Unfold by Juliet Sawyer

UNFOLD

Edâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter

Contents Back to basics

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Get to grips with pinhole photography

Things Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned within a year 19 ......

For anyone listening...

Why dreams scare me

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(Some) answers about the mystery of dreaming

Behind the scenes A good olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; playlist

Listen up ladies Come on film industry, sort your sh*t out

5 reasons why everyone wants Louis Theroux to be their best friend 26 ........

Enough said

Books vs. film

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Book worm or film buff?

The kids are alright

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Are millennials as bad as the oldies reckon?

The road to recovery

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32 36

Calais meets art

Great minds think alike

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a twin thing...

Survival guide: Amsterdam

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The Venice of the north

Meet Your Makers Welcome to the contributor’s page.. A few Qs.... Last holiday destination?

Amsterdam - it was wicked!

Favourite pizza topping?

Pineapple: it’s the way forward for pizzas, however controversial that may sound.

Journalism student Lauren Sawyer gave us the real deal as life as a twin, on page 38

What celebrity would you invite to a dinner party?

Emma Stone because she makes everything hilarious.

A few Qs.... Favourite icecream flavour?

Ben and Jerry’s caramel chew chew, which I am able to eat an entire pint of with no problem at all, and could probably eat another one after that.

Would you rather hands for feet, or feet for hands? Hands for feet so I can climb around like a monkey.

the chance, what would you say to Keen photography student Given Jasmine Shaw lays down Donald Trump? the law on pinhole photography, on page 10 I saw you once outside Trump Tower in NYC... I wish I had a gun.

Wait, does she mean Juliet Sawyer, editor in chief? That would be correct

A few Qs.... Favourite cocktail?

My favourite cocktail is sex on the beach, however I once shared a sexy crocodile with Juliet - that was a good day.

Cats or dogs?

Out of cats and dogs, I’d rather have a dog. I’ve got it all planned out - a bulldog called Darcy after Mr Darcy. However I have two pet cats at the moment... let’s hope they don’t read this....

Fellow photography student, Georgia Harman Last movie you watched? Lego Batman. I went with my younger sister and joins on page 10 I am not ashamed to say I enjoyed it! A few Qs.... What is your desert island album? Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

What would be your first buy if you won the lottery? I would buy materialistic things like heart-shaped egg fryers

Journalism student, Georgia Williams, shares her her Louis Theroux fixation on page 26

Summer or winter?

Summer because I get a naughty tan.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

Back to Basics Photography students Jasmine Shaw and Georgia Harman spill the ins and out of pinhole photography 10

Words Juliet Sawyer Photos Jasmine Shaw and Georgia Harman

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

Partners in Crime... “I feel most myself and relaxed when out shooting”

“I like photography because it gives me a chance to be creative in a more visual way”

et’s be honest: pinhole cameras aren’t known for taking shockingly detailed pictures. But sometimes that’s not what we’re looking for. Sometimes, we’re after a bit of character. Sure, the exposure might not be spot on, or the photo might be a bit on the blurred side, but this can really separate an image from its clean, so called ‘perfect’ competitors. Georgia Harman and Jasmine Shaw, both 19, are photography students in Exeter. Joint at the hip, these two can often be spotted out on shoots, or developing photos in the Exeter College’s darkroom. “I feel most myself and relaxed when out shooting,” says Georgia.

The pair have built up a diverse

Left: Georgia Harman Right: Jasmine Shaw portfolio, ranging from landscape to portrait, from medium format to polaroid. Jasmine explains, “I like photography because it gives me a chance to be creative in a more visual way, without having to draw or paint, which I don’t feel I’m good at and don’t enjoy as much.” Today, Jasmine and Georgia show Unfold one of their latest projects, where they made a pinhole camera out of a beer can. The process seems very straight forward, as Jasmine explains they simply, “cut the top off, made a lid out of black cardboard and gaffer tape, put a pin in the can and gaffer tape over it as the shutter.” Pinhole cameras don’t use a lens, just a miniscule hole (hence the name pinhole). Light travels through the

aperture and projects an image onto film, or another light sensitive material, inside the camera. That’s pretty much it. “I love experimental photography because it’s another step I can take, on top of taking photographs, where I can add my own personal touch. And that’s what pinhole photography is to me,” says Georgia. “I also love how it’s so organic – no Photoshop, you literally point and shoot.” Admittedly, photographic paper or camera film generally isn’t cheap, and a darkroom isn’t always accessible, to develop your photos. But assembling the camera itself is an inexpensive process, and once you’ve made one it will last forever. “Pinhole cameras give you a cheap way to take photos,”

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

The Weapon of Choice 13

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

says Jasmine. “It’s very raw, gives you plenty of room to experiment, and lets you have a go at using a darkroom in a traditional way.” When it comes to using a pinhole camera, there are some crucial need-to-knows. For example, a tiny aperture is only going to let in a small amount of light, meaning you’re going to have a long shutter speed, especially in dark places. Pinhole photography, especially in your first attempts, is a bit of a case of ‘trial and error’. Embrace the fact that your first few images are unlikely to be perfectly exposed. Practise will lead to adjustments, and eventually an appropriate shutter speed. “It’s not hard, however is quite time consuming, so make sure you have ages to practise and experiment,” says Georgia. Jasmine nods in agreement, adding, “do a couple of test photos so you get a good exposure time.” Jasmine recommends photographing landscapes. “It’s harder to capture a portrait because of movement.” If you want a crisp image, Georgia advises resting your pinhole camera on something, as even the smallest movement of your hand can affect an image relying on such a long shutter speed. When taking portraits, bear in mind that your subject will have to stay very still, or you’re going to get some blurred, but potentially interesting photos. When taking a photograph with a wide angle lens, you may be familiar with barrel distortion. This causes straight lines to appear slightly curved, due to the domed shape of lenses. A fisheye lens demonstrates barrel distortion in a more extreme case. But what about pinhole cameras? Of course, no lens means no barrel distortion. Straight lines galore. This is particularly useful when photographing architecture and other straight structures. We can see this in examples of Georgia and Jasmine’s work, such as the buildings around Exeter’s cathedral green. It seems that nowadays phone cameras and DSLRs may constantly be improving – reaching higher levels of definition – but you can’t beat that vintage look you get from a good old fashioned pinhole camera. And you have to admit, even if you attempts are disastrous, making your own piece of kit seems pretty fun.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

How to Make a Pinhole Camera: Pinhole cameras are so easy to make – even we managed it – but if you do need a little guidance, here’s some simple instructions we knocked up for you! 16

Unfold - Issue 1 - Photograhpy

You will need: A box/tin

Black duct tape Black card Scissors Ruler Photographic paper Pin/needle

We found a shoebox lying around that did the trick 35mm film can also be used, but this is much harder to build, as you will need a spool inside the camera to turn the film reel, ready for the next picture)

Aluminium Elastic band Pen

1 2 3

Use the ruler to find the centre of the box’s lid. Here, you need to cut a 1cm x 1cm square. Cut out a 2cm x 2cm aluminium square. Place this on the inside of the box’s lid, so that it covers the hole you previously cut. Secure the aluminium with some black duct tape around the edges. Using your pin, pierce a small hole in the centre of the aluminium. This hole acts as the camera’s aperture. Cut a 5cm x 5cm square out of the black card. Stick the card over the camera’s aperture, securing it with just one piece of duct tape. This is the camera’s shutter, and should be able to flap open and closed. It will cover the hole, stopping any light passing through, until you are ready to take your photo.

(A metal drinks can works best, but aluminium foil will also do the job)

4 5

This step must be done in a dark room, or one with a red light, which the photographic paper won’t react to. Using the ruler, draw a cross on the wall of the box that is opposite the hole. This will allow you to find the centre, where you will secure some photographic paper in place with some tape. Don’t stick it down too hard though, as you’ll want to remove it later when developing your photos. Secure the lid onto the box with the elastic band. This will also hold the shutter down. When you’re ready to take your photo, just remove the elastic band and lift the flap. Remember to keep the box still while the shutter is open – you could place it on a table or other flat surface for your first photo – and start with a shutter speed of about 10 seconds. Tadaaaah! Have fun.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life

Things I've learnt within a year... Words Juliet Sawyer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Self-care is not a time waster. If you have an essay to write, but instead spend an hour in the bath, you are not being unproductive. Taking time to relieve stress and look after your brain is just as important. Face masks and scented candles are not a waste of money if they make you feel better.

There are too many songs, TV shows and films out there to watch them all. Just enjoy what you can.

Drink lots of water, especially if you have oily skin.

A good friendship doesn’t have to be acknowledged every day. The people you can go ages without talking to, but know will always be there in a heartbeat if you needed them, may well be some of the most important people in your life.

Never underestimate the power of a good cuppa.

Wanting to be alone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re antisocial.

Learning to drive might be terrifying, but it’s a great confidence booster.

Don’t compare yourself to others. Comparing yourself to friends turns moments when you should be happy for them into jealousy. Comparing yourself to your siblings just sparks rivalry. Comparing yourself to those with success makes you view yourself as a failure. Have inspirations, not opponents. Everyone is on their own timeline – worry about yours.

Clean bedrooms are nicer than messy ones. Just tidy it.

That thing you’re really insecure about: they probably haven’t even noticed it.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Ideas

Thinking Out Loud 20

Unfold - Issue 1 - Ideas Words Juliet Sawyer

Why dreams scare me And I’m not just talking about the nightmares...

t’s been a long day, and a good kip is well needed. Nothing better than 8 hours of flat out unconsciousness to calm you down, and recharge the batteries, right? Well, maybe that’s the thing, because I beg to differ. We spend about 6 years’ worth of our lives dreaming, on average. It’s something that we all do, and yet I find the idea of dreaming incredibly weird – frightening, in some ways. The concept of dreaming doesn’t make me feel calm. It freaks me out. I think it’s the lack of control that bothers me. You see, this is what I don’t like: how do I manage to make myself jump in dreams? How do I scare myself? It is my own brain conjuring up these bizarre night-time terrors, and yet I can take myself by surprise. Why do our heads think up such weird – and disturbing, in some cases – dreams, only to wake up thinking, ‘What a relief, it was only a dream.’ But then again, we don’t always remember our dreams. By the time we eat our breakfast, or get to work, the dream has slipped away, and you’re just left with a feeling. You know you had an utterly absurd dream last night, but haven’t a clue anymore what it was about. It’s estimated that we forget 95% of our dreams within the first 10 minutes of waking up. So why is this? The lack of knowledge and understanding about something happening in my very own head makes me feel slightly uneasy. It’s hard to study dreams because you can’t look into somebody’s head. Dreaming is an abstract thing – a private thing. But we do know some things. We know that there are different stages during sleep. We know that the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage is when you dream. This is the deepest stage of sleep, and you can tell when it’s happening because people’s eyes seem to move around beneath their eyelids (hence the name). During REM sleep,

the production of norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine in our bodies are completely blocked. This stops our muscles moving, which is why you can run, dance, and skip in a dream, without moving in reality. Of course, sometimes this doesn’t go to plan, and we get sleepwalkers. It is also possible to wake up while these chemicals are still being blocked, which causes sleep paralysis. This, in my opinion, is one of the scariest aspects of dreaming. It is where the lines between reality and dreams merge, and while your body is awake, your brain is still asleep. It is essentially hallucinating while you’re unable to move. The opposite of this of course is lucid dreaming. While sleep paralysis causes a lack of control, lucid dreaming puts you back behind the steering wheel. You are not only aware of when something is a dream, but able to decide what happens. So, is this what I’m looking for? Is it the control that lucid dreaming offers that I want? Perhaps so, but part of me still holds back from this idea. Dreaming is about letting go, isn’t it? It’s about winding down from commitments and escaping the world for a bit. And after all, I’ve been told that lucid dreaming is very hard to achieve, so I can’t help but wonder why bother? If I’m absolutely knackered after a long day, I’ll be out like a light before even considering to attempt lucid dreaming. The other unresolved question: what do our dreams mean? My gut instinct is simply nothing. The level of randomness in some of my dreams tells me that they cannot possibly relate the anything logically. There is, however, one thing that confuses me, which is common dreams. For example, I have dreamt various times about my teeth falling out, and it turns out many others have too. My sister, mum, friends and colleagues have all shared this dream. In fact, it is supposedly one of the most common dreams out there. So,

Unfold - Issue 1 - Ideas why do I find this so strange? Well, dreams are limitless. Your brain can conjure up any scenario, no matter how bizarre. So why, when there are so many possibilities, are so many of us having the same dreams? Maybe it’s because we dream so often, so stories are likely to be similar to others, every now and then. Or Maybe it links to the meaning behind our dreams. Sigmund Freud, the unconventional psychoanalyst, believed dreams to be highly symbolic. When we wake up, the parts we remember are symbols for our subconscious wishes, urges, and desires. Freud saw dreams as a method of dealing with our emotions while we sleep. Others think that dreams prepare us for threats. Is this why we experience so much anxiety and awful circumstances while we’re asleep? Supposedly, dreams prepare us for bad situations by giving us practise with similarly bad situations. So, in other words, dreams ironically set us up for the real world. Otherwise, dreams are just seen as a pointless side effect of us ‘charging our batteries’. Perhaps there is a purpose for it, or else why would we do it in the first place? But maybe not knowing is OK. Maybe knowing exactly what goes on in somebody’s head is just as unsettling as knowing nothing at all. There is one aspect of dreaming which will always mess with my head, however, and that is the normality of dreams as they happen. Let me put it this way: during a dream, I could be flying on a magic carpet, with Obama and Scooby Doo, and not think anything of it. It isn’t until you wake up that you realise how weird the whole thing was. Within the dream, I never consider reflecting on the situation and saying, “This is actually kinda… odd…” You have no awareness of the abnormalities of a dream while it is your reality – you settle for the fact that things are normal because, well, why wouldn’t they be? And so, of course, this is the part where I overthink things, because does this that mean that, theoretically, you could be dreaming right now? Can this be proven? Disproven? Unless you are lucid dreaming, you have no awareness of the fact you’re dreaming, while in a dream, correct? You won’t have any idea of how weird everything is until the moment you wake up. So how would you tell if you’re in one now?

Unfold - Issue 1 - Music

Soundtrack of Issue 1.... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Toploader - Dancing in the moonlight Billie Eilish - Bored Foo Fighters - Learn to fly Nothing But Thieves - Six billion Oh Wonder - Technicolour beat Lord Huron - The night we met Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent adolescent Jet - Are you gonna be my girl The Neighbourhood - Daddy issues

Unfold - Issue 1 - Film

Listen Up

Ladies

There’s something not quite right... Words Juliet Sawyer

Have you ever noticed that almost every female character on the TV screen has something in common? The skinny, young, pretty, white stereotype is being regurgitated so often that I’m getting more than a little tired. Is it really too much to ask for a more accurate representation of a gender that makes up half of the human population, and yet we’re all apparently the same? We’re not factory made, cloned copies of each other, stamped with the same barcode and sent off to star in the next franchise.

We’ve all seen the female character presented as the damsel in distress, with the horror genre being the worst culprit. They’re the ones that stand screaming, waiting for their knight in shining armour to save them. Once the drama’s over, they just stand around looking pretty. The only way a woman can be considered brave is by applying masculine traits, essentially leading to the tomboy, GI Jane look. It’s one extremity to another,

with no layered, believable characters in between. God forbid a woman can wear lipstick and kick ass. But the thing that bothers me the most is how the most important thing is their appearance. Does an unconventional actress automatically result in a worse performance? Of course not. How crazy of me to prioritise somebody’s acting skills, before worrying about what they look like. This madness is causing just a proportion of women to be seen on big screens. Every romance movie

seems to star some attractive, prefect couple, despite pretty much all of us having relationships, whether you’re young, old, hot or not. Hollywood tells us that nobody is going after you – nobody will try to save you – unless you’re a size zero supermodel. I want people to describe female characters the same way they talk about male ones. Harry Potter is brave, loyal and motivated. James Bond is charismatic, mysterious and sophisticated. If a woman is lucky, she is considered ‘strong’. What does that even mean? This overused compliment has become patronising. Would you ever describe Harry Potter as strong? Probably not, and that’s not because he’s weak, but more because he’s considered strong by default. It doesn’t need to be said, or perhaps it’s just not enough – they deserve to be more complex and elaborate than this, while female characters

Unfold - Issue 1 - Film aspire for somebody to say, “Wow, what a strong, independent woman.” Thankfully, people are slowly beginning to realise this. A wave of films and TV shows are hitting the screens, each armed with a diverse cast. The problem of course, is that accurate representations are generally found in smaller scale, indie films, rather than in the big blockbusters. Perhaps, one day, the big films will catch on too. Perhaps they won’t. But I do know that the more recognition smaller projects get, the bigger the chances of change are. This is where award ceremonies in particular have a key role. For example, Orange is the New Black is a very well known show, and awards such as ‘best ensemble cast’ have only helped to point out the norm in such a varied cast. Despite the cast being predominantly female, it has much more diversity than most things out there, with characters differing in age, race, religion, body type, sexuality and personality. And never once did I stop and think: this show would be so much better with a few overused, clichéd characters thrown into the mix. Uzo Aduba, who plays the show’s Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren, has won two Emmy awards for her performance. She’s rather far from Hollywood’s stereotype, but that’s irrelevant. She’s good at what she does. She’s powering an interesting character which isn’t generally seen on TV, and this allows people of her race, gender or even behaviour to see an appreciated coverage of themselves. She deserves every bit of credit she’s received, but I wish the day would come where having a more realistic cast isn’t considered new or ‘edgy’ – it’s just considered normal. Dare I say that, yes, actresses like Uzo Aduba are incredible inspirations for people of colour, but wouldn’t it be nice if this wasn’t necessary? Can a black person ever star in a movie without people pointing out the fact that they are such? In a perfect world, perhaps colours would be considered equal, and therefore somebody’s race wouldn’t need to their defining characteristic – their performance would be. I hope things haven’t got to the point of no return, where this matter is simply shrugged off because this is ‘just the way it is’. However, I’m being optimistic and believe most people would vote against society brainwashing them into believing their generally pathetic representation of women. Repetition is dull and I for one stand for individuality, whether that be on TV or in reality.

Unfold - Issue 1 - TV

5 reasons why everyone wants Louis Theroux to be their best friend Words Georgia Williams King of documentaries Louis Theroux is just an all-rounder. From hanging out with porn stars to sitting down for a brew with the KKK, he’s done it all, with a hint of endearing awkwardness For starters, he was born in Singapore which is pretty exotic in itself. But he christened English soil at the age of one and has been making us look good ever since. Theroux was destined to be a god-like Adonis of journalism, as his genetics are brimming with writing capability. His dad is an American travel writer and novelist. His older brother, Marcel, is a writer and television presenter, while his cousin, Justin, is an actor and screenwriter. So basically, he is a super-Theroux, combining all their abilities, whilst being the family’s favourite child. Any way enough of the boring stuff, here’s proof (as if you really need it) of why Louis Theroux is just bloody brilliant. 26

Unfold - Issue 1 - TV

HE’S A TWITTER GENUIS It seems that this serious journalist has a fun side too. Can Louis be my dad too?

He can cut some shapes Despite his private school education, Oxford must have a great nightlife, because a video has emerged on social media, showing him throwing some seriously dangerous moves. Honestly, it is a spectacle. Such technique has been executed to create such an abstract routine. You have my permission to stop reading and watch the video now, (That’s only if you come back of course).

Here’s a prime example of Theroux’s brilliance, with this clear improvement on one of Trump’s rally signs.

He’s brilliantly awkward Another bit of top banter here from the literature legend, full marks for the strong hashtag game too.

If you’ve ever sat down to watch one of Louis Theroux’s documentaries (if you haven’t then please just get out), you’ll know that he is the epitome of awkwardness. But it’s great. There’s no robotic ‘I must be professional’, he’s himself and its marvellous.

Unfold - Issue 1 - TV

He’s so cool he has his own merch If you have your own merch then you’re a pretty big deal. Now Theroux has his own – he is up there with the likes of Justin Bieber and Hannah Montana. Here’s a look of what is available...

Homagetees.com

Etsy

This sweatshirt is nothing but pure chic, it’s vibrant images draw the attention of fellow Theroux fanatics.

This practical iron-on patch allows you to have your very own pocketsized Louis wherever you may need him.

Etsy What could be more romantic than Louis Theroux’s face? Only a pure Casanova would send this their lover.

Unfold - Issue 1 - TV

He’s just so damn relatable We’ve all been there, when you’re not too keen on your best friend’s new partner.

When a sibling steals the food your food from the fridge.

When you’re not in the mood for other people’s joy.

When you don’t know how to act around children. I think I’ve pretty much given everybody plenty of reason to go and binge-watch every single Theroux documentary. You’re welcome.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Film

Books vs Film Are films lazy reading? Words Juliet Sawyer “My hobbies? I like to read,” they say. You think that’s good – they sound intelligent. “In my spare time I watch a lot of TV,” they add. Oh. You don’t get out much then. There is a common opinion amongst people that watching a film is the ‘lazy alternative’ to reading a book. But why exactly is this? Why is reading the more sophisticated and respectable option? Why are you considered an intellectual for spending the afternoon reading, but a slob for watching TV for the same amount of time? Avid readers are stereotypically found within higher-classed families, whereas just about anyone has a TV in their home and, regardless of how big of a film fan somebody is, all of us watch movies. So, basically, a classier audience portray reading in a better light than watching a film. That said, however, I can admit that some of the biggest film buffs I know are the most pretentious people I’ve ever met. I personally read just as much as I watch film and TV. And I can admit that I find it a lot easier to concentrate on a film, compared to the likelihood of being distracted every five minutes, while reading. Is this to say that more skill and focus is required to read? Is reading therefore more impressive than watching a film? Perhaps so, but there are definitely other factors to consider before coming to this conclusion. For example, one reason why I get distracted easier while reading than watching a film, is because there are more distractions. Whether you are at the cinema or just sat on the sofa watching Eastenders with your family, the screen is almost definitely going to be the most dominating thing in the room. It will be the loudest sound and everyone will be watching it.

On the other hand, reading is much more independent. Other people will be chatting and eating and laughing – maybe even watching TV – as you read, meaning there will inevitably be more distractions. So really, it just comes down to the fact that reading is an independent thing, but watching a film doesn’t have to be. Perhaps the problem – the reason why reading is considered a more skilled pastime – is due to imagination. When we read books, we are given the guidelines to create endless interpretations to a story. So, does this mean that films are simply the spoonfed option? Do films do all the work for us, and limit our imagination? We’ve all been in the situation where you wet yourself with excitement, because you realise the book you bloody love is being made into a film. But this simply backfires, when you leave the cinema disappointed, thinking, “That’s not quite how I would have pictured him,” or, “why did they cut out the best bit?” However, whether the film stayed true to the book or not, it’s always pretty satisfying seeing a story on the big screen. Cinematography displays film as an art form, in a way that books aren’t. Yes, you can picture any book scenario in your head, but it can be much more thrilling seeing the photography, CGI and other aspects bring it to life. Ultimately, they both require creativity. Reading wants you to create yourself, whereas film allows you to look inside somebody else’s head. Perhaps we haven’t come to much, in terms of a conclusion, but we’ll have to settle with the fact that neither needs to be worse than the other. They’re just different outlets of creativity.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life

The Kids Are

Alright

We’re the kids our parents warned us about... aren’t we? Words Juliet Sawyer

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life We’ve all been in this situation: some old fogey sits in their rocking chair, rambling on about ‘the ol’ days’ and you can’t help but feel the distaste they have for today’s youth. Apparently we’re reckless, we’re all alcoholics, and the best times are long gone. The next generation are a bunch of party animals with no hope and no future. But maybe not… Perhaps this stereotypical teen we all have in mind is pretty inaccurate. It seems that, actually, we’ve all calmed down a bit. Binge drinking is falling. Smoking is falling. Even crime is falling. In 2007, 111,000 children aged between 10 and 17 were convicted, or given a police caution for a first offence in England and Wales. By last year, this had fell to only 28,000. So are we better at getting away at things, or have the youth suddenly decided to grow up? “People are still young, but they’re recognising there are boundaries,” says one youth worker in Hackney. Perhaps we still know how to have fun, but overstepping the line is more of a concern these days. Meet any student in the UK and chances are they have partied. They have drunk alcohol. They have smoked. But not so many would also admit to getting arrested, or hospitalised. Yes, it does happen, but it seems not so much. It’s not just the UK though: this is a global trend. Binge drinking in most European countries has fallen significantly, according to The European Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). In Germany, for example, 13% of teens hadn’t ever tried alcohol in 2002. By 2012, this figure had risen by 30%. And illegal drugs have fallen by half since 2000. In America, binge drinking has fallen by a third since the late 1990s. Does this mean teens are more sensible? But if this is the case, is that necessarily a good thing? Maybe we are wasting the best days of our lives – growing up too fast. And perhaps it’s also worth asking why. Why is this happening? It’s hard to say, but maybe our parents have something to do with it. Maybe grumpy Granddad’s grumbles did have an effect on us after all. We’ve grown up in schools where “don’t do drugs, kids” was heard in every assembly. Parents want what’s best for their children. They don’t want our lives to revolve

>> 33

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life around drugs and alcohol. They want better of us, and maybe we know it. “There’s a huge pressure to be a good parent,” says Frances Gardner, an academic at the University of Oxford, studying parenting. Does this mean parenting is at its best? Or does this just prove the inevitable truth that we all turn into our parents - and rather soon at this rate. Countries like the UK have aging populations. We live in a country full of plenty of older people, and a lot less young. Not only this, but more and more young people are still living with their parents. Housing is just too expensive. Are we living in a world where money troubles and worrisome parents are churning out a generation ahead of their age? It seems adult problems are being inherited too early on. But maybe this is for the best. Perhaps we are simply dealing with present problems in the best way, even if the youth are the sacrifice. It’s nice to know that the teens of today seem to have their heads screwed on. We’ve got common sense when it comes to reckless behaviour, right? We’re more sensible than the rest of them, right? Maybe so, but the odd drink never hurt anyone.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Art

The Road to RECOVERY

Eva Fahle-Clouts shares her experience creating art with refugees in Calais. Words Juliet Sawyer

t seems that everything is labelled these days. We’re all boxed up and barcoded with the things that make us different. Black. White. Foreign. Religious. Male. Female. The thing is, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – identity is good. But it’s about time we all remembered that everyone is similar, in just as many ways as we are different. When we put languages and country boarders aside, we’re all human after all, right? And Eva FahleClouts had a great way of reminding us all of this: through art. Originally from Germany, Eva is an artist evidently driven by people. She mentions her past projects, such as an art piece revolving around the Berlin wall, as well as photographing litter problems along the coast of Lyme Regis. “I use photographs, but I’m not calling myself a photographer,” she says. “I’m more interested in documenting certain situations, rather than being interested in the technicalities of things.” Last year, Eva teamed up with Gail Sagman, an artist also living in Lyme Regis, who had a project known as the ‘suitcase of discontent’. “She asks artists to create something which fits in a

suitcase you can take in an aeroplane,” Eva explains. Gail displayed this project in a show in Prague almost 2 years ago, but together the pair decided to do it again. This time, however, the circumstances were much different, and the project was based in a refugee camp in Calais. The pair headed to Calais last autumn, armed with cotton sheets the size of a suitcase, powder paint and henna. “We found this empty hut which we just converted into the first gallery in the camp - our gallery - and for 10 days we worked there with the refugees, and just asked them to come in and do whatever they wanted to do with these materials. And our idea was to give them a bit of time out so that they can actually, instead of thinking all about their situations, just concentrate on this creative process, and just enjoy life during that time.” Most of the refugees, who contributed in the project, had no drawing or painting experience. And yet Eva’s exhibition displays canvas upon canvas, exploding with colour and individuality. “Sometimes it was difficult with the language, but they picked up what others did, and Gail

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introduced the process of how they could do it. We basically explained the technique, but what they did was totally up to them. What you see is all their choice.” Most participants were from Afghanistan. Eva explained how many of them were sent off by their family to escape the Taliban. “Some of their relatives might have been killed or might have been forced to fight with the Taliban. These families wanted at least one member of the family to survive, so they sent them off on this journey to Europe.” However, these people were very fond of their routes. “You can see a lot of their own country in their work, like the mountains and plants, but also things like ‘I love London’.” One piece of art had written in hopeful letters ‘There’s a big wish in my heart, that I’d take one cup of tea in London.’ If anything, their artwork highlighted how hopeful these refugees were, despite their situation. Eva tells us of two boys, from Afghanistan, with enough motivation to walk all the way to Calais, which took them two years. “It took them that long,” she stresses. “And they did all the journey by foot. And they were still very, very positive, and still hoping, and I think they probably still hope to be able to come [to the UK].” Despite their wishes, tighter

and tighter immigration regulations are making it more challenging for refugees to come to the UK. Eva and Gail visited Calais just before the UK stopped taking in unaccompanied minors. And of course, many of us are sadly glad about this. The negative portrayal of refugees, which we often see in the media, can paint a painfully bad picture for them. Eva discusses the prejudices many of us have over these people. “I think it’s different when you actually meet these people in person. To give you a very simple example, on the first day, we followed some people on our bikes because we didn’t know how to get [to the camp], and one of [the refugees] was eating something, and then he stopped and put his wrapper in a bin. And I was totally surprised that he did that, and then I thought, why am I surprised that he put something in the bin? So, I thought, how many stereotypes do I have in my head?” Eva and Gail’s project shows these struggling refugees as people, just like you and me. And they did so through an action as universal and relatable as art. As Eva talks so passionately about each piece of art, the colours and thoughtful drawings so clearly signify optimism. Even in the most helpless circumstances can people be hopeful, creative, and communal. “I was so impressed by the way they looked after each other,” Eva says. “Gail had a puncture in her bike and immediately people were there trying to repair it. There was much more helpfulness and communication with each other, rather than fighting or anything.” As therapeutic and fun as the project was for the refugees, it is just as important for the UK to appreciate this artwork too. “For me it was important

to take something back to [the UK] because I wanted to inform people here about the situation in the camp.” She mentions the suffering these people experience – for example, a child who stopped eating, to raise awareness of their situation, and died – and it becomes clear how deeply moved Eva was by these individuals. But she talks with confidence and pride. This project acts as an opportunity to hear a positive story about the refugees. “For me it’s a typical situation,” she begins. “When somebody dies, you find an article in the paper, but positive things are often just not reported.” One of the most frustrating things about these refugee’s situations, is the uncertainty. Will they reach the UK? Will they get where they want – where they deserve? Will they have a normal life, or remain living in handmade, pop up huts, crammed with hopefuls searching for a better life? Rather disappointingly, Eva explains, “We gave some of the people our phone numbers, and also said when you are in England get in touch. We want to do some more art projects with them. And so far, nobody has been in touch.” Eva describes the exhibition as an opportunity to communicate in this “political climate”. It’s a wakeup call to the everyday lives of the estimated 10,000 migrants that were in Calais, while the pair visited – many of which are still there. “When I came back to Britain, it was almost a bit of a shock. After quite a positive experience [in Calais], and then reading about it in the newspaper again here, I thought maybe this country doesn’t deserve these people. That was my first response. But then after two weeks I thought, maybe this country needs these people.” Maybe we do.

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life

Lauren Sawyer’s experience as an identical twin

hen you’re five, being an identical twin seems like the best thing in the world. You’ve always had someone to play with – or fight with – and your first day of school never seems quite as scary, when you know at least one other person. Sometimes, the whole “are you twins?” conversation can be a good icebreaker, but overall, I’d say being a twin isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Especially as you get older, all the myths and misconceptions about being a twin start to get, frankly, a little annoying. Identical twins occur when one egg divides into two, creating two different embryos. This normally happens very early into a pregnancy – about four to eight days. Dividing this early means that each embryo will have the same genetic information as the other. It’s basically nature’s own way of cloning. Non-identical twins on the other hand, occur when two completely separate eggs are fertilised at the same time. They share 50% of the same genetic coding – the same as any other sibling – meaning they can be different genders to each other. It’s still unknown exactly why the egg splits into two to create a set of identical twins in the first place. Some things about twins are just a mystery. I personally have never been too fussed about my ‘twin-ness’. I’ve known twins who thought they were some kind of special product of nature, or superior kind of human even. They’d say things like, “we’re so blessed to be twins”. However, in many cultures such as West Africa, twins were feared to be a bad omen and often killed. Some Nigerian cultures thought twins shared the same soul, and American Indians believed there was always one good twin and one bad twin. The ‘bad’ one would often end up being abandoned or expelled. Not to mention the amount of times creepy twins have been used in films like, The Shining (1980), Sisters (1973), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and Hellboy 2 (2008). Even the TV show American Horror Story has twins appear throughout several series. I’ve lost count of how many times people have

Unfold - Issue 1 - Life asked me, “what’s it like being a twin?”. I’ve gotten used to having random people I’ve never met before, come up and start a conversation with me because they don’t realise I’m ‘the other one’. I’ve gotten used to being asked, “are you the nice twin or the evil one?”, as if there even is one. I’m used to always receiving the same presents (or the same presents just in different colours). Or being asked, “where’s your twin?”, as if we spend every second of our lives together. But please, don’t be one of those people to ask whether we’d ever have a threesome, or tell me you’ve got a “thing for twins” – this isn’t Game of Thrones. I can understand why people get us mixed up, especially when they don’t even realise I have a twin. Sometimes, I can’t even tell us apart in really old photos. Although, I do wonder what people actually see when they can’t see the difference. Do they just think we look the same, or see a kind of morph of both of us put together?

Everything I do, everything I achieve suddenly doesn’t seem so important, when people can’t even remember which one of you it was that did it. I remember parents evening at school was always quite amusing, as teachers would praise me for some “brilliant work”, that I’d never even seen before. Identical twin, Juliet, aged 19, seemed to agree with this: “being a twin is weird, because it means you end up having to take responsibility for the other one’s actions as well as your own”. Although my twin sister and I are very similar – we look similar, talk similarly, like the same things, dislike mostly the same things – we have always valued our individuality. My parents (thank God) never dressed us in the same outfits when we were little. It’s always

means that when you’re a genetic copy of someone, it’s inevitable that your minds are going work in almost the same way. Recently, I read an article in Ladybeard Magazine about two twins called Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, who were separated at four-weeks-old, but ended up with practically the same life as each other. Both drove Chevrolets, both had dogs when they were younger called Toy, both had jobs in law enforcement, and both married women called Linda, then Betty. Coincidence? But actually, this isn’t as spooky as it sounds. Although twins aren’t actually the same person, being genetically similar means that they are bound to have similar thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes. This means it’s quite likely that they’ll end up making similar life choices. (Although the Linda and Betty thing is pretty creepy).

By just labelling me as ‘one of the twins, what you’are doing is dismissing me as a person

The worst part is when people see you together, and then comes the, “You’re really similar, except…” and then go onto list every one of your defining features. You can feel their eyes scanning your face’s every last detail, as if we’ve been put in a tank for everyone to look and point at. “…Your face is a bit longer”.

17-year-old, non-identical twin Matt says, “I like being a twin because I’m able to have someone who likes the same things as me and therefore we can do things together”. Now this may seem a bit dramatic, but if I go my whole life with everyone thinking I’m someone else, it does make you wonder, what’s the point of me even existing? Even now, people I’ve known for years just refer to us as ‘the girls’, rather than our actual names. They don’t think it matters because they always say, “well you must get that all the time”, or “you must be used to that by now”. Well of course it matters. By just labelling me as ‘one of the twins’, what you’re doing is dismissing me as a person. That’s my whole identity, and you can’t even be bothered to acknowledge it because you don’t think ‘it doesn’t matter’.

nice to know our parents treated us like real people rather than fashion accessories. Even now, sometimes we’ll accidently end up wearing similar outfits, and have to change. I even cut my hair short so we that look less alike. Non-identical twin, Charley, aged 19 told me, “I like being a twin most of the time because even though we argue, I feel like we’re a lot closer than other siblings”. One thing I need to get straight though: we cannot read each other’s minds – I know, sorry. Despite hearing endless stories about twins feeling each other’s emotions or pain, or knowing when the other is in trouble, I can’t say I’ve ever experienced twin telepathy, or ESP (extrasensory perception). There is no scientific evidence to prove that ESP is even a real thing. Just because my twin and I often say the same thing, and always seem to have the same song stuck in our head, doesn’t mean we can read each other’s mind. It just

Similarly, it wasn’t really a surprise when my twin and I both chose do the same degree course as each other. As annoying as this was, it’s almost unavoidable when you have all the same talents and are interested in the same subjects. Luckily, this was the first time we’d ever actually been in the same class together.

And technically speaking, the only time of your life that two twins are exactly the same, genetically speaking, is just after the egg splits. After that, you are exposed to all kinds of external factors, from where you’re positioned in the womb, to what you eat, to where you live when you’re older. For example, despite being identical twins, my sister has type 1 diabetes and I don’t. This is because we both carry the gene for diabetes, but only my sister’s went on to develop into diabetes because of external factors. I wouldn’t ever wish not to be a twin, but after all, I’ve never known any different. And even though it can drive me crazy, it does have its good moments; I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still enjoy confusing people when they meet us for the first time. Although somewhere there is a person who looks like me, talks me, even thinks like me, she is not me. I am me. And no matter how similar we are, my own individuality is just as valid as anyone else’s.

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Identicals Lauren (left) and Juliet (right)

Non identicals Matt (left) and Will (right)

Non identicals Georgia (left) and Charley (right) 41

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Survival Guide

Amsterdam The need-to-knows in the Venice of the north. Words Juliet Sawyer Photo Andreas Dantz

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Unfold - Issue 1 - Travel hen I went to Amsterdam, it was my first holiday with a group of friends. No parents. No school teachers rounding up the stragglers – just four clueless 18-year-olds. We were let loose in a city I’d heard many stories about. Just days before the holiday, a friend told me about her trip to Amsterdam, and the horrific moment when somebody was hit by a tram outside her accommodation. A chalk outline of the body remained at the scene for the remainder of the holiday. My dad told me his traumatic experience which came about, as the result of a rainbow cake. Wild parties. Breathtaking canal rides. I’d been told countless tales – both good and bad – and couldn’t wait to have my own (less traumatic) memories. Amsterdam has something for just about anyone. The diversity in this vibrant city is hardly surprising, because so many people visit the place for different reasons. Some come for the tourist attractions, while others are more interested in the nightlife. Sightseeing, cocktail drinking, bike riding: there isn’t much you can’t do in such a beautiful destination. And optimistically, we wanted to see it all. Our four days there were going to be very, very busy. First obstacle: finding our accommodation. After one train ride in the wrong direction, and a tram journey to put us back on course, we found our way to our conveniently signposted youth hostel, Generator Amsterdam. I would recommend this place to anyone, especially groups of young people, looking for a safe, reasonably priced place to temporarily call home. Originally a zoological university, the lecture hall is now a chill out area and bar, the basement acts as a dining area, and the boiler room has been transformed into a secret late night bar. It’s a quirky, homely place. Generator Amsterdam is near Oosterpark, which was roughly a fifteen minute tram journey from the centre of Amsterdam. The fact we relied on public transport so much encouraged us to get an I Amsterdam card. One of these bad boys will get you on trains and trams for free, so there’s no need to try and purchase a ticket to some place you cannot pronounce, as you clamber desperately onto an overcrowded carriage. Just hop on and hope you’re going the right way. You can have a free canal ride from various stops around the city too, with an I Amsterdam card. This is a great way to start your holiday, and get to grips with where everything is. It would have been an absolutely stunning experience, if it weren’t for the woman sat in front of us vomiting into the canal.

When it comes to tourist attractions, the Rijksmuseum is a classic. Dedicate a good few hours to getting around this place. As for the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh museum, these are must sees. But expect minutes, if not hours, of waiting to get in, beforehand. On the contrary, this is where the British tourists come in handy, forming beautiful, orderly queuing systems. We met some very interesting people in the many queues we experienced. A notable mention would be the flustered American girl who asked us if we’d let her join us, when we were merely minutes from the front of the Anne Frank House. She needed to fly home in a matter of hours, and did offer us 20 Euros. Don’t just go to the generic attractions though. Amsterdam is full of some whacky museums. Cat museums, bag museums, sex musuems – they’ve got pretty much everything. Have a look around and get yourself an I Amsterdam card if you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing. You’ll save a wad of money for the drinks and souvenirs later. If I learned one thing from my trip, it is to never shy away from exploring the unknown. Don’t just stick to the grid. Do things just for the hell of it. Take a wrong turning, and spend the afternoon shopping in a little market that didn’t appear on the map. Take the shuttle ferry to Buiksloterweg simply because you can, and explore the EYE film museum. Stumble unexpectedly into a small, hidden club on a Monday night, and don’t get home until 3am. If you plan things down to the second, you don’t leave room for the funny, unanticipated memories. Amsterdam is a city much bigger on the inside. So if you want to get the best out of this place, you have to get under the surface of this exciting city. Most tourists will visit the Van Gogh museum, but few know of the party held there every Friday night. Many of us will walk past Door 79 – home to some of the city’s best cocktails, in a sophisticated 1930s style bar – and have no idea it’s there, as this secretive spot has no sign. You must call for a reservation and the location. The Butcher, a burger joint in De Pijp, has a hidden bar that requires a passcode to enter. Amsterdam is a labyrinth of undiscovered moments – you really could visit the place a hundred times and find something new on each visit. Remember, when in Amsterdam, (1) don’t sweat it if you get lost – you might discover somewhere which ends up the highlight of the trip. (2) Just because there’s a huge queue, doesn’t mean it’s the best place going, and (3) just have a bit of fun! Anything goes in Amsterdam.