THE MAGAZINE
Gift Guide for Artsy Teens
Looking for thoughtful gifts for creative teens? From music and ballet essentials to art supplies with personality, this gift guide rounds up inspiring ideas for artsy minds — perfect for wish lists, stocking fillers, and last-minute finds.
Magdalena Abakanowicz: Every Tangle of Thread and Rope
At Tate Modern, the monumental woven worlds of Magdalena Abakanowicz unfold as environments rather than objects. From towering Abakans to organic, breathing forms, this exhibition invites us to reflect on humanity’s fragile relationship with nature, history, and the collective body.
Chineke! Orchestra’s Betania Johnny (19, violinist): Expand the Picture!
Violinist Betania Johnny has grown up alongside the groundbreaking Chineke! Foundation, helping to redefine who classical music is for. In this TWoA interview, she reflects on practice, purpose, and why expanding the repertoire—and the picture—matters more than ever.
Betania Recommends: Composers
Looking to expand your classical music repertoire? In this TWoA guide, violinist Betania Johnny highlights powerful works by George Walker, William Dawson, Florence Price, and Jessie Montgomery—four composers reshaping how we listen today. Discover why their music deserves a place on your playlist.
The Five Moons: Legendary Native American Ballerinas
In celebration of Native American Heritage Day, TWoA pays tribute to five Native American ballerinas who shaped American and French ballet: Maria Tallchief, Marjorie Tallchief, Rosella Hightower, Yvonne Chouteau, and Moscelyne Larkin—the legendary Five Moons whose legacy still shapes ballet today.
Anonymous Artist on Secret Mission: Banksy in Ukraine
Mysterious graffiti surfaced in bombed-out Ukrainian towns—and speculation quickly followed. When Banksy confirmed the works, the murals became powerful symbols of resistance, humour, and hope rising from the ruins.
Winter Fashion
Oversized coats, cosy layers, and festive party looks—winter fashion is all about comfort with a touch of magic. From everyday staples to holiday outfits, discover how to dress for the season the TWoA way.
BBC Young Musician 2022: Percussionist Jordan Ashman
At just 18, Jordan Ashman became only the third percussionist to win BBC Young Musician. From DIY instruments to redefining what percussion can be, this interview reveals what it really takes to stand out—and why percussion is anything but background noise.
Water Percussion
What if water could sing? In Water Concerto for Water Percussion and Orchestra, Tan Dun pushes percussion beyond drums and skins—revealing how even the most unlikely material can become music.
World Ballet Day 2022 Highlight: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
From ballet to Tai Chi and Qi Gong, World Ballet Day 2022 offered a rare glimpse into how Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan trains body, breath, and mind—revealing why global dance looks far beyond the classical canon.
Goodbye October – Hello November!
From ballerina flats to oversized coats, November fashion is all about comfort, nostalgia, and layering done right. Discover the fall trends worth wearing—and why they fit perfectly into the TWoA world. 🍂
Halloween: New York’s School of American Ballet votes for the Spookiest Ballet
At Halloween, students at the School of American Ballet cast their vote for ballet’s darkest work—and chose La Valse. In this TWoA deep dive, discover how George Balanchine turned Maurice Ravel’s swirling score into a seductive danse macabre, and why dancers like Sara Mearns still find it terrifying to perform.
“What Is Worth More: Art or Life?”
When activists from Just Stop Oil hurled soup at Sunflowers inside London’s National Gallery, they reignited an old and uncomfortable question: what deserves protection in times of crisis? From Vincent van Gogh to Johannes Vermeer, this article traces a history of art under attack—and why shock has long been a tool of political dissent.
Sweet Teeth for Halloween
Halloween baking doesn’t need to be complicated. These playful “sweet teeth” treats are easy to make, slightly spooky, and guaranteed to raise a smile—especially when paired with Louis Armstrong playing in the background. Curious how to make them? TWoA shows you how.
Living in a Dream? The Messy Reality of Living in a “Bauhaus”
Conceived as a radical vision for a better world, Bauhaus architecture promised clarity, equality, and functional beauty. But what happens when utopia meets climate, overcrowding, and daily life? Looking at Tel Aviv’s White City through photographs by Helmut Newton and Günther Förg, this article asks whether modernist dreams were ever meant to be lived in.
Reader’s Response to “The Joy of Simple Gestures”
What advice would you give your younger self? In this thoughtful reader response to “The Joy of Simple Gestures,” a retired professor of literature reflects on the teachers who discouraged her, the mentors who nurtured her love of books, and why young people should pursue art, music, and storytelling—regardless of approval.
Damien Hirst: Burning Art?
Damien Hirst is burning his own artworks—literally. As part of his NFT project The Currency, thousands of physical works are being destroyed, forcing collectors and viewers alike to ask: what gives art its value—material, idea, or market?
Interview: Princess Grace Academy’s Luca Branca (Winner of the 2022 Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award) and Morgan Johnson
From Monte Carlo to Lausanne: Princess Grace Academy students Luca Branca and Morgan Johnson reflect on creativity, collaboration, and finding joy through dance—following Luca’s win at the Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award.
Relax with Luca and Morgan
What do elite young dancers do when they’re not rehearsing? Luca Branca and Morgan Johnson of the Princess Grace Academy share how they relax beyond the studio.
October: Piece of the Month
October has a soundtrack of its own. In Autumn from The Four Seasons, Antonio Vivaldi captures harvest celebrations, dancing peasants, and the rhythms of the season. Discover the story—and the poem—behind the music.