Conversations with an Artist, Ballerina, Architect and More
By Wim Langedijk for HURS
Conversations with an Artist, Ballerina, Architect and More
HUR Reads is our definitive shortlist of the most prominent articles from around the web.
By HURS Team
1
She Invented a Dark Tale About Fame, Fandom and Young Women
Petra Collins’s new book STAR blends photography and fiction to explore fame, fandom and the scrutiny of young women. Framed as a fragmented, unreliable narrative, it follows a pop star’s rise and disappearance alongside a girl group. Returning to her soft, “naïve” visual style, Collins draws on her long-standing themes of girlhood, internet culture and the male gaze, presenting femininity as inherently dark, shaped by personal experience and today’s intensified digital pressures.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
At 24, American Ballet Theatre principal Chloe Misseldine is rising fast, pairing technical precision with disciplined athleticism. As she prepares for Firebird, her regimen spans long rehearsal days, cross-training, and meticulous study. Known for her focus and openness to feedback, Misseldine balances nerves with control onstage, delivering performances marked by intensity and stamina: proof that her rapid ascent is matched by rigor behind the scenes.
SSENSE
Architect Sophie Hicks reflects on a decade working in Seoul, a city she admires for its rapid transformation, youthful energy and openness to experimentation. Designing stores for brands like Acne Studios and 025S, she balances contrasting elements: light and heavy, refined and raw, to capture brand identity. Hicks credits Korean clients’ dynamism and risk-taking for inspiring her work, finding in Seoul a refreshing antidote to the creative conservatism she associates with the West.
HOW TO SPEND IT
Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love marks a turning point for the fiercely independent director, earning critical acclaim, a major Cannes reception and a $24 million sale that brings her closer to Hollywood’s center. Known for visceral, character-driven films, Ramsay remains committed to her precise, instinctive style even as bigger opportunities arise. With multiple projects in development, she stands at a rare intersection of indie integrity and newfound industry momentum.
THE GENTLEWOMAN
María Zardoya, frontwoman of The Marías, treats music as a visual and narrative practice, blending bilingual lyrics with strong cinematic references. Influenced by directors like Almodóvar and Kieslowski, she structures albums around distinct colors and emotional phases. Despite mainstream success, she resists formula, favoring slower, immersive work that prioritizes mood, imagery and artistic control across both band and solo projects.