e2 #274

e2

MarkĂŠta BrabkovĂĄ

urban jungle

Editor: Tori Halman living@ epigram.org.uk

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Deputy: Deputy: Sophia Hadjipateras Izzy Kerr shadjipateras@ ikerr@ epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk

Online: Morwenna Scott livingonline@ epigram.org.uk

Boozy Brits

Frank Sinatra once said that ‘alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but The Bible says love your enemy’ and loving this particular enemy may be the one thing that around 99.9% of all university students seem to agree on. The consumption of alcohol is an age-old tradition at uni after all; it’s an initiation rite, a way to get to know people and, above all, a way to let your hair down after a week of three essay submission deadlines.

However, I am going to make a bold statement here and say I actually like my degree. I genuinely came to university to learn more about it and do something productive. I read newspapers and blogs and books and, the biggest shock here, I attend most of my lectures and seminars. And so I have a problem with people who don’t. Most importantly, I have a problem with people who don’t attend lectures or seminars that they are paying for, just because they are hungover. Why waste £9,000 a year on your university degree if it’s just to get drunk every night and not go to any lectures?

I am not saying that getting drunk is wrong those who know me well will know that I would be the world’s biggest hypocrite if I were in any way

suggesting that. But I am suggesting that university drinking culture is taking many university students’ attention and priorities away from their education and studies and instead towards a hedonistic, and slightly pointless, way of life. It seems to me that people are unaware that it is actually possible to go out and have fun and yet still be able to focus on the important things in life, such as getting your degree.

Why waste £9,000 a year on your university degree if it’s just to get drunk every night?

When some students take their infamous drinking culture to a new level, it is all students, as a whole group, who are given a bad name and aren’t taken seriously in the world. We are supposed to be an influential group in the country, with the ability to make a change and benefit future generations, so why is it that we are becoming increasingly bogged down in who can do the most shots rather than campaigns and education? With five Neknomination deaths and

Though Clifton, Redland and Kingsdown may not reflect this, there are many areas of our wonderful city of Bristol that resemble a mysterious, yet exciting, urban jungle.

This issue, e2 is celebrating all things urban. From funky graffiti through to a special photoshoot amongst the concrete, let e2 guide you through the hidden beauty of the urban environment.

the recent, shocking statistic that a whopping 71% of students at the Univeristy of Bristol are not involved in student politics, I am shocked by a culture that seems to be entirely engulfing our lives.

And so, while I am not here to have a nag or to put a downer on the university way of life, I would advise we all take a moment to consider what we are actually getting out of our time at university. If you are sitting there, pondering this thought, and the best achievement you can think of is your talent to down ten pints in one sitting, then maybe it’s time for a reevaluation. I would like to think that no one at this university, one of the best universities in the country, has become so snobbish that we now take no pride in our education and take it entirely for granted. There are young men and women in all parts of the world who would kill for the opportunities that will present themselves to us with a degree from Bristol and so maybe, no matter how many times you chundered last night or how many toffee vodka shots you did, it’s time to get yourself out of bed, at least for your twelve o’clock lecture… even if you can’t make the nine.

Lucy Stewart

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24.03.2014

Summer Boyfriend Wanted Georgina Turner explores art project that shows the science behind love

Love is central to our culture – films, songs, art and even nights out revolve around it. So when I heard about local artist Noemi Iglesias Barrio’s recent project ‘Summer Boyfriend Wanted’, a project that set out to find love without falling in love, I decided to find out a little more.

Her project began with her handing out 500 flyers, advertising for a ‘Summer Boyfriend’ – someone who would spend time with her doing the activities a boyfriend would do, but specifically for the summer period and no longer. The response she received was amazing – some 478 applicants were whittled down to 10 interviewees out of which one Summer Boyfriend was selected. This boyfriend would take part in a number of activities that mirrored what a new couple would do; in short they would go through the motions of a relationship.

She says, “I suppose that the aim was to fall in love without falling in love… I think I have achieved that.” The project had a start date and an end date, the boyfriend’s duties were clear from the outset and perhaps this ensured neither would actually fall in love in the process. What is interesting was the response Noemi got from this project, a project about which, I must admit, I was initially somewhat sceptical.

When I asked Noemi why she thought the project was so well received she said, “For some reason, people

www.bristol-street-art.co.uk

‘Keep it unreal’ - Luke Egan, Filthy Luker Graffiti The best of Bristol’s graffiti scene

seemed to identify with what I was.” This raises some questions about what we are really looking for when we are searching for love.

Do we want a long-term commitment? Do we want our duties as a boyfriend or girlfriend to be defined and decided on from the outset of a relationship? Perhaps this project evoked such a response because it was in fact exactly what we are all looking for. The problem with a short relationship is that you probably never reach a stage where you can demand something from your partner or have expectations of them.

This was an opportunity for someone to be in a fully functioning relationship, safe in the knowledge that it would end on the 20th September.

Of course this was not a fully functioning relationship, it was an artistic experiment and each week Noemi and her Summer Boyfriend did an activity that any normal couple would do, but in a forced sense. Week 2 was ‘holding hands’, and the two of them spent the day with their hands plastered together. Week 3 was ‘physical contact’ and they used their hands to paint each other. For me this project is interesting because it is a true example of art for art’s sake, more interested in the experience and emotions it evoked than in producing an end product. It is a daring project that leaves food for thought – maybe a boyfriend for 3 months is just what we all need!

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So, spring has sprung (apparently). This season should see the sun shining through the ever-looming rain clouds of Bristol, reminding you that despite the imminent exam term; summer is really not too far away. Now some people - idiots, I call them - instead of booking a city break or jetting off abroad to a tourist hotspot for their summer holiday, will totter off to the countryside. Unbelievable I know but some people even LIVE there. As someone who originally comes from a town, but one that is surrounded by expansive green fields and tiny villages (the original shire, don’t try and convince me otherwise) and has subsequently moved to the beautiful city of Bristol, consider me a voice of authority on the city vs. country living debate. And I absolutely cannot comprehend why someone would enjoy spending any amount of time in the country.

It smells. We all know that. No one enjoys that funky odour seeping into your car whilst driving through the country, let alone getting out and filling your entire lungs with the stuff. It’s unpleasant enough on your journey having to undertake Lewis Hamilton style swerving to avoid the thousands of potholes, or worse farm animals that line the roads waiting to shatter your car to smithereens without having to be gassed by eau de manure. When you eventually arrive at your ‘idyllic’ destination, you will most likely be greeted by… nothing and no-one. If you’re lucky, a sheep might bleat in the distance. Tumbleweed will most likely roll by your feet. The complete lack of civilisation is eerie. Unless, that is, there has been some sort of village scandal, in which case EVERYONE knows everything and will already be whispering over their

garden fence about you. There is also, quite literally, nothing to do. Once you’ve scanned the over-priced shelves of the one convenience store in the vicinity and realised the residents of the village pub will be heavily judging you upon entry if you haven’t lived in the area for a minimum of 5 years, the only activity you have left to do is walk. Which I have noticed that some country bumpkins can’t seem to be able to do without donning the uniform of some pricey Hunter wellies and a Barbour jacket.

manage to endure the ordeal; firstly well done, in my eyes you have Bear Grylls type survival skills. Secondly, say hello to your inevitable morning breath and greasy hair.

I believe city livin’ is just far, far more enjoyable in every way. All the best places in the world are cities: New York, Paris, London. There’s so much to do and see - cities have culture, architecture, nightlife. I wouldn’t rule out completely visiting some greenery, for about an hour maybe, when the

hustle and bustle of urban life gets me down. Or perhaps begrudgingly having to relocate when I’m old and decrepit and need more space for all my cats.

However, if you’re in any doubt of urban superiority, please let’s all remember one thing. There was a very good reason why one of the best programmes of our time (stop judging me) was not in fact called ‘Sex and the Country’.

Laura Burridge

“It smells.

We all know that” I also have major problems with the classic countryside activity of camping. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for the free roaming, going wherever the wind takes you, stopping off and staying at beautiful places aspect of it. Just when I get to those beautiful places, I kinda want a double bed and running water. There is absolutely nothing remotely exciting to me about getting into a cramped canvas shell in close proximity to other people who also haven’t showered, and trying to catch some z’s while constantly worrying about incoming attacks from wildlife and/or mass murderers. Putting the damn things up in the first place requires some sort of engineering degree. Tents also have the incredible ability to go from making you freeze to death in the middle of the night, clutching at every available layer around you to gain any amount of warmth, to you waking up with the morning sun beaming down on you and wondering if this is what being fried alive feels like. If you

Flickr: JohnWestrock

Travel

Living

Room 101: a city girl takes on the country

The Student Notebook It’s a Jungle out there I’m going to get historical for just one moment here so bear with me. A great deal has changed over the past hundred years: there have been tiffs both worldscale and small, things have been discovered and people have come to be more accepted. One thing, however, you cannot dispute is how everything passes in the blink of an eye. Life has become so fast-paced, so much so that if you’re not powering through at lightning speed you get left behind. London, New York, Paris (well not so much, they prefer to go about their espressos tranquilement), everything in our urban jungle can change in an instant.

We love our little Bristol jungle, not quite fast lights big city or the land of country bumpkins. Granted, it’s not as crazy as our capital but you can still get some decent food at 4am – yes, that is how I measure the worth of a city. Now the obvious story to recount here is about testosterone fuelled freshers’ animalistic pursuits, the drunken mistakes (sometimes interchangeable) or for the oldies amongst us, the night-time

adventures in the ASS. But how about if the jungle of the night comes crashing into the folds of the day? We’ve all experienced the horror of this encounter but how about when it’s a double dose…

“All those deep secrets buried in the confines of the boudoir prancing about in daylight” So a few lovely ladies are dining at their favourite joint, talking men, dresses and life – you know, obviously how we do, very Sex and the City – having a dandy time. The joy, or curse of living in Briz is that no matter where you go, even if you’re trying to be ‘edgay’ and find a new place to chill, you will always bump into someone you really don’t want to. At the exact time of recounting a hilarious

story about their freshers’ adventures, in waltzes the walking, talking memory of that fine evening, placing itself exactly two tables down. Oh, great all those deep secrets buried in the night and confines of the boudoir prancing about in the daylight. But it’s all jokes, so it’s okay.

The food arrives, colourful, scrumptious deliciousness, and we’re all ready to dig in and brush it off. About half way through however, in walks another one of these little memories one wishes to bury. What are the chances, in this fine city we have here that these reminders parade into the exact restaurant simultaneously? Stick to nighttime existence I tell you! Have they no decorum?

Maybe this is the ‘concrete land where dreams are made of’, slim pickins if so, or perhaps just a place to do the dirty work until the real city-scraper Nirvana comes along. For now, this jungle is all we’ve got so make the best of it as you will.

Stephanie Rihon

George Robb

24.03.2014

BEARDS

I went to an industrial techno night the other night because that’s the kind of guy I am. There was aggressive strobe lighting, synchronised fist pumping and, more importantly, a load of beards.

Where did the sudden facialfollicle mania come from? They’re everywhere I look. I can’t get away from them. There’s even that pizza place on St. Michael’s Hill called “Beerd” with a beard as its logo.

And they’re not even the beards of laziness which form when you can’t be bothered to shave. These are fullon, highly groomed, and perfectly primped displays of puberty. These beards are masterpieces sculpted by hairy angels.

I’m not passing judgement – I don’t think I’m allowed to after a recent article on America vs. Bristol, which by the way was grossly misunderstood. I do not believe that I am a fashion guru of unmatched beauty, I was putting on a persona to highlight a sincere point on authenticity. Bloody bastards… But I’m not bitter.

Not at all. It’s not as if I had to go on a spa break with my mum to lick my wounds or anything.

I am interested, however, in where the desire to grow a beard comes from, and why they often go hand-in-hand with cable-knit jumpers, turtlenecks, or cable-knit

Morwenna Scott discovers Bristol’s new restaurant offer app:

turtlenecks.

One beardman I spoke to on Whiteladies Rd. tried to dismiss me and my questions by dismissing his beard. He said there wasn’t much thought behind it, and that he definitely wasn’t trying to emulate Freud, Socrates, Thor or any other of the bearded greats. Liar!

There is no way in hell that such effort can be put into such elaborate face-fur without there being some sort of inspiration. It may not be Thor, but the beard certainly isn’t grown trivially.

I couldn’t really argue with him – there’s something very knowing and wise about a bearded gentleman. A beard endows the wearer with a “don’t confront me intellectually or I will leave you flat on your intellectual back” aura. I am certain, however, that he was concealing something from me.

The most depressing thing about it all is that I will never be able to join the club. I’ve got a pretty mean set of chest-hairs and my head-hair is to die for, but sadly that just doesn’t cut it anymore in the techno scene.

Whilst all the beardsters strut around enticing the techno-ladies, I’ll be at the back, all on my own, trying and failing to squeeze out a little bit of hair from my soft, supple cheeks.

Top of the Polls

The Living team asked an ecclectic mix of Bristol’s finest students on what they thought of what our city has to offer:

Calling all hungry students! Wriggle, developed by one of our very own Bristol graduates, is bringing you the best on-the-day offers from some of the many thriving independent bars and restaurants in Bristol. Wriggle’s app will be available in early April, but until then it’s operating through a trust-based email system where they send out a few emails a week offering on-the-day deals at great local places to anyone who signs up to receive them at www.getawriggleon.com.

Based down at the Engine-Shed, and created by Bristol University graduate Rob Hall, Wriggle really is at the heart of the city.

Rob originally studied English before moving into Law, in which he found success working for a large firm in Brazil.

Despite Brazil’s significantly better climate, Rob eventually decided to move back to Bristol as he considered it the ideal place to try out his idea for an app. By Rob’s admittance, bringing his concept to life wasn’t always a particularly easy process, but he was able to put his Law skills to good use when it came to drawing up contracts and presenting his idea and, eventually, Wriggle was born. It’s safe to say that I am definitely a fan and I have no doubt that it will be a great success.

As I’m sure everyone is aware, Bristol is a fascinating city, known for its individuality, and filled with many excellent independent businesses. The problem for many of us though – at least those of us studying frighteningly brief three year courses – is that we don’t make the most of our time here to truly get to know the city we live in.

Using Wriggle is a fantastic (and efficient) way to try out some of Brizzle’s best eateries at

a fraction of the price and on a very timefocused basis. These “on the day” offers are not only great in providing last-minute dining inspiration, but they also give us the chance to check out places that we may not even have known existed. We get to find a new favourite restaurant, whilst boosting the profitability of Bristol’s independent businesses and so supporting our city’s unique personality.

Not only does Wriggle notify us of the best offers around, but its fool-proof payment method means that it is quick and easy to book your table. When the app is ready, you’ll pay in advance over the app before claiming your offer in the venue– but until the app is available and whilst the system is email based, the lovely people at Wriggle are basing their system on trust. On agreeing to an offer, they will provide you with a code to present on arrival, you’ll then have an oh so delicious meal, and settle up with Wriggle afterwards. No need to run to the cash point! Even handier, they’ll also provide you with a map and a timer, so you know exactly where you’re going and how long you have left to redeem your offer. Eating out couldn’t possibly get easier.

Immerse yourself in Bristol’s foodie culture, try a huge variety of delicious food and drink, and help to support local businesses. Who could fault that?

Bunker 14% Lounge 20%

Lakota 37%

Best Club?

Blue Mountain

29%

Syndicate 33%

Worst Club?

Po Na Na 38% Pryzm 19% Reflex 10%

Primrose Café 20%

Boston Tea Party 34%

Deco Lounge 16%

QED 30%

Best Café?

Editor: Deputy: Online Olivia Lace-Evans Andrea Valentino Emilia Morano-Williams travel@ deputytravel@ travelonline@ epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk

@e2Travel

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Paint the town red: Street art in Buenos Aires

This time last year I left my comfortable life in a small and conservative southern German city for the unpredictability and chaos of the urban jungle of Buenos Aires.

Disorganised, scatty, clumsy in parts, the city’s charisma, warmth and energy is remarkable.

Everywhere I wandered in my new city was different. The streets were an obstacle course.

Walking through the centre there are loose paving stones to be tripped over, dog-shit to be stepped in, unmanned road works to fall into and slow paced Argentinians to bump into, all the while getting wolf whistles from construction workers who never seemed to do any work.

It was this wandering, sometimes with a purpose and sometimes aimlessly, that alerted me to the art work on the walls. I am the first to condemn graffiti, but what I witnessed in this city was an incredibly impressive art form. Not only is it the detail or size of some of these pieces that captivated me, but that the more

I saw and the more I talked to people about it, the more I learnt about Argentina’s turbulent history. The development of the street art of Buenos Aires not only has its own story, but has the ability to retell Argentina’s recent history.

The brutal impact of Argentina’s military dictatorship, which ended in 1983, is still evident in the country today. Any form of expression was completely forbidden and anyone who did not toe the party line risked death. No one knows the exact number of those murdered by the regime; the fate of thousands is unknown as they were simply declared as los desaparecidos (the disappeared). The walls have become a memorial to those who lost their lives because they dared express their views.

The street art that characterises the walls of Argentine cities today is a result of the economic crash of 2001 that saw the collapse of five governments in two weeks. The future of Argentina looked bleak, the banks crashed and fortunes were lost overnight. By 2002, 53% of the population were living under the poverty line. Various artists and designers of Buenos Aires wanted to cover up the grim reality of the situation by painting

over the presidential campaign posters with strange, random and colourful images. They wanted to reclaim the streets.

In contrast to the UK, the artists of Buenos Aires have the capacity to transform areas of the city through the ability to simply ask the permission of the owner of a building if they can paint. Planning permission laws do not stand in their way so there is no need to work in the night nor anonymously.

Audiences gather to watch the street artists at work.

Political messages are a common theme of the urban art scene. The walls are often used for political expression. One resident of the Palermo neighbourhood is such a strong supporter of Cristina Kirchne, that he commissioned the artist ‘Silva’ to cover the walls of his house with quotations from his hero.

Her late husband and ex-President, Nestor Kirchner, is also commemorated on the walls of the city. The image of the ‘Nestornauta’ is not just homage to his efforts to bring the country out of the 2001 economic crisis, but also the recognition of his work in bringing the criminals of the junta to justice. One of

those sentenced was Jorge Rafael Videla (President 1976-1981) who died in May 2013 while I was in Buenos Aires. The street artists responded immediately to his death, such as one image of the ex-President’s face with a play on his own words about those who disappeared under his dictatorship, ‘Videla does not have an identity; he is neither living nor dead’. The artist wanted to show that his death, just like his life, does not deserve recognition.

The city’s walls are constantly changing as the artists adapt to the political and cultural changes around them. It is this versatility that makes it so unique and fascinating and testament to the creativity of the artists. The walls tell the story of the spirit of the people in a city where art and activism go hand in hand.

The unique character of this urban art scene is its respect and appreciation in society. Street art is accessible and the walls become an open air gallery for everyone. Street art is not just a part of this urban jungle, but it develops with it.

I know that if I returned today, the walls would be unrecognisable.

Katie Moss

Raising the roof: The growth of the roof garden When you think of rooftop gardens, you might think of Hobbiton or the Teletubbies house. In fact, the trend for urban green spaces has become increasingly fashionable and major cities, notably Shanghai, have embraced the trend. For those who want the hustle and bustle of a city, but also enjoy having a private green space of their own, a rooftop garden is the ideal solution.

The benefits are seemingly endless: rooftop gardens help to insulate buildings, purify the air, cut down on noise and reduce dust and general pollution through their constant production of oxygen. All of this is fantastic news for the environment, but city-dwellers benefit too – especially during the summer. Perhaps one of the most valuable upsides for a city like Shanghai, where temperatures reached 40.8 degrees Celsius

during the height of last summer, is the way in which a rooftop garden can cool a building down. Studies show that rooms within a greentopped building are, on average, 23 degrees Celsius lower than their concrete counterparts.

Returning to the rather more superficial, many of these garden creations are also absolutely stunning. Some personal favourites include the Acros Fukuoka Building in Japan, a regular office block from one side, but a sloping park from the other; Chicago City Hall’s picturesque wilderness of a roof; and the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, which is a 5storey facility with beautiful, curving green roofs. Unfortunately, I have yet to visit any of these spectacular sites, but I have visited the Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Sri Lanka.

This was the piece of architecture that first sparked my interest with designs that merge landscape and building. The civil war meant that tourists were few and far between, which made the natural setting even more powerful. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel peers out from a sprawling green canopy. It is not just surrounded by the Sri Lankan landscape, but part of it.

Watching monkeys climb around on my balcony as I lay in bed, with the sun setting, is an image that will forever stay with me. While you might not find monkeys atop a Shanghai building, I think the idea of nature and city merging is just as magical, and a wonderful antidote for the stresses of modern life.

Camilla Gash

24.03.2014

Manaus, Brazil Taking a walk on the wild side...of Bristol The real Urban Jungle

Flickr: paulchapmanphotos

Ever since I started drinking, the twilight hours after wandering back from the pub have followed a particular routine: a shakily-poured cup of tea, too many chocolate biscuits, and the velvety tones of a documentary presenter. For a while, David Attenborough has been my post-booze companion of choice. Already in something of a stupor, Attenborough’s gentle musings on the mating techniques of the Amazonian squirrel monkey complete my journey into a happy world free from dissertation deadlines and postgraduate employment. In this spirit, and because this edition of e2 emphasises the exotic nature of our urban areas, here are a few of the mating techniques I’ve encountered over my three years in Bristol (not personally, it goes without saying).

The Highbury Vaults Visitors to these parts prefer vocalising their affection. Long, droning calls are intended to demonstrate mental agility to a potential suitor. These calls tend to change depending on the crowd: wailing chants about Kant’s metaphysics can easily be swapped for similar mantras on 11th century choral music or David Foster Wallace. These hymns do not have to be accurate; they just have to be passionate.

Potential partners apparently become weak at the knees at a misquoted line of Milton. Woolly jumpers are the preferred attire of many, but more research should be conducted in this respect: battered leather jackets are apparently popular too.

Flickr: krelusus

Lakota The hipster is very much a creature of the night, but colourful markings are vitally important: attracting a mate is often down to the vividness of your neon face paint. This is often accentuated by the bizarre markings scribbled over potential mates; locals will regularly bring along tattered t-shirts especially for this purpose.

‘Feeling’ the accompanying music, no matter how incoherently, is also a crucial part of the mating process. Once paired, the couple will engage in a long and complicated sequence of movements designed to demonstrate their mutual adoration: swaying and flapping is highly recommended.

Lizard Lounge Many will have unfortunately experienced this most vulgar ritual. Like the cat that marks its territory by scraping against neighbourhood lampposts, the male tends to approach the female – often surreptitiously from behind – and gyrate against her.

Understandably, the female is often upset; she is obviously not a lamppost. Things regularly get even more heated near the establishment’s waterholes. Single males hang around looking to impress females with their largesse. A double vodka and coke has apparently become a standard in generosity for some. Tender caresses are often carried on in the bathrooms, the proximity and intimacy of such locations probably carrying some allure.

Given the choice, perhaps for now I’ll just stay at home with the Amazonian squirrel monkey. At least then I won’t risk being mistaken for a cat.

Andrea Valentino

Amazonas, Brazil. It may be largest of the 26 states in the country, yet it is home to only 1.8% of the Brazilian population. Perhaps this is unsurprising when you consider that much of the area is covered by tropical rainforest; estimates say it could be as much as 98%. Riverboats or planes are generally the only transport options as roads are limited, and those that do exist can be closed for months at a time during the rainy season.

In short, when imagining this region, riverside villages spring to mind, tribal communities deep in the forest, maybe even the odd larger town to supply others. It is almost unbelievable that nestled in amongst the almost 1.5 million square kilometres of forest, almost 5 days by boat from the mouth of the Amazon river, hides the 7th largest city in Brazil.

Welcome to Manaus: population 1.7 million. It’s the ultimate urban jungle.

In the late 19th Century, the rubber boom brought great prosperity to Manaus, and with the arrival of the European entrepreneurs ready to make their fortune, came displays of extravagant European culture and even electricity (before many European cities had it!)

The Teatro Amazonas Opera House is still standing today and is home to an annual opera festival, and the main square is reminiscent of Covent Garden gone Brazilian style – or at least that’s what my friend and I decided on our third night of drinking cocktails in the late-night heat.

Nowadays, Manaus is much like any other major city. Vast shopping malls abound, full of multiplex cinemas, fast food restaurants and Havaiana shops. It’s very easy to forget that just a few miles outside of the city there is a forest that stretches miles and miles in a seemingly endless sprawl. After a few days on a riverboat seeing nothing but water,

arrival into a busy, commercial port at a point where the river seems as wide as an ocean is really quite bizarre. Only the smell of coxinhas (delicious deep fried dough balls stuffed with chicken) and cupuaçu juice remind you that you have not left Brazil entirely and entered another world.

This summer Manaus will be seen on the global stage as one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA world cup. I doubt the England players have ever played in a stadium in the middle of the jungle before. It will be interesting to see how they cope, given that the city has an average June temperature of over 31 degrees and an average humidity level of 83% (if you don’t know what that means, it basically equals you sweating…. a lot). Preparations were already well underway when I visited a year ago, with the international airport being almost completely re-done, and a new stadium, Arena Amazonas, being built from scratch.

It’s a lot of effort to go to for just the four matches due to be held in Manaus. Clearly Brazilians want to show that there is much more to their country than just Rio, São Paulo, and one very, very long river.

Polly Johnson

Editor: Deputy: Online Olivia Lace-Evans Andrea Valentino Emilia Morano-Williams travel@ deputytravel@ travelonline@ epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk epigram.org.uk

@e2Travel

Oh Maya, have a look at that!

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Living

Brazil’s world cup In this week’s ‘A Final Thought...’ column, Anna Rowley considers the problems faced by Brazil as it gears up to host football’s blue-ribbon tournament.

El Dorado – the lost Mayan city of gold.

As far as we know, it’s nothing more than a myth, but is there truth behind this fable? Large cities built long ago have since become hidden by the forests which surround them, creating secret – but nevertheless real – urban jungles.

However, more and more remnants of past civilisations are now increasingly being stumbled upon due to deforestation and new technologies such as aerial mapping, which have helped to uncover these long-forgotten settlements.

Only last June, an ancient Mayan city was discovered by archaeologists working in the rainforests of the Yucatan region in eastern Mexico. Signs of a once-illustrious city were found, including numerous pyramids, plazas and ancient sculptures. It’s estimated that during its zenith around 600 to 900 A.D, this

forgotten city could have been home to almost 40,000 people, but is now only home to the flora and fauna which have invaded the ruins.

So what happened to these abandoned places and those who inhabited them?

Historians have struggled to provide concrete answers, but

it has been suggested that many were abandoned as a result of war, demographic pressure and the nomadic nature of many societies.

Cities like this have spawned some of the most striking

re Wish you we

travel destinations that the world has to offer, providing a mix of anthropogenic influences of the civilisations that built them and the natural world which has since taken over. There’s something eerily beautiful about these fragments of times gone by, and their pull is felt by tourists and locals alike. For example, lost cities in Colombia provide spiritual places for the local tribes who believe them to have been inhabited by their ancestors, much like the abandoned Guatemalan monuments rising up through the forest canopy that are admired by all who visit.

These stunning urban wildernesses have even provided inspiration for Hollywood blockbusters such as Tomb Raider. Similarly, Hashima Island in Japan provided the inspiration for Raoul Silva’s evil lair in Skyfall after the thriving mining town was left to die, leaving only the unnerving silence of a

Brazil has won the World Cup five times - more than any other country – and in the process has produced some of the best players of all time: Pele, Ronaldo and Socrates to name but a few.

When it was awarded the 2014 FIFA World Cup back in 2007, its economy was booming and its citizens were, generally, in favour of hosting it. Today, however, its economy has stalled and popular support for the tournament has slumped with it. The main criticism is the fact that the Brazilian government has continued to spend vast sums of money on the event whilst 21.4% of its citizens ghost town. continue to live in poverty.

Nevertheless, not all And while the government had previously promised its citizens these real urban jungles that the funding for the event – necessary in order to meet ‘FIFA have yet been completely standards’ – would come from the private sector, the majority reclaimed by the of it has in fact come from the public sector. This has resulted in natural world. Indeed, money that should have been spent dealing with the country’s many jungles still have problems, is instead being spent on football, sparking numerous inhabitants, for example protests. To add to this frustration Brazil is also hosting the 2016 in the Amazon, Papua Olympics, requiring even more investment. So is it really right New Guinea, and many for the Brazilian government to be spending such large sums of parts of Africa, where vast money on these events when so many of its own citizens live in numbers of tribal people such poverty?

reside in villages built and maintained without the help of modern technology, much like the cities mentioned above. However, as to whether these villages are headed the same way as the lost cities, only time will tell.

It’s impossible to guess as to whether the real El Dorado is waiting out there to be discovered as yet another of these fascinating forgotten cities. Nonetheless, one thing we know for sure is that these cities have left behind some amazing places to see, and provide clues that could help to unravel the mysteries of the past surrounding these This is not the only controversy to be linked to the World Cup. real urban jungles.

The country has also come under fire for the numerous delays in

Flickr: euqirneto

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A FINAL THOUGHT ON...

Ciara Murphy

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the construction and upgrading of its stadiums: three are yet to be completed, including the one hosting the opener in Sao Paulo three months from now. This has led some to question if safety will be compromised as a result of these hastily assembled stadiums.

Just a few weeks back a crane fell onto one of the stadium’s roofs killing two workers. But it’s not only the threat of the stadium’s safety that could be a risk; tourists are also being warned of the threat of being the targets of armed gangs. The diseases present in some tropical areas where the games are being held are also a danger. This has caused some critics to say that the English fans will be risking their lives in supporting our squad, though this may be a little melodramatic.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are certainly some benefits in hosting the World Cup and it has brought to light problems that we westerners might have previously ignored, notably the issue of Brazilian child prostitution. The fact that the twelve different stadiums are dotted around the country has forced the government to spend some of its budget on developing the country’s infrastructure in order for fans to reach them, which will undoubtedly help to make the country more efficient and could increase economic demand from overseas. And, for the first time, access to sport in Brazil has been permitted for ordinary citizens.

But more importantly, I feel that if everything runs to plan, hosting this event will be a catalyst for building a more positive image of Brazil – just look at London 2012. So, although there may seem to be few short-term gains, this event should certainly have longerterm effects. Whatever happens, I’m sure that the Brazilians, with their obsession for football, will embrace the World Cup when it finally comes around.

Editor: Maddy Streets style@ epigram.org.uk

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Interview: Thomas Cridland

Style editor Maddy Streets sits down with Thomas Cridland to find out how the Bristol graduate has moved into fashion Only last year you were a student at Bristol, now you run your own company. How did you first get the idea?

I graduated last July from the University of Bristol, where I read French and Portuguese. The same month I had the idea and I immediately began working on it. There is no online men’s clothing brand devoted solely to making trousers. I knew that by making Tom Cridland an online business, I’d be able to offer designer quality trousers at better value than more high profile brands.

as possible, without rushing the process at all.

Designer wear is usually associated with luxury and expense. Do you still think there’s a market for your trousers with a more strapped-for-cash audience, say students?

Of course! For the price of a couple of pairs of trousers that are made in China out of poor quality material, you can have a pair of Italian cotton trousers with a contemporary slimming cut. Our trousers will last years and years, so the investment will save you money in the long run.

Did you always know you’d be running your own business? How did you go about starting up?

I’ve always had a bit of an entrepreneurial streak.

When I was in my final year of school during the flu pandemic of 2009, a friend and I started selling t-shirts with the slogan “Swine 09” emblazoned on the front.

We ended up raising well over £2,000 for Médecins Sans Frontières within a week.

In order to raise the necessary funds for Tom Cridland, I applied to the Fredericks Foundation - one of the new start-up schemes for young people supported by the government. I had to present my business plan and financial forecasts to a panel of judges, which was a daunting process, but luckily they agreed to give me the funding.

Unlike most other clothing brands, you’ve chosen to only specialise in chinos. Why is this?

I like the idea of doing one thing but doing it very well. With fashion it is often those who specialise that end up making the finest products: Brora do the best jumpers, Corgi do the best socks, the best leather shoes come from the old Northampton shoemakers.

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Deputy: Deanne Ball deputystyle@ epigram.org.uk

We wanted to do the same thing with chinos. A lot of trousers of a similar cut to ours are made out of crappy material and

Who would you say has inspired you the most during this process?

In fashion terms, the West Hollywood sunglasses house, L.A. Eyeworks, really inspired our branding and vision. US e-commerce brands that cut out third party retailers also come to mind: Greats Brand, Warby Parker, Harry’s. The soundtrack to our work has been inspirational too: John Grant, Hanni El Khatib, Zac Brown Band and, of course, Elton John! won’t last. Those of a similar type of luxury cotton often either have a terrible cut or are very overpriced.

We aim to offer value. We never wholesale to third party retailers, but sell direct to the customer. We therefore offer a higher quality pair of trousers at a lower price.

Tell us about the design process.

We design our trousers in Cambridge, a process that takes months. Cotton fabrics are then sourced from the town of Biella in Northern Italy, the type of material that is suitable for wear all year round. Our trousers are then put together, one by one, by our seamstresses in the foothills of the spectacular Serra da Estrela mountains in Portugal.

Do you have any advice for aspiring designers or entrepreneurs?

If you’re new to the fashion industry, like I am, I’d recommend that you keep it simple and take it slow. I try to put as much care into the design of our trousers

Anything else we should know? It seems like you’re off to a great start!

We’re currently running our pre-order offer. The first 250 people to order a pair of our trousers will receive a complimentary invitation to our launch party on September 20th. This will be a black tie evening of dinner and dancing, with members of the business, entertainment and fashion industries in attendance.

We launched a couple of weeks ago and there were only a few places left at last check, so we’re very happy with how things have been going so far!

Tropical Eyeshadow Looks Whenever I get a new eyeshadow palette there are always certain colours included which have fallen by the wayside in my routine. Bright blues, vivid greens and vibrant purples always seemed too daring for a neutral eye lover like me - and I’m sure I’m not the only one guilty of this!

Although these jewel tones can look beautiful on an exotic flower or the feathers of a tropical bird, working them into my daily make-up routine is a much bigger challenge. However, spring is the perfect time to get brave and be inspired by these jungle hues in order to create some more eye-catching eyeshadow looks.

When it comes to wearing bright eyeshadows, there’s one golden rule for newcomers: pick one colour and stick to it. Clashing may work in your wardrobe but can be more challenging to pull off in your makeup! Instead pair your bold colour with a neutral shade; this will automatically tone everything down and make it more Bethany Laverack wearable.

LOOK 1 This first look is the easiest to pull off day to day. I’ve used a light blue shade for a subtle pop of colour.

Start by wetting your liner brush in order to intensify the shade before taking the shadow along the upper lashline. Finish it off by adding a very small amount of black eyeliner to the upper eyelid, then a couple of strokes of mascara.

LOOK 2

Begin by taking a neutral shade and sweeping it all over your eyelid right into the crease. Then take a purple eyeshadow and begin to blend it with a fluffy brush into your crease and slightly along your upper lashline – in an almost “C” shape. This look offers the opportunity to really smoke everything up for a more dramatic evening eye.

LOOK 3 Definitely the boldest of the bunch. I used a sea green but blue shades would look super sultry.

Pack your chosen shade onto a brush and sweep the colour all over your lid building up the intensity as you go.

Avoid going into the crease. You can leave it at this or sweep the shade onto the outer corners of your lower lashline for a more dramatic eye.

The People’s Republic

‘Coca- Cola’ Top, £26 from Dutty. Quilted Jacket, £13 from Loot. Leather Skirt and Fishnet Tights, stylist’s own. Boots, model’s own.

Police Jacket, £35 from Loot. ‘Bristol’ Tee, £24 from Dutty.

Navy Two-Way Zip Windbreaker, £275 and Denim Jeans, £130 both available at Hoko. Grey Rework Sweatshirt, £24 from Loot. Necklace, model’s own.

Leopard Print Jacket, £36 from Loot.

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Quilted Jacket, £13 from Loot. ‘Too Much’ T-Shirt, £30 from Donuts. Jeans and shoes, model’s own.

‘Dutty’ Sweatshirt, £35, White and Leopard Polo Crop Top (worn underneath), £18, and Tiger Print Skirt, £16 all from Dutty. White Trainers, model’s own.

Editor: Maddy Streets style@ epigram.org.uk

Deputy: Deanne Ball deputystyle@ epigram.org.uk

Online Amelia Impey onlinestyle@ epigram.org.uk

24.03.2014

White and Navy T-Shirt, £40 from Donuts. ‘Ringside’ Authentic Boxing Shorts, £28 from Loot.

‘Tuff’ T-Shirt, £25 and Grey Bomber Jacket, £80 both available at Donuts. Black Jeans, model’s own.

Photographer: India Castle-Gibb Creative Director/ Stylist: Deanne Ball Make-up Artist: Tracey Lear (tracey-ann.com) Models: Polly Chappell and Jake Weston With extra special thanks to...

Loot 6-9 Haymarket Walk, Bearpit Island, Bristol BS1 3LN. GimmeTheLoot.co.uk Instagram: @LootVintageWarehouse Dutty 116 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5RW ShopDutty.com @ShopDutty Donuts 8 Perry Road, Bristol BS1 5BQ DonutsTheStore.co.uk @DonutsTheStore Hoko 24 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS HokoShop.co @HokoShop

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32

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The best pick of this fortnight’s theatre, film, music and more.

Theatre & Comedy

Abigail’s Party Bristol Spotlights warmly invites you to Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s iconic ‘70s comedy. Taking place in the hostess Beverly’s wonderfully tacky home, she is determined to make the evening a successs - but the harder she tries. the more her plans unravel. It’s sad, funny, and very, very awkward.

24th - 26th March 40 Alfred Place 8pm

Flickr: Xanda

Dirty Dancing The classic love story between Baby and Johnny is brought to the stage in this explosive performance full of smash hit songs, passionate romance and sensational dancing.

Until 6th April The Hippodrome 7.30pm

The Magic Flute Bristol Operatic Society proudly presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute, an enchanting tale of love and friendship which follows the story of brave Prince Tamino’s quest for his true love, Pamina. This stunning production uses elegant paper puppets and striking use of colour to accompany Mozart’s mesmerizing score.

26th - 29th March The Station 7pm

Film

Image: Spotlights

The Past Oscar winning director Asghar Farhadi’s latest offering is a complex drama about the consequences of lies and the pitiless grip the past has upon us all. Marie is attempting to finalise a divorce with her long-estranged husband, but as the plot slowly unravels, the macabre truth about her relationship is laid bare.

23rd March - 3rd April The Watershed

Gigs& Nightlife Denai Moore Catching ears as a singer songwriter is harder than ever but Denai has a unique quality to her folky, enchanting music which is a real treat.

Thursday 27th March The Birdcage

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Editor: Josie Benge whatson@ epigram.org.uk

20 Feet from Stardom This fascinating documentary takes a look at the moving personal stories of the back-up singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of all time. It also includes interviews with Mick Jagger, Bruce Springstein, Stevie Wonder and Sting, as they theorise as to why such unquestionably talented singers weren’t able make the final leap to fame and fortune.

From Friday 28th March Showcase Cinema de Lux Flickr: Steve M Walker

Molitov Jukebox There is really only one way to listen to folk ska, and that is from the front of the crowd, arms flailing wildly along to the trumpet solo. This band tour country towns all over the uk so they know how to raise a roof.

Wild Beasts One of the most refreshing and original indie bands of the past few years, these hard working northerners are a delightful and worthwhile shock to the system.

Sunday 30th March O2 Academy

3 of the best...

Breakfasts in Bristol Whether you’re nursing a hangover or just feel like treating yourself to some great breakfast grub, here are 3 of the best places in town for coffe, bacon or a pancake or two.

Translation / Transmission: Sweet Sugar Rage As part of Women’s History Month, the Watershed are celebrating the diverse ways women activists have communicated their struggle and resistance through film over the ages. Sweet Sugar Rage looks at the harsh conditions faced by women on a Jamaican sugar estate, and will be followed by a discussion.

Tuesday 25th March The Watershed

Saturday, 5th April Thekla

Flickr: djenvert

Rocotillos This 1950s American-style diner is usually packed every Sunday morning – and with good reason. The menu offers pancakes to die for, incredible ‘shakes in anything from Oreo cookie to peanut butter and banana flavour, as well as hearty full English breakfasts with all the trimmings.

The Love Inn This Stokes Croft gem is renowned for its tasty bagels and pancakes as well as its more adventurous options – like French toast with caramelized cinnamon bananas and maple syrup.

And all at very reasonable prices, too.

Havana Coffee Conveniently located on Cotham Hill, Havana Coffee serves no less than 15 types of English breakfast (including vegetarian options), has funky South American style décor and free tea or coffee with food on a weekday. What’s not to like?

Queen’s Road, Clifton

Cheltenham Road, Stokes Croft

Cotham Hill, Clifton