Arts

Book-ish reviews "How to Live " by Sarah Bakewell

Innumerable writers since the 1580s have been influenced by Montaigne and saw themselves in his Essays, as Sarah Bakewell writes in her biography of him, How to Live. Ever since the book came out, Montaigne has been an extremely relatable figure in contemporary society. After having read Montaigne, Stefan Zweig said “Here is a ‘you’ in which my ‘I’ is reflected; here is where all distance is abolished.” More simply — Bernard Levin said “How did he know all that about me?” In this next episode of Book-ish, I’ll tell you how.

Innumerable writers since the 1580s have been influenced by Montaigne and saw themselves in his Essays, as Sarah Bakewell writes in her biography of him, How to Live. Ever since the book came out, Montaigne has been an extremely relatable figure in contemporary society. After having read Montaigne, Stefan Zweig said “Here is a ‘you’ in which my ‘I’ is reflected; here is where all distance is abolished.” More simply — Bernard Levin said “How did he know all that about me?” In this next episode of Book-ish, I’ll tell you how.

Antoni Muntadas speaks on fear in the 21st century for the Program in Media and Modernity

In his virtual talk on Feb. 23 for the Program in Media and Modernity, Muntadas spoke about how fear manifests in the media and the built environment. His presentation covered several of his works, each of which seeks to elucidate our relationship with fear. 

In his virtual talk on Feb. 23 for the Program in Media and Modernity, Muntadas spoke about how fear manifests in the media and the built environment. His presentation covered several of his works, each of which seeks to elucidate our relationship with fear. 

Book-ish reviews "American Primitive" by Mary Oliver

Today I come to you with a ballad, a song of seasons passing, of nature, and of our place in it, to warm you when Princeton’s climate surely won’t. I’ll tell you about Mary Oliver and American Primitive, her Pulitzer Prize-winning book of poems. And together we will learn what it is to live in nature. 

Today I come to you with a ballad, a song of seasons passing, of nature, and of our place in it, to warm you when Princeton’s climate surely won’t. I’ll tell you about Mary Oliver and American Primitive, her Pulitzer Prize-winning book of poems. And together we will learn what it is to live in nature.

The beautiful mosaic of Black art and music: Prospect recommendations

In honor of Black History Month, Prospect writers share their favorite works of literature, music, and art created by Black artists, from Nikki Giovanni to Kanye West.

In honor of Black History Month, Prospect writers share their favorite works of literature, music, and art created by Black artists, from Nikki Giovanni to Kanye West.

“Who wants to present first?”: Sir Paul McCartney pays surprise visit to songwriting class

Sir Paul McCartney paid a visit to Professor Paul Muldoon’s ATL496 class, titled “How To Write A Song.” Joining under the name ‘Test Student,’ McCartney offered thorough feedback on each student’s work, often incorporating anecdotes from his time as a Beatle.

Sir Paul McCartney paid a visit to professor Paul Muldoon’s ATL496 class, titled “How To Write A Song.” Joining under the name “Test Student,“ McCartney offered thorough feedback on each student’s work, often incorporating anecdotes from his time as a Beatle. 

Book-ish reviews "A Mathematician's Apology" by G.H. Hardy

G. H. Hardy, one of the most prominent mathematicians of the twentieth century, would agree with you: math is useless. You’ll never need it. And yet: Hardy still thinks math is worth your while. Why? Listen in to our newest episode of Book-ish to find out. 

G. H. Hardy, one of the most prominent mathematicians of the twentieth century, would agree with you: math is useless. You’ll never need it. And yet: Hardy still thinks math is worth your while. Why? Listen in to our newest episode of Book-ish to find out. 

Reading Peter Singer's ‘Famine, Affluence, and Morality’ 50 years later

“Famine, Affluence, and Morality” confronts the reader with their own complacency regarding global suffering, and the passage of time has not led to a heartening perspective. Half a century later, the world is in the midst of a refugee crisis, wars and famines continue to afflict millions, and society is still rife with poverty and inequality.  A modern frame of reference provides a new understanding of what may be necessary to goad the world into action, but we’ll start by reexamining Singer’s reasoning regarding the affluents’ duty to help those in need. 

“Famine, Affluence, and Morality” confronts the reader with their own complacency regarding global suffering, and the passage of time has not led to a heartening perspective. Half a century later, the world is in the midst of a refugee crisis, wars and famines continue to afflict millions, and society is still rife with poverty and inequality.  A modern frame of reference provides a new understanding of what may be necessary to goad the world into action, but we’ll start by reexamining Singer’s reasoning regarding the affluents’ duty to help those in need.  

Diving into contemporary poetry: 5 recommendations

Once unsatisfied by previous encounters with poetry from bygone eras, Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao recommends five collections by contemporary poets for anyone looking to venture into the realm of poetry.

Once unsatisfied by previous encounters with poetry from bygone eras, Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao recommends five collections by contemporary poets for anyone looking to venture into the realm of poetry.

Topaz Winters, student and artist, makes meaning out of suffering

Topaz Winters, also known as Priyanka Aiyer ’23, is an internationally-acclaimed artist. The Prospect senior writer Paige Allen sat down to talk with Winters about her early start as a poet in Singapore, her life at the University, and her relationship with writing poetry as an act of creation and necessity.

Topaz Winters, also known as Priyanka Aiyer ’23, is an internationally-acclaimed artist. The Prospect senior writer Paige Allen sat down to talk with Winters about her early start as a poet in Singapore, her life at the University, and her relationship with writing poetry as an act of creation and necessity.

Introducing Book-ish: A Prospect podcast

“In the summer before my senior year of high school, I read my first Jane Austen novel, Emma. And I hated it. But this past winter, I read it again, wanting to give it another chance. And I loved it. In this episode, I’ll tell you why.”

“In the summer before my senior year of high school, I read my first Jane Austen novel, Emma. And I hated it. But this past winter, I read it again, wanting to give it another chance. And I loved it. In this episode, I’ll tell you why.”

Q&A with Janielle Dumapit ’23 on her EP and inspiration behind it

Janielle Dumapit ’23 released her extended play (EP), “Rose Colored Glasses,” on Jan. 30. Dumapit, a concentrator in the School of Public and International Affairs, wrote, performed, produced, and distributed the EP by herself. The Daily Princetonian sat down with her to discuss her songwriting process and the EP release.

Janielle Dumapit ’23 released her extended play (EP), “Rose Colored Glasses,” on Jan. 30. Dumapit, a concentrator in the School of Public and International Affairs, wrote, performed, produced, and distributed the EP by herself. The Daily Princetonian sat down with her to discuss her songwriting process and the EP release. 

Mythology meets modernity in senior thesis performance of ‘Unbecoming’

Paige Elizabeth Allen ’21 and Eliana Cohen-Orth ’21 take on “Unbecoming” — a play written by Emma Watkins ’18 — for their senior theses. With its performance taking place completely outdoors, “Unbecoming” follows the story of Lady Charlotte Guest, a real figure from the 1800s, as she works to translate the collection of Welsh tales known as the “Mabinogian.”

Paige Elizabeth Allen ’21 and Eliana Cohen-Orth ’21 take on “Unbecoming” — a play written by Emma Watkins ’18 — for their senior theses. With its performance taking place completely outdoors, “Unbecoming” follows the story of Lady Charlotte Guest, a real figure from the 1800s, as she works to translate the collection of Welsh tales known as the “Mabinogian.”

Cultural resilience amidst diasporic fragmentation in the music of System of A Down

Officially formed in 1994, System of a Down is an Armenian-American heavy metal band founded in Yerevan’s (unofficial) twin-city capital of Glendale, California. With their international success, the group has bolstered a distinct Armenian musical heritage that has seeped into the ears of billions of foreign fans worldwide.

Drawings, deals, and diversification: A look into the life and experience of a Princeton curator

Staff Writer Baylee Cox reflects on a Princeton University Art Museum talk on Rembrandt’s The Three Trees and speaks to curator Laura Giles about diversifying the museum’s collections.

Staff Writer Baylee Cox reflects on a Princeton University Art Museum talk on Rembrandt’s The Three Trees and speaks to curator Laura Giles about diversifying the museum’s collections.

Theatre Intime’s ‘As You Like It’ is a jubilant and witty rom-com for the pandemic

Theatre Intime and the Princeton Shakespeare Company’s decision to remotely produce “As You Like It,” Shakespeare’s lighthearted pastoral comedy, strikes a pleasantly discordant note in a year defined by a global pandemic that demonstrates no signs of waning in many parts of the world, accelerating political polarization, and many sacrifices, big and small. Senior Prospect writer Amy Ciceu reviews this new radio play.

Theatre Intime and the Princeton Shakespeare Company’s decision to remotely produce “As You Like It,” Shakespeare’s lighthearted pastoral comedy, strikes a pleasantly discordant note in a year defined by a global pandemic that demonstrates no signs of waning in many parts of the world, accelerating political polarization, and many sacrifices, big and small. Senior Prospect writer Amy Ciceu reviews this new radio play.

Princeton University Players takes the virtual stage — and audience members' hearts — with Sex on Broadway

Directed by Sabina Jafri ’24, “Sex on Broadway 2020: Things We Missed” showcases new takes on classic Broadway show tunes and shares the Class of 2024’s unique journey from the onset of the pandemic to the beginning of the fall semester.

Confronting ‘virtual’ dualities in the work of multimedia artist Lawrence Lek

On Nov. 5, multimedia artist Lawrence Lek gave a public talk hosted by the Princeton Art Museum to discuss the research interests and questions that guide his practice, focusing in particular on three films: “Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD)“ (2016), “Geomancer” (2017), and “AIDOL” (2019). Lek is the 2020 Sarah Lee Elson International Artist-In-Residence.

Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason: Chamber music with intimacy

During a period in which a pandemic has restricted communication, both verbal and musical in nature, brother-sister cellist and pianist duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason performed a program of chamber works rich in interaction, comprised of works by Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, and Rachmaninoff, that spanned the widest possible breadth of the Romantic period. 

Theatre Intime’s ‘As You Like It: A Radio Play’ is a multifront victory for accessible theater

“As You Like It,” which premiered on Nov. 20, is the second PSC production I’ve seen — or, I should say, heard. Unlike previous PSC shows, this comedy took place virtually in the “radio play” format, named for the historic practice of theater works which are performed over radio broadcast.

Deana Lawson, professor of visual arts, becomes first photographer to win Hugo Boss Prize

Deana Lawson, Professor of Visual Arts, was named the winner of the 2020 Hugo Boss Prize in October. She is the first photographer to be awarded the prize.