Arts Union Science

With Volume 2 over, it's time for another Special Issue!

For the month of April, we will be looking at protein solubilization strategies and how readily they can be adapted to improve bad movie-watching experiences. 

Not sure what that means? Well tune in every Monday this month to find out!

"It's the devil's candy boys; trust me." 

The sixth and final episode of the Art Union Science podcast's second volume has come to a close, and what a finale! Flipping through the air with the greatest of ease, we have our episode on "Stick It", the early aughts gymnastics film about teen rebellion in the face of judgement. Join your corresponding author (Tyler D. R. Vance) and this week's first author (Brigid Conroy) as they sprint headlong at an immoveable obstacle with the reckless abandon of a Navy seal/teen gymnast. Along the way, they'll discuss the punk rock aesthetic as a staple of early 2000s teen dramas, the depiction of teen-adult dynamics on film, and Tyler's no-good-very-bad attitude towards sports. You can send us a review of our findings at [email protected], in which you can tell us if you accept our findings, accept them with revisions, or outright reject them.

"What's up your butt?"

Volume 2 of the Arts Union Science podcast is drawing to a close. Having focused heavily on animated fair and horror films throughout, we decided to shake things up a bit with our final entry. So, we'll be looking at the 2006 gymnastics movie, Stick It. Is it a sports movie? Is it a raunchy teen comedy? Is it a soul-searchy-and-weird coming of age story? Is it a movie where Jeff Bridges gets to be sarcastic as heck? The answer to all these question is an emphatic yes.

Episode 6 will release on March 29th. We'll see you then!

"Dude, is he going to kill me?" Yes, Mark. Yes he is.

Episode 5 of the Arts Union Science podcast's second volume has arrived in all its floral glory, providing an in-depth analysis of the Ari Aster flick: Midsommar. Join our corresponding author, Tyler D. R. Vance, and this week's first author, Kathleen Xu, as they slowly realize that they have been indoctrinated into a straight-up cult. Along the way, they will get the heebie-jeebies concerning "horror movie morality", lambast the male characters for their punchable faces, and just generally want good things for Dani - and really, who wouldn't?

So throw on a flower hat, down some Swedish hallucinogens, and watch out for ticks, 'cause we're going deep into the woods on this one.

"Do you feel held by him?"

Interested in taking a little tour of the Swedish countryside? You may not be once you get a look at Ari Aster's day-time horror film from 2019.

Filled with gore and graphic sexual content, it may be hard to imagine that Midsommar is also a deeply moving film with things to say on grief, male toxicity, and the darkside of academic rigor. Episode 5 of the Arts Union Science journal's second volume aim's to uncover all these aspects of the film and more.

So join us on March 15th for Episode 5 of Volume 2. 

"I use antlers in all of my DECORATING!"

And so it was that in a shower of meteoric light Episode 4 of the Arts Union Science's second volume was transformed from a raw-recording beast into a beautifully edited prince, leaving everyone to say, "Huh. It kinda has a weird nose, doesn't it". 

Join your corresponding author, Tyler D. R. Vance, and this week's first author, Tova Pinsky, as they perform a comparative analysis on an animated film from the early nineties and its 2017 live-action remake. And if you're thinking, "Hold on. Didn't you do that in your last episode", well it's Beauty and the Beast this time instead of Ghost in the Shell, so HA! Along the way, your authors will discuss everything from the inherent value of animation, to the late-and-great Howard Ashman, to the plight of Philippe as the most ill-treated horse in the Disney canon.

If you would like to review our findings, feel free to email us at [email protected]. You can tell us if you accept our findings, accept them with revisions, or outright reject them.

"Course by course, one by one, 'til you shout, 'ENOUGH I'M DONE!'"

"Where will the child go?"

This week on the Arts Union Science podcast, a comparative analysis between two versions of Ghost in the Shell is in order. Join your corresponding author, Tyler D. R. Vance, and this week's primary author, Jonathan Côté, as they dive deep into both the 1995 anime film Ghost in the Shell and the Hollywood remake of the same name. Along the way, they will discuss everything from the Americanization of Eastern stories, to the inherent differences between animation and live-action, to the proper way to pronounce the name of the famous Chemist Henry Louis Le Chatelier.

"The Net is vast and infinite."  

Ghost in the Shell is a cyberpunk anime film from 1995 that deals with the interplay between humanity and technology. Ghost in the Shell is also a cyberpunk Hollywood blockbuster gone bust from 2017. How did the West do with its live-action adaptation of such a beloved source material? 

Look out Volume 2: Episode 3 of the Art Union Science podcast (release date February 15th) for an in-depth discussion and comparative analysis of these two very different - yet deeply connected - films. 

"Once upon a time . . ."

Episode 2 of Volume 2 has dragged itself up by its boot straps out of the mysterious miles of tunnels beneath the American surface, and is now creepily dancing its way onto your device. Join your corresponding author, Tyler D. R. Vance, and this week's first author, Ilinca Georgescu, as they try and assemble the thematic puzzle that is Jordan Peele's "Us". Along the way, they'll stay remarkably on topic and discuss everything from the multiple meanings behind the film's premise, to the use of foreshadowing and juxtaposition, to the question plaguing all great horror movies: who is the true MVP of the film.

If you'd like to review our findings, feel free to email us at [email protected], or you can message us on Facebook at Arts Union Science. You can tell us if you accept our findings, accept them with revisions, or flat out reject them.

"We are Americans!"

In the second outing of our second outing, the Arts Union Science journal is publishing our findings on "Us" - the horror/social commentary film directed by Jordan Peele. The episode will release on February 1st to the amusement of at least half of the population; we'll see you then!