Culture et pop | ARTE

Kultur und Pop | ARTE

Culture | ARTE

Cultura y pop | ARTE

Kultura | ARTE

Cultura | ARTE

For many, the Eurovision Song Contest is the chance for a Pan-European party. But it is also highly political, especially for countries in Eastern Europe. When Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra won in 2022, it was a message of European solidarity against Russian aggression.

Eurovision: Pop and Politics

For many, the Eurovision Song Contest is the chance for a Pan-European party. But it is also highly political, especially for countries in Eastern Europe

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Filmmaker Benoit Jacquot guides us through 60 years of the famous Festival dei Due Mondi. Every year the small Italian town of Spoleto brings together the best of opera, music, theatre and dance.

A Performing Arts Festival

For 60 years the small Italian town of Spoleto has welcomed the best of opera, music, theatre and dance.

Spoleto at 60

The Codex Seraphinianus is the most mysterious book in the world, full of bizarre drawings and an indecipherable language. It won over prestigious fans such as Roland Barthes, Italo Calvino, Federico Fellini and Tim Burton. Published in 1981, the Codex has become an object of worship: some try to decipher its language and give it meaning; others appreciate it simply because it represents the greatest surrealist work ever made. ARTE asks its author, Luigi Serafini, what's behind his enigmatic work.

The Strangest Book in the World

The Codex Seraphinianus is full of bizarre drawings and an indecipherable language.

Gymnastics

Founder of the English Baroque Soloists, the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre révolutionnaire et romantique, John Eliot Gardiner is not only one of the greatest conductors of his time, he is also a gentleman farmer. When he is not conducting, he looks after the cows and sheep on his organic farm in Dorset, some 200 kilometres from London. Portrait of a revered musician, a pioneer of historically informed performance, as he celebrates his eightieth birthday.

The Art of Conducting

Portrait of the revered conductor and pioneer of historically informed performance, as he celebrates his eightieth birthday.

John Eliot Gardiner

Picasso 2023: 50 years after the artist's death, how does the artist's work resonate today? Cuture magazine show Twist meets the British designer Paul Smith, who has designed a new exhibition at the Picasso Museum in Paris and the Gauthier Dance Company, which was inspired by "Bathers", a group of sculptures exhibited at the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart.

Picasso Now

Picasso 2023: 50 years after the artist's death, how does the artist's work resonate today? 

Twist

With his wild hair, Jean Rondeau is a rock star of the harpsichord. Profile of the young French harpsichord player who is breathing new life into an instrument that is too often ignored.

Profile of the young French harpsichord player who is breathing new life into an instrument that is often ignored.

Jean Rondeau and the Harpsichord

At once seductive and dangerous, historical myth and male fantasy, the femme fatale represents both erotic promise and a death trap to the male observer. Conceived at the end of the 19th century in the works of Gustave Moreau, Franz von Stuck and Lovis Corinth, the femme fatale was completely reinvented in the 20th century by many female artists.

Seductive and dangerous, the figure of the femme fatale in art was completely reinvented in the 20th century.

The Femme Fatale in Art

As Spain is the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, Twist meets a host of Spanish writers: Irene Vallejo, Aroa Morena Durán and Kiko Amat, as well as  Paco Roca, an author of graphic novels.

Why Do We Tell Stories?

As Spain is the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, Twist meets a host of Spanish writers.

Twist - Spain Writers Special

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We tie knots every day without a second thought, but it's all about context. Tying your shoelaces is nothing special, but that very same movement becomes charged with meaning when it is practised as part of Shibari. This Japanese art of tying someone into a tightly woven mesh of intricate knots and bindings started off as a form of punishment. But it is now a sexual fetish, and a craft, full of precision.

Bondage: The Ties That Free

The tradition of Shibari started off as a form of punishment. But it is now a sexual fetish, and a craft, full of precision.

Is pacifism still relevant as war rages in Ukraine? What is the point of peaceful demonstrations when the aggressor will stop at nothing? Tracks East gives a voice to the Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian opposition and peace movements.

Pacifism: What’s the Point?

Is pacifism still relevant as war rages in Ukraine? What is the point of peaceful demonstrations when the aggressor will stop at nothing? 

The mysterious Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) is a recurring figure in pop culture. He is on the Beatles album cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. David Bowie and Ozzy Osbourne dedicated songs to him, and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page even bought Crowley's Scottish country estate, which is believed to be haunted. Some consider him a great occultist, others have declared him insane.

The Wickedest Man in the World

The mysterious Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) is a recurring figure in pop culture. Some consider him a great occultist, others have declared him insane.

With Russian missiles raining down over their cities, Ukrainians have no choice but to take refuge below ground. After more than a year of war, basements, bunkers and metro stations have become more than just temporary shelters. Tracks East looks at what life is like underground.

Underground

With Russian missiles raining down over their cities, Ukrainian have no choice but to take refuge underground. 

In Ukraine, long-distance love is the new normal. Indie pop icon Ingret Kostenko had a meteoric rise to fame until the Russian invasion forced her to flee to Germany. The man she loved was a soldier at the front and she went home regularly to see him. This separation is the inspiration for Ingret’s music.

Love in Wartime

Ukrainian Indie pop icon Ingret Kostenko is in a long-distance relationship with a soldier, the inspiration for her music.

Should artists and musicians be active cultural warriors in the war in Ukraine? Or should art provide solace from the brutality of war? Tracks East focuses on artists from countries devastated by war and how they are received in the west.

Culture Warriors: Art in Wartime

Should artists and musicians be active cultural warriors in the war in Ukraine? Or should art provide solace from the brutality of conflict? 

In our era of crises, comic books are tackling the problems of our times head-on. Culture magazine TWIST goes to the International Comics Festival in Angoulême, France.

Comic Books in Crisis Times

Pop culture

Who are we? And how do we want to live? Streetphilosophy looks for answers to life's big question on the streets of Berlin.

Streetphilosophy

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Neurosciences seem to have pushed out psychoanalysis in understanding human development and behaviour. But could these two disciplines exist side by side and enrich each other?

Neurosciences: What happens to the Unconscious?

Could your perfect look alike be out there in the world somewhere? The idea that a stranger could be living a completely different life to us, but wear the same face, is a troubling, intriguing concept. New technologies might make finding our 'twin' even easier.

Do We All Have Dopplegangers?

Could your perfect look alike be out there in the world somewhere?

Cosmetic surgery is becoming more popular in Europe and the world. We talk about the plastic surgery craze with French plastic surgeons Mauricio de Maio and Oren Marco and philosopher Heather Widdows.

We talk about the plastic surgery craze with French plastic surgeons Mauricio de Maio and Oren Marco and philosopher Heather Widdows.

Crazy for Plastic Surgery

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić had the world at his feet. But it wasn't enough. He knew something was missing and turned to books to help him find meaning in his life. What he read changed his outlook, his way of thinking, and his future. 

In the Words of Ex-Footballer Neven Subotic

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić discusses the books that changed his life.

The Book That Changed My Life

Is lazy good? Ronja meets ex-football player Kevin Pannewitz, who was about to break through into the Bundesliga, but was kicked out by the clubs for lack of discipline. Today he plays in the district league and is a happy father. Does he still feel like he missed something because of his lack of work ethic? Laziness can have meaning: it's a form of resistance, says philosopher Marilena Berends. It's a radical act against our high-speed society and the never-ending drive for production and growth. 

Ronja meets ex-player Kevin Pannewitz, who was kicked out of professional football due to lack of discipline

Being Lazy is Awesome

"The aim of education is to form beings adapted to a system," said philosopher Johannes Winter. But Rousseau convinced us that children must be free to develop as they wish. Can we educate entire societies? Ronja discusses the idea with a lifeguard from Berlin, Extinction Rebellion activists and a couple of artists.

Can we educate entire societies? Ronja discusses the idea with a lifeguard from Berlin, Extinction Rebellion activists and a couple of artists

The Importance of Being Educated

What does it mean to be a man in the modern world? Jan goes in search of answers on the streets of Berlin where he meets barbecue grillers, American football players and queer foresters.

Be a Man! - But How?

What does it mean to be a man in the modern world? Streetphilosophy's Jan goes in search of answers on the streets of Berlin where he meets barbecue grillers, American football players and queer foresters.

Ideas

Increasing authoritarianism means that Russian citizens have to decide: Do they stay quiet and allow freedom to die? Or do they speak up and risk changing their lives for ever? Tracks East meets Russians that could not accept the Putin dictatorship and now live in exile.

Anti-Putin Russians

Tracks East meets Russians that could not accept the Putin dictatorship and now live in exile.

Portrait of the German symbolist painter and sculptor Max Klinger (1857-1920). Often compared to Rodin, he was famous in his day for his erotic and tender sculptures.

Dream and Seduction

Portrait of the German symbolist painter and sculptor Max Klinger (1857-1920), often compared to Rodin.

Max Klinger

A new generation has come of age in Turkey that doesn’t want to live like their parents. On social media, on comedy stages and in rap music a counterculture is flourishing. Filmmaker Ufuk Cam goes to Turkey to uncover the local scene.

Turkey: The New Generation

A new counterculture is flourishing in Turkey. Filmmaker Ufuk Cam goes there to uncover the local scene.

Portrait of a revered conductor and pioneer of historically informed performance, as he celebrates his eightieth birthday.

Anne Lister was an openly lesbian nineteenth century noblewoman, with up to five lovers at the same time. She filled pages and pages of diaries with accounts of her sexual adventures and conquests, and even married another woman.

Britain's First Openly Gay Woman

Anne Lister was an openly lesbian nineteenth century noblewoman, with up to five lovers at the same time.

Artist Davina Sammarcelli makes erotic poems out of letters, returning them to their purest state: lines, shapes, and symbols. Two full stops each encased in parentheses can veer away from their linguistic significance, and suddenly take on the appearance of a pair of breasts. A latent sexuality that language had all along, Davina believes.

Porno-graphics (.)(.)

Meet the artist who thinks letters are sexy

Can Russia be transformed from within? Russian journalist Mascha Borzunova and Russian actor Jean-Michel Scherbak give voice to people Putin wants to silence: dissidents, opponents and artists in Russia and in exile.

Putin's Russia: The Opposition

Tracks East gives voice to people Putin wants to silence: dissidents, opponents and artists in Russia and in exile.

During the Cannes Film Festival, great figures of cinema recount  their   memories of one of the most important moments of their lives. Today: the actress Léa Seydoux, who won the 2013 Palme d'Or for 'Blue Is the Warmest Colour', along with director Abdellatif Kechiche and the other lead, Adèle Exarchopoulos.

Léa Seydoux

Actress Léa Seydoux won the 2013 Palme d'Or for 'Blue Is the Warmest Colour'

Cannes, the Moment Before

A simple hut on the Côte d‘Azur shows all of Le Corbusier’s architectural genius.

Le Corbusier and his Cabin

Ancient Greek statues are white, pure and classical, just like the marble they are carved from. False. These statues were painted in fabulous bright colours. Archaeologists and art academics have known this for centuries so why does the white myth endure?

Ancient Greek Statues Were Not White

Conductors can gesticulate wildly when they conduct an orchestra. But have you ever wondered what exactly they are doing with their hands? And why do they use a baton?

Why Do Conductors Use Batons?

Swiss journalist Yves Kugelmann travels with philosopher Lea Ypi to her home country, Albania. She grew up in the coastal city of Durres. In this place laden with memory, they reflect on "freedom" in philosophy, history, and politics.

In Conversation with Lea Ypi

Lea Ypi reflects both personally and philosophically on what it means to be "free".

Deep Thought

Highly respected theatres are programming gory productions that have more in common with slash horror films than traditional theatre.

Gore at the Theatre

In 1973 choreographer and dancer Carolyn Carlson brought an breath of American fresh air into the Paris Opera. In true hippy style she brought barefoot dancing, improvisation and a relaxed attitude. Not everyone was ready for change.

Carolyn Carlson: The Day They Danced Barefoot at the Paris Opera

The humble accordion may not have a reputation as the coolest instrument on the block. But in the hands of Mario Batkovic it takes on another dimension. Since 2017 the Bosnian accordionist has been wowing audiences and recording film and game scores, notably for hit survival game, Red Dead Redemption 2.

Mario Batkovic: Superstar Accordionist

The humble accordion may not have a reputation as the coolest instrument on the block. But in the hands of Mario Batkovic it takes on another dimension.

Probably inspired by the Mona Lisa, the great renaissance artist Raphael painted this portrait of a young woman. But why is she holding a mythical beast in her hands?

Young Women with Unicorn - Raphael

Probably inspired by the Mona Lisa, the great renaissance artist Raphael painted this portrait of a young woman, but why is she holding a mythical beast in her hands?

Look But Don't Touch

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From pop to classical, musicians from all eras have been inspired by the visual arts. This episode explores the dialogue between sculptor Anselm Kiefer and composer Pascal Dusapin, Madonna and Tamara de Lempicka and Katy Perry and Piet Mondrian, amongst others.

Goya Mondrian Madonna

Episode 2 of a series exploring how musicians are inspired by the visual arts.

Soundtrack of Arts

From pop to classical, musicians from all eras have been inspired by the visual arts. This episode explores Jane Zhang’s dialogue with European art history, Stephen Sondheim’s interest in the paintings of George Seurat and Beyoncé and Jay-Z take over the Louvre for their music video for Apeshit.

Louvre Da Vinci Will.i.am

From pop to classical, musicians from all eras have been inspired by the visual arts. 

How art and music cross-pollinate. Rapper Jay-Z considers himself a modern Picasso, the performance artist Marina Abramović resurrects Maria Callas and Franz Liszt immersed the painting The Battle of the Huns in triumphant orchestral colours. How art and music cross-pollinate.

Picasso, Pop Art and Lady Gaga

Episde three of how art and music cross-pollinate: Rapper Jay-Z considers himself a modern Picasso and performance artist Marina Abramović resurrects Maria Callas.

"Europe remains a dream for Ukraine," says Andrey Kurkov. The renowned Ukrainian writer is convinced that European values mean more in Ukraine than they do in Europe itself. In conversation with journalist Yves Kugelmann, Andrey Kurkov paints a nuanced picture of his country and also shares his personal reasons for why Europe is his home.

In Conversation with Andrey Kurkov

"Europe remains a dream for Ukraine," says Andrey Kurkov.

Berthe Morisot was a friend of Manet. Lee Miller, one of Man Ray's muses. And Dora Maar, one of Pablo Picasso's wives. The woman who devoted her life to her husband's work is now being given back her rightful place in art history. What if we put an end to the idea of a muse and viewed these female artists in their own right?

Dora Maar Presents...

What if we finished with the idea of a muse and viewed female artists in their own right?

Why do we like taking pictures of ourselves so much? And what place is there for portraits and self-portraits of artists in the torrents of images that flood our daily lives? Culture magazine show TWIST pays tribute to Nan Goldin, the elusive American photographer, and salutes the work of Berlin actor Lars Eidinger, who is also a gifted photographer.

Photos, Selfies and I

Why do we like taking pictures of ourselves so much? And what place is there for portraits and self-portraits of artists in the torrents of images that flood our daily lives?

How are young people in Moldova responding to the Russian threat to their country?
DJ Borș returned to Moldova when the war in Ukraine began. Like many in her generation, she feels in a state of limbo because no one knows what tomorrow will bring. With her initiative "Make Borș Not War", she is revitalising the party scene in Chisinau.

Moldova Next Generation: Putin's Next Victim?

How are young people in Moldova responding to the Russian threat to their country?

For over 60 years, the Barbie doll has been more than just a toy. She was an influencer before the Internet even existed, but she is now accused of maintaining gender stereotypes. As Greta Gerwing's Barbie comes to the cinema, Gymnastics looks at how relevant she is for modern consumers.

Is Barbie a Feminist?

Barbie was an influencer before the Internet even existed.

On the 50th anniversary of the Spanish artist’s death, 14 renowned international artists tell us what Pablo Picasso means to them. In this episode, French artist Julien Creuzet.

French artist

International artists give their take on Picasso on the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death.

Julien Creuzet ON PICASSO

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Loss challenges us as human beings. Losing loved-ones, losing our independence or even the thought of losing our lives can be very difficult. How can we live fully and learn from the pain of loss without it taking over our lives? Ronja Von Rönne finds answers by talking to an author, a boxer, a visually impaired gallerist and a 70 year-old techno DJ.

Learning to Lose

If the truth is the first victim of war, many voices are trying to defend it in Ukraine, Russia and elsewhere. Alternative culture programme Tracks goes east to meet journalists and artists from Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia who have a different perspective on the war in Ukraine. On the programme: propaganda and counter-propaganda in times of conflict.

Propaganda and Truth

lternative culture programme "Tracks" goes east to meet journalists and artists from Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia who have a different perspective on the war in Ukraine

Since 1945 the democracies of Europe have lived in peace. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine has shattered our ideas of peace. Can we still dream of paradise and a future free of violence? Twist explores these ideas in Berlin and at the Venice Biennale.

Paradise Lost?

Can we still dream of paradise and a future free of violence? Twist explores these ideas in Berlin and at the Venice Biennale.

A Polish cyber elf, a Ukrainian DJ on the front line, a militant Russian grandmother, and Belarusian hackers... On the face of it, they have little in common. And yet they are all resisting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fighting back on different fronts.

Resistance

A Polish cyber elf, a Ukrainian DJ on the front line, a militant Russian grandmother, and Belarusian hackers...They are all resisting the Russian invasion of Ukraine on different fronts.

Whether they have fled, been banished or deported, some exiles find themselves alone, while others form communities in their host countries. But all feel nostalgia and even homesickness. Tracks East goes in search of the exile experience.

Exile

Tracks East goes in search of the exile experience of those who have fled, been banished or deported.

Can identities be forced, discarded, changed or revived? In the USSR, national identities were a political instrument. Millions of people were resettled, deported, and Russified. Today, the multi-ethnic social fabric of post-soviet nations harbours explosive tensions and the Ukraine war is opening up old wounds. What does identity mean for the next generation?

Identity

The multi-ethnic social fabric of post-soviet nations harbours explosive tensions and the Ukraine war is opening up old wounds. What does identity mean for the next generation?

More than 10 million people in the world are behind bars with half of the world's prison population in Russian, Chinese or American jails. In the United States, where the prison population has risen sharply in recent decades. Artists are sounding the alarm: Jay Z, Denzel Curry and Meek Mill are calling for judicial reform.

More than 10 million people in the world are behind bars with half of the world's prison population in Russian, Chinese or American jails. 

Tracks: Planet Prison

Tracks East highlights the multiplicity of creative and surprising expressions of solidarity with Ukraine by artists in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Solidarity

Community, solidarity and a better world through art: these were the watchwords of documenta 15 in Kassel, Germany. But shortly after the opening of the 2022 edition, this modern and contemporary art festival caused a scandal. The festival had given pride of place to a huge racist canvas by Taring Padi, an Indonesian collective.

Documenta 15: Art and Activism

How the Kassel documenta was eclipsed by an anti-Semitism scandal.

At the cusp of adulthood, an entire generation is now facing an unprecedented crisis. Between escape and resistance, Gen East shares its vision of tomorrow with us.

New Generation

Between escape and resistance, Gen East shares its vision of tomorrow with us.

In 1991, the Soviet empire collapsed, giving rise to the Russian Federation and fifteen other independent states. Today, Vladimir Putin does not respect the sovereignty of these independent nations, particularly Ukraine. How is a nation defined? Are borders the only constituent element? A focus on the renewed patriotism in the post-Soviet world.

The New Patriotism

Are human beings animals like any other? Castor Mother investigates the question by looking at examples from the animal kingdom.

Are Humans Beings Different From Animals? Castor Mother

Time to Question

More than 30 years have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. What remains today of what was the largest federation of states in the world? As the Ukraine war shows, the ghosts of the USSR still linger. Nowhere is safe for critics of the Kremlin: they could be denounced to the authorities by their own families and neighbours.

Soviet Heritage

Nowhere is safe for critics of the Kremlin: they could be denounced to the authorities by their own families and neighbours.

Last chance

Twist is the cultural magazine show that visits a different European metropolis in each episode to take the pulse of its artistic scene.

Twist is the cultural magazine show that visits a European metropolis in each episode to take the pulse of the city’s artistic scene.