In this week’s Our Take, seeing art in IRL makes a big difference, Brits get a taste for Home Alone, an artist is paving the way for prosthetics and fashion and Kate Nash is using Only Fans to fuel her tour!
Real Feels: Art IRL Hits Different
There’s a reason people flock to museums instead of just Googling famous paintings. A new study from the Mauritshuis Museum in the Netherlands proves that viewing real art in real life stirs up ten times more emotion than looking at a copy. It turns out nothing is better than the real thing.
The study focused on Vermeer’s iconic Girl with the Pearl Earring, using eye-tracking and brainwave-measuring technology to record people’s reactions to both the original painting and a high-quality replica. The research found that the original painting triggers a “Sustained Attentional Loop,” a brain phenomenon that keeps viewers mesmerised as their eyes move from the girl’s gaze to her lips, then to her shimmering pearl, and back again.
Even more impressive? The study found that looking at the real thing lights up the part of the brain responsible for consciousness and personal identity. It’s not just a feast for your eyes—it’s an existential nudge, making you reflect on yourself while taking in the art.
So, it’s time to swap pixels for pigment and step into a gallery. Whether it’s the timeless charm of Vermeer or a modern masterpiece, nothing beats the texture, scale, and sheer presence of art.
Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals
Move over, boring holiday markets—Disney+ just dropped the ultimate festive flex with a Home Alone experience in London: a replica of the famous McAllister home, minus the pesky burglars.
Why? Because apparently 35% of Brits love the movie so much that they can quote entire scenes. Yes, we see you, quoting Buzz and eating all the cheese pizza.
Decked out with photo ops, iconic props, and pro photographers on hand, the Home Alone Experience ensures that everyone gets their moment to channel their inner Kevin.
Experiential activations like this are gold dust for brands, as they look to find immersive, shareable experiences that forge deeper connections and a bit of buzz among fans. By tapping into a Christmas classic, Disney+ has succeeded in creating a cultural moment. And what better way to spread holiday cheer?
False (limb) Visionary
Sophie de Oliveira Barata is redefining prosthetics as wearable art. Her groundbreaking venture, The Alternative Limb Project, fuses technology, craftsmanship and artistic vision to create one-of-a-kind prosthetics. Some of her artificial limbs seamlessly integrate with the body. Others make bold artistic statements. All of them celebrate beauty, diversity, and spark conversation about body image and disability.
Her work doesn’t just push visual boundaries – she also experiments with the functional possibilities of prosthetics, such as a leg with built-in stereo speakers, and another fitted with miniature drawers. And they are not just museum pieces. Sophie collaborates with in-house prosthetist Chris Parsons to ensure that her artificial limbs are practical in real life, a fact supported by clients ranging from Paralympic athletes to musicians and performers.
Sophie’s path began in fine art but took a turn after working in hospitals and being inspired by the medical field. She later honed her skills in special effects for film, crafting prosthetics and creature designs before discovering a calling in creating hyper-realistic limbs. Today, her innovative work proves that prosthetics can be more than a mere necessity—they can be deeply personal expressions of identity.
A Cheek(y) price to pay
We all know crowdfunding, but some music industry celebs are rewriting the rulebook entirely. Enter Kate Nash—the indie-pop powerhouse—who’s shaking up the funding playbook by turning to OnlyFans.
Nash is funding her upcoming tour with her #Butts4TourBusses campaign, offering playful snaps of her derriere to paying fans. For those clutching their pearls and lamenting the state of the industry, Nash has a clear message: don’t be sad—it’s empowering. Nash is candid about the financial challenges of being a touring musician, and delivers her message with humour while exposing the deeper issues facing musicians.
Despite a (deserved) reputation for explicit content, OnlyFans can be a tool for creators of all kinds, offering a direct way to connect with fans and build loyal, paying communities.
Nash isn’t the first musician to take to OnlyFans. Both Lily Allen and Cardi B have tread this path, reaping big financial benefits. In an ever-changing industry, these artists are proving that sometimes, shaking your tail feather is exactly what it takes to keep the music alive.