PLATFORM Youth Arts & Culture Magazine
Issue 3 - May 2014 1- STAYING CONNECTED
Editorial It’s important for young people to feel connected. Whether to place, community or to each other – that connection is vital for feeling a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Fabrice Bisimwa (bottom left) featured on pages 18-19 is a rising star in the world of dance and hip hop, (top left) Melissa de Hoog interviewed on pages 30-31 talks about how her photography shows people their true beauty, Jiemba Sands (top right) pages 24-25 an aspiring stunt-man, shows us just what is possible when you put your mind to it and Monni Palmer (bottom right) interviewed on pages 22-23 tells us what dancing means to her. Take some time to refuel, reconnect and be inspired by our future generation.
“PLATFORM Issue 3 is all about how young people make connections.” The cover photography by Chris Cook begins to tell this story of the young people in the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre that have made a connection to people and place through creative expression in dance, photography and recreational activities.
Polly Dance Editor of PLATFORM dancep@hobartcity.com.au
Cover photography: Chris Cook See and read more about Chris and his Alphaluma Photography on pages 31-32.
Disclaimer All content in PLATFORM Magazine remain the property of the Hobart City Council and all content is copyright to Hobart City Council and cannot be reproduced without written consent from the Hobart City Council and Youth Arts & Recreation Centre. In all cases signed consent has been received for the publication of photos and comment in this Issue of PLATFORM Magazine. Hobart City Council 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 Hobart City Council and the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre.
PLATFORM
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Editorial
Jacqui & Millie
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6
Fabrice Bisimwa
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Mathew Morrisby
Melissa de Hoog
Jiemba Sands
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Contents
22 INTERVIEW Monni Palmer
8 EVENT Rock Challenge Tasmania BUNKER Orange Card
SKATE StreetWise
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26
28 EVENT Southern Skate Titles
12 WORKSHOPS
PROFILE Chris Cook
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32
GALLERY Scott Bradshaw 34 PICTURE & Oliver Matuszek
PARTNERSHIP EdZone Art Exhibition
20 EVENT Freestyle Dance Competition PLATFORM
CONSULTATION: Youth Strategy
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Contents
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30
Contributors
Photographers
Melissa de Hoog | Freelance Photographer Melissa has a crazy imagination, her ideal day would be spent on the beach with a camera and some clean hollow waves.
Chris Cook | Hobart College Student and Photographer Chris is a commercial photographer and enthusiast composer. He’s a health nut and does backflips at the bus stop.
Jiemba Sands | Circus Performer and Stunt Person When it comes to filming, Jiemba likes to work in front of, and behind the camera. He likes to keep fit and healthy, and is training to take stunts to the next level.
Writers Polly Dance | Editor of PLATFORM | Youth Participation Worker Polly has a love hate relationship with words. Some days they the best of friends, others they’re not even on speaking terms.
Bridget Hickey | Fine Art Student and Freelance Writer When Bridget grows up, she wants to be an artist and writer. She’s currently studying a Bachelor of Arts and Fine Arts, and co-hosts the arts radio show Plain Air on Edge Radio.
Caitlin Richardson | Student and Convenor of Twitch Caitlin loves writing and has secret (not so secret) longings to be an interpretive dancer. Naturally, interviewing dance star Monni Palmer for PLATFORM Issue 3 (pages 22-23) was an inspirational and joyous experience.
PLATFORM
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Contributors
Maddie Kramer | Journalism and Photography Student Maddie is a 21 year old graduate in journalism and photography. She enjoys writing about and photographing life and everything in it, check out: www.madelynekramer.tumblr.com
Designers Mahalee Smart | Postgraduate Visual Communication Student Mahalee is interested in publication design and has way too many magazines. She includes flowers in her work whenever it’s appropriate (and sometimes when it’s not).
Leanne Steer | Postgraduate Visual Communication Student Leanne is currently trying to make it in life as a graphic designer. She loves Frankie magazine, travelling, watching an entire tv series in one sitting, and Patrick Dangerfield.
Will Joseph | Hobart College Student and Cinematographer Will enjoys photography but not the art side. He knows more about Photoshop than cooking. See pages 28 & 29 for his design.
Mathew Morrisby | Fine Art Student Mathew is an aspiring graphic designer and artist. He has a penchant for emotive imagery and a deep interest in the human condition. See pages 8 & 9 for his design.
Amelia Wilson | Fine Art Student Amelia is a first year Fine Art student, specialising in Visual Communication. She aspires to teach graphic design one day. See pages 8 & 9 for her design.
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Contributors
What does your music say about you both? M: I think Jacqui and I bring out the fun side in each other. We both obviously have serious sides too but that just doesn’t come out when we’re together. We just want to have fun. That’s what the music says. It’s a reflection of our friendship too... Like we’ll write about each other’s problems and we’ll sing about girls whose thighs don’t touch and how they think they’re so brilliant. [Laughter]
Jacqui & Millie are fresh out of college, brought together by music over 3 years ago, and are currently both taking a music-filled gap year. Polly Dance interviewed this unlikely duo, about their relaxed, playful and poppy music and how it brings out the best in one another and those around them... How did you guys get together? Millie: Jacqui and I went to school together. We were in grade 10 music class and we had to partner up and write a song with someone. Obviously Jacqui and I were both like, “Uh! I hate working with other people!” But we actually created something pretty good! We’ve stuck with each other ever since.
So you don’t take yourselves too seriously then? J: No, that not the idea at all! If we did, it wouldn’t be as fun. What inspires you to make music? M: Music is one of those things that you don’t have to be able do it, to be a part of it. Like art, I don’t have to be able to paint, to appreciate it. Which is what’s so good about music; it’s for anyone! Also the attention is great! [Both giggle]
What do you think you’re unlikely candidates to collaborate? M: Yes, actually. We don’t really have the same friendship groups apart from those in the music scene but I think that’s important. Like any kind of relationship/creative relationship that we have our own independence too.
What can express in your music but that you don’t necessarily express at any other time? M: I think that what our music does is disguise the serious stuff and translate it into something more upbeat. It helps us see things in a new light. I think it helps us to be more positive.
How would you describe your style? Jacqui: Acoustic pop. We are quite a pop band. All the songs that we write are very poppy and catchy!
INTERVIEW
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Jacqui & Millie
Photography: Lilly Castle How do you connect with your audience? M: Often we know a lot of the people in the audience, which helps. What we sing about is always something that the audience can relate to. With the covers that we do we’ll always play something that the audience knows and they love that. When an audience is happy there an amazing kind of energy that feeds back into us. That connection is great! It’s a two-way channel!
What kind of gigs do you do in Hobart? M: We do a lot of charity gigs because we’re not really concerned about getting paid for anything. Festivals would be awesome fun but we just haven’t had the time or capacity to do something like that thus far.
What do you think your message is when you’re performing? M: Just take it easy. Be chill. [Both laugh]
What are you pursuing next year? M: This year is a gap year and then I think I’d like to head towards international crisis management. I’ll go to uni and study social science and go from there. J: I think I want to be a dentist.
When have you played here at the Youth Centre? J: We’ve played here a couple of times. We supported Jed Appleton’s EP launch and we played at the beginning of last year for Chase City and then we played last year for Guildford’s Night of Hope concert.
Would you be interested in pursuing a solo music practice? M: I don’t feel comfortable playing by myself. Musically, I am only half a person and Jacqui is the other. Jacqui makes me complete. J: Awww! M: We are: ‘Jacqui & Millie’!
How do you find the music scene in Hobart? M: I love it! I love how everyone supports each other. It’s just not as competitive as bigger cities. Everyone is friends. We all help each other out!
“We are ‘Jacqui & Millie’!”
INTERVIEW
Like and listen to Jacqui & Millie online: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacqui-MillieHEATHER/138653362874308 YouTube Channel: Jacqui & Millie Music
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Jacqui & Millie
Photography: Greg Norris
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This spread designed by Mathew Morrisby & Amellia Wilson The Rock Challenge Tasmania is an annual event hosted at the Youth Arts & Recreational Centre. The Rock Challenge was founded in 1989 to provide young bands and solo artists with a springboard into the music industry. This statewide music competition gives young people a taste of the stardom, spotlight and the cutting edge competitiveness that comes with being a musician. This community event, now in its 25th year, exists to support young aspiring musicians in taking the next step towards making their dream a reality. Entry into the 2014 Rock Challenge is now open!
Photography: Nicole Azzalini To register your interest apply online today: www.rockchallengetasmania.com EVENT
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Rock Challenge Tasmania
Three young legends walked into the BUNKER music studio to get themselves an Orange Card. Brady, Holly and Sarah. Brady strummed cords on the guitar, Holly lifted the ceiling with her amazing voice and Sarah made friends with the camera. I hung out with Brady, Holly, Sarah and Youth Arts Officer, Joel Imber in the BUNKER to find out more about the process of getting an Orange Card… Joel Imber: I’ve been teaching Holly, Brady and Sarah about the software that we use for recording music and we’re using a couple of microphones, essentially to record Brady playing the guitar and Holly’s vocals. These guys are being informed about each step to take and about the process in order to be able to gain the knowledge to be able to do it themselves. At the same time as learning these skills, they are recording some music! This studio is free for young people to use. We are recording one song, and the process of recording it actually isn’t that technical, would you agree?
BUNKER 10
Brady: Yep! It’s pretty straight forward. What have you learnt today? Brady: Basically how to run the recording, how to do different tracks and how to set it up. Joel: And they know which microphone plugs into where and what the buttons mean. It’s not too overwhelming. Holly: Joel did give us a bit of a quiz with it! Joel: The idea is that at the end of this session I can ask a list of key questions about what they need to know about the studio. Once they’ve passed I give them an Orange Card and they can book the studio during the week in the time available. So that’s the idea with the Orange Card. Then the young legends played me their demo and I was blown away that in a few hours they could produce such an awesome track. Watch out for these guys!
Orange Card
Photography: Sarah Arnold
BUNKER
11 Orange Card
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EDZONE
ART EXHIBITION
What is EdZone I hear you ask? EdZone is a personalised learning program for young people aged 13-16 years. EdZone is an alternative to mainstream education. EdZone is a highly valuable Tasmanian Government initiative delivered by the Department of Education, in partnership with the City of Hobart and situated upstairs at the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre. On Wednesday 18 December 2013, EdZone took to the walls of Substation Gallery with presentations by 10 graduating students: Dylan, Ethan, Jaida, Jordan, Kodey, Max, Raimn, Tylon,
Viv and Zac. As part of their studies last year these 10 young people undertook a four-week project in a particular recreational and vocational area of their choosing. This project set out to increase their knowledge, skills and understanding of a chosen area of interest. Their graduate work included a range of skill based learning outcomes such as screen printing, bike restoration, cooking, woodwork, Photoshop drawing and 3D sculpture. Each student was presented with a certificate for their achievements during that term of work. All students were joined by their teachers, parents,
PARTNERSHIP 14 EdZone Art Exhibition
Photography: Joel Imber carers and peers in celebrating their achievements and acknowledging their hard-work and commitment to their projects throughout the year.
opportunity to see the process and production of his art project being presented in a professional gallery space. We look forward to building on this partnership in more ways and celebrating the achievements of the graduates for this year also!
As part of the EdZone Art Exhibition, Jess Wilson, a teacher at EdZone shared that the event, “gave the students an opportunity to show their family and friends what they’re doing.” Jess shared that this event helped to formalise the big achievements for each student and focus on future goals. Ethan, who made the Papier-mâché helmet pictured above, said, “I reckon we should have some more art outcomes like this!” He really appreciated the
PARTNERSHIP
“I reckon we should have some more art outcomes like this!” We love having these guys around the Centre and often find ourselves reaping the benefits of their cooking and marvelling at the artistic outcomes of their projects.
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EdZone Art Exhibition
MATHEW MORRISBY Speaking to Mat Morrisby one gets the sense that this young man, like so many great artists before him, is a deep thinker and a true dreamer. Polly Dance, Editor of PLATFORM caught up with Mat to quiz him on his artistic pursuits in graphic and sound art. Tell me about your work – What do you do? I make A1 graphic artworks. A1 has got more “wow factor” then just A4. What I do is layer lots of text over a portrait of a character from a TV show like – Game of Thrones or The Metalist. I source the images from the internet and the text is quotes that the characters say during a break-down. I play with the text, shape, line and colour in the image to represent the conflicting emotions of a fictional character. I make it all dramaticised. Where did you get this idea from? I was influenced by character tributes on YouTube. That’s where they take a character and show them breaking-down and mash it all together. Watching it, is like chocolate after a break up.
“In my practice, I’m interested in why people take so much notice of people that aren’t real.” I think we like to feel like we can relate to these people. What did you achieve through working with sound that you couldn’t create through graphics? I liked that the sound installation felt like you were in another world. I didn’t want it to feel normal. It’s like when you’re watching TV you escape to
another world. I wanted it to feel like that. It was also quite theatrical. The installation took my ideas to another level where you walk into this unreal environment. There’s a bit of a risk with the works on paper that people will just go, “Oh, that’s nice.” Whereas, the sound work achieved the affects that I wanted, better. How do you think people connect with your work? What motivates people motivates me. I like seeing how people work and think - characters and real people. It has been suggested to do portraits of real people instead of fictional people but often real people don’t really like opening up. It’s easier to work with photos that have been professionally taken but there is also a personal aspect to it. Some people don’t like having their photo taken or speaking about all the bad things that have happened to them.
“It’s more about capturing a simulated sadness that isn’t real instead of human sadness that is real.” When do you work best? I found that when I was having a bad day my work was better. Because I’m showing sadness it does seem to work best when I’m feeling that way. What’s the next step? Art school! I’ve put down a Bachelor of Visual Communications and a Bachelor of Fine Arts but I’m hoping to do Fine Arts. I like art more than design because I can show my ideas more.
Check out Mat’s artwork online: http://morrisby.deviantart.com/ YouTube Channel: Mathew Morrisby
ART SPEAK 16
Mathew Morrisby
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FABRICE BISIMWA Photography: Jiemba Sands
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Fabrice Bisimwa aka Fabulous Rice is an amazing dancer and an amazing individual! He recently won the Tasmanian FREESTYLE DANCE COMPETITION and in November, Fabrice and Ben Sarossy were awarded 1st place in the World Cup Cheer & Dance power up showcase. He is a dance teacher at the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre running free hip hop dance classes every Friday from 4-5pm.
I want to be doctor so that next time I can help that person.” Fabrice knows that his dream is going to take a lot of hardwork to realise but considering the great success he has had in dancing. I am convinced that if this determined young man wants something, he makes it happen.
Fabrice Bisimwa was born in Congo Bukavu in Africa and since he was a baby he’s been on the move. Now this mover and groover at 18 years of age finds himself in Hobart with all his family. He is the eldest of six children and a fabulous role model to his little brothers and sisters.
When I asked Fab about his style he said, “What makes me unique is when I’m performing I’m dancing for God and my family. Without them I wouldn’t be here.” Fabrice and Ben Sarossy (Ben was featured in PLATFORM Issue 2, pages 24-25) performed for over an hour in Franklin Square during the Youth Strategy Consultation and he said he wanted to show people how different dance can be. He said,
Fabrice only started dancing 2 years ago after seeing the movie Step Up 3. He saw it and was like, “How can they do that!? I want to do that!” The first move he learnt was the robot. Believe it or not, Fabrice is self-taught and most of what he knows he learnt from watching YouTube videos. His sisters call him ‘B-Fab’ after one of the characters from the movie.
“I like putting my personality into my dancing. That’s why they call me Fabulous Rice.”
His friends nicknamed him Fabulous Rice, which has been coined as his ‘stage name’. When he asked them, “Why Fabulous Rice?” they said, “You like rice and when you dance it’s so fabulous!” Now he can’t go anywhere in Hobart without someone screaming after him, “Fabulous Rice!”
Fabulous Rice has confidence in himself and that confidence rubs off on the people around him. That confidence makes him a natural at teaching young people dance at the Youth Centre. Fabrice said, “My dance makes people happy!” Even though Fabrice was a voted Student Prefect, Ambassador and Student Representative and awarded the highest achievement and most likeable person at school he says, “My friends love me but if they love me 20,000% I love them 20,000% more!” His mother is so proud, she has placed his medal on the wall directly across from the front door so that it’s the first thing people see when they come into his house. Like his shiny medal, Fabrice is a shining beacon, lighting up the world around him with dance.
What’s even more amazing is that Fabrice has only been dancing for 2 years!
“It’s just practising. If I want something no one can stop me.” Fabrice tells me that when he first started dancing his parents were concerned that it might affect his studies. Fabrice says, “I want to become a doctor because in Africa there is war and people dying. At 4 years old I saw someone die in front of me.
Be inspired by Fabrice’s moves online: https://www.facebook.com/streetking45 Instagram and Twitter: Bfabrice45 YouTube Channel: Fabrice Bisimwa FEATURE
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Fabrice Bisimwa
FREESTYL
COMPE
Freestyle Dance Competition showcased some of the best young freestyle dancers in Tasmania. This event was held at the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre from 4pm - 7pm on Friday 29th November 2013. FREESTYLE DANCE COMPETITION was presented in partnership with Ruffcut Records and Eternal Dance and judged by Melbourne Hip Hop Dancer “Fuse� and Rochelle De Vries, Eternal Dance Studio owner. The competition brought some amazing young dancers to the floor with some highly anticipated battles and was a celebration of dance in all its diversity. A good time was had by all, new skills were learnt and connections through creativity were made. EVENT 20
Freestyle Dance Competition
LE DANCE
ETITION
Photography: Chris Cook
DATE: Friday 29TH Nov ‘13 TIME: 4pm-7pm WHERE: Youth Arts & 21
Recreation Centre
2 Photography: Chris Cook
Caitlin Richardson met with Monni Palmer, a 16 year old contemporary dancer to chat about dance in all its shapes and forms. As I approached Monni, she was launching into a spectacular backbend and handstand, even though her knee was strapped. “It’s fine!” she remarked when I asked her about the injury. It dawned on me that teen dance culture wasn’t all about cut-throat competitions, identical costumes and precise techniques. Monni gives me a refreshing insight into a dance practice that rebels against common conventions and rules and is instead driven by emotion and free-form expression. It began at a very young age. “Mum got me into it,” Monni says. “She basically said I could dance before I could walk”. Since the age of six, Monni has taken dance classes at Hobart Dance Academy. She has also received training from the Royal Academy of Dance in London and took dance class throughout her four years at Ogilvie High School. Over the past ten years, Monni has performed in The Nutcracker ballet and danced in numerous concerts at the Theatre Royal in routines as varied as hip hop, jazz, song and dance, and her favourite style- contemporary. Monni explained, contemporary dance shares some characteristics with neo-classical, although “contemporary is more story based and neo is a way of expressing yourself, but in a more balletic kind of way”. Contemporary is similarly interpretive- about feeling the emotion of the music and finding a personal way to express it. “I just love rolling on the floor and not caring if your feet are pointed” she says. It’s not surprising then that Monni’s involvement in Rebellion, a contemporary dance performance produced by Drill Dance Company at the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre in late July 2013 was a highlight in her dance career so far. Rebellion
was directed by Joshua Lowe, but the dancers were given freedom to contribute their own choreography. The result was a liberating piece about teenage defiance that celebrated the dancers’ unique abilities. Monni said that some of the dancers hadn’t had much technical training, but were amazing nonetheless. “I’m not very good at improvising but some people are very good at it. We all have our different talents” she says.
“It’s helped me through everything in my life” she says, smiling. “When I’m down I just go into the garden and dance, even if it’s raining. I don’t care.” Creating a personal story through dance is something Monni uses in performance to powerful effect. Monni describes her judge’s feedback from a routine she performed at a recent Hobart eisteddfod, where she placed third. “In my report they said I just felt it. They could see I could actually feel it, because I love it so much”. Monni’s ability to express raw emotion through dance has enabled her to connect deeply with her audiences. “Someone came up to me after and said ‘I felt what you felt’” she says. “I just said ‘Oh my god, really?’ and they said ‘I could see you really loved what you did’”. I asked Monni if she had ever received that response from anyone else after a performance. “My Dad” she replied. “He cried”. I ask Monni whether it’s draining to bring that kind of emotional intensity to a dance, she nods. “In the sadder dances I really extend, I really try to bring across the message.” It’s this kind of personal investment which makes what Monni does so meaningful and memorable. Lastly I ask, “What does dance means to you?” Monni is quick to reply: “It’s helped me through everything in my life” she says, smiling. “When I’m down I just go into the garden and dance, even if it’s raining. I don’t care.”
“I just felt it” INTERVIEW
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Photography: Chris Cook
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Photography: Mark Sands
“There’s always new stuff to learn and you can always improve on what you already know” Don’t we all wish we could run away with the circus? After all, who wouldn’t want to travel the world and perform amazing tricks in front of large audiences, right? Well, 17 year old Jiemba Sands has experienced that lifestyle firsthand. Maddie Kramer sat down with the aspiring stuntman to gain an insight into what he does and how he got to where he is today. Born into a circus family, Jiemba has been performing circus acts since he was a toddler. Over the years he has travelled to Finland, Japan, Germany and all around Australia, performing with his family at various festivals and events. Until just recently, Jiemba was an enthusiastic gymnast but he has reduced his involvement in the sport in order to pursue his new passion, stunt work.
So what exactly does a stunt performer do? Jiemba explained to me that a stunt person does any sort of activity that could put an actor at risk of injury. For example, fights, high-speed car chases and high falls. Gymnastics and extensive training have enabled Jiemba to perform the tricks and stunts that he does today. Drawing inspiration from Jackie Chan movies and other action films, Jiemba has put together several YouTube videos that showcase his vast range of skills. Whether it’s playing with fire, fight choreography or jumping off buildings, this active young stuntman will give anything a go! “There’s always new stuff to learn and you can always improve on what you already know” says Jiemba. In the future, Jiemba plans to train at AP8 Stunt School in Queensland. His main goal is to work on a big budget film and he hopes to continue travelling and entertaining people.
Check out Jiemba’s stunts online: https://www.facebook.com/JiembaStunts YouTube Channel: Jiemba Sands Instagram username: jiembasands PROFILE
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SKATEBOARD
SOUTHERN TAS
StreetWise learn to skate
SKATE 26 StreetWise
Polly Dance, Editor of PLATFORM talks to the guys that put the StreetWise ‘Learn to Skate’ sessions on every Saturday from 1-3pm, while the weather is fine, at skateboard hubs throughout Southern Tasmania.
They tried out a few ollies on the smooth hard surface, picking up the pace, travelled down a small ramp, moving now with more freedom and confidence than before. Dwayne commented, “We usually get a lot of people that have never tried it before and they come down and try it and then buy their own board.” The StreetWise sessions provide free skateboards and helmets to anyone that wants to try it out.
StreetWise is totally free and open to all ages and abilities. As Hub Manager, Paul “Poga” McMacken described, “They can be first timers who want to learn the basics or more experienced skateboarders who wish to get some expert advice.” StreetWise sessions are for everyone and anyone who wants to learn how to skate.
“Skateboarding is cool, fun, social and a good thing to do.”
I went to EC Skatepark to check out the StreetWise sessions and chat to some of the young participants. Dwayne, a young instructor at the StreetWise sessions was working with three young beginner skaters that day. He bought the guys onto the grass to one side of the skatepark because as Dwayne said, “The grass is easier and more forgiving for first-time learners.” He explained, “At the moment we’re learning ollies and just getting a bit more comfortable on the board.”
The StreetWise sessions are made possible through Skateboarding Australia and the City of Hobart and the sponsorship of Jimmy Skate & Street. Richard Flude, the Development Officer from Skateboarding Australia (SBA) said, “We know that the skatepark can be a very intimidating place and we aim to lift that perception by providing the community with free equipment and support anyone can skate.” StreetWise ‘Learn to Skate’ makes skateboarding in Hobart city not only free and accessible for anyone to learn but like Richard put it, “skateboarding is cool, fun, social and a good thing to do.”
I was pretty impressed by the pace that these guys were picking up the technique of a simple ollie trick and asked, “How long have you been skating for?” Sam aged 13 years, enthusiastically said, “This is my first day!” and Quinton aged 10 years also added, “Just today.” I could see that they were all keen to try out their ollies on the concrete park so I stepped aside and let them have a go.
SKATE
Find out more: https://www.sba.org.au https://www.facebook.com/skateboardingaustralia http://vimeo.com/sbahubs Instagram username: skateboardingaustralia
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StreetWise
Southern Tasmania Skate Titles was an all day skateboarding competition held on Saturday 8th February at the EC skatepark. This free event saw girls and guys from around the state from ages 5 to 37 getting involved and competing at the highest level of skateboarding in Tasmania. This local community event brought family, friends and skaters of all ages and levels together in true camaraderie and showmanship.
Jimmy McMacken from Jimmy’s Skate and Street said, “Skateboarding competitions are different to organised sports and unique in that one moment you’ll see skaters fiercely competing against one another with ruthless determination and then the next moment they’ll be cheering and patting each other of the back for landing an amazing trick.”
EVENT 28 Skate Titles
29 This spread designed and photographed by Will Joseph
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MELISSA DE HOOG Melissa de Hoog is an incredibly talented, yet incredibly humble 21 year old photographer and the mastermind behind the very cool front cover image for PLATFORM Issue 2. Melissa has the natural ability to be able to capture a true sense of belonging and connection to the landscape and people around her through photography. Amazingly, Melissa is mostly self-taught and only started taking photographs about 6 years ago because of the influence of her uncle, who is a photographer and got hold of an old SLR camera for her. She tells me that since then, “I just haven’t stopped taking photos!” She admits that she is a little “happy trigger clicker” but this is all so that she can capture that one perfect image. Melissa’s editing style is bold and bright. She tells me,
“I’m a really happy person so I like my photos to be really happy, colourful and warm.” Melissa takes mostly portraiture and surfing photography that represents local youth and beach culture. She explained, “With taking portraits, it’s not just about the photography, it’s also about connecting with the young people. I get so much joy when I see them see a photo of themselves and they’re like, ‘wow, I’m beautiful!’” For Melissa, it’s a gift to be able to show people not just the beauty, but the talent of those that she sees around her. Melissa prefers community based photography instead of commercial photography because
as she puts it, “People aren’t barred from doing anything. People are still free to be whatever they want to be. I love meeting different personalities. Even with surfing you can just tell people’s personalities.” The next step is to venture into cinematography so that then she can tell people’s stories too. Melissa shared her story with me: “I grew up in a third world country. I grew up in the Solomon Islands as a mission child. I’d go out to clinic with my mum and bring hospital supplies and dad would fix up the clinic. Then I would get to hang out with the kids in the clinics. The whole reason why I’m doing nursing is to actually be able to go back there and help. Photography is a special way to connect with people.”
“It’s just such a simple way to make someone’s day. It’s such an easy way to make someone smile. It’s so easy to create happiness for someone.” Next year Melissa is doing her final year of nursing and will be on placement. She is planning on becoming a volunteer paramedic and hopes to go overseas to work as a nurse in orphanages and refuge homes, helping people on a daily basis. Photography will always be an important part of Melissa’s life and a creative way for her to connect with the world and people around her.
See Melissa de Hoog’s photography online: http://choiceas.tumblr.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/solomonstyle/ https://www.facebook.com/MelissadeHoogsPhotos FEATURE
31 Melissa de Hoog
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“Persevere and push yourself!”
Chris Cook is a Hobart-based photographer who specialises in photographing food and architecture. Emerging writer Bridget Hickey caught up with Chris to find out more about his photography practice and other creative interests.
four-minute exposure. Another photograph took over two hours to take! His work is influenced by the French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson and the international Magnum photography collective. He also admires the work of fellow Tasmanian photographer Dan Cripps. Other mediums also provide inspiration: when photographing light, Chris often tries to visualise music.
Chris Cook has an impressive portfolio. His beautiful imagery is both technically skilful and demonstrates an artist’s eye for detail. Since starting his business Alphaluma less than a year ago, Chris has been making quite a name for himself. Even more impressive—he’s only 17!
Chris uses his website, Facebook page and a blog to stay connected to his audience, clients and other photographers. He says having a professional website is an important part of building a professional profile. The Facebook page is additional promotion, and keeping an active blog means that Alphaluma rates highly in search engines.
Although he might be younger than most professional photographers, Chris’s talent comes from years of experience. He began taking photographs in grade 7, after a family trip to India inspired him to buy a camera. Recently, he worked as the official photographer for Hobart College’s production of Cabaret. Documentation photography is a little different, as Chris explained, “I had to take into account other people’s creative ideas.” To get the best images possible, he worked closely with the Lighting Director and the results are spectacular!
In the future, Chris plans to grow his business, expand into travel photography and possibly study scientific photography at uni. In his downtime, he enjoys making EDM (electronic dance music) and is also writing a photography handbook. Next year, he’s planning on doing further study at Hobart College, including putting on a photography exhibition using projections. For those just starting out in a creative practice, Chris has some great advice: “Persevere and push yourself!”
Chris’s freelance photography is more experimental. He showed me a beautiful landscape at Coles Bay, created using a
Follow Chris online: www.alphaluma.com.au www.facebook.com/alphalumaphotography PROFILE
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Chris Cook
Scott Bradshaw (23 years)
“For me there is no feeling quite like the satisfaction of shooting photos. Even more so when I have gone to a great effort to do so. Shooting photos definitely has to be my favourite thing to do creatively. To see a beautiful landscape, person or a scene, and to capture that and be able to show it from your own perspective can give you such a good feeling. This is also why I choose not to do it as a living. I do it for me and me only. And I couldn’t be happier!” Check out Scott Bradshaw’s photography: www.scottbradshawphoto.com www.scottbphotog.tumblr.com 3 4
Oliver Matuszek (17 years)
“I have always had a very strong passion for photography. I take photos because it is a creative way for me to express myself. I love how everyone has their own way of looking at things. The way I see something is not going to be the same way that you see it! Always having my camera at my fingertips means I can show people my perspective and the way I see things. That’s enough reason for me to keep shooting!” See more photos by Oliver Matuszek: www.facebook.com/OliverMatuszekPhotograhpy
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YOUTH STRATEGY The majority of City of Hobart Youth Programs are facilitated from the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre which is located at 44 Collins Street. The Centre is a free arts and recreation space for young people aged between 12-25 years to access from 3-6pm every Wednesday to Friday. The team at the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre provide a range of participatory programs and workshops for young people in art, music, dance, digital media, recreation and a chance to get involved at ground level. The Youth Centre consulted with young people in the local community asking them what they would like the City of Hobart Youth Programs to focus on in the future. Our aim is to build an even brighter, safer and more fulfilling future for the next generation. We have spoken to over two
CONSULTATION
hundred young people already! We have visited a number of schools, colleges and alternative education centres in Hobart, including Fahan, Newtown High School, Guilford Young College, Hobart College, to name a few. In January, with the attraction of a free jumping castle, DJ set and face painter, our youth team consulted over 50 young people in Franklin Square. The Youth Programs Strategy 2014 will be completed in June 2014. We are always happy to have your input into the City of Hobart Youth Programs. For more information or to get involved visit: www.youthartsandrec.org ‘like’ us on Facebook, call 6231 5150 or drop into the Centre during open access 3-6pm Wed-Fri.
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Youth Strategy
Photography: Joel Imber CONSULTATION
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Youth Strategy
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