culture + perspective
25 products
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25 products
25 products
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#1960now captures the ongoing fight for equality, from the 1960s civil rights movement to the black lives matter movement today. through striking black-and-white photographs by shelia pree bright, this powerful collection juxtaposes portraits of past and present social justice activists, highlighting the courage and conviction of both ’60s elder statesmen and today’s new generation of fighters. this collection offers a sobering reminder that the struggle for justice is far from over, while showcasing the enduring spirit of resistance.
• features documentary images from recent protests alongside portraits of iconic figures from the 1960s civil rights movement.
• visually compares the activism of the 1960s with the black lives matter movement of today.
• an important contribution to american protest photography and a stark reminder of the continuous fight for justice and equality.
#1960now is a must-have for anyone passionate about civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of social justice.

100 years of modern iran: simple history series zine #6
$6.00 CAD
unit price per100 years of modern iran: simple history series zine #6
$6.00 CAD
unit price per100 years of modern iran: simple history series zine #6 is a concise and compelling overview of a century of political upheaval, revolution, and transformation in iran. covering the years 1891–1991, this zine explores the fall of the monarchy, foreign coups, and the rise of the world’s first islamic theocracy.
part of the simple history series by j. gerlach and published by microcosm, it offers sharp insight into how iran’s modern history connects with the judeo-christian west’s ongoing tensions with the islamic world.
a fast, thoughtful read for curious minds.
zine / pamphlet
published by microcosm
celebrate four decades of groundbreaking art and inclusion with this vibrant tribute to creativity explored, a nonprofit empowering neurodiverse artists to share their unique voices. featuring hundreds of original works—paintings, drawings, illustrations, and sculptures—alongside personal quotes and stories, this book challenges perceptions about disability and highlights the transformative power of art. an inspiring addition to any art lover’s collection.
camo, by photographer thandiwe muriu, is the first publication to chronicle the work of this international artist, celebrating the vibrant portraits she creates that combine cultural textiles and beauty ideologies. muriu takes us on a colorful, reflective journey through her world as a woman living in modern kenya as she reinterprets contemporary african portraiture. as the sole woman operating in the male-dominated advertising photography industry in kenya, thandiwe muriu has repeatedly confronted questions around the role of women in society, the place of tradition, and her own self-perception. these experiences inspired her personal project of cultural reflection: the Camo series.
carrie mae weems has often confronted the uncomfortable truths of racism and race relations over the course of her nearly 40-year career. in The Shape of Things, she focuses her unflinching gaze at what she describes as the circus-like quality of contemporary american political life. for this new work, weems created a seven-part film projected onto a cyclorama―a panoramic-style cylindrical screen that dates to the 19th century―where she addresses the turmoil of current events in the United States and the “long march forward.”
drawing on news and tv footage from the civil rights era to today, elements of previous films such as the madding crowd (2017) and new film projects that bring us into our tumultuous present, the films in The Shape of Things combine documentary directness with poetic rhythm to create an enveloping experience.
carrie mae weems (born 1953) has received numerous awards, grants and fellowships, and is represented in public and private collections around the world, including the metropolitan museum of art, new york; the museum of fine arts, houston; and the museum of modern art and the museum of contemporary art, los angeles. weems lives in brooklyn and syracuse, new york.
centered offers a rich, inclusive, and contemporary look at design diversity, both past and present, through essays, interviews, and images curated by design educator and advocate kaleena sales. as the design industry challenges its eurocentric foundations and reassesses conventional practices, centered highlights the voices, places, methods, ideas, and beliefs that have been overshadowed or excluded by dominant design movements. with thirteen thought-provoking essays and interviews, this volume features underrepresented and impactful design work, both historical and contemporary.
• includes works such as gee's bend quilters by stephen child and isabella d'agnenica and a chinese typographic archiveby yujune park and caspar lam.
• features an interview with sadie red wing (her shawl is yellow) on indigenous sovereignty and design.
• explores diverse and often overlooked design movements like the truck art of india by shantanu suman.
centered is an essential read for anyone passionate about diversity in design and the importance of elevating marginalized voices and practices in shaping the future of the field.

dream in color: 30 posters of power by 30 black creatives
$43.00 CAD
unit price perdream in color: 30 posters of power by 30 black creatives
$43.00 CAD
unit price perthis large-format book includes 30 removable posters designed by Black creatives from around the world. featuring artwork by artists such as london-based muralist lakwena and south africa-based huston wilson, the posters range from bold illustrations to typographic designs. each piece celebrates positivity, hope, and strength through the unique lenses of emerging and established Black creatives. curated by designer tré seals, the collection highlights Black as a vibrant and multifaceted palette, embracing every color and form of light. perfect for framing or gifting.
a powerful exploration of how clothing and fashion have fueled activism, dressing the resistance showcases the role of dress in sparking social change. spanning historical and modern protest movements, this book reveals how communities worldwide have harnessed the visual language of clothing to demand radical transformation. from suffragettes wearing newspaper dresses emblazoned with voting slogans to farmers in india donning saris in defiance, camille benda examines cultural movements through the lens of nearly 200 archival images, photographs, and paintings. a compelling tribute to the power of style in the fight for justice.
The wise words of science fiction icon octavia e. butler live on in this beautiful and giftable little volume. “there’s no single answer that will solve all our future problems. there’s no magic bullet. instead there are thousands of answers—at least. you can be one of them if you choose to be.”
originally published in essence magazine in the year 2000, octavia e. butler’s essay “a few rules for predicting the future” offers an honest look into the inspiration behind her science fiction novels and the importance of studying history and taking responsibility for our actions if we are to move forward.
organized into four main rules, this short essay reminds readers to learn from the past, respect the law of consequences, be aware of their perspectives, and count on the surprises.
theorists and artists from jack halberstam to peter rehberg consider the fruitful cross-pollination of video, punk, queerness and gender politics
since the 1970s, the medium of video has been closely associated with subcultural and countercultural movements. art and music videos in particular have showed great subversive potential, as artists and musicians use the medium to explore and transgress social norms and gender stereotypes. the essays in this publication consider artistic strategies in the context of the history of punk and its offshoots, combining scholarly opinions from the fields of art history, queer theory, media studies, gender studies, postcolonial studies and cultural studies alongside field reports from the practice of alternative archives and visual essays.
authors include: kathrin dreckmann, marina grzinic, jack halberstam, josefine hetterich, angela mcrobbie, jennifer ramme, peter rehberg, marion schulze, elfi vomberg and katharina wiedlack.
*paperback
Icons celebrates 50 of the most admired women across music, politics, human rights, and film. this diverse collection includes some of the world’s most inspiring figures, like michelle obama, beyoncé, aretha franklin, dolly parton, ruth bader ginsburg, yayoi kusama, and many more. from singers to writers, activists to artists, politicians to filmmakers, Iconsis a tribute to the strength and power of women. illustrated by monica ahanonu, each portrait is paired with a short biography showcasing what makes each woman a true force to be reckoned with. the perfect gift from women to women – whether mom-to-daughter, daughter-to-mom, or friend-to-friend. leave it on your coffee table to read about their accomplishments or simply admire the powerful portraits.
an exploration of the visual corollary to didion’s life and work and the feeling that each generates in her admirers, detractors and critics―including artists from helen lundeberg to diane arbus, betye saar to maren hassinger, vija celmins and andy warhol.
arranged chronologically, the book highlights didion's fascination with the two coasts that made her. as a Westerner transplanted to new york, didion was able to look at her native land, its mores and fixed rules of behavior, with the loving and critical eyes of a daughter who got out and went back. and from her new york perch, didion was able to observe the political scene more closely, writing trenchant pieces about clinton, el salvador and most searingly the central park five.

just when you're comfortable in your own skin, it starts to sag
$27.00 CAD
unit price perjust when you're comfortable in your own skin, it starts to sag
$27.00 CAD
unit price pera clever and witty guide to navigating midlife, this book from bestselling duo trisha ashworth and amy nobile feels like advice from a close friend. covering everything from redefining beauty after 40 to juggling the care of growing children and aging parents, it offers practical tips and encouragement. explore midlife relationships, dive into dating apps, and discover fresh career paths or new life purposes. no matter your situation—married, single, divorced, widowed, with or without kids—this guide helps answer the big question: "what’s next for me?"
from acclaimed author patricia hruby powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in caroline county, virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. richard and mildred loving were at the heart of a supreme court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.
making the movement offers a powerful history of the civil rights movement, from emancipation through the 1980s, told through 200 objects—buttons, badges, posters, leaflets, and more—that served as tools for justice and freedom. spanning from reconstruction through jim crow, the protest era of the 1960s and ’70s, and into present-day activism, these objects were vital in shaping the movement’s tactics and goals. from sit-ins and marches to boycotts and legal campaigns, these nonviolent weapons helped advance the fight against racism, oppression, and violence.
• features over 200 objects that were central to the movement’s strategies, including buttons, flyers, and posters.
• tells the stories of activists, organizations, and campaigns that propelled the cause of civil rights.
• a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of black history and the ongoing fight against racism.
this book is a powerful reminder of the role material culture played in the struggle for justice and equality—and how these objects continue to inspire today's resistance movements.
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