The Babylon Times
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
THE CITY IN THE ROOM By Archana Moorthy & Isabella Marques Castro
The cyclical life of the city: Babylon, in good times and in bad, the room preserves every condition of the city
B
abylon stands on the place where a very famous city once stood. The creative war that ransacked the Victorian city of London paved way for the modern city of Babylon, a city that is far superior to its predecessor in many ways. While London transformed into Babylon, it shed some of its flaws and took on some elements that were the envy of the world. The world gasped and awed at the superiority of this new cityplanned and designed by some of the greatest and artistic minds in the world. This superpower city was said to be the major aspiration for other nations. While we were trying to protect the city from the hands of outside evil, we overlooked a few inside details.
The people jointly agreed on altering the policies of the government. We hoped that the new policies would help. We hoped for a better city, a better living and a better society. We have however missed a few clauses. Our trust in our leaders or rather the designers of our new city that we have been so proud of has hazed our vision and we have forgotten to read in between the lines. That’s where the genius of the city designers lies. The campaign and planning was so good that it is impossible to identify a flaw. However, to ensure that the city of Babylon lingers on despite its unexpected death, the architects have come with a very simple solution. 1
A room is defined as a distinguishable space in a structure commonly separated by a door. Every space has a character that distinguishes it from the rest of the structure but from where does the space take that character from. The architects whose works dominate our new city have come together to create a space what they call the room in the city. They have tried to recreate the magic of the dying city that arranges millions of miles into a one space that’s a little more than a few square metres. Drawing inspiration from the towers designed by the architects, they have invented a scheme that will allow you to experience the genius of their design. Flip over to find out more.
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
A MAN IN THE CITY By Archana Moorthy & Isabella Castro Marques
The relationship of the inhabitant to the scalar sapces of Room and City
As our vision narrows down from the city we find ourselves in the confines of a four walled structure separated by a door. As the complexity of the city unfolds into its most fundamental element, the room comes into the picture. The utopian city of Babylon with its towering structures and tangled networks undermines the common man and makes him feel powerless. As the structures puncture the skyline of Babylon, man tries to escape the city as the scale gives him a sense of alienation from his own habitat. In pursuit of this escape, he moves to tower but the Avantgarde robot of a building scares him more. The intricacy of its mechanism is comparable to the city in multiple ways. He finally retires to his room where he finds solace. He turns to the window for company.
The different types of glass in the frame help him perceive the city he is trying to escape, the aura of his mind being the deciding factor. As the wind gushes in, so does his agitation. His
momentary refuge disappears as the windows of his little room open up to reveal the city, the city he desperately wants to escape. His inner agitation returns and tells him that’s it’s another day and another race.
The window in the room - protecting the inhabitant from the city outside.
2
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
3
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
SUPERARCHITECT vs. BABYLON
4
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
By Medha Bansal & Dhruv Khurana
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
ÂŁ1.50
HORROR-SCOPES By Medha Bansal & Dhruv Khurana
THE DARK KNIGHT (Reform Tower) As the title suggests, like in 1832, some disastrous thing will take place again in 2016. Be strong so that you can withstand all the tragic things that may happen. Be wary of being filled with your own importance. It could lead to your downfall.
THE HAUNTED MANSION (Mansion House Skyscraper) Just as how in 1980s there was a problematic time for you, so too in 2022 a disaster may occur. Be careful with your reflective surfaces as they may create problems that seem small at first but could soon have a larger impact on your surroundings.
THE SELFRIGHTERS (Selfridges Tower) You achieved lots of success in 2017 but now you have some danger approaching in your near future. Be safe and take care of yourself. Safeguard your belongings in a chest to remake and remember the city should it cease to exist.
DEATHARIUM (Millennium Tower) As a hybrid you were successful but you may have some threats in 2017 from someone very famous who will soon become a big problem in your life. Be strong and hope your hybrid forms can adapt to the city should it be rebuilt once again.
THE SCARY PALACE (Crystal Palace Tower) Previously you weren’t built because of a lack of technology but in 2014 you did well by being inspired by nature. In 2017 there is a chance you will be destroyed based on threats from someone you believed was a friend but is now a foe. Keep your eyes open.
TRIANGLE OF DEATH (Primrose Hill Pyramid) In year 2020 you may receive many new occupants to store within your walls. Be prepared to welcome them and to expand to encompass the city itself. Your importance will increase significantly in the event of a tumultous period for the city.
5
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
THE DRAWER OF MEMORIES By Derek Ho & Bai Yusof
In front of four columns, I saw a small chest of drawers set atop of the remnants of the warfare. It stood out naturally like a sculpture as it was the only object that survived the desolation of the city. The drawer seemed to have a weird attractive force, tempting me to walk towards and open it. ‘ What is stored inside this Pandora’ss Box?’ I wondered...
The Selfridges Tower
Made in Babylon
With fear and curiosity, I cautiously pulled out the first compartment of the drawer ... ‘What is stored inside this pandora’s box?’ I wondered again. ‘Oh, it looks like the model of the Selfridges Tower!’ The facade looked familiar to the one within which I used to shop in Babylon in the good old days. Sliding out of the elevation of Selfridges, I saw fragments of department stores inside different tiny rooms. Strangely, the Selfridges department store no longer sold daily necessities, but instead had become a series of display stores, exhibiting the remnants of the unbuilt towers in London: the coffins from the Primrose Hill Pyramid, the broken mirrored glass from Mansion House, the window frames from the Crystal Palace, the bricks from the Reform Tower, and even the former shoe department from the Selfridges Tower.
After I opened the first compartment, I couldn’t stop myself from sliding out the second one. The second drawer was filled with tokens, postcards and many other souvenirs that were all marked ‘Made in Babylon’ with the logo of this legendary city. I had a strong feeling that the owner of the drawer was definitely a patriot, given the collection it contained. All of the items were carefully selected and they were like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle portraying the glorious days and joyful memories of the Babylonians, from the reconstruction of the Six Unbuilt Architectures, the formation of the city, the opening of the Babylon Cable Car, the establishment of the Utopian City Council and most importantly, the sense of belonging to Babylon. It was like stumbling upon a box of forgotten memories.
6
Memory Tank
‘Who is the owner of these drawers?’ The question suddenly rushed through my mind. ‘Is it possible that this chest could belong to the Superarchitect, the hero and guardian of Babylon ?’ I gently slid out the last compartment. To my surprise, it was filled with small glass bottles wrapped with the yellow Selfridges ribbon. ‘Why would the owner store some empty bottles in this drawer?’ I pondered. The bottle seemd to be filled with some glowing liquid illuminating its immediate surroundings with different colours. Pop ! I opened one of the bottles. The image of the Superarchitect being elected as the President of Babylon suddenly flooded into my mind. The 3rd drawer’s contents were a revelation. The bottles comprised the memory tank of the SuperArchitect, storing fragments of important moments and joyful memories in his life.
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
By Derek Ho & Bai Yusof
7
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
MASTHEAD Editors-in-Chief Manijeh Verghese Madeleine Kessler Elena Palacios Carral News Editors Archana Moorthy Isabella Castro Marques Editorial Team Abby Liu Tanvi Gupta Gossip Editors Derek Ho Bai Yusof Obituaries Eva Ibanez Fuertes Patricia Moericke Prieto Comic Strip/Horoscope Editors Medha Bansal Dhruv Khurana Advertisements Douglas Lee Nishigandha Sakhardande With special thanks to: Bodo Neuss Edward Bottoms Johanna Agerman Ross Stefan Jovanovic Katerina Scoufaridou Johannes Schick Natasha Sandmeier Catarina Sampaio Cruz Anny Stephanou Madelon Vriesendorp Yasmin Verghese Uma Verghese Meha Verghese Stella Bella Steele Chee-Kit Lai William Fausset Robert Busher Squire and Partners Online Repro
8
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
9
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
PRIDE: 1 OF THE 7 DEADLY SINS By Abby Liu & Tanvi Gupta
‘The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things’ by Hieronymus Bosch
The door leading to the room symbolises the construction phases of the stage set from the city to the towers and then leading to the room. The main purpose of the door is to open views of the room and the city, the same reason why the Mansion House skyscraper was being designed. Sometimes doors are just a bit of fun. Sometimes they are a matter of life and death. Certainly, no architectural feature tickles the imagination as much as hidden doors leading to secret rooms. The door focuses on the room and how to conceal the fact that it is a door. For all of our history, when
“I think I can make a better city of Babylon!” muses the SuperArchitect
people think they see themselves, but really they are always seeing themselves reflected backwards. However, as it turns out, the backward images and person we see in a mirror are profoundly different from what is real. The backwardsness distorts not just our features, but the information in our faces and personalities as well. No wonder we see ourselves differently than others see us! A mirror is more than an amazing novelty. We are excited to promote it as a new source of awareness and enlightenment! In contrast, the incorrect view seen in a traditional mirror can be major source of self-doubt and self-criticism - simply because it is not the
10
“real you” when your eyes meet in the mirror. How can you understand yourself, your emotions and your expressions when there is such distortion?
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR By Abby Liu & Tanvi Gupta
WE LIKE THE AA SUMMER SCHOOL
ESHU AT THE FORMAT!
PRINCE CHARLES - A GOOD CHESS PLAYER
Hey, we really had fun in the AA summer school, check it out~ Work hard & play hard, Like! - Unit 1
The highlight of the FORMAT series was when Madelon taught us how to make a cute Eshu in her part of the presentation. Thanks to Madelon, we can now make the Eshu using just a toilet paper roll at home! - Lina Bo Bardi
Prince Charles finally wins the fight over me by playing some tricks on my Client :( :( :(. It’s fine though since he will live to regret what he has done. He is definitely the villain of Babylon but revenge will be ours. - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
GUIDELINE FOR ESHU MAKING
11
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
£1.50
“DARK KNIGHT” OF BABYLON TURNS DARK, CITY WORRIED By Nishigandha Sakhardande & Douglas Lee
The most spoken-about and popularly loved vigilante of Babylon, SuperArchitect is reportedly said to have been turned. He has been seen in suspicious situations. Citizens of Babylon fear that their only ray of hope will betray them in the coming future. Some speculate that he will switch from being saviour to being a mastermind behind what is expected to be the worst phase of Babylon. A journalist of the Babylon Times was found quoting, ‘The city of Babylon seems to have settled down after the Architect’s War and is extremely happy that the SuperArchitect saved it. Calmness and serenity surround the streets of Babylon. Citizens of Babylon are doing their work with a free mind knowing that their hero would be available for their rescue in times of distress. The SuperArchitect was seen standing at the window of his room and looking at the city. He seemed quite upset and citizens were unable to claim
what made the vigilante worry.’ In the strong winds that hit the city on the evening of Thursday, a diary of the vigilante was discovered flying out of his room in his absence. The citizens ran to rescue it and read through his notes. The content seemed to disappoint the citizens and a fear spread among them almost instantly. In an interview with one of the readers of the diary, information of the past tours and itineraries of the SuperArchitect were found. The content revealed that the SuperArchitect had been paying trips to other cities and micronations. “I am bored. I am so bored of looking out of the window constantly. I feel frustrated that the city of Babylon and its citizens need constant babysitting. The other cities have so much life. There is constant activity in them. I think I should make myself busy again. But I’m not the kind to do a job. What if the citizens recognise me! No! I can’t take the risk of revealing who I am. I don’t 12
want to spend most of my life in this room wondering which part of the city needs my help.” The content of the diary spread quick and wide and the citizens began to feel insecured. The diary also read “ I should probably create problems in peoples’ lives and have myself solve them. This way I stay busy all the time. This way no one would guess it were me who caused the destruction and I would still be a hero in the eyes of the Babylonians. Destruction! It was what made you like me! And it is what will make you like me more! Hihihahaha!” The citizens have begun to wonder what fate has in store for them. The ambitions of the SuperArchitect do not seem very positive. The Babylonians have decided to gear up against the upcoming event, except that they are unaware what would be the nature of this mega catastrophe. Will it bring more happiness to the city? Or would it result in the end of Babylon. Stay tuned for more news.
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
13
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
By Eva Ibanez Fuertes & Patricia Moericke Prieto
14
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014 By Eva Ibanez Fuertes & Patricia Moericke Prieto
15
ÂŁ1.50
Unit 1
Friday, 25 July 2014
16
ÂŁ1.50