Autumn 2023 By Keshav Anand For the past six years, I’ve edited Something Curated with the intention of creating a space to highlight underrepresented cultures and practices — steered by an interest in exploring the intersections of creative disciplines. With a focus on the Global Majority and diasporic narratives, the site is about storytelling, unearthing…
Armenian filmmaker and screenwriter Sergei Parajanov’s films stand as some of the most uniquely styled works in the history of cinema, firmly establishing his place among the world’s most influential directors. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Parajanov pursued his filmic education from 1945 to 1952 at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in Moscow, under the guidance…
Colombia has been home to many indigenous peoples and cultures since at least 12,000 BCE, with a long and rich tradition of craft and making. Today, following the impact of the Spanish in particular, the country is a true cultural melting pot. At the intersection of tradition, artistic innovation, and a hunger for self-expression, Colombia…
Early instances of hospital architecture dating back to the 9th century can be found in the Islamic world, where the field of medicine began to assume scientific prominence. These pioneering medical institutions were known as bimaristan and introduced innovative healthcare concepts, including the incorporation of elements like music, aesthetics, visitor areas and dedicated spaces for…
Gaining notoriety as an illicit manuscript during the colonial era, when the British Raj controlled the Indian subcontinent, the Kama Sutra’s prevailing image has long been sexually explicit. Synonymous with carnal contortions, it first raised eyebrows in a time characterised by sexual censorship. But this multifaceted work encompasses so much more. The text proposes a…
New York has long found ways to provide respite for city dwellers during its hot summers, offering various options from bathhouses and beaches to community pools and even floating pools moored along its rivers. However, during the 1960s and 70s, the city adopted one particularly innovative approach to ensure that everyone, even those who couldn’t…
With origins in the Arab world, the hammam, or Turkish bath, has its roots deeply embedded in the ancient practices of Roman and Byzantine bathhouses. These magnificent bathing facilities gained widespread popularity in the late 1400s, often situated in close proximity to mosques and medinas. They provided a refreshing respite from the rigours of daily…
On the evening of Friday 8 September, Morocco experienced a devastating earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. The nation is currently grieving the loss of more than 2,000 lives, with 1,404 more individuals suffering severe injuries. According to the World Health Organization, the earthquake has already affected over 300,000 people, and this number is…