BUMF Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union Magazine
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Issue 6
Editors Letter. Dear BUMF readers, This is the last time I will be addressing you as Editor in Chief as it is time for Alex and I to pass over the reigns to the new President and Vice President – Daniel Broadbent and Chloe Whittaker. It’s been a democratic roller coaster, a political high wire and a baptism by bureaucracy but damn; have we enjoyed it. It seems a shame to say goodbye to so many readers and contributors but we aren’t really. BUMF will continue with its oddities and student led collaboration, and will remain loyal to those people who read and contribute.
YOU are BUMF Magazine. Keep the submissions rolling in as a great big welcome to Dan and Chloe so they can start off the year with a killer magazine. Alternatively if you want to join the team, write a review, get some work published get in touch or swing by the office where we can discuss what you’d like to achieve. BUMF isn’t supposed to be an unreachable magazine, a glossy cover and incomprehensible content. It’s gritty and it’s a bit messy but that’s how we like it. It’s for the students, by the students. Make it your own.
VIVA LA BUMF.
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CONTENTS 2 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 14 20 22 24 26 27 28
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Editors Note Luke Graham Rohan Hande Rachel Sheldrake Hannah Bowles London Graduate Shows LOXE Son Cameleon Open Space Copenhagen Interview Why Her Is Too Close For Comfort The Peoples Kitchen Interview Boscombe Bike Club John Hopkins The Mad Cucumber A New Sound
Luke Graham BA Photography 3rd Year
These unique one-off photogram abstractions created in the darkroom highlight a tension between photography and painting, they are intended as spaces where complex polarities reside - between the known and desire, representation and expression, and the natural and artificial - a dialogical aesthetic which necessitates viewer engagement.
Luke will be exhibiting his work in London at the Bargehouse gallery, South Bank, on the 17th-20th July for TURF (for more information visit www.turfgradshow.co.uk).
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Rohan Hande BA Commerical Photography 3rd Year
“The following is a series I created last term with Kristina Artemjeva who graduated last year. Her concept behind the outfits was based on the roaring yet elegant 1920s. She made these beautiful patterns on different types of material that had amazing details embroidered in them.
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The only way to do this was to blow up designs and see what they really look and feel like up close. Now that I think about it, the idea has captured the movement and shape of the body and understand the synonymy of body and clothing. It takes two to create meaning.”
Rachel Sheldrake BA Fine Art 3rd Year
My work is about being a woman, and what it’s like being a woman for me. Taking hard, solid objects that are pre-existing and making them soft and feminine is my practice. The work I create is about filling a hole; using materials that don’t necessarily fit together, I create situations in which everyday objects are altered or detached from their natural function. With the use of appropriated materials that are borrowed from a day-to-day context, I consider making art a craft which is executed using clear formal rules and which
should always refer to social reality. Working with fabric to create stitched and knitted pieces is something I have had passed down to me through the generations of women in my family; as a child I wore knitted cardigans and sewn dresses by both of my grandmothers, and have since been taught to sew by my mother. My work explores the relationship between gender politics and making work as a woman. The colour pink is linked to women, and is recurring throughout my work because of the connotations this brings, femininity, compassion and intimacy.
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Hannah Bowles BA Fine Art 3rd Year
“I believe nature shows us a beauty that exceeds our imagination. The forms of nature are unique and cannot be reproduced. This endows them with mysterious beauty and makes them fascinating. Nature has always been the root of my practice. My love for flora and fauna, organic naturally made forms and materials such as feathers, fur, bone, fossil, crystals and wood have always
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inspired me. I intend my work to be about a celebration of our wildlife; promising eternal life to elements which would otherwise go to waste.�
London Graduate Shows BA (Hons) Fashion Studies/ BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Technology Date: Times: Exhibition: Catwalk show:
31st May – 3rd June 10.30am – 6pm Graduate Fashion Week Monday 2nd June at 11am – Theatre A
BA (Hons) Textiles Date: 25th – 28th June Private View: 25th June 3pm – 9pm (VIP, Press & Premium Tickets/6.30pm – 9pm Awards Preview Evening) Times: 26th June 10am – 8pm/27th June 10am –
Address: Truman Brewery, 6pm/28th June 10am – 4pm 91 Brick Lane, Exhibition: New Designers Part 1 London Address: Business Design Centre, E1 6QL Islington, London N1 0QH
BA (Hons) Modelmaking
BA (Hons) Make-Up
Date: 12th June Private View: 12th June 6pm –10pm Date: 27 – 29 June 2014 Times: 10am – 5pm Time: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Exhibition: New Blades 2014 Industry Only: 27 June 2014 7.00 pm – 9.00 Address: Holborn Studios, pm 49/50 Eagle Wharf, Exhibition: IMATS London Address: Olympia National Hall Kensington N1 7ED London
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BA (Hons) Visual Communication/ BA (Hons) Graphic Design/BA (Hons) Illustration
BA (Hons) Commercial Photography
Date: 3 - 5 July 2014 Private View: 4 July 2014 7.00 pm – 9.00 Date: 1st July – 3rd July pm Industry Private View: 1st July 6pm – 9pm Exhibition: CA.THEX.IS Times: 2nd July – 3rd July 10am – 8pm Address: The Rag Factory Exhibition: Design & Art Direction New Blood Address: Old Spitalfields Market, 16-18 Heneage Street (off Brushfield Street, Brick Lane) Spitalfields, London London E1 5LJ E1 6AA
BA (Hons) Film Production and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design
BA (Hons) Animation
Date: 4 July 2014 Time: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Exhibition: BFI Address: Southbank London NFT1
Date: 2nd – 5th July Private View: 2nd July 3pm – 9pm (VIP, Press & Premium Tickets/6.30pm – 9pm Awards Preview Evening) Times: 3rd July 10am – 8pm/4th July 10am – 6pm/5th July 10am – 4pm Exhibition: New Designers Part 2 Address: Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 0QH
BA (Hons) Fine Art
BA (Hons) Photography
Dates: 3rd – 7th July Private View: 3rd July 6pm-9pm Times: 4th July – 6th July 10am – 7pm/7th July 10am – 4pm
Date: 17 - 20 July 2014 Private View: 17 July 2014 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm Exhibition: Turf Address: Bargehouse Oxo Tower Wharf
Exhibition: Free Range Address: F Block, The Old Truman Brewery, 85 Brick Lane, London, EC1 6QL 9
Bargehouse Street Southbank London SE1 9PH
LOXE
STUDIOS
www.loxestudio.tumblr.com helloloxe@gmail.com article By Tom Sale
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Say hello to Loxe; The fresh Architectural duo from our very own BA Architecture course at AUB.
Who are we?
We have both studied at Arts University Bournemouth. First half of the duo Thomas Sale graduated Architecture Part 1 in 2013 and the second half, Charlie Fox is coming to the end of his course on Architecture Part 1. We both have experience in architectural firms and other related areas, which was one of the reasons why we started our own venture. Tom currently works as a designer at Michael Grubb Studio, while Charlie recently had an intensive internship at Edgley Design In Shoreditch, London. “We’re here, we’re there, we’re each and everywhere” said the infamous duo MC Det & MC Skibadee. This actually sums us up pretty well. We want to grow the studio into something which explores the boundaries between interaction, spatiality and art through architecture and design. Collaboration is a key aspect of our studio ethos. Keeping projects fresh, playful and thought provoking with strong narratives. Specifically working on unusual and fun projects both small and medium scale, temporary and permanent. In the future we aim to keep the studio 2 – 5 people big, basing ourselves in London.
What work have we done?
We are still in the genesis of the studio, however we have recently had our first commission from Art of The Muse at Oval Space, Hackney, where we learnt a huge amount; key aims were to enhance construction skills while furthering our network. We must add that the perks of
backstage passes were not too shabby, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Joy Orbison, Tales of Us, Vaal and other immediate entourage. Even an Icelandic fashion model, who had an interesting character to say the least. Currently we have a selection of conceptual projects awaiting next phase confirmation including fixing a car upside down in a office, which we are really excited about. Two of those which stand out are an installation / activation of a space in Bournemouth and a marketing installation in London for Headphones by House Of Marley. We applied for Secret Garden Party 2014 with our Orgasmatree installation which received a lot of positive comments but unfortunately will not be made this year. From this though we have been put forward for being a part of the construction team of an installation at SGP, as a way of gaining experience in a festival setting and networking with other like minded creatives.
How optimistic are we?
Having had advice from Tom Lewith of TDO Architecture and Natalie Write of Warm Baby Collective we were told to just do it, take advantage of our situation and grab every opportunity we can get. Competitions, grants and networking projects can be a brilliant kick start to a studio, both testing the waters and being provided with very open creative briefs. We are always interested in hearing about projects or individuals wanting to collaborate so don’t hesitate to say hello via social media or email.
“We want to grow the studio into something which explores the boundaries between interaction, spatiality and art through architecture and design.”
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Son Caméléon is a pedal-powered party platform, providing tropical beats, wide smiles, interactive games and bad puns all in the form of a giant, technicolour chameleon! Our pedal-powered platform will be entertaining our fellow festival-goers this summer with its tropical chameleon sound and interactive games, bringing high-quality, artistled innovation to England’s fields. Inspired by the long tradition of carnival, it aims to release the masses from the constraints of daily life, celebrating the unusual, spontaneous and ridiculous. Visually, Son Caméléon is a bold homage to the beloved chameleon, a shining example of adaptation, creativity and the utterly bizarre. We have a lot to learn from chameleons - after all, they are wiser than they may initially appear. Our own Caméléon will entice people to join him on a journey through time and space into the depths of the festival’s hedonism. Son Caméléons objective is to provide a visual feast and some soothing, happy vibes to our fellow festival-goers during their days. We all know how we feel at the end of a long nights adventure, with or without sleep. We’re all in need of some inspiring and beautiful entertainment. Son Caméléon hopes to bring mobile happiness and energy to our struggling peers, sharing the essence of teamwork, creativity and perseverance in the face of sleep deprivation. While Son Caméléon is on the move, people can marvel at his unique characteristics while learning more about his nature from our knowledgeable troupe and occasional appearances from Sir David Attenborough. Once he has found a suitable feeding ground he parks up and welcomes you into his world of delights, fending off the enemy with his colourful displays of both live acoustic music and DJ sets. The troupe members will explore the area, raising awareness through promenadestyle performance, shouting puns and jokes through their megaphones, and enticing others to play our interactive games, with a chance to win a bespoke chameleon hat and an exclusive mix CD.
more high-quality, collaborative, interactive artwork, following suit from iconic festivals around the world such as Burning Man. Festivals are becoming increasingly diverse in their nature, with the priority shifting from providing solely high quality music to also providing an equally high quality plethora of the arts - visual arts, creative workshops, theatre, performance and spoken word (to name a few). As lead artist, my own artwork was naturally progressing towards outdoor events and festivals due to its carnivalesque nature, absurd and playful qualities, and its tactility, which invites interaction. Collaboration was the natural way to progress into the outdoor arts sector with my work, and Son Caméléon is the first large scale undertaking of our newly established collective – Tangleface Arts. Chelsea Moore, Nicholas Rodbourne and I are Fine Art graduates (2013) from AUB, Ruben Robinson will be graduating this year from Film Production (AUB), and Joel Williams is a Music Production graduate from Bath. Our collective formed through a desire to combine our specialist skills of large-scale sculpture and installation, photography and film, music and interactive performance, to create immersive, high-quality experiences. Son Caméléon is an ambitious undertaking that has been given the opportunity to be realised through funding, support and enthusiasm from Secret Garden Party, Boomtown, Bestival and Farmfest. Our aim as a collective is to stamp our mark on the outdoor arts sector this summer with this project, gathering supporters and likeminded creatives. We hope for this to be the beginning of a sustainable collective, born out of the desire to continue momentum post-university, creating innovative work and getting it regularly seen by the public. Please help us to realise our beautiful Caméléon by donating on our Kickstarter page. All donations are welcome and endlessly appreciated! You will be rewarded!
Son Caméléon was born out of our collective’s love of festivals and the desire for there to be
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Article By Pascale Wilson
SON CAMÉLÉON TEAM CAMÉLÉON Pascale Wilson - Lead Artist and Performer http://cargocollective.com/pascalewilson Chelsea Moore - Collaborative Artist and Performer Nicholas Rodbourne - Collaborative Artist and Performer http://cargocollective.com/narodbourne
SECRET GARDEN PARTY 24th - 27th July http://www.secretgardenparty.com/
Joel Williams - Technical Production Manager and Performer http://www.thejamjarcollective.com/ https://soundcloud.com/search?q=fat%20sandwich
FARMFEST 1st - 2nd August http://www.farmfestival.co.uk
Ruben Robinson - Technical Production Assistant and Performer https://soundcloud.com/rurobinson https://www.facebook.com/ SonCameleon?fref=ts https://twitter.com/SonCameleon
BOOMTOWN 7th - 10th August http://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/ BESTIVAL 4th - 7th September http://www.bestival.net/ ARTS BY THE SEA (Bournemouth) 26th September - 12th October
http://www.artsbournemouth.org.uk/ More to be announced soon…
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OPEN SPACE BA (Hons) Photography graduates Corin CampbellJohnston and Simone Sandahl decided to leave home and return home (respectively) and open up shop in Copenhagen following graduation last year. Alex payed the pair a visit to find out what they’ve been doing with the Bournemouth born Open Space gallery.
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COPENHAGEN
Interview by Alexander Johnston
AJ: So, how did the idea for Open Space come about? CJ: During the second year of uni (2011/12) we both got involved in a local (Bournemouth) exhibition space project. The guy running the project was looking to collaboratively open a second gallery space and, coincedentally, we were both looking to find a space in which we could showcase works from our course - hence, gallery ‘Open Space’ was conceived. The concept of the gallery was to provide a space which would be available to AUB students to hire out on a weekly basis in order to publicly exhibit their work, and without having to commit too much time (this way there would be new shows on a regular basis as well). SS: We wanted a space that could act as a venue for social and cultural exchange and that would also, more importantly, provide the opportunity for students to gain practical experience in setting up shows in preparation
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for their post-uni practice. Open Space initially ran for four months, closing at the end of the academic year when there was less demand for the space. SS: For the first term of our third year (2012/13) we both went on exchanges Corrin to Baltimore in the USA and myself to Oslo in Norway. In both instances we witnessed an environment where the students had access to public exhibition space - which was provided to them by their institutions. This is something that, prior to Open Space, was lacking in Bournemouth, and so it gave us the drive to re-start Open Space upon return from our exchanges. CJ: Open Space re-launched at the start of 2013 with a Ba (Hons) Photography group show and was followed by a number of other successful group and solo exhibitions. The space was also used by many to test their
major project work in the gallery setting, which proved to be really beneficial, before re-closing at the end of the academic year again.
“We agreed that Open Space wo platform to promote young and mainly photographic media and
AJ: Did you plan the Copenhagen Open Space or did it just happen? SS: I had already planned on moving back to Denmark so that I could live in Copenhagen and I wanted to continue what was started in Bournemouth - but had no concrete plans. Corrin was wanting to get out of the U.K. for a bit and his brother was studying in Copenhagen, so he decided to head to the city for a short visit. Whilst Corrin was here we had some discussions regarding the continuation of Open Space and so both decided to look at a few properties whilst he was here. CJ: After I went back home Simone continued to search for suitable premises for the space whilst I worked on a potato farm for several months in order to save funds to put towards the project. Once Simone found a suitable space we put some money down, I headed back to Copenhagen, and we both started work on getting the space fit for purpose. We were both on a pretty minimal income and so had to prioritise our spending. This included us living together and even bin diving for food to compliment what was store bought.
SS: It was also really important for us to clarify what Open Space was going to be all about - its principles. We agreed that Open Space would;
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ould be non-profit; act as a upcoming artists; and feature d performance works.”
be non-profit; act as a platform to promote young and upcoming artists; and feature mainly photographic media and performance ‘unsellable’ works. Being a non-profit means that exhibiting artists can retain complete control over the nature and form of their work. We also wanted to challenge the notion of ‘white cube’ gallery spaces, which can sometimes feel cold and even sterile. Open Space intends to be more inviting and sociable. We used the likes of reclaimed wooden flooring to give a warmer feel to the space, we play music and sometimes have live performances, and we offer coffee and discussion to visitors. CJ: Open Space also offers artist residencies where we assist with both the practical side of things, eg. framing, hanging and promoting, and critical feedback - similar to the style of group critiques on the Ba (Hons) Photography course. These crits are also great for us as they allow us to continue engaging with photography in a similar way to when studying at AUB. And speaking of AUB, we’re really keen to support current and past students in exhibiting their work. The university gave us a great network of contacts and artists and we’d like to continue building on this. AJ: What shows has Open Space hosted so far and what has the response been like?
SS: The two shows we have ran so far have
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featured AUB alumni and have gone really well. Our first solo show was Nina Hove, an AUB Ba (Hons) Photography graduate. Our second show Waiting for the Sugar to Melt, which has just come to an end , featured to work of Alex Withey and Cameron Black who are both Ba (Hons) Photography graduates. The opening nights for both shows had a great turnouts, featuring live jazz and free beer kindly donated by our local bodega. Our next show, Halftone which has been curated by Greg Jackson Ba (Hons) Photography, will finish on the 4th May. This will feature of range of self-published mainly photographic bookworks submitted by artists from around the world and plenty from AUB. CJ: We’ve also started an artist book collection/ archive. This is on permanent display and consists of books from both artists who have exhibited with us and those who have simply submitted their works to us.
AJ: What does the future hold for Open Space? CJ: We have a couple more shows lined up over the next few months which will work in a similar to previous/current shows. Around June or July though we are thinking of closing for a couple of months to take time out to travel. Hopefully we will still have artists in the space throughout this time though - if you’re interested in making a proposal get in contact with Open Space. We are going to re-open in the autumn and then just see how things go. Ideally we would like to expand Open Space and so we are currently looking for funding from the Danish equivalent of the Arts Council. The idea is to have two separate premises - one as a gallery space and one as a workshop/studio space. AJ: What would you say are the most important things that you have gained/learned from the process of opening your own gallery space?
“The sacrifices involved in artistic pursuit are worthwhile”
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SS: Although harder at times financially etc, doing-it-yourself is definitely more fun as it allows total creative control. The challenge of running new shows has been good, in terms of both the organisation, contacting artists etc and the more practical side of things handling, framing and hanging artworks. We’ve also learnt a fair bit about self-promotion and marketing - which has been really important for maintaining local and online interest in the gallery. AJ: Do you have any advice for fellow AUB students and alumni? CJ: Listen to Dave Hazel Course Leader and Principal Lecturer of Ba (Hons) Photography at AUB. SS: The sacrifices involved in artistic pursuit are worthwhile. CJ & SS: We’d also like to thank Dave Hazel for being so supportive of Open Space Bournemouth. 19
Why Her Is Too Close For Comfo By Henry Heffer
I bought my Samsung S4 a year ago today. I broke up with my girlfriend 6 months later. Tonight I am staring at its darkened screen, reflecting my side lamp in its face. I am trying to imagine it speaking to me, as Scarlett Johansson’s character Samantha, the eloquently voiced Operating System, in Spike Jonze’s new movie Her. Would a digital representation of a girlfriend just be easier? Well, since breaking up with my significant other, that is exactly what I have had. The screen lights up occasionally, (very occasionally) with bright flashing colours, small giggly noises and winks at me through its plastic cover. I stroke the screen softly, and it comes to life. I instantly feel better. Small sentences of comfort, all written in cute txt speak, as if by a girl from California. smiling faces, kind words, reminders that, for at least the five seconds it took them to write the message, they are thinking of you. And that is just the ordinary text service.Through Snapchat I can see faces, hear voices and occasionally, someone will be involved enough to try and have a conversation with me. Hundreds and thousands of apps now exist that make the arduous task of being alone,
more tolerable. For it seems although more and more of us are becoming alienated in this world, there is no will or desire to solve the problem. Or rather the incentive has been lost.
Her has managed to uncover and show off all my wasteful habits and darkest insecurities. Never has a vision of the future seemed so close to home. Many recent science fiction films seem obsessed with the present, rather than the future. There is an art and craft now recognised, that starts with the line, in the near future‌ Such delicate and precise visions that, pick on small details about our present and magnify them. Her is a film that feels like it began as a comedy routine. The jokes we make about our indifferent and careless nature that are, at the moment, no more than exaggerated satire. The point about Her is that these small details come together to fit a model that is self -fulfilling. Whatever the older audience believes about the problems of this half reality
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ort.
about the relationship Joaquin Phoenix finds himself in. Something heartfelt and real. Something disturbingly appealing. I have since chalked this down to the performance of the two leads and possibly the fact that I know that Scarlett Johansson does exist, has a face a body etc… Or can I ever be sure of this? with the gap between celebrity image and reality being what it is. Why does Pheonix’s character Theodore Twombly seem too close to home? I am a writer now, but will I ever find myself stuck in a never ending cycle of letter writing, as if it’s some sort of retro fashion?
only affecting the introvert, socially challenged minority, I can now assure them that this film represents a future that is coming true. Even for Jonze, I believe the age gap is too wide, maybe he hasn’t understood the full significance of his story. I have begun to become anxious, insecure, jealous even, at the way some people flaunt their lives to me. Presumably, everyone is having a magnificent time. But are people obsessed with themselves or with the image of themselves seen through social media? But this is a wider question. Her has managed
to show a world so different from our own, but at the same time, some things clearly will never change. Relationships will always be a barrel of laughs, only the content will change. There is just something too attractive
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This use of the near future scares me. It enthrals me also, to the point of jealousy. To see Theodore so happy with his bodiless counterpart, who is there to comfort, console, love and be a part of his life. The moment Samantha confesses her binary infidelity, spreading her love around a network of followers and other Operating Systems, my heart broke for Theodore. In a very real way. I am not suggesting that people are at a point of entering relationships with software. All I know is, I cant stop checking my phone. I don’t let it out of my sight, I wrap it up to shield it from harm and know it is there, which is comforting...
Peoples Kitchen Interview “Food Wastage in the UK is a huge problem that’s causing us massive environmental and economic damage. In Bournemouth, 38% of our waste is made up of food - amounting to 17,000 tonnes of it wasted a year.” As students living typically frugal lifestyles, this is something that’s relevant to us; some of us counteract the problems of supermarket bins full of food and bank accounts not-sofull of money by following a freegan lifestyle. This movement, often representative of anti-consumerist sentiment encourages the reclamation of food that despite being discarded is still fit for eating. With supermarkets such as Tesco having estimated that almost 30,000 tonnes of food is wasted in an average six month period, it’s easy to see why freeganism has become so popular, and so culturally important. Another movement gaining similar momentum is People’s Kitchen. Having began in Dalston it’s now edging it’s way across the city, leaving a path of wonderful cooking and stringent community values in its wake. People’s Kitchen collects surplus food from local businesses and creates weekly feasts for the community as a means to both bring people together and address the inherent need in our society to face the problem of food wastage head on. Fan Sissoko and David Latto of Brixton and Dalston People’s Kitchens, explain a bit more about what People’s Kitchen is all about.. HCT: Can you give a brief description of what it is People’s Kitchen does? DL: The People’s Kitchen collects surplus food from grocery shops (food that would otherwise end up in landfill) and turns it into a weekly communal feast. There are several People’s Kitchens, who collect food from their local area; from grocery shops, markets,
foraging and donations. Every week the Dalston Kitchen collects around 50kg of fresh fruit & vegetables from 6 grocery shops who keep by the produce that is fine to eat but will not sell; that is overripe or slightly bruised.
By Harriet Campbell-Taylor
Volunteers arrive to cook the dinner, the menu depends on the food collected and what the volunteers decide to make. Once the dinner is ready diners come to eat. The food is served on a pay-what-you-can-afford donations basis. HC: A strong need for inclusivity runs throughout People’s Kitchen. Why is it so important to you that People’s Kitchen is not just for those who are in need but for everyone? FS: You are right. Inclusiveness and openness is really important to us. Of course, we all agree that free food should go to people ‘who need it’. But on the other hand, we don’t feel we are in a position to judge who is deserving and who isn’t. People join our events for different reasons. Someone might have the financial means to buy good food for themselves, but come to the kitchen because it fulfills other needs, like learning new skills, connecting with other people, or simply getting out of the house. Those needs are less ‘visible’, but also essential to our well-being. I certainly feel that, not being from London, the kitchen has made me feel a bit more at home here, and I’ve met many people who I probably would never have a conversation with otherwise. Considering how segregated London can feel sometimes, I think that it’s a pretty important aspect of what we do. But of course, the balance we have at moment isn’t perfect, and we are willing to work on how we make it even more inclusive, and reach more people who are truly affected by food poverty, as well as people who come for the social and self-development aspects of it. I think the venues we will choose in the
future are key. Last summer, we built a mobile kitchen so that we could travel beyond our usual venue (Myatt’s Fields Park), and worked with a group of mums from a local estate, and migrant parents from a children’s centre.
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It was great to see how the idea could travel and inspire different types of people who, in appearance, have nothing in common. HC: People’s Kitchen is a real success story, what do you think it is about food that has the ability to bring communities together? FS: I guess the easy answer is that everyone eats. And through what we eat, we send messages about our personal values. Food can prompt multisensory memories, which contribute to our sense of identity. It can play an important role in the way we relate to people. It can be a pretext to get families together, to establish new connections, to maintain relationships. Food is also a huge cultural asset: we often access distant cultures through their cooking traditions, we learn foreign languages by learning the names of typical dishes. Food has a sociocultural meaning. It serves to mark boundaries between social classes, geographic regions, nations, cultures, genders, life-cycle stages, religions and occupations, to distinguish rituals, traditions, festivals, seasons and times of the day. For all these reasons, food can be a trigger for storytelling and conversation. It can be a touch-point between diverse communities. But although food is a language everyone speaks, it does not mean it is an inclusive language. Difference in diets, for health reasons, religious beliefs, or ethical choices, can divide people as much as it can connect
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them. With food, inclusiveness is not a given. But involving food can be a powerful way of inviting people to share their cultural heritage, their story, or their knowledge. It is likely to be engaging because it is tangible, on a multisensory level: taste, sight, smell, and touch are stimulated. Finally, it is an essential ingredient for conviviality: it can easily be turned into a celebration, that invites slowing down and sharing. HC: Where do you see the future of People’s Kitchen going? DL: Hopefully the People’s Kitchen can expand with new kitchens starting all over the country. HC: What can people do who want to get involved with the movement, or want to do their bit at home? DL: Those who live near a People’s Kitchen can come and volunteer. The kitchens run only with the help of volunteers and we are always looking for more volunteers. Otherwise you could start your own People’s Kitchen. For more information visit www.brixtonpk. wordpress.com or thepeopleskitchendalston. blogspot.com
Boscombe Bike Club was created by three Graphic Design students – Josh Kay, Jamie White and Holly Smith. Together they formed the custom bike collective to produce affordable one-off custom bicycles. They upcycle and refurbish unwanted bikes that have reached the end of their cycling lives, before revitalising them with individual design elements to make them stand out on the bike racks and in the street. Using their design skills, each individual bicycle that they produce has some unique elements that respond to the brief given to them by the customer. The AUB bike – a vintage beach cruiser – has a custom made trailer that holds new copies of the AUB prospectus – the HEIST Award shortlisted AUB House of Cards, as well as a travelling radio box on the back of the bike. Holly’s knitted saddle cover provides a unique way to regenerate the old saddle – with added comfort for the rider too! The B.B.C. Graphic Designers are a great example of working in collaboration with the creative industries – displaying their creative, entrepreneurial skills while still in their second
year of studies. And the AUB bike is already gaining a reputation around the UK – it was made an appearance at Graduate Fashion Week, where it provided a unique addition to AUB Fashion student’s stand generating a great deal of interest from some of the leading names in fashion. It also has its own card in the AUB House of Cards prospectus. Jamie White commented “We strive to create one-off custom bikes tailored to the owner’s personality, and try to create different, fun and exciting elements to each bike. This is where our passion lies and why we continue to put so much of our time and work into the B.B.C.” Simon Pride, Head of Marketing at AUB commented “The AUB bike is a fantastic addition to our University. Not only is it a working piece of contemporary design, but it also serves a function at various events we attend across the UK and on campus, from handing out bottles of water on our Open Days, to promoting our new AUB House of Cards prospectus, the bike has become a valuable Marketing tool for the AUB. The B.B.C. ethos of upcycling and refurbishing to create something that not only looks innovative in design but is also practical and useable totally resonates with the ethos of the
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Boscombe Bike Club
AUB, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these creative students!” More information on the Boscombe Bike Club can be found through their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ BoscombeBikeClub. Their bicycles are also stocked through The Wheelie Great Bike Store in Bournemouth, who donate a percentage of every sale to the Bournemouth Church Housing Association.
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By Herman Kim
Jon Hopkins @ The Forum, London The 2013 Mercury Prize nominated LP ‘Immunity’ was a seismic collision of two counterpoints - the gentle Neo-Classical keys pummelled against abstract sounds of contortion - both forcibly merged into a tense co-existence. Essentially, ‘Immunity’ is a record of contrasts: melody and noise; soft against brash; intricacy against industrial heft. Thus this one-off London gig held much anticipation, left the audience second guessing as to how Jon Hopkins will play off those dualities on stage.
‘Breathe This Air’, where the gentle piano riff is ghosted by the sampled voices until the aforementioned rows of LED soldiers animate into action.
As the evening’s proceedings open, we are treated to a leftfield set by the young Luke Abbott, followed by electronica’s royalty Daphni (a.k.a Caribou) working the crowd. And as the pre-show formalities end with much approval, the attendees now await the main act.
Hopkins continues to provide a lean and assaulting set, churning through most numbers from ‘Immunity’ and a number of tracks from elsewhere, most notably ‘Lights Through the Veins’ from his 2009 album release ‘Insides’: an epic that patiently builds upon textures and melody until a grand crescendo. It was as much a serene performance as much as it was brutal.
After some delay due to obligatory technical difficulties, Hopkins eventually makes an entrance. There awaiting him on stage were the bulk of flashing decks and an army of free standing rotating LED guns, all backed by a gigantuan projection screen towering behind. Immediately, the dual-Kaoss pad wielding Hopkins gets the distorted gears grinding; his fingers furiously abusing all manner of knobs and buttons at his disposal. We open with
Much emphasis has been put on this curated light show that will accompany the performance, and though not as elaborate as the hype perhaps warranted, the relentless volley of lights and colours still provided the ability to dazzle and impress.
After an encore, Hopkins appeared from behind the decks. He takes his time to humbly salute the elated audience before finally bowing out. Punchdrunk from the spectacle, the dazed onlookers slowly begin to spill out onto the moonlit streets of Kentish Town.
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The Mad Cucumber, comfortably nestled within The Triangle in Bournemouth’s town centre, is the town’s first and only 100% vegan bistro. Offering a selection of both hot and cold dishes, an amazingly tempting selection of deserts, re-energising smoothies, and soothing exotic leaf teas, there is something for all. Since opening in 2013 The Mad Cucumber has developed a loyal dietconscious customer base and has grown into more than merely a place to satisfy herbivorous stomachs. The venue now hosts a monthly open mic night and art exhibition, ‘The Platform’, open to all, which features some of the locality’s best up and coming musicians, spoken word and artists.
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It’s also great to be able to inform you that The Mad Cucumber is student friendly. They have kindly offered all AUB students a 10% discount on any bill, any time, any day of the week (apart from Wednesdays when they’re closed). Even better, if you visit between 3pm and 6pm your discount will be increased to 15%, just remember to take your AUB or NUS card. 7 The Triangle, Bournemouth Open 6 days a week (closed Wednesdays) www.madcucumber.com facebook.com/mad.cucumber
Cucumber
The Mad
A New
Sound.
KING TV
THEO VERNEY
For the past couple of years, it has been incredibly in trend to sound like a college rock band from 1994. A lot of groups have tried to reproduce those care-free days with little charm and a tiny ounce of sophistication, but South London 4-piece King TV are about to change this. With a sound that resembles something like Pavement living out their classic rock fantasies, King TV create the sort of lo-fi noise that is fun, hard-hitting and generally quite impressive. The group released their latest EP ‘Set 2’ as a pay what you want collection on Bandcamp earlier this year, and have already found themselves gracing the pages of the NME. It’s a very impressive start considering the members are an average age of 18. Tracks such as ‘Stand Yourself’ showcase their knack for writing quirky guitar pop, whilst the title-track ‘Set 2’ shows that the band are also able to create a big racket reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr. These
Rock music has been searching for a saviour for a good while now. This is why it’s vital that someone like Theo Verney is writing music. Having released two massive EPs in the last year, with his last, ‘Heavy Sunn’, being released by Hate Hate Hate, Verney creates a sound that is part Black Sabbath and part Jefferson Airplane. There’s a very classic song writing charm about his music, and you could almost imagine Verney being a hidden gem from 1972. The incredible hard ‘Heavy Sunn’ showcases Verney’s knack of writing killer guitar riffs, whilst new track ‘Sound Machine’ creates a vibe that would have fitted perfectly into the sound track from Almost Famous. There are plans for a debut album at some point this year; however, no information has been given on when this will actually see the light of day. The good news is that new tracks are trickling out slowly, and tours are booked.
guys have a great future in front of them, so definitely keep an eye out.
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FLAMINGODS
HUSBAND MATERIAL
Flamingods are an incredibly unique band. Many of the members originate from different parts of the world, reaching as far as Bahrain. Forming in London in early 2012, this collective of musicians create their music through the process of jamming on whatever they have around them and adding a unique blend of exotic instrumentation. They’re almost like a multi-national Animal Collective, with the material based around interesting grooves and psychedelic progressions. Having released their debut album ‘Sun’ last year with Art Is Hard Records, the group have only been able to tour a couple of times since the release, but have built a massive reputation for their interesting live performances across the UK. A show at 60 Million Postcards is scheduled, and is definitely one you shouldn’t miss out on. You never know; you might find yourself on stage with a bongo jamming along with the 5-piece.
There’s not a lot of information on Husband Material. In fact, the band is only in their infant period, having only been formed less than 3 months ago. However, with the killer tracks in their possession, they could have formed yesterday and still be equally as important. There’s only been a couple of tracks put out in the wide world since their creation, and one of them could easily be the soundtrack to your summer and maybe the best ballad you’ll hear all year. This would be ‘I Almost Died’; a blend of soaring synths and a hook around every corner. It’s understated, but also incredibly beautiful at the same time. There are gigs coming up as well, with their debut show happening on May 8th at 60 Million Postcards. You need to make it down to this event because it could be one of those ‘were you there?’ moments.
Reviews By Michael James Dent
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Acknowledgements
Team
Benjamin Musitano: Editor in Chief / Lead Designer Alexander Johnston: Co Editor / Writing
Artists
Luke Graham Rohan Hande Rachel Sheldrake Hannah Bowles Pearl Fok (Skeleton Illustrations Throughout)
Advertorials
Alexander Johnston: The Mad Cucumber Tom James: The Big Mouth AUB: Boscombe Bike Club
Interviews
Alexander Johnston: Open Space Copenhagen Harriet Campbell-Taylor: The Peoples Kitchen
Writers
Tom sale Pascale Wilson Henry Heffer Herman Kim
Front and Back Cover Luke Graham: Front Cover Nathan Cowdry: Back Cover
www.aubsu.org facebook.com/aubsu www.bumfmagazine.co.uk
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