Society & Politics
The composer who hears nature
Arwa Haider meets musician, composer and visual artist Erland Cooper, whose work responds to the environment around us [New Scientist]
The FT’s Women of 2024
Arwa Haider profiles Palestinian music talent Elyanna for this annual round-up feature celebrating global stars and visionaries [The FT]
The rebirth of Young V&A
Young V&A is a brilliant new space where kids can build, play and share - and a vital learning curve for museums [The FT]
“Masculinity is f*cking beautiful”
How music and masculinity got a makeover - featuring Jordan Stephens, Anna Calvi, Spoek Mathambo and Trillary Banks [Elephant]
Saudi’s bootleg music shops
Arwa Haider moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 13. She recalls being a teenage pop fan in a place where music was frowned upon [BBC Culture]
Dancing with danger
In a timeline of risky rhythms, Arwa Haider looks at how desperate times have called for defiant moves around the world [BBC Culture]
What sneakers say about you
Arwa Haider explores the pop culture currency of the footwear favourite, from Lil Nas X’s"Satan Shoes" to customised creations [BBC Culture]
The dark side of the seaside
The British seaside may evoke sunshine and candyfloss, but its edgy undercurrent has inspired artists from Graham Greene to Tracey Emin [BBC Culture]
How the gif won the internet
Arwa Haider tracks the meteoric rise of the gif (or graphics interchange format) to everyday text speak or socials post [BBC Culture]
Reinventing the music video
The pop music visual has outgrown MTV, and in the age of YouTube, is a more powerful tool than ever [The FT]
The power of the football song
All together now... Arwa Haider looks at why "the beautiful game" traditionally has a song at its heart [BBC Culture]
Hollywood’s Arab problem
Arwa Haider looks at how Arab identity has been portrayed on screen, from the silent movie era to contemporary cinema and TV [BBC Culture]
A History Of The Corner Shop
The ubiquitous corner store has become a comforting cornerstone in the pandemic. Arwa Haider celebrates its place in popular culture [BBC Culture]
The sounds that make us calmer
New research shows that nature soundscapes aid wellbeing, even when purely digital. Arwa Haider explores how birdsong and other natural noises - combined with music - can soothe us [BBC Culture]
The street art that heals pain
Murals all over the globe give voice to black protest and equality. Arwa Haider explores the powerful art that pays testimony to George Floyd and others [BBC Culture]
White Riot: Rock Against Racism
As a new feature doc about the Rock Against Racism movement is released, Arwa Haider looks back - and to the future [BBC Culture]