HONK!04 The 90´s

Walter Van Beirendonck Austra WoodKid Jose Wiliam Vigers Nico Icon Marc Hilbert Christopher Voy 1 Persona Non Grata Rimus Anton Z. Risan MelleSan Madame Peripetie Dj Monchichi Dr. Motte Lukasz Wolejko-Woleiszo Suzana Holtgrave Marco Rothenburger Shel Fuller Sebastian Donath Drew Eastman Almaryse & The Frill of the Fight Thomas Langnickel-Stiegler Karl Slater Larisa Cataño Aiden Connor Mariam Mir Marina Gehrman Denise Dahinten Amanda M. Jansson Emma E.K. Jones Polys Christo Mitov Nina Kharytonova Nadine Weiskircher Basti Heart Claudio Alvargonzalez Susann Bosslau Daniel Ellmenreich Nicolas Simoneau Haikal Noyes Cover by Marcel Schlutt Model: Bianca Gebhardt@Seeds Management

ART PHOTOGRAPHY MEDIA

H NK! #04

‘90s

THE

GENERATION OF LOVE, PEACE & HARMONY A FASHION SPECIAL

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EDITOR IN CHIEF MARCEL SCHLUTT mschlutt@honk-mag.de ART EDITOR CHRISTO MITOV cmitov@honk-mag.de MUSIC EDITOR POLYS polys@honk-mag.de PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR MARCEL SCHLUTT mschlutt@honk-mag.de SCANDINAVIAN EDITOR AMANDA M. JANNSON the_jansson_baby@hotmail.co.uk MOVIE EDITOR CLAUDIO ALVARGONZALES clalvargonzalez@gmail.com Emma E.K. Jones, Nina Kharytonova, Denise Dahinten, Basti Heart, Susann Boslau, Larisa Cantano, Thomas Langnickel-Stiegler, Shel Fuller, Drew Eastman LAYOUT HAIKAL NOYES haikal@haikal.de RETOUCHING NICOLAS SIMONEAU nicolassimoneau@hotmail.fr WEB DANIEL ELLMENREICH ellm@kraftpost.org GENERAL MANAGMENT, PRESS & ADVERTISING NADINE WEISKIRCHER n.weiskircher@honk-mag.de

Published by Marcel Schlutt & Nina Kharytonova HONK! is based In Berlin / Germany

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The 1990s were a decade that will have the same value as the 1920s and 1960s in the history of time. A decade of joy, lightheartedness and innovative developments.

The Internet, mobile phones, DVD’s and many many more are achievements of this period, and without these innovative developments our present life is no longer conceivable.

The fashion world has experienced a boom over this decade as it became colorful, flashy, bringing big names like Gucci, Prada and many more, again far ahead.Designers like Tom Ford, Gianni Versace were and are heroes of this time.

The music world has been revolutionized. Music videos were the medium through which the MTV generation grew up, and they produced great stars who would have disappeared again quickly if it wasnt for these videos.

The electronic music, techno, rave etc became a commercial success and won over a whole generation of young enthusiastic people. Without this development, the current musical landscape would be boring and uninteresting.

I am a child of this age. And in this decade, i have gained my first life experiences that have shaped me. Even today, my taste in music is very much 90s oriented. Generation X was my family.

With the 4th edition of HONK! I would like to take you on a journey back into this world. For those among us, who have experienced this time, this issue is a throwback to a time that will not happen again.

And for all young people who are born only because of the 90’s and only heard of bad music and videos to let them know: you can look forward to a bright output, and let yourself be surprised.

Dearest greetings Marcel Schlutt

C NT #04

Fashion

22 Summer of Love

Photos by Suzana Holtgrave

60 Royality comes from what you wear Photos by Karl Slater

80 Nothing Compares 2 us Photos by Christoph Voy

102 Ole! La Chica

Photos by Marco Rothenburger

124 Bandits

Photos by Marcel Schlutt

162 Masha Tyelna

by Lukasz Wolejko-Woleiszo

184 Bassin de plain air

Photos by Sebastian Donat

224 Minor treat

Photos by Marc Hibbert

238 Lucy

Photos by Burak Isseven

Interview

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Nico Icon Acid Meat / JosÊ William Vigers Dream the world awake / Walter van Beirendonck Mister Love, Peace and Harmony / Dr. Motte Austra I like tidy opulence / Madame Peripetie It’s always been inside of me / Woodkid Almaryse & the frill of the fright Fashion goes pop / The Rio Girls There is no specific myth... MelleSan

TENT Photo/Art

10 Fashion Robots

Artworks by Nico Icon

144 Do I belong

by Tine Clearhout & Persona Non Grata

204 NW1

Photos by Anton Z Risan

234 New kid on the block/ Rimus 18 Freedom, trash and the rise of virtual realities

Topic

by Thomas Langnickel-Stiegler

68 The Peter Pan Generation

by Amanda M. Jansson and Emma Elina Keira Jones

74 5 reasons the 90s ruled!

90 Unity and harmony with the generation of technology

by Denise Dahinten 94 Who the hell is Madonna? Music selectted by Polys 110 A Man/A Woman should wear 120 VHS vs. Dogma 95 / Movies discussed by Claudio Alvargonzalez 136 The Future / Berlin Faces you should know 142 If you listen to Einstein the 1990s never existed

by Shelbric A. Fuller

154 Must have The Influence of musicvideos on filmmaking 160 by Larisa Cata単o Revenge of the Fashion nerd by Christo Mitov 178 X-Insider 182 Last night a DJ fucked my life

by Drew Eastman

196 Enough! Spanish revolution

by Claudio Alvargonzalez 212 Letter from... by Amanda M. Jansson and Emma Elina Keira Jones 220 Politically erect by Christo Mitov

250 What Where When / Events

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FASHION ROBOTS

BY NICO ICON http://nico-icon.tumblr.com

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He is one of our favourite artits. It was an easy choice to ask him if he would like to play with the photos of the supermodels from the 90s.

His project “isn’t a robot” fits perfectly with the image of the supermodel this decade. Nico lives in France, but it will not be long until he is known around the world.

Let’s have a little chat with NICO ICON! Hey Nico, this is the second time that you show your work in HONK! We are big Fans of your artwork! Did you always want to be an artist?

I’m not sure. At the age of 13 I´ve started to play theater. I knew there already I do not want to do this forever. I am in this world to tell the people what I think, what I feel.

Human affairs ... As an artist you have only 2 options: The people share what you think, what you like or you die ... and it does not matter whether at the theater, art, painting, cinema, fashion, music ...

How would you describe your art?

I have an atypical career in the visual arts. I’m an actor and I am very connected to the visual realization of feelings and sensations. I’m looking for an easy way to reach the media I have to bring my ideas forward. The image and the mutation are essential in this search.

Which artists inspire you?

I love a lot of artists.

There is my only friend “karosabutkiss”: he is an art draftsman (http://karosabutkiss.tumblr.com). I love my girlfriend Virginie Pola Garnier, she lives in Berlin.

She is a fashion designer, illustrator http://www.maisonvirginiegarnier.com.

The photographer Dorothé Smith http://dorotheesmith.net).

My favorite author is Richard Morgiève he is French and I do not know if his books are known.

In dance: Alain Platel, Pina Bausch, Boris Charmatz ...

In music, I hear the “new german wave“, Post Punk,

New Wave 80’s, etc. I am a DJ in the Relou KREW In the theater: I love: The Wooster Group, David Bobe, Falk Richter, Romeo Castelucci, David Gauchard www.unijambiste.com L’Unijambiste is the company I work with.

And of course I also have a blog where I show all that I love. http://nico-icon.tumblr.com Can you give us an “isn´t a robot” talk about your project? What is the idea behind it?

In order to to humanize: to give a human nature. In order to softer civilized. Reducing a robot to be repeated mechanical tasks: to automation.

The “isn´t a robot” series is an organic and numerical work. I try to put through a mathematical vector (the line), a type of emotion and alienation on faces of flesh. It is a workship of perfection that comes here.

I use the line, a geometric shape that is made from a human hand. The imperfect is king. The drawback is sublimated. The line reflects my rigor, and forms a numerical ceiling for known and unknown faces. This ‘vector masks’ are not camouflage objects.

What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’ll try to do my job as long as possible, i would like to live and love with the same man (my Karosabutkiss) for the rest of my life, I will have my house, and a big dog ... i would like to adopt a lot of children ! iIwant to make lines, on pictures, on my body, on the wold ... i’m a simple man .

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Freedom,

Trash, and

the

Rise

of

Virtual Realities

Text by Thomas Langnickel-Stiegler

The 90s. A decade that began with Nelson Mandela being freed after 27 years in prison, the Hubble Space Telescope being taken into orbit, and Germany getting reunified. With the treaties of Schengen and Maastricht the European nations gave away parts of their sovereignty to the newly formed European Union. Meanwhile, Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, became the world’s most famous sheep. But it wasn’t only to unity and clones and freedom that our world began to change fundamentally during the 90s …

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One of the first thoughts that came to my mind when preparing this article, was: what should I say about a decade of summers that is connected to so many phenomena, most of which I haven’t experienced personally. In our human tendency to break things down into categories that are easier for our brains to remember and work with, when thinking of the 90s today, condensed images of things like fashion sins (which I might actually have been a part of) to Eurodance come to our minds. However, being the geek I already used to be back then, I actually missed most of the things that were in vogue during that time.

Thus, my personal experience of those summers might actually be a bit inappropriate to base upon it a representative description of that time. But that’s what HONK! Magazine is for, isn’t it? There are some great articles written by people who are true experts on the 90s and on their fields of interest from music to fashion to arts. I’ll leave it to them to give you a

proper roundup of the popular trends we came to see during those years.

To start with, let me share with you a rather prototypical experience from one of my summers of the 90s.

In 1997, when I was 16 years old, a PC game called Starfleet Academy was released. It was a space simulation, and the object was to pilot a starship through several missions, which would confront the player with various tasks from diplomatic jobs to fights with other ships. The missions where interconnected by cutscenes during which one had to socially interact with the other cadets, the individual decisions and reactions influencing the development of the background story. Apart from the fact that I have always been intrigued by science fiction settings, I can still vividly remember the sense of wonder I felt being actively involved in a story that was set in an epic universe I had so far only been able to passively consume on TV.

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Almost 15 years later I still enjoy playing computer games. During the past one and a half decades graphics and ingame complexity have improved, and the universes in which the games take place have become a hundred times as spacious. Surprisingly, I don’t feel a hundred times as fascinated by the games when I play them today compared to those I played 15 years ago. Having played game after game, I have, over the years, become used to an experience that would once make me shiver with excitement.

What I experienced playing PC games one could just as well substitute by any experience you yourself might have had in those years. Just think of any activity that has been important to you for the past 15 years and that you may have attended to frequently.

Just like my stimulus threshold has increased in an overload of technological improvements on the gaming sector, you may have noticed that it was much

more thrilling doing whatever you did when you did it for the first time. This is a simple example for the way in which getting used to doing something may result in the respective activity no longer seeming as fascinating, mind-blowing, or fulfilling as it used to.

It is an overload of recurring involvement that leads to a change of perception.

In late 1990 an invention came up that would confront us with a similar overload of involvement. It introduced us to new possibilities to access information, to communicate, and to get in touch with people around the globe. And thus, it fundamentally changed the way in which we perceive and live our lives: the World Wide Web. The WWW as we know it today is based upon a suggestion by British engineer and computer scientist Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, who by that time worked

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at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Berners-Lee and his co-workers were looking for an easier way to exchange research data. This goal was finally achieved by interweaving scientific articles, thus creating a web (a copy of the first ever website can still be found online at http://www.w3.org/ History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/ TheProject.html).

matter to us in everyday and social life seem to become less important on the map of our expectation towards reality, I have the feeling that one of the reasons might be a flooding of our perception by vast packages of information, knowledge, and extended social relationships. Being confronted with so much more information our ways to manage our lives seem to have changed fundamentally during the past 15 years.

Since the early 90’s the WWW has fundamentally changed the ways in which we communicate. Having been the basis for that endlessly seeming number of web pages that we today browse to read texts, look at images, watch videos, or use other kinds of multimedia content, the impact of the WWW is comparable to that of the printing press in the middle of the 15th century: By the end of the 90s almost 100 million people would log in to the internet regularly.

I think we should stay perceptive for that shift in balance between virtual reality and the real life within our grasp. Presumably, we will soon learn to be more in control of those machines we carry around all day – instead of letting them control our lives. Until then, I sometimes wish me back the times when there was neither Facebook nor Twitter, and the WWW was still in its early stages of development. Just like during those summers of the 90s.

Today, the WWW represents an endlessly seeming network of human knowledge and culture that most of us access every day – many of us even all day long.

It has become more than just a tool to efficiently exchange substantial information. Not only has the WWW become the source of information and communication. It has, for many people, also become a natural part of their social life. For some of us it even seems to partially become a substitute for real life.

There is an episode of the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation that revolves around some alien video game brought aboard the Enterprise by the ship’s First Officer when he returns from holiday on planet Risa. When the game gets distributed to the rest of the crew, it addicts them by stimulating the pleasure centers of their brains as soon as they have successfully completed a level. At the conclusion of the episode, the crew is of course freed from their mind-controlled state. They then find out that the sole purpose of the game was to render them extremely receptive to suggestion, in order to make them help the games’ creators take control of the Enterprise and the whole Federation.

Seeing many of us walking around like zombies ourselves these days, our perception focused on some electronic device in our hands, I cannot help but have that story in my mind. In the course of the overload of possibilities, offerings, and alleged chances that Facebook and Twitter promise us, the stimulate our minds in a way that doesn’t seem so different to me.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m hardly a technology refusenik. However, when large parts of things that used to

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SUMMER OF LOVE Photography, Styling & Concept by Suzana Holtgrave Hair-Make up by Ilka J채nicke @Blossom Berlin Models Tobias Lisius Sonja Klinge Caroline Adam @SEEDS.Managment Monika Hirzin @Place Models Elisa Schweiger @Viva Models Clara Hoffmann @SEEDS.Managment Laura, Marco, Daniel, Katherina Thank you all for a wonderfull party...Suzy L.

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Elisa / ANTI Shirt, Bikini - Starstyling Daniel / Jeans - Filippa K.

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Sonja and Marco wearing Starstyling

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Sonja / Hotpants Levis, Cracket jumper Horace

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Elisa / Cracket jumper H&M , Necklace Starstyling

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Caroline / Shirt Zara , Jacket Stylist own, Stockings Wolford

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Monika wears waistcoat leather from Asos

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Sonja / Dress Starstyling

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Katherina / Jeans Levis, Shirt Mango

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Caroline / Shirt H&M, Shirt Vivienne Westwood

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Monika / Leather vest S´nab, Leggings Givenchy

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Elisa wearing / Jeans My Mo, Bikini & Necklace Starstyling Sonja wearing / Levis, Hat Ponpon Berlin, Bag Starstyling

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Sonja / Vest & Pants Levis, Hat Ponpon Berlin, Bag Starstyling Daniel / Jeans Filippa K., Elisa Bikini & Jeans feet Starstyling, Tobias Scarf Starstyling, Jeans Martin Margelia

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SummER OF

Love

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ACID !

MEAT José William Vigers Interview by Marcel Schlutt www.josewilliamvigers.com

The young Australian artist José is able to play with his art.

The balancing act with his art and the art of the ‘90s is stunning. If you look at his pictures, you feel directly back in time 20 years ago. You will be flashed by his pictures, the colors and shapes.

A couple of years ago, he moved from Australia to Europe.

Let´s ask him why.

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You are original from Australia. But now based in Europe (Berlin-London). Since when are you in here and is Europe a better place for artists?

I left Australia three years ago for Berlin. Although I currently live in London, Berlin is where I have spent the majority of the last three years. Australia is a very young country, and a place of a lot of opportunity.

However Australia doesn’t have the history with fostering art that Europe does. I think that both places can provide platforms for young talent, personally I had to get away from everything I knew, so I came to Berlin.

Your art work looks like the evoulution of the 90s Techno-rave-art. How would you describe your work?

I would describe my work as a mixture of camp aestheticism and gothic sensibilities. With drug culture/ acid house overtones. I was born in the late 80s and came of age through the late 90’s, this has obviously affected my visual-vocabulary intimately.

Are you inspired by someone? And if so..who?

I am in awe of V Mac of http://www.vlovescats.com, a source of content inspiration When you was a child, did you already know then : I wanna be an artist? How does it starts?

Like many creative people, making things has always been a way of constantly re-defining who I am and what I am about. It started from a young age, and the process of making work has grown more and more intimate over time.

You have your own special style. Lots of great colors.

Mixed with different styles. Did you needed some time to find your style?

Yes, university was a great place for me to become exposed to many different and sometimes conflicting visualities, it allowed me time to express myself and to experiment. Having said that university was also one of the most creatively traumatic experiences I have had.

During the last years you have done some exhibitions.

How was the feeling at your first one?

Both a sense of excitement and trepidation. You are putting a large part of who you are out into the world, and for the first time, you don’t know how people will react. Its exhilarating at the time and very anti climatic after it all is done.

Did people bought some of your work there?

Yes, my work sold out at from my first exhibition.

In most of your pictures are faces..these face are from your friends? or is it all coming from your fantasy?

The faces I draw are appropriated from the hundreds of faces I see in my everyday life. The faces of people I know, the faces of celebrities and models.

The faces I see on the internet and the face I see everyday in the mirror.

What are your plans for the future?

I try not to make plans, to avoid disappointment.

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Walter Van

Beirendonck

dream

THE

world

awake Interview by Marcel Schlutt

Translation / Edit Anton Z Risan

The Belgian designer Walter van Beirendonck is an icon of the 1990s. With his creations, he added the fashion of this decade from the club to the international catwalks in the world.

For more than 30 years he is working in the fashion circus. We sincerely hope that Walter van Bereindonck will survive for a long time with his genius, colorful design in our world.

In Autumn 2011, the Antwerp Fashion Museum will present the first large-scale retrospective exhibition of his stunning work.

Let´s have a chat with the „Master of Colors“ about his way in 30 years of fashion!

Hello Walter, we at HONK! are big fans of your designs, your art and your work, so thank you for taking the time to speak to us..

The theme for this issue is “the 90s!” And as you are one of the stars of that generation, with your varied work and amazing designs, you fit right in, especially as you played a crucial part in the shaping of the fashion world of the 90s’ generation.

Why did you decide to become a fashion designer? Was it a growing passion from an early age, inspired by someone or something? Or did it come as a sudden revelation?

Thank you! Well, it all came about very unexpectedly.

I had always liked to draw and to paint, and I certainly did feel an attraction towards clothes in general. But then I became a big fan of David Bowie; I was really amazed by his looks, but more than anything by the storytelling, the fantasy element, the communication conveyed through his looks and personality. That, together with a visit to the Royal Academy in Antwerp, and seeing one of their fashion shows, was the start of my fashion-career.

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In 1980 you graduated from the Royal Arts Academy in Antwerp and you became a member of the famed “Antwerp Six“. How did this group come about? What has driven you?

Again, this was totally unplanned. We were a close group of friends at school, all graduating at the same time. We were young and ambitious and after several years in school, we were desperate to get out of Belgium.

That’s why we went to London together, to present our collections at the British Design show. This is where we were discovered and named: “the Antwerp Six”, mainly because our names were too difficult to pronounce.

During this time you got a lot of publicity from being part of this hyped group. Did you enjoy it or would you rather have been recognized as a solo designer?

It was a nice period in my career, and being united in a group gave us ALL a lot of energy and inspiration, as well as attract press and buyers. We learnt a lot by being together! Although we NEVER worked together in terms of our designs etc. The six of us were a group of SOLO-designers: everybody had their own distinctive signature style!

You started your solo career as a designer in the late 1980s. How easy or hard was it to build up your own company and label after being part of a group?

It was, and still is, a career with ups and downs, a roller-coaster-ride some might say, but because of my belief in my fashion designs and in myself, I never skipped a season. Which was not the easiest to achieve, but I believe it has helped me a lot.

I remember that the first fashion item I ever bought, beside pieces from H&M, was a pair of trousers from your label W&LT. I had saved up for weeks to buy it and those trousers were my greatest treasure! In the 1990s, you became very successful. How did you experience this time: being a star of the fashion world?

Great to hear this, I always appreciate it when people enjoy my clothes. Do you still have the trousers? It took a long time before I achieved success. I was by then a mature man. That’s why I experienced it in a very realistic way, with both feet on the ground so to speak. I liked that period very much, especially as I had fantastic opportunities to do the most amazing shows, collections and experiments, which was fabulous. W&LT also had a huge number of fans all over the world, and it sold like crazy, which was really exciting! Than at the end of the 90s, Mustang (backer of W&LT) wanted to milk the cow, and product managers got involved, telling me what to do etc. then I decided it was time for me to step out of it... and I broke my contract with them.

Looking back at your fashions shows in Paris during this time, they were spectacular. No one at the time had seen that before. Who created these shows? Did it all come out of your own mind and inspiration?

YES! Everything! I had (and still have) a great time realizing it, but ALL ideas (from head to toe) came out of my head. Now and then, I draw the total looks for my collections, all styling including make-up/ hair / accessories etc.

Who is Walter Van Beirendonck as a designer? How would you describe your designs?

Despite the fact that the first impression you get when looking at my collections is of color and fun, I do invest a lot of energy and research in the stories I want to tell, the statements I want to make, and the messages I want to communicate. So there is always a second (more loaded) layer in the collection. This makes me a designer with a recognizable signature, one who is ready to push boundaries. I’m not afraid to do it my way.

When I look at your designs, I see colors, colors and more colors. Where is this passion for colors coming from?

From day one, when I started to study fashion, I liked and used colors a lot. For me, they are part of how I express my ideas in the collections. Most of the colors and fabrics I use are especially dyed and made for me.

Which is your favorite color?

Light pink + grass-green, orange + lilac, red + Arubablue... As you can see, it is difficult for me to choose.

Tell us the role that masculinity plays in your design.

From collection one (Bad Baby Boys), I concentrated on men’s wear because for me men’s wear is more challenging. And I do love the thin line, the boundaries I’m pushing. That’s exactly why masculinity is so important. Despite the fact that I DO push the boundaries of men’s fashion, I let them stay men. Keeping a balance is really important for me, even when it looks far out there for the audience.

Did you ever create a collection that you just hated?

How did you learn and move forward from that?

NO, I love them all! Sometimes I recognize mistakes in them, but they all had a reason to be there.

What is your personal favorite piece you have ever done? And why?

My BLOW-UP muscle-jackets, because I did the first drawings of them at the end of the 80s, but I didn’t have the possibility to realize them then. When I finally made them in the mid-90s, and sold them now

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fashion is a

communicator

they have become priceless collectors’ items! BLOW YOUR MUSCLES! Awesome!

Lots of fashion designers are using famous pop stars, actors etc. for their labels. I don’t understand why? I don’t know anybody who will wear a shirt just because Nicole Kidman was wearing it in a campaign. What do you think about this kind of PR? I never miss-USED that PR-idea, but of course it flatters me if interesting ‘stars’ like what I do. And when such a cooperation happens spontaneously I don’t mind it. For example: U2 / BONO, Mika, Björk, Kanye West....

Do you think that fashion is excessive and egocentric?

NO, fashion is a communicator, it can express feelings and can be fun. It´s a powerful medium to transfer ideas and statements through.

Is there a fashion designer you look up to? And what is Walter van Beirendonck wearing in private?

I love the work of my friend, Dirk Van Saene, he is such a talent, I like what Rei Kawakubo is doing, I like the work of Bernard Wilhelm, one of my most talented students... and there are many more I like.

What are you very bad at?

Earning money… I always believe the best about people, that’s why a lot of my collaborations ended badly.

I always want to present the best of myself, so all the

money I earn I put back into new projects. I have always dreamt about an amazing MANAGER dealing with all this, so that at the end I still have some money for myself. Are there any candidates out there?

You were one of the first designers using the internet for your work. Did you see the potential of the World Wide Web? And how did you start using it?

I was amazed by it to start with. Then when I read the book ‘SNOWCRASH’ a whole new world and future showed up! I loved it, and I saw the huge potential it offered fashion immediately. Working on the CD-ROMs and websites in the early days was a fantastic experience!

In Autumn 2011, the Antwerp Fashion Museum will present the first large-scale retrospective exhibition of your work. Are you proud of this collaboration and how did it come about? http://www.momu.be/en/ I was invited by the museum, and there is the fact that I kept ALL my collections, I have a huge archive of everything I did from day one, and this will be unveiled in the exhibition. I’m proud that several generations will be able to discover old and new work, and besides that I will invite the audience to step into my head, I will show a huge Walter-Wonder-Wall......

Are you able to reveal some things that will be seen in this exhibition?

SURPRISE!

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Is it correct, that you are planning to publish a book in connection with the exhibition? Will the book also focus on the exhibition? Or what can we expect from it?

The book will be made in conjunction with the exhibition, but it will show new photo shoots (by Nick Knight and Ronald Stoops), new portraits (by Juergen Teller and David Baily), and a lot of fantastic essays about me and my work and unpublished shoots.

In 1999 you were awarded the honorary title of “Cultural Ambassador of Flanders“, and now your are getting a big retrospective in your home country. How important is it for you to get honored in Belgium?

I get more respect outside Belgium, but it’s a typical situation I think. I hope the exhibition will change this.

What do you have to say to the next generation of young designers? Any tips to keep them from drowning in the pool of ‘La Mode’ ?

KEEP ON BELIEVING, even when it takes a long time before you take-off, KEEP YOUR OWN VISION AND STYLE. Don’t become a copycat to be more successful. GO FOR IT KICK ASS!!!

Two last questions. What do you think you would be if you never went down the fashion road?

NO IDEA, but surely something artistic Do you have a life philosophy?

DREAM THE WORLD AWAKE

PARIS MEN FW S/S 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slzZIl9ZTK8 Défile Walter Van Beirendonck A/W 2011/12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_9-sGAyTjs

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Innovative

leis

nnovative

leisure

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ROYALTY

u

WHAT

COmES FROm

WEAR

Photographer Karl Slater http://karlslater.com/ Stylist Aiden Connor Hair&Make up Emma Broom Model Layla Youngl Select Modelmanagment

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Jacket moschino from House of Liza T-Shirt maiden Britain

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Leather jacket Rokit T-Shirt maiden Britain Plastic T-Shirt Rahemur Rahman Shorts Levi Belt Styist own

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Jacket Gemma Slack Top moschino from House of Liza Shorts and Tights models own Shoes Stylists own

Printed Dress Gemma Slack Jacket Gaultier Juniour from House of Liza

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Vest Gemma Slack Printed Shirt maiden Britain Belt from Relik Trousers Lesley de Freitas

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Jacket Alice Vandy Body Suit Gemma Slack

Silk printed Shirt Gianni Versace from House of Liza Tie worn as belt Stylist own Leather pants Gemma Slack

Jacket Moschino from House of Liza T-Shirt - Maiden Britain

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Silk printed Shirt Gianni Versace from House of Liza Belt from Rokit

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Rubber cropped Vest Gemma Slack T-Shirt (worn as skirt) maiden Britain

Jacket Moschino from House of Liza T-Shirt - Maiden Britain

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Photos and Text by Amanda M. Jansson and Emma Elina Keira Jones

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Generation of the 90s, Generation Y, echo boomers, and famously labeled as the Peter Pan Generation.

Generation of the 90s, Generation Y, echo boomers, and famously labeled as the Peter Pan Generation. Boys and girls that were brought up or born in the 90s are the young adults of today. In a world that collapses under financial catastrophes, nuclear horror, corrupt politicians, slavery wages, universal pollution, moral oppression, media control of every aspect, materialism, extreme security, the failure of all previous generations, and the lack of hope they are expected to grow up and be the new series of adults. Yet there is a rebellion brewing, these Lost Boys do not want to grow up! Having nothing to look forward to as adults in a world that’s tumbling down, they want to stick to their ability to dream

and imagine and hope and do not want to give it up for nothing. They rightfully choose to remain in Neverland.

And if you think this is too romantic, well, you ought to be reminded of how the companions of Peter Pan, aside from children that would forever remain children, were a group of fierce warriors.

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What are your dream/hopes/fears for the future?

My dream is to never stop dreaming. Everyone has got dreams but only a few fulfil them, so I try not to be caught up in the magic of dreaming but to make things real no matter what. I am a person who loves creativity, and all my dreams are related to that and to my studies. I study Vocal Performance and music-opera and also theory of science at the Athens University. One of my dreams is travelling all over the world and being on stage while living the most with the people I love. Fears?

I got no fears. I have faith in myself.

How does the situation in Greece at the moment affect you?

The terrible financial situation in Greece is also a fact in many European countries as well, and even anywhere in the world. There have been a lot of “crisis” in Greece, but this one seems to be one of the worst. On the streets I see panic, chaos, and despair in people’s faces. I don’t like to accept situations passively but unfortunately there isn’t much I can do. I’m not directly influenced by the lack of money but what I see everywhere around me is a simple fact: there is plenty of money in Greece but unfortunately gathered in the hands of very few and wrong people. To solve this whole situation collective efforts and interest is a big must.

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What are your dreams/hopes/fears for the future?

My career dream is to succeed as an object designer of old things and jewellery.

Of course I also dream of a world in peace, after all I’m such a hippie and I think the future can be a DREAMcome-true and much better than the past. I hope and trust in love and I wish that for everyone but for myself in a personal level too. And what I fear about the future is everything I can’t know. But the smell of the unknown is as scary as it is attractive.

How does the situation in Greece at the moment affect you?

Greece is in a very transitional period, not only the economy is changing, but the ethos of the Greeks also.

Of course such things affect everybody, even foreign countries but when we talk about me as a person, I can’t see any big effect yet. I don’t belong to a rich family so it’s not affecting the way I live that much since I am used to all this and have become flexible enough. They say people that have lived through such changes become really smarter and it can be a source of inspiration for the artists. I hope it will affect me this way too.

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What are your dreams/hopes/fears for the future?

Ah, I am such a good dreamer! I’ve planned my whole life in my mind perfectly, but you can never know what life is preparing for you. I’d like to live permanently in London, UK, and work as a freelance photographer or for a magazine. I’m also keen on the science of Biology and I hope that I’ll manage to study this at university. When it comes to fears, I m even afraid of talking!

Thinking of losing some of my friends makes me almost faint. I also hate seaweed. However, the best way to overcome a fear is to deal with it, and so I m trying not to behave like a coward! I am generally an optimistic person anyway.

How does the situation in Greece at the moment affect you?

It makes me sad seeing people losing their jobs or being unhappy because of wrong decisions they never made.

So somehow, as a result of these feelings I believe that the riots and demonstrations are partly justified, providing they don’t damage the property of other citizens.

However, I’m always looking at things optimistically and I’m convinced things will become better for all. Despite the bad financial situation of my country though, I love Athens and its weather, and the sun burning my skin at summer!

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5 reasons

‘90s the

ruled!

5. NIRVANA Rock Gods!

In the year 1991 Nirvana had their Global breakthrough with the album “Nevermind”. They were icons of the grunge movement and are still influencing many artists these days.. In 1994, the rise of the band came to an abrupt end, through the tragic suicide of lead singer Kurt Cobain. This death is equated with the end of Elvis.

“Smells like teen spirit” is still a hymn to the 90s. In 2011 Nirvana still lives in our hearts.

Unforgettable songs are like: „Come as you are“ , „In Bloom“ and „Heart-Shaped Box“ www.dailymotion.com/video/x4jnf_in-bloom-nirvana_music 4. THE SImPSONS „Do the Bartman“ The Simpsons are the longest running U.S. animated series on TV. Some people find it funny, others don´t. But let’s be honest, The Simspons belong to our pop culture like no other TVseries. We grew up with them and they will outlive us all. In the 90’s The Simpsons were also pop stars and they had success with songs like “Do the Bartman”. There is a cinema film, computer games and many more followed.

Long live the Simpsons! www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJvH79CDZ8k&feature=related

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3. TWIN PEAKS Who killed Laura Palmer?

Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The first episode aired In the US in 1990 and came directly to an international succes. The series sets new standards for TV-Shows and established the genre of Mystry series. Twin Peaks explores the gulf between the veneer of small-town respectability and the seedier layers of life lurking beneath it. Each character from the town leads a double life that is slowly uncovered as the series progresses, as it attempts to expose the dark side of seemingly innocent lives. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNhY1_d1mH8 2. THE FACE mAGAZINE The style bible of the 90s years. Everyone who wanted to be hip and trendy had to read the magazine. No artist was cool when he was not on the cover of “The Face�. Great photographers have their work published in there. Names like David La Chapel, Steven Klein and Juergen Teller were regular guests in the magazines.

Models such as Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and many more were also obtained by this magazine and became iconic.

It is a pity that the magazine was closed in 2004. But thanks to God there is HONK! now.

1. ABSOLuTELY FABuLOuS La Croix sweetie, La Croix.

Abfab is definitely the best comedy show ever produced. Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are goddesses of their art.

We love the UK just because of Abfab. They are loud, dirty, rude and always very very funny.

Because of the liberal view of drugs and alcohol and little responsibly, irreverent and often illegal behavior, we love this show.

Patsy: Easy going sex with gorgeous, underage youths...

Eddie: Yeaaah.

And YES!! The BBC said in the past weeks, there are new chapter coming soon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=J02f4NrIq80

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Each generation had its own sexual revolution, the best known being from the 1960s into the 1980s. And the 1990s offered some motions of this kind as well.

But before we talk about the 90s, we have to clarify what a sexual revolution means. Mostly it goes hand in hand with music. It’s a spirit of freedom and desire of lightness of being. It’s a social movement that challenges traditional codes of behaviour. It’s an offshoot of anarchism and it reflects a civil libertarian philosophy that seeks freedom from state regulation and church interference in personal relationships.

HONK! has the honour to talk to one of the founders of the Love Parade which brought us the “sexual revolution of the 90s”. The first parade took place just months before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It was born in Berlin underground, initiated by Matthias Roeingh (aka Dr. Motte) and his friends. The concept of it was a political demonstration for peace and international understanding through love and music. After an enormous success for years, Dr. Motte dissociated himself from the parade in 2006 because of the commercialization of the event.

But he is still active fighting for the preservation of Berlin’s underground scene and against the commercialization of our beloved capital through investors.

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DR. MOTTE

MISTER

LOVE, PEACE&

HARMONY Interview by Nina Kharytonova

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LOLA DUPRÉ

This issue of HONK! magazine is dealing with the theme “90s – generation of love, sex and harmony.”

What does this period mean to you?

For me the 90s were very exciting and wonderful times. The best time of my life.

How old were you in 1990?

I was born in 1960, so I was 30 years old.

How did you come up with the idea for Love Parade?

The idea came to me in 1989 as I was inspired by the stories from England. During that time all similar parties were forbidden there by the police, furthermore the equipment was temporarily confiscated. But the ravers didn’t allow themselves to be discouraged. They just brought their ghetto blusters and raved on in the middle of the streets. This idea of raving on the streets I found back then simply fascinating. So the Love Parade was born. We started with just one truck and 150 people at Kurfürstendamm (back then in West Berlin) on the 1st of July 1989. Nobody could guess at the time that it would catch on to such an enormous extent. We wanted to create some space where everybody would be welcome and where the ideas of love, freedom and harmony could be connected to music, dance and

complete detachedness. That is why we were really surprised about the high and fast growing popularity.

The Love Parade released a kind of sexual and musical revolution. A unique club culture appeared, which is thriving and prospering till now. How does it feel to be one of the founders of this outraging phenomenon? Isn’t it rather a huge responsibility?

As I told you before we didn’t expected such a rush development. And of course we developed ourselves with the Love Parade. I am very happy that our message of freedom, love and harmony came across to so many people and was so highly appreciated. Surely you feel responsible for the speeches you make and for the messages you carry. But I wouldn’t say that I had set up a sexual revolution. The people who were part of it, brought it into being. So I would say all of us are responsible for this movement and this is our common masterpiece.

Which music and which personalities inspired you mostly during this period?

DJ Speedy was somebody who inspired me with his music during these days. His music was very special, he created his own sound, which you couldn’t peg anywhere. And I loved this sound. But he was not the only

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I miss this

carefree spirit

one who inspired me back then. This is a well-known story. I must confess that I tried drugs for a while. I took LSD and I collected some spiritual experiences.

As I quit it, I fell into some kind of depression and emotional gap. Just the questioning of the sense of my activities, put me in some kind of numbness. At this time I started to read books like crazy. I actually devoured them. During my search for a new thing I bumped fortunately into a book of Dalai Lama. As I read the book for the first time I couldn’t comprehend anything. With time I discovered the meditation for myself and since then I have been staying in close contact with a Buddhist monk. So two different personalities inspired me in that period, they were Albert Hoffmann and his invention of LSD and Dalai Lama.

self was the most important thing. I also believe that the pressure of the society concerning career and success has enormously escalated since then. And I don’t feel really happy about that.

How did life change since the 90s and how do you feel about that?

The people were at that time more easygoing and open-minded. You can say this was a doer generation.

Nowadays one thinks too much before one hurls into something new. In the 90s one did it simply, not one thought about either later or never ;-) Nowadays one speculates long, whether one does everything right or not, back then it was not so important, the process it-

If you had a chance to go back into the 90s with a time machine, what would you bring back with you? Is there something what you are missing from the 90s?

I miss this carefree spirit the most, so if I had a chance to bring it back, I would do this no doubt.

You are still engaged into preserving the free development of underground club culture with such projects as Support Tacheles and electrocult e.V. Why is it so important to you?

I believe that because of the growing commercialization the underground spirit gets lost and gives way to merciless capitalism. I think this very culture should be protected as World Cultural Heritage and I am fighting for it with all possible means. In order to raise attention of the authorities and politicians I have launched the electrocult association. www.electrocult.de

Thank you very much for your time, we really enjoyed the interview with you! We wish you good luck with the realization of your upcoming projects and intentions.

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NOTHING

COMPARES

Photographer CHRISTOPH VOY www.christophvoy.com Styling MARINA GEHRMANN Hair & Make –Up MISCHKA HART (BASICS) Models INES @MD MANAGEMENT LENNY @IZAIO MODELS LAURA @SEEDS MANAGEMENT

2US

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Lenny Shirt MONKI Laura Dress AMERICAN APPAREL

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Ines Dress FRANZIUS Boots WEEKDAY

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Laura Cape FRANZIUS Boots MONKI Lenny Chino BEN SHERMAN

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Ines Bodysuit AMERICAN APPAREL, Bomberjacket ADIDAS ORIGINALS BY JEREMY SCOTT, Boots MONKI

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FUME OF VIRGINITY

Lenny Chino BEN SHERMAN Necklace MONKI

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Ines Dress STINE GOYA Boots WEEKDAY

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Ines: Jacket STINE GOYA Shorts ADIDAS ORIGINALS

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Laura: Catsuit FRANZIUS VINTAGE, Boots MONKI

Lenny Hoody ADIDAS ORIGINALS BY JEREMY SCOTT

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Unity & harmony with

generation technology!

OF

the

Text by Denise Dahinten

The 80s were for a long time in the spotlight of the fashion and music industry and every little trend was allowed to celebrate its comeback. Even the former wallflower Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta used the flashy fashion re-appearances from the 80s and BOOOM! the ultimate “Queen of Pop” Lady Gaga was born! Now the 80s are in the process of waving “Goodbye!”. And Lady Gaga and her fashion director Nicola Formichetti know how her look transforms skillfully from the 80s into the 90s. In her new music video “The Edge of Glory,” which is recently celebrating the premiere, Gaga dances alone through the empty streets of New York, dressed from head to toe in Gianni Versace’s latest legendary collection!

During the autumn/winter shows in 1992 this collection had been presented by Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Stephanie Seymour, Helena Christensen, Yasmeen Ghauni, Karen Mulder, Elaine Irwin, Carla Bruni, Nadege Marpessa, Veronica Webb and Nikki Taylor on the catwalk and is still unforgotten.

Also, this year the legendary “De Grisogono Party” invited the fashion world under the motto “Gipsy Glam” at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes. Only the

most important people of the international jet set, movie and show business were on the guestlist. The former stylist of L’UomoVogue, Giovanna Battaglia, celebrated on the Cote d’Azur. She already knew in May about the comeback of the Italian fashion house and she decided to wear an outfit of this legendary bondage collection.

You can not blame her. She was the star of the evening! It pays off to stand out.

But nevertheless, it was of course not only Versace. An-

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NOITE UNISSEX / Photographer Fernando Mazza / Fashion Editor Alessandro Lรกzaro & Mauricio Mariano Beauty Carol de Almeida Prada / Model Schynaider

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LOLA DUPRÉ

VERSACE COUTURE

other important trend was the grunge style. Grunge, an American slang term for waste, dirt, was originally a protest of the young people and should help them express their point of view. The clothes came mostly from thrift stores. Grunger wore plaid flannel shirts and torn jeans. The shoes looked like most of the rest of the clothing, namely, dirty and old. A big fan of grunge was Marc Jacobs. Who would have thought?

The current creative director of Louis Vuitton was a really big fan of this fashion style and chose this look for Perry Ellis to showcase it on the catwalk. Although Marc Jacobs was fired shortly thereafter for such a fucked-up trend to such a high price, this collection still remained unforgettable.

Characteristic of the ‘90s were also the increasingly rapid changes in fashion. There were many different clothing styles at once. From the beginning to the mid-

dle of the decade the neon techno music movement became the total trend.

From the technology and electronics, the use of the World Wide Web, mobile phones and battery-operated pets such as Tamagotchi and Furby, a big jump was made attempting to completely unite it with wardrobe, they built flashing LED’s and electronics into clothing pieces.

In the summer of 2011 the 90s neon colors are skillfully been used with much style. This was especially nice to see in the collections of LALA BERLIN, MIU MIU, Christopher Kane, Proenza Schouler and also in the top line of Burberry Prorsum.

Classic cuts in garish colors. A treat for the eye, many pastel colors and lots of black, white, beige were also spotted.

Another fad that had passed a few years ago comes in a fancier variation: The flare!

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For VIP’s such as Claudia Schiffer and Katie Holmes the “MiH Jeans” is just very popular. Unlike in the ‘90s, where the jeans had to sit on the hips as low as possible, this comes in here with a very high waist and narrow lying to the knee!

But why were then these extra low jeans so popular?

With the “bumsters” in 1996, designed by the British designer Alexander McQueen and worn by Kate Moss it all began. It attracted much attention very quickly, building a high name recognition backbone. Many young women wanted to wear these jeans even though only a few dared to sport jeans like the “bumsters”.

Hip-hop music and the fashion style from 1997 are also becoming more and more popular. The typical clothing of this time was baggy pants. Young people bought those pants in extra large so that the pants almost slid down to the knees.

The environment of these baggy pants carrier felt very disturbed and they thought it is too much to see other people’s underwear. However, the trend continued just the same into the new century.

Everyone will find something for themselves, it’s no longer about owning a whole “outfit”, but also about adapting trends and fashion to your own little personal world.

So you pull up on the bars past the neon-colored Tshirts and perhaps you would rather invest in a timeless and purist-cut dress by Helmut Lang, who just celebrated his comeback in fashion history.

Through the past and after many personal fashion faux pas, now we finally know exactly what looks good on us and what doesn’t.

As always, time will tell regarding our decisions! Well, have fun with the 90´s Fashion!

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?

Who the hell is Madonna MUSIC

Music reviewed by Polys

His taste in music is legendary in Berlin. No dance floor is safe!

He loves music and music loves him!

Now the top of the top of Polys playlist!

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Austra

AUSTRA • Take a big cocktail-mixer and put in the following ingredients: 4cl of an ‘Intense, Powerful, glass-bursting Voice’, 4cl ‘Classical Music studies’, 2cl ‘Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus’, 1cl ‘Punk Group Experience’, 4cl ‘Synthpop’, 2cl ‘Theatrical Intensity’, 1cl ‘Odd Lyrics’, 2cl. ‘Domino Records’, 2cl. ‘Damian Taylor’, and a big portion of Queerness.

-> Shake well for 2min. and serve in a well tempered cup, decorate with some glitter and what you get is a cocktail called AUSTRA -> A cocktail to warm you from inside!

• Austra is actually the middle name of the LatvianCanadian Katie Stelmanis (mastermind, pianist and singer of the Band) and stands for the goddess of light in Latvian mythology.

• Their sound merges all the influences that worked on Katie to a sparkling bullet.

• Katie’s voice and expression stands for itself; at any time identifiable and full of character.

Interpret: AUSTRA Album: Feel It Break Genres: Electronic Label: Domino Records Origin: Toronto (Canada) Line-up: Katie Stelmanis, Maya Postepski, Dorian Wolf.

Website: www.austramusic.com

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WHO THE HELL IS MADONNA

Interpret: Barbara Panther Album: Barbara Panther Genres: Electronic, Experimental, Trip-Hop, Pop. Label: City Slang Origin: Rwanda/Brussels Website: www.barbarapanther.com

• They don’t sound Canadian, either Icelandic or Swedish, nor British or German, they just sound AUSTRA! (a sound that’s truly unique to anything that’s come out in recent memory.)

• When I first saw (and heard) the video for “The Beast”, I had a non-stop-Goosebumps-attack! -> This song is undoubtedly a MASTERPIECE! • I bought directly the album, put it on my mp3-player (NO ipod) and I can ensure you it’s gonna stay in there till death do us part!

• Favourite track: The Beast, Shoot The Water, Beat And The Pulse, Lose It.

BARBARA PANTHER • Panther’s debut album is certainly one of the pleasant surprises this year!

• The Rwandan-born, Brussels-raised, Berlin-based, former drama student Barbara Panther herself calls her music “modern electronic baroque music” and describes it as raw, sophisticated, honest and great!

• She cooperated breviously with Jahcoozi, Kid 606, Sneaky and T.Raumschmiere.

Interpret: Gus Gus Album: Arabian Horse Genres: Electronic, House Label: Kompakt Origin: Reykjavík (Iceland) Line-up: Stephan Stephensen, Birgir Þórarinsson, Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson, Urður Hákonardóttir.

Website: www.gusgus.grapewire.net

• Matthew Herbert was asked to mix the album, but once in the studio the two decided to collaborate fully.

• She manages her voice in a special offensive way and gets right through to the listener but stays at the same time real, innocent and almost fragile in some points.

• Words are sung with a latent aggressiveness and overemphasis in a way that seems to disregard the normal rules of syntax and all that boring stuff.

• Barbara Panther fits perfectly in the time and speaks to listeners of many different genres!

• In some of her texts she worships the oceans, the water and that which lives in the sea. Espesialy “Empire” is dealing with nature that takes over our civilized world.

• “I´m intrigued by the universe, water and the moon, and their interdependencies which you can notice on the record’s sound and theme” says Barbara.

• Favourite track: Empire, Dizzy, Unchained.

GUS GUS • Gus Gus were founded 16 years ago in 1995.

• Initially formed as a film and acting collective, the

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Gus Gus

group became mostly known for their electronic music.

• Their discography consists of eight studio albums and one live record.

• Several lineup changes have occurred over the years; the most notably former member is Emilíana Torrini.

• They have remixed several famous artists, including Björk, Depeche Mode, Moloko, and Sigur Rós.

• It’s their second album for the label Kompakt.

• This album has everything: Brave moves (‘Selfoss’ suddenly cuts to a gypsy music towards its close and I love it!); Highlights showcasing Gus Gus versatility and stunning song writing ability; Outstanding vocal harmonies; A perfect balance between commercial pop and underground dance music and the voice of ‘Earth’ is back!

• ‘Arabian Horse’ is a mixture of the best from Gus Gus career: strong compositions, outstanding vocals, addictive rhythms, synth experiments and “heavenly, but at the same seductive arrangements and a mix of highs and lows that are not recommended for people with weak hearts”.

• And yes, it definitely is their greatest accomplishment in their 15+ year history.

• Favourite track: Arabian Horse(!!!), Deep Inside, Over

CULTS • Cults’ self-titled debut is a great warm-weather album who will sweep you off to the era of the 50’s and 60′s pop.

• The opening trio of songs is the strongest.

• Madeline’s voice sounds like innocent choruses of school kids and harmonises great with the warm sound of the band.

• A trick Cults pull out again and again is doubling Madeline’s vocal melodies by glockenspiel.

• Another one is the intriguing juxtaposition of downer lyrics and upbeat melodies.

• The result is an album full of comfortably similar songs, but with an underlying complexity that renders the record an easy one to fall for.

• Cults are giving fans a taste of what to expect from them in the future.

• Favourite track: Abducted, Go Outside, Never Heal Myself.

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WHO THE HELL IS MADONNA

Yuksek

Interpret: Cults Album: Cults Genres: Pop Label: In The Name Of/Columbia Origin: California (USA) Line-up: Brian Oblivion, Madeline Follin (BF/GF) Website: www.cultscultscults.com

Yuksek • Yuksek is a highly sought after producer/remixer.

• He has been creating some of the hottest remixes since 2005.

• 2009 -> Debut ‘Away from the Sea’ • For his second album French electro producer Yuksek was inspired by the lonely days of touring around the world on his own.

• Yuksek wrote, arranged, and produced all the tracks himself, and sings all vocals.

• The single ‘On A Train’, has been an instant viral smash, with 1 million views of a video made under the pseudonym ‘Mega Mystery Band’.

• The album is full of organic warm synth sounds, disco claps, soft percussion and electrifying vocals.

• It’s done so well you can’t help but fall in love with it.

• Highly recommended is also Yuksek’s latest sideproject “Peter And The Magician” which he formed together with a friend (ex ‘Aeroplane’ member).

• Favourite track: On a Train, Always On The Run, The Edge.

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Interpret: Yuksek Album: Living On The Edge Of Time Genres: Electronic Label: Fiction Records Origin: Reims (France) Line-up: Pierre-Alexandre Busson Website: www.yuksek.fr

Interpret: Is Tropical Album: Native To Genres: Elektro-Rock Label: Kitsuné Origin: London (UK) Line-up: Simon Milner, Gary Barber und Dominic Alpa Website: www.istropical.com

IS TROPICAL • ‘Is Tropical’ is formed from three former squatters from the Art School in London.

• ‘Native To’ is their debut album.

• They have previously toured with ‘LCS Soundsystem’, ‘The Klaxons’ and ‘Egyprian Hip Hop’.

• The album is full of plenty happy shiny synthesisers, polyphonic singing, digital harmonies and catchy groovy refrains.

• The bass-heavy, beat-driven, pop lo-fi music is very danceable.

• It doesn’t sounds new at all, but it definitely is much better than the average!

• ‘Is Tropical’ delivered us a brilliant music video (to the single “The Greeks”) with the biggest WTF?-Effect until now for 2011.

• Favourite track: The Greeks, South Pacific, Seasick Mutiny.

Is Tropical

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I loved

Puccini opera a lot..

Video Interview@HONK!TV by Polys and Susann Bosslau

Austra is the canadian trio Katie Stelmanis (Mastermind, pianist, singer), Maya Postepski (drummer) and Dorian Wolf (bass).

Katie Stelmanis has performed and recorded in the past also as a solo artist. She spent much time of her young life with the obsessive study of classical music and her goal was to become a professional opera singer.

Now she is touring with her band spreading her unique voice and sounds in sold out venues all over the world.

We had the opportunity to meet Katie at the Domino records office in Berlin few days after the concert in Berghain club and had a great interview with her and talked about everything you wanna know about Austra.

Watch the video interview on our HONK!-TV channel

www.honk-mag.de

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LA

OLE! CHICA

SOmBRA

Photographer Marco Rothenburger www.Marco-Rothenburger.de Fashion by F.RAU Berlin www.f-rau.com Model Sophie Nickel @Mostwanted Models Styling Martina Rau MakeUp & Hair Ines Schult www.ines-schult.com

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A mAN

SHOuLd

WEAR

RAG&BONE

JULIUS

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

MUGLER

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A WOmAN

SHOuLd

WEAR

CARIN WESTER MANISH AURORA

GIVENCHY

IRIS VAN HERPEN

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Madame

Peripetie

I like

tidy opulence!

Interview by Marcel Schlutt www.madameperipetie.com

Madame Peripetie even the name promises something very beautiful and great. You will not be disappointed.

Sylwana Zybura is a pardoned photographer. She shows you a different world. Reality is a stranger to her. Dadaist mythical creatures in many different colors, yes that’s what she likes.

Based in Dortmund / germany is Sylwana on the way to be a very great artist.

It is our pleasure to indroduce you to one of the best female artist of our time.

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Hello Sylwana. We are big fans of your photography, although I would rather say ART! You had first taken a different path and you studied linguistics. How did you start with photography?

After studying linguistics, I’ve lived in London and worked in an independent theatre. The mood, the lighting for the Performances have intrigued me. I wanted express myself visually. Photography was the medium for me.

When i am looking at your pictures i can see, there is a lot of detail? Are you inspired by your Theatre / Stage experience? And if so, how?

I like tidy opulence! This needs orders but otherwise it ends up in chaos. I Like very much the work of Robert Wilson. His perfect minimalism on stage has always fascinated me.

How would you describe your own style?

Surreal, picturesque, always with the micro-explosions of color!

Which artists are role models for you? Do you have someone to whom you look up to?

As I mentioned - Robert Wilson, the Surrealists, Blitz Kids, post punk and a lot of SF writers. I do not like to confine to one area. I will get bored.

What was it like for you when you first time saw your published work you in a magazine?

Joy (the first 10 minutes)!

What have you bought from your first salary?

I do not know. But there was a book by Martin Parr included.

Analog or Digital? How do you work?

Digital. Sometimes, even analogous.

But it is irrelevant.

You belong to this year’s winners of the “catapult” price.

What is the feeling like to be honored for your work?

It is nice for a short term - it is an incentive to continue creating.

Are there magazines in the world for which you would like to photograph?

I-D, Dazed and Confused, V, Sleek.

What kind of projects do you plan in the near future?

I’m working on a project called “Sight of Transgresson” which deals with the topic of character design - in the context of szenografic-apart film - based on the collective unconscious (sounds complicated haha). I create hybrid characters who operate on a kind of stage.

If you could give a hint to young photographers how to be successful and believe in yourself. What would it be?

Shoot a lot, bring an interdisciplinary inspiration to stay true to yourself and do not forget the fun.

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fuck fat m

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t the

ck up, man

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121

VHS VS.

DOGMA 95

by Claudio Alvargonzalez

Remember VHS? Yes, that rectangular piece of plastic you used to watch movies. If you are around my age I bet you have some old videos somewhere in a drawer or in a box behind that old sofa. Let’s do an experiment: Forget for a second your computer, your ipad, your mp4 and your DVD player. Imagine you still have a VHS player at home. Put the tape inside. Ok, the image is not too bad.

Now go fast forward… Hear that annoying noise? Finally, try to select a different language or put subtitles…

Ups!!!.... You can’t. Well, that’s the way we watched video movies in the 90’s. And we loved it! In fact VHS industry came to its climax during that decade where internet was still inaccessible for the users. We could change from big and heavy video players to new ones lighters and with more features including the chance to record directly from your TV channel. Remember those New Kids on the Block or MC Hammer old videos you recorded? Do me a favor: Buy some gasoline and burn them!!

The American companies saw business in the video market and all the titles started a second life with the VHS and most of them had a worldwide distribution.

I know this could sound not very impressive when you can download whatever you want from your computer or even watch it in streaming but being a teenager during those years and go to the video store to pick a new movie and watch it at home was quite an adventure.

In fact the 90´s was a great decade for cinema. The big majors multiplied the copies for distribution because

the audiences were back to theaters after a long way of “crossing the desert” during the 80´s.

That was also the decade of some of the greatest American creators: Tim Burton unites critics and audiences with Edward Scissorhands (1990) and the Batman saga (1989 and 1992). To see Michelle Pfeiffer (in my opinion the most beautiful actress of the last 30 years) dressed in leather as “Catwoman” just make me think in one word…. “Miaoo”!!

It was also the jump to major audiences of some directors coming from the independent side of the industry who talked to more mature audiences: The Coen brothers (Miller’s Crossing, 1990; Fargo, 1995), Ang Lee (The Wedding Banquet, 1993; Sense and Sensibility, 1995; The Ice Storm, 1997) and of course Spike Lee (Jungle Fever, 1991; Malcom X, 1992 and SOS Summer of Sam, 1999. To me his best film).

I don’t want to forget Quentin Tarantino. He is what he is because of what he did during the 90’s. His eternal monologues, his films full of violence but also a deep sense of humor. He gave fresh air to the industry. Forrest Gump beated everyone else at the Oscars but what everybody will remember of 1994 will be Uma Thurman’s dance and John Travolta’s comeback.

But the 90’s would be nothing without four of the best directors of all time. Clint Eastwood reinvented western with Unforgiven (1992), a masterpiece winner of four

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MR. ALVODOVAR AND HIS BIZARRE WORLD

Academy Awards that year; A perfect world (1993) with Kevin Costner in one of his best roles or The Bridges of Madison County (1995) showing the world that tough guys can feel too. Woody Allen continued deconstructing New York society in Husbands and wives (1992); making everyone laugh with an upper class middle-age couple so bored that they become murder detectives in Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993); or showing the world how talented Mira Sorvino is if she has the chance in Mighty Aphrodite (1995).

For the next two I would need a whole article: Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. If there is a list of eclectic directors they would be in the first places. It is true that Scorsese has a real talent talking about mafia like in GoodFellas (1990) or Casino (1995). Have you seen this last one? Let me tell you I was in shock when Sharon Stone didn’t get the Oscar for that role. But it is also true that Cape Fear (1991) and The Age of Innocence (1993) are two of his best films.

But if there is one man who can entertain everyone with Jurassic Park (1993) and touch consciences with Schindler’s List (1994) almost in the same year that could only be Steven Spielberg. This man’s brain should be donated to science. What more could I say? One more thing. If he married Kate Capshaw (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1984) he could only be a cool fun guy.

To finish with American cinema, in 1995 a small company called Pixar Animation Studios associated with

Disney rocked the world with Toy Story which meant the beginning of a new world phenomenon. And you know what came next: a list of animated masterpieces that changed the way of watching films and meaning thousands of millions at the box office. We don’t see cartoons anymore… we watch animated movies. And as I am Disney-Pixar number one fan I just want to say: Long live the Kings!

Now back to the Old Continent. As you know things here work in a different way. The European cinema kept doing films following a line of creativity and quality but much less spectacular with two exceptions: Little Buddha (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1993) with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda trying to follow the success of The Last Emperor (1987) but even the presence of the American stars couldn’t save it from crashing at the box office.

The second exception was Hamlet (Kenneth Branagh, 1996) which worked a little bit better probably because the budget was also smaller (around 18 million dollars).

Do you know the Shakespeare’s play? Well, you have it here from A to Z. That’s the reason it lasts 242 minutes and that, my friends, in English means 4 hours! But the best of the film are the actors: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon and a whole list going almost to infinity.

Most of the European movies during the 90’s were coproductions between countries and in general it was also a great decade for European films in terms of quality.

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For example, Il Postino (Michael Radford, 1994); Shadowlands (Richard Attemborough, 1993); Trainspotting (Danny Boyle, 1996); Secrets & Lies (Mike Leigh, 1996); La niña de tus ojos (Fernando Trueba, 1998), one of the most successful Spanish films of all times.

France also lived its own golden age during that decade, mixing successfully author films with much more commercial proposals. This was a great decade for French cinema in the international market. Some of the best films were: Indochine (Régis Wargnier, 1992) with a cold but superb Catherine Deneuve; Les Visiteurs (Jean-Marie Poiré, 1993); The Fifth Element (Luc Besson, 1997). I have to say I kind of hate this movie. I don’t like Besson’s sense of humor, I hate Chris Tucker and I hate that pseudo pop style the movie is trying to show but it made more than 200 million dollars worldwide so it deserves to be on the list. In fact, my favorite French movie of the 90’s is Le mari de la coiffeuse (Patrice Leconte, 1990), a small jewel full of simple but delicate situations with Jean Rochefort in the best role of his career.

But if there is something really remarkable about European cinema during those years it was the cinematographic movement called Dogma 95.

The beginning of the movement is not exactly clear but we could say Scandinavian cinema was turning into a softer narrative way of filming, with less artifice in image and sound and the camera submitted to the actors with many long takes and handheld camera.

Some of the Dogma rules were: Sound can’t be separated from the image without add-

ing any music. No special illumination is accepted, just what the camera can hold. All the camera movements have to be handheld. No superficial action like murders, shotguns, chasing cars…

To me the funniest one is this: The director’s name is not allowed in the credits… !!???

We may find the beginning of the movement in Breaking the Waves (Lars von Trier, 1995). But the consolidation came with Festen (Thomas Vinterberg, 1998), The Idiots (Lars von Trier, 1998) or even The King is Alive (Kristian Levring, 1999) aka Dogma # 4 about a group of passengers who decide to stage “King Lear” after a bus crash in the desert. Thanks God this article is finishing and I don’t have to say what I think about this stupid plot. The movement didn’t last too long but some of the premises are still in movies nowadays. It also crossed borders. Australian film Shine (Scott Ricks, 1996) is a good example.

As you see I am not a big fan of the movement although I can give credit to some of its ideas, specially everything referring with actors and their freedom while acting.

I prefer to think about cinema as a mix of reality and illusion. I don’t know if your reality is like a TV spot but mine can be hard sometimes and illusion can help me escape from daily troubles. If everything where “Dogma” we wouldn’t have people like Jean Pierre Jeunet, Steven Spielberg, Charles Chaplin or Alfred Hitchcock.

How would life be without aliens, talking toys, Oz or even the red earth of Tara? Well, as my friend Scarlett O’Hara said… “I will think about it tomorrow”.

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Photographer Anita Bresser www.anitabresser.com Model Alexander Jakob www.centoscouting.com Styling Julius Forgo www.juliusforgo.com Styling assistant Tanja Metter www.jenka.eu Hair + Make up Tan Vuaong worked with “armani cosmetics www.basic-berlin.de Photographer´s assistant René Greuél Special thanks to: Departmentstore Quartier 206 Darkland

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Christopher (facing page) / Jeans CHEAP MONDAY, Scarf LALA BERLIN Bianca (this page) / Leather Shorts RIKA, Swimsuit VANS

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Christopher (this page) / Shirt KILIAN KERNER JERSEY Bianca (facing page) / Dress KILIAN KERNER JERSEY, Leggings MOTEL, Bag William Geandarme pour cool and the bag

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THE

FuTuRE BERLIN

FACES

YOu SHOuLd KNOW

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JANA WENdLANdT “mAmA J PROduCTIONS” Finally Berlin has its own Sanny van Heteren. Her Name is Jana Wendlandt and she is the woman who decides who is in and who is out. You have to pass her selection to get in a hippest clubs in the city. But this is not enough. Her new agency for creative people has really a new concept. It supports all creative’s, and when I say all - I mean it so. “Mama J Productions” is a new platform for people from different spheres, like DJ’s, performers, musicians, artists, designers, dancers and painters but not only them – producers and managing genies are also welcome. She also organizes events, which are unique as well.

This brilliant concept will make Mama J Production to one of the most important agencies in Germany in the next future. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mama-J-Productions/140542689340381#!/pages/ mama-j-productions/204594869577268

KIERAN BEHAN “CRYSTALmAFIA” The all around talent and beauty of Kieran moved to our beloved capital five years ago from the foggy coast of San Francisco. She is a photographer and has already captured the spirits of many influential personalities. She is also passionate about music and has played throughout Europe with her signature disco sound, as well as designing amazing jewellery from flea market treasures. One of her most important projects is Crystalmafia.

It’s a collaboration between creative girls and meeting of kindred souls. They are a collective of performance artists, videographers, and costume designers who are complementing each other to create an unforgettable performance. http://crystalmafia.blogspot.com/

LuCAS CARRIERI GALERY Lucas J. Carrieri immigrated to Europe from Argentina. 2005 he opened his first gallery in Berlin, which offered a variety of performances and events that link art to fashion and the gallery quickly became a hip place for the Berlin scene. Now the gallery moved to Potsdamer Straße. Lucas Carrieri created a network that allows international artist to exhibit and sell their art in Berlin. He also supports his artists in the world outside the gallery. Especially his strong connections to Argentina, Italy and Spain make the Lucas Carrieri Art Gallery to a privileged place for promotion of art works. And if you are lucky maybe you will get an invitation to one the gallery private parties, which are legendary as well. http:// www.lucascarrieri.com/

Florian Bartholomäi – Actor The 23 years old guy is vey shy and charming, so when you see him for the first time, you will never expect him to be such an extraordinary talent. But he is one! Each of his roles, even the smallest ones, he performed brilliantly. And the critics think the same. Florian Bartholomäi was already awarded with scores of most desirable film prizes. „New Faces Award“ as the best newcomer actor is just one of them. But he is not only an excellent actor, he is also a sport junkie and he loves it extremely: basketball, different kinds of martial arts and parachute jumping give him a balancing kick. Maybe this variety of interests makes him so successful. Anyway he is the next Cristoph Waltz and an Oscar will be just only one step in his much promising career. http://www.florianbartholomaei.de/

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WOODKID IT’S ALWAYS BEEN

INSIDE OF ME Interview by Christo Mitov Images by Karim Sadli

http://www.myspace.com/woodkid

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Yoann Lemoine (http://www.yoannlemoine.com/) (28) is not your typical director - just like WOODKID is not your typical music project. In the meta level of creativity and talent, Yoann merges with WOODKID to create a pan-media project involving visual art, complex compositions, innovative fashion - all that presented with extreme psychological depth.

When you see his work, you would wonder who is the teacher of this wunderkind. Unfortunately for you and me, everything he knows and everything he is capable of, Yoann has taught himself. Well, not completely. He started learning illustration and animation at Emile Cohl School, Lyon, France and screen-printing techniques at Swindon College, London. After college in 2004, Lemoine started illustrating in several magazines and children’s books, in France and the USA. At the same time, he joined a French production team and started to direct his first 3D-animated TV ads and music videos, before putting his eye to the camera for his first live shoots.

Until recently, Yoann Lemoine was living between Paris and New York, mainly working as a film director in media such as video, 8 to 35mm film, 2D and 3D animation, Stop Motion, photography, illustration, painting, screen printing, sculpture, collage, knitting, holograms, and more… That’s until 2011 when he evolved in WOODKID - a musical and visual project born of nostalgia and soul-searching.

Christo Mitov chatted with Yoann Lemoine about his music project, upcoming album release and tour dates and asked him if he would abandon his visual work.

Hi Yoann, what were you doing right before you sat down to answer those questions?

I’m actually finishing the new THE SHOES http://soundcloud.com/the-shoes/ video that I am working on right now!

You’re commuting between Paris and NYC all the time.

What is keeping you in both places?

I like the energy of New York, I spend a lot of time in LA too. These towns are very exotic to me, and exotic is very good for creation. Even if I have spent a lot of time there, I am still fascinated by the level of expectations and the quality of production for films and music in the US. I love Paris as it’s my hometown somehow. Nothing compares to the place you grew up in, and to a place where most of your close friends are based.

Where in Eastern Europe are your roots from? Do you go back sometimes?

My family is from Poland, I have spent some time there during my childhood, I still talk to my cousin who’s Polish, but now lives in the US. At the time, it was a very desolate country, and I have never been back to Poland, it’s not only good memories, a lot of shady family things happened there, and even if I have never been really exposed to it, as a child, you feel that kind of things. I don’t really want to feel this again.

When did you realize you can express yourself best visually?

It’s always been inside of me, I’ve always been fascinated by light, by perspective, shadows, colors, almost in a scientific way. I’ve always wanted to understand things, understand the eye, and anything I would not understand.

Whose artists’ work inspires you most?

I’m a huge fan of Gus Van Sant, Mallick, photographers like Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld, Martin Parr... I also love video games, Final Fantasy games, heroic fantasy, I’m also very connected to the fashion world, this create a very crossover mix that I really like.

Vintage visuals are obviously a great inspiration for your music videos - are you following a trend or is it nostalgia?

I am, absolutely, in a pretty violent and aggressive way actually. In my Woodkid project, even if the image does not look vintage, and pretty technological actually, I explore themes such as Nostalgia, and the transition between childhood and the adult age. This is something that really obsesses me.

What is the creative process you go through while creating videos and short movies?

I always follow my emotions, visions that I have. It’s a starting point. In the Woodkid video, I knew marble would be present, It took some time to formulate and achieve this visions, and understand the meaning of it, but at the end all these things always make sense together. It’s almost about finding pieces of a puzzle inside of me and slowly assembling them. It’s a psychoanalytic process in a way.

You have several projects for advertising and campaigns.

How did you feel working in the field your parents are working in?

I’ve always been a bit distant with the advertising world, not because it’s my parents job, but mainly because there are too many political and money factors in commercials, and I will never call it art. There are truly amazing creatives in advertising companies, people it’s a real pleasure to work with, but I can’t stop thinking it’s

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for the sake of a product, and money. I see these people struggle so hard with clients, I can’t stop thinking it’s a lot of wasted amazing creation for very little result...

What do you think of product placement in music videos?

It’s part of the game, I have to deal with it in the big videos I am doing. I will never allow anyone place a product in my videos, I’d rather have less money, but in some cases, like big mainstream pop projects, if it helps you build an amazing set or shoot with a better camera, I say go for it.

Are you quitting with the visual work after committing to WOODKID? I mean, Woodkid is 50 percent visual work, so the answer is no!

It’s kind of cost effective for you to direct your own videos.

I’m not the cheapest director right now, it’s true, but I also like to work on very small projects. This video for THE SHOES is a small budget but when I like a project, the production value I can add in a film is very important i think.

You describe yourself as a self-taught professional. Did you learn singing also on your own?

I did everything by myself yes. From directing videos to singing. Alone in my room, by performing live, it’s the same thing with film direction. I like to stay away from people that pretend I owe them what happens to me. I have the amazing luck to be surrounded by very professional and talented teams, that bring a lot of energy and ideas to my films and song productions, and I am super grateful. But It’s also a very important talent to know how to listen what people are suggesting and consider it when it’s actually enhancing your ideas.

Can you compose?

I actually write and compose all of my tracks, yes.

What fight and battle are you singing about in Iron. Or is it a declaration of your battle for a place in the music industry?

It’s a track about the violence I had in me at the time, it’s about the fight for becoming somebody, a fight for the adult age. Everything is linked, and people will understand this in the next videos and tracks. This Fantasy world is a metaphor of very human, universal and philosophic themes.

Who or what is the very reason to write the love ballad to Brooklyn?

It’s an old song, I wanted to put it on the record because I didn’t want this EP to sound too pretentious.

The album will be much more consistent and epic, and will not feature folk ballads. I just like the idea that I can do that too.

You’re about to head in the studio very soon and will be working on your debut album by the time this interview is published. Tell me more about the idea of the record.

The record will be a massive epic production, I will build it like the rhythm of a movie, with an intro, a storyline, a climax, and an ending. I am using a lot of instruments from classical music and sample them, produce it almost like Hip-Hop. I am using a lot of visual and sound codes from religion and army. In a fascinated and critical way. It’s a love-hate story. Once again, codes from the adult age are very inspiring to me. It’s going to be a very emotional journey, I want people to feel like heroes when they listen to the album on their ipod. I like the idea that my music makes people feel stronger.

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Who do you want to work with and who are you working with on the album?

THE SHOES are working on the production of this album with me, they are amazing and they are not afraid by the challenge. There are a couple of other names in the air, but I won’t mention them until things are done!

Are you planning on going into some new genres or using different instruments for the record?

We are actually going to use bagpipes! And an organ church. We have extended the type of percussions and some retro futuristic sounds will enhance the production. Epic and Massive choirs too.

Your tour is starting in October this year. Which places are you most excited about?

I’m very excited about touring in the US, of course.

There are a lot of dates in Europe and I am very curious about meeting my public for the first time. I know there is a lot of expectations, and this tour is pretty challenging.

Should we expect some new songs?

Yes ! I will perform some tracks from the album !

Where are you going after this interview?

In my bed, I am kind of sick today.

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If you listen to

Einstein,

THE

1990s

never existed.

Text by Shelbric A. Fuller www.twitter.com/ShelFuller

For many, it was just a blur in the space time continuum – a colossal juxtaposition between light and concepts. For others, who like to live solidly on planet Earth, we experienced the welcoming of a new dawn.

Just like the glitter of a drag queen who had just left the room, there was a sparkle in the air.

Life was changing for all of us right before our eyes.

We all should have known it was going to be a glorious new day when Russia opened its first McDonalds in 1990. As Germany dealt with issues of reunification, most Americans were falling in love with a whore with a heart of gold. Looking back, it is rather apparent that the makers of “Pretty Woman” were also part of the Bill Clinton administration but I digress.

Americans, who are commonly known in Europe as being prude and superficial, were beginning to recog-

nize and celebrate art as an important part of modern culture. Although, the protests that surrounded the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition were rather heated, at least people were talking about more than the cold war.

As the Deutsche Telekom lost its strangle hold on the German telecommunication system – new monopolies were taking over the TV air waves. No one ever wants to admit it but at 4 in the morning, when you can’t sleep, who can resist the urge to pick up the phone and order a brand new cubic zirconia jewelry set. The distinction that was given to so many US Citizens was able to make its way into the homes and hearts of every German.

But lets be fair, it wasn’t only the US that had lots to offer. We were more than happy to plunder the German techno scene but let me let you in on a little se-

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cret - the Americans have been stealing music from the Germans since Kraftwerk. We love the Germans – they are quirky but consistent. Therefore, it was clear to us that if anyone could take dance music to another level it would be them. Although, it never made it to a Love Parade level in the States, it made its presence known throughout the land. You had Tresor in Berlin but we had The Edge in Fort Lauderdale.

While the citizens of the US were dancing and experimenting with the highly technological sounds of “now” (well, not now as in now but now as in then), there was a dark cloud looming in the background. A cloud that crept up slowly from behind like a horror film villain and attacked under the cloak of night – the boy bands. Oh the horror of it all! 20-somethings dancing in perfect step and singing in harmony with the help of pitch correction (sometimes with the help

of an invisible singer). America should really issue an official apology for the swarm of untalented locus that we sent across the ocean but what is done is done.

In the end, the 1990s were a time of experimentation.

New sounds, new visuals and new hope. Although, the US and Germany are very different, they are also very much the same. Actually, we are all the same. There are time periods in history that were a necessary bridge for the events of now. So much has transpired – so much will transpire and with each passing decade, we learn, reap and sow. As the 90s came to a close things settled, as usual, into a mediocre rut. Maybe we will see those times again. One can only hope.

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DO I BELONG Photography Tine Clearhout & Persona Non Grata Styling, concept, post editing Persona Non Grata www.persona-non-grata.be www.tineclaerhout.com

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influence of music videos in filmmaking Text by Larisa Cataño The

Linda is sitting barefoot on the floor of an old mansion, while she grabs the remote control of a CD player. She pushes a button and a red laser starts to play a CD: so begins the first scene of the video clip for the song Freedom 90 of George Michael and similar seems to be also the beginning of the last decade of the 20th century: with Naomi dancing dressed up in a grunge -style nightgown combined with military boots, a totally wet Cindy singing in a bathtub, Christy in her early twenties looking fabulous wrapped in a long white sheet, and with the burning of George Michael’s infamous “Faith” jacket and the explosion of his guitar symbolizing the end of the 80’s and his past life with Wham!, and his rebirth in the new decade as a new man.

For many the 90s can be remembered for the boom of the boy-bands, the Spice Girls, and of course for the super models. To others the 90s are represented by the Generation X, the depressive grunge, or the Love Parade with its own “X”, but there’s no doubt that those years can also be seen as the decade in which MTV had its best moment showing the birth and development of a new generation of music video creators, who nowadays are still influencing filmmaking. One of those creators is David Fincher who in 1990 directed Freedom 90 of George Michael.

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David Fincher Born 1962 in Denver, Colorado, US. Like many other of his generation, started his career in the advertising and TV commercials, won awards as a music video director and jumped into the film industry with great success and above all, created films that today can be categorized as cult.

In the 80’s Fincher was already a prolific music video director, collaborating with Aerosmith, Sting, Foreigner and other big names of that time. One year before the release of „Freedom 90“ and inspired by the Fritz Lang classic film „Metropolis“ he directed “Express Yourself” of Madonna in which in one of its latest scenes, a bunch of half nude wet men getting involved in what it seems a clandestine fight in a box ring can be seen. Maybe this scene reminds us of one of Fincher’s future films that became cult.

Also in 1990 he directed the classic video “Vogue” of Madonna which is filmed in black and white, and like in “Express Yourself” he got inspiration from the look and sceneries of the old noire-films.

In 1994, his the video “Love is strong” of the Rolling Stones in which with the application of new techniques, he shows the members of the band and other people as sexy giants rambling around the streets of NYC, is still considered very innovative .

In between, Fincher directed in 1992 his first feature film, „Alien 3“ which received an Oscar nomination for

special effects but was not well received by the critics and followers of the Alien’s series. But in 1995, he directed „Se7en“ which not only was a commercial success, but with its neo- noir elements and its great opening credits (by graphic designer Kyle Cooper and musicalized by a sample of an uncredited remix of the Nine Inch Nails song “Closer”), turned into an absolute influence in the aesthetics of the 90s films and TV series.

In 1999 Fincher ended the decade with his ultimate cult film, „Fight Club“, which was one of the most controversial and representative films of the 1990s. It was not only an innovation in the production design and in filmmaking technology but it was established as a cult film because of its originality and cultural and aesthetic impact, which is what still makes it today a defining film. „Fight Club’s“ critique to the capitalistic society and consumer culture is still a topic issue and of course who can forget the looks of Brad Pitt in his character of Tyler Durden who after 12 years still looks damned sexy and cool.

After that, Fincher was established as a renowned film director of big productions like „The Curious Case of Benjamin Button“ or „The Social Network“.

Freedom 90 www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zzko_george-michaelfreedom-90_music Vogue Madonna 1990 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFrE0gMA6fI

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Michel Gondry

Spike Jonze

Born May 8, 1963 in France. With his remarkable creativity and original film techniques, he is no doubt one of the most representative music video directors who have influenced the feature film aesthetics of the 21th century.

With his black comedy-fantasy film „Being John Malkovich“, Spike Jonze made the transition from the music video genre to the feature film very successfully.

Like „Eternal Sunshine“ of Michel Gondry, the first feature film of Jonze was written by Charlie Kaufman having numerous awards nominations and winning some of them. The film is full of the dark humor and antihero characters that can be seen in Jonze’s music videos. In 2002 he directed Adaptation in collaboration again with Kaufman.

After creating music videos for his own rock band „Oui Oui“ and other french bands, Björk asked him in 1993 to direct the video clip for her first solo single “Human Behaviour”, which was the first of seven music videos in the collaboration of the two artists. In “Human Behaviour” Gondry combines animation and live action to create a strange and surreal but yet beautiful world, full of childlike imagery with a touch of darkness.

Gondry, throughout his film career. Keeps using the imagery, design and camera effects of “Human Behaviour” resulting in some of the most visually amazing music videos in the history of this genre like Bachelorette of Björk(1997), “Around the World” of Daft Punk (1997) or “Let Forever Be” of The Chemical Brothers (1999). He has also collaborated on more than one occasion with The White Stripes, Radiohead, and Beck. Many of these artists have also participated in the soundtracks of Gondry’s films.

After his first feature film „Human Nature“ (2002) Gondry directed in 2004 „Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind“ in which he applies not only many of the image manipulation techniques that he had experimented with in his music videos but also the same kind of visual surrealistic atmosphere. Together with Charly Kaufman and Pierre Bismuth, Gondry won an Academy Award for the screenplay of this film. „The Science of Sleep“ of 2006 is somehow an autobiographical film, written by Gondry, in which he again utilizes his video techniques and mixes dreams and reality with the same childlike imagery that characterized his work. Since 1993 Michel Gondry has been a pioneer redefining the music video world, not only technically but also aesthetically and has also extended his influence into the feature filmmaking.

Human Behaviour - Björk (1993) http://vimeo.com/10125216 Bachelorette -Björk(1997) www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nNfbTS6N4

Before his debut in the feature filmmaking, Spike Jonze was also directing TV commercials and music videos which had left a big influence in the visual aesthetics of the pop culture of the 90s bringing a very peculiar sense of humor to the decade. Maybe one of his best work as a music video director is “Sabotage” of the Beastie Boys (1994) which is an homage and parody of 1970s crime TV series such as Hawaii FiveO, The Streets of San Francisco, S.W.A.T., Baretta, and Starsky and Hutch. After the release of this video, the rest of the decade was impregnated with a revival of 1970s.

In a some kind of flash mob action, Jonze assembled a group of “dancers” to perform to Fatboy Slim’s song “Praise you” (1998) outside a Westwood, California movie theater, taped the performance and left the video with an amateur look.

Praise you- Fatboy Slim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex1qzIggZnA Beastie Boys - Sabotage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwVMxR8PcyM

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Mark Romanek Although Mark Romanek (born September 18, 1959) gained with his film „One Hour Photo“ (2002) a good reputation as a feature film director, his creations in the music video genre are what marked the imaginary of the pop culture of a whole generation in the 90s.

Some of his more well known videos include “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue (1992), “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz (1993), “Rain” by Madonna (1993), “Devil’s Haircut” by Beck (1996), which are recognized for their elegance and great photography.

Actually “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails (1994), and “Bedtime Story” by Madonna (1994), have been made part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

One of his most important videos, “Closer” of NIN, was both critically acclaimed and controversial because of his disturbing images. The video shows scenes that are inspired by the art of the photographer Joel-Peter Witkin (which takes very artistic photos of dead bodies), as well as Francis Bacon. A nude bald woman, a monkey tied to a cross, a pig’s head spinning on some type of ancient machine, insects, a diagram of a vulva, S&M accessories, leather clothes. This imagery is part of the “Closer” video which shows a darker side of the decade but in a very artistic way that could only be done under the eye and direction of Romanek.

In the 90s we used to look for the new works of the video directors, we knew their names which were as important as the artists and the music itself, and when I watch these great images again, combined with that great music I’m not ashamed to say that I’m still stuck in the 90s.

Fincher

Gondry

Jonze

MADONNA - Bedtime Story 1994 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9MXHL4CshE MADONNA RAIN 1993 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzbhiNl0roY

Romanek

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by Christo Mitov

Illustration Ango The Meek Dead

It seems like Berlin has concentrated all well-dressed people in Mitte and once you leave the fashion heart of the German capital, you stumble upon people who look like they’ve made their fashion decisions in the dark.

Anyhow, if you feel you don’t have the imagination to dress up, at least flip some fashion magazines in the nearest coffee shop and just copy-paste some looks.

On my way to the trendy cafe I came to finish my column, I was able to spot 5 fashion disasters which I haven’t even planned on mentioning. Here is a quick tip: If the T-shirt looks like it might be mentally ill, then, so, too, is the smug gentleman wearing it. Ambiguous baseball caps with pink plastic pieces jutting out the top intended to look like a pair of lady’s legs -- NO. This is NOT the cool, updated version of the 50s lamp shaped like a can-can girl’s fishnet stocking-enhanced thigh.

Please, Mr. Hipster, cease and desist with the all-yellow (yes, lemon yellow) outfit. Just because it was on display at the COS window doesn’t mean you should put it on. As the Russians say, “Nyet.” Drop-crotch trousers with elasticated cuffs. Fucking stop it. It wasn’t cool in 1983 and it’s DEFINITELY not cool in 2011. Hawaiian shirts - no comment. Bra over the blouse. Yes, my good friend Corey actually saw this the other day. Oh, Berlin... But now back to my plan which includes examples from German clothing over hair and style: 2010 was the year when 80s were back, 2011 is obviously the year the fashion and all other industries joined forces to bring back the 90s. No matter what decade is coming back in which year, style and taste are always two crucial requirements for applying and following trends. For the same reason I refuse to put on man jeggings and make my legs look like two bratwursts.

Sandal Scandal There is an image that always pops up in my mind when I think about German fashion and unfortunately it is not the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

I know I am not the only one who has noticed - sandals with socks. What is up with that, Germany? Are

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you getting cold wearing sandals, are you afraid to wash your feet in case they get dirty or do they look so gross that you hide them in white socks? Also, what is wrong with wearing a chic sandal and taking a pass on all the tasteless sporty sandals out there?

So many questions, so little time. However, you can just put on lighter shoes or just be brave and adventurous and put on the sandals on a bare foot.

Khaki Bukkake I know a very respectable woman brought back the skin tone for clothing, namely Angela Merkel, but why do you have to show your patriotism in the worst possible way by dressing up in ochre and khaki from head to toe? Due to the lack of sun in Germany and the slight domination of pasties, overdosing with skin toned garments has almost as devastating effects as the tainted cocaine in the US and Russia.

Let’s leave this privilege of wearing khaki, ochre and egg shell to the elderly, the yachters and the sailors.

Pierce for Peace?

Not really. Piercings were HUGE in the 90s. They were hugely overestimated as a political statement and underestimated in hideousness. Lip piecing, eyebrow piercing, cheek piercing, neck piercing,... Should I continue? Who needs those piercings? I could understand if it was a pleasure-oriented piercing like e.g. nipple piercing. Everything else is just obsolete.

The Pity of The Pits Ladies, pay close attention. I almost feel ashamed to utter or write down those words in a country that is a leading world industrial power; that has running warm water and where cosmetic products are available on every corner, any time. So if all those conditions are available, why are there some of you, Fräuleins, who just refuse to shave or wax your armpits?

Lifting your arm to hold onto the handle in the train and flashing your rainforest to everyone should be banned by law. And don’t get me started on the scents you spread in the non-air-conditioned trains of Berlin. And don’t forget - you’re not alone on the train and it’s not really about style, but hygiene.

The Dreadful Locks Dreadlocks are definitely making a comeback this summer in Berlin. Wherever I go, whatever social group I am surrounded by, there is always at least one boy or girl sporting a ras. Short, long, thick, thin, blond, dark, colored, woolen - and that is just the beginning of the list. Sometimes I really wonder if people wearing dreadlocks are living in a house missing mirrors or if they have lost their sense of smell. My flatmate Sean calls them maggot sticks. I won’t bore you with the story behind coining this term, but just imagine the perfect conditions dreadlocks offer for a flourishing fleas colony on your head.

Summer Wool Ok, I get it. Hipsters are a great drive for fashion and related business but can we all please decide right here and right now that we do not want to turn wearing a wool hat in summer to the next big thing after man jeggings? Thank you. Even when made of cotton wool, beanies and such belong in the autumn and winter wardrobe, not as an accessory to shorts and sandals. It has has been scientifically proven that all temperatures over 26°C are slowing down brain cell functionality. Maybe you should take off your wool hat and think about it. Before that the process wouldn’t be possible anyway.

Flip-Flops and The City Closing up the frame of the Revenge of The Fashion Nerds, we’re back on the shoes issue. Besides sandals with socks, there is another persistent phenomenon that just won’t let go: flip-flops. They are just not meant for the city. For the beach - yes. For the bathroom - yes. But don’t forget them on your feet before leaving the apartment. Especially if you’re wearing jeans or other long pants.

Despite my efforts to sum up some of the most prominent German fashion and style disasters or at least those that get on trains, walk the streets or flood bars and cafes, there are probably hundreds of other experiences that cause instant eye cancer. Until I face them, I’d try to enjoy the summer without making or running into the mistakes listed above so I can recharge the batteries of my stun gun and point at the next victim of the Nerds in Issue No. 5 on October 15th. Until then, feel free to drop a line at cmitov@honk-mag.de

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MASHA Tyelna Concept, Production & Photography Lukasz Wolejko-Wolejszo http://wolejko-wolejszo.com/new/ Model Masha Tyelna @M4 Models Styling Jennifer Daubitz Hair&Make up by Lars R端ffert with Armani Cosmetics / 21agency http://www.lars-rueffert.de/

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Corsage H&M Trousers Designers Remix Collection Jacket Tibi Bold bracelet Tokyo Jane Bracelet JDauplin

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Shorts Rich & Royal Shirt Schumacher Jacker H&M Shoes Stuart Weitzman

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Tunika Tara Jarmon Skirt French Connection Leather coat Blacky Dress Necklace H&M Spike necklace JDauplin

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Jumpsuit Amaya by Priyanka

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Top Modstrรถm Shorts Bruno Manetti Bracelet JDauplin

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Tanktop Lee Blazer Rich & Royal Denim jean Met Jeans Necklace & Bracelet JDauplin

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Dress Tibi

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NON STOP

MUSIC 1993

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Interview by Polys Photos by Sean Young Photography www.seanyoungphotography.com

At the age of 5, Almaryse was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Her answer: A Superstar! This is still her goal and she is having so much fun as she works her way towards it. The Frill Of The Fight is 2 Die 4!

In Almaryse’s family life she has two beautiful sons and they mean the world to her. She says: “It is something important to show them to go for your dreams”. Her Mother also has been an inspiration and really supports her in her passion for her music.

Polys: Who thought of this name for the band?

Almaryse: Oscar Five, my youngest son (aged 6 at the time), was writing out the lyrics for Eye Of The Tiger and instead of ‘thrill of the fight’ he wrote Frill Of The Fight. I first of all adore that he felt the urge to put pen to paper for the love a great song and his version instantly stood out to me as a perfect name for the vision that was growing in my mind.

How did you meet each other and who gave birth to this project and when?

Connor: I met Almaryse through a mutual glam rocker friend that i was an item with and we were performing a dance theatre work called Berlin funny enough but we were doing it in Brisbane. We had some drinks laughed at models being pushed down the runway on TV (with the utmost respect of course) and have been friends and creative bunnies ever since. This project has lured me from my home for the past 7 years Sydney to Brisbane and next The World.

Mark: Almaryse and I met when I auditioned for her then group of back up performers called the Slashys (Actor slash Model slash Dancer). I was actually the last person to audition. She saw hundreds of people that day and was losing hope in finding suitable applicants. Then I auditioned with a yodelling and clog dancing performance and she started screaming and laughing with delight. There was electricity in the air.

We were dizzy. We saw pink stars and glitter in front of our eyes and that’s not the only place. Something spe-

cial was happening and the rest, as they say, is history.

Almaryse: Yes I had met and fallen in love with both Mark and Connor in different parts of my life for a few years before Almaryse & The Frill Of The Fight was conceived. When I met them there was a sense of an important connection and I knew I wanted to join forces with each of them in my wildest dreams future. Maiden Speech, the Poetry-Pop Duo I created with my sister, Poet Pascalle Burton, called it a day and while she and I both performed backing vocals for indie rocker The Stress Of Leisure, Glam Pop was calling me and it was time for the waters to break and Almaryse & The Frill Of The Fight to do some heavy breathing. I gave birth but we have all shared in the labour and conception is an ongoing thing for us...

What was each one of you doing before that?

Connor: I’ve been a professional performer over the past 10 years mostly as a dancer but recently as a freelance artist grabbing all the exciting gigs that present themselves. I just did a commission for the Australia Ensemble where i was asked to choreograph and perform as Pierrot Lunaire in Schoenbergs masterpiece composition with a live ensemble in Sydney. It was such a thrill and the German Soprano text is devine.

Mark: I was touring Australia with my one-man-band tap dancing spectaculaaar. At the time, I was the only person in Australia who could work a kick drum with my foot while tap dancing, not to mention playing a banjo, harmonica, cymbals, a theramin and singing all at once.

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Almaryse & The Frill

Of The Fight

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meet us on the dancefloor!

Almaryse: I used to sing in a big church choir, like Whitney and Beyonce, then for a long time the lead vocalist in a funk covers band, like Chaka and Cyndi, then Maiden Speech, which I wrote my own material for and we put out an album on CD and Cassette, some rad videos, one of which being a cover we did of a Leonard Cohen song, Gypsy’s Wife, in the style of Pat Benatar. http://youtu.be/wD1f65T80xw Mr Cohen responded with this, “Terrific! I am still recovering from the stab of beauty.” We played 3yrs of live shows and Festivals including a UK tour with a memorable detour for the Summer Arts Festival in Cyprus!!! I have been writing songs since I was a child. My Mother (who was a Cabaret and Jazz Singer in the 80’s) taught me about harmony and our home was often filled with three part harmonies; Mum, Pascalle and I, and plenty of laughter.

Are you involved in any other projects except of this one at the moment?

Mark: I have a project called MPopTrash which is writing and producing a catalogue of music for the purpose of disposing of it.

Almaryse: We are excited to have this EP out now and there are already plans and songs being compiled and composed for our next project. It is something that will be epic. Involving film with influences such as Prince, Grace Jones and RuPaul. But that’s all we are going to leak. This EP needs our love right now and we will be focussing on getting it out there.

How is the music scene in Brisbane and how easy or difficult is it to “break the borders” and spread your music to the rest of the globe?

Almaryse: Brisbane is a small city and is a base for some really special music that is truly unique and happening. It has been singled out by Billboard Magazine in recent years as one of the five International hotspots to watch. (Berlin was also in that short list by the way.) Because of it’s size, we find artists from all types of genres mix socially and we all tend to support each other which creates a sense of community which I am proud of. It is still a case though of acts having to get out there on the world stage to crack something open. We are keen to travel with our music and Berlin is our first International stop. I don’t think that’s any kind of coincidence either. We will be hoping to come back and back. And we’d like to see what the rest of Europe, UK and NY think of our brand of Electro Glam Pop...but I always know my roots and I love Brisbane.

Mark: The music scene in Brisbane is big and creative. There are a lot of creative people getting around which is fantastic. I believe Brisbane and Australia will emerge as a creative force that the rest of the world will take notice of and applaud. Getting our music out to the rest of the world is made easier by the internet. YouTube, Facebook and blogs really help to get the word out. We are no longer limited in the number of people we can reach. We hope Berlin will be the first border we break.

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How would you describe your music to someone who haven’t heard your music before?

Almaryse: Electro Glam Kooky Pop. We are also a very visual act so seeing us perform is a big part of the entire package. Lots of colour and movement! Seriously fun and sexy. Meet us on the dancefloor!

Mark: I would call our style of music electro-pop synth art. If Stevie Nicks had a wild night with the Scissor Sister, we would be the result. But our music is just one element of this multi-faceted pop act. We are costumes, we are design, we are fashion. We’re a visual and aural experience.

ndre

Where do you take inspiration from to write your songs?

Almaryse: I have written the songs from this EP and they are all from real life experiences or people who have impacted me, such as my Mother. And ideas that have just spilled out of me and developed into rad pop songs. But we are starting to include songs in our live set that Mark has written and we are venturing into collaboration on songwriting between the three of us. This is exciting and proving to produce some very kooky and fresh sounds.

Mark: For me, inspiration emerges during the creative process. As I work on lyrics, melodies and awesome phat sounds something special happens. The stars align and the various parts of a hot track fall into place. It doesn’t even come from talent because I don’t actually have any. I stumble across things that stimulate my brain. It’s like Alice stumbling across

fascinating and colourful characters in Wonderland.

I start walking through my Wonderland of music and see what I find along the way.

Name some artists who influenced you the most in your life and why?

Almaryse: My first album was Whitney Houston’s debut album. I had many influences - Stevie Wonder, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Jackson, Wham!, Cyndi Lauper, We Are The World, New Kids On The Block.

As I grew up I also discovered some amazing artists that have really inspired me like Grace Jones, Prince, Nina Hagen, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, David Bowie, Ru Paul, The Eurythmics, Queen, and some artists I admire who are most likely also influenced by these greats are Roisin Murphy, Peaches, Imogen Heap, Chromeo, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Presets...Well I LOVE music and really all of it makes an impression on me somehow and I love learning about more music always. There is so much out there from the beginnings of music and constantly being created. I am attracted to artists who have a strong visual element and a distinct sound. I also respond to soulful voices.

Connor: I find Björk an enormous inspiration and love old school faves like Bing Crosby & Billie Holiday too.

Mark: Max Martin who produced the bubblegum pop of the late 90s and early 2000s is a huge inspiration for me. I love other producers like Mark Ronson, Timbaland and N.E.R.D. They each have a unique sound and produce hits that are, to me, perfect. They bring

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a part of heaven into the material world that gives us access to the rest of the universe. Performing artists who influence me include Kate Bush, Antony and the Johnsons, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. They channel something that is from another world and they are visual artists.

If you had the chance to collaborate with an international or maybe German artist, who would it be?

Almaryse: Ooh...Nina Hagen would be a super amazing person to meet and sing with! That would blow my MIND! In the best way!

Mark: I would love to collaborate with Lena MeyerLandrut. She is everything I love about pop music. She’s fun, fresh, cute and she’s pure pop talent. If I collaborated with her I’d make her a disco queen club diva.

Tell us about your first EP. When was it released? Is it only released in Australia? Where can people purchase it?

Almaryse: The EP is available on itunes internationally. We have a run of physical copies for the oldschool types who like to look at the album cover and hear the track listing how we chose it to sit. We held a launch gig here in Brisbane a few weeks ago so it is literally fresh off the presses. We have a great place here called SYC Studios which has a warehouse feel and hosts some awesome underground events with performers from Boylesque – Circus – Pop Sensations like us and anything in between. Sean Young who runs it is a brilliant Photographer and made our

clip for And I... http://youtu.be/nQaePchoEP4 which we had SO much fun making!

The production of the EP was entirely independent and we worked with Producer and very talented musician Golden Sound aka Peter Golikov. For about a year in and out of his studio I worked on the tracks with the Funk Keyboard extraodinaire...he is also a beatmaster and can bash the skins of a kit in a dirty funky way. After initial production I took these babies to an Australian legend, Magoo to mix it. This is when that special something else took the tracks into Pop Magic Territory. Magoo has worked with artists such as Regurgitator, Midnight Oil, Renee Geyer, Kate Miller-Heidke and most recently Art Vs Science.

What should we expect to hear in this album?

What is it about?

Almaryse: It’s a good introduction to us as a group and as the songwriter it reveals quite a lot of myself even with the track A.L.M.A.R.Y.S.E. that holds many definitions which can definitely be applied. Strong dance tracks (Serious, Hot Pink Sun) and a few slowed down sensual numbers like Close My Eyes and Hush Hush which is about my Mother who is such a huge inspiration. Mind you, the songs are open to interpretation and I think everyone will connect in their own way to this EP. We venture into a number of genres actually. Pop, Funk, Rock, Electro, Hip Hop, and even some 40’s flavoured Pop in Wanna Be Your Girl. It’s a group of

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songs that should make people happy. Even a little frisky...who knows. And very danceable! The songs are also catchy so they may be with you for a long time. That’s a good thing. Hahahaha!

Did you have any gigs as a group till now? Do you plan any gigs at the near future both in Australia and Europe?

Almaryse: We released And I... as a single with it’s video in December 2010 with a limited edition 100 kisses hard copy. The 3 of us applied lipstick and kissed each of the 100 singles. It was HOT! We’ve done a bunch of gigs and festivals over here so far in Brisbane.

We are ready to begin our love affair with Berlin!

Are you planning a new video clip soon?

Almaryse: We have shot some footage for a clip for Hot Pink Sun which is in the process of being edited.

It includes rollerskates & a love triangle made up of a young fashion designer and two hot twins! We should make a clip in Berlin! Maybe we can team up with some HONK! folk and create a visual masterpiece!!!

Would you consider of moving to or even having something like a second band base in Berlin or somewhere else in Europe?

Mark: Of course, I love Berlin. I love the culture and the art. Living in and experiencing a place like Berlin would open my third eye which would allow my creativity to flow and enable new things to come into existence. I hope I get to spend more time in Berlin in the future.

Almaryse: Berlin would be a super RAD second home for us!!!

Connor: YES YES YES! where do i sign up.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Connor: Creatively challenged and inspired.

Mark: I see myself writing and producing pop music. I see fake fur everywhere - on the walls, the ceiling, the chairs and all over my body. And I see a lot of glitter.

Almaryse: Another couple of albums under our corsets and that film which will allign us with artists like Prince, Bowie, Madonna (read Desperately Seeking Susan please), Grace Jones, The Beatles and the Spice Girls...hehehe! I hope we will have entered Eurovision at least once!!! I see us well travelled by then with a loving audience that waits eagerly our return to their shores.

Do you wanna say something to close the interview?

Thank you, Berlin, for being so open to us and our music. I hope the people of Berlin and Germany enjoy our music and our show.

See the video for the single ‘And I…’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsvnwIZnIoM Buy the EP here http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/almaryse-the-frillof-the/id439904889

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Interview by MASHYNO Correction by Amercian B.

DJ MONCHICHI

Music left such an indelible mark on his childhood. Born in 1983. In 1994, Brazilian singer and Queen of Eurodance Corona released her smash hit “Rhythm of the Night.” http://bit.ly/9gBbbc He is a huge music addict . DJ Monchichi is definitely more into pop and Eurodance than anything else. He ate music for breakfast! He breathed music! He would never leave his house without his portable CD player. School or no school, rain or shine, he would never go out without it..

And his bedroom walls were literally covered with posters of the Spice Girls, Ace of Base and Hanson. To him the 90’s were a key period.He believe that’s when the Eurodance movement originated. It remains, to this day, one of the best sounds that’s ever been created. Definitely a staple of the 90’s.

You’re known in Berlin as the DJ mixing 90’s Eurodance, how did you come to do that? :I attended a lot of after-parties, and what I used to love doing was taking over the DJ’s computer and playing my 90’s songs. And quite rapidly whenever I played one of my songs people would say “Oh man, Nicolas is at it again, playing his shitty music!” and so I came to realize that people recognized my songs, whether they liked them or not. That’s when I came up with the idea of mixing this type of music, which is very dear to me.

H:Tell us what it is that you like so much about this socalled “shitty music” then?

Well, it’s kinda hard for me to say exactly what I like about it... It reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of when I was 13 and I used to go my friends’ birthday parties on Saturday afternoons. We used to play singles on the stereo, and we danced like crazies. Like there was no tomorrow. We literally binged on Coca Cola and orange juice! It was our very own way of blowing off some steam. We were overflowing with energy at that time!

We had kind of a thing for choreographies too! We loved re-creating them [laughs] Like “Saturday Night”

by Whigfield. Definitely one of our all-time favorites! http://dai.ly/WqpSv H:Could you show us?

Sure... just pour me a glass of orange juice and I’m good to go! [laughs] What’s the story behind your name, “DJ Monchichi”?

Just look at me! When my hair grows, it gets all curly and I look like Monchichi, the stuffed animal! [laughs] In recent years, Eurodance has been coming back into fashion as more and more mainstream American artists are re-appropriating elements of it. Why do you think that is?

I think that the 90s have had a strong influence on a whole generation of people. Most of these people, who were in their teens at the time, are now approaching their thirties. Now some of them work in the music industry.

I believe it’s quite natural for an artist to feel the need to bring back the sounds that affected their childhood.

A lot of artists today are experimenting with that. I’m thinking about Raid One with Lady Gaga and “Alejandro”, that sampled Ace of Base, or Katy Perry with “E.T.”, a track that sounds a lot like “All the things she said” by T.A.T.U. We were part of the MTV generation.

At home, I used to spend hours in front of music channels. I practically grew up watching music videos. One thing that’s always appealed to me was their aesthetic qualities. They were like eye-candy! [laughs] The track that makes you want to put your hands up?

“Push The Feeling On” by Nightcrawlers http://vimeo.com/9204064 The track that you’re ashamed to admit that you love?

“Boom Boom Boom” by Outhere Brothers http://dai.ly/gzTRbv The track that you most recommend in order to save the dance floor?

“Ride On Time” by Black Box http://bit.ly/fgRAT The track with the best music video? ”move your feet” by Junior Senior http://dai.ly/aihiai Greatest song to end a set?

OK so this one’s not really Eurodance, but you can’t go wrong with a little Donna Summer, am I right? I absolutely love “Enough Is Enough”. http://dai.ly/5w9JTn Where can we see you in action next?

I will play @ Proxi Club next in Berlin July 30.2011 www.schwuz.de and once a month at Barbie Deinhoff’s www.facebook.com/barbie.deinhoffs

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www.honk-mag.de

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Last Night a DJ

Fucked my Life..

by Drew Eastman

It was that smell that was waking me up, kinda sour, you know just plane nasty. My eyes not really open i was trying to figure out where the hell this nightmare in my nostrils was coming from.

Then it hit me. It was ME !!!!

I probably didn’t have a friend to hold my hair back or pull my shirt back when i was bringing up the Hot Dogs and Chinese fast food i had before mmhh .. yes before what really? It’s taking me a while just now to figure this out and then hitting me like a Bus driving away from an explosion.

Switch back to last night, i was getting ready jumping into my Denims and slapping my Hair into shape for a big night out clubbing with my friends.

I was already in a state of party when my Ghetto Blaster was pumping out “Right in the Night” by Jam and Spoon and just as i started singing into my Hairbrush the Doorbell knocked me back into reality.

My posse was here, Arms full of drinks and already high from god knows what.

The stereo was turned up louder and the lines where getting ready on the Coffee-Table while Capella’s “U got to let the Music” and Strike’s “U Sure Do” fired us up.

When i was asked if i want a shot and a line my response was just that “I sure DO”, i kinda had an idea that this was gonna be the start to a messy night, but i can’t let this knowledge stop me right? Gotta have fun sometimes you know!

We arrived at the Club just in time for me to lick the DJ’s Face and beg him to play “I Believe” by the Happy Clappers, the cheeky sod asked me what he would get in return and said i could meet him in the toilets after his Gig. Bastard! I said yes, knowing full well that by the time he get’s off i got off to the next club already anyway.

We managed only to stay about 2 hours and we got invited to a private party at a friends place. Since we been to his parties a few times we knew this was gonna be damn good.

Was it ? Yes, most times it was so good that i couldn’t even remember what happened.

Hey, I can see you looking at me right now with that

look, yes it was THAT party where I lost it as well.

Some guy thought it was very hilarious to play “Saturday Night” By Whigfield, I remember i wanted to kick that guy in the face but was stopped by Mister DJ from the club, Damn he was here too this means i gotta pay up for my tune.

He pulled me to the kitchen where we had a few shots of something mixed and a fella in a clown costume walked screaming around the kitchen with a mirror full of fat lines going “Bitch you need some powder in ya face” repeating himself over and over till i had my face in it.

Mister DJ was licking the stuff off my face and sticking his tongue in my mouth whispering to me that I should follow him, all the while i was getting totally of my tits, Oh you know that Rush? Well it was coming!

He pulled me into the bathroom and all i felt was his hands all over me and the room doing the “Whooooo Hooooo” faster and faster.

Then it happened, just as he was going down on me, remember that Hot Dog and Chinese Take-Away i had earlier in the day ? Well here it was coming back.

FUCK! It happened all so fast that neither me or him could move fast enough, You get the idea “No Limit” just like that 2Unlimited Song.

The rest is just a blur to me and here i am, Damn, still in this Bathroom.

I have to find the rest of my gang and a cab if one will even take me home with this stench, oh well it’s the weekend they must be used to it. I Hope :) I Promise i never touch this shit again! Yeah Right typical night.

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DE

BASSIN PLEIN

AIR Photographer Sebastian Donath www.neon-colour.com Styling Denise Dahinten Hair&Make up Ines Schult www.ines-schult.com Models Melanie Arnold @Izaio Models Coco Arnold @Indeed

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Hat H&M Top Zara Bikini bottom Tara Mattews www.net-a-porter.com

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1001 NIGHTS

Hat H&M Top Zara Bikini bottom Tara Mattews www.net-a-porter.com

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Dress and Belt H&M Bracelets Bijou Brigitte Sunglasses Ray Ban

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Blazer Zara Belt Love Moschino Bikini H&M

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Dress H&M

1001 NIGHTS

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1001 NIGHTS

E-ERO fine lingerie & leather goods http://www.e-ero.eu Turban/Pareo http://www.cococana.de Necklace Bijou Brigitte

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Dress COS Bikini H&M

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BikinI H&M Shoes Zara

1001 NIGHTS

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ENOUGH!

SPANISH REVOLUTION

by Claudio Alvargonzález

On the night of may 15th and a week before local elections hundreds of people coming from all corners of Madrid decided to take Puerta del Sol Square in the centre of the Spanish capital to protest peacefully against a political system they thought was not working.

The movement turned into a camping which lasted for nearly a month the same way Egyptians took Tahrir Square until corrupted President Mubarak left the country to exile. The message was sent via facebook and twitter and it ran like gunpowder. The social networks were on fire and the motto was clear: Take the street and let politicians know what the Spanish youth had to say.

But every story has a beginning. Well, this one may have two. The closest one is surprisingly a book: “Indignez-vous!” (Time for Outrage!) or “Indignaos!” in Spanish. His author, the German-born French diplomat Stéphane Hessel was in Madrid some weeks before everything started and in a press conference he wondered why the Spanish society but also the European were still asleep when they should be peacefully “on arms” showing their indignation against finance capitalism, the strife in Palestine or the political system and exhorting young people to react. He made his point clear: Indifference is the worst of attitudes.

His words seemed to reactivate people’s conscience believing not only the Islamic world had reasons to show satiety and anger against a system full of cor-

rupt politicians and institutions in which they do not feel represented. A huge wave of indignation started to spread along the country and thousands of “Indignados” following the example of Madrid also took the main squares in the rest of the big cities. From Barcelona to Valencia, from Seville to Bilbao. And on may 18th the movement crossed the country borders with hundreds of Spanish expatriates protesting in front of the diplomatic delegations or taking squares all around the globe. London, Paris, Berlin, Athens, New York, Buenos Aires or even Siberia where the only Spaniard living in that part of Russia sent his picture via twitter taking the street alone in solidarity with the movement. Everyone spreading the same message: “Real Democracy Now!”.

But what is the meaning of a real democracy? This is hard to explain as the movement itself is formed by many groups of people with different political ideologies; from young people (the main one) to unemployed without job expectations or even old people and families. Well, a real democracy would be one with more political participation with the end of political bipartidism, the end of corruption, the respect for basic rights

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such as employ, education or universal health system.

But also a system based in a more productive and sustainable economy.

As you see it means a whole reinvention. But I believe something deeper than a conjunctural situation of economic crisis is needed to move consciences.

Something has been done wrong for years, maybe decades. And here comes in my opinion the inner core of the problem and also the second beginning of the story: The 90´s.

We may have to look back twenty years ago. Everyone would agree that 1992 was the Spanish golden year.

Although we were already members of the European Union since 1986, in 1992 with the Maastricht treaty Spain took a leap of a giant inside the EU institutions having power levels we could never imagine before. We were listened and we had a vote. But what it is more important we became the largest recipient of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund). In two words: Power and Money. And you know those two words can turn the world upside down.

Don’t get me wrong. I am the first one who remember the 90’s as the best years of my life (or at least the easi-

est). Things started to work after 40 years of Franco’s dictatorship, a difficult transition to democracy and the decade of the 80’s full of lights and darks.

In 1992 we celebrated the Olympic Games in Barcelona and the Universal Expo in Seville. We were back in the international map. We built big airports, high speed trains, huge highways, hospitals, new hotels. Europeans looked at us with admiration speaking about the “Spanish miracle” and what it is more important we looked to Europe with proud and without shame.

For years we enjoyed a status we never dreamed of but somehow we lost perspective. To be honest most part of Europe did. We spent more than we earned thinking money was eternal. We thought it was a real need to have a second house by the sea or close to the mountains. If we couldn’t afford it the bank gave us credit. It was so usual to sign a 30 years mortgage that we forgot how stupid that can be. But in this story we are not the only one to blame because everyone thought to be betting on the winning horse, including the ones now telling us to control our deficit. In fact we asked for credit to buy German cars, French supplies, British products and so on.

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I don’t want to sound too hard but I am just trying to be critic here. And it is also true we have a big problem with corrupt politicians in this country. Not all of them of course. In fact I am sure most of them are decent people but the reality is that a lot of people became politicians not to serve the people but to get rich. How much of the European funds never arrived to the farmers or industry workers? We will never know. But something is clear: We should have done things differently and that is what the movement is trying to change.

After reading this it will seem I am a part of the “Indignados”. But only 50%. I visited the Madrid camping almost every day for a week. I saw how they built a small city under the tents. They had a small library, a pharmacy, a playground and even a small orchard by a fountain. I listened to what they had to say at the assemblies and there comes my biggest problem: I don’t believe in popular assemblies. They might work for small purposes but not to rule a whole country.

They biggest problem the movement has it is also its weakness: Its diversity. Too many different ideologies and too many different goals. In fact some of them are

just anarchists who acted with violence against the elected members of the regional parliament in Barcelona getting the critics of the rest of the movement and even the own Stéphane Hessel.

Now the question is where should they go from here.

That’s hard to say. The first move was a smart one: They left the centre of Madrid to start working from the bottom of every district in every city. There is almost a year left until national elections. Will the movement last until then? Probably. And after? Is this the beginning of a better future? We will see.

I am only sure about one thing. Madrid Puerta del Sol is also known as the Spanish km 0 because during decades it was the beginning of all radial roads of the country. But it is more than that. It is a symbol for Spaniards. A place where everything starts, where everything takes place. Where we celebrate every new year under the clock. A place where we expressed our anger and we mourned our victims after the Islamic terrorist attacks in 2004. We changed a government once. If there is something to change I am sure “La Puerta del Sol” is the right place to start.

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THE RIO GIRLS

FASHION

GOES

POP

Interview by Marcel Schlutt Translation Amanda M. Jansson Sean M. Johnson

YES! Germany has a new girl group that we are more than excited about. The Rio Girls are Bonnie Strange, Jackie Hide, and Mary Brixton. These three young ladies are both models and sisters forming this familial band. They create their own look, from the styling, music, videos, and all the way to the band concept.

There is no better way to express my admiration for their powerful combination of inspiring style and energetic tunes than introduce them to you.

A couple of months ago they released their first single “Neon Lights” and it best to say that it has proven to be a big success! The pop group just released their second single, “Scissors”, which debuted this July 2011. This catchy song is on the way to be this summer’s hit for 2011. Say hello to the new German “Fräulein Wunder” First of all, congratulations to your success with the band! Here in Germany, we have been waiting for a cool band like this for a long time. I see you as the rightful continuation of pop bands like All Saints or Sugababes.

How and when did you meet each other? And who is responsible for the creation of the Rio Girls?

MARY: I’ve met Bonnie in Athens. She was photographing me for a magazine and we instantly hit it off.

JACKIE: Bonnie and I know each other for 7 years now, from fashion school. We grew really close. We always did crazy stuff together and then last year, in Athens, it just happened! The Rio Girls popped up in our heads.

You are all three very successful in the fashion world, as models and photograph. Lately we have seen plenty of models “trying” to make music. But it rarely works out. With you it’s turning out just wonderfully! What’s you secret?

BONNIE, MARY, JACKIE: We haven’t been selected through a casting process!

How would you describe your music and your style? I know that you take full responsibility for the styling, and are on a good way to becoming Pop idols.

BONNIE; JACKIE, MARY: Yes, we love the 80s, but there are plenty of other fashion trends that are crazily inspiring. We just mix everything we like, and this is why we would say that it’s not possible to exactly categorize our style. We keep reinventing ourselves.

I love “Neon Lights”. You have managed to produce a pretty awesome retro hit, that sticks to the back of the head. For the summer your new single is coming up.

What shall we expect?

MARY: Neon lights was a good start, since it is a very catchy song that manages to stick around. With Scissors we want to go a little deeper, create a little mysterious atmosphere, show that RIO can do more.

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Scissors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82LiYcLBHF4 Neon Lights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThNnID-SSTI

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The video for Scissors was filmed in Athens. Just like that?

Or is it because it has been the place you were founded?

JACKIE: Bonnie has lived in Athens for many years, and it has become her second home. She knows to get around and spot amazing locations. In the mean time we have made many friends that helps us with the shooting.

When should we expect the first album? And where can we see you live?

BONNIE, MARY, JACKIE: Just wait a little longer.

You belong to the internet generation and surely make use of this medium for your band also. Do you get response from abroad? How is it to have fans all of a sudden?

BONNIE, MARY & JACKIE: We love Facebook. This medium has really helped us to promote RIO! Thank you Mister Zuckerberg :-) Which artists from the 90s do you like? Do you have any idols?

MARY: Well, I have only been able to listen to the second half of this decade’s music. I was the biggest spice girls fan and have as expected sand every song on my hairbrush. Now I’m fascinated by strong Front women such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Lykke Li, Florence and the Machine, The Sounds, etc..

JACKIE: My Idol is Freddy Mercury.

What’s on your ipod at the moment?

MARY, BONNIE, JACKIE: Naturally, a best of the 80s to dance off and sing along and after the 08.07 our new single Scissors!

You don’t live all in the same city but are spread through the country. What does your daily band life look like? Is it very difficult to practice regularly? Appointments etc?

BONNIE, MARY, JACKIE: Exactly. Without Skype or the blackberry messenger we would have been helpless (or poor…)

The fashion industry and music… they often go into each other. Is this the natural development to your original profession for you?

BONNIE, MARY, JACKIE: It’s brilliant that these borders seem to be vanishing. The Germans try to push everything into labels. We find it’s a shame because this way many creative ideas get lost…

Fashion and music belong together. There is no fashionshow without music and no music without style or fashion. Both live of each other. We like to mix. For our videos we design the outfits and make them ourselves.

Where will The Rio Girls be in 10 years time?

BONNIE, MARY, JACKIE: In 10 years, we are chilling in D&G bikinis on a 10 million yacht, drink champagne, eat Veggie Burger and have our feet massaged by trained Pool Boys. Nah, just kidding. But we do believe that we will manage to combine our hobby, Music with our jobs on a long term and still manage to have lots of fun!

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NW1 LONDON

Photographer Anton Z Risan Co-Photographer / Assistant Daniel Fico from atelier a-z photography Models Robbie, Michael & Duke @ AMCK Models

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MELLESAN

There is no

specific

myth

OR

ritual

actually.

Interview by Amanda M. Jansson www.mellesan.com

MelleSan is a Parisian and very soon Stockholm based designer, whose every creation is carefully handmade and has a soul of its own. Seeking inspiration in Native Americans, Lapland, South American tribes, shamanic rituals, religions and darker worlds, she uses and explores the potential of materials such as feathers, metal, woods, synthetic fur and other raw gems. After having won the WHO’S NEXT Paris exhibition’s young designers contest the only way is up for the talented designer and her stunning creations moving in spheres of true magic.

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LOLA DUPRÉ

How did you know you want to be a designer?

Becoming a designer is not something that I had planned or looked for in the past, I didn’t go to a fashion school either.

It all started out of a game with friends back in 2008.

I made feathers headpieces because I couldn’t find any at that time anywhere and then we went to the woods to shoot them on a fun week-end afternoon.

Next they ended up on the web and out of the blue I won a designers contest to exhibit my work!

What kind of inspiration do you find in Sweden and what kind of inspiration do you find in France?

Sweden is much more inspiring to me than France.

The landscapes are amazing, very impressive and mysterious nature.

The Swedish culture can be very inspiring too but I don’t know it well enough yet, I need to spend more time! Swedish people’s looks on the streets inspire me a lot as well, people are very creative there.

France doesn’t impress me so much anymore, I’ve seen it forever so I’m not sure I’m still able to see the beauty of it. Even though I live in a nice neighbourhood in Paris (Montmartre) that is very inspiring, like

out of an ancient time, it looks like a small village and there’s some kind of artistic “soul” floating in the air.

A lot of artists lived and died in Montmatre, I believe they still haunt the area!

I know that you are influenced by Native American folklore and all kind of folklore. Is there a specific myth or ritual u relate to?

There is no specific myth or ritual actually. But I’m the kind of person to believe in old legends and ghosts! I’m also both attracted and terrified by black magic. These fields I should take time to explore more when I do get a chance to find time to!

What materials do you prefer to use and why?

I like to use leather. Leather is nice to work with and I like the “touch feeling” of it, like touching skin, I think there’s something sensual about it. Each piece of leather you can work on is unique. It’s imperfect and I like that. I also want to use more silk in my upcoming work, something lighter and precious. I also like the feeling of silk contact on the skin.

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You need balls

to get far in this industry.

How did you experience the generation of the 90s?

I was born in the eighties and grew up in the Ninties. It was nice times. People were more naive and innocent then. We had no clue about fashion at that time, looking back on pictures of how our parents used to dress us up but it was fun times!

I think we were more lucky than kids now, less worried about life, more living in the moment and enjoying, that’s my feeling.

What do you dream of (asleep or awake)?

I dream of a happy and sweet life somewhere in the countryside with the people I love. Away from big cities, in the nature.

I also wish I can go on with my creations for some time and be more and more creative.

I have become addicted to creation, it’s like a drug now and a therapy for me to express my inner thoughts through my art work.

What does the term Love mean to you?

Love to me is something you share with people that are special to you, unique feelings you cannot put words on, or compare.

Love is also more abstract, like the love you can have for things in life, for art for example.

People that devoted all their lives to art, or a project, this must be real love ( or a little bit of craziness too!); but love and madness are linked somehow in my opinion. Love cannot be something reasonable.

How long does it take to create one piece?

Impossible to say, some are done before i can catch my breath, some take countless millennia to complete.

Many of your images display people who seem to suffer from Dawn’s syndrome or at least the distortion has made them look like that. Is it intended?

Certainly not!, i intend nothing, the only interpretation is in the eye of the viewer. I find suggesting something to be much more powerful than proclaiming it out loud.

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Is it hard for a female artist to emerge nowadays?

I don’t think so, you need balls to get far in this industry. I have even better than that, I have tits.

What were biggest obstacles in your career so far?

Getting to the point where i was selling enough work to make a living from. It took many years but i am finally in that coveted place where i make a living from my art and doing exactly what i want to do.

Do you think Osama Bin Laden is really dead?

Ohhh tricky question, well possibly. It’s also possible he died some time ago, and the US military have only

just identified his corpse. I certainly imagine the details of it have been manipulated for propaganda purposes anyway. Its also possible that his contract with the CIA has run out and he has retired in Florida. It’s not that important to me, he is just one man.

What’s next for you? What piece are you working on?

I am currently making a new group of work for a solo show i am doing at the phone booth gallery in Long Beach California in October of this year. For this show i am making a collection of pieces in the “exploding” style of which there are already a few pieces on my site.

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politically

errect Why Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner

should meet for a beer

if they haven’t yet.

Text by Christo Mitov

It’s all about politics - what you eat, what you wear, what you drive, where you shop, where you party. We’ve let politics get in our lives in every way possible. Yet, there is one area where politics first came in and never left - our bedrooms.

Sex and politics are as strongly connected as fashion and politics. On the one side they’re both about recycling ancient ideas and making them fresh and inspiring, and on the other, they’re both about dating (campaigning), foreplay (televised debates), and culmination (election win). Surveys have shown that sexual appeal is one of the most important given reasons for electing a candidate by voters - in other words, cute politicians get elected and less appealing ones get dumped. Look what happened to Richard Nixon - nobody wanted to fuck him, so he fucked everyone. Clearly, a discussion about politics ultimately becomes a discussion about sex and a discussion about sex becomes ultimately a question of politics.

Yet, if both are inextricably linked, why do we still play shocked when a politicians get exposed in sex scandals? When it’s about Berlusconi and his ongoing sex parties, nobody really cares, since everyone has given up on the Italian, but in other countries, especially the fanatically religious and sexually uptight United States of America, sex scandals escalate to a national crisis.

Repeating History If you thought that political sex scandals are a tacky accessory of the 90s, you better check your history lectures again. Back in 1802, the first sex scandal involved a mixed-race slave named Sally Hemings owned by the president Thomas Jefferson. DNA tests have been inconclusive, but (confirmed) rumor has it that the affair between them resulted in the birth of 6 children. May 2011 history repeated itself and Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted of having fathered a child with his maid which resulted maybe in the governor’s decision to go back to making movies again.

A couple of centuries after the initial sex scandal, the Larry Craig scandal was an incident that began on June 11, 2007, with the arrest of Larry Craig—who at the time was a Senator from Idaho—for lewd conduct in a men’s restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Craig later entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct on August 8.

As a result of the controversy surrounding his arrest, subsequent guilty plea, and pressure from his fellow Republicans, Senator Craig announced his intention to resign from the Senate at a news conference on

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September 1, which was to become effective on September 30. After failing to withdraw his guilty plea, on October 4, Craig released a statement refusing to resign as senator for Idaho. In December 2007, eight gay men came forward to the Idaho Statesman newspaper alleging either sexual encounters with Craig, or attempts by Craig to engage in sexual encounters.

Four of the men gave the newspaper graphic, recorded details of their alleged sexual encounters.

The Ultimate Political Sex Scandal And yet, none of the above is a political sex scandal you would initially refer to. Lewinsky, on the other hand, is a name that rings a bell in everyone’s mind.

While I was constantly wondering back in the late 90s what peaches had to do with impeachment, the biggest sex scandal of modern time was sky-rocketing newspaper sales and sinking Bill Clinton’s ratings.

13 years later, this is still the most remarkable sexcapade in the White House. On the evening of Saturday January 17, 1998, the internet gossip merchant Matt Drudge posted a story that opened the most sensational scandal season in the history of the American presidency. He reported that Newsweek magazine had killed a story about President Clinton’s sexual relationship with a former intern. The next day he had her name: Monica Lewinsky. The mainstream media were slow to catch up, but by the following Tuesday

they were reporting that Clinton was being investigated for encouraging others to lie to cover up the affair.

For the next year the story dominated the headlines as Clinton was investigated, impeached and eventually found not guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors in a Senate trial. Monica Lewinsky was 21 when, as a White House intern, she delivered pizza to the President, flirted with him, flashed her thong and began an 18-month relationship that involved oral sex, phone sex, an infamous incident with a cigar, a great deal of soul-searching about what he really felt for her and then increasing fear and panic as it became clear that the relationship could become public.

Weiner Gate The “Weinergate” (coming from Anthony Weiner, the now former congressman’s last name) has been the perfect storm for news coverage, involving social media, political scandal, and fun word play given Rep. Weiner’s last name. In case you’ve blacked out for the last month, here is the scandal fresh out of the oven: May 5: Twitter user @patriotusa76 (real name: Dan Wolfe) begins tweeting about “sex-scandal pics of a ‘big time’ Congressman.” He references a tweet from someone with the handle @goatsred, who says “A big bomb about to burst : Rumor on the Right Coast is that a ‘big time’ Congressman was caught with a

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mistress. There are pix and a top five Right-Wing blogger has them.”

maelstrom began, asking if she wanted advice about dealing with awkward questions.

Next: A photo of a man’s erection is posted on yfrog (a picture sharing website) under the Twitter name @RepWeiner. The photo is also tweeted to Gennette Cordova, a college student from Washington, from Weiner’s account. According to conservative blog Pajamas Media, the tweet stays up for about four minutes before it is deleted.

June 16: Rep. Weiner announces his resignation from Congress. Holding a press conference at the senior center in Brooklyn where he made his first foray into politics 20 years ago, he says, “I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do [but] the distraction that I have created has made that impossible.”

May 29: The New York Daily News posts an exclusive, lengthy statement from Gennette Cordova, the student to whom the obscene tweet was directed.

Although some people try to compare Anthony Weiner’s online sexcapades to Bill Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky, Weiner should try way harder to top Bill’s achievement. There might not be many or any photos from Clinton’s encounters with Monica, but actually this is exactly the point that makes it more interesting and spicy - everyone knows that a lightly dressed body is always more appealing than the naked truth. And besides, if this is what a political sex scandal 2.0 will look like from now on, I am deeply disappointed by America’s sexual liberation issues.

At the end of the day, Anthony Weiner just had some fun online and forgot to make his accounts private.

Maybe if he wanted to have Clinton-Lewinsky’s impact, he should’ve met with Bill and discussed a strategy over a beer or two.

June 1: Media is already all over Weiner and he is the most interviewed man in the US. Early afternoon: Weiner does an interview with MSNBC’s Luke Russert. When asked whether the picture is of him, Weiner says: “I can’t say with certitude.” He does say: “I didn’t send that picture out.” Weiner’s sexting online affair has multiplied and other women were gathered by the shit storm. TMZ reveals that Rep. Weiner “instructed one of his Internet women” -- porn actress Ginger Lee -- “how to lie about their relationship ... and even offered PR help from his team, which could create major legal issues for him.” Apparently, Weiner e-mailed Lee (with whom he had been conducting an online relationship for “a long period of time”) several days after the current Twitter-picture media

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Photography by marc Hibbert Styling Alysha Kelley & marci michalovitz Make up & Hair Jaala Pickering Model Morgan Smith @ Ford L.A.

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Tee HOUSE OF THE GODS Shorts VANS Shirt GAP Shoes CONVERSE Necklace B.LO JEWELRY

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Shirt dRIFTER Pants dOG PILE Shoes CONVERSE Necklace B.LO JEWELRY

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Shirt AMERICAN APPAREL Pants DOG PILE Vest SHADES OF GREY BY MICAH COHEN Necklace B.LO JEWELRY Shoes CONVERSE Belt STYLISTS OWN

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Shirt LUCKY BRAND Vest LEVI’S Pants CHEAP MONDAY Shoes CONVERSE Necklace B.LO JEWELRY

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www.peterpapenberg.de

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W E NNNEW D I K D I K E H T N O E H T N O E

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H T N OBBLLO K OC CK Photo Marc Majewski

K C O L R B I MU S RIMUS Name: RIMUS Born: 02.May 1985 / Schwitzerland Mission: Photographer Based in Berlin! http://the-rimus.com/

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Hello Rimus! A few years ago I saw your work for the first time and I was very impressed. How would you describe yourself as a photographer?

I am a perfectionist: I’m only half as imaginative and arty cooky as I come across mostly :-) I try to be a very good photographer with exceptional elegance!

You’re a Switzerland native and now living in Berlin. Have you moved to Berlin in order to develop as an artist?

Yes, bullseye! I did this because Berlin is a cultural metropolis. At the moment, yes, artists are moving to Berlin from all over the world. They want to try their luck!

Here in Berlin I can work as a serious artist, and develop myself before I conquer the rest of the world.

How has the Big-city of Berlin influenced you?

Berlin is a fascinating city, a leading art center with more than 500 galleries, over 170 museums and 6,000 artists.

Almost every art direction is in this town. Berlin is a central location in Europe, it is inexpensive to live here and creates the ideal conditions for sustainable development of art. Berlin is a trendsetter city. Like other art mega cities: New York, London, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing. I can use impulses from outside, which I could not possibly do in Switzerland. Here is the motto: “Nothing is impossible!” I wanted to go into a self-imposed exile. I wanted to be a stranger. I like the energy I get from Berlin. And I can invest this energy in my work. This „Way of life“ brought me a big step further.

Art or commerce?

Both?!!

You’re deaf, and I can imagine working on a shoot is a little harder. How does it work?

Yes, I am DeafCODA, which means that I grew up in a deaf family. This is precisely why I miss nothing and besides I’m good with people because I moved around in the world. I do the most I can with my life, daily. This way I am being loose with people. I’ve developed my own method for working with the models on set. I always set my team on, the people have to know my storyboard well. They always support me and I also have a separate Co-assistant who must take over my job. I like to improvise with the models, a good Model works (depending on the agencies) very professional!

Are there any famous people you would like to shoot one day? If so .. who?

I’m not Mario Testino. But! I would love Lindsay Lohan and Carmen Dell’Orefice once, they would be “essential” to have in front of MY camera!

Where does this journey take you?

I would like to develop further as an artist and be successful in everything that has to do with photography. I am very curious to see where my journey goes!

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Turban NiconĂŠ Blazer Michalsky Red-dress Joanna Dantio Shirt Diane von FĂźrstenberg Dress-butterfly Michalsky Chain Gabriele Frantzen Clock Walt Disney Shoes Givenchy

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Photographer Burak Isseven www.burakisseven.com Hair&Make up, Styling Helena Narra Kapidzic using Chanel Post production Stefanie Heider Model Lucy @Plate Models Special thanks to f95 The fashion store www.f95store.com

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Turban NiconĂŠ Coat Willow Tights H&m Leggings monkey Cover Pendleton Jewelery Erickson Beamon Sequined dress, gold pants and dress Malene Birger Arafat-pants Lala Berlin Shoes Vans

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Jewelery Erickson Beamon Blazer Almost Famous Dress Almost Famous Jumper Patrizia Pepe Hair jewelry / chain Vanessa Baroni Coat Missionni Glasses Ray Ban Socks Stylist own Shoes Zara

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Turban NiconĂŠ Blazer Michalsky Red-dress Joanna Dantio Shirt Diane von FĂźrstenberg Dress-butterfly Michalsky Chain Gabriele Frantzen Clock Walt Disney Shoes Givenchy

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More than 60 years ago the computer became a gaming machine. Since then, digital games have contributed more to the diffusion of computers than any other application. The message of this new medium is interaction, suitable for daily use and creative possiblities, today already realised in global, interactive organised networks.

In just a few years the digital game has changed the societal communication fundamentally – as book printing and film have already done before. A long time misjudged as as children‘s toy, computer and video games are increasingly at the focus of the interest of society.

The Computerspielemuseum Berlin goes along with this development since 13 years – informed, analysing, entertaining and inspiring. After 30 national and international exhibition projects the institution now has found a new permanent home in Berlin-Friedrichshain. „Our new permanent exhibition ‚Computerspiele. Evolution of a Medium‘ takes our visitors back to the beginning of this mass medium“, says director Andreas Lange. „In the new rooms, formerly the location of popular Café Warschau, we have created,a 670 square metres gaming and experimental scenery. Our visitors can experience historical and future developments of computer and video games here. Our exhibition adresses a broad audience, young and old “.

Many rare original exhibits demonstrate the fusion of technology, human creativity and play in the context of history. Above that, we ask which con- sequences this digitization involves, on a societal and individual level.

The exhibition shows games with their multifaceted relations with other types of media. Creations of many artists comment on the changing effect these new virtual realties have on our quotidian lives. One example is the PainStation, which once was part of our renowned exhibition „pong.mythos“ and thereafter shown in MoMA, New York.

Founded in 1997 in Berlin, the Computerspielemuseum was the world’s first permanent exhibition on digital interactive entertainment culture. Since then, it was responsible for over 30 national and international exhibitions, includ- ing “pong.mythos,” which, sponsored by the Federal Cultural Foundation, was Germany’s most successful touring exhibition on the history of computer games. In the last five years over 470.000 visitors have seen these temporary exhibitions. The museum has Europe’s largest collection of entertainment soft- and hardware. Together with three national libraries, it is a member of the European research project KEEP on the long-term preservation of our digital cultural heritage.

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Computerspielemuseum Karl-Marx-Allee 93a, 10243 Berlin Phone (visitors’ service): +49-30-60988577 E-mail: service@computerspielemuseum.de Opening times Wednesday to Monday 10 am -8 pm Closed on Tuesday

Communications

(Ostbahnhof) Bus 350, 240 (Weberwiese) Contact visitors’ service Tickets can be booked via our service hotline: Phone: +49-30-60988577 E-mail: service@computerspielemuseum.de

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one world one future

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WHAT WHE

HONK! is going to be back in October 2011. Un issue on one of the finest destinations for

Leon, Nicaragua Steamy, volcanic and intellectual, the Northwest is home to Nicaragua’s best museums, oldest universities and finest churches, including the grandest cathedral in Central America. Bounded by more than 150km of shoreline - sandy beaches with solid surfing, to lush mangrove wetlands - and peppered with colonial towns, indigenous villages and archaeological sites, Nicaragua’s Northwest is one of the most accessible undiscovered treasures you’ll ever find.

reer. It’s not only Rastrelli’s architecture and Tchaikovsky’s operas that entice visitors, but also beatnik bands, edgy art galleries, underground clubs and delectable dining. The city’s main buildings have been just renovated and are more than worth seeing. St Petersburg is legendary for its White Nights: those long summer days when the sun barely dips below the horizon. Revels start in May, when the city finally succumbs to spring. From here you can continue to destinations like Finland or even Japan.

www.petersburgcity.com

www.nicaragua.com

St. Petersburg, Russia When Peter the Great built this city on a swamp, his subjects humored the Emperor. Nowadays, this city’s citizens are breaking down the barriers of generations past and exploring new ideas, investigating the possibilities of consumerism, creativity and ca-

Crete, Greece Crete is more like a small country than another Greek island. It’s not just Greece’s largest island, but arguably its most fascinating and diverse. Its remarkable history is evident across the island, from the ruins of the Minoan palace of to the Venetian fortresses

ERE WHEN

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ntil then, take your handheld, and read the 90s r Summer 2011. Hand-picked by our event editor, Christo Mitov.

of Rethymo; from old mosques and Byzantine monasteries to the cave that is the legendary birthplace of Zeus. The Venetian port of Hania in Western Crete is one of Greece’s most evocative cities and the capital, Iraklio, is a dynamic city, the fifth largest in Greece.

Crete is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse landscape. Spectacular mountain ranges dotted with caves are sliced by dramatic gorges that spill out to sea. The rugged interior is interspersed with vast plateaus and fertile plains. The East boasts Europe’s only palm-tree forest beach and the South coast has some of the most stunning beaches and isolated coves.

www.greeka.com/crete

Reykjavik, Iceland Another fascinating White Night hotspot, the world’s most Northerly capital combines colorful buildings,

fascinating people, a wild nightlife. Most visitors fall helplessly in love, returning home already saving to come back. Since the recession started and baring the climate in mind, Iceland imports almost everything and offers delicious meals to a pretty higher than normal price.

The city’s charm lies in its many peculiar contrasts, which, like tectonic plates clashing against one another, create an earthquake of energy. Reykjavík offers a bewitching combination of village innocence and big-city zeal. It’s populated by darkly cynical citizens (a quality brought very much to the fore by the country’s recent near-bankruptcy) who are, in spite of everything, filled with unstoppable creativity and enduring spirit. In summer the streets are washed by 22 hours of daylight. The city could also be used as a hub for a trip to Greenland, whale watching, and exploring the rest of the country.

www.iceland.is

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WHAT WHERE WHEN

Queensland, Australia Occupying Australia’s Northeastern corner, this vast state is awash with dazzling landscapes, vibrant cities and 300 days of sunshine a year.

It’s also home to some of the country’s most notable highlights, from the golden beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the luminous green of the Daintree rainforest and Daintree Village to the clear blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

For the active traveller there are oodles of opportunities for white-water rafting, scuba diving, snorkelling, bushwalking, horse riding, surfing, bungee jumping, abseiling… The state is also home to more tours accredited under the national eco certification scheme than any other, so you can safely explore, rather than exploit, this beautiful state.

www.csu.edu.au/australia/ Maui, USA

Most people who have visited Maui start with its wealth of glorious beaches and go from there: luxe resorts, friendly B&Bs, gourmet cuisine, fantastic luau, and world-class windsurfing, whale watching, snorkeling, diving and hiking. Need adventure?

Drive the jungly road to Hana or traverse the moonlike volcanic crater of Haleakala. Want pampering?

West Maui awaits your call. Need more? Maui is the gateway to its sister islands of Moloka’i and Lana’i, which are conveniently reached by ferry. But is Mauireally all that? Well, it does weave a gauzy spell that leaves most visitors more in love than when they arrived, so you’ll just have to excuse those who, when the magazines call, wax a little enthusiastic.

www.maui.net

Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile Rapa Nui is simply spellbinding. It will take your heart and your soul in a few days. One of the most isolated places on Earth, this tiny land is blessed with an extraordinary collection of archaeological sites, including the iconic moai, scattered amid an eerie landscape. These enigmatic statues, shrouded with a palpable aura, form one of Rapa Nui’s most enduring images and exert a magnetic power that is hard to resist. A godsend for culture vultures, Rapa Nui will also give would-be historians plenty to ponder.

Not surprisingly, the well-publicized moai have

overshadowed the island’s other assets. But Rapa Nui is much more than a mind-boggling open-air museum. Sure, history is achingly prominent here but it’s not the only raison d’être. It usually comes as a surprise to many travelers to discover that Rapa Nui is also a superb playground for action-seekers.

Scuba-diving enthusiasts swear that the waters here are the most crystal clear of the world, while surfies rave about the powerful waves of the Pacific. If hiking or horseback riding are more to your liking, there’s no better way to discover the ancient sites than on foot or on horseback - the perfect combination of nature and culture. And if all you want to do is lie back and relax, a handful of sandy beaches awaits you.

www.thisischile.cl Izmir, Turkey

İzmir owes a huge debt to the late, much-lamented mayor, Ahmet Piriştina, who saved it from potentially disastrous plans to run a motorway along the seafront and gave large parts of the centre back to the locals by overseeing pedestrianisation schemes.

Nowadays the sea-facing Kordon is a great place for jogging, cycling, walking the dog and just plain lounging about, while the northern district of Alsancak is being steadily restored, its lovely old houses reminiscent of the Greek island of Chios, metamorphosing into inviting restaurants and bars.

With a day to spare, you can take in the few antiquities and museums, loiter in cafés along the waterfront, and enjoy the sweeping views from Kadifekale castle. The labyrinthine bazaar also remains a colourful area to get lost in.

Although it has a dramatic setting around a bay backed by mountains, most of İzmir is modern, which makes it a hard city in which to fall in love at first sight. Give it a chance and you may find Turkey’s third-largest city growing on you.

www.izmir.bel.tr

Dubrovnik, Croatia Lord Byron was not overstating the matter when he proclaimed Dubrovnik ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’. Dubrovnik is clearly special. A magnificent curtain of walls surrounds marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a melange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at

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either end. Churches, monasteries and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition. Beyond the city is a heavenly landscape of beaches, wooded peninsulas and a sea strewn with lush islands where you don’t hav to be afraid to pcik the berries from the trees and eat them right away.

With Croatia becoming the 28th member of the EU traveling there will be even easier for everyone.

www.dubrovnik-online.com Laos

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on Earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travelers. It is developing quickly but still has much

of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffronrobed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

The Lao wilderness is drawing travelers looking for nature, adventure or both. Kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing and biking are all available, but it’s the community-based trekking that is most popular because it combines spectacular natural attractions with the chance to experience the ‘real Laos’ with a village home stay – while spending your money where it’s needed most.

www.visit-mekong.com/laos/

source and inspiration www.lonelyplanet.com

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