Global Journal of Cultural Studies

Research on Renewal Design of Humanistic Space under the Perspective of Chinese Poetic Space: Study on the Renovation Design of Fotuguan Park in Chongqing

Ying Shu, Guo Dong Pei — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In traditional Chinese culture, there is a concept of "poetic space", which emphasizes the atmosphere full of poetic romantic emotions in the environment. This atmosphere has rich emotional feelings and can convey a delicate personal aesthetic, which is an important feature of traditional Chinese aesthetic. In modern urban renewal, the implementation of poetic space transformation for areas with historical and humanistic aesthetic can better activate traditional humanistic and historical resources, which is conducive to the renewal and improvement of traditional parks and the maximization of social, cultural and economic benefits. Starting from the perspective of poetic space construction and public art, this paper explores the renewal design path of the unique landscape of Fotuguan Park, a traditional historical footpath park in Chongqing, and focuses on how contemporary public art intervenes in urban parks to establish effective site space and emotional connection between ancient and modern culture, so as to promote the improvement of urban humanistic quality.

Kalu Kumale and the Aesthetics of Wrath: Sculptural Practice, Affective Labor, and Cultural Resilience in Contemporary Nepal

Nabraj Lama — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article offers a critical examination of the life, work, and legacy of Kalu Kumale, a pioneering figure in contemporary Nepali sculpture whose oeuvre spans over seven decades. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary qualitative methodology—comprising in-depth interviews, ethnographic observation, and archival analysis—this study investigates how Kumale’s sculptural practice engages with, reinterprets, and transcends traditional Newar iconography. Central to this inquiry are two seminal works, The Corpse of Sati Devi and Two Farmers Fighting, which serve as case studies for exploring the intersection of personal affect, socio-political commentary, and religious symbolism in his art.

Framed within the theoretical perspectives of postcolonial aesthetics and affect theory, the article contends that Kumale’s sculptures function as embodied texts that mediate grief, resilience, and communal memory. His integration of wrathful deity motifs and autobiographical narratives exemplifies a form of cultural hybridity that challenges static notions of tradition and modernity. Moreover, Kumale’s sustained engagement in artistic philanthropy and community activism positions him not merely as an artisan, but as a cultural agent who mobilizes art for ethical and social transformation.

By situating Kumale within both local traditions and transnational visual discourses, this article contributes to broader debates on indigenous visual sovereignty, cultural resilience, and the evolving role of the artist in postcolonial South Asia.

A Hoplological and Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Lechitic Roots of Today's Poles and Poland

Wojciech J. Cynarski — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Problem: There are ongoing disputes over the origins of Western Slavs and Poles. The author attempts to describe the state of knowledge in light of recent research and analyzes the content of the new scientific monograph ”About military and physical culture in the lands of Lechia.” He does so with an emphasis on the heritage of military culture.

Method: The results of archaeogenetic and hoplological research, as well as an analysis of the relevant literature, are considered together. Logical arguments are used.

Results: An approach synthesizing the current state of knowledge, presented in the monograph, is described. This particularly falsifies the hypothesis of the late arrival of the Slavs in Central Europe. The analysis of the author's monograph is supplemented with new observations regarding weapons and other attributes of legendary heroes and demigods.

Conclusions: The monograph provides a series of logical proofs of the presence of Slavs, known for example as the Veneti, in Polish lands since at least 2000 BCE, which refutes the hypotheses of a late arrival of Slavs in the Lechitic lands. Genetic studies have demonstrated the continuity of settlement of these lands by the direct ancestors of today's Poles. Similarities have been observed in weaponry and military culture.

From 1997 to 2025: The Evolving Relevance of 'Ma 6-T Va Crack-Er' in Modern France

Stéphane Narcis — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the continued relevance of Jean-François Richet's Ma 6-T va crack-er in addressing France's persistent socio-political issues related to the banlieues. Combining historical analysis, theoretical frameworks, and comparative film studies, the paper explores how themes of urban segregation, cultural identity, systemic inequality, and youth rebellion remain pressing in 2025. It also examines how successive policy failures and media representations have entrenched negative perceptions of these marginalised communities. Drawing on the works of Hall, Balibar, Wacquant, Gilroy, and Crenshaw, this paper offers a multidisciplinary analysis while proposing policy solutions to address the long-standing issues in the banlieues.