On Ana Mendieta, Annie Ernaux and Bedouine
By Wim Langedijk for HURS
On Ana Mendieta, Annie Ernaux and Bedouine
HUR Reads is our definitive shortlist of the most prominent articles from around the web.
By HURS Team
1
Annie Ernaux on Childish Cruelty
In this interview, Annie Ernaux reflects on the autobiographical roots of her story “Stories.” She explains that as a child she tormented a younger girl out of boredom, curiosity, and what she calls “childish cruelty.” Looking back, Ernaux sees the episode as an expression of power and vulnerability, possibly linked to her own difficult relationship with her mother. While she once hoped the memory might explain her desire to write, she concludes that writing is less about inventing stories than uncovering hidden truths about reality and herself.
THE NEW YORKER
Molly Alexander, a former classical soprano, is reshaping the antiques world with a welcoming, contemporary approach. Her new Pimlico Road shop in London combines 18th-century antiques, modern design pieces, and personal curiosities in an uncluttered, conversational setting. Influenced by her great aunt, World of Interiors founder Min Hogg, Alexander emphasizes taste, provenance, and accessibility. Alongside dealing, she advises on interiors, helping clients confidently integrate historic objects into modern homes.
HOW TO SPEND IT
Azniv Korkejian, the singer-songwriter known as Bedouine, draws on her family’s history of migration, survival, and displacement to create timeless folk music. Her new album, Neon Summer Skin, explores themes of home, memory, immigration, and generational resilience, inspired by her Armenian heritage and upbringing in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Praised for her warm, understated voice and classic songwriting style, Korkejian balances personal reflection with stories of family sacrifice, ultimately celebrating care, belonging, and the hope of passing safety and stability to future generations.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Jewelry designer Jacqueline Rabun, known for her minimalist and sculptural pieces, draws inspiration from art, architecture, and nature. Based in Los Angeles, she often visits the beach for solitude and creative renewal and looks to places like the MAK Center’s Schindler House for architectural inspiration. Influenced by African, Japanese, Danish, and surrealist art, Rabun favors design-forward objects and frequently incorporates rutilated quartz into her work, valuing its natural imperfections and distinctive golden shimmer.
THE CUT
Artist Liliana Porter reflects on her friendship with Ana Mendieta ahead of Tate Modern’s retrospective of the Cuban-American artist. Porter remembers Mendieta as fearless, witty, and fiercely independent, shaped by exile and displacement yet defined by resilience rather than trauma. She highlights Mendieta’s deep connection to nature, her groundbreaking earthworks and performances, and her commitment to ephemeral art forms. Beyond her public legacy, Porter recalls Mendieta’s warmth, generosity, and enduring influence on artists and friends alike.