Journal

From woven barkcloth craftsmen in the northern island of Hokkaido to longbows specialists on Kyushu-the southern reach of this slender collection of masses on the Pacific-Japan has a rich heritage of handicrafts. Through Handmade in Japan, writer and photographer Irwin Wong reveals the mastery and dexterity of the individuals keeping traditional Japanese craft alive.

Hip-hop culture has had the most significant influence on street culture, informing plenty of the trends and clothing brands that rose to prominence. In just a few decades, it evolved from a fringe subculture to the most dominant force in mainstream culture. Highsnobiety’s Jian DeLeon delves into hip-hop’s influence on streetwear.

The nose’s olfactory bulb sits on the base of the brain—yes, even closer than the eyes, whose intake must be post-processed within retinal cones—that they are directly tied to the amygdala and hippocampus, that memory creator that unlocks the doors of emotions and memories. As told in The Essence, Blake Z. Rong explains the connective link that associates the mind with smells and memories.

When Ferdinand Alexander Porsche entered the family business in 1958, he filled an unknown vacuum. An experimental visionary who wanted to challenge tradition, he elevated the design legacy of this famous German brand. From working in the engineering office to craftily creating an icon amongst sportscars, writer Ulf Porschardt reveals how Ferdinand Alexander’s sketches evolved to become a cultural symbol.

Nowadays, the cornucopia of graphics seems like a given. However, it was not so long ago that infographics were scarce and lived in closed ecosystems. The majority of graphics were published in newspapers, magazines, or books, and only after they had passed through various loops of editorial vetting. They were expensive to produce, print, and distribute, and there were only a few professionals with the skills and experience needed to create them. Javier Zarracina explains how the situation through his experience at Vox.com.

Five years ago Hodas embarked on a solo, self-assigned challenge to create one new 3D renders every day. His viral ‘Pop Culture Dystopia’ shows run­down concrete structures larger than life, defunct fossils in post-apocalyptic environments. The series became a viral social media sensation and created a space for him to develop the work further. The Prague-based artist discusses his work in more detail.