PLATFORM
PAGE 3
ART Rueben James
Hello fellow readers! EDITOR Melinda Antal CO EDITOR Stephanie Eslake SUB EDITORS Arianne James Zoe Cooney WORDS Jaye Bowden Timothy Chivers Skylah Fisher Edward R Williams Tahlia Higgins Grace Williams Rose Castle Kat Edwards PHOTOGRAPHY Wayne Ye Troy and Julian Oates Graziano Di Martino Zoe Cooney Olinda Groove Records Pat Stevenson Stu Gibson Sean Nunley ARTISTS Taly Hamilton Alice Cooley Rueben James DESIGNERS Sarah Clark Harrison Tew Zoe Rose
We’ve changed things up a little in the editor’s room, bringing fresh ideas from our incredibly talented new sub-editors, Zoe Cooney and Arianne James! For this special edition, the one and only wordsmith and co-editor Stephanie Eslake worked very closely to mentor and guide Zoe and Arianne through every step of the editorial process. Our team has truly never looked so good and I’m confident you’ll agree after you feel the extra oomph in these pages for yourself. We’re beaming with delight to share our new issue themed ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, which takes us on a journey into the world of youth culture. As we go inwards over the winter months, we find space for introspection, discovery and deeper knowledge about ourselves and the world around us. What did we find on this journey? The answers are within these pages, in the art and incredible work from some of Hobart’s most truly inspiring young individuals. From the gorgeous front cover designed by artist Alice Cooley (pages 10+11), to the exploration of important issues by Tahlia Higgins (pages 14+15), this edition is crammed with an extra serving of creativity from crafty creators of all sorts. As the theme of this issue suggests, follow us down the rabbit hole to a wonderland of exciting discoveries. Melinda Antal Editor of PLATFORM
Sometimes, you meet people in your life and you just get this feeling. You know? When I first joined the Platform team, I was struck by the raw talent and passion of our young writers. I knew these were people I wanted to connect with. Through this issue of Platform, you will be taken down the rabbit hole into a world filled with inspiring humans - writers keen to share bold stories; musicians injecting their souls into sounds; people recounting experiences that have made them feel alive. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Melinda and many other beautiful individuals in helping to formulate this edition, but I’d like to give a special mention to two incredible young women who have joined us in new roles. Arianne James and Zoe Cooney have come on board as subeditors, and in the past few months we have unravelled every sentence you are about to read. We hope you enjoy these stories as much as we did in the time we spent working together. Stephanie Eslake Co-Editor and Mentor of PLATFORM
I have been a part of Platform for almost a year now and it feels as though it has just flown by! During this time I have been lucky enough to meet and write about some super talented people and have had the pleasure of sub-editing the awesome pieces you are about to read. I am so grateful to work alongside Mel, Steph and Arianne on the editing team, all of whom I am constantly learning from. The passion, creativity and diversity that goes into the creation of Platform is exciting and something I am so proud to be a part of. I hope you enjoy the journey edition 9 will take you on! Zoe Cooney Sub-Editor of PLATFORM
Becoming a part of Platform Magazine has been a pleasure from day one. I have met so many incredible people and I always leave our meetings feeling inspired from the discussions with the team and the creativity and talent of all who contribute. This issue is bound to delight readers and set them up for a cosy read during Hobart’s long winter. It will remind people that despite the chill in the air, this incredible city holds secret wonders in spaces you may not be aware of, and hidden talents in a number of mediums. So prepare to fall down the rabbit hole into a land of bizarreness and beauty. All will be revealed within the pages of this exciting new street magazine. Arianne James Sub-Editor of PLATFORM
PAGE 5
IMAGE Wayne Ye
Disclaimer All content in PLATFORM Magazine remains the property of the City of Hobart and all content is copyright to City of Hobart and cannot be reproduced without written consent from the City of Hobart and Youth Arts & Recreation Centre. Every effort has been made to seek signed consent for the publication of photos and comment in this Issue of PLATFORM Magazine. The City of Hobart will not be liable for incorrect use of information in this publication. The opinions expressed in PLATFORM Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the City of Hobart and the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre.
PLATFORM
IMAGE
Wayne Ye
1
8 - 9
16 - 17
Cover: Artist Alice Cooley
The Lightest Shades
Y.A.S Column
10 - 11
18 - 19
Artist profile Alice Cooley
The Burrow Gallery
12 - 13 Editorials
Electronic Musician Nick Brown
20 - 21 VOXPOP Lead by Skylah Fisher
6 - 7
14 - 15
22 - 23
Contents
Bullying is Extra Baggage
The Lane was LIT
2 - 3 Art Lining: Artist Rueben James 4 - 5
PAGE 7
24 - 25
34 - 35
44 - 45
Olinda Groove Records
My Alcohol Free Falls Festival
Hot Dub Time Machine
26 - 27
36 - 36
46 - 47
Profile:
Mallrat review
Contributors
38
48
Falls Festival Street Talk
Back Cover:
Sam Tooker
28 - 29
Wayne ye
Young Citizen of the Year: Stephanie Eslake
30 - 31 Composer and Pianist: Thomas Misson
39 RY X Performance Experience 40 - 41 Cooper Screen Academy
32 - 33
42 - 43
A night at FAUX MO:
Q + A:
Arianne James
Daisie Bindoff
PLATFORM
PAGE 9
WORDS IMAGE
Timothy Chivers Troy and Julian Oates
Madelena is a young indie pop artist with a jazz voice background and a sweet, genuine songwriting tone. She grew up in a musical home, learning to play multiple instruments such as the flute, saxophone, guitar, piano and violin. Since graduating from the Conservatorium of Music in Hobart with a major in jazz voice, she has been around Tasmania performing at functions and events, attending song writing sessions and teaching music to others. I first experienced Madelena’s music at an event in Fern Tree, where she was one of the many musicians helping raise funds for the Brightside Farm Sanctuary, a home for abused and neglected animals. She has also performed at Tas Eco Film Fest and Animals Tasmania events, and is a big advocate of self-awareness and having an open mind about her impact on the world around her. “I think music is so powerful and using it to create awareness for issues is so important.” Soon afterwards we met at a café in the city to talk about her plans for releasing music and her musical philosophies. She showed me some posters she had printed to advertise the single launch for her song “My Lightest Shade”. This song was recorded at The Song Store, a studio in Victoria. It’s a bright, summery tune with a short and sweet manner. When writing the song, she tried to capture the feeling of childhood summers and trying to find a bit of lightness, especially in Tassie where sometimes a bit of sun is hard to find. In the long term, she hopes to release four singles for an EP. Madelena met the owners of The Song Store at the Australian Songwriters Conference in NSW. “It was awesome, lots of creative people, lots of positive energy, lots of opportunities, and I really enjoyed the co-writing sessions.” In 2015, Madelena put together a collection of songs and poetry called “A Note in Time”. It didn’t have a theme – instead, it was like a scrapbook or collection of different ideas and stories. She hired the Battery Point Hall with the help of a crowd funding campaign, and set up tables and chairs in a cabaret setting with some snacks and drinks. She performed “A Note in Time” several times, including a performance at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Cygnet Folk Festival.
Madelena is interacting with many of Hobart’s hardworking and talented musicians. She has a duo project with Hannah May, another local singer-songwriter. Together they are supporting each other musically for their own original material and performing covers of songs by female Australian songwriters. She has also worked as a lead singer for the Baker Boys Band, covering popular songs for weddings and functions. She has been working hard to play and perform her own music more frequently, and the local music community has welcomed her with open arms. “This year, I’ve started the ball rolling and now it’s tumbling.” Madelena studied a jazz voice degree under Maria Lurighi, at the Conservatorium of Music in Hobart. Maria encouraged her in an academic environment whilst also supporting her creativity. She felt her mentors at the University of Tasmania understood that though she was studying jazz music, her ultimate goal was to be a songwriter. She found her degree useful for building talented and capable contacts so now if she is seeking performers, she can always find someone available. Madelena has also gained experience teaching master classes and focusing on vocal coaching and guided song writing. She also ran a vocal workshop about mindful singing at Cygnet Folk Festival this year. “It’s great watching people learn about their own voice and achieving goals, becoming more aware of their bodies and voices.” Madelena feels blessed to have built such a large support network around her. As an Indigenous Australian, she sees many factors improving the representation of Indigenous musicians in Australia and she sees a lot of opportunity for creative expression and storytelling around her through festivals and events that celebrate the arts, culture and community. Madelena believes that local music should be valued as much any other art or product that Tasmania has to offer. While we Tasmanians have a lot of pride in our art and culture, local musicians have a much smaller audience. Audiences that do attend Tasmanian music performances are some of the most passionate people in the world, it is an important reminder to show support for our musicians so they feel valued and appreciated.
PLATFORM
IMAGES
Alice Cooley
Our front cover art for this beautiful edition of Platform Magazine comes to us from the incredibly talented Alice Cooley. We first met Alice at a Manga art workshop being held at the LINC State Library in the summer of 2016, where we quickly noticed her amazing skills and immense passion for Anime. Soon after that, Alice came under the wings of our Youth ARC staff where she was mentored by Chris Mister to develop her skills and create a body of work for our National Youth Week Event, Light up the Lane, as well as her end of year school exhibition. Once the mentorship finished, we didn’t know if we’d see Alice again but since then she has become a committed part of the Youth ARC family, being a regular visitor and creative arts workshop participant. With a Japanese influenced upbringing and having studied at Tarremah High School and later at Taroona, Alice developed a love for all things K-POP, Cosplay and Anime. Her repertoire of skills are ever expanding as she experiments with Posca pens, Copic markers, water colours, acrylics and much more. We’re super excited to have her amazing collection of works on exhibition at Youth ARC for the launch of this stunning issue of Platform and even more excited to be able to feature her story and share it with our wonderful readers. We hope you enjoy this small glimpse into the vibrant world of miss Alice, and if you’d like to see more, checkout her instagram at @poofa_ shploofa and be sure to pop into Youth ARC to see the whole collection! We wish you all the best in your creative journey Alice, we think you’re definitely destined for success!
PAGE 11
PLATFORM
PAGE 13
WORDS
Zoe Cooney
Nick Brown : electronic musician Hobart electronic musician Nick Brown sits in his bedroom surrounded by his equipment. He tinkers on his Casiotone CT-370 keyboard and plays a chord distorted by an eerie effect, which sounds like a futuristic church organ. With sounds like this to experiment with, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn why this 24-year-old began to delve down the rabbit hole of electronic music. Nick is working on his EP Water Music, released on 17 July. He borrowed the title from Baroque composer Handel, whose own Water Music debuted on the same day 300 years ago. Nick describes his music as left-of-field electronic hip-hop. “With electronic music, especially if you’re sampling and using synthesizers, there’s heaps of different things you can do to express yourself in different ways,” Nick says. Nick has been passionate about music since he was a kid and his musical pathway has taken many twists and turns to arrive at where he is today. He picked up the guitar when he was 10, which sparked his love for bands such as AC/ DC and Black Sabbath. Throughout his teenage years, he played punk rock but grew bored with its musical structure. As Nick’s interest in electronic music and hip-hop grew, he started working as a DJ at around the age of 18 under his stage name DJ Broccoli. With regular gigs at bars, nightclubs, markets and events across Hobart, it is likely Nick has helped you get your groove on at some point. Nick expands his knowledge of music production and technology through his Bachelor of Musical Arts at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music. “It’s rad,” he says.
Nick’s drive for attending the conservatorium is to fulfill his own artistic potential and make music that best represents him. “As long as I am expressing myself as much as I can, that’s important to me.” Although Nick is kept busy with his DJ work and studies, his real passion lies in creating his own material. The theme of Water Music is pretty ambiguous, according to Nick. However, he does reveal that water was a major point of inspiration for the EP. “Water is the means for life to exist in any capacity. And even before that, there was the sound of waves crashing on land,” he explains. “It doesn’t really matter what the concept is. I know what it is, but you should take from it what you want.” Nick has taken a darker approach in comparison to modern mainstream hip-hop by using a blend of field recordings, classical, and religious music samples; and a mixture of organic and electronic sounds. “It’s more just about creating a feeling with the textures and the sounds so it can be ambiguous,” he says. If that doesn’t make Nick stand out from the crowd, then what will? The release of Water Music is an exciting time for this Hobart musician, who is committed to expressing himself through his electronic musical creations.
PLATFORM
Bullying is extra baggage
WORDS Tahlia Higgins IMAGE Taly Hamilton
“I was in grade 10 and he was my best friend. Because of that, I thought he was right about everything,” Rachael* says. “I looked up to him. So when he told me I was ugly or weird, I knew he didn’t mean it aggressively, I trusted him and tried to change myself.” Bullying – whether you are a victim, a witness or maybe even an unintentional perpetrator – is something too many of us face. It can happen at any place, any age and any time.
Whether the scars are physical or emotional, the impacts and effects of bullying do not discriminate. It can take many forms: namecalling, threats and violence, sexual harassment, as well as more subtle types such as judgement, mistreatment, belittling, and talking behind somebody’s back. When reflecting on high school, Rachael says her friend eventually “cut off our friendship with no warning, he just suddenly stopped talking to me all together”.
PAGE 15
“I was in grade 10 and he was my best But, in hindsight, says: So “I think it’s he the friend. I lookedRachael up to him. when best could have done, even if it was told thing me I he was ugly or weird, I knew he out of his selfishness and a reason he neverhim didn’t mean it aggressively, I trusted explained. know that I myself,” am better Rachael* off withoutsays. and tried Ito change him”.
Bullying – whether you are a victim, a witness or maybe unintentional Bullying is aeven topican we’re starting to perpetrator discuss more – is something of of usAmerican face. It can openly, followingtoo themany release drama happen any place, ageand andconfronting any time. series 13at Reasons Why,any a raw look into the impact oforbullying on Whether theissues scars and are physical emotional, a victim. The new reality show Bullied, the impacts and ABC effects of TV bullying do presented by Ian Thorpe, is another – exposing not discriminate.
school bullies with hidden cameras to highlight It can forms: name-calling, the verytake realmany situation these students gothreats through.
and violence, sexual harassment, as well as more subtle suchmay as judgement, Shedding light ontypes the issue move us mistreatment, belittling, and talking behind one step closer to preventing it, but most somebody’s reflecting onBullying high recent resultsback. in theWhen Australian Covert Prevalence Studysays revealed that out of 20,000 school, Rachael her friend eventually students in Australian “cut off our friendshipschools, with noapproximately warning, he just one in fourstopped have reported So what suddenly talkingbeing to mebullied. all together”. happens once these bullies hit college? “I was devastated because I had lost my best friend.”
Danielle*, a grade 11 student, says bullying Bullying is a topicand we’re starting to discuss affects everyone for her it extended to the more openly, following the arelease of person point of physical abuse, “I’m fairly lonely American drama series 13school Reasons a in school, especially in high andWhy, primary”. It started with her receiving “a snigger hereand and raw and confronting look into the issues insult there; a punctured tyrereality there.”TV show impact of bullying. The ABC
Bullied, presented by Ian Thorpe, is another – “When youschool are constantly berated andcameras brought exposing bullies with hidden down for trying, you give up a bit of you.” to highlight the impact on victims.
Shedding light on the issue move She says she experienced themay worst levelus of one stepduring closeryear to preventing it. Most recent bullying 11, with violent behaviour results in the Australian Bullying from students who wouldCovert prod her with pencils, slip objects into therevealed back of her and Prevalence Study thatshirt, out of 20,000 threaten her. schools, approximately studentsto in stab Australian one in four reported being bullied.
These bullying experiences may sound extreme, Danielle*, grade 11 student, says bullyingSo but are notauncommon in the schoolground. affects everyone and for her it extended to the what happens when you swap the text books point of physical abuse. for a job? “When you’re bullied at work, it can take a bit of time before you realise that you She says she experienced the worst level of weren’t treated well,” Sarah* says. “I worked with bullying during year 11, with violent behaviour a boss for many years in a small environment. from students who herin with He used to tease mewould about prod my body a way pencils, slip objects into the back of herfeel shirt, he felt was light and fun, but it made me and threaten to stab her. really uncomfortable.” If she ever caught him out, Sarah’s tell her she berated was “being too “Whenboss you would are constantly and serious” and “mock me for not being able to brought down for trying, you give up atake bit his jokes”.
of you.”
Shewhat says happens he compared her body to his So when you swap thewife’s text and would comment her clothing – “about books for a job? on “When you’re bullied athow work, my of legs or made look fat. This it showed can takeoff a bit time beforeme you realise
that you weren’t treated well,” Sarah* says. “I worked with hidden a boss forms for many years inthat a small There are also of bullying environment. He usedortothat tease we may not recognise, weme mayabout be toomy body wayanybody he felt was light and fun, but scaredintoa tell about – exclusion, talking behind withholding information, treating it madebacks, me feel really uncomfortable.” If she somebody differently. These seemingly little, ever caught him out, Sarah’s boss would tell everyday decisions have“mock a huge her she was “beingcan toopotentially serious” and me impact somebody’s life. his jokes”. for not on being able to take She says heitcompared her body to his wife’s For Caitlin*, occurred during a moment of and would comment on her clothing – “about feeling judged by her boss who loved personality how it showed off myfine, legsexcept or made look quizzes. “It was totally he me would fat. Thiswhat experience taught that tell me he thought I wasme and go bullying on about often makes the victim question it – without me ever actually havingthemselves, done the test. wonder While it wasn’t a put being down,given I and if theynecessarily deserve what’s remember to them”. thinking that it felt like total judgment based on someone’s assumption”. The same
For it occurred during a moment bossCaitlin*, also decided she was dyslexic, based on of feeling judged by her boss who no evidence other than believing he loved was himself personality tests. “He would tell me what he and “could tell when someone else was”. But thought I was and go on about it – without just because these forms of bullying may be less me ever itactually done the obvious, doesn’thaving mean they’re anytest. less While hurtful. it wasn’t necessarily a put down, I remember I think most of us have experienced a moment when we that felt objectified, stereotyped, judged, thinking it felt like total judgment basedor likesomeone’s somebody was exposing our on assumption”. Theweaknesses same boss for their labelled gain. also her dyslexic, based on no evidence other than believing he was himself I know for me, I have else felt bullying and “could tellpersonally, when someone was.”
from primary school all the way to the workplace.
For me, personally, I have bullying All forms varied greatly, but felt were equallyfrom as primary school the down way tothe therabbit workplace. hurtful. But afterall going hole But going the rabbit the into after the issue of down bullying, I’ve learnthole that into it’s far more complex andI’ve varied than I could have ever issue of bullying, learnt that it’s far more imagined.and varied than I could have complex ever imagined. For anybody who has been bullied, or after
For anybody who has bullied, Sarah* reading this thinks theybeen may have been the has word has of advice: feel bully,a Sarah a word“If of you advice: “If like you feel you’re being wouldrecommend recommend like you’re beingbullied, bullied, II would speaking before it gets too Stop late.the Stop speaking upup before it gets too late. the in their tracks by respectfully bullybully in their tracks by respectfully tellingtelling them that what doing isdoing inappropriate. They’re them thatthey’re what they’re is inappropriate. in the wrong you have nothing be afraid They’re in theand wrong and you havetonothing to of. Ifafraid you’reof.lucky, they’ll realise and realise apologise. be If you’re lucky, they’ll andIf they don’t understand, least you have let them apologise. If they don’tatunderstand, at least know that you won’t put up with being treated you have let them know that you won’t put poorly and you’ll feel more in yourself up with– being treated poorlyconfident – and you’ll feel in the long run”. more confident in yourself in the long run”. *names have been changed If you orhave someone you know is struggling *names been changed with bullying, visit headspace.org. If you or someone youcentre or know is struggling au to find your local call or with bullying, visit headspace.org.au to contact eheadspace on 1800 650 find 890 your local centre or call or contact headspace on or eheadspace.org.au
1800 650 890 or eheadspace.org.au
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Grace Williams Graziano Di Martino
Growing up means a lot of things for different people. For some, it can mean moving out of home or learning how to drive; for others, simply figuring out which course to enrol in at university. These changes in our world can be positive or negative. An awareness of the negative changes can at once be a blessing and a curse. A blessing because as young people, our bodies and minds have developed to reach a point of understanding of the world around us. A curse because this awareness can cause us to be overwhelmed by the difficulties of life. Feeling overwhelmed isn't a new phenomenon. Most people go through it at some point, and people who experience these feelings can still come out unscathed. During National Youth Week last April, the City of Hobart’s Youth Advisory Squad (YAS), set up a stall at the Light up the Lane arts festival. In front of our stall, we placed surveys to ask young people what they felt was the most important issue facing them. Two-hundred people completed our survey.
From our findings, we discovered that mental health was the biggest concern facing young Tasmanians. This may seem shocking, but according to the 2016 Australian Youth Development Index, Tasmania has the highest youth suicide rate in Australia. Joanne SimonDavies’ 2011 Parliament of Australia report on suicide ranked it as the tenth leading cause of death in males. Talking to community health educator Shelagh Curtain from Headspace, I discovered that Headspace Hobart provided approximately 4000 occasions of care to young people aged 12 to 25 years in the last 15/16 financial year. In the first nine months of this 16/17 financial year, Headspace Hobart has already provided 3425 occasions of care, Shelagh said. Shelagh also advised that in 2016, due to this shortage of services providers, the centre commenced the tele-health service in partnership with Headspace National Office, to enable young people to access a psychiatrist where suitable on a monthly basis. This is undertaken with the support of a youth engagement worker assisting the young person and their family, where appropriate, to engage with a headspace psychiatrist via Skype. Mental Health Carers Tasmania former
PAGE 17
YOUTH ADVISORY SQUAD COLUMN CEO Wendy Groot, expressed concerns to the ABC about the shortage of mental health professionals in the state. Wendy told the ABC’s Richard Baines (Mental health groups concerned at lack of psychiatrists, psychologists in Tasmania, 18 October 2014) that there is a shortage of psychiatrists in Tasmania. Private psychiatrists are often priced expensively regardless of the income of young Tasmanians. As a young person in Tasmania, I feel the tele-health service is an innovative but quasi-solution to the problem of young people with mental health issues, who can’t access psychiatrists in their own state. The increasingly demand for mental health services should be meet with long term solutions that increase supply to members of our community. In my experience, young people with dreams of change are sometimes branded as idealists who will learn how difficult it is to change things when they experience the bureaucratic regime of life. I feel this sort of tirade is often used as an insult against young people. I don't believe the stereotype of idealistic is insulting. In a dynamic world filled with constant change, all we can really hold on to is our ideals. Our ideals of justice, truth and kindness are the only constants in our lives that we can
exercise full control of. We cannot ensure that the world responds to our ideals, but we can maintain them and use them as a tool for positive social change. Positive social change is what the City of Hobart’s Youth Advisory Squad is all about. The recently established group is intending assist to try to alleviate the issues of mental illness and isolation faced by our young people. By instigating community building activities for young people in the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre and beyond, we hope to invite young people to share stories from their everyday lives to combat feelings of isolation. Having art therapy sessions can offer a space for young people to be creative and connect with one-another. YAS is discovering innovative ways to serve young people from all walks of life. I believe that we can cause small but relevant change in the lives of young people. To aid us in our service, we have each other and our ideals of kindness and community building.
PLATFORM
IMAGES
Courtesy of The Burrow
PAGE 19
The Burrow Gallery The Burrow (Burrow Gallery) is a lovely little creative space located inside the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens underneath the Succulent Restaurant. It was first developed in 2012 by Able Australia, a long-standing non-profit organisation who provide services to people living with disabilities. This year, the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre worked with Able Australia to develop The Burrow to include a brand new community art gallery. Today, The Burrow is one of Hobart’s best kept secrets, with views of the Derwent River from its cosy little lounge room. Visitors of the gardens lucky enough to find the space are met with a giant free library of donated books and encouraged to read, as well as take books home and donate their own. For patrons who would prefer to be outdoors, there is a handy collection of colourful bean bags for patrons to take with their books into the surrounding gardens where they can create their own reading nook. Further inside is the Burrow Gallery which showcases new and exciting
exhibitions every month from local and emerging artists, artist groups, collectives, schools and community groups. As a free community gallery, all exhibitions are free for all artists, encouraging anyone inspired to get involved and showcase their work. The gallery caters small to medium scale art that is hangable including photography, printmaking, drawing, word art, watercolours, painting, textiles and much more. It’s an ideal space for aspiring and established artists to take up the opportunity to showcase their art, curate an exhibition or test and experiment with new ideas. Exhibitors are provided with guidance in the installation, deinstallation, promotion and coordination of their exhibition. If you or anyone you know would like to find out more or register for an exhibition, be sure to visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ableaustralia.theburrow.
PLATFORM
IMAGE
Wayne Ye
Life changes pretty quickly, don’t you think? Skylah Fisher asks a few young people a valuable question: “What I wish I knew five years ago.” How would you respond?
Female I 23 I Claremont Don't be afraid of letting old friends go and embracing new ones.
person. And stand in awe of them, learn from them. Because in a lifetime you may only ever come across one.
Male I 25 I Hobart To not stress so much about the little things that won't matter in years to come. Focus on your happiness and the happiness of those around you.
Male I 25 I Moonah I wish I knew how important saving money was. Saving money when you can will really help if your circumstances change.
Male I 20 I Glenorchy It's not just a cliché: you really don't sleep when you're an adult. Female I 24 I Hobart What I wish I knew five years ago is just how important having an education is to be able to get a job and survive in the real world. Female I 21 I Rosny Five years ago, I wish I knew that selflessness is not commonly found. Not even among those people who you most expect it from. So, if you are ever lucky enough to find anyone who loves others before themselves, hold on to that
Female I 22 I Hobart Five years ago, I wish I knew that I needed help. Female I 22 I Mangalore I wish I knew that you don't need to be 100 per cent perfect all day, every day to succeed. Perfectionism just makes you doubt your best efforts. Female I 23 I Hobart I wish I knew five years ago that it is okay to make mistakes. I wish I could go back and tell my former self that everything would be okay, that my life was exactly where it needed to be, and that making mistakes is a part of growing as a person. I wish I could tell myself five years ago
PAGE 21
that I would end up right where I was supposed to, and that I should enjoy the ride. Mostly, I wish I knew five years ago that, while life isn't always easy, the good parts are pretty spectacular. Female I 25 I Hobart Five years ago, I wish I knew that my happiness is produced from within myself and is not reliant on toxic relationships. I wish I understood how small my world was within a small town and how much more there was to life once you have broken free. I wish I knew how important being healthy is for your future in a multitude of ways. And I wish I knew how my seemingly unimportant decisions could impact me as a person and as a lifestyle for years to come. Male I 23 I Hobart Renting might be great for your independence but living at home is better for your wallet.
Female I 22 I Kingston I wish I knew that I was prone to high blood pressure at a young age and that some lifestyle choices have only worsened the situation. Male I 22 I Hobart What I wish I knew five years ago would be not to take learning and schooling for granted. Everyone hates school, and either wastes time through it or chooses the easiest route through it. [I wish I knew] to take the time and learn a trade, or take some time to seriously think of a career, considering how jobs are going and how many people only want to hire those with prior experience or trade qualifications. Male I 21 I Hobart Five years ago, I wish I knew that literally everything is a learning experience and it’s OK to fail.
PLATFORM
Light up the Lane is an annual event hosted by the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre, as part of National Youth Week. The festival is predominantly aimed at Hobart’s youth, with free activities and featuring local musicians, DJs and artists. As the name suggests, the festival shows off Mathers Lane, embellished with lights. Most prominently, Tom O’Hern’s beautiful wall art is illuminated by an ethereal blue light.
One of the most appealing aspects of Light up the Lane is that it’s accessible for all members of the community. All the activities offered are free, including henna, glow in the dark face and nail painting and many stalls hosted by organisations such as Amnesty International and Headspace. There is also the intriguing Glow House, an entire room lit by black light, and walls that you can draw on in luminescent markers.
Light up the Lane is a wonderfully social occasion, with a weirdly paranormal ambience: dancing lights and figures with almost tribal facepainting glowing up out of the darkness.
Jo, from Youth Network of Tasmania says events such as Light up the Lane “remind the community of all the wonderful things that young people achieve”.
PAGE 23
WORDS IMAGES
Rose Castle Graziano Di Martino
She also says it’s important to have events like Light up the Lane because we often talk about “the problems that young people have such as unemployment and underemployment education or homelessness, whereas this is a whole week focusing on the successes of young people”. People have their artworks projected onto the lane walls. Many pieces were created by teenagers, some whose art is publicly displayed for the first time. Light up the Lane is a popular local event, and judging by this year’s success it seems people love to get involved. Samson, a local performer,
perhaps sums it up best when he says that he thought the festival is important because it brings “an extra bit of Hobartness to the community”.
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGES
Kat Edwards Olinda Groove Records
PAGE 25
As a an artist, young, old, experienced or just starting out, it can be a daunting process navigating your way through the music scene. To get just one song recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by professionals can not only be stressful, but end up costing hundreds of dollars. Alternatively you could record onto your phone or laptop, but the quality of the end product would not begin to compare to songs being released today. You could set up a home studio, but without any knowledge of recording equipment and software where would you start?
Students undertaking Cert II and III in the Music Industry will produce your music under the guidance from industry professionals, so the end product will be sure to be of high quality. There is also a pool of session musician students around the college who are available to assist solo acoustic songs to take shape in band arrangements.
Based at Hobart College, Olinda Groove Records is a not-for-profit, independent record label which is operated by young individuals who have a strong passion for the music industry.
Thursdays’ 9am - 5:30pm
Created purely to support local emerging artists with recording, producing and promotion, Olinda Groove Records is and always has been a free of charge service. Better yet, any product that is developed remains 100% owned by the artist.
Recording Session Times: Tuesdays’ 9am - 5:30pm Other session times will need to be negotiated To book email lachlan.court@education.tas.gov.au
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Arianne James Wayne ye
PAGE 27
Interview with Sam Tooker It’s hard to imagine a more friendly and enthusiastic person than Sam Tooker. He has, as he might say, an awesome but hectic life. When he was little, he dreamed of being a composer and, soon after, a secret agent. As we chatted, I wondered if he came from a creative family. My suspicions were confirmed as he told me about his older brother who has just completed a Masters in Architecture. Sam admires his brother and says “he creates these immaculate designs. I’ve always looked up to him”. Sam’s major passion is filmmaking. For someone so young, Sam tells me he has been working on films for the past 10 years. “It’s not all about the script,” Sam explains. “All the creative process comes on set. You edit the footage as you film - not all at the end as most people might think.” The editing process is complicated and intense. Sam tells me YouTube tutorials on film editing are often useful, especially for firsttimers. Sam also describes the difficulties that can occur while on set. Articulating your vision to others in a way they can understand isn’t always easy – and for aspiring filmmakers, Sam has some important tips to remember: - People don’t always act the way you’d expect - Tell people how you feel - Take your time and keep re-doing shots until they are perfect Sam says his hero director David Fincher often does 60 takes before he’s satisfied. Sam also looks up to director and screenwriter Christopher Nolan. “He makes you cry in a good way,” Sam says. Film scoring also interests Sam, and his favourite composer is Hans Zimmer.
Sam enjoys playing with melodies, too. In 2016, his talents in the industry saw him achieve an incredible award. A film he worked on, One Step Behind, was entered in the MyState Student Film Festival and won $1500 for the post-year 10 category. When it comes to genre, Sam is a fan of comedy and drama. He believes good films are engaging as well as emotionally stimulating; “those that make you feel something”. Alongside filmmaking, Sam is also a Rubik’s Cubes pro. I encourage you to YouTube Sam’s videos: he ranks at number 21 in Australia for Rubik’s Cube solving! As well as this, he’s a keen acrobat and has taught himself how to juggle, tumble and handstand. Of course, with so many things on his plate, a practice routine is vital. Sam broke this down for me: On average, he does 2.5 hours of Rubik’s Cube practice, and one hour of acrobatics per day. His films take up a lot more time and he can spend up to 50 hours on a film in the space of a month. “I kind of go hardcore and then don’t do anything for ages,” he says. To the future now, and Sam still has many dreams aside from his current interests and job at Honey Badger Café. These involve putting his acrobatic skill to good work and joining a circus, becoming a professional filmmaker, and training to be a paramedic. Sam believes it’s important to explore new things and get out of your comfort zone. I asked Sam what advice he would give to his 13-year-old self: “Take every opportunity you get. Don’t be shy – pretend to be confident and you will become it. Respect nature and the world – give back to the planet. Be nice to one another. Think big.”
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Melinda Antal Graziano Di Martino
The City of Hobart’s
Young Citizen of the Year 2017 Congratulations to our amazing Platform Magazine mentor and co-editor Stephanie Eslake! The Platform crew are PROUD AS PUNCH to see our incredibly talented and wonderful magazine mentor and editor, Stephanie Eslake given the City of Hobart’s Young Citizen of the Year award. This is an extremely deserving award that recognises Stephanie’s immense amount of hard work in the very many projects and roles that Stephanie is involved in. Naming just a few, we start with Stephanie’s contribution to the community in creating CutCommon in 2014, an online promotional and educational network for young Australian classical musicians. The award also acknowledges Stephanie’s efforts promoting Tasmania’s literary community through her marketing and communications role with the Tasmanian Writer’s Centre as well as her incredible work mentoring young writer’s through the City of Hobart’s PLATFORM Youth Culture Magazine. Stephanie says she is humbled to receive the award: “I am incredibly grateful to the City of Hobart and the talented creative’s I have the privilege of working with each day”. “This award not only brings a great deal of joy, but is an acknowledgement of our important
work in the Australian arts industry.” Since our first encounter, there has been no mistaking the inspiring sense of energy that propels such creativity. We just had to do a feature story on Stephanie back in issue 7 and if you would like to revisit that, check out the online article at our online hub at www. platform-youthculture.com or go directly to www. issuu.com/platformyouthartsandculture/docs/ platform_issue_7_web/8. Since then, Stephanie has become an integral part of the Platform Magazine family and we’re so delighted to work with such a bright and beaming lady. Stephanie says “I have so enjoyed connecting with Hobart’s incredible young writers through Platform, and being part of their career journeys. Working under the guidance of our inspiring coeditor and creative fine artist, Melinda Antal has been such a fulfilling life experience”.
PAGE 29
PLATFORM
Hobart composer/pianist Thomas Misson and I caught up over drinks – water, specifically – at the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre. We ventured into The Bunker – a music room and a fitting place, I thought, to conduct an interview. So surrounded by drums and guitars and a partition wall, we cracked on. What made you want to be a composer? There are two kinds of prongs to how composing became part of my life. I think I was a musical kid, but I wasn’t particularly disciplined. The excitement of just making music massively overrode the discipline it takes to really improve and really get better. So I spent a lot of my time either approximating the music, making my own versions of Bach and Handel and Beethoven, but also putting in my own whacky little touches. At the University of Tasmania, I originally enrolled to do piano and I grew really attached to my piano teacher, Victoria Burley. But I found out that I couldn’t actually get lessons from her anymore, so in a teenage hissy fit I thought: ‘well, I’ll do something different then’. So I ended up in composition and just truly formed the addiction from there. It was mainly improvising and progressive rock bands; the sort of disciplined approach came later.
Composing for humans versus computers? The last few months, I’ve just been drafting up ideas for pieces with tape; that is, a pre-recorded part that you play over. And that’s where I pull the impossible stuff. If I wanted a note on the saxophone to bend and refract, and do all these weird things that the saxophone can’t actually do, I’ll punch in an impossible part. That’s the place for computers. What role do you think that composing has in general life? Well, it’s very pervasive. Do you watch TV? Yeah, of course you do, you’re a filmmaker. We absolutely need it. From popular music to esoteric, avant-garde, it’s everywhere. Are you afraid of the 9-to-5 life? The concept of ‘getting a real job’ doesn’t really scare me, not as much as it used to. Because I’ve realised that people can do day jobs and still do art. It’s possible. But I’m definitely afraid of not being challenged. If something’s not hard or interesting, it doesn’t really sound like living. I guess that’s a really heavy answer. I certainly don’t see the 9-to-5 as a failure.
PAGE 31
WORDS
Edward R Williams
Composer and Pianist
Thomas Misson How would you describe your style? Genre? Definitely contemporary classical; very firmly in that genre, but with very appreciable allegiances to progressive rock to drone music to post rock to jazz to film music, atmospheric stuff. As far as style and approach…when I’m in a creative low, I guess I use that as a chance to just research; to find out as much about other styles. Every drive, every impulse is always emotional. Solo or ensemble? I think ensemble just has it, because the sum can be so much greater than the parts. Violin can do some extraordinary things texturally – there’s a purity you get with solo instruments that you can’t get anywhere else. But I probably prefer ensemble, because it’s like you’ve tipped out a huge crate of musical LEGO, you know? You’re just sitting in it and it’s very, very exciting. There’s a very childlike compulsion for me. Was there ever a time when you didn’t feel validated by what you were doing? All our questions have been directed toward me as a composer, but really I’m split down the middle with composition and piano. During my undergrad, I’d do four hours of studying with composing and then four hours of piano. So I’d
get the bus in at 6am, and practice so I’d get into the lecture with two hours of practice under my belt whilst everyone else got in having set their alarms for 8:50am. I worked really hard, I’m not afraid to admit that I worked really hard for a time trying to balance them, because I couldn’t choose between them. But I definitely wouldn’t have done without those years, because I’m pretty sure I couldn’t compose the way I do now. After our interview, I really felt as though I had merely scratched the surface. And on that cliffhanger, I wish Thomas all the best in the future.
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGES
Arianne James Image courtesy of MONA photographed by Remi Chauvin
The main stage was outside in a narrow alleyway. Forty minutes in, and the area was packed. The singer leant towards the audience, inviting them to join him in the joy of his eclectic rhythm. The music was loud but not without The celebration of music and art took place tune, and I enjoyed the hope it gave to the inside the old Government Offices in Murray crowd. The message I saw as I watched was this: Street. Multi-coloured lights flashed in every ‘These are dark times but we will not turn dark direction. The beats of music from multiple with them’. It felt almost like a musical protest stages and DJs erupted to complete the dynamic, and the crowd loved it. Even from my position pulsing scene before me. There was even a on the rooftop, the collective effervescence cubby dance house made to look like a sparkling from below was intoxicating. It made me want to igloo with an icicle chandelier on the roof. throw down my camera and dance; to join the crowd of strangers and, for a moment, become The whole building was alight with glow in the part of this fantasy jungle of light and sound and dark paint swirled into every corner; every swaying limbs. forgotten corridor. I stumbled across rooms with video recordings of artwork and short, On every floor was a bar, as well as numerous strange films. water stations. I was grateful for these, as the smoke machines dehydrated the air. A final There was a room – an abandoned office filled highlight was the blue lights that moved up and with negatives of places in Chicago, United down in waves on one floor; which, combined States. I paused my exploration to look closely with the smoke and the music and the glowing at the images and the writing that accompanied paint, created a sensation I imagine was not too them as groups of animated partiers flew past. dissimilar to how Alice would have felt as she fell They were beautiful and eerie and spoke of another world and another time. ‘Don’t forget us!’ down the rabbit hole. They screamed. ‘We were here. We still are.’ I enjoyed Faux Mo immensely and was impressed by the diversity of performers and I discovered four main levels with little artworks. Next year, I plan to get a group of subsections and corridors on each, however I would not be surprised if someone told me there friends together and experience this event as a participant instead of an observer. were more hidden passageways. When alone in some of the more obviously abandoned places, I became a little creeped out. The music, muted slightly in the background, amplified the desolate loneliness of a ripped office chair facing the wrong way around from its desk. A playground for adults. This was my first thought as I stepped under the sandstone alcove into Faux Mo, the official MONA FOMA after party.
But there was a beauty to this emptiness. I saw it in the patterns the strobe lights made on the furniture; in the stray festival goers who swayed past, laughing, to explore the delights of the art.
PAGE 33
PLATFORM
FALLS FESTIVAL WORDS Zoe Cooney I am here to tell you that having an awesome time bringing in the New Year at Falls Festival, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, is possible! Here is a taste of what I got up to at the Marion Bay leg of Falls Festival 2016. • I know this may seem like an obvious one, but booze is not essential when enjoying the music at Falls. I made my way to the front row of Bernard Fanning’s set and it was my festival highlight. I even loved acts I knew nothing about, such as Childish Gambino, Client Liaison, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. One of the best things about music festivals is having the opportunity to discover international, national and local artists, so getting along to as many sets as I could was my Falls Festival goal. • As the buzz of seeing their favourite acts began to wear off, some of the thrill-seekers enjoying Falls made their way to Tower to the People for an extra adrenaline rush. Not for the faint-hearted, Tower to the People was a platform standing at more than 10 meters that housed two zip lines and a free-fall. “The zip line is just all joy, everybody loves it every time,” Tower to the People operator Roxy said. “It’s really exciting – it’s a lot of fun, everyone loves it.” I was a little too scared to give the zip line or free-fall a go. However, my tent was pitched not far from the attraction, so walking to and from the campsite was made all the more interesting as I watched people soar and shriek in excitement above me.
• The Village was a weird and wonderful area full of arts and crafts, local music, workshops, activities and a range of different performances, making it the perfect place for me to let my creativity run wild. As I explored everything The Village had to offer, I came across a performance in the House of Raar space by juggling duo Jugg Life. Made up of 25-year-old Byron and 19-year-old Joe, the pair put on a jaw-dropping act full of fast-paced and intricate juggling tricks that left the audience enthralled and amazed. Both Byron and Joe started juggling as kids and met at a juggling convention when they were a bit older. They train for countless hours a day, but the huge smiles on their faces after completing a particularly difficult trick means all the hard work must be worth it. “The feeling of accomplishment at the end – when you’ve done a good routine and the crowd has been really into it, and it’s just that final feeling of knowing that you’ve done something well – I quite like that,” Joe said. “It’s kind of like having a secret that no one really knows about, and then when you do it on stage it’s like revealing the secret and it’s good to see that people enjoy it,” Byron said. • Yoga is a great way to kick-start your day and I was told by lots of Falls Festival veterans that the yoga held in The Village was worth trying out. At 10am I wandered over to find a qualified yoga instructor and lots of carpet to lie down on, so personal yoga mats weren’t needed. As I closed my eyes, breathed deeply
PAGE 35
at a music festival. Yoga can help to stretch out your muscles after an uncomfortable night on a camp mattress or from dancing too hard in andmosh stretched, couldn’t help to but think what the pit. It Ican also help quieten the a fantastic and benefi cial idea itby is thousands to have yoga mind after being surrounded of at a music Yoga “Ican help to stretch out people andfestival. loud music. think yoga at a festival yourcan muscles afterbusy an uncomfortable on that be really – there can be night lots going a camp from –dancing too hard into on, it canmattress be quiteorhectic is an opportunity the mosh can also to time,” quieten the really find pit. yourIt centre in help a busy Hobart mindinstructor after beingClaire surrounded by thousands yoga said. “Falls falls right of people and loud music. think ayoga at good a festival over New Year and again“Ithat’s really that can be really there be lotsand going opportunity to let busy go of –your oldcan baggage on, it can the be quite hectic – is an opportunity to welcome new. It’s something for everybody.” findyoga yourclass centre in a refreshed busy time,”and Hobart Ireally left the feeling ready yoga instructor Claire “Falls fallsat right to tackle whatever Fallssaid. would throw me next. over New Year and again that’s a really good •opportunity In betweento the stages was a and lettwo go main of your old baggage market strip. As I maneuvered my way from welcome the new. It’s something for everybody.” stage to stage, I made sure to check out I left the yoga class feeling refreshed and ready what the whatever stalls had Falls to offwould er. From handmade to tackle throw at me next. jewellery, clothes, and a body glitter station to a number of non-for-profit and social justice organisations, the market was a great way to fill in some spare time. I took particular interest in Animal Liberation Tasmania, a non-for-profit organisation whose goal is to free animals from human exploitation. Their stall featured virtual reality headsets that guided visitors through a pig factory, as well as a two-minute video that showed the torture animals endure in factory farms across Australia. The videos were confronting and graphic. “Falls has a really good demographic for what we are trying to do. There are people that want to experience something new, so the virtual reality headsets are really good for that,” Animal Liberation activist Kirsty said. “There is also a younger cohort of people who are more receptive and open-minded to new information, so we can really talk to them about the issues and they can absorb it.” The Animal Liberation stall saw an amazing response from hundreds of people,
with some claiming to turn vegan on the spot. • Although the music was the main drawcard at Falls, the line-up of comedy acts this year was extremely giggle-worthy. The massive downpour of rain did not stop the crowd from laughing uncontrollably at Aunty Donna, a comedy trio from Melbourne, whose set included clever parodies of the popular television shows Family Feud and Master Chef. • I wasn’t ready to call it a night after the New Year’s Eve countdown, so a bunch of my mates and I made our way to the 10 Minute Disco in The Village. Although we didn’t quite dance the whole night away, we did enjoy an awesome 10 minutes of dancing in a shipping container that was decked out with a DJ and disco lights! There you have it: a sample of some of the super fun things I got up to at Falls Festival, without alcohol! Choosing not to drink alcohol not only meant that I saved money over the three-day festival – it also meant that I was able to experience all of the activities and performances on offer to the absolute fullest. You should never feel pressured to drink more alcohol than you are comfortable with, because you can still have a great time without it. If you do choose to drink at Falls, remember to drink responsibly and to look out for fellow festivalgoers.
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Zoe Cooney Blake Rayner DEW PROCESS
Words Zoe Cooney Images??
PAGE 37
MALLRAT Review
“This is madness. This is so rad!” exclaimed electronic/hip-hop extraordinaire Mallrat, who performed at this year’s Falls Festival at Marion Bay. A crowd sprinkled with glitter, donning Himalayan-esque ponchos, gumboots and mudsplattered legs gathered at the Valley Stage. Luckily, the heavy rainfall had held off for the Brisbane artist’s first Tassie gig. Mallrat strode onto stage sporting ripped overalls, a green bomber jacket and a huge smile, which didn’t leave her face during the entire set. It was great to see someone so happy while performing. The crowd was grooving in no time after she kicked off with her song For Real. She followed with super cool hits Sunglasses and Suicide Blonde, which showed off her awesome rapping skills and her sweet, talk-singing style of vocals.
Two new songs were thrown into the mix. The first had a dreamy vibe, with intense bass to contrast, while the second was infectiously poppy and fun. Hopefully, we will be hearing these songs on the airwaves soon because the crowd seemed to love them both. Mallrat is a sought-after feature artist in the Australian indie-pop, hip-hop, and electronic music scenes, so she included a few of the collaborative songs she features in. She played Bunny Island by Oh Boy and Donatachi, which is probably the most kawaii electronic dance single you will ever hear. She even speaks Japanese in the song. She also performed Get Money! by E^ST and as a surprise recruited the help of Tassie pop star Asta (Dynamite and Shine) to sing the lead vocals. This was probably a last minute decision because a mishap led to restarting the song. Despite a minor fumble in one of the verses, which would have only been obvious if you knew the song, it was an experience to see two
extremely talented, young Australian women doing what they love. Punters seemed overjoyed when Tokyo Drift started playing, perching themselves on shoulders; and the dancing went into overdrive during the catchy vocals and tropical island vibes of Inside Voices. It was obvious that whomever mixed Mallrat’s set was not mucking about with the bass. Sure, having powerful bass drops and riffs is essential in many genres because they get the crowd pumping. But the bass, at times, was a bit too much when contrasted with Mallrat’s youthful and poppy energy. A cover of Drake’s Pop Style was thrown in for good measure, which was well received and was a dark contrast to the rest of her set. Mallrat wrapped up her time on stage by teaching the crowd the lyrics to Uninvited. “Get me off the list/I’ve got nothing on my wrist/ get me off the list” was chanted back to her, and the song was underway. Mallrat bounced around with her DJ, while those in the crowd sang at the top of their lungs and danced to their heart’s content for the remaining few minutes of the set. Rapping, dancing, singing and huge smiles: what a perfect way to spend Falls Festival 2016!
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Jaye Bowden Sean Nunley (RIGHT)
Our contributor Jaye Bowden attended the 2016/17 Falls Festival at Marion Bay. While she was there, she connected with the community and asked some fellow arts and music lovers:
“I come here to get away from the stress of everyday life” - Aneeka “It’s a chance to wear my Birkenstocks without hesitation” – Fin “An opportunity for me to celebrate the best new music in a fun environment” – Annie “Celebrating with friends in an exciting, happy environment” – Holly
What does Falls Festival mean to you and what do you get out of it?
“For me, it’s about re-establishing old connections with friends” – Sam
“A lovely little reset to start the year fresh” James
“I love being surrounded by such super uplifting, happy, nice people” - Olly
PAGE 39
WORDS IMAGE
Jaye Bowden Stu Gibson (LEFT)
RY X Magic RY X performed at Falls festival in the afternoon, the sun pressed against our backs like warm velvet as we gathered about the stage; a tender silence settling over the crowd.
effort to connect to the crowd with his personal background, speaking out against the political upheaval of 2016 and finally wishing everyone a safe and peaceful New Years.
The entire band was dressed head-to-toe in black clothes, which seemed to be a bold move considering the intensity of the heat on that scorching Saturday afternoon.
Ry’s bright, blue eyes stared out across the humid mass as he began playing one of his most touching songs, Berlin. Many people in the crowd were crying silently, with watery smiles on their faces as they swayed to the music, captured in a moment that couldn’t be invaded. Some whispered the lyrics aloud as he mesmerised everyone with his gorgeous sounds.
The lead, Australian-born Ry Cuming, wore a beanie and rounded sunglasses with his thick dark beard disguising his face. His fingers strummed his guitar gently, plucking each string with meaningful purpose. He made a humble
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Edward R Williams Courtesy Cooper Screen Academy
COOPER SCREEN ACADEMY 1 8 0 F i l m P r oj e c t
If you want to make it in film, you have to move to Sydney or Melbourne. Right? Perhaps not. There seems to be a narrative prevalent amongst the Tasmanian film community that one must move to the mainland in order to have even the slimmest chance of making it – whatever that actually means; an unquestioning step on the path of success. I am sure many young Tasmanians can relate – and not only in the film community. I’m a filmmaker and have found myself in a predicament. I do see value in dedicating myself to film in Tasmania, but I have been wrestling with myself on how long I can stay before I leave. However, last December I attended the Cooper Screen Academy end-of-year screening. The actors of CSA had collaborated with the filmmakers of Rosny College for the 180 Students on Film Project. I entered the CSA cinema and eagerly waited for the screening to begin. The ads started to play, and students from CSA – young and old – were starring in them. That’s pretty cool. The screening began and there was a mix of horror, comedy and drama. I found myself laughing on more than one occasion, and there were even a couple of moments in which I was nodding with a stupid grin on my face as if to say: ‘Yes, yes, these guys get it. These guys know how to make films; these guys know how to act’. Most of the actors were school age and many had only started acting at the beginning of 2016. Speaking to a couple of the students
about their thoughts on how their year and the screening went, I got the sense that many were surprised at how far they had come and how much they improved. But the important thing is they understand what they need to do to push themselves even further. That’s exciting. That’s what fills me with a sense of determination to stay here and see what I can make of myself as I too improve and grow. I suppose moving to the mainland or even further away is an option, but it’s no longer the only option. There is a community here and it’s growing and getting stronger. This screening proved that to me. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? But I’m confident that our little corner of the globe is going to do marvellous things – and it’s worth sticking around.
PAGE 41
PLATFORM
IMAGES
Daisie Bindoff
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself, what’s your story?
2. How would you describe your and art? What medium/equipment do you use?
Since I was young, art and creativity have always been present in some capacity in my life, and my parents encouraged that, but photography was never something I really thought about. I’m not sure what changed, but it was about 4 years ago when I started to regularly document the different things that I saw on my mother’s phone. She became tired of having so many images on her phone quite quickly, and for my birthday that year, she saved up and bought me a little camera.
Typically, I use a digital camera to make my photographs, but at school I have had the opportunity to experiment with film and working in the darkroom. The process is more involved than with digital photography, but I think it’s fascinating. I like the little flaws that can appear on the images – it’s something that a digital file can’t really give.
PAGE 43
• What do you like about making art? I like the process - thinking about the idea, and then executing it. Or doing something, and expanding on what you did.
5. Reflecting on your creative skills, what have become your greatest strengths?
• What have you enjoyed about it most? I have just enjoyed the act of documenting the little things that interest me.
Through photography, I have been able to refine my observation skills and better develop my patience. I tend to photograph landscapes most often, and I have found quiet observation and patience to be helpful qualities in doing that.
3. What inspired you to follow your passion ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’?
6. How has your art forms helped you to grow?
I think photography has a certain addictive quality. There’s constant opportunity to improve and develop your skills, and there comes a special kind of satisfaction when you create something that you are proud of. I am also interested in the ephemeral nature of the photograph – the fact that something you documented may never exist organically again in reality.
I’m not the best at starting and finishing things. I have so many half-completed craft projects and so many plans that never go outside of my head, but photography has helped me to articulate the things that I want to explore or what I want to understand, and then to pursue it to completion. In that sense, photography has helped me to focus my thinking and to persist.
4. Who is your mentor or idol? Who inspires you to make art and why? Although I admire the work of quite a few photographers, I think it’s more about what inspires me to take photographs, rather than who. I am inspired by nature and the things that I see – the light from a car window on the ground, a reflection, a shadow. These are all things that I am interested in and they are the things that motivate me to take a picture.
7. What role do you think your art will play in the future for you? Currently, I am not quite sure, but I hope that one day I might be able to incorporate photography into my career in some way. 8. What’s your vision, hope, dreams for the future? In the future, I would like to see different and new things, and challenge myself. But mostly, I would just like to be happy and successful by my own definition.
PLATFORM
WORDS IMAGE
Jaye Bowden Pat Stevenson
The grassy banks swarmed with enthusiastic punters, embracing the surprisingly scorching hot day for Autumn in Tasmania. People were spread across patterned picnic rugs on the embankment, indulging in the Huon Valley’s highly renowned selections of beer and wine. Wide brimmed hats, bright and bold playsuits, flower garlands and iconic retro button-ups made appearances across the field, highlighting the Australian festival scene. Lush, leafy green grape vines lined the hills at the borders to the arena, opening the main field for flocks of people as the bass reverberated in the earth and pounded through the speakers. Hobart DJ Sexy Lucy smashed out some classic beats to boogie to, including Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders. A couple of cheeky blokes in bold patterned shirts and caps kick-started the dancefloor with some wild moves, strutting their stuff as more festival goers were encouraged to join in. Out of Context, a local Hobart DJ duo who regularly perform at Mobius Club in the city, hyped up the crowd with some heavy trap beats as more punters dashed down to the stage to join the dancers. Dameza followed, mixing some hip-hop tracks and shouting out to the sparse crowd to involve them in his performance as the afternoon heat kept people lounging in the shade rather than flocking to the dancefloor. Sampology, a young Brisbane producer making waves in the experimental music scene, didn’t let some unfortunate audio malfunctions hold him back or stop his flow as he scratched out some impressive mixes against a gorgeous, colourful visual backdrop. Dena Amy followed Sampology’s set - still recognisable from her teenage acting days on Australian TV show Dance Academy. She had an infectious smile as she took to the stage in her bold, glittery pink ensemble, a pair of rounded shades perched on her nose. The tracks she mixed were upbeat, catchy, and cheeky and she formed a strong connection with the crowd. Paces brought positive energy to the stage with his beaming smile and strikingly white hooded spray jacket. “I’ve never performed at a winery before!” he shouted. “There are such great vibes
here!” He performed his tracks featuring Tkay, LDRU and Nyne, even leaping off his mixing deck at one point, expressing his uncontainable energy and excitement to be there. Paces successfully warmed up the crowd for the headliner of the night – Hot Dub Time Machine – as a countdown kicked in. Just as the humid evening settled into dusk, Hot Dub entered the stage. An expansive DJ deck lit up with blue spot lights as a thunderous cheer roared from the anticipating crowd. Then began the wild ride of a journey through time and music, featuring songs from the 1950s until 2017, as everyone sang along to iconic tunes such as Respect, Africa, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and hits by The Prodigy, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Eminem. Giant colourful blow up balls were tossed into the crowd, much to everyone’s delight, and confetti streamed out into the dark sky as an uncontainable feeling of happiness settled in the air. Every single song seemed to connect with people and bring back memories both old and new as the evolution of music was celebrated in style. Hot Dub’s mixes were smooth, effective and he established a relationship with the crowd as they anticipated the next hit bursting from the speakers. Hot Dub Time Machine gave his set every ounce of energy he had, and marked the end of one of the best parties ever. Combined with a day of basking in the sun, enjoying stall treats and eats, sipping icy cold beverages and dancing along to some incredible, infectious artists, Hot Dub Time Machine in the Huon Valley was a refreshing take on the usual day festival. Set in the picturesque Huon Valley, there couldn’t have been a better location or day for it. The night ended perfectly, the crowd standing amidst a sea of showering confetti and a dancing mass of exhilarated festival goers; we sang every lyric to the final Hot Dub track. A magic and unforgettable moment; a magic and unforgettable night.
PAGE 45
PLATFORM
EDITOR Melinda Antal PLATFORM Editor| Youth Arts Officer| UTAS Fine Arts Student
SUB - EDITOR Arianne James Psychology and Creative Writing student at UTAS
Mel works with teams of amazing young artists, writers, photographers and designers to produce PLATFORM Youth Culture Magazine. Next to that, she looks after art galleries and studies 3D Design at UTAS. Coffee, cats and sunshine are a few of her favourite things.
Arianne is a writer of fiction and a lover of words, books, people, long conversations, eavesdropping, music, stars, cats and many other beautiful things in between. Arianne was recently awarded a place in a Short Story Focus Week at Varuna House, an invaluable experience.
CO - EDITOR Stephanie Eslake PLATFORM Co-Editor and Publication Mentor Stephanie Eslake loves to learn about people and share their stories. In 2014 she founded CutCommon, an online magazine for young classical musicians. Her articles have been featured in local and national publications such as Limelight and The Mercury - and when she’s not writing, Stephanie likes to indulge in a good book and a cup of tea.
SUB - EDITOR Zoe Cooney Journalism, Media and Communications student at UTAS Zoe enjoys producing content about music and entertainment, art, culture, the internet and the community. She loves music, pugs, anything to do with chocolate and you can often find her trawling through YouTube.
WRITER Jaye Bowden Independent Writer and Creative Jaye adores green tea, thriller movies, yoga and music festivals, loving nothing more than to escape to another world through her writing or losing herself in Tasmania’s wilderness on hiking adventures.
WRITER Tahlia Higgins Journalist, Southern Cross News/ UTAS Graduate Tahlia loves nothing more than being able to tell other people’s stories and to investigate/ write about social justice issues. She started her journalism career in 2016, and graduated from UTAS (majoring in Journalism, Media and Communications) in 2015. She loves being able to write and present news stories.
PAGE 47
WRITER Timothy Chivers Musician, Writer and student at UTAS Tim is a writer, music producer and singer songwriter currently studying music technology at the UTAS Conservatorium of Music.
PHOTOGRAPHER Wayne Ye Science Student at UTAS + Photographer “I am a nerd, and I am bored, and I am awkward, but sometimes, only sometimes though, I do have a rapidfire mind pace”– Wayne.
WRITER Skylah Fisher UTAS Masters Student Skylah is really passionate about the art of hand embroidery. She loves to do embroidery and other crafty things when she’s feeling really overwhelmed - it’s her way of zoning out and staying happy. WRITER Grace Williams Social Activist, Writer and Student of Law, Economics and Philosophy at the University of Tasmania. Grace likes puppies and flowers.
ARTIST Taly Hamilton Hobart College Student + Artist Taly is an ambitious young artist seeking her dream of working in the comic industry.
WRITER Edward R Williams Film maker I make films. Since starting, I have learned a lot about myself, one thing of many is that I’m starting to feel less bothered by the way others percieve me. The only bit of advice I feel confident in giving, is that when creating any art, be sincere, to yourself and to the subject. It brings me so much joy to create and to see the creations of others.
WRITER Rose Castle Rose is a 14 year old student, who enjoys reading, drawing and Debating. When she leaves school she aspires to live in a large black castle with 72 cats.
DESIGNERS - PLATFORM ISSUE 9 Harrison Tew, Zoe Rose and Sarah Clark