Monocle on Culture
Robert Bound and guests explore what’s new in art, film, books, and media. Expect lively discussions, in-depth interviews, and expert insights.
Latest Episodes
Autumn’s new art galleries
We take a global tour of some recent and upcoming art gallery openings including the Sursock Museum in Beirut, Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery in London and The National Gallery Singapore. Plus: we meet the guerrilla artists in Belgrade who are taking the delayed opening of the city’s Museum of…
What makes a good children’s book?
We meet Mark Russell, a Canadian author who’s introducing South Korean folklore to young readers. We also head to the studio of illustrator Viviane Schwarz to find out how you draw for a child. Plus: we speak to Iona Dudley, a children’s book expert at Daunt Books here in London,…
What does work sound like?
We go on a sonic adventure through different workplaces around the world to see how natural sounds affect productivity and how we both absorb and filter out surrounding noise. Our listening expedition takes us to a British boozer, an opera set-builders’ in Victoria, BC, a curator’s office in Lisbon and…
Why do we love medical dramas?
Everywhere in the world viewers love the drama of doctors, nurses, patients, blood and guts, love and loss, procedure and trauma. We ask the people behind some of the top medical dramas, both real-life and fictional, why the hospital is such a good setting for a TV show.
Why go solo?
When’s the right time to ditch your band and go it alone? How does the creative process differ and do you miss your fellow musicians? We speak to music journalist Andrew Mueller about the artists who have launched successful solo careers and those who should stick with the group. Plus:…
Culture’s greatest summer hits
We go over our highlights from this summer, from sound art enjoyed in train carriages, an interview with documentary film-maker Joshua Oppenheimer to a quick stop-off at Sonar festival in Barcelona among much, much more.
What is indie?
Indie can be applied to a number of things: a record label, a film, a genre, even a haircut. We take the term and apply it to music and film with Will Hodgkinson, pop and rock critic for ‘The Times’, and David Jenkins, editor of ‘Little White Lies’ magazine, to…
Can Toronto be the next Austin?
We assess the success of the Austin-Toronto Music City Alliance, and see how Toronto is building itself as a music destination through interviews with mayor John Tory, British broadcaster and festival organiser Rob Da Bank and other musicians, promoters and venue owners from the city.
Where have all the nightclubs gone?
As nightclub numbers dwindle in the UK and licensing laws put more much-loved dance floors under threat, we take a global look at nightlife. From London to Beirut to Seoul, we discuss why a thriving nightlife is important in a city and which places are getting it right.
What happens in an animation studio?
We delve into the world of the animator as we undergo this week’s cultural investigation. We speak to Jude Brownbill at Disney Pixar; director of ‘Moomins on the Riviera’, Xavier Picard; and House of Cool animation studios in Toronto. Plus: we find out what it’s like to be turned into…
