Culture Vulture? Who, Me?...

I have an addiction to a publication put out by The Economist. Many of you are probably familiar with The Economist, an economic-political rag put out weekly. It covers the very latest public news in economics, business, and politics, and talks about everything from globalization to political instability to cultural shifts. It’s kind of like a more intense version of the New York Times. It’s really expensive, but it’s a wealth of information for everybody, from entrepreneurs trying to keep abreast of business trends to retirees wanting to know where to invest their retirement funds to mothers trying to learn about the Drought of 2012 so they can plan how to feed their families when the price of food goes through the roof (a soon-to-be-occurring phenomenon; search Drought of 2012 on the Economist website and be appalled).

However, The Economist also puts out a very little-known publication that is so obscure that I didn’t learn about it until several months after subscribing. Most people don’t know about it, perhaps because it’s not sold in the United States, only abroad. You can’t get it online either, like you can The Economist. The only way to get complete access to it is to buy a subscription, and it’s INSANELY expensive - $275 for a 2-year subscription, 8 issues. (!)  It’s so, so worth it though. The publication is called Intelligent Life, and it’s one of the only arts and culture magazines I know that is supremely, exquisitely worth its price.

The magazine profiles museum and gallery shows, works of literature, musicians, artists, dancers, even theories and ideas which titillate the mind and the senses. You would think that since the magazine is affiliated with The Economist, it would be dry and lifeless. But even for myself, an admitted lover of underground art and culture, it was stimulating and inspiring (granted, I have no animosity towards fine art or ballet; someone who does would most likely have a very different experience). As an example, in the last issue the magazine interviewed Sergei Polunin, formerly of the Royal Ballet. Widely accepted as the heir apparent of both Baryshnikov AND Nureyev and the most promising young star of the past seventy years, the magazine chronicled his struggle to accept his role in the ballet world and his battle with his turbulent past. Captivating reading. It’s available on the website if you’re interested, under Culture/More Intelligent Life.

The magazine also regularly publishes the seven favorite wonders of the world of various public figures. I recently read of physiologist and author of "The Spark of Life" Frances Ashcroft’s seven favorite places. One of them was “Any Ryokan in Japan.” I’ll let her describe why: 

To be honest, I much prefer my own bed! But if I have to choose a hotel my favourite would be a Japanese ryokan. Staying in one is such a different experience. It starts with a Japanese bath, which is small, deep and very hot—sitting in it, you feel your cares melt away. Then an exquisite lady in a beautiful dress comes and serves you delicious sushi and morsels of vegetarian food in your room. By the time you go to bed, you are feeling perfectly relaxed. I was once taken to stay in an old Japanese home in Shirakawa-go by a Japanese colleague. It’s like a Japanese version of Switzerland with Toblerone houses—triangular, brown and thatched. It was deep snow outside and there was no heating. We slept under mounds of quilts warmed by a hollow brick filled with hot coals. 

Mmm… the entire article was much more sensual. You’ll have to read it for yourself. ;-)