Art and Society

Do the Preferences of Women Differ? Female Representation in Parliament and the Composition of Government Expenditure

Giyoh Gideon Nginyu — 2025-05-13

The individual preferences of the elected may influence the decomposition of public spending since policy commitment is not always feasible. This paper investigates if the proportion of female representation in parliament affects the composition of government spending. To attain this objective, we analysed the effect of female representation in parliament on preferences expressed by the proportion of each and every component of government expenditure using a system-GMM estimation technique with data from 126 countries of the world. Our results revile that, women representation in parliament increases expenditure on education, government consumption and health expenditures and on the other hand, female representation in parliament decreases military as well as research and development expenditures.

Research on Multi-Dimensional Presentation and In-depth Experience of Cultural Heritage Driven by XR Technology

Zijing Lu — 2025-05-13

This paper takes extended reality (XR) technology as the core to explore its application logic and practical paths in the multi-dimensional presentation and in-depth experience of cultural heritage. Based on the immersive, interactive and multimodal fusion characteristics of XR technology, it is proposed to achieve digital translation of cultural heritage through spatial reconstruction, dynamic narrative and cross-media fusion, and to construct a deep experience paradigm through emotional resonance, educational dissemination and social collaboration. Based on the above theoretical analysis, combined with actual cases, an analysis of the reality of multi-dimensional presentation of cultural heritage is conducted. The case study shows that XR technology not only breaks through the temporal and spatial limitations of traditional display, but also activates the contemporary value of cultural heritage through the integration of virtual and real. In response to the shortcomings of existing research, it is pointed out that technology empowerment needs to balance the expression of cultural connotations and the boundaries of technological innovation. In the future, it is necessary to explore the collaborative application of artificial intelligence and the metaverse to promote the paradigm shift of cultural heritage from “preservation” to “activation”.

Corset Revival and the Feminist Reframing of Restrictive Dress in Vintage Fashion Communities

Amelia Fairchild — 2025-05-27

This paper explores the contemporary revival of the corset within vintage fashion communities and its complex relationship with feminist thought. Once condemned as a symbol of patriarchal oppression and bodily restriction, the corset has been reinterpreted by modern wearers as a tool of aesthetic agency, self-expression, and identity formation. Through a critical examination of historical narratives, digital fashion subcultures, and intersectional feminist discourse, the study analyzes how the corset functions simultaneously as a site of historical memory and contemporary resistance. Drawing on theories of body politics, feminist historiography, and subcultural style, the paper demonstrates that corset-wearing today is deeply contextual and politically plural—shaped by the overlapping forces of gender, race, class, disability, and queerness. It concludes that vintage fashion communities serve as key catalysts for this reclamation, transforming restrictive dress from a symbol of conformity into one of empowerment and feminist reimagination.

How the Instant Gratification Design of Dating Apps in Korea Creates False Expectations of Romantic Communication

Minseo K. Jang — 2025-05-27

This paper explores how the instant gratification design of dating apps in South Korea shapes false expectations of romantic communication. Through analysis of app mechanics, user behaviors, and cultural context, the study demonstrates how swiping interfaces, gamified feedback systems, and hyper-responsive messaging environments accelerate emotional engagement while undermining sustainable connection. Drawing from contemporary Korean social norms, the paper examines how platform logic clashes with traditional expectations of pacing, discretion, and gender roles in romantic initiation. It argues that the resulting cultural friction not only fosters ghosting and communication fatigue but also reframes intimacy as a performance governed by algorithmic tempo rather than relational depth. The study concludes by proposing a reimagined model of digital intimacy that prioritizes emotional continuity, intentional design, and hybrid relational literacy.

Motherhood as Method: Chinese Feminism and Gendered Resistance in the Works of Yu Hong and He Chengyao

Qinlin Wei — 2025-05-27

This article explores how contemporary Chinese women artists Yu Hong and He Chengyao engage with the concept of motherhood as both a cultural construct and a critical strategy. By situating their practices within the historical trajectories of Confucian ethics, Maoist gender policy, and neoliberal maternalism, the paper argues that their art articulates a form of ‘Chinese feminism’ shaped by socio-political constraints and localised resistance. Through case studies of Yu’s introspective Witness to Growth series and He’s visceral performance 99 Needles, the essay demonstrates how maternal imagery is mobilised not to idealise but to question and redefine female subjectivity. While eschewing overt feminist labels, their work subverts dominant narratives of motherhood, challenging state control, patriarchy, and censorship. In doing so, Yu and He carve out a unique feminist voice that merges personal memory, bodily experience, and visual politics within the Chinese context.

The Artistic Editing of Ambient Sound and the Construction of Emotional Tension in Urban Vlogs

Xin Zhou — 2025-05-27

This paper explores the aesthetic, emotional, and narrative roles of ambient sound in urban vlogs, situating this practice within broader East Asian media cultures and global soundscape theory. Through a multi-faceted analysis that integrates case studies, cross-cultural comparison, and theoretical synthesis, the study reveals how vloggers in China transform everyday soundscapes—such as the clatter of street vendors, the murmur of public spaces, and the textures of weather—into immersive emotional experiences. Ambient sound is not merely a background element in these vlogs; it functions as a powerful narrative device that shapes viewer engagement, evokes nostalgia, and constructs sensory spaces that bridge individual memory and collective identity. Drawing upon frameworks from soundscape theory, emotional geography, and multimodal narrative, the paper demonstrates how ambient sound editing in vlogs reflects a unique form of sonic poetics: a blending of cultural memory, personal storytelling, and aesthetic curation that extends beyond visual storytelling alone. The analysis highlights the participatory dynamic of audience reception, showing how viewers interpret, respond to, and emotionally connect with these curated soundscapes. Ultimately, the study positions ambient sound in vlogs as a key site for understanding contemporary digital storytelling, emotional engagement, and the evolving relationship between sound, space, and culture.