Muriel Spark, a Scottish-born genius writer of funny novels, experienced time in two ways, “clock time” or chronological events. She wrote of Proust, the he “regarded Time subjectively, and realised that the whole of eternity is a present now”. Frances Wilson’s biography reflects Spark a puzzle, and so tto are her books. She dealt in word games, tricks, and ciphers; her life was composed of weird accidents, strange coincidences and spooky events. Evelyn Waugh thought she was a saint, Bernard Levin said she was a witch, and she described herself as “Muriel the Marvel with her X-ray eyes”. Following the … Continue reading Weird accidents, strange coincidences, and spooky events

The feminist movement feel more fragile than ever despite decades of progress. Cosmetic surgeries are at an all-time high, Ozempic is bringing back “heroin chic” and TikTok trad-wives are on the rise – after four waves of feminism, what went wrong? Pulitzer Prize finalist and Atlantic critic Sophie Gilbert, explains this is not a unique moment. Feminism felt just as fragmented in the early 2000s, when the momentum of third-wave feminists and riot girls was squashed by lad culture and the commodification of Girl Power. Gilbert’s exposé of mainstream TV, film and music that aped pornography to pander male gaze, … Continue reading Commodification of Girl Power

Raindance, the UK’s leading indie film festival, is ready to entertain with over 70 feature films this year, from 18–27 June 2025. This is a showcase for emerging filmmakers, including new films by more seasoned indie auteurs. Continue reading Raindance Film Festival London 2025

Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris to a McLaren one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix, Circuit de Catalunya. Verstappen who cross the line fifth but dropped to 10th as consequence of 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Mercedes’ George Russel, was forced on to hard tyres for the final sprint to the flag as they had no softer ones available, and left him lacking grip. Charles Leclerc, finished third. Piastri’s fifth win of the season moves him into a 10-point lead over Norris in the championship, but Verstappen’s eventful few laps left him 49 points behind the Australian. Continue reading Piastri wins Spanish GP

Taylor Swift bought back the right to her first six albums. “ All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me. I have been bursting into tears of joy … ever since I found out this is really happening”, Taylor Swift said in her official website. Back in June 2019, when the music manager Scooter Braun bought Swift’s former record label Big Machine, including all of the songs from Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation. Swift’s objections to the deal, blaming Braun for complicity in the “incessant manipulative bullying” against her by Kanye West one … Continue reading Taylor Swift buys back rights to the master recording of her first six albums

A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c 1790 to 1835 curated by DAG Delhi, India, featuring over 200 paintings highlighting the diversity of Indian artists displaying natural history, architecture and Indian customs. Popular paintings highlighting Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza, Sheikh Salim, Chishti’s tomb at Fatehpur Sikri, Delhi’s Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. An English company trading enterprise founded in 1600 the East India Company transformed into a major colonial powerhouse. By 18th century they tightened their grip on India, when the company officially commissioned Indian artists many formerly employed by the Indian Mughals to create visual records … Continue reading India’s colonial past