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Issue 3
January 2016 |
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Contents
Welcome to The Insiter Monthly! January, the month where stress eats students alive, is upon us. Now don’t fret, Insite is here for you with our third issue of The Insiter Monthly this year, making sure you give yourself a break from all the hard work and dedication you’re putting into those dreadful exams. If you spent hours on end waiting for the bus, with the risk of arriving late to your exam, then you will most likely love to read all about Matthew Charles Żammit’s experience with the current public transport system. Or maybe you love photography and you want to get to know more about Steven Vella’s work through Irina Kvashali’s interview with him. How about a little help with finding the ideal book to read after all the studying is over? Here at Insite we leave that in the hands of Sophie Claire and her wonderful reviews.
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Yes, you can now flip to the next page. I promise you, you’re going to love it!
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Nicole Borg Publications Officer
Contents 3 “Non Ce La Faccio Più”
5 One’s Perception of a Photograph is all that matters, there is no Right or Wrong
8 The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender Executive Committee
Writers and Photographers
Matthew Charles Zammit Claudio Agius Kristina Saliba Rebecca Elizabeth Kemp
Matthew Charles Zammit Irina Kvashali Sophie-Claire Coudoux
Administrative Team
Federico Barbaro-Sant Siobhan Vassallo Nicole Borg Elisa Calleja Cyrielle Delmas
Deborah Faye Mercieca Jessica Arena Johann Agius Matthew Debattista Dionne Taryn Gatt Melissa McElhatton Sara Ezabe 2
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Media Team
Cover Photo © Lucas Schepers 2015
Magazine Design Elisa Calleja
Transport
“Non C’e La Faccio Più” Matthew Charles Zammit During examination period, my 22 year old car finally began to really show its age: Its brakes were shot, its electronics were flickering like Christmas lights and its drinking habits were comparable only to a drunk Russian’s infatuation with vodka on New Year’s Eve. All in all, it was less reliable than China’s diplomatic relationships with North Korea, so as a safer bet, I decided to use the bus. I was fully aware of the inefficiencies with regards to what my significant other calls “The Pleb Transport” but at least, it reduced the risk of me being involved in an accident and possibly missing out on exams. The Wheels On The Bus… Arrive Too Late I only used the bus six times in total, and admittedly, it was far from enough to give me a wholesome review of the current system. Nevertheless, it was enough to give me a nervous breakdown, and make me swear a solemn pledge never to use the bus again while I’m alive and able to drive. The reasons were pretty straight-forward: I never managed to make it home in less than two hours after I finished my exams, and on average, it took me an hour and a half longer than if I had driven home. The tip of the iceberg came during the very last bus ride. Initially, there were only three people in total waiting for the next bus to Valletta and I assumed that within five, ten minutes tops, I’d be on my way to Valletta and catch the only bus which drives me remotely
close to my home. Three quarters of an hour later, I was still on the bus stop, admittedly at the very end of my tether, when a horde of Italians were heard approaching from behind the corner. Apart from their excellent cuisine and pristine flair for designing cars, the Italians are also famous for being the least subtle population in the planet, as I was gently reminded when I was blown away by their creative cussing and general lack of care for who may be listening, Maltese or otherwise. When the bus finally came, the sweet, sweet sound of Italian profanity only grew, and after a couple of minutes, seeing I had nothing better to do, I struck conversation with a member from this group. Said student, who I digress I never asked his name, complained about the absolute inefficiency of the current transport system, and although he admitted that his use was only sporadic, it was still enough for him to dread the moment. The simple fact that he compared Sicily’s mode of public transportation as “cento volte meglio di questa m*rda” really hit me in the gut faster than a speeding bullet. “Non C’E La Faccio Piu”, he concluded his quasi-blissful rant, before we went our separate ways, and I went on the second-leg of my already piss-long journey. Re-Education (Through Inefficiency) The situation described above is unfortunately nothing new: One look at social media will see endless amounts of
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Transport
ex-KSU Presidents to easily determine what needs to be done.
The situation described above is unfortunately nothing new
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public transport users going absolutely bonkers, explaining in painstaking detail their experience about how horrible the system is. Plenty of arguments have been made about whether the current system is catering the needs of its users (which it’s not), and how the system actually worsened under this Administration (since I haven’t heard stories of three-hour traffic jams in Paola like during the Arriva days, I’d disagree, but merely remark that we haven’t seen any improvements whatsoever) The recent changes proposed by Transport Malta have admittedly not made the situation any better, as evidenced by my colleague Johann Agius’s online petition in reverting said changes. What’s worse, it doesn’t take international studies and the employment of foreign delegates and/or
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As the situation stands, the current Administration expects the younger generation to be as greenfriendly as possible, while gifting us a disastrous public transport system as an alternative. You cannot lament the rising of the number of registered cars year after year, and highlighting the ever-increasing rise of emissions in our hometowns without showing us a feasible alternative, and a failure to do so properly will have drastic consequences in the future. Changes For the End-User, Not By Them The Joe Mizzi’s and James Piscopo’s of today, who are nothing but the new Pied Pipers after replacing the Austin Gatt and Manuel Delia tandem of failure before them, are doomed to repeat the same mistakes of their predecessors, because they failed to look closely at what the main clientele (older people and young students) would like. They are attempting to please everyone simultaneously, even imaginary clients who will not in a million years revert back to using public transport unless they’re under pain of death, while forgetting who uses the buses most, and catering to them. From my point of view, ladies and gentlemen, as I stand looking over my unreliable excuse for a motoring vehicle parked in front of my car, my first thoughts are not whether or not I should get the bus to go around next week. They’re not even my second or third place thoughts. Such selfish thoughts such as my own are the type of cultural mindset that our local authorities must attack in order to ascertain a better future for public transport, even if the current results are a far outcry of what needs to be done.
Interview
One’s perception of a photograph is all that matters, there is no right or wrong Irina Kvashali Contemporary young photographer and director Steven Vella, opens up in an interview about his experience during his journey in photography.
must experience, and since photography is a subjective form of art, ‘what matters is the interpretation of the photo, even if [that interpretation] is wrong’.
The 22-year-old artist, held the camera for the first time at the age of 3. Without having any clear understanding of how the equipment functioned, and what it did, Steven took photographs and videotaped everything that was happening around him. Later on in life, he focused his attentional spotlight on fashion magazines - and that was the moment when he realised he was ‘born to capture people’.
For the young photographer, adding a local element to his work is a necessity. One of the rules of portrait photography is not to have harsh sunlight on the face, but Steven likes it, specifically because it brings out the Maltese islands’ warmth. Furthermore, despite his emphasis on entirely reflective portraits, his preference for outdoor photography perfectly suits his style, as it enriches his photographs.
Currently, Steven’s photographing style is directed at fashion, but fashion with a unique twist – ‘I hate catwalks’, he insists, ‘but I love shooting backstage’. The contemporary photographer explains, that offstage is a perfect place to capture models’ reactions before and after their performance. Moreover, Steven defines photography as a “story”, which consists of emotions that the viewers
Steven adds that he turns his ideas into tangible photography by teaming up with fashion stylists and make-up artists, and collaborating successfully with each other. ‘I believe that the team must always be the same’, he adds, as with time, the colleagues get to know each other’s style, and together manage to demonstrate the intended outcome. Steven mentions that someday he wishes to January 2016 |
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Interview come into contact with his fashion admirers, and ‘experience more of what the fashion photography has to offer’. The artist mentions two extreme situations that he has come face-to-face with while working in the industry. Once a model was placed very high up, and she suddenly slipped while posing due to the length of her dress. As a result, while catching the girl, Steven broke his €500 lens. Another situation involved very cold weather conditions, when on Mount Etna, the model suffered from a panic attack. Despite the aforementioned “hiccups” along Steven’s journey in photography, he has experienced a plethora of positive and unforgettable happenings, particularly discovering that his work was published by PINK Magazine and Vogue Italia, and broadcasted on Fashion TV. He eagerly states ‘this is when you feel that you start to get there’. Other moments success were when people started to recognise his work and said, ‘I knew it was yours’. Steven explains that the difference between a professional photographer, and the one who shoots someone through the impassive click of a button, is the fact that professionalism comes from experience. ‘It is useless to buy an expensive camera and not experimenting with its possibilities’. Moreover, Steven makes a distinction between a good and a professional photographer. The former manages to create a feeling even with one or a few shots, whereas the latter develops 6
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the skill and publishes produced work throughout many years. Correspondingly, the young photographer, speaks of what sparks his own ideas, adamantly expressing his obsession for the 50s, which has inspired, among other things, his experimentation with incorporating
Interview photography is ‘finding a photographic style’. He illustrates that as individuals progress, they develop this style further, until it becomes what they feel is their “signature”, distinguishing their work from that of others. To find which direction suits the person is a matter of experimenting until the individual finds out what works for him best. This involves, most importantly, curiosity and interest, seeking out new perspectives, visiting exhibitions, speaking to different people, and being playful with imagination. He concludes, ‘never be put off by failures because failure gives you the courage to be brave with your ideas’.
glitter in his work. ‘Those years can spark incredible ideas’, he adds. However, that is not to say that Steven does not draw inspiration from his surroundings, ‘it is impressive how almost anything can inspire the individual’. To clarify, he provides an example of his favourite photographer’s work called the “Towel Series” by Mario Testino, where a simple piece of cloth can become an element of inspiration. Finally, a great advice that Steven offers to someone who is starting out in January 2016 |
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Arts
Cover book design by Matt Roeser The book cover is a piece of art. It is just breathtaking. Who is Leslie Walton? Leslie Walton was born in the Pacific Northwest. She has an MA in writing and (now) lives in Seattle, Washington where she teaches language arts for middle school students. She is currently writing her second novel. Walton’s debut novel in 2012 led her to win several nominations for the CBC s Teen Choice book of the year, GoodReads Best books of 2014, Yalsa Ya debut Award Finalist in 2014 and Best of fiction for young Adults list last year. Her novel was praised by numerous booksellers who regard it as the best book of 2014. Publisher/Price The strange and beautiful sorrow of 8 | January 2016 Ava Lavender. Published by Candlewick, location.
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava LavendeR Sophie-Claire Coudoux Ava is born with a slight abnormality. She decides to go back through her family tree and unravel their singularity. It all starts in France with the Roux family, the modest family that goes to find prosperity and happiness in America. The Rouxs have three children, Emilienne, René Margaux and the bird, Pierette. America soon turns out to be the land of disillusion; the path of the Roux’s is filled with pain from passionate love and hardships. The tragic fate of the Roux’s follows Emilienne, the great grandmother of Ava, throughout her life. All the ones that she ever loved left her with a permanent sorrow and their ghostly presence. Emilienne has always been peculiar. She was born
Arts
blessed or cursed – depending how you look at it – with the ability to predict things by observing her surroundings. Her only daughter, Viviane Lavender is not any less fortunate; she in turn experiences as much sorrow as her mother. She, also shares with her a particular disposition. She later gives birth to twins, Ava and Henry. Ava looks like a normal girl except that she has the wings of birds while Henry is willingly mute. Ava, who is considered as an Angel, triggers the obsession of a new neighbour. Then, one night, a terrible thing happens.
the narrative to have a panoramic view of their world and that brings about a rich background to the story. It is so beautifully written that it makes the book fast paced. For those who share an interest in French culture and the love for the fantastic genre, this novel is a must.
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender does not only follow principally the story of Ava, but the story of Emilienne and Viviane too. Due to this, the title is kind of misleading. The reader is drawn into the extraordinary and fantastic universe of these characters and is allowed to visit their moments of happiness and sorrow. We live vicariously through their lives. Emilienne’s character is not static, as she ages, she gains maturity. Some aspects of her personality fade away while other traits develop. Like Emilienne, Viviane’s character changes during the narrative. It is a book with a “multitude of interconnected stories”. Leslie Walton has succeeded in putting together an exceptional book. The originality is astonishing. I adore the French references used to implement the setting and environment in which the protagonists develop. I was subjected to their charms and dynamic. What makes them interesting is the fact that they undergo major changes. Readers accompany them in their experience of love and pain and so they empathize with them. The narrative is captivating; it makes each major event vivid and that arouses emotion. Walton’s writing is poetically lyrical, realistic and descriptive. We are provided with a clear picture of the mystical environment with all it’s subtle, fantastic elements. The story line focuses on perception and on how each character views the world as well as the other characters. I like the idea of the family tree - it allows
Publisher/Price The strange and beautiful sorrow of Ava Lavender. Published by Candlewick, location. 320 pages
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