In this episode, a striking debate is set ablaze regarding the illustration of purity exhibited in "The Death of Marat," created by the painter David: Was Marat's serene portrayal of death a means of propaganda, or truly a tribute to the friendship David and Marat shared? His fate was resolved during the French Revolution, being removed by those who opposed the rise of the new government. Furthermore, did David, a supporter of the revolution, use his comrade's end to strike rage into the people? Join us as we delve into the Reign of Terror, braving the harrowing battlefield that was the cause of Marat's death.

No divine light, no graceful pose, and no romanticizing colours, only a mother collapsed around the body of her dead child. In this episode, we unpack Käthe Kollwitz's 1903 etching Woman with a Dead Child, tracing how she rejected centuries of the glamorization of grief, like the Pietà, for something raw, animal, and almost unbearable to look at. We dig into her technique, her politics, and the eerie way this print predicted her own son's death in WWI. Is the artwork ugly, or is it the most honest thing art can do?

In this episode “Black and White: Breaking Illusions,” our group explores the value of black and white films. We investigated Peter Ustinov and his film Billy Budd. We compared it to Herman Melville’s original novel as well as another classical nautical movie: Moby Dick. We discuss the complexity behind the reality of black and white films and how it evokes certain emotions in comparison to color films. In fact, we acknowledge prominent director Ivor Mantagu for criticizing Ustinov’s work and exploring both sides. By analyzing real-world examples and ethical debates, we debated and came to a conclusion on why classical films are more than their color value. Black and white films have such a powerful story to tell if you are willing to listen. Join us for a sparking conversation about illusions, reality, and the meaning of film.

In this episode, we come across a common case of depression in a student's life. Gladys is in a spiral of not feeling anything and needed help. When she went to the counselor however, he gave her a different solution than normal advisors would. Instead, he gave the solution of experiencing forms of art to fix her perspective on life. This podcast is discussing the questions surrounding art as a theraputic form rather than just a visual appeal. Using the philosopher Monroe, we discuss these things in detail relating it to our real-wold experiences in the process of our character Gladys. Enjoy the ride and hopefully you can see a new perspective of art!

In this episode, we explore how films create different versions of reality by comparing Billy Budd (1962) and Inside Out (2015). Although one uses black-and-white film and the other uses animation and color, both show that realism is not only about what we see but also about what we feel. This episode asks whether an illusion can sometimes feel more real than reality itself.

In this episode, our group explores how Saturn Devouring His Son by Francisco Goya, a disturbing yet highly praised masterpiece challenges conventional perceptions of beauty. Through the myth of Saturn and Goya’s terrifying artistic expression, we examine how fear, horror, and war can communicate deeper truths about the hardships of Goya. This episode investigates whether beauty can exist within the grotesque and the ugly. It also asks an important question: Can something terrifying still be considered beautiful?

In this podcast episode, we discuss or case study in which Gladys is going through some emotions and must figure out how to deal with it. She goes to a counselor and instead of medicine she says she should go explore and see the world, experience art and go find yourself. Our task was to find if this is true or not, and does the science actually back it up?

In this episode, we jump into the chaotic world of 1893 to find the true meaning behind Edvard Munch’s iconic masterpiece. We challenge the common belief that the figure is screaming, uncovering a much darker reality. Our discussion touches base on Munch’s tragic personal life with the collective anxiety going through Europe at the turn of the century. By examining the shift towards Expressionism, we debated if distortion can capture emotional truth better than a photograph. Join us for a full conversation about isolation, history and modern fear.

In this episode, we discover how a historical painting that has profoundly influenced humanity turns raw fear into an engaging and stimulating work of art. We explore Théodore Géricault's portrayal of the catastrophic event of shipwreck in 1816 by examining his representation of harsh reality and human survival, which includes cannibalism and despair. Our episode discusses how tragedy in art can turn into a compelling political statement against royal corruption and ethical issues in society. Join us to understand how art elicits mixed emotions and forces society to think about horror and beauty.

In this episode, we go over Munch's "The Scream" and share our thoughts on the subjective nature of art as it relates to beauty and ugliness.

Music Original by Dominic Bloomfield