Two different ways to consider this: First, in the marketplace, where most people, most of the time, want the thing that most people want. The average one. Exceptional is the exception. Second, in the committee meeting, where the easiest way forward is to sand off interesting
Mark Twain was, in the estimation of many, the United States of America’s first truly homegrown man of letters. And in keeping with what would be recognized as the can-do American spirit, he couldn’t resist putting himself forth now and again as a man of science — or, more
One desire felt like it would make me more of who I already was, and the other would unmake me entirely.
If you’ve seen a David Byrne concert in recent years, you know that he performs with a large ensemble of musicians, each carrying their own instruments across the stage, all while moving in intricately choreographed patterns. On his current tour, Byrne and his band stopped by
100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025 . The big end-of-year lists mostly feature books from big publishers; this list aims to spread the attention to smaller publishers. 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
Residencies, fellowships, grants, and open calls from Ucross, Athens Photo Research Center, and more in our monthly list of opportunities for artists, writers, and art workers.
Here’s your handy guide to fairs, exhibitions, and other art events in the city over the next five days.
Adrienna Matzeg captures the delights of a roadside diner in nostalgic stitches. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Adrienna Matzeg’s Embroideries
Keene, NH has been replacing their stop-lighted intersections with roundabouts, resulting in big reductions in pollution, accidents & injuries, and costs . “Slowly moving is better than waiting at a light any day.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
The countdown to 2026 — and the deluge of end-of-year lists — has begun in earnest, but we're not quite done with 2025 yet. This week, our reviewers tackled two colossal subjects: monuments and the late great Louise Bourgeois. Monumental by Cat Dawson invites us to contemplate a
Daniel T. Gaitor-Lomack’s odes to the detritus of LA, Nancy Lupo’s supernatural benches, Alan Luna’s erotic metates, 200 artists against normative sexuality, and more.
I am not generally a fan of rom-coms so I didn’t think I was going to post Evan Puschak’s newest video , but he’s so good at them. Puschak argues that rom-coms are compelling because they reflect the modern challenge of finding meaning as individuals. In the modern day, we
He differs from most conceptual artists and their self-imposed strategies: even when he follows the rules, he undermines himself.
I Was Stabbed in the Back With a Real Knife While Performing Julius Caesar . “I realised what had happened while acting out my character’s death, and thinking: I have to lie here until the lights go down.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
It’s an attempt to “erase Pussy Riot from the minds of Russian citizens,” the feminist art collective’s co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova told Hyperallergic.
On next-gen GLP-1 drugs . “A mere decade ago, obesity drugs powerful enough for people to routinely drop double-digit percentages of their body weight were unheard-of. Today, there are two, and they feel ubiquitous.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
Come January, visitors outside the European Union can expect to pay $37 per ticket, an increase the institution says will help finance security updates.
A short video that explains *a lot* about the modern world & conservatism . “They also want to feel normal. They want to walk around and see that most other people have made the same choice they made.” And that last line!
This tuition-free program prepares students for meaningful careers teaching and creating in schools, museums, and community arts organizations.
One of my favorite end-of-year lists is Tom Whitwell’s annual record of 52 things he’s learned in the past year. Some favorites of mine from the 2025 installment : 4. You can unlock the wheels on a shopping cart by playing sounds on your phone. [ Joseph Gabay ] 5. In the UK,
Okazaki is known for his playful animations using matches and other household objects. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Tomohiro Okazaki’s ‘Paper
Photographing the Microscopic: Winners of Nikon Small World 2025 . “Overall Winner: A rice weevil perched on a grain of rice.” 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
Adding to an “overwhelming body of evidence”, a recent study showed that “suicidality scores dropped significantly an average of two years and up to five years after [trans youth] received gender-affirming treatment”.
The Atlantic hurricane season has come to a close and Google’s DeepMind AI-based hurricane model performed really well in predicting track and intensity of storms . 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →
An exhibition organized by the HistoryMiami Museum and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is an ode to Seminole creativity and resilience.
In 2010, Randall Munroe’s fiancée (now wife) was diagnosed with cancer. Every once in awhile, he updates his audience at XKCD on how that’s going. The most recent missive: Fifteen Years . If you’re not up on XKCD lore, here’s an explanation . 💞 Tags: cancer · comics ·
Kiefer's compositions depict meadows dotted with fires, pensive figures, and natural phenomena seemingly detached from reality. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month.