FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
VOLUME 4: ED. 2
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
GOOD TIMES ARE AROUND THE CORNER
LITERALLY!
Have you heard the latest? ECU has a new neighbour, Latitude, an all-in-one aerial super park where you can set yourself free. Need to relieve some tension? Fly off our bungee tower and forget about everything else for a moment. Or flip it on our performance tramps, rock climb, turn tricks on our air track mat and annihilate your mates in a game of dodgeball. It’s all here and it’s right around the corner. Grab your tickets online now!
WEEKDAY STUDENT SPECIAL
Terms & conditions apply.
57 Joondalup Drive, Edgewater 6027 | latitudeair.com
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Dircksey Team Editor-in-Chief: Holly Ferguson editors@ecuguild.org.au
Literature Editor: Tristan Sherlock dirckseyliteditor@gmail.com
Current Affairs Editor: Elisha Hammond dirckseycurrentaffairs@gmail.com
Art: Zachary Sheridan dirckseyart.filmeditor@gmail.com
Music Editor: Jackson Lavell-Lee dirckseymusiceditor@gmail.com
Marketing & Promotions: Lauren Reed l.reed@ecuguild.org.au
Logo: Sella Winadi The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Dircksey Editor(s), sub-editors/ section-editors, Edith Cowan University or the Edith Cowan University Student Guild. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Dircksey articles and other information are up-to-date and as accurate as possible, as of not the time of publication– Editor(s), but no responsibility can or will be Cowan taken Universityif by the abovementioned entities taken an issue of Dircksey has any errors or other omissions contained herein. accurate publication– taken issue omissions
Online print just got better.
pictondiy.com.au
CREDIT // VOL 4: ED.2
CONTRIBUTORS:
ARTISTS:
Adam Di Tullio
Brianda Delgado @GhostBandit1998
Andrew Douglas
Danielle Blanch
Christopher Spencer
Holly Ferguson
Clare Varcoe
Jackson Lavell-Lee
Danielle Blanch
Jordan Harris i-am-thedragon.tumblr.com
Elisha Hammond
Neel Goodwin FB: Kloudy Kat Art
Georgina Ashworth
Solange Beron @solstize
Grace Brooks
Shona Wong @somechuppy
Holly Ferguson
Zoe Wolski @zoewolski
Jackson Lavell-Lee Jesse Newell
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Jessica Allia John Haycraft
Alvin Goh & Western Australian Paralympic Football Program
Jordan Brunnen
Bread in Common
Leighton Campbell
Buona Cucina Galileo
Stewart Lee
Chris Mewburn, Euterpe Platritis & Purrth Cat Café
Tristan Sherlock
Emilia Hawcroft
Zachary Sheridan
Emily Smith Jordan Brunnen Noemie Huttner-Koros Renee Wingfield Shona Wong
COVER ART: For this cover, I wanted to represent Perth’s identity and the conflicting issue of environment vs infrastructure. Observing Perth’s suburbs, I noticed they are partly rural and partly urban. I feel we are doing rushed urban planning: building cramped houses, apartments, shopping centres and narrow roads ruthlessly in blocks, not considering the bush holding animal habitats. I can also see Perth is developing into a vibrant city, more populated than ever, aiming to be the next Melbourne. However, despite the benefits of growth, we shouldn’t forget our native nature and animals.The concentrated city is built on a quokka’s back to demonstrate the degradation of habitats. I made the sky full of space to give viewers a breath of air, escaping the overwhelming cityscape. The cover is open to interpretation. Viewers can embrace the details of the city and look forward to the urban development, or they can feel overwhelmed by the fast-paced development and the subsequent environmental damage. Shona Wong Instagram: @somechuppy Facebook: SomeChuppy shonawong.myportfolio.com/
INFO // VOL 4: ED.2
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Head to our website for your daily dose of Dircksey. Updated daily, we publish reviews, interviews and a mix of engaging (& occassionally controversial) articles.
write & create www.dircksey.com Want to write with us or create art? We’re always looking for new people to join the team. If you’re interested email editors@ecuguild.org.au for more information. Or head to our Facebook page for details on our next contributors meeting (all are welcome).
CONTENTS PAGE // VOL 4: ED.2
FEATURES
08 NOT JUST YOUR
24 ALTERNATIVE
AVERAGE COMPUTER
REALITIES
10 ALVIN GOH
25 THE PRIVATE
13 WHEN GROWTH
HEALTHCARE SCAM
ISN’T GOOD
26 A HISTORY OF MEMES
14 FEMINISM IN JAPAN
28 ARTIST FEATURE:
AND CHINA: LESSONS
ZOE WOLSKI
FOR AUSTRALIAN
32 PURRFECTLY
FEMINISTS
CONTENT: PURRTH
16 IN AUSTRALIA I’M
CAT CAFÉ
BLACK IN ASIA I’M WHITE
34 WHAT’S FOR DINNER?
18 WEIRD CAREERS
36 STUDENT
19 PROFILE: RENEE
EXPERIENCES:
WINGFIELD
EXCHANGE
22 GET YOUR KINDS
38 THE PROBLEM
AWAY FROM MY FACE
WITH PLASTIC
23 KINKCEPTIONS!
40 FEARING FOOD:
PUNISHING THE
ORTHOREXIA
IGNORANCE
41 WHAT YOU SHOULD
MUSIC
42 DEATH BY DENIM 44 AN INDIE ROCK DREAM 47 MUSIC REVIEWS
LITERATURE
48 ROMANTIC OUTLAWS OR BADASS WOMAN OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 50 SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA VS LOVE, SIMON: AN ANALYSIS ON BOOK TO FILM ADAPTIONS 52 LITERATURE REVIEWS
FILM
53 CINEMA ETIQUETTE FOR DUMMIES
CREATIVE
55 05:00 THOUGHTS
54 FILM REVIEWS
56 THOUGHTS UPON MEMBER OF THE WAAPA/ NUMINOUS 57 LOST ON A BREAKER
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PRESIDENT’S NOTE // VOL 4: ED.2
Stewart Lee: ECU Student Guild President I hope everything is going well for you and your study hasn’t become too hectic. Just a quick update from me on what the Guild has been up to since the last edition of the mag. A big part of what I wanted to do for the year was for the Guild to have a big focus on representation and advocacy and since the last edition, I’ve attended the NUS National Presidents’ Summit. First and foremost, it will help to build the Guild’s capacity to make submissions to parliamentary inquiries, which is a big part of what we should be doing to represent and advocate for students at ECU. I’ve been working with all the Guild Senators to get our 2018 Budget passed, which we’ve now done and we’re now working to prepare for our 2018 Annual General Meeting. To run you through some of the stuff we’ve all been up to: - We had Guild Week to start off the semester! - We crashed dozens of inductions to let you know about our Student Assist team and how they can help you with academic appeals and financial assistance, our discount program, Dircksey, and all our clubs. - We had our first party of the year – Toga – and got so much awesome feedback. - We’ve got 40+ affiliated clubs, teams, societies (now, for the first time, with at least 1 for each school, and 2 at Bunbury). - We’re about to launch a volunteer program that will recognise volunteer hours on your ECU transcript. - We submitted two Freedom
of Information requests into the Uni’s investment practises. - We’ve been running Quiz Nights, Pool Comps, and Quiplash at both JO and ML. - We supported a National Day of Action to oppose Federal Government funding cuts to higher education. - Seeing how we can help with student retention at ECU. - We ran a very successful Chinese New Year event. - We’ve built a very good relationship with the UWA and Curtin Student Guilds, and the NTEU, so that we’re completely across what’s happening in the education sector in WA and are well equipped to represent all ECU students. We’re working with the Uni to: - Look at how we can improve parking on campus. - Make the ECU assessment policy better - we’re pushing for exams to be worth a maximum of 50% of the unit. Rebecca Joyce and Nicole Maskell down at Bunbury are also killing it, with a whole range of events and initiatives. They’ve supported the establishment of a Mature Aged Student Network group down at Bunbury, too. Props to them! We also now have a new Postgraduate Officer, whose name is Joel Coyle, and who will be in the Guild for 10 hours a week. Everyone has been so busy and there’s so much more I could write down, but I’ll keep you in the loop with the Guild newsletter that gets sent to your student email account every week. Keep an eye on it!
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INFO // VOL 4: ED.2
What’s On: Joondalup Coffee Meets Hosted by ECU Mature Age Student & ECU Student Guild An event for mature age students at ECU. Running every Monday until November 26 Time: 12:30 Place: Café Six ECU Joondalup
Pride Space Hosted by ECU Queer Collective & ECU Student Guild An event for LGBT ECU students to network, hang out and chat with Queer Collective reps. Snacks and drinks provided. Running every Wednesday until June 6th Time: 1pm Place: Equity Space (rm10.101) ECU Joondalup
SOTA Festival “SOTA returns in 2018 with a fully Western Australian line-up designed for music lovers of all ages, with both under 18 and licensed areas. Best of all, it’s FREE! Proudly co-presented by those in the know on WA music... WAM!” June 4 Time: 12-9pm Place: Elizabeth Quay Perth Waterfront
Hir Hosted by Black Swan State Theatre Company “Hir (a gender-neutral pronoun of “his” and “her,” pronounced “here”) is an audacious dive into the dysfunctional-family playpen of American theatre. A highly intelligent, heartfelt and humorous portrayal of a family in crisis.” Studio Underground Running from May 10-27 www.bsstc.com.au
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PLAYLIST // VOL 4: ED.2
ISSUE TWO PLAYLIST 1. Next World – ZEKE BEATS Remix KRANE, QUIZ, ZEKE BEATS - Fallout (The Remixes) 2. Black Girl Magik Sampa the Great, Nicole Gumbe - Birds and The BEE9 3. Tarlo Triple One - The Naughty Corner 4. Dance For Blessings Sango - In The Comfort Of 5. Holding Pattern Loston - Holding Pattern 6. The Girl Who Stole My Tamagotchi Hot Sugar - Moon Money 7. South of the River Tom Misch - Geography 8. Stay The Night Claptone, TENDER - Stay The Night 9. Best Life (feat. Chance The Rapper) Cardi B, Chance The Rapper - Invasion of Privacy 10. JAPAN Famous Dex - Dex Meets Dexter 11. Almost Here Alice Ivery, RaRa - I’m Dreaming 12. Get It Right (feat. MO & GoldLInk) – Remix Diplo, MO, GoldLink - California EP FOR MORE HEAD TO DIRCKSEY’S SPOTIFY
Playlist created by Jackson Lavell-Lee
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Not Just Your Average Computer C
an I tell you something amazing?
More and more these days, we marvel at the power of our smartphones, the technology in our tablets and the advanced nature of our flat screen tellies. But there’s one more computer that evolves a little bit more every day and it lives right inside our own heads. I’m talking about our brains - the small-but-mighty bundle of nerves that commands the way we walk, talk, and see our world. But sometimes, we get so distracted by the latest gadgets and tech-specs that we forget to acknowledge the incredible tool that is our mind, let alone celebrate its abilities. So, to encourage people to think a little more about our thinking caps, here’s a list of wonderful facts, figures and frequently-asked-questions that’ll make you marvel at our amazing brains. What’s our brain made of? The average human brain weighs 1,361 grams, is usually no larger than a grapefruit, and operates as the powerhouse of the body. It controls the release of hormones, cell production, homeostasis, communication, sight, sound and smell, just to name a few. You name it, and the brain probably plays a role in it. As the most powerful organ in our human systems, it’s no wonder that it’s also the greediest. An ar ticle from the National Academy of Scientists demonstrates that brains take up 20% of our body’s energy and oxygen, even though it only makes up 2% of our total weight.
Plus, our brains munch up a quarter of our total cholesterol, serving as an essential part of our neuron make-up. This means that 60% of our brain weight is fat, making the living computer “the most fatty organ in the body,” according to the Chi-Mei Medical Centre’s Department of Neurology. What else makes up our magnificent minds? You might be surprised to find out they’re 73% water. Water provides food for the billions of neurons compacted in our heads and goes into creating the hormones that help our bodies and brains constantly evolve. What are neurons anyway? Have you ever seen a colony of ants working together to carry crumbs to the nest? That’s a little bit like how the human brain and its neuron building blocks work together! Neurons are brain cells; there’s over 10 000 different types and they all mesh together using little branchlike connecters called synapses. In a nutshell, electrical and chemical signals pass over these connections whenever you think, speak, or act - and your brain makes new connections just like this every day! Current estimates say we have about 86 BILLION neurons sandwiched in each of our heads - multiply that by the global population and we’ve got roughly 653 billion human neurons floating around this planet (somebody please share a few with the leader of the United States, Lord knows he needs them). Does a bigger brain mean a bigger IQ? Nope! In the case of our brains, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Our brains have been wavering in
shape, density, and size for millions of years - the same being true for other mammals and animals. While we might not have the biggest brains, (sperm whales boast brains that weigh nearly eight kilograms!), humans do have the largest brains in comparison with our average weight - a ratio of 1 to 50, according. What’s a really impressive fact I can tell my friends about the brain that’ll make me look super smart? Crazily enough, a 2016 study shows that our brain’s memory capacity is large enough to store the entire internet! With 10 000 000 000 000 000 bytes of storage in our heads, the Salk Institute discovered that the different sizes of synapses increase the gigabytes in our memory drive. Who says you can’t cram and memorise all that info for your exam now? Are we geniuses when it comes to our brains? Far from it - If you think about it, neurology (the study of our brains) is the most meta science can get; we’re learning new things every day about our big ol’ brains just by using them! What’s more is that nothing is ever really certain in this field - as brains adapt and evolve, so too does the science and the facts. Who knows what the future holds - will we have found out more about our brains than ever before, or will our poor scientists have to rewrite what we thought was true? As it currently stands that’s one thing our amazing computers can’t figure out. By Elisha Hammond Art by Zoe Wolski @zoewolski
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Alvin Goh Alvin Goh is the performance development officer for the Western Australian Paralympic Football Program. This program is the focus of his PhD, which he’s completing at Edith Cowan University. I caught up with Alvin to talk about his involvement and experiences with Paralympic football...
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
So, what specific disabilities does Paralympic football cater to? Paralympic football caters to physical disabilities including; cerebral palsy (CP), acquired brain injury (ABI), and stroke related disabilities. How does Paralympic football differ from able-bodied football? Paralympic football itself is sanctioned by FIFA, so they are are strict and rigid rules governing the game. The main thing is that the dimensions are different; the pitch and the goals are smaller, there are seven players per team - as opposed to the usual eleven a side. There are also certain rules to try and maintain fairness in the game. To qualify to play in a Paralympic football tournament you have to be assessed and classified. You will be put into one of four classes: FT8, FT7, FT6 or FT5 (which describe varying levels of severity). The rules state that at any given time you must have at least one player from classes FT5 or FT6. Also, you can’t have more than one FT8 player on the pitch. What are the benefits of Paralympic football for the players? What have you found in your research? My study was cross sectional: so I interviewed all of the players in the Paralympic team and asked them how football had affected their lives. I also interviewed their parents to try and further substantiate the data. Basically, I broke my findings down into three main categories: physical benefits, cognitive benefits, and most importantly, psychosocial benefits. An example of a physical benefit is that the players’ posture improves, and they’re able to walk better, which is a big thing for someone with CP. One of the big cognitive benefits is that the players’ spatial awareness improves. We also see that the goalkeeper’s coordination and motor skills improve after playing football, which is great. The most important finding, however, is the psychosocial benefits that Paralympic football has on the players. Every single player speaks about how football has completely changed their lives. The players have come from backgrounds where
Alvin assisting in mixed age practice.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
they’ve been bullied at school, they’re always last to get picked for sporting teams, and they’ve felt the need to try and hide their disability. What is really incredible is the way that the players come together and realise that they’re not alone, which is a really important step in their development. The parents have told me how their children have come to accept and embrace their disability. This is incredible, and football has been such an important part of this happening in their lives. Have your experiences with the team changed the way you view disability? Absolutely. I’m going to admit that prior to my PhD I didn’t know much about Paralympic sport, and disability in general. Going in, I had a lot of questions. When I first came to training though, I immediately realised that it was just natural, these players are just like us. It’s a really great atmosphere. Every single one of them is so valuable, and there are some big personalities in the team. What do you think has to change in terms of social attitude towards disability?
I think we live in a day and age that is quite understanding, accepting and caring. People know to be mindful regarding topics like disabilities. That being said, I think that the awareness and knowledge of disabilities such as CP is really underdeveloped. I’ve already spoken about the numerous benefits of playing football, but so many people out there with CP don’t even know that this is an option for them. A lot of the parents tell me that they only found out about Paralympic football by chance. Sport for people with disabilities is something that is really neglected, we need to work on that, because it’s something that can change their lives for the better. Recently, there’ve been calls to strip some of the funding for the Commonwealth Games and to reinvest the money in the Paralympics, what’re your thoughts on this? I think it’s a brilliant initiative. The incentive to elevate and to acknowledge Paralympic football is a really good thing. It’d be a major step for the Paralympic games, it would help to further expose it to the world and develop programs or promote the games to a wider audience!
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What does the future hold for Paralympic Football? I think that on a year to year basis we’re heading in the right direction. What I really want to see is further development of these programs that cater to people with disabilities, especially kids during their developmental stages. I’d also like to see the establishment of more advanced Paralympic leagues in Western Australia. As for the team, we’ve got the national championships later in the year. We travel to Sydney every year to compete. It’s something that all of the players and the coaches really look forward to. We have high hopes. The goal is to win the title for the first time in WA history, as well as to get as many players from the WA team into the national team (Pararoos) as possible.” Interview by John Haycraft Images by Holly Ferguson
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
When Growth Isn’t Good By Andrew Douglas There is universal agreement that effective solutions are needed to combat climate change - the most pressing issue of the 21st century. What is not so readily acknowledged are all the implications for an effective, long-term solution. We all know that renewable energy sources - wind, solar, wave, geo-thermal and many more - are a significant part of the answer. These are all valid and they all are effective to a point. What tends to be overlooked or even ignored are the broader implications of an effective, long-term solution. Unfortunately with the way our modern economy is organised, any measure to combat global warming is bound to be largely ineffective. The health of our economy depends on a pattern of consistent growth; ’Jobs and Growth’ was the mantra of our PM during the last election. Economic growth requires increased production for increased consumption, which presumes an increased population to consume that greater production. But as our global economy keeps growing, so will its pollution. Whatever the intricacies of modern capitalism, there is more a radical issue at the heart of global warming. Even if all nations suddenly switched to renewable energy for industry and transport, the disruption of the environment would persist. Land would continue to be cleared for cities and towns; more habitats would be destroyed to provide farmland to feed the ever-growing population. Humanity’s adverse effects on the
environment are exacerbated by a constantly increasing population. Until the industrial revolution and later developments in medicine, the human population was relatively constant and nowhere near the billions of today. Then around the nineteenth century it started to expand as never before and continues to do so now. The earth is a finite space and cannot support an ever-increasing population. Eventually, issues of population control will need to be considered by all nations. In Australia, this question has recently raised suggestions such as cutting immigration to relieve the pressure on infrastructure and the demands for basic services such as schools. But this is only a minor aspect of any solution. In our industrialised society, with adequate health care, compulsory education and a welfare state this is not a major issue: most people do not have large families. But we can no longer afford to be complacent. We all have a responsibility to our climate and our planet. If we are to have sustainable population growth, all sorts of ‘sensitive’ issues need to be confronted. In ancient times, when infant mortality was high, and the human lifespan was very short, all sorts of practices were needed to ensure a particular tribe or group’s survival. In this context, having large families made sense. Over time, these practices were codified into customs and some were given the ultimate sanction of official religion, in some instances, it became part of its official
dogma. ‘Populate or perish’ was one such mantra. But in today’s world of climate change and unsustainable population growth, such practices need to be questioned. These are issues not only for industrialised nations such as ours but also developing countries. For example, consider whether it is ethically responsible for certain Christian missionaries in developing countries not to inform the native population about the various methods of contraception. Surely, imparting such knowledge should be a priority. Clearly organised religion needs to come to the sustainable population table. Some nations have taken rather drastic measures to reduce their large populations. For example, China officially had a one child policy for many decades. While this is an extreme measure, it raises a broader issue that needs consideration: we need sustainable population policies. The greater the global population, the more pressure on its limited resources. All nations, religions and ethnic groups have a part to play in reaching sustainable population growth. Any of the practices that impinge on population growth need to be critically examined and questioned. The planet is not like the inside of Dr Who’s TARDIS - infinitely large. The earth’s population will have to stop growing - perhaps even decrease significantly. Once we all acknowledge this, we can begin to look at solutions.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Feminism in Japan and China: Lessons for Australian Feminists By Grace Brooks
W
hilst the ‘Time’s Up’ and #MeToo movement have been some of the most prominent women’s liberation issues to gain media attention in recent years, it is important to remember the limitations of a movement led by Hollywood, following a predominantly Western-centric narrative.
Japan known as uuman ribu) began to form as part of the global New Left, whose most prominent activist was Mitsu Tanaka. Tanaka and the uuman rabu became focused on a more substantive meaning of equality, including the right to birth control and safe, affordable abortions.
up half the sky,” and challenged traditional gendered divisions of labour. Li Xiaojiang is often credited with introducing women’s studies to China with her famous 1983 essay Progress of Mankind and Women’s Liberation. Since the revolution, important laws have been introduced by the revolutionary government, including the redistribution of wealth and divorce rights. However, women in China still face worse economic conditions than their male counterparts, and government remains male dominated.
In an increasingly globalised world, if feminism is to stay relevant and meaningful, we need to be looking to women’s movements around the world, acknowledging their struggles and learning from their leaders.
Whilst many rallies were given media attention during this period, they were not taken seriously and it was only in 1999 that birth control was legalised. Moreover, abortion still remains illegal today, barring exceptional circumstances.
Whilst feminism in Asia doesn’t make for attention grabbing headlines, it is a historically rich area to explore, and one that women’s liberation movements in Australia should be paying more attention to, given our close proximity to these nations.
Unfortunately, significant conservative backlash against gender equality still continues to the present day, however the main opposition party in Japan (the Democratic Party) has prioritised increasing diversity in parliament.
Whilst abortion was legalised in China, this was under controversial conditions given the infamous ‘one child’ policy. The Marxist vision of women’s liberation has been critiqued for being short sighted, merely focusing on improving economic conditions.
Women’s activism in Japan has gained little attention, which is hardly surprising considering the strong patriarchal relations in Japanese society. This has been greatly exacerbated by media portrayals of Japanese women as submissive and docile. Whilst women were granted constitutional equality and the right to vote in the Post-WWII constitution, the government made it clear that traditional gender norms were to be enforced.
Arguably, the most prominent feminist thinker in Japan today is the anarchist sociologist Chizuko Ueno, who has greatly contributed to gender studies, and continues to critique the colonialist and patriarchal history of Japan.
Unfortunately, Australian feminists continue to remain relatively ignorant in our understanding of non-Western feminist struggles, which limits the potential for our various movements to create solidarity and learn from one another.
Feminism in China has taken a far different form to that of Japan. One prominent early 20th century Chinese anarchist feminist He Zhen, began publishing in socialist journals arguing that society could never be free unless the liberation of women was achieved. During the 1940s revolution, Mao and the Communist Party further stressed the importance of improving women’s rights and introduced programmes to aid women in obtaining education and government positions. Mao himself famously stated that women “hold
Japanese and Chinese feminist thinkers, of whom I have only mentioned a fraction, have contributed greatly to our understanding of gender, class, race and imperialism. We should make a more concerted effort to read the works of Tanaka, Ueno, Zhen and Xiaojiang, and not lose sight of the fact that women’s rights still need to be not only be defended but fought for.
Initially, feminist activism during this period came from the National Housewives Association, based on the principles of ‘ryosai kenbo’ (good wife, wise mother), and focused on defending families from increased ration prices. Increasingly during the 1970s, more women’s liberation groups (in
Art by Brianda Delgado @GhostBandit1998
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
In Australia I’m black In Asia I’m white 18 DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Imagine it’s 1977. The world’s got its boogie shoes on and shake, shake shaking its booty. A current hit is ‘Black is Black’ by Belle Epoque. The opening lyrics are: “Black is black, I want my baby back.” A friend is holding a little get together. People are dancing and singing and having a good time. Picture yourself there. Everyone is getting down. The Belle Epoque hit plays through the speakers and some of the party goers break into song: “Black is black and John is black. Black is black and John is black!” Welcome to the politically-incorrect and racially-vilified Australia of 1977. When it was alright to call someone black. Call anyone who was not white black. A Coon, a Sambo, a Jigaboo, a Nig-nog, a Darkie. I’m not white. I’m brown. So I qualified and was bestowed the titles of Coon, Sambo, Jigaboo, Nig-nog, Darkie. Black is black and John is black! Imagine growing up with this every day. Living with this every day. Having it embedded and deeply ingrained in your psyche. Every day. I grew up feeling like a second, third, even fourth-class citizen. Feeling not good enough to say, do and be things that normal kids can say, do and be. Not getting to play football and cricket with the rest of the school during recess and lunch. Not getting invited to the cool hang outs. Not getting to ask Sharon to the school ball. “Black is black and John is black!”
as soon as the plane touched down and the hot and humid Malaysian air hit me, I became a Gwelio. White man. First-class citizen. Gweilo is Cantonese for white ghost. I became a white ghost. That’s white. Yes white. Yippee! I was white!! Gweilo can be used as an insult as well as an endearing term. I took it as endearment, thank you very much. I was Gweilo. I was white. I loved it. When I moved to Singapore, I was called Ang Mo – white person. White in Malaysia, white in Singapore. Why? Because I was from Australia. I was treated so differently. I had the same brown skin, the same Australian accent, the same birth certificate that made me black in Australia. But in Malaysia and Singapore, that made me white. Suddenly my unworthiness turned to worthiness. I was white. With the wonderful sensations that came from being white and worthy, I got invited to the cool hangouts. Got to ask a Sharon, or a Shu Fang, out. Did bloody good work in my job. Now I’m back in Australia, and frankly I don’t give a rat’s arse if I am white, brown or black. Or green, pink, orange, red with blue polka dots for that matter!
Then when I landed in Kuala Lumpur to work in Malaysia, I miraculously became white.
It’s amazing what a few years of being white has done for a brown man who used to be called black. How my heart, my soul has been transformed. How my very being has climbed the social ladder – from third and fourth class to first class. Normal class.
Holy shit and heavens to Betsy. Was there something in the rarefied air at 35,000 feet that caused my skin to cease producing melanin? Not so. But
But does racism still exist in the politically-correct world in Australia in 2018? Chatting to a few people around Perth, I discovered that sadly,
it still does. Granted, not on the same level as 1977. One classmate told me about her aunty and friend and their appalling experience at a Perth railway station. Where the African aunty was called a monkey and the Chinese friend a pig, by a bunch of young, white bogans. Another told me about her African housemate who, at a concert, experienced the unsavouriness of a white girl seated next to him, grabbing her bag and clutching it with dear life as soon as she saw him. Another time he was stopped by police and interrogated for no apparent reason. Then there’s the Malaysian Indian student who was made to feel uneasy and inferior due to his accent. Good Lord, the Aussie accent is not one to make a song and dance about. The sideway glances, the sniggering looks, the little nuances with that touch of racism. It’s all somewhat distressful. As a white Australian shared with me – there is still an underlying tone of racism, suppressed by the fear of being found out on social media. So where to from here? How many others have seen, felt, experienced racism and be made to feel different? Inferior and be made to feel second, third, even fourth class? With so many international students at ECU and so many good folk from elsewhere now calling Perth home, I so want to find out. By GOB.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
WEIRD CAREERS M
any of us fear getting to the end of a long, taxing university degree and facing the world outside. We dread being dumped in a crumbly office chair that smells slightly of old coffee and burnt toast, being made to stare mindlessly into a migraine-inducing computer screen, while we resist the urge to staple Angela’s latest passive-aggressive email to her head. But there are people who defy the norm, resisting the nine-to-five office drag and manage to shine in careers that are far from regular. These roles are so out of the ordinary that they often fly under the radar or are completely unheard of so we hope this list of weird careers informs, entertains and inspires you! Professional Mourner As far as weird careers go, professional mourning practically tops the charts. A relatively common practice in Eastern countries like China, actors are generally hired to mourn at funerals which may have low attendance, usually due to family feuds or recent immigration. Mourners can develop detailed backstories and profiles with the family in advance - but how on earth do they cry on demand? One Professional Mourner admitted that
it’s a difficult feat, but a common trick is to watch a sad film related to the deceased’s career or think of a personal memory. The rates are nothing to sniff at either, with many Professional Mourners in the United Kingdom pocketing just under $70.00 an hour! Netflix Binger The news that Netflix is searching for a professional binge-watcher has excited many Australians in recent months, with keen couch potatoes expressing enthusiasm for a paid position based on the Nation’s favourite pastime. But what really goes into being a pro viewer? According to The Independent, the ideal candidate needs “A decent knowledge of film and TV at large, a deft abil-ity to summarise anything you’ve watched, and an iron will able to power through hour upon hour of screen time.” We reckon a lot of students are up to the challenge. Tea Sampler Although it sounds simple, a career in tea tasting involves sourcing, blending, and sampling a variety of tea to create consistency of flavour. Tea samplers get to enjoy lots of travel to exotic and often remote locations to scout out and taste the best tea they can find - the professionals amongst them even get their taste
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buds insured (for $1.5 million!) Dog Surfing Instructor Honestly a dream come true. Getting paid to teach the goodest of good boys to pose on a surf-board and have an amazing time? SIGN. US. UP. If this job wasn’t already amazing enough, coaches often work at beautiful holiday resorts and ocean clubs, but can also be hired as free-lance contractors. Surprisingly, dog surfing is its own competitive sport, and the rich and famous are willing to pay to ensure the prized pets are at the top of their game. Professional Queue Holder You know those crazy long lines for new iPhones and concert tickets? Apparently, you can pay a professional to wait in line for you and collect your highly-sought-after goods. They can hold your place in line for hours on end, or simply collect whatever you’re trying to get your mitts on and deliver it to your door. It may not be the sexiest of jobs for pros like Robert Samuel, but it’s earned him upwards of $1,300 in a week. The beauty of Rob’s business, Same Ol’ Line Dudes, (SOLD for short) is that he can self-promote whilst standing in line, handing out his business cards to others in the cue as he collects a tidy hourly rate. By Elisha Hammond
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Renee Wingfield Renee Wingfield is a Perth-based, multi-disciplined Circus Artist who owns, directs and runs her own spectacle-based performance company, Fliptease, in Perth.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
W
hat started as a desire to learn how to juggle quickly turned into a fascination with performance art. Performing under her alter-ego, “Gail Force,” Wingfield specialises in many circus disciplines but one in particular will always have her heart. “I am an aerialist by design and I love my Hula Hoops, they’re always fun and they feel like breathing. But my first love is still static trapeze, what I first learnt. I have dabbled in pretty much everything, but it always keeps me coming back.” After years of circus training, including a few years training in China, Wingfield was looking for performance work and found many of the circus companies around the world were only hiring highly specialised gymnastic acts. So, in 2006, with a degree in business, it was only natural for her to start her own company and create work in Perth for her and her fellow circus artists. Owning your own boutique performance company is not all sequins and glamour, it takes hard work, grit and determination. Between rehearsals, training, directing shows, overseeing the physical training of her performers, job sheets, liaising with clients, new show creations, rigging up highly complicated apparatuses and
performing, Wingfield says she strives to find balance within the success of her business. The way Wingfield operates her business, per forms, and trains, centres around being brave, “It’s not just about being strong and giving things a go, it’s about challenging yourself through being uncomfortable,” she explains. Wingfield is often experimenting with new ways of training and encourages her performers to work through their mental blocks, making a point to let them know that it is okay to fail. Training circus is full of trial and error, and she sees failure as learning. A strong theme which runs through many of Fliptease’s shows is that of female empowerment, “There are a lot of super talented women in our industry but often, even at that elite level, they’re not given voices on stage. There’ll be a very attractive aerialist very far away, doing an amazing breathtaking routine, but there’s never any voice to it. Quite often it’s usually the boys talking, which is cool, but we do need to help strive towards creating opportunities to make sure we’re not missing other performers just because there’s not necessarily other opportunities for them to get up and speak. And it’s pretty intimidating, so I try and make
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sure when those opportunities come up that there’s choice, not only for our performers. But also reminding our clients that they can have a male or a female, which I think it’s important to even have both.” The shows Wingfield directs and performs in always include a mixture of creative performance and high skill. She loves to use circus as the toolset to create spectacle-based art. In her most memorable gig, she opened the Perth International Arts Festival back in 2009, where she worked with a Spanish company to facilitate and perform suspended with other artists in a 75-metre high moving aluminium wheel in front of over 13,000 thousand people. “We were still a relatively unknown company at that stage, and it was just phenomenal. It took 2 weeks preparation and a lot of long hot days, and it was terrifying and exhilarating, a spectacle unto itself,” explained Wingfield.
Instagram: @missgailforce @fliptease Photos and Article By Danielle Blanch
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Kinkceptions! Punishing the ignorance By Anthea (Kitty)
E
veryone has an opinion, but as the dude once said, “well, that’s just your opinion, man.” Social discourse around BDSM and Kink is no exception, fuelled with people who think they know all about kink without ever stepping foot inside a play party or fetish event. BDSM and Kink are something which we know everything about and know nothing about in equal measure. In just over a year, I have learned a great deal but even I acknowledge that I have barely scratched the surface. It is very difficult for those of us who are in the community to overcome the stereotypes and alternative conceptions that people have about Kink and BDSM. Kink in its simplest definition is someone’s unusual sexual preference, something that exists outside of what is considered mainstream. When you think of a kink in a hose, it’s an unusual or sharp deviation from its normal shape or dimension. That’s what kink is in terms of sexual and or other behaviours. Many people have been influenced by the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon. They watched the films, read the books, and accepted an individual fantasy as an accurate representation of BDSM. People saw the idea of a powerful man and a submissive woman, engaging in a grossly inadequate negotiation with an awful
power imbalance as a picture of what actually occurs in the community.
safety and consent to regulate what we do, and how we do what we do.
Credit is due to Fifty Shades of Grey for bringing the conversation about BDSM and kink into the mainstream. However, it still perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions, creating an environment where ignorance continues to be a persistent issue.
Many people think that everything to do with BDSM carries with it a sexual aspect, but BDSM is different for every individual.
A very broad definition of kink is anything that does not fall under the category of ‘normal’ or ‘traditional.’ Many seem to hold the view that kink is inherently negative and that to have a kink implies that there is something wrong with the individual. But is it inherently harmful to engage in something which is non-normative? When we engage in a scene, we utilise protocols, and safety philosophies like Risk Aware Consensual Kink (RACK) and Safe, Sane and Consensual (SSC). We also have safe words and use the traffic light system (red, yellow and green). Provided participants learn, research and engage in safe (and best) practices, there is nothing inherently harmful about engaging your kinks and enjoying them. We place a great deal of importance on safety and consent, and we’re very much aware that everything we do comes with associated risks. It is for this reason that we use SSC, RACK and other philosophies of
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For some, it will certainly be a sexual activity and act. For me, it isn’t necessarily sexual, but an essential aspect of my mental and emotional health. BDSM and kink for me, is something which is therapeutic, I can let go of everything and live within the moment. The reality is that not all women in kink are submissive, not all play is sexual and what we do is not abusive or violent. I hope this helps people who might not know a great deal about kink and BDSM, or are just looking to take their first tentative steps into a fun and exciting new world.
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Kinks
Get your kinks away from my face! By Pussy
T
o begin, I want to emphasise that I have no problem with anyone’s kinks, fetishes, weird sex experiences or their ‘normal’ sexual encounters. Except maybe daddy kinks - daddy kinks are incestuous, and you can’t tell me otherwise, but that’s an article for another time.
The problem I have is less with kink and more with people who unapologetically announce their fetishes to whomever they meet. I don’t want to generalise a group of people in this article (if you could call it that) so I’m going to speak only to those who just can’t seem to shut up about their sex lives. I personally don’t give a fuck. And by I don’t give a fuck, I mean I don’t want to hear it. I’m sorry, but the amount of people I work with who’ve told me they’re into BDSM is too many. It was one person, but still. What made it worse was that it was the day they met me. Now, if we’ve built some sort of
relationship I’m all for hearing about it. You went to a restaurant with you partner while you both had remote butt plugs up your ass? You can tell me, but I need to have known you for at least a month. Maybe more. Most likely more.
There are only a few people I’m 100% comfortable talking about their and sex and mine. And I’ve known them all for over six months. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t just a personal thing. I’ve been in meeting type situations where people have openly announced their kinks. The amount of people who look super uncomfortable is too much to handle. I know that we need to talk more about sex and educate people about it, but there needs to be a line. Sex is personal. So why make it so public? KIPS. Keep it personal, stupid. Please. I beg of you.
they steal your phone? I’m genuinely concerned. Cause that terrifies me. Leave me to starve I don’t care, I’m ready for the flat stomach anyway but like I need my phone. My KelptoCats might get lonely without me. Anyway, I know I’ve probably upset a few people with my thoughts but it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t go into any setting announcing whose dick I sucked or whatever. I might text a friend if I have a guy stay over, emphasis on the ‘might’ (I italicised it anyway so double emphasis).
If your sex life is important to you, fine. But it isn’t important to those around you - friends, colleages, aquaintances; in fact the latter two probably don’t want to hear about it at all. Kink or no kink, they’re honestly not interested. Just, shut the fuck up about your sex life. I don’t want to hear it!
Random question: How can you let someone tie you up? What if DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2 25
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Alternate Realities
By A Synick (Agony Aunt)
I
used to lie awake at night despairing that I hadn’t met the perfect partner. Then I happened upon ads for all those reality TV dating shows - stuff like The Bachelorette, First Dates, and Married at First Sight - to name just a few. All I had to do was apply and my problems would be solved. Soon another form of reality kicked in: I am not young and pretty and don’t keep up with the latest trending clothes. This is not the only problem: in my naivety, I had assumed that meaningful romantic relationships developed in a climate of privacy and intimacy. How many of us would discuss personal details with and about someone in front of an entire film camera crew for millions of others to view? Hardly ‘intimate.’ These shows are clearly ratings winners, presumably because they are far removed from boring, everyday reality. We all like a bit of fantasy and escapism, especially when it is presented as credible reality. But exactly how ‘real’ are the interactions on these shows? We presume that what unfolds on the screen is genuine and spontaneous,
that the people are not coached in any way, that the piece is not edited for maximum ‘effect.’ Like any other TV show, these interactions have to be edited, rehearsed and scripted to a tee. The entire program has to be tweaked to remove all the boring bits. Given all this preparation and packaging, it is difficult to judge how spontaneous and genuine the dialogue is. Clearly, it has been ‘manufactured’ to some extent. We all know they are ‘acting’ in front of a camera. We love to be entertained and we can all relate to stories of true love and romance. Good entertainment, like Agatha Christie novels or lavish Shakespeare productions, don’t necessarily constitute reality but instead present a manufactured version that appeals to us. In this version of the dating show reality, everyone is young, slim and definitely under thirty. Admittedly, they are all physically attractive - they have to be, or they face not making the cut.
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All of them are pretty faces but
that’s about it. They are not ‘the sharpest tools in the shed’ or the ‘high achievers’ of our society. And let’s face it, how many of these contestants do you ever hear of again? How many of them have ever even finished high school? After their 15 minutes of fame, they don’t move on and become ‘pillars of society,’ MPs, human rights activists - they’re not even soapie stars! Basically, a bunch of otherwise boring people get shoved into phoney situations and pretend to be something they’re not: people who are remotely interesting and talented. Apart from their physical ‘attributes’ their primary talent involves being narcissistic posers - similar to some politicians. My advice to all of you out there who might think you’re too plain or too fat or too old to make it on prime time TV: be grateful you’re not one of these contestants! If you’re after ‘reality TV,’ try ‘Home & Away’ - at least the acting is a bit better.
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
The Private Healthcare Scam “Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune the cost of which should be shared by the community” – Aneurin Bevan By Stewart Lee: ECU Student Guild President
O
n April 1, 2018, premiums for private insurance rose once again. This time by an average of 3.95% — more than the average wage growth. This is somehow justified by the fact that ‘it’s the smallest increase for years.’ And to that I say, you know the system is cooked when the smallest increase for years is still double the average wage increase. We see the same thing year in, year out; headlines targeted at those who buy health insurance: “Do you really need private health insurance?” A quick search will reveal a common theme: most people agree private health insurance is an absolute con, yet it’s been lumped into the “too hard basket” by governments formed by both the Liberal and Labor parties. They’ll tinker and they’ll modify the rebates; marginally increasing Medicare levies on high-income earners who don’t buy insurance. But neither has taken the necessary step to renationalise a healthcare system that has been slowly cannibalised by insurance companies and private healthcare providers, tendered out bit by bit in the name of profit. The free market, far from being the holy grail, destines hundreds of thousands of people in this country to go about their daily business without access to something as basic as dental care. And yet, despite that, we’re told that private involvement will increase competition and bring down the price. Well, one out of every $10 in the
economy is being spent on healthcare; a number that has more than doubled since 2005-06. Some of that spending is on so-called “junk insurance” — low-end insurance products that entitle you to basically nothing, often reimbursing less than you would spend, if you didn’t have any insurance at all. Inevitably, the ascending cost of premiums is causing us to swap into these crap policies simply because our wages cannot keep up. The government is also subsidising private insurers to the tune of almost $6B a year – a system designed to shift people to the private system and take pressure off the public system; a system that’s flawed and failing. On a side note: think of what a private system looks like. It’s a floor, or several, filled with ‘suites’ – rooms for rent – that private providers rent out from the building owner. You might have 10 providers renting suites, some of whom may provide the exact same treatments. It’s common to see 2 or 3 competing providers all using the same amount of resources to provide exactly the same thing at more or less the same cost. That’s multiple reception desks, multiple phone systems and sets of IT equipment, multiple advertising budgets to convince you that they are the best provider. They’ll charge you for their services and take a cut.
a separate suite, with its own reception desk and IT system, to carry out any operations. They’ll also take a cut. Oh, and the insurance provider, who on average will cover only 58% of the cost, will also take their cut. Proponents of a private healthcare provision will say that this is the only way to reach peak efficiency, ignorant to the fact that the administrative burden alone of private healthcare can be more than 10x that of the public system, and that’s without all the people in the middle taking their cut. It’s simple really: when you don’t have to deal with billing, and making a profit, and an advertising budget, healthcare costs less and delivers more. So, what can be done about the con? Can we just get rid of it? Well, yes. What we have is a system that is broken and doesn’t work in the interests of many. It is an expensive policy failure and inadequate. A phase-out of private insurance and a redistribution of the rebates to the public system would cover more of us and deliver more actual healthcare for the same cost. An increase in the Medicare levy would be less than the cost of insurance. With the provision of healthcare by publicly-employed medical practitioners, we can rid our healthcare system of the profit scourge and have a system that works for all of us. It can be done.
Then they’ll rent out theatre time from a different private provider in DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2 27
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
By Neel Goodwin FB: Kloud Kat Art 28 DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
A History of Memes (or me-mes, or mémés): Where have they come from? By Miss Tristan … miss Tristan … miss …. Tristan. I APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE FOR THE TERRIBLE MEME THROWBACKS For those who don’t know a meme is a concept, usually humorous, that rapidly goes viral. A meme can take multiple forms, images, GIFs, videos, et cetera. Let’s compare the horoscopes meme or tag yourself meme to ‘BITCH ME TOO.’ Entirely different mediums but they are still considered memes. Memes can also be shared in a singular community or throughout multiple, the later usually being more popular. Interestingly, memes are not exclusive to the internet, nor was the term made in relation to internet humour. The term meme was first coined in 1976 in relation to biology and anthropology. The neologism was first used by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins describes a meme as any idea that would influence a culture. Anthropologically, a meme is passed on from one person to another, most commonly within a singular culture but can travel into other cultures. One of the best examples of a meme, which predates the internet, would be the games we played as children, such as ‘Patty Cakes’ or ‘Ground is Lava’ or ‘I Spy’. Each one of these games has some form of cultural significance, and we know
about them because of how they were passed from kid to kid or from kid to adult to kid.
months. You also never know how long a meme is going to last.
Dawkins argues that evolution is a meme. Possibly the most important meme we have.
However, it is quite clear to see that as meme culture grows, the average life span of memes seem to degrade. This isn’t true for all memes, but in recent years a meme is lucky to survive a week in cycle. The ‘you know I had to do it to em’ meme has been around since 2014 but ‘left shark’ lasted maybe two days (RIP).
Other examples of memes include fashion trends, such as perms or shoulder pads; slang; hit songs. (Common examples include: ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Ring a Ring o’ Rosie’.) Other phenomenon such as the Cool S, graffting toilet stalls and dad jokes are all memes. When asked in an interview about the adoption of his term by the internet, Dawkins said this came as no surprise considering the internet was the ideal environment for memes. It can be argued that the first meme was the ‘Dancing Baby’ – an animated baby that danced along to any music. Although, memes could easily predate the ‘Dancing Baby’. ‘Dancing Baby’ was one of the largest viral videos of the late 90s. Since the 90s, memes have become a vital part of internet culture. An issue with the evolution of memes being so random is their unpredictability. There is no way to guess what the next meme will be or how memes will change in the coming
There is also the question of what will become a meme and what won’t? A large number of memes are influenced by pop culture (‘Dark Kermit’, ‘Miss Vanjie’) or political statements (‘Change my Mind’). However, almost anything could become a meme, like ‘Damn Daniel.’ When it really comes down to it, asking how memes have evolved isn’t the right question. It’s why memes have evolved? Simply, communication. Ultimately a meme is a form of communication, a way of expressing emotion. Memes have evolved to become far more relatable. They spread political propaganda, can be used as advertisement, discuss fundamental issues or just make light of serious issues.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Artist Feature: Zoe Wolski
Bachelor of Creative Industries | Graphic Design & Advertising What drew you to studying graphic design?
satisfied with the work produced.
I’ve always been a creative person. As a kid I was always trying to find an outlet to express my thoughts and feelings through acting, writing and eventually drawing. That was the outlet I loved the most, so I practiced and practiced, fuelled by the wild and exuberant expressions of anime at first. Through a variety of mixed media, I was inspired to develop my own style and that influenced my passion to create unique and exciting character designs. I guess where I started to get my groove was when I won the Knowledge Quest English character competition with ‘Gem the Geologist’ in Year 7; then in Year 12 when I designed my school’s Year Book. I thought, maybe I was onto something!
How have you developed through your studies?
What was the most valuable part of your learning experience at ECU? The opportunity to work with real clients and tackle interesting projects. It gave me the push to try new styles and techniques when approaching design as well as the skills to work with clients efficiently and effectively so that all relevant parties are equally Contact Zoe here: Instagram: @zoewolski Website: www.3oe.com.au
I went from high school straight to university with a feeling of uncertainty. I remember feeling overwhelmed in my first design unit because I had no idea how to tackle the project, let alone ‘branding’ it afterwards. But thankfully, with the help from many lecturers over the years, I gained confidence in my work and I understand exactly what the client wants. Learning the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines was a bonus too.
to start rendering. If you could do any job/ work for any client what would/who would it be?
Share a bit about your As an avid tea drinker, T2 process of creating work has always been one of from start to finish? my favourite brands. Their brand and style has always Usually when I get a project, stood out to me as someI’ll highlight all the import- thing I’d like to be a part of. ant bits – target audience, From those iconic orange objectives, goals – just to cubes to their sophistiget a clear understanding cated and colourful limited of exactly what I need to edition products, they do in order to make it as always seem to have somesuccessful as possible. Then thing new and exciting up I let my brain mull over for their sleeves. ideas for a few days, sometimes I’ll watch a movie or What’s next for you? series with relevant material for some inspiration. Right now it’s getting a After that I’ll do a bunch of full-time job in my relevant sketches, establish a style, field. But in the meanthen boot up either Adobe time, I’m keeping myself Illustrator or Corel Painter busy with freelancing and
managing my Instagram and website. Although I am also considering further education, either a Diploma of Marketing or a Master of Design. Any advice for students studying in the same area? I’d say when it comes to design, always try something you’ve never done before, be ambitious and think outside of the box. It’s better to fail and learn from your mistakes while studying than out in the real world. Also, it’s handy to socialise with as many people as possible – both in and out of your field – you’ll never know what opportunities those interactions may bring.
Each issue we feature a creative who has recently graduated or about to graduate from ECU. We give them three pages to display their work however they please. If you’re interested in finding out more about our Artist Features or if you’d like to have your art featured in Dircksey email: editors@ecuguild.org.au
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DOCTORS WITHOUT BOARDERS SUMIN 2 MINUTE RAMEN NOODLES
AUSTRALIAN LAMB
EVAN MINERAL WATER
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Advertising: The objective for these advertisements was to come up with a slogan and image that would target the audience effectively and promote sales.
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CHEVALIER DELICATESSES
OZEKIS ICED TEA
DREAMS, NIGHTMARES AND THE SURREAL
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Graphic Design: These are a few examples of some of the design projects I’ve done throughout my studies. Each shows some form of versatility in style and execution. The first work is a section from a collection of zines that detail the good, the bad and the weird dreams people have experienced. The bottom left image is a French dog pâté product, which I designed and developed for an unsellable campaign. The bottom right is an example of branding and packaging for a Japanese iced tea.
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MARINE MEDUSA COSMIC REALMZ
YOU , ME & THE DREAM MACHINE
YOU , ME & THE DREAM MACHINE
HELLEQUIN AND BOMBADIER
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Illustration: Shown are a few examples of illustrations I have done over the years. The top examples are both competition entries. The left was a character concept for the card game Goblins vs. Gnomes. Hearthstone and the right was to create a pattern for Mosmann Australia swimwear that conveys sophistication, playfulness and the essence of an Australian summer. The bottom left image is a portion of a set of illustrations I did for my zine describing the Super Villains Guide to Success and the right is a poster for a space themed escaped room I designed for a client.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Purrfectly Content: Content Perth’s Cat Café offers a chance to relax with 12 quirky rescue cats in a feline paradise. Pet them, study and meditate with them and contribute to animal welfare – sounds like a purrfect combination.
P
urrth Cat Café is the first of its kind in Perth and one of just a handful in Australia. Chris Mewburn and Euterpe Platritis opened the popular café nearly two years ago and it’s still a hit. Purrth’s uniqueness is in its tagline: ‘For animal welfare and human happiness.’ “I don’t know of any other café that’s donating all their profits to animal welfare,” Chris says. “We’re also very focused on the community and the human happiness side of what we do, so it’s not just about animal welfare.” All 12 feline residents were adopted from the Cat Haven and are not just for show - they are Chris and Euterpe’s
beloved pets. I’ve come to meet their furry family and to see what all the fuss is about. Rain has not kept cat enthusiasts away. People quickly fill the café, and though we are strangers, we leave our troubles at the door and bond over our shared love of cats. We file into the lounge eagerly but quietly, careful not to startle our furry hosts. Golden eyes follow my movements. My watcher is a huge, fluffy cat named Pumba, and he accepts my strokes with a slow blink. The cosy room is a cross between a funky loungeroom – complete with a Super Nintendo – and five-star feline paradise, with climbing boxes, hammocks and designer bedding. A disco ball and a green cactus-shaped scratch post add a pop of retro colour.
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Albus Dumbledore blinks up at me from a basket. The white, threelegged cat eagerly leans forward for an ear scratch. Each distinctive cat boasts a catchy name and unique personality. Mowgli and Raksha are the largest and aptly named after Jungle Book characters. The Bowie twins, Ziggy Stardust and Major Tom, each have one blue and one green eye. Then there’s Instagram favourite Rolo, loved for her sassy attitude.Sparky, who is the undisputed boss despite her smaller stature, gazes imperiously at her subjects. “Sparky is perfectly comfortable sleeping in the highest point of the room, letting everyone know that she’s above them all, until something happens in the room and she’ll come down and give everyone a swipe and
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Left: Albus Dumbledore in basket. Middle: Rolo the sassy cat and Instagram favourite. Right: Jelly posing for the camera. Images by Jessica Allia
let everyone know who is boss again,” Chris laughs.
make myself feel better,” Mira says as she admires a sleepy Ziggy.
Each cat at Purrth was carefully selected to benefit from an indoor, social environment and to be able to interact with children and adults:
Chris says the café is always busy during exam time and students often work on assignments amongst the cats. Purrth even runs a meditation class every Thursday in collaboration with Pause HQ.
Some cats have special needs, such as the tailless Rey who has had recurring toilet issues, which may be caused by spina bifida. There’s also Albus, who has three legs. However, that doesn’t stop him from jumping and climbing all over the place. Emotional needs are also important, and the staff work hard to ensure the cats are comfortable. “We understand and appreciate their needs and because our staff are trained to notice these things, we can help and support them as well as educate people on understanding and managing the issue,” Chris says. The café allows for people to de-stress: Cat lover Mira Fertin, who is in Perth temporarily, says she misses her cats in Sydney and that petting cats is meditative. “I’ve just come from a very intense weekend, and I decided to come here and just relax, have time to myself and
“There’s a lot of research that shows spending time with animals lowers blood pressure and anxiety,” Chris adds. Cat cafés controversy:
aren’t
without
An RSPCA WA spokesperson says there are concerns about the ability of cat cafés in general to fully address the cats’ needs and the adoption of voluntary welfare codes of practice would be ideal. But Chris says Purrth is directly partnered with Cat Haven and Perth Cat Hospital, both of whom provide constant guidance, and Purrth’s staff members are all highly trained to recognise changes in the cats’ behaviour.
Chris says. To avoid stress, the number of sessions is limited each week and only 12 guests are allowed per session. Chris hopes the café will encourage people to adopt. According to the Cat Haven’s statistics, last year nearly 8500 cats were dumped on their doorstep alone. “A big part of what we’re doing here at Purrth is showing people that rescue cats are not damaged goods - they’re perfectly good pets for families.” After an hour engaging with the cats’ beautiful personalities, it’s impossible to disagree. By Jessica Allia Tickets for an hour session are $12, with proceeds to Cat Haven, and ECU students get 10 per cent off the ticket price. Tickets must be booked online and sessions fill up fast – get in early. Food and coffee are available for purchase.
“Purrth is here for animal welfare and human happiness, so it would be counterintuitive not to do everything possible to ensure the long-term welfare of our 12 rescue babies,” DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2 35
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
What’s For Dinner? Ever argued with your significant other for hours about where to eat that night? Over analysed menus and Yelp reviews when trying to find the PERFECT place to win over your family and friends? Maybe you’ve spent minutes you’d rather use on binging ‘The Good Place’ than sifting through Mum’s Entertainment Book vouchers and old coupons crumpled under your car seat. Well friends, gather round, because we’ve made Dircksey’s inaugural restaurant guide just for you! Based on personal experiences and honest reviews, we’ve hand-picked a variety of restaurants to suit every occasion and budget, helping you charm the socks off your picky date, snooty family, and distant friends. Bon Appetit!
A RESTAURANT WITH AMAZING FOOD THAT YOU CAN ALSO UBEREATS Mary Street Bakery 507 Beaufort Street, Highgate, WA, 6003 Mary Street Bakery is becoming one of the most iconic cafés in Perth, producing some of the finest breakfast food, coffee, and pastry known to student kind. Although the menu isn’t always vegan-friendly, the food remains at a consistent standard and rarely fluctuates. Their wine list is quite good, boasting many Australian varieties and a French champagne at $12 a glass. Pro tip: alcohol pairs well with eggs on toast.
By Adam Di Tullio and Elisha Hammond
A RESTAURANT TO TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO Bread in Common 43 Pakenham Street, Fremantle, WA, 6160 Nowadays, bread probably has more in common with our parents than we do. So, in the interest of strengthening your connection, take them out to a boujie restaurant and trick them into paying for your food! With exotic sides like Sicilian olive oil, spiced nut dukkha and garlic & truffle infused butter, you’re in for a carbohydrate-fueled feast! All mains are served as share plates with a delectable and diverse assortment of dishes. Expect to fight for your food though - your Dad just ‘completed’ his weeklong diet and your Mum had Zumba at 9. This Fremantle staple demands not to be missed.
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Top: Mary Street Bakery Right: Bread in Common
Bread in Common
A RESTAURANT TO TAKE SOMEONE FROM OUT OF TOWN TO NAO Japanese Ramen 191/580 Hay Street, Perth, WA, 6000
A RESTAURANT FOR CATCHING UP WITH OLD SCHOOL MATES AND ALUMNI NANDO’S Any franchise except the one on Stirling highway where Adam got food poisoning and shat his pants. When you’re out with the lads or the gals, you can never look past good ol’ cheeky Nando’s. With a menu that never fails to please the crowd, Nando’s provides some healthy (and fattening) options to fill that empty tank of yours. As a connoisseur of the old Nando’s, I would recommend going for the 4 chicken tenderloins, which features better quality portions of chicken in a sauce of your choice. The (in)famous sauces at Nando’s feature a helpful heat scale which has saved and scathed many a palette. Ranging from ‘flaming inferno’ to ‘weakling,’ your sauce options are extra hot (Jedi Master), hot (Jedi Knight), mild (Padawan), lemon & herb (Youngling) and plainish (Being on the council but not being granted the rank of master). Grab some chicken and chips at an affordable price and pray you don’t get fucked over by food poisoning.
If you’re looking to chat about your anime addiction or just enjoy a tasty bowl of ramen, you’ve come to the right place. You can order yourself a big bowl for only 12 dollars - and I’m not exaggerating when I say these are mammoth portions, because this ramen ocean is bigger than your eight-year-old sister’s princess complex. There are 4 main ramen broth varieties, and each are interesting in their own way. You can choose to add or subtract ingredients depending on your familiarity with particular vegetables. Your friend will be so happy you chose to eat at NAO, they might even cough up and pay for you!
A RESTAURANT TO GO TO ON A FIRST DATE Galileo Buona Cucina 199 Onslow Road, Shenton Park, WA, 6008 Welcome to probably the only Italian restaurant whose menu doesn’t feature spaghetti bolognese. Galileo is perfect for a first date with a divine atmosphere and dim lighting - perfect for creating that overly sexual, awkward tension. Classic Italian music will calm your nerves and stop you from saying stupid shit at the table. The food is probably the third best I have ever had, probably the best Italian in Perth. A menu curated by Vincenzo Soresi (google him, he looks cool) is delectable, utilising the finest Italian ingredients and the classic Italian 4 course structure. Your date is guaranteed to be impressed, delaying the inevitable sting of rejection so you survive another day.
Top: Nando’s Left & Right: Galileo
Buona Cucina
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Student Experiences: Exchange Considering going on exchange? We asked some ECU students to tell us about their exchange experience and what advice they have for those considering it. What do you study? I’m in my final semester of my Bachelor of Arts, majoring in politics and history. What was the process of applying for exchange like? My initial application was online and involved providing a cover letter, resume and various other details about myself. Following this, there was an interview at the Joondalup campus Once I was accepted, I was required to verify my eligibility and complete online forms to prepare for my Visa application. The Visa application was stressful; thankfully Disney sponsors its applicants. Throughout, a Facebook group existed for applicants to help one another. How did you decide where you wanted to go? Honestly, I just threw caution and rationality aside. The posting on the Student Portal offered an opportunity to work in Orlando, which spoke to my studies in American politics and history. I had never lived outside of Perth, so it provided an opportunity to explore my options. Where did you go & how long did you go for? I originally went to Orlando, Florida to work at the Walt Disney World Resort for five months. My program began in January of 2017, during which I had the opportunity to work at each of the four theme parks within the Resort, supporting a variety of operations. The original five-month program proved so enjoyable that once the 38 DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2
option became available, I extended to January of 2018. What were your initial impressions? I was prepared for a greater degree of consumerism in the USA, but the sheer amount I encountered during my first few days was mind-boggling. Walmarts had fast-food chains inside them and an excessive amount and variety of cheap, unhealthy food options populating their aisles. The lack of GST integration was immediately frustrating, as was the tip culture; uncertainty plagued every shopping trip I made and meal I ate out. What was worse than studying here? I didn’t actually study while working at Disney. Instead I focussed on the 40 hours I’d work weekly, which was often the lowest among my flatmates. Nonetheless, there were options to attend weekly classes, which you could sign up for prior to the program. Advice for people who want to go? If your application is in limbo come interview day, ask those presenting beforehand to be considered for the interview; I wouldn’t have been selected otherwise. Both before and during the program, establish budgeting strategies: flights to Orlando are expensive and there are constantly opportunities to spend your money, whether shopping or eating. Form friendships and attend events with them, as a passive attitude at Disney won’t get you anywhere. By Emilia Hawcroft
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
What do you study?
What were your initial impressions?
I have just completed my Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature, and I’m currently in my first semester of my Honours degree, focusing on poetry.
Initially I was overwhelmed by all my new responsibilities, things like booking flights and remembering to pay rent. Once I got the hang of it, though, the freedom was exhilarating, and I was pleased to find it was easy to make friends, particularly among the other exchange students and my flatmates, who I still talk to regularly and am returning to visit in August this year.
What was the process of applying for exchange like? It was a long process that started about eight months before I actually left. I didn’t realise at the start how many forms and approvals had to be got through. Every time I thought I was done there was something else to do and I had to chase up someone else’s signature. That being said, the staff in Student Central were really helpful. Kally the exchange coordinator helped me understand what was happening, and what options I had for getting financial assistance from the government. How did you decide where you wanted to go? I wanted to go back to the UK because I grew up there so it’s familiar and I have family there, but I still wanted to be independent so I looked at universities in areas I hadn’t been to before. The ECU Exchange Program has a list of partner universities across the world that I could choose from, so from there it was just a matter of finding one that offered units I was interested in and had an easily navigable website.
What was worse than studying here? Getting used to a different university’s academic expectations was a challenge at first. I was worried that they would mark differently to ECU which would put me at a disadvantage, but the exchange coordinators were always on hand to help me transition, and all my lecturers were willing to sit down with me and explain their process when I asked so it just took a bit of adaption on my part.
What was better than studying here? I have never lived on campus in Perth, whereas it is unusual not to in the UK, so the student community in Ipswich was a pleasant surprise. All my friends lived nearby and the waterfront building was open 24/7 so around exams we ordered pizza and pulled all-nighters together. And there was a nightclub and plenty of bars within walking distance of my flat! Advice for people who want to go? I would encourage everybody to go on exchange at some point, especially if they don’t feel ready; I realised after a few weeks that I was never going to feel ready; that’s the point of challenging yourself with new experiences. I also learnt that sometimes your worst fear comes true despite your best efforts (missing my plane from Amsterdam to England) but it isn’t the end of the world, there is always someone who can help, and it makes a great story later! By Emily Smith
Where did you go and how long did you go for? I went to the University of Suffolk in Ipswich, which is on the east coast of England. My exchange was for the first semester of 2017 (Feb-May), but I left Perth just before New Year so I could travel a bit before uni, and I had two months to travel and stay with the friends I had made before I had to come back to Perth for my next semester.
University of Suffolk
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
The Problem with Plastic Modern society has seen the rise of convenience and cheap production take over our lives, leaving us without a moment to think about it. And the resource that has enabled this all to happen? Plastic. It really is everywhere around us, in one form or more, almost constantly throughout our day-to-day lives. By Leighton Campbell
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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he case on your phone, the pen you use, the computer keyboard you type on, the water bottle you drink out of, the cutlery you use for your lunch on-the-go: all are most likely plastic. Where do these disposable items end up once we are finished with them? Turns out, it is the ocean and rivers that are copping the consequence of our plastic problem. From the plastic bags we use at grocery stores, to the micro beads in our exfoliating face wash, plastic is polluting our waterways and ecosystems at alarming rates. A recent study revealed that approximately eight billion tonnes of plastic entered the ocean in 2010 alone. Along with this, it has been estimated that plastic pollution doubles every eleven years. Australia was found to produce around 13,888 tonnes of litter per year, with one quarter of that waste ending up in our waterways.
chain when we consume marine life that is unknowingly consuming micro plastics. Do not be fooled into thinking that removing sea-life from your diet will save you from the micro plastic threat! In fact, a 2017 investigation by Orb Media found that 83% of 159 drinking water samples across the world were contaminated with micro plastics. So, what is being done, and what can be done, to tackle this serious environmental and human issue? According to Dr. Wilcox from the CSIRO’s Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, the solution lies within, “… changing our supply chains around packaging, how we use packaging, and how we take care of packaging.” A major problem with the pollution epidemic is that plastic is cheap as a resource. A plastic fee or deposit in relation to its use would mean that it would be produced less and therefore consumed less.
That is all waste that, instead of being recycled or sent to a responsible waste facility, has ended up in our limited water sources. Micro plastics, which are small plastic particles left over from household and industrial products, have not only been found on riverbeds, but also in the marine life that make up the ecosystems of rivers and oceans.
Introducing facilities and deposit schemes for consumers to easily and effectively recycle their plastic waste is another key solution to the plastic problem. Container deposit schemes currently in place have shown to reduce the amount of container waste by 60%, which is an impressive feat considering plastic drink containers account for 40% of waste in the environment.
Plastic pollution is devastating the environment and ecosystems to the point that it is now posing a threat to human health, as micro plastics are potentially entering the food
Consumers can also create the change that they want to see by pressuring retailers to use less packaging, and by making more environmentally friendly purchases. Small changes
such as choosing microbead-free facial scrubs and opting to exfoliate with a homemade sugar scrub are small but important way to tell retailers that you want to see less of these products on the shelves. Products that contain microbeads have been effectively banned from sale in the United States since July 2017 because of pressures from consumers. Australia, however, is relying on a voluntary phasing out of such products by the industries themselves. Purchasing reusable drink containers made out of materials such as stainless steel or glass to drink water or coffee from, is another excellent way to reduce the damage that plastic has on our environment. The less plastic we use, the less is needed to be produced to keep up with the demand! An inconvenient truth in this day and age is that where there are people, there is plastic. It is a catch22 resource. Its durability and cost make it an attractive resource for a vast number of products. Yet its overabundance has started to wreak havoc on the environment. The term ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ has never been more pressing than in the current day, where our lifestyle of disposable consumables is coming back to harm us in the food we eat and the water we drink. Changes must be made, and pressure must be put on large companies and governments in order to break our plastic habit.
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Fearing Food: Orthorexia
By Holly Ferguson | Art by Jordan Harris | i-am-thedragon.tumblr.com
I
t’s likely that within a few seconds of scrolling on Instagram you’ll find a health or fitness related post. Perhaps it’s one of your super healthy friends, an account you follow for fitspo (fit inspiration) or a celebrity endorsing a product attributed to their own ridiculously unachievable lifestyle. The health and fitness industries are inescapable, and this is a problem. With such an influx of information, often anecdotal, being thrown at you from all sources it can become all consuming. Suddenly, you’re concerned about the oddest aspects of nutrition; you’re avoiding gluten, you’re doing shots of apple cider vinegar twice a day, you’re obsessively counting your sodium intake, etc.
of an obsession with the quantity of food eaten, people with orthorexia are concerned with the quality of food eaten. People with orthorexia typically cut out foods or particular food groups such as salt, gluten, soy, corn, etc. This can lead to malnourishment; however, it rarely leads to major health issues. Instead, it can lead to social exclusion and alienation.
For most people, healthy eating and leading a healthy lifestyle is easy and balanced. However, for some, being healthy becomes dangerously obsessive and ultimately unhealthy; potentially causing a serious medical condition.
Speaking with The Guardian, Dr Angela Guarda, director of Johns Hopkins Eating Disorders Program, said, eating disorders reflect the culture and trends of that time. For instance, the anti-gluten trend has led many people to cut gluten intake despite not being a celiac, “[they] say that they are lactose intolerant and allergic to gluten, when their blood tests show that they are not. These explanations are convenient ways to hide their fear of eating high calorie foods or foods prepared by others which provokes anxiety.”
Or thorexia is, “an obsession with proper or ‘healthful’ eating.” Although not formally recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the term was first coined in 1997 by an American physician Steven Bratman. Without a diagnostic code it’s difficult to tell how prevalent orthorexia is or if someone has the disease.
Some say that one of the reasons for the growth in orthorexia is due to no sole entity providing information on what is safe and healthy to eat. This is where social media has its impact, with each Instagram blogger and fitness account providing different information on what we should and shouldn’t eat.
The difference between orthorexia and more commonly known eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are that instead
Those who begin obsessive eating may also find a self-righteous element to it, presuming they are better than others for their selective eating. Such
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selective eating also brings attention to it, which some people with orthorexia thrive on. To be recognised in a medical establishment, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, orthorexia requires more research. In 2004, researchers at the University of Rome conducted the first study into orthorexia to understand its prevalence. Results demonstrated that out of 400 subjects, 28 (6.9%) had orthorexia, with men in the majority. Speaking again to The Guardian, a spokesperson from the UK Eating Disorder Association said, “It is not yet recognised by the medical profession as a disorder in its own right, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” They went on to explain that bulimia nervosa was recognised and known to exist long before its official diagnostic criteria was made. Thankfully the condition is generally not life threatening, making those who refuse to seek help for their disordered eating not in any immense danger. However, it is an incredibly isolating eating disorder and one that can be emotionally taxing on not only the one dealing with it but those around them. If you wish to seek more information please contact your GP or head to www.nmahsmh.health.wa.gov.au/ services/statewide_WAEDOCS.cfm (WA Eating Disorders Outreach & Consultation Service) or call on 1300 620 208.
WHAT YOU SHOULD // VOL 4: ED.2
What You Should:
WHAT YOU SHOULD DOWNLOAD: BREAK UP BOSS APP
There are few things more earth shattering to your emotions than a break-up. It’s so important to surround yourself with support and distractions from all angles: friends, family and, would you believe it, your phone? I’m not talking about Tinder - girl you’re way off! First you heal, then you have my full permission to get lost in the dating cess-pool of Tinder or Grindr. Your phone can be dangerous territory post break-up. The urge to text or stalk your ex on social media can be too overwhelming to avoid. That’s where the Break-Up Boss App comes in with its little invisible cape to save the day, and save your dignity. Created by former relationships and dating columnist from Cosmopolitan Magazine, Zoe Foster-Blake, the app steers you clear of embarrassing and self-destructive behaviours post break-up. Break-Up Boss is centred around the ‘Feel Wheel,’ an interactive wheel of categories such as, ‘WTF Just Happened,’ ‘I Hate Them’ and ‘I’m feeling okay…!’ Each category takes you to a list of articles which help you understand each emotion and gives tried and tested advice on how to get through it all, ranging from: ‘Oh god, I can’t actually Breathe’ to ‘Am I ready to Relationship again?’ The app is far from condescending. Foster-Blake uses her wicked sense of humour and best-friend-style realness, alongside relatable illustrations by Mari Andrew, to help you through epically trying times. By Danielle Blanch
WHAT YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO: JUST MAKE THE THING If procrastination were a sport, I would have an endless array of trophies and medals by now. There have been many instances where I’ve sacrificed valuable scriptwriting time in order to browse the addictive void known as the internet. Upon one of my procrastination sessions, I thankfully stumbled across Just Make the Thing. Hosted by two successful career-driven women, the podcast encourages its audience to pursue their passions and to stick at it. They do so by discussing their own creative endeavours and how they overcome the many challenges that they are presented with. Claire Tonti left her teaching career to venture into the world of podcasting. Not only does she host Just Make the Thing, but she also co-founded Planet Broadcasting alongside her husband, James Clement (aka Mr Sunday Movies). The couple have assembled many talented local creators (such as Will Anderson and Aunty Donna) to produce Australia’s largest independent podcast network. Chanel Luchev joins Claire on her podcasting journey as the co-host, a lawyer for the Victorian government, an aspiring writer, and yoga instructor. The two cover many topics from persistence to failure, providing some witty banter along the way. If you lack the motivation to start a project, or need some encouragement to get through another semester, I would strongly recommend checking out this podcast. New episodes of Just Make the Thing can be found on iTunes, Spotify and planetbroadcasting.com every week. By Jesse Newell
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MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2
Death by Denim.
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MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2
Born on the beaches of Trigg, Death by Denim will pull on your heartstrings in a distinctively Australian way. Dircksey spoke with the band (minus drummer Hamish McArthur) about their new single, battle of the bands and the growth they’ve shown in their writing process.
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attoo is their new tune which has been kicking around Spotify and Soundcloud for about 6 months now and has had massive responses at their lives shows. At one gig, the boys spent plenty of time thanking their supports Ruby May and Noah Dillon, demonstrating their humble approach to songwriting. ‘Tattoo’ is a luscious croon which explains the jealousy and unfamiliarity with a person’s actions when they attempt to redefine themselves after a serious break up. “This song evolved in my head from one of the first I wrote for the band. It was about my ex-girlfriend, who got a new tattoo and it began with ‘I heard you got a new tattoo was it about me and you?’” “That song never amounted to anything but when I heard Nick sing the word ‘Tattoo’ I knew there was something in that sound. Fast forward two years and I was jamming chords over a simple drum beat, I was singing gibberish over the top until it sounded half good and I recorded it on my phone. I changed the lyric to ‘seems you got a new tattoo’ and sent it over to Nick. From there we jammed out the lyrics and it became a real story. “I still have that first jam recording over that simple drum beat, we’ve grown a lot from our original writing process,” he explained. The band are a motley crew of talent with one thing in common, a passion for music. Keyboardist and synth specialist George Gunson is also a regular DJ at Fremantle club
night Mr. Lonely where he spins everything from Hip Hop to progressive house and 90s techno. “It’s a really interesting process now. We all come up with different sections of songs and based around the sounds we love and which instruments we play and everyone brings something different,” says George. “Sometimes we have pretty heated discussion and want to absolute kill one another because we have such strong opinions, but that helps breed belief that we are narrowing down to a well-defined sound and perfectionist mentality.” The band has been compared to brit pop superstars such as Radiohead, Coldplay, and Arctic Monkeys as well as pop punk stalwarts Red Hot Chili Peppers. But Nick thinks they are heavily influenced by Australian rock icons INXS (he actually looks uncannily like the late Michael Hutchence), Nick Cave, The Church, Paul Kelly and even Powderfinger. Palle says, “We’ve grown a lot through our live performances. We even played a show for less than 20 people in Meredin on Australia Day but it’s all about growth. We have noticed a crowd of people developing a relationship with our music. “The second time we played at Jack Rabbit Slims it was a year exactly after our first gig and we had people singing along to some of our lyrics. That’s what resonated most with me.” As for inspiration, the four-piece are never short of muses with such differing and multi genre tastes. From Kanye and Kendrick to The Stones
and Beatles they are always listening to different music, trying to adapt and add to their sound with concepts they like. “We all have a very different taste in music, Palle is a big 70s and 80s rock fan with a heavy guitar background. He loves bands like Steely Dan, Metallica and Led Zeppelin. George loves Hip Hop artists and electronic artists like OutKast, Anderson Paak and Odesza. I love The Chili’s, Mac Demarco and The War on Drugs. “We’re always changing and I think that’s really cool. When I go to see a live show, I want to hear diversity, it demonstrates a depth in talent,” Nick says. Aside from Nick’s undoubted talent and the several different melodic elements that George and Hamish bring to the band in the form of rhythm and synth, Palle is a gifted guitarist who prefers to painstakingly jam by himself until he finds what he believes are the perfect riffs for the band. “‘Smoke Screen’ is my favourite song, for me I can’t write a better riff. I just wanted to record it as quickly as possible when I found that lick during a private jam session,” Palle laughs. Check out Death by Denim on Spotify and their Instagram @deathbydenim for updates on gigs and single releases (they are quite photogenic). They have been teasing a second EP but, sadly, we may be waiting until early next year for that. Images and interview by Jackson Lavell-Lee
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MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2
An Indie Rock Dream Effortlessly cool and quintessentially rock n’ roll. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis have been playing for over 17 years. Jackson Lavell-Lee had a chat with Daisy to find out more about the siblings and their new album Superscope. 46 DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2
MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2
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heir fourth album, sees the band change from a folky blues outfit to more of an Indie rock sound inspired by 70s rock and psychedelic colour patterns. You’re so Fine, sung by Lewis, has a lick of promiscuousness that infects the listener but is very different to their early folk croons. Daisy believes the band had always been evolving, “We’ve been performing since we were little kids. Playing around the house and writing rhymes … things change quite a bit.” Their dad is a sound engineer who worked heavily with British band The Clash and also taught sound production. Their mum is a pianist with an incredible voice. She was one of the lead figures of the female-led music revolt in the late 60s. These musical genes were bound to produce excellent songwriting capabilities and lead to a lifelong passion. “As we were growing up, music was never pushed on us. We were constantly surrounded by such fantastic musicians we were simply inspired to create from a young age. “Mum and dad would sing around the house and we would just join in and bash around on the piano when we were four years old or whatever. “We were just always jamming, that’s how we learnt. It was a really natural thing and always about the love of music,” she explains. The three siblings began practicing songs when Kitty was four years old.
“Our parents would take us to this pub every Sunday, which had an open mic night of folk, country or blues music and they would always inspire us to have a little jam afterwards. Our first ever gig was at that little pub when I was twelve, Lewis was ten and Kitty was eight,” she recounts.
over it and we can’t judge each other too much. We don’t take things too personally. We will always end up together making music because of that unconditional love,” She said.
When asked about family tension, jealousy or perhaps burn-out between the three when rehearsing Daisy laughed off the idea of infighting whilst reinforcing all siblings have skirmishes.
The three have such a strong connection, they know who would perform each fragment of their recordings the best and often ask one another to play different styles on different instruments. They swap instruments and positions on stage with merely a wink or whisper about the set-list.
“There’s always little disagreements. Usually about stupid things like what tempo a song should be, things get a little heated and someone will walk out on the jam.
We all know what were capable of musically. We all play drums but we all play a completely different style and we just know who should play which songs.
“I think in any band you have little disagreements, but I guess the beauty of us being a family is we sort of get
Lewis plays a lot of piano and guitar but I also play guitar and I love the harmonica. Kitty is an amazing pianist
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MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2
and a great drummer, but she has so much energy when she sings so we rotate quite a lot which makes for a very diverse and lively performance.” Superscope is an ambitious playlist of differing lyrics and styles and can be likened to The Ramones, Blondie or The Rolling Stones with a modern twist of equality and sexual temptation. The band also recently released two singles along similar lines with ‘Suspicion’ and ‘The Game is On’ both addressing the chess board that is a modern relationship. Songs such as ‘Down On My Knees’ and ‘Just One Kiss’ demonstrate a key change from their carefree first album ‘Smoking In Heaven’ reveals a more mature, mainstream sensible, emotive sound. “We didn’t intentionally change our sound, but you listen to different things and that inspires you in different ways. We all write completely separately and then refine things when it comes to our recording process. “I personally got more into bands like The Runaways and Suzi Quatro and that was the sort of sound that I was chasing for this album.” The recording process is conducted in their own recording studio which they provide to other developing British bands of similar tastes. Formerly a dilapidated Indian restaurant, their
dad restored the building into its current glory, complete with sound proofing and mastering equipment. “We thought it was a very interesting building. Eventually they put it up for sale and we went to view it. The place was so full of crap, pigeon shit everywhere, old fridges and freezers it was derelict but we could see it had so much potential. “We found some sexy old porn magazines from the 80s in there amongst the boxes, I’ve never seen so much bush! All the work was worth it,” she laughs. Their third album was produced by Mick Jones, the original guitarist from The Clash. Aptly titled, The Third showcased multiple instrumental skills in a complex and enigmatic sense. Yet with their fourth album, Daisy said the group wanted to get back to their home roots and produce Superscope the way they had learned from their parents. “Over the years, you collect more equipment and you’re learning every step of the way. “Mick was brilliant, and we learnt so much from him, but it was hard for us to relinquish control of the music that we had written and loved because it told such important stories.
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“With our third album, each song had a different drum and vocal sound which showcased our abilities and differences, but now we have a more consistent, fun sound.” Kitty, Daisy and Lewis have had quite a successful career, with highlights including supporting Coldplay on the Viva La Vida tour, appearing in the film Last Chance Harvey and having high profile fans such as the late Amy Winehouse and Elton John. Although they may never make the ‘Top of the Pops’ like Blur or Oasis, this is a UK band you simply must acquaint yourself with. Interview and Images by Jackson Lavell-Lee
MUSIC // VOL 4: ED.2 Expectations | Hayley Kiyoko, 2018
Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album, Expectations is the lesbian pop anthem the world has been waiting for. Each song is skilfully crafted with its own story, while also enhancing the overall narrative of the album. Expectations is as much about falling in love as it is about coming to terms with who you are. The lyrics, for the most part, are deep and enchanting, with powerful and thought provoking queer undertones. The opening song, ‘Expectations (Overture)’ prologues the tone and sound of the album,the following song, ‘Feelings’ examples what listeners can expect from Kiyoko’s project. Her artistry and style of music provide something new and enticing. Kiyoko’s major weakness is her use of clichés, which in some instances distract from the uniqueness of this project. However, sometimes Kiyoko does provide her own spin on these clichés. Expectations is an album about the expression of feelings and the repercussions that can be caused when these feelings cannot fully be realised, which is enhanced by the societal view regarding queer women. Expectations is an album for all but some added queer context goes a long way in understanding the true depth of this project. By Tristan Sherlock In The Comfort Of | Sango 2018 This is the sexiest Pop EDM release of the year to date. With tracks such as ‘Chemistry’ featuring the smooth soul voice of JMSN and ‘Khlorine’ featuring the chilled falsetto of rapper Smino, this is a slow jam love fest. Sango also challenges his previously safe sound on tracks like ‘Out of My Way/Around You’ and ‘Light Skinned’, experimenting with a faster BPM. This is a synth heavy album, so if you prefer the battle axe shredding electric guitar, then this isn’t the album for you. It is, however an excellent album to help you focus on a tough essay that you just can’t get around to starting. The French Saxophone intro on ‘Implications’ will have you swaying and then boppin’ your head when the drum and bass come through. Sango does use a lot of features to fill the instrumental soundscape he has produced, with some critics lamenting the lack of solo vocals on this album. Having said that, his samples are perfectly cut and composed, compelling the attention of any credible DJ. If EDM really is your thing, there is something for every pop taste on this album. Turn the chorus of ‘Sweet Holy Honey’ up loud; you’ll be thinking about it all night and day. By Jackson Lavell-Lee When They Play That Song | Lisa Mitchell 2017
When They Play That Song, released in 2017 by Lisa Mitchell is an EP of five cover songs that have each been altered by Mitchell into her signature folky-indie sound. A Spice Girls classic – ‘Stop’, ‘The O.C.’ theme – ‘California’ by Phantom Planets, and a hit from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet soundtrack - ‘Cruel to be kind’ by Nick Lowe are a few of the songs that feature in thea sweetly melancholy 90’s themed EP. As always, Mitchell keeps it simple and true to her day dreamy style. I personally love the nod this EP throws back not only to the 90s, but also to her Australian Idol roots. Mark Holden would definitely throw this EP a ‘Touchdown!’ By Leighton Campbell
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LITERATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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LITERATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Romantic Outlaws or Badass Women of the Eighteenth Century By Emily Smith
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harlotte Gordon’s biography Romantic Outlaws exposes the struggle, scandal, heartbreak and achievements of two of the most significant literary figures in human history. Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley (née Godwin) were mother and daughter, who only shared ten days before Wollstonecraft died of what was then known as childbed fever; a common and often fatal occurrence for women following childbirth in the eighteenth century. Despite this lack of time together, the similarities between their lives are numerous: both were famous writers whose work changed literary history; both spurned the oppressive nature of marriage and had children out of wedlock; and both lived in exile, fighting for a fairer, more independent position for women in society. I have long been a fan of Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women and Shelley’s Frankenstein, but reading about their struggles to free themselves from the stranglehold of polite society, especially the cultural dismissal of female writers, showed me just how lucky I am to be able to study and earn money without being forced into marriage. Gordon points out that their achievements are all the more remarkable because they lived during a time when women were considered incapable of directing their own lives’. One of the biggest surprises in the book was finding out that before Mary
Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, she wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Man. In 1792 and 1793 she worked as a reporter in Paris, smack bang in the middle of the French Revolution. Mary wrote in support of the revolution, the overthrowing of gluttonous tyranny, but was often unable to leave her house and was advised not to speak when out in public in case the revolutionaries heard her English accent and beheaded her for being a spy for the nobles. She supported the Revolution but she abhorred the violent methods of the revolutionaries. She wrote to a friend about seeing the ex-King’s procession through the streets to the guillotine, “I can scarcely tell you why, but an association of ideas made the tears flow insensibly from my eyes, when I saw Louis sitting, with more dignity than I expected from his character.” Rights of Man is the result of her experience, and is typical of Wollstonecraft’s refusal to fit into a mould; she vindicates the actions of both parties and promotes peace as the only way to achieve lasting reform. The two Mar ys’ pro-feminist beliefs also led them into scandalous personal dramas worthy of a Home & Away finale. At age twenty-four, Mary Wollstonecraft masterminded her sister’s escape from an abusive marriage (entirely illegally, as it was against the law for a woman to leave her husband), and Mary Shelley was
a close friend of notorious womaniser and Romantic poet, Lord Byron. Byron’s love affairs and illegitimate children populated the background of Shelley’s life, as I discovered last year on the ‘Frankenstein in Bath’ walking tour in the historical town of southwest England. The limestone houses and fashionable society of Bath seem far removed from the gothic horrors of Frankenstein and scandalous outlaws, but Gordon’s book confirms that, while writing Frankenstein, Mary Shelley stayed in Bath with her step-sister Claire — whose pregnancy, birth and child she helped to hide — so as not to have Claire ousted from society for bearing Lord Byron’s illegitimate child. The spot where the women had lodgings and where the birth took place is now a trendy clothes shop. The only indication of its link to these events is a stencilled quote from Percy Shelley’s poetry on the wall: ‘The soul’s joy lies in doing.’ While the scandals and historical importance of the lives of the two Marys often seem surreal, the women charge out of the pages of Gordon’s book as real people who lived and wrote and loved in ways that shape our society today. Romantic Outlaws brings two of the most significant literary and political figures in human history into the twenty-first century, where they force us to reconsider how we live our lives, whether in politics, in art, or in love. Art by Solange Beron @solstize
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FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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LITERATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda vs Love, Simon: An Analysis on Book to Film Adaptions
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t’s clearly no easy feat to adapt any form of prose into a film. For starters, the two art forms are quite diverse. Each have their own methods of delivering a story, and there are simply just some things film can’t accomplish that written works can and vice versa. Love, Simon, adapted from Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is no exception. While Love, Simon is an objectively faithful adaption of Albertalli’s work, there are some clear difference that the film simply had to make in order for it to work. Or so they claim. Quite possibly the most major adaption is the characters. A large portion of the secondary and supporting characters have severely different storylines. A lot are left out, including a few other characters in the friend group and, most importantly, Simon’s older sister. Leah, Simon’s BFF, is the character with the most extreme changes. The most influential plot change is her crush on Simon in the film, whereas in Simon vs. she has a crush on Nick, Simon’s other best friend. This crush on Nick influences her relationship with Abby; in the novel, Leah dislikes Abby, due to the fact she is getting extremely close to Nick and her invasion of their friend group. This dislike plays a major part in the overall climax of the novel. In Love, Simon, however, Leah and Abby appear quite close, if not awkwardly trying to get to properly know each other. Considering the changes in the plot, the alterations to Leah’s character seem quite necessary.
<---- Colour Me Art by Brianda Delgado @GhostBandit1998 Article by Tristan Sherlock
For the most part, other major variations regarding the plot change from book to film involve the timeline. For starters, Simon vs. begins with Simon being blackmailed by Martin, whereas the film requires more orientation before the narrative can get going.
As Love, Simon nears the end, the real variations begin. The main climax of each adaption is also quite dissimilar. When Simon is outed in the novel, his friends are far more understanding of his situation and actions in order to stay closeted. However, his friends’ reactions in the film, to what he did to avoid being outed, are quite extreme. The film characters react far more negatively to what Simon did, going so far as to unfriend him. In the novel, Nick and Abby take Simon to a gay bar and out shopping as a way to show their support. It is Simon, Nick and Abby hanging out without Leah that cause the friendship rift. Surprisingly, Love, Simon manages to add its own story arc that proves far more powerful than the novel’s. In Simon vs. Simon’s parents give him the perfect coming out. In the film, it isn’t nearly as amazing, Simon’s parents clearly don’t know how to react. His father feels guilty for not picking it up and being heteronormative, whereas his mother seems relieved that Simon can now be himself to say anything. This leads to a fantastic monologue, performed by Jennifer Garner, as well as a great interaction between Simon and his father; each exquisitely powerful and heart-warming. The film does omit a large chunk of the novel. This includes the scene where Abby and Nick take Simon out. It also includes the development of Simon and Blue’s relationship after Blue’s reveal. In the film, the relationship just begins when they meet, whereas in the novel they head out for lunch and discuss their relationship. Despite some other slight changes, such as Blue’s reveal, the film does hold true to the novel. While, yes, it is quite different (that was inevitable), what’s at the heart of Simon vs. is exactly what’s at the heart of Love, Simon. DIRCKSEY MAGAZINE VOL 4: ED.2 53
LITERATURE // VOL 4: ED.2 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | By Mark Haddon, 2003 I came across The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on a friend’s bookshelf while housesitting with nothing to read – and I’m so glad I found it. The novel is narrated by autistic fifteen-year-old, Christopher Boone, who is investigating the murder of his neighbour’s dog. This novel captures the thing I love most about books: it teaches readers about someone else’s perspective. The novel explains the logic behind Christopher’s habits and routines; explaining autism in a way that leaves readers with a much deeper insight of those who are on the spectrum. Educating aside, the plot of this novel is very captivating. It is so easy to get caught up in the murder investigation and the multitude of other family secrets Christopher uncovers throughout the novels. It’s not hard to see how this book won so many awards, as it is such a fantastic book for both children and young adults and is definitely something everyone should read. By Clare Varcoe
The Subtle Art of not Giving a Fuck | By Mark Manson, 2016 In a world where advertising pushes us to buy, do, be and strive for more than we currently are, there is Mark Manson’s instant bestseller, The Subtle Art of not Giving a Fuck. The surprisingly simple self-help book uses an unusual technique; accept the fact that bad things happen in life and don’t try to make them into anything more than they are. It’s a principle that makes a lot of sense when you think about it, but not something we often adopt. Written in a non-condescending, cut-the-shit format, this book is honest, refreshing and provides genuinely helpful advice. Even though society tells us that we are never quite good enough, Manson reckons the magic formula comes down to giving a crap about the things that really matter and not giving a toss about the things that don’t. Jam-packed with playful quips, frank advice and plenty of burrito references, the writing appeals to a wide audience and remains relevant in any scenario or lifestyle. If you’re looking for an easy, thought-provoking read that doesn’t bash you over the head with its morals, The Subtle Art of not Giving a Fuck is perfect for you. By Elisha Hammond What Happened | By Hillary Clinton, 2017
Appropriately named, Hillary Clinton’s What Happened accounts the 2015/16 American Presidential Debate and explains exactly what happened. Hillary tells readers the reasons why she ran, about the train wreck that was the debate and the disatourous result made. While Clinton’s take on the debate is sometimes entertaining and emotional, for the most part it is very dry. Hillary fails to add anything other than what people already assumed. We’re subjected to a few stories about her team that pay no acclaim to her autobiography, other than adding to the word count. Possibly the most entertaining aspect of What Happened is Clinton’s ability to not back off from telling us what she thought about Sanders, Trump and other candidates. She goes in! The most important aspect of What Happened is Hillary telling us what happened to her, the sexism she endured; from the media, the public and the other candidates, the infamous emails and even where she went wrong. Hillary isn’t afraid to tell it like it is and that is what makes What Happened stand out even if it is quite dry. By Tristan Sherlock
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FILM // VOL 4: ED.2 Photo by Kilyan Sockalingum
Cinema Etiquette for Dummies By Jesse Newell
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any people flock to their local cinema complex to escape the harsh realities the world has to offer. They are entranced by exciting stories on silver screens, to the extent that they disregard the basic etiquette that is required when attending the cinema. The following is a guideline to ensure that you, and the patrons around you, are having the best cinematic experience possible. So, sit down, shut up and pay close attention. Before: One thing I don’t miss is having to wait in line for up to 20 minutes (alongside every man and his dog), just to buy a ticket. Pre-purchasing your tickets at least 3 hours beforehand is a convenience to both yourself and the scrawny cinema employee behind the counter. The optimal time to arrive at the cinema is about 15 minutes before your session commences. This should give you plenty of time to pick up your tickets, go to the bathroom and to buy some cheap snacks from Coles to smuggle into the theatre. At first, I despised the idea of allocated seating, but now I’m completely on board with it. When you enter the auditorium, it is crucial that you sit in the seat that has been allocated to you. You might say, “Oh, but someone’s sitting in my seat.” You’ve paid to sit there so you have every right to tell them to move. Because if you don’t, then you have to sit in someone else’s seat. And then that someone
has to find another seat because you are in their seat. And then someone else has to find another seat because that someone is in their seat. That’s how chaos ensues; a room full of people arguing over where to sit. Most cinema chains will have about 15-20 minutes of advertisements before the film. This is your final opportunity to go to the toilet or to open your packets of food. It’s okay to talk during this part, so long as it’s not too loud. I do like to pay attention to the film trailers beforehand but let’s be honest, no one cares about the 15 different car commercials. I can barely afford the price of avo on toast, let alone an Audi. During: As soon as the lights are dimmed, and the studio logos are shown, this is your cue to shut your mouth. This is not the time to attempt a stealthy opening of your packet of chips. This is not the time to provide running commentary of each and every decision made in the film to the people around you. This is not the time to take a Snapchat of you and your mates. THIS IS NOT YOUR LIVING ROOM!!! You are free to do those things within the comfort of your own home, but not in a cinema complex where people are paying good money to watch a film in peace. If you have a question about a plot point in a film, wait to see if it’s answered by the
time the credits have rolled. If it’s not answered by then, either ask your friend or look at the Wikipedia plot summary ON YOUR WAY HOME!!! As for mobile phones, it’s best to keep them completely switched off throughout the duration of the film. In saying that, I understand people might be waiting on an important phone call, in which case I would recommend turning your phone on silent and lowering the screen’s brightness (remember, brightness is amplified tenfold when in a dark room). And if you do get an important call, please take it out to the foyer where you won’t disturb others. After: Thanks to Marvel, almost every blockbuster film feels obligated to have a post-credits scene, so I would recommend staying until the credits have finished. As you are leaving, it’s common courtesy to place your rubbish in the bins provided (because the overworked usher doesn’t want to clean up your mess). I would also advise to refrain from discussing film spoilers until you are outside of the cinema complex. People in the foyer might be seeing the same film as you but at a later time, so don’t spoil it for them. So next time you see a film at the cinema, make sure you keep all of this in mind. And don’t you dare think about sitting in my seat!!!
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FILM // VOL 4: ED.2
Isle of Dogs | Wes Anderson, 2018
I Am Not a Witch | Rungano Nyoni, 2017
If you love dogs, quirky dialogue and immaculately symmetrical shots, then you are in for a real treat. Directed by Wes Anderson, Isle of Dogs is about a boy who searches for his furry friend after the entire species is banished to an abandoned island. Much like Anderson’s previous work, Isle of Dogs sees the return of the whimsical non-linear narrative. He engages with his audience by keeping the plot fast-paced and utilises his trademark deadpan sense of humour. Isle of Dogs boasts a huge ensemble cast, from returning Anderson collaborators to recent Oscar nominees, with most excelling in their roles. Whether it be leading characters like Chief (Bryan Cranston) or minor characters like Oracle (Tilda Swinton), you’ll love seeing their unique personalities come to life. Anderson has reunited with his Fantastic Mr. Fox cinematographer and animation department to deliver an imaginative technical marvel. He and his team have put immense effort into the mise-en-scène, a setting that demands a second viewing in order to be fully appreciated. Wes Anderson delivers us another visual feast boasting incredible attention to detail; an element worth the price of admission alone. By Jesse Newell
Directed by Rungano Nyoni, I Am Not a Witch stars Maggie Mulubwa as Shula, a young girl convicted of being a witch in her Zambian community, sent to a camp in the desert with similar outcasts. A new story that I struggled to believe was true, these witch camps actually exist in Africa. It’s a fascinating subject for a tense documentary or hard-hitting piece of long-form journalism, but instead we’re given a half-Bemba, half-English language movie which makes some odd choices in its tone. At times, we feel locked into Shula’s character and her struggle against a mysoginistic system that declares women are witches, but then it breaks into long gags about dreams, weird dances, unanswered phones and others motifs that go nowhere. Mulubwa is an incredible actress at such a young age, and with inspired music choices and pleasantly different camerawork. I Am Not a Witch feels like it could work on a universal level but just falls short. Changes in tone are abrupt, awkward and forced, and the alterations in surreal content during the last half weren’t my cup of tea. I felt tired, worn out and unmoved by the film in spite of its uniqueness. By Christopher Spencer 2001: A Space Odyssey | Stanley Kubrick, 1968 There are only a few films that people can call masterpieces. The works of Akira Kurosawa, the first two Godfather films, The Empire Strikes Back, Jaws, Vertigo and Citizen Kane are all great examples. And 2001: A Space Odyssey, is absolutely unlike all others, indeed unlike any film ever made. It is wholly unique, coming straight from the minds of director Stanley Kubrick and co-writer Arthur C. Clarke, one of the most influential pieces of filmmaking ever conceived. A masterpiece through and through, and we have lived in its strange, cold, illuminating and ever-changing rays for 50 years now. From the masterful camerawork by Geoffrey Unsworth, the iconic compositions of Richard Wagner, Johann Strauss II, Aram Khachaturian and György Ligeti, the haunting imagery of the Monolith and the Star-Gate, the epic scenes of ships hurtling through space, and the chilling and still effective omnipotence of HAL-9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey is the magnum opus of Stanley Kubrick. A testament to the power of inventive visual effects, a meditative and terrifying look at the truth of all humanity, and one of my favourite films of all time. By Christopher Spencer
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CREATIVE // VOL 4: ED.2
05:00 THOUGHTS It’s 5AM. Fucking 5AM. Everyone else is asleep, it’s still dark, I don’t have to get up…at all. It’s the weekend. So why am I awake? Something has woken me up. It’s my heartbeat, beating ferociously. ThumpThumpThump. And my breathing is fast, way too fast. Running in my sleep? More like panicking. Breathe, Jo, breathe. I sit up in bed, and jesusfuck! It’s my reflection. It reflects back to me. It—I mean I—look like an alien or some weird pale figure. But it’s me. Gosh, I’m so ghostly. That’s it: I need fake tan. And I need to quit uni. I need a new car. I need a new TV. I need to move house, find new housemates. Why are these appearing in my head? You are bloody useless, still in bed. Get to the gym! I don’t even have gym access… Unless I break into one, or imagine a park as a gym, or make a gym in my tiny tiny room. Do it, shove your bed outside and make a gym in your room, there’s room for it. Who needs sleep when you could workout 24/7? Hey that’s not too bad of an idea…but I love my bed. Screw the gym. Fine, you’ll be an ugly fuck forever. Oh no. No way. That ain’t happening. I can’t be ugly! If I go to the gym more, I won’t have time for studying. It’s not that important anyway. In fact, it’s a bit useless. Why do I need to study art? Where is that gonna get me in life? To work in an art supply shop? Yeah, fuck university and the endless exams. So if I quit uni, I can go to the gym more, and then I can fit more into those ‘hot’ body styles of people. That would make my life happy. I can be super fit and have lots of sex because I would be hot, then I’d be living the life. What am I saying?! Remember, Jo, remember. Looks aren’t everything. They are superficial senses. But, that hot body…everyone will lust and desire you… One, two, three… I breathe in and out slowly. I challenge myself by imagining a lit candle close to my face, and I have to try to not blow it out with my breathing. My breathing has to be calm so that the flame continues making light. So I try and slow down my breath. In. Out. In. Out. Gentle and easy breathing. This may calm me down, possibly help me sleep for a few more hours. But, fuck, my breathing is not gentle and calm. It is gale force wind. That imaginary flame has either gone out and been reignited with the force of air blowing onto it; or it has blown over and lit something else alight. Oh god, I would burn to death. Oh fuck, why do I deal with this. Why me? Why am I not sleeping peacefully at this bloody early time? Why can’t I calm down and feel normal, feel pretty and good-looking, feel satisfaction with my life choices? Be happy as I am? Because you deserve it…
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THOUGHTS UPON MEMBERS OF THE WAAPA FAITHFUL On, on! Run, dance, delirious, possessed, Praise Dionysus, god of joy! Tis’ ever the season of the Bacchants, In leafy Mt Lawley, Forever they prance! Slaves to the house of grind On whose teet they suckle, In absence of mind, the endless blaze of Dionysian joy, The vegan wraps Are but horses of Troy, You dancers in the sun with drapes as loud, As thunderous drums, On Olympian clouds You think yourselves spread Pray, pray! To your organic gods, You waapa faithful, Dancers in darkness, Of your own making, Dance, dance, delirious possessed, Your fanciful bullshit, Is Dionysian blessed. By John Haycraft
NUMINOUS A mouthful of questions lay dormant in my throat. I start to wonder and I wonder where to start. Sometimes you visit places that make you feel alien. Sometimes you meet people that are less human and more art. Sometimes there is nothing but a blank space and I still catch myself falling. Awe is the state that I live in now and then. The visits are spontaneous and catch me by surprise. Weightless I am, in these tiny fragments. My eyes flash with colour and shape. My ears are awash with language and the sound of air. My mouth is silent. Suddenly, standing is a chore. Soaking in a semi-fathomable infinity in little more than a breath. I have far more questions than I can remember, to carry with me to the other side. By Georgina Ashworth
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lost on the breaker It is early morning, 3AM. The sun is yet to rise. Xavier has been rolled up like a ball of wool for three hours. His tears are stuck to the plastic mattress. Waves continue to thunder in-termittently along the coast. His thoughts have run dry. Nothing but a void. Occasionally, he tries to convince himself he is dreaming. He looks up the hallway to the door that leads to the kitchen, and imagines that on the other side everything is always as it was. But there is no mistake that everything now has shifted, and with the night almost gone something must be done. He drags himself up and blood rushes to his head. He goes faint for a moment and is hopeful that it will last – that something will clot and his brain will explode and that’ll be that. Everything forgotten. But it passes and he shifts his gaze down the hallway to the flickering light and before he knows it some force has propelled him forward and he stands in the doorway. He breathes. He looks down. A pool of water is still on the wooden floorboards. He traces it up to where it mixes with other bodily fluids. Piss and blood. And that’s where she lies. As still as water. Mum. For a moment, Xavier can no longer hear the waves. The silence pulses. White noise in his ears. At the sight of her, action becomes impossible. And so he stands still. Magpies begin to warble outside. An 18-wheeler storms along the esplanade. Horses trot along the beach. A beam of light inches itself between the drawn curtains and window frame and lands soft-ly upon Xavier’s skin. It’s piercing hot. He moves towards the fan and flicks it on. He realises this is odd. He picks up the car keys and heads outside. Most of the world is still asleep. Other shacks lie dormant. Nothing stirs. In the bright of day, everything seems new. He climbs up into the ute and switches the ignition. The engine revs and he reverses up the hill and down the driveway. He indicates left and glides softly onto the esplanade toward the rolling hills. By Zachary Sheridan
FEATURE // VOL 4: ED.2
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