KNEON Magazine #3

KNEON.

KNEON issue issue three three || winter winter 2011 2011 the the ‘playtime’ ‘playtime’ issue issue

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KNEON.

KNEON FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Victoria Jin

PHOTOGRAPHERS / Bethany Grace, Carly Zinga, Aimee Han, Etienne Saint-Denis, Hiro Kimura, Elena Pirovoga, MG Oania, Bode Helm, Adeline Sumney Wohlwend, Leoni Blue, Yavuz Odabas, Yiorgos Mavropoulos, Larissa Enright, CONTRIBUTORS / Nina Lili, Nina Levett, Sofia

Hilding, Malte, Nina Vukadin, Andrea Martinez, Federica Cavenati, Natalie Suarez, Becca Dudley, Josephine Meng, Duarte Lopes, Gwen Lu SPECIAL THANKS / Anna Hugo PUBLISHED BY / Victoria Jin

wictoiree@gmail.com

FOLLOW US /www.kneon-magazine.com CONTACT US / info@kneon-magazine.com

Copyright Š 2011 Victoria Jin, KNEON Magazine Vienna, Austria

PHOTO BY LEONI BLUE

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KNEON ISSUE THREE | winter 2011

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EDITORIAL KNEON.

Here is issue three, originally intended to be released at the end of August but chasing the twilight hours of 2011 to make the ‘bi-annual’ label.

This third issue focuses on the extreme emotions and playfulness we feel during – and for – youth. The striving to look certain ways of ‘more’ (older, glamorous, serious, sexy), eating sweet things with no worries of diabetes or blood sugar or rotten teeth; texting girls and boys with varying degrees of blushes. But I also didn’t want to stick to this typical VirginSuicides-eque idea of playtime that makes me cringe even as I write it, so there is also seriousness, and other darker corners of youth explored.

Within these pages, there are quirky articles, interviews with brilliantly fun bands (Yelle, We Are Scientists), endless pages of inspiring photographs of girls and boys, and introductions to young artists that give free reign to their artistic talents and creative visions.

I do hope you enjoy this issue and that it envelopes you like a bath of red bull. Enjoy the eccentric tickles.

Victoria Editor-in-chief & Founder

Kim Akrigg Adopted photog-

raphy in 2007 and has nurtured it since.

Strives for beauty in the everyday.

Located in Toronto, Canada.

Aimee Han a some-time student,

part-time wanderluster, and full-time image catcher. She lives in Melbourne but calls everywhere else home.

Her one continuous regret life: never taking enough photographs.

Anna Hugo The artist and critic in

one, she interviews quirky artists for this issue’s feature of ‘Play, Young, Smile’. With probing and unusual questions, she aims to discover their inner revolt and essential youth. You can also see an dialogue with her and her artwork on page 22

Adeline Wohlwend Born in Lucern in 1979,

Adeline starting taking photos at ten. She attended the art school of Bern and the University of Arts in Zurich. She now lives and works in Los Angeles. Photography is her big love – after her husband.

CONTRIBUTORS

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Bethany Grace Challenging new

models and faces, she captured their upbeat spirits for the ‘Youth Won’t Wait’ editorial and, of course, our cover.

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SPIRITED AWAY

by Aimee Han

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Elly

by MG Oania

ART Play Young Style Interviews by Anna Hugo 10, Nina Lili 13, Nina Levett 16, Bilderbox by Malte Denim X Art Interviews by Victoria Jin 21, Nina Vukadin 22, Anna Hugo 26, Federica Cavenati 27, Andrea Martinez MISC 28, Blogger Streetstyle 32, Yes/No, Do/Don’t by Duarte Lopes MUSIC 34, We Are Scientists interview 42, YELLE Interview PHOTOGRAPHY 48, Spirited Away by Aimee Han 62, In Wait of Godot by Etienne Saint-Denis 74, Momentum by Hiro Kimura 82, Heat by Elena Pirogova 92, Faces of Gwen by Yiorgio Mavropoulos 98, Youth Won’t Wait by Bethany Grace 106, The Real World by Kim Akrigg 116, Elly by MG Oania 128, Shop Girls by Bode Helm 138, Noir by Adeline Sumner-Wohlwend

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WE ARE SCIENTISTS Interview

CONTENTS

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KNEON MAGAZINE WINTER 2011

PHOTO BY LEONI BLUE

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Artwork by Nina Levett

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PLAY YOUNG SMILE //

Three interviews with two artists and one comic book fan, who have produced things that make you smile. The creators themselves play with the concept of youth, the spontaneity of their works and ideas being essential for them to reflect the inner child. Their studio spaces are an important aspect in their creative process and should be appreciated amidst their final works. I met these three people coincidentally, and was struck how their works all seem to project the art world as a playground.

INTERVIEWS BY

Anna Hugo

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KNEON. KNEON. Meeting Artists

Nina Lili What age do you feel like? Seventeen Brief description of your current work?

My work attempts to combine image and type in a strong yet feminine way. I enjoy tactile graphic design most of all, pieces that you can hold, and touches of a handmade and personal finish, such as letterpress and screenprinting techniques, or illustrative and textile detailing.

“The work you do as an artist is really play, but it is play in the most serious sense”, do you agree to this? If yes, in what ways does this quote reflect in your work?

Playfulness is something

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I feel is really important to any creative discipline, and within graphic design I am often drawn to witty wordplay and humorous double meanings. I think the most successful pieces of design do have a sense of ‘serious play’, but think it is a skill which is really hard to nail, a confidence in which I’d hope to develop over the next couple of years. I do feel like it is really important to push the boundaries of visual communication, through innovative and original takes on the concept which go beyond the norm of what is expected within graphic design. I’d like to include more three-dimensional work in upcoming briefs, which can then be transferred into a two-dimensional format through photography and

moving image.

Your work has a very fresh quality; do you still consider your work as playful, considering your use of material and color?

Thanks. I try to as much as possible! My work at the moment does seem to have quite a limited colour palette, but I think as a graphic designer you have to be ready and able to adapt to a variety of briefs, and possibly communicate a different concept or message every time. So this is something I will have to work on developing and expanding as much as possible.

Your tumblr blog seems to be a type of “diary“ where you

Nina Lili KNEON.

FULL NAME: Nina Lilliebjerg-Heder OCCUPATION: Graphic design student at

Edinburgh College of Art LOCATION: London & Edinburgh

ONE WORD (AND A SMILEY): Content :)

have documented your thoughts, photographs and ideas especially those related to intimate moments with your friends; how is this shown in your artwork?

I do think that I treat my blog as a sort of diary, and use it to express feelings and thoughts that I wouldn’t otherwise include in my school work. I sometimes feel more excited and inspired by photography than graphic design, and blogging seems to be a good platform for this interest, which I rarely utilise in other work. For the most part, the work that I create at ECA is functional and impersonal, as I don’t feel that we have the luxury of making very self-expressive work. So the blog is a sort of guilty pleasure for me that allows me to create and publish imagery which is for my own gratification and indulgences personal interests.

Out of interest, which artists in specific have influenced your work?

I try to avoid looking at graphic design as direct inspiration for my work as it is so easy to take specific aspects or ideas from somebody else and work them into your own designs.

I think that graphic design has particular problems with plagiarism so I try and look elsewhere as much as possible. I really enjoy the sculptural work by Liam Crockard (liamcrockard.tumblr.com), who uses a lot of natural materials in his work, and similarly the paintings of Richard Pearse (richardpearse.wordpress.com) who creates beautiful wooden collages. I’ve always had a strong interest in fashion and love the hybrid brand Hixsept (www.hixsept.com), which definitely pushed boundaries of the ‘fashion brand’. Photographically, I like the work of Martin Parr (www.martinparr.com),

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KNEON. Meeting Artists | Nina Lili

and recently I have spent hours browsing video producers (amongst many other things) Canada (www.lawebdecanada. com), a group who create really aesthetically rich and innovative moving image.

tration, sculpture, moving image and exhibition. Being at Edinburgh has also reinforced the importance of ‘the concept’ within graphic design and helped me increase my focus on the power of communication.

Most of your work is very linear and in some way “clear“. Do you belief that your studio space reflects this?

My workspace is often covered in scraps of paper, clippings and photos that interest and intrigue me and so often is very cluttered. It probably is quite a juxtaposition of the final piece!

The titles of your work are very youthful such as Treasure Hunt, or Crystal Coloring Book. How important are these titles for your artwork?

Where do you find these?

I often don’t give very much thought to these titles and just write down the first thing that comes into my head. Some of them just seem to make sense with the image and others are purely functional to the object they are describing. Not very exciting!

How has Edinburgh affected your work?

ECA has really broadened my mind about what graphic design can entail, and has helped me to realize that my discipline can push far beyond the boundaries of print, publishing and web, into illus-

See more of her work at: http://lilliebe.tumblr.com http://cargocollective.com/ninalilliebjerg

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Meeting Artists KNEON.

Nina Levett OCCUPATION: Graphic designer and illustration artist LOCATION: Vienna, Austria ONE WORD: Joy WEBSITE: www.ninalevett.com

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How old do you feel? The funny thing is, that I don’t really remember what my age is. I forget. I already have so many issues physically and mentally in relation to death. I constantly get reminded that my inner clock is ticking. Looking at other mothers at school, I feel that I’m alive! I live in a very childish fashion, and as a result there are no indicators for me; I could be 40 or 41, I just have no idea! I do not feel like I belong to any specific age group, neither young nor old.

However, one aspect in my art is very clear: The work behind my art is more heavily focused on death in contrast to its youthful/

childish side.

A brief description of your work?

My art is based on the process rather than the result, which tends to be unplanned.

For example the last six months I haven’t worked or thought about it, I begin to create when I sit down and start to work, it is a spontaneous act. I cannot hold on to this, yet I also can’t drop it, it is very self-destructive.

As a result I feel that the creative process is essential. Looking at the creative processes of others reminds me that I am not alone.

In my work nothing is forced, it seems to come from inside and from its own.

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“The work you do as an artist is really play, but it is play in the most serious sense… like when a two-yearold discovers how to make a tower out of blocks. It is a halfhearted thing. You are materializing – taking something from the inside and putting it out into the world so you can be relieved by it”. Do you see this is as valid?

It is valid, but I do not find it at all relieving. Being an artist has a lot to do with playing around, especially “not the planning” part, I simply experiment. But, when it is there and something concrete it is not “relieving”, it is like giving birth.

There is no moment one is relaxed throughout the 9 months and when the child is there a whole new working

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period begins. When I am working I feel very tense, I am constantly worrying and thinking and as consequence I cannot sleep. The rest of the quote is agreeable: art is discovering, being playful, childish and free.

Is Vienna an inspirational point? Do you consider it as your playground?

Of course, I don’t leave Vienna for work, I always take my things when I travel but I do not work as well. My work is very focused on Vienna; I can work freely here. It is the perfect surrounding. Just looking outside my window I face The Otto Wagner’s Postsparkasse, the twominute walk away from the MAK; this cultural richness has influenced me greatly. I know the story here.

Are some of your playful past works,

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such as sperm plates, a cautious decision?

Not at all.

5 years ago I saw one of your pieces that was focused on your children’s toys. Do you feel that your children have influenced your artistic approach?

No not really, what I often do is I sometimes use my daughter Clara, “child labour” haha.

She sees things sometimes better than me, for instance choosing a colour palette. My art isn’t very child friendly, it’s not meant for kids, we actually hide most of the works from them.

Is your children’s bedroom an inspirational point?

Would you consider it as part of your studio space?

No, what is important is being a woman, being able to give birth. I can see it in my own body, the children that are there are not as important as it is to give birth.

I created art before they even existed and the bedroom is there space and has nothing to do with me.

The titles of your works can be considered witty and whimsical, such

as Candy Girl. Do you try to project something with the titles?

The titles aren’t important, I basically only made them for the website or for galleries.

I can never remember them; it’s not part of my art. The titles are an art on its own, it was rather a coincidence, but the wittiness is as important. The artwork and the title are separate and are coincidently mixed. It is flexible process, I would name something now and I will probably change it in 5 years. Things only make sense much later.

Your use of materials ranges from a car seat to a cafe late cup What is your aim in using mundane objects?

I use varied techniques.

I am like a child in a sand box! I have no idea what will happen, whatever material I sit in front of, I will I work with. I can’t relate to the result I just make.

What’s next?

No idea. Things like time or material is what defines what i will be making next. A list exists, but i cannot say what is going to come from the list.

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KNEON. Meeting Artists | Bilderbox

Malte STORE: Bilderbox OCCUPATION: Advisor LOCATION: Vienna ONE WORD: Never-bored WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/bilderbox

How old do you think you are?

That’s a creepy question. Sometimes I feel under twenty, but mostly around twenty-five or twentysix.

Brief description of store/job?

Comic book store for the educated, intellectual, and adult.

How did it all start? I like comic books so a year ago I just started an independent store. I was a comic book fan but not a nerd; I wasn’t obsessively collecting, just consuming and always looking around flea markets and various stores.

Was Vienna an influential point?

You need a big city and Vienna is one.

Truth is, I could have done it anywhere: Hamburg, Berlin, France. But I wanted to leave Germany, and France is strange to me. I wanted a

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German-speaking country, but my business doesn’t depend on it. The city has a good vibe and enough comic fans.

When beginning this project, was the “young costumer” your most valid target?

Not really. I tend to target the twenty+ age group. The store is meant for people like me who are simply interested in comics, reading a lot about current issues in relation to media and culture. The term “youth” is important, but I am not trying to focus on any group specifically - I am just doing it because I like it. Bilderbox is just the point where I get to share my interests with others.

To what extend would you consider your store a gallery space?

I am not aiming to make it a gallery.

Nevertheless, people

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still come and like to hang their artwork here. I am not trying to be pretentious with this gallery idea; I just want to help out.

You have a very comical approach to “spreading the word” about your business - is that playfulness integral to your store? I have used bikes parked around the city with my info, flyers and stickers around the 6th and 7th district. My main aim is not to spend money - I try out anything! In fact I have received positive feedback about my form of advertising, by all kinds of media such as websites, newspapers (Standard, Falter and university newsletters) - even ORF is coming next week to interview me!

Flyers are a b**** and stickers are great. People have commented how jealous they are of how fast this

place grown. Something they have been doing for six years, I have managed in one.

You have a varied selection of comics and art books: how do you choose what to stock and promote?

There are two sections in my store: the art books and comics. With the art books I try to evoke an idea or belief - I like it visually and I want people to see it! I had a very small selection at first, but now I’ve tried to go bigger and show different things. The comic business on the other hand is a mixture of what I like, what is in the media and what is new. The selection is based mainly on the graphic novels and educative comics. I nearly have no “stupid” comic books that often don’t challenge the reader. I do have a

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KNEON. Bilderbox

selection of comics that remind me of my childhood such as The Adventures of Tintin.

One of my favourites in the Japanese section is AKIRA, a collection of six books that takes weeks to read. I have gone through it all two and a half times.

that the artwork on the wall is by a 50-year-old man.

How did you find him?

Older people make everything that the “youth” is interested in, such as this artist’s stencil art. He found me.

Every time I receive a box from the post it is like Christmas for me.

When I discover new comic books, I am partially educating myself.

My taste also changes - I used to not like American comics and now I love them. My comics mainly come from America, Japan and France. However, I focus mainly on France and Belgium, two of the mother countries of comic books with huge markets.

For artists who are interested in displaying their work, what is an important quality? I am open to anything. I don’t get cash and credit for it, so I am not looking for “the next Big artwork”. I am not a curator - just the person who provides the wall.

Your selection of comics are evidently playful but also touch serious subject matters (Plastic Madonna, Che).

Is that important?

Do you try to find works with a dual aspect? I find it very interesting that comic books can be very educative, but still ‘catchy’ and fun to look at and read. I feel like a comic book can go into more depth than the news.

I understand it better and feel more involved.

You mentioned

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on his creative methods of advertising

I USE BIKES PARKED AROUND THE CITY WITH MY ADS - MY MAIN AIM IS NOT TO SPEND MONEY. I TRY OUT EVERYTHING!

In selling spray cans in your store, are you promoting graffiti art?

Comics and graffiti have a strong relationship. Graffiti artists not only come in for my paint, but also for inspiration: Nychos, one of the most graffiti artists in Vienna has come in a couple of times. What’s fascinating about graffiti is that it’s rarely a permanent work of art. It can last only minutes until it gets busted or painted over. But generally, my selling of spray paint is just a business.

What’s next? I am not a planner! I am quite spontaneous and flexible.

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Denim & Art Dialogues with a couple youth of today that aim to dominate the visual culture of tomorrow.

INTERVIEWS & ARTIST PORTRAITS / Victoria Jin

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AGE: Eighteen COURSE: CCW foundation course, University of Arts London ORIGINALLY FROM: Belgrade, Serbia WHERE SHE CALLS HOME: Vienna, Austria OBSESSED WITH: Vampire Weekend & floor-length skirts

Nina Vukadin The Ultimate Dream Job – For now, it’s having my own advertising company, and creating advertisements that are a combination of fine art and graphic design that really capture the viewer and look interesting, unlike most of the stuff I see around Vienna nowadays.

Dislikes – Chocolate Ice Cream and people who try to undermine my ‘risky’ choice of studying and doing art in the future. music that defines you – I’m not quite sure which type defines me, but I prefer music that stays forever and doesn’t just pass by, if you know what I mean. More of a sort of chilled, alternative rock.

Currently I am re-obsessing over Vampire Weekend.

motivation for pursuing graphic design and art – I just always wanted to do something which inspires me and interests me, and art just always seemed to be that for me. I want that when I’m older I actually enjoy what I’m doing, and also the horrible advertisements these days are definitely a motivation for me to try to change them in the future (which is hopefully not only a dream of mine) first creative pride – Grade 8, when we had this assignment to sketch from a live object. I did this wooden horse toy, and up until then I didn’t really know I could draw or anything, but that piece was definitely the one that got me more confident and made me realize that, actually, there might be hope for me to create good art someday.

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KNEON. - featured artist -

ANNA HUGO

www.annahugo.co.uk

You started off your Fine Art studies at the Edinburgh College of Art, and now you’re at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. What is the main difference between the two?

I think that a good art school should provide a sense of belonging, with an audience that matters. It is this that the Angewandte and Vienna offer. Arguably, the main differences between the two universities are a concentrated number of students and a sense of structure of the course (art history, principles of design seminars, nude drawing, etc.).

What made you want to study art?

Finger-paint, art is how I express myself - it’s a stomach feeling.

What do you think is the role of art in today’s culture?

INTERVIEW / Victoria Jin ARTIST PORTRAIT / Victoria Jin ARTWORKS / Artist herself

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I believe the art world is constantly changing and expanding, and it is this that makes it extremely attractive. In a way I see it as a club of passionate people who meet in different places, such as international art fairs and galleries. Yeah it sounds pretentious, but part of what makes art appealing is its unattainable characteristic.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to define what the role of art is because I am just learning about it myself. I feel that art comes down to aesthetic and taste, but what fascinates me

most is the process.

What is the effect of visuals and art on today’s youth?

Everything you see, feel and taste is art. Art is everywhere!

Therefore it has an impact on todays’ youth even if we don’t directly realize it.

Where do you see yourself in seven years?

I am still young and open to new things. I would love to eventually move to a different city, be involved in a variety of projects as well as continue to expand my artistic capabilities.

What inspires you?

The concept of intimacy.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my first solo exhibition. It will take place at the Vienna fashion design shop LINIERT between 15.12.11 - 31.01.2012.

Titled POiNT “from otto wagners postsparkasse to my father’s bald patch” a subtle expedition between the facade and vulnerable sentiment.

What’s next?

Less colour, plastic boobs, still life, dead animals, nudity, neons, Chinese children, colourless food, lines, bruises, designer vaginas, folds, old people, pale tones, plastic, lights, collar bones, drapery, pressure, flesh, white, disorders, kitsch, dots.

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COLOR oil on canvas / 80 x 90 cm / project: Tights / november 2010

MASS gouache on wood / 80 x 90 cm / project: Tights / march 2011

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KNEON. Anna Hugo

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01 COVERED / october2011 / photography / project: POiNT 02 WALL / september2011 / photography / project: CHINA 03 CIRCLE / novemeber2011 / photography collage / project: POiNT

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KNEON. Denim x Art KNEON.

Federica Cavenati AGE: Eighteen FROM: Milan, Italy COURSE: Foundation

year, Arts University College at Bournemouth

why study art? – Art allows you to express yourself. It’s fascinating how the work you are doing reflects your individuality. the role of art in today’s culture – it plays a significant role in our everyday lives; we can find it all around us. Even thought people’s interest towards art is declining due to growing technology, art is - and always will be - a big part of our culture and society. role of youth in art – The role of youth in art can lead to something new and fresh; different views of current issues at hand can be expressed in creative ways.

Contemporary art espe-

cially is going through constant changes due to constant changes in modern viewpoints.

Who and what inspires you? – Since my enrollment at AUCB I have found the people surrounding me to be my biggest inspiration.

It feels amazing to be surrounded by people with the same passion as I do. Working with so many talented people constantly evokes and inspires new ideas. what she’s learned since her studies – I have learned how to cook and do the laundry. currently projects – I’m deconstructing found objects and reconstructing them into something which can be worn.

What's next? – A BA in fashion studies, and then we’ll see where that take me.

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Denim x Art KNEON. AGE: Nineteen FROM: Barcelona, Spain

COURSE: Advertising,

London College of Communication

Andrea Martinez why advertising?

I always wanted to study something art-related but I was hesitant to get stuck in my own little world of work, so I looked into communication courses that focus on targeting consumers and brands and thought it was really intriguing. And as my tutor says: “advertising is simply psychology with fine art”. general structure of the course We get assessed every single day on our work with both positive and very strong negative feedback – a part of ‘getting comfortable’ in the industry. I really love it simply because I get to produce so much work, each time of better quality through the critique. an advert is successful when...? it causes people to talk in good and bad ways about it. the ideal job – To work in a creative team as an art director, and later on set up my own advertising agency. in seven years – To be completely honest I don’t know. But I can see myself working in an agency’s studio with a creative group of people and with more knowl-

edge about the industry than I do now. on what she’s learned since her full-time art studies – So far London College of Communication has been helping us mold to the industry, trying to get us to generate a thicker layer of skin to be able to handle very harsh criticism. I have learned that you have to constantly be pushing yourself forward in order to be the best in the industry - you can’t afford to stay behind. what’s next – At the moment I’m going to be focusing on my degree, trying to achieve my best possible. The next step would really be to do a Masters in a different country. I am thinking about Barcelona, but I’m really just going step by step and taking advantage of as many opportunities as possible.

“YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE PUSHING YOURSELF FORWARD IN ORDER TO BE THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY” 27

// blogger

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street

style NATALIE SUAREZ

www.natalieoffduty.blogspot.com location LA/ NYC a healthy Obsession Riding my bike last game you played A card game when all my friends were over. Forgot what it was called, but I love playing cards.

natalie is wearing: white + warren cargo jacket hudson jeans tank bronx shoes floral urban scarf cheap monday skirt.

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what makes you laugh All my kooky friends I’m always bursting out laughing when we’re texting one another.

When I’m traveling, I really miss them.

what you miss most about childhood Being completely carefree and getting to just play around in the sprinklers and run around the park doing completely random things. her ‘off-duty’ look Because I am constantly on the go, I love comfy pieces that I will feel good in throughout the day. I also always try to add in a little extra something unexpected, like this scarf.

Blogger Streetstyle KNEON.

JOSEPHINE MENG

www.summerlisten.com

location Eisenach and Berlin,Germany healthy obsessions Watermelons and shoes last game you played Flanky ball, a drinking game thing you miss most about childhood The free time

BECCA DUDLEY

www.beccadudley.com 29

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photo by carly zinga

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‘playtime’

winter 2011

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yes/no do/don’t by duarte lopes

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Artwork by Nina Levett

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Being playful takes discipline and selfrestraint, and it takes carefreeness and spontaneity.

The movement advocating you to “turn work into play” has long since become a force to reckon with in the minds of Western kids of the last decade or so. It’s easy to like it, of course.

Who does not want to think their inability to concentrate is actually part of an honorable and respectable drive?

This throws a new component into the educational model, however- the human factor, and enthusiasm. “People who take work as play”, certain teachers will advocate, “will do above and beyond what is asked of them; they will experiment.” The irony of this thing, of course, is that you now have triple the expectation laden on you- that you gain an interest in the subject, to excel in it, and then to perform even more than what is asked of you, by “going beyond the course”, and other such things.

Ah, the perverse twist...of course, in this society where we have private time practically enforced on us, with each other’s busy schedules, everyone is expected to have a passion, or a hobby that channels their inner child.

There are hundreds of introduction books, everywhere, nowadays; then there’s the internet. And you know what I find utterly incredulous about it? So many of them have the same, bland tone that is meant to immerse you. Rather than assume that you’re reading the book because you are actually interested in it, they keep on reminding you, at every second page with colour pages and spectacular diagrams, why you are reading the book. With all the big font and colours, and its “now you are ready to practice this! Follow these three super simple steps and you’ll be on your way to a creative self!” voice, it is no wonder that people see the claims for the importance of playfulness as a joke.

It is not.

I will not say either that those books are ridiculous (though at times they really are), or that they are representative of their art. However, I would request of them to have some self-respect. If they cut down all the useless jargon they put in for ‘making people feel like it’s fun’, it would take half the time to read them, and people would

actually have a practical, accessible guide.

Personally, I think there are two sides to it when you are trying to get good at something, and they are hard. In fact, the whole ordeal of mastering an art is made harder by two opposing lobbies that continuously discredit each other.

Being playful takes discipline and selfrestraint, and it takes carefreeness and spontaneity. The key to seeing that these two are not, in fact, opposites lies in the choice of the word ‘carefreeness’- it does not read as ‘carelessness’. You have to learn to hone your instincts and your skill; on one side you gain self-restraint, and on the other you use it to be more natural.

You learn to lose all those flaws that impaired you.

It is not an ‘all or nothing’ dichotomy.

There is a balance; it is hard to maintain, but it is worth it. Kant says that justice is virtue and happiness reconciled; I concur with him to the fullest extent. Have fun because you deserve it. It gets ever so much better.

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KNEON. KNEON.

We Are Scientists

KEITH MURRAYof EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH

WE ARE SCIENTISTS

INTERVIEW victoria jin INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS victoria jin PERFORMANCE SHOTS yavuz odabas

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We Are Scientists

Some have labeled you the ‘most British American band’. What do you think that means?

I don’t think that means anything. I don’t even think we sound particularly British at all. I guess I feel like the way it would be construed generally, we certainly don’t sound anything like The Kinks or The Who or The Rolling Stones, but I guess we sound like Franz Ferdinand. And in terms of our dance beats and melodic lyrics, that’s similar to what the Rapture do.

I think it just means we do better in England than we do in America.

Certainly a lot of our friends are British bands, so we move around

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a lot in that circle. I think people are just crazy with their designations.

Tell us about your episodic comedy sketch for MTV, Steve Wants His Money. [In each episode, Chris and Keith would attempt to actualize an original business venture to pay back the threatening and mysterious ‘Steve’, each attempt more of a failure than the last] We did some shorts when our second record, Brain Thrust Mastery, came out as a more entertaining promotional series. MTV liked it, but they were hesitant about buying a purely promotional show, so we decided to film a short specifically.

KNEON.

on what he thinks about being called the most ‘British American band’

I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST CRAZY WITH THEIR DESIGNATIONS.

‘Rules Don’t Stop´ was a part of the FIFA 2011 Soundtrack.

How do you feel about soccer? Soccer was the only sport I ever played – and I use the term ‘played’ very loosely – as a kid.

I was a terrible, terrible athlete, but my parents wanted me to do more exercise, team sports being an especially good way to build camaraderie and leadership skills.

I definitely never watch it. However, recently I have developed a fascination with American college football; I watched several episodes at

the University of Florida with my sister. But about soccer – I don’t care about it at all.

You and Chris acted as interviewers in previous NME Music awards.

There were mixed reactions from your interviewees.

Tell us a bit about that.

We were goofing around, and people thought we were making fun of them. But we were really just making fun of those interviewers who just don’t even have the basic facts right.

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YE

ELLE

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An casual chitchat with JULIE BUDET, JEAN-FRANCOIS PERRIER, and TANGUY DESTABLE - the bright electro-pop trio from France who are currently touring for their second album “Safari Disco Club” - reveals their relaxed attitudes about the rumoured 2012 apocalypse, their metaphorical approach to talking about life through sexualized phrases (for which they have paid a high mistaken price for as a ‘dirty’ band), and the interview question they despise the most (which, thankfully, was not asked).

INTERVIEW / Victoria Jin BAND PHOTOS / Maggie West

Your songs emanate playfulness and youth – tell us about your childhood.

Julie Budet: I had a really happy childhood, full of music and fun. I lived in the countryside with horses in the nature. I think a lot of the lyrics and music reflects this freedom of my childhood.

Jean-François Perrier: I had a rougher time than Julie, but there was so much music. I started playing the drums at ten, so I was often alone in my room playing on my kit. I wasn’t into a variety of music, just three oarf four bands, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence and the Machine, and the Beastie

Boys.

Tanguy Destable: I moved a lot, around ten times, and only started staying at the same place when I was twelve. So the music I listened to varied a lot and I could never pinpoint what exact genre I liked. So the music we produce also reflects this revolving taste.

How has producing music affected your lives?

Jean-François: After touring for almost three years after our firm album, we’ve discovered many new countries and people, and we learned a lot about what’s important and not in life. The songs in the latest album reflect these influences, about ideas of

change, moving and living – all the positive things we’ve learned.

Tanguy: Touring around, we also discovered new music which influenced us.

Everyone tends to listen to their own iPod, so you find a lot of weird things, and we mix those favorites together.

We toured in the US for a month with Passion Pit, who was our opening act, and it was really fun to be together.

Yesterday we met a band called East Tropical. It’s nice to have a connection with other artists.

Julie You tend to always see the same people while touring. We released our latest album around the same time with Justice, so we toured with them a lot.

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on what they think about the rumored 2012 Apocalypse:

WE MEET PEOPLE, WE PARTY. WE DON’T THINK ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN TWO OR THREE YEARS.

Do you believe in 2012?

[Rumored to be end of the world] General confused chatter in French about what that is, followed by collective ‘Oh!’ Jean-François: We don’t think that far out. I will worry about that on New Year’s Eve. Julie: Everything happened really fast for us when we were discovered in 2006. There are so many surprises every day, and we have a philosophy: we enjoy the day. We taking everything we can. We meet people, we party. We don’t think about what will happen in two or three years.

Jean-François Perrier: This is actually the meaning of YELLE: You Enjoy Life. I hate the question ‘Why YELLE?’ but I just answered with the question for the first time in my life.

Following that, what is the interview question you despise the most?

Tanguy: Questions about our first songs. Some think YELLE is about feminism and sexism.

Many who don’t understand the French think Julie is singing about dirty and sexy stuff, even though our songs are not about

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pornography.

Jean-François: Only ten percent.

Tanguy: The first song had a bad word in it, and then everyone thought: you’re always talking about sex. It’s actually just a metaphorical way about talking about life.

How was your collaboration with Katy Perry?

Jean-François: We did a remix for her: mixing for two hours in a studio in Boston. We toured with her the UK through April and March. It’s nice she likes our music and retweets us – when we first met her in Coachella she said she was a fan, which is shocking but nice.

How do you feel about performing in Vienna?

Julie: It’s our first live show here; we did a DJ-set before in June 2010. It was a good party [at the PlingPlong event]; late but very fun. We got here from Berlin just now, so it was already dark. We had an hour to rest and we only slept for three hours last night, but we’re still excited.

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PHOTOS ARE FROM THEIR LATEST MUSIC VIDEO, ‘COMME UN ENFANT’

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KNEON ‘playtime’

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photo by carly zinga

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by Aimee Han

ted spiraiw ay Into the charming wild with model Hanna @ MIKAs Special thanks to Sofia Hilding.

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by Etienne Saint-Denis

in wait of godot

MODEL,

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Azel @ Dulcedo Model Management

ASSISTANT , Clara

Palardy

STYLING, Seth

Levine

MAKE-UP, Bernardo

Fernandez

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VINTAGE scarf, CHRISTIAN L’ENFANT ROI shirt

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CHRISTIAN L’ENFANT ROI hat

YMC t-shirt

CHRISTIAN L’ENFANT ROI pant

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CHRISTIAN L’ENFANT ROI shirt

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VINTAGE hat and jacket OBEY t-shirt

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ZARA blazer ZARA long sleeve, VINTAGE skirt ARMY SURPLUS boots

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CHRISTIAN L’ENFANT ROI shirt

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VINTAGE shirt

VINTAGE JEANS

customized by stylist ARMY SURPLUS boots 69

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m o m e

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n t u m by Hiro Kimura STYLING Taichi Kawatani MAKE-UP, Canaco Takase HAIR, Shingo Shibata MODEL , Iris @ Supream ART, Sabinna Rachimova

dress HENRIK VIBSKOV sunglasses MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA jacquard gown BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE necklace GABRIELA ARTIGAS bracelet GABRIELA ARTIGAS

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trench coat BURBERRY jacket COMME DES GARCONS skirt COMME DES GARCONS white shirt DIOR belt MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

(opposite page) dress THOMAS WYLDE necklace GABRIELA ARTIGAS

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KNEON. dress THOMAS WYLDE sunglasses LINDA FARROW FOR THE ROW necklace GABRIELA ARTIGAS bracelet STYLIST OWN

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KNEON. motorcycle jacket BALMAIN dress THOMAS WYLDE necklace GABRIELA ARTIGAS bracelet STYLIST OWN

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motorcycle jacket BALMAIN necklace GABRIELA ARTIGAS

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top MANGO, trousers ZARA, shoes TOPSHOP, bracelets DIVA

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by Elena Pirogova MODEL, Taii @ Premier Model Management STYLIST, Krista Grundane MAKE-UP ARTIST, Andrea Chiu

Heat.

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top ZARA shoes TOPSHOP bracelets DIVA (opposite page) dress ZARA bracelet TOPSHOP necklace TOPSHOP

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KNEON. top MANGO skirt MANGO bracelet DIVA

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KNEON. jumpsuit MISS SELFRIDGES necklace DIVA bracelet TOPSHOP

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top MANGO trousers ZARA shoes TOPSHOP necklace DIVA bracelet TOPSHOP

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f facegswo en by Yiorgos Mavropoulos

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MAKE UP, HAIR, STYLING Yo-go MODEL Gwen Lu (D models) ART Bryony Lloyd

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y o u t h w o n ’ t w a

i t FEATURING

by bethany grace

Sabina @ Premier Model Management Lukas @ PH Model Management Emma @ Scouteen Zahra @ Bookings models

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Lukas Hofmann, 16

HOMETOWN: Prague WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY: Animal skulls FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY: Evening FAVOURITE MOVIE: Female Trouble, or Juno LIFE DREAM: To feel alive

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Zahra Gobir, 16

HOMETOWN: Kent WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY: Listening to music, shopping FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY: Night time FAVOURITE MOVIE: The Taking of Pelham 123 LIFE DREAM: To be successful in whatever it is I decide to become

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Sabina Pleštilová, 17 HOMETOWN: Liberec LOVES: Friends, family and my cat Nelli PREFERS: Evening FAVOURITE MOVIE: Easy A LIFE GOAL: To be happy

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Anastazie Anderson, 16 HOMETOWN: Prague WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY: Music or friends FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY: Evening FAVOURITE MOVIE: Pulp Fiction YOUR LIFE DREAM: To travel around with the world

with my band

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Remi Clarke, 14 HOMETOWN: Glasgow WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY:

Dancing in the rain FAVOURITE MOVIE:

Sex and the City 2 YOUR LIFE DREAM:

To be successful in anything I want to do.

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by t h e Kim Akrigg

r e a l

w o r l d

MACRO SHOTS BY LARISSA ENRIGHT

STYLING, AMARSANA GENDUNOVA MAKE UP, SHAWNNA DOWNING MODEL, KAYANNA @ ELITE MODELS

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ELLY/ by MG Oania MODEL, Ely @ Direct Womens Mgmt STYLIST, Felicia Cheng MAKEUP, Brenda Momperousse

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Bode Helm

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AMERICAN APPAREL bodysuit GUESS red shoes

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Photographer assistant, HOLLY KISSINGER Hair, ROBERTO ADAME Make up, BRIDGETT WA SHINGTON Make up assistant, STACI RICHARD Wardrobe stylist, MOLLY TERRY Models, ERIN AND MARY MARGARET @ WALLFLOWER MGMT, JAKE Special thanks TO MIKE CA SILLI AND DENNIS BLOOM AT PICTURE CAR DALLA S

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purple strapless silk dress NORDSTROM gold cuff STYLISTS OWN hat JAGUAR

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Strapless dress Free People Scarf nordstrom Black bra models own Fishnet tunic Macy’s Necklace from Express Rings www.Bluforks.com

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H&M tank ALDO shoes GUESS denim pants STYLIST’S necklace NORMA KAMALI bracelet TARGET gold leather cuff (opposite page) ALDO shoe H&M sweater FREE PEOPLE slip

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by adeline sumney wohlwend

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NEXT ISSUE

OUT IN SUMMER

2012

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We can’t wait to hear from you.

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thank you so much for reading.

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