Let’s Get Culture Cubed!
I discovered Rubik’s Cubes and the thrill of “cubing” this past year when I wander-lusted over to Toys ‘R’ Us one Sunday afternoon (like a totally normal adult) and left the store with a classic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. My purchase remained an enticing mystery to me as I spent the next two weeks researching how to solve it, thanks to Google Magic. It turns out there are algorithms for solving every stage of the cube, you just have to learn to recognize which algorithm(s) to use depending on the cube’s patterns. I quickly became an expert at this and can now solve the cube from any scramble. FUN FACT: “cubing” is now listed on my resume under “Useless Talents”.
Cubing turned out to be hugely beneficial for me as I cope with ADHD (among other super fun non-neurotypical quirks!) I found it very relaxing to pick up my cube, scramble it, and start solving whenever I felt stressed with homework or a lack of creative thinking when writing papers.
Here are some quick Wiki fun facts about the Rubik’s Cube:
- The Rubik’s Cube is a 3D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik.
- It was originally called “The Magic Cube”.
- In 1980, it won the German Game of the Year special award for Best Puzzle that year.
- It is the world’s top-selling puzzle game (350 million cubes had been sold worldwide as of January 2009).
- It is widely considered to be the world’s best-selling toy.
While Rubik’s Cubes have been a staple of pop culture since the eighties, I’ve recently noticed the cube making a sort-of nostalgic “reentry” into pop culture. The way I see it, the Rubik’s Cube has evolved over the years from an iconic toy to an actual AESTHETIC. I’ve seen everything from Rubik’s-inspired fashion accessories to nail art, architecture, and even a traveling Rubik’s museum exhibit (!!!) Below are examples of what I’m calling “The Rubik’s Aesthetic”. All I have are two words: RUBIK’S. PORN. *sigh*
The Rubik’s Aesthetic
Here’s my super-dope friend Grace seated in the Rubik’s Cube Room. It’s part of a massive interactive maze constructed by Experiential Supply Co. to promote Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi VR film Ready Player One, which hit theaters last March. Check out Grace’s cherry red Katy Perry heeled sandals (now on sale @ katyperrycollections.com oolaaalaaaa) THESE SHOES BE POPPIN!!!
One of my favorite badass-ladies-of-Instagram, the iridescent Nora Kirkpatrick, debuted this kick-ass nail art. I’m probably going to copy this pattern exactly next time I hit the nail salon!
This photo was taken the other day by my friend Megan in downtown Los Angeles. This is the work of street artist Hijack, whom Huffington Post UK suggested might be “the new Banksy” (sorry but AS IF, still that’s a really dope association) after Hijack’s London debut in 2013.
Cubes at the museum
Beyond Rubik’s Cube Exhibition is a traveling museum exhibit that began its journey across the world back in April 2014. The exhibit, which offers visitors 7,000 square feet of Rubik’s-inspired interactive games, puzzles, art, and engineering stops for a few months in each location before moving on to the next. Beyond Rubik’s Cube’s current location is Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tenn. until September 3, 2018. Talk about a dream road trip destination!
The Giant Cube is a 10 ft. tall, 2,367 lb. working Rubik’s Cube that can be controlled. There are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations. GET CUBED!!
The Masterpiece Cube, crafted in 1995 by Diamond Cutters International and valued at 2.5 million USD, is the world’s most expensive Rubik’s Cube. Each 18-carat, gold-lined panel of the cube contains 25 precious stones including white diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The Masterpiece Cube is a feature of the Beyond Rubik’s Cube Exhibition. BLING BLING!
Cubes and fine wine
For the grand finale…I present the avant-garde d’Arenberg Cube. It cost 15 million Aussie bucks to build, and last month, it won The Good Design Awards, one of Australia’s highest honors for architectural design. The structure, which resides in the center of d’Arenberg’s McLaren Vale vineyards, is an experience more than anything – wine tasting and a stroll through the Cube’s art gallery are the typical order of the day (and don’t forget to check out the really cool VR experiences), while after hours, the Cube has been known to host some of the most bottle-poppin’, speakers-boppin’, take-back-the-night soirees. SIGN ME UP!
Cube is LIT!
Party in the Cube!
Dinner is served in the Cube!
Talitha Reilley is an “ENTP. Huge fan of citrus!!!!” You can find her at @hawtcatwifi on Instagram.
