Mass Media & Culture is a student-run association at Bocconi University, founded with the intention to create a platform to discuss how our changing society is impacting the way we experience art, society and culture.
Our dedicated team of students produces articles, columns, editorials, graphics and interactive content to foster conversation on society, politics, media, arts, and more.
browse by category:
art & culture | media | Society | Milan | monthly review | uncategorized
browse our latest articles:
-
✴︎
Russian rock slowly developed in the 1960-70s in the Soviet underground, and, despite some inspiration from the Beatles, David Bowie, and other Western rock pioneers, as well as Jamaican dub music, it reached its peak and mainstream status in the late 1980-1990s, thus, becoming a largely nationally isolated cultural phenomenon. This isolation was attempted to… Continue reading Sun Q: Reimagining Rock Music
-
✴︎
Two weeks ago, I was told that I would look like a “hardcore feminist” if I cut my hair short. To be clear, this was said in a derogatory tone—a comment intended to discourage me from my decision. When I responded with “What if I am?” to challenge the idea, a mildly heated argument began.… Continue reading Women’s Advocacy or Aggression?
-
✴︎
Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend transports readers to a vibrant yet fractured neighbourhood in 1950s Naples, telling the story of a friendship between two girls — Elena ‘Lenu’ Greco and Raffaela ‘Lila’ Cerullo. Against the backdrop of an array of themes in the novel such as friendship, social issues, politics, and family dynamics is a… Continue reading In the Shadow of Power: Violence in Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend
-
✴︎
I have felt shame. I know this feeling. Insidious, pounding, discomforting. The weight of an elephant on my chest, crushing my rib cage. The tension of a prey in every muscle, standing straight, scrutinizing the unwelcoming surroundings. I have felt shame. I know why it happened. After mistreating a friend, sure. Thinking back on the drunken, foolish bickering, abrasively my carefully hidden flaws exposed: selfishness, insecurity. Fear of being misperceived, fear of being disliked. After stumbling in public, knees and hands on the ground, I swear I can feel the stares poking my back, a pin holder. The underlying commonality: a misstep, a mistake, an error on my behalf. I should have acted differently. I should have behaved. I have felt shame. I know why it happened. At least, I think. I not only felt shame for my actions. As it happens, you know, I felt it for other people’s actions. I felt shame when my mother revealed to my crush that I liked him in primary school. I felt shame when the people I introduced didn’t like each other. I even felt shame because of the barbaric actions of humankind: wars, genocides, and inequality. I guess, in a way, I feel responsible for others, even if their actions are out of my control: a little talking cricket sitting right by my ear whispers to my nervous system, “STIFFEN! TENSE UP! MAYDAY, I REPEAT, MAYDAY.”… Continue reading I have felt shame.
-
✴︎
This article contains a description of abuse and violence. On the night of November 9, 2023, Saltanat Nukenova was brutally murdered by her husband, an ex-Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan, Kuandyk Bishimbayev. I feel “brutally” is not enough of a word to describe the torture she went through. As the forensics expert concluded in court:… Continue reading Turbulent Times: Kazakhstan’s biggest femicide case and personal sentiment.