This Week In Culture: The Prettiest Ice Cream Shop In Bengaluru, Eternal Mayhem, & More

Hayao Miyazaki is 84 years old. A lifetime of chain-smoking didn’t kill him, but watching AI shamelessly rip off his work just might. The man once called AI-generated art “an insult to life itself,” and yet here we are, collectively ignoring his words as we gleefully churn out bootleg Ghibli portraits like a factory line of cultural and artistic disrespect. In the past 24 hours alone, the internet has cranked out more Ghibli-fied selfies than frames Miyazaki himself has drawn in his entire career. It’s honestly shameful. But should we be surprised? The 'Is This Cake?' trend was clearly just training us to accept a world where we can no longer tell what's real; except back then, at least you could eat the cake.

If you agree about artificial intelligence being the death of creativity, our rant continues here. If you don't, you should try taking a media break — no non-AI generated films, tv shows, music or even funny skits on Instagram for a week. Get back to us about what that was like.

You can rest assured that our Culture Bulletin is 100% human. Here's what we have for you this week:

LICK (Lavonne Ice Cream Kitchen) - Bengaluru

Bengaluru’s newest ice cream spot, LICK (Lavonne Ice Cream Kitchen) brings unique flavours like Avocado Toast, Watermelon Feta, and protein-packed scoops. With airy pink interiors and no mix-and-match scoops or extra toppings, each creation stands on its own. Their sundaes take indulgence up a notch — The Beach Party is a tropical delight, The Playground is a candy lover’s dream, and the Chocolate Resurrection is pure decadence with warm cake and hot chocolate foam.

Follow them here.

AIYO! By SVDP & Yung Raja

SVDP and Yung Raja’s AIYO! music video is a high-energy spectacle packed with explosions, car chases, and bold visuals shot across seven cities. Directed by SVDP, it’s an electric blend of hip-hop, Tamil culture, and homages to South Indian cinema. The track redefines hip-hop by weaving in their heritage; right down to the iconic Aiyo! exclamation heard in every South Indian home.

Watch it here.

'Irrfan Unveiled' By FTII

Irrfan Unveiled brings together six remastered FTII student films, offering a rare look at a young Irrfan Khan shaping his craft. Now streaming on FTII’s YouTube channel, the collection reflects the bold storytelling of the early ’90s, tackling themes of power, class, and human psychology. More than just archival footage, it’s a glimpse into the the actor's craft that would later redefine Indian cinema.

Watch them here.

Below 2° At Karma Lakelands, Gurgaon

Unveiled on World Glacier Day at Karma Lakelands, this striking piece by artist and climate campaigner Aakash Ranison features a five-foot globe made of 1,000 repurposed golf balls, hand-painted by children. But its real power lies in its impermanence — the globe is crafted from a special wax that melts at 53°C, a stark reminder of our warming planet. As it distorts and dissolves, Below 2° makes the climate crisis visceral, urging us to act before it’s too late.

Read about it here.

Rkive City At Lakme Fashion Week

At Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI, Rkive City reimagined the past through sustainability. Using post-consumer materials, the collection transformed forgotten details into something new; where a sleeve echoes a uniform, and a pocket reflects a worker’s jacket. Blending diverse textures and silhouettes, it depicted fashion as a way to honour history while building a more sustainable future.

ETHEREAL MAYHEM By Skatrd & The Down Troddence

Skatewear label Skatrd and thrash metal band The Down Troddence (TDT) join forces for ETHEREAL MAYHEM, a collection that fuses their rebellious subcultures. Their collaboration began with Maharani, a nu-metal and Carnatic fusion track addressing global oppression, where Skatrd designed dystopian-inspired costumes. This synergy evolved into ETHEREAL MAYHEM, drawing from Kannur’s raw spirit and both groups' shared roots.

Check it out here.

Genes Mundi By Daniela Papadia & Karishma Swali

Genes Mundi, curated by Karishma Swali, was a stunning fusion of science, art, and craft, brought to life by Italian artist-in-residence Daniela Papadia. Exploring human ancestry through intricate embroidery, Papadia’s six planispheres traced the journey of Mitochondrial Eve, the common matrilineal ancestor of all humans, with golden threads marking the mutations that shaped human migration.

Read about it here.

Capsul x Styl-O In Bandra

Capsul x Styl-O Jam brings an electrifying fusion of fashion, music, and dance with a store takeover by homegrown streetwear brand Styl-O Label. Kicking off at Capsul Store, Bandra (W) on March 29 from 2 PM, the event features OG Shez on the decks at 7 PM, followed by an afterparty at Monkey Bar from 9 PM onwards.

Find out more about the event here.

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