1. Art
  2. Culture
A man paints a canvas with red images.

The constant pull of David Lynch’s direction

Sonny Tindall
What made the director’s films so universally resonant?
5min read
Article
  1. Attention
  2. Character
The cast and presenter of a competition TV programme assembled in a montage.

Traitors holds a mirror up to this obsession of ours

Jonathan Rowlands
The attitude that is eroding empathy.
4min read
Article
  1. America
  2. Culture
The 47th President of the United States of America

God goes public: the inauguration and the return of faith-talk

Jack Chisnall
This Inauguration Day, Jack Chisnall explains why the 'Church and State' separation just can't hold.
3min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A hunched man wearing dark glasses and a dark suit, walks down a New York Street at night, with his hands in his pockets.

A complete unknown: the enigma of Bob Dylan

Krish Kandiah
Chalamet commands but this biopic denies the audience its aha moment.
5min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Football
TV presenters stand eith side of a large screen showing football team badges.

Football transfers are just cheat codes to success

Jonathan Rowlands
Not every problem in the game, or life, can be fixed overnight.
4min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A cartoon scene depicts a robot gnome marching out a shed while its inventor and his dog look on.

New episode: Seen & Unseen Aloud

Natalie Garrett
Where are the mystics? What with the free speech? And the humanity of a dog. Listen now.
1min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
Two male cousins converse across the aisle of a train.

The battle between seen and unseen pain

Krish Kandiah
Jesse Eisenberg explores how the generations cope with pain.
5min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Economics
a hand hold a black payment card that reads 'buy'.

Acquisitiveness is the key modern vice

Joel Pierce
When it comes to consumption, we keep our ethics on a lead.
9min read
Review
  1. AI - Artificial Intelligence
  2. Character
A still from a claymantion film shows three characters, Wallace, Gromit and a robot garden gnome marching out a garden shed.

The utter humanity of Wallace and Gromit

Jonathan Rowlands
Choices in front of and behind the camera tame technology.
4min read
Essay
  1. Art
  2. Culture
an all seeing eye hovers above a renaissance style picture of the supper at Emmaus.

Symbols in culture – the interface between the Seen and the Unseen

Theodore Brun
Open your eyes.
5min read