The Open Culture Collective

An independent journal with a focus on literature & art #cherrypicking🍒 book club: Spotify:

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” — Joan Didion.
It’s brought us so much joy putting together this issue - Lore is a reflection of the power of stories and myths, & how they shape our lives. Take a look here: https://t.co/x5nQ7i4KDi
Issuu: https://t.co/2rJhoNo0rZ

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Today’s feature by the talented Robyn Weaver is named after the mythical bird that symbolizes rebirth and continuity. With its ritualistic tenderness, the poem inspires a sense of silent hope. Read it at the link: https://t.co/0XBT7vxsB6

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Our issue on Lore features some of @amyfriend ’s dazzling, expressive work from her ‘Dare Alla Luce’ series. Take a look at the link here: https://t.co/tghZdJheN9

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“Through this project I began to “lie” about the titles, fabricating new identities and histories as a means of questioning the value of what is lost. I engaged with each image and become increasingly aware of the weight each photograph carries, whether factual or not.”

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“Through this project I began to “lie” about the titles, fabricating new identities and histories as a means of questioning the value of what is lost. I engaged with each image and become increasingly aware of the weight each photograph carries, whether factual or not.”

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

In the heart-wrenching poem ‘seven for a secret’, Mikey May beautifully captures an absence as tangible as life and explores the mythologies we leave behind. Be sure to read it in its entirety here: https://t.co/WXYyKF1qDT

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

‘Otherworld’ is a nostalgic stirring of the senses. Let Lucy Atkinson’s (@_Lucyatkinson_) poem take you to a place of pure reminisce, of songs sung and stories told. Read the whole thing at the link: https://t.co/bZRw5TDWHS

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Jingkun Qiao’s ‘Light’, from the Trees of Life series, is meditative and transcendental. Take a look at the entire series at the link: https://t.co/FXZEABX9z7

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Lucy Atkinson’s (@_Lucyatkinson_ ) poem ‘Night Train’ pulsates with restless energy akin to a fever dream. Let it eclipse your sense of time, at the link here: https://t.co/09xloqMq0W

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

With its prophetic & atmospheric qualities, Lydia Rae Bush’s ‘Twilight’ is sure to leave you mesmerized. 🌗
Read it here: https://t.co/iA209Aji0R

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Read more about it in our interview with the talented @TaysaJorge, at the link below: https://t.co/mQoQlD2O24

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“The work I create is in part just a result of my curiosity and something I love to do, which is to get lost in nature.” Feral & alluring, Taysa Jorge’s sweeping landscapes reflect a huge part of her true self and her close connection with nature.

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“The work I create is in part just a result of my curiosity and something I love to do, which is to get lost in nature.” Feral & alluring, Taysa Jorge’s sweeping landscapes reflect a huge part of her true self and her close connection with nature.

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

In ‘a little crooked’, Linda M. Crate cherishes a pure recognition of the self in the face of ingrained paths 🌥️ Read the entire poem, as it writes its own beautiful story, at the link: https://t.co/nKEFgF0BtE

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Inspired by the Egyptian Feather of Ma’at, a device used to measure the moral fortitude of a soul as it enters the afterlife, Leandra Lee’s ’Anubis’ captures the emotional weight of empathy like no other 🍃 Read the whole poem here: https://t.co/BU9OVALUR5

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

@PoetBex @brecht_dp @EunoiaReview @ayaskala @tralitmag @AothenMagazine @active_muse @_RiotMag @filtercoffeemag @bombaylitmag @thehkreview @MothReview Thank you for thinking of us ✨🌿

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Our issue on Lore features some of Amy Friend’s dazzling, expressive work from her ‘Dare Alla Luce’ series. Take a look at the link: https://t.co/tghZdJheN9

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

“My focus on the photographic medium is not specifically concerned with capturing a “concrete” reality. I often use photography to explores the relationship between what is visible and non-visible.”

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

You can read the short story here: https://t.co/69W6zUYqRG

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

How can I lessen the suffering of one I love? ‘Bleat by Bleat’ tackles themes of resilliance & acceptance, with characters dealing with the repercussions of a curse. Melissa Martini beautifully crafts a story that conveys more emotion with actions & words left unsaid.

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

How can I lessen the suffering of one I love? ‘Bleat by Bleat’ tackles themes of resilliance & acceptance, with characters dealing with the repercussions of a curse. Melissa Martini beautifully crafts a story that conveys more emotion with actions & words left unsaid.

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

‘Cassiopeia on the Rocks’ is a scintillating poem by Catarsis Ballesteros (@hellcat_arsis) & we highly recommend reading this one under a starry sky 💫 Link to the poem here: https://t.co/46V2q7FpDd

[The Open Culture Collective @tocc_]

Flowing & Electric, Jingkun Qiao’s (@_CantoMo) ‘Melt’, from the Trees of Life series, beautifully reflects the synonymity between our internal & external lives. Take a look at the entire series here: https://t.co/FXZEACecB7

[💐🦩possum in a dark meadow🦩💐 @clem_flowers]

☺️ thank you again @tocc_ for giving a home to this work - they are lovely & cannot recommend submitting to them enough.