CATALYST: 'CYCLE', Issue 1, Volume 74

[catalyst]

74

Issue 1 ↳ Cycle

Catalyst

Volume 74

Issue 1

Cycle

Contents

5

Editor’s Letter

6

President’s Letter

7

News Updates

8

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed

12 Thinking About Cycling to Uni? 16 Confessions and Confusions of a ‘JAFFY’ Postgrad



19 Q&A with Pitch Music & Arts Festival Director 22

The New Period

26

The Sophomore Slump

27

Illustration Essay

32

The Social Food Chain

33

Conundrums with Simsational – advice from Simone West

34

Kick, Push

38

Cold War 2.0?

40

Space Junk or Space Treasure

43

Birth Of Venus

46

The Deadly Cycle

48

Upcycling Inspiration

50

2018 Astrological Guide

Contributors Catalyst Issue 1 2018 Established in 1944

Contact rmitcatalyst@gmail.com rmitcatalyst.com RMIT Building 57, Level 4, Room 22 Editors Kasia Kosidlo Lisa Divissi Campbell Mowat Design Team Lachlan Richards Lachlan Curtin-Corr Ruby Meers Typeface Brunswick Grotesque

By Dennis Grauel Social Media Elizabeth Maidment Jason Pearce Portia Sarris Jasmijn van Houten

News William Ton

Front Cover Wynona Stock

Film and Culture Samuel Harris

Inside Cover Renae Flanigan

Music Vacant, email Catalyst for position details

Back Cover Adam Hogan

Fiction and Poetry Olivia Morffew Video Edward James Claudia Tilley Advertising Lachlan Collie Cataclysm EP Jasmine Mee Lee AP Francesca Reid

Printer Printgraphics Pty Ltd 14 Hardner Road, Mount Waverley, Victoria 3149 Australia P: 9562 9600 Special Thanks To Sydney Road Brunswick Association - Primary Sponsor Catalyst acknowledges that this magazine was produced on the stolen land of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their elders, both past and present. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians of all the lands from where the stories and artworks were sourced.

Editorial Committee Jesse Burns Bella Cameron Claire Ciantar Ivana Domic Anthony Furci Maeve Kerr-Crowley Elizabeth Maidment Georgina Marchesi Rachel Merritt Kristen Pegoraro Julia Pillai Teja Pothumerthi Stephen Smit Jasmine Wallis Simone West Meg Whitfield Gracyn Willoughby

5

Kasia Kosidlo, Lisa Divissi & Campbell Mowat Letter From the Editors Hey everyone!

Thank you for picking up a copy of Catalyst’s first issue for 2018 as we begin another year. You’d think after 74 years Catalyst Magazine would have perfected its life cycle and each issue would come together smoothly and no one would ever break a sweat. Yeah, nah.

Even if it’s not your first rodeo, the idea of getting on a bucking bull remains a fairly dodgy pursuit.

However, the beauty of repeating a process is the build up of familiarity we acquire with each attempt. Every time that shifty feeling of uncertainty—the thought that says hey I don’t know if I can do this—visits us, we remember the times it’s haunted us before. And we remember that somehow, we came out the other side crushing it. So it’s probably gonna be fine.

So if this is your first year at university, welcome! And also don’t worry! Starting is hard, but you got this. And same goes if you are returning—welcome back! You’ll smash it once more.

For further advice and consolation, you may be interested in reading our new regular column, Conundrums with Simsational. If you’re beginning postgrad, it certainly won’t be your first rodeo but Julia Pillai has prepared you a little something‑something just in case. Sometimes our old crap comes back to haunt us, and this is detailed on a universal level, literally, in Rebekah Andrews’ piece Space Junk. After you read that you’ll probably want some tips on how to be a more conscientious consumer, so flick over Louisa Cheatley’s piece The Deadly Cycle.

Catch you in the next issue when we do it all again.

We hope you love it.

Best, Kasia, Lisa and Campbell

Letter From the Editors

PS. If you feel like trying something new, why not write, contribute visuals, or get involved with the Cataclysm podcast? Previous experience is not a prerequisite and neither is being enrolled in a particularly writey-writey degree (see?). All that Catalyst requires is that you’re super curious, enjoy challenging yourself and are responsive to email. Shoot us an email at rmitcatalyst@gmail. com and come say hi at our office (Building 57, Level 4, Room 22) or if you see us around campus!

— Kasia Kosidlo @kasiakosidlo Lisa Divissi @lisadivissi Campbell Mowat @campbellmowat

Abena Dove President’s Letter

I’m Abena Dove, I’m 23, I study Psychology, I sing, I enjoy a cheeky passion pop and for 2018 I am in my second term as the President of your student union, RUSU. University isn’t just about getting an education— it’s an experience, so make the most of it. You know the University experience you see in movies and TV shows—all the fun, the teamwork, the wild stories, parties, student clubs, late nights and the amazing group of lifelong friends you make? In my view the only real way you get that experience is by getting involved in/with the Student Union.

The Student Union is a place where you can find your niche on campus, find out what you love outside of the classroom, hone in on your interests and grow as a person. We have over 100 student clubs that range from fantasy gaming, beer brewers, electric racing to political and debate clubs. Find yours!

Our Student Union Council is made up of 26 students who are annually elected by and from the students of RMIT to represent, support, and advocate for you. Although funded in part by the university, we operate independent of RMIT. This separation allows us to be critical of the university, to hold their administration accountable, work to improve the university rules and policies and to ensure the students of RMIT receive a fair shake of the sauce bottle.

In the past year we have done a lot of work with the university on mental health and disability policy spurring a major well funded project for RMIT to become the most mental health friendly campus in the country and we have been working alongside the university and advocating in regards to sexual assault and harassment on campus as well as delivering campus amenities such as our international vending machines, to give a few examples.

RUSU offers a large number of free events on campus, including weekly free breakfasts & Chill and Grill our free (to members) Beer&BBQ event (Tuesday—Brunswick, Wednesday—Bundoora, Thursday City). We have a huge LEAD accredited volunteer program, a free food bank, Student Rights Representation, Compass Drop in centre, conversational English classes, free yoga, lots of parties and even this magazine.

We’ve got a very exciting year planned for you, our huge team based RUSH Week Tournament is in Week 4 and it is absolutely wild, teams of 6-20 a theme for each day, fantastic prizes to win, a pub crawl and trivia night and opening and closing ceremonies. Outside of RUSH we have planned an on-campus pub crawl, outdoor cinemas, end of exams parties, trivia nights and much much more.

Adding to campus life this year RUSU has games rooms opening on campus early this year 2 City locations and one in Bundoora as well as a RUSU Bar coming later in semester one and we’re bringing in more phone charging stations!

If there is one thing I’d like you to remember, it’s that RUSU is here for you! We are your voice, your support network, and your life on campus.

If times ever get tough at university, you need advice, or you just want to have some fun on campus, join us!

Membership is only $10 for the year. You’ll get heaps of benefits including discounted or free entry to our events, tonnes of giveaways, a fortnightly newsletter, and the ability to stand for election yourself. So what are you waiting for?

Visit our information counter on your campus or go to www.rusu.rmit.edu.au and join today! Also make sure you check us out on Facebook!

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I hope to see you around, Abena Dove President RMIT University Student Union

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William Ton News Updates

Canvas Replaces Blackboard New year, new you. Also, new Learning Management System (LMS)! The new system has all the goodies you need: grades, course announcements, ability to view and submit assignments, and more.

NAS Games Space Uni is about having fun, not learning. Is that the right way around? The Games Space in NAS is launching soon, and you’ll be able to stomp on the Dance Dance Revolution machine to your procrastinating heart’s content.

RMIT Clubs Day Worried about your study-life balance? Come down to Bowen St in the City Campus on March 1 to find out more about RMIT clubs and societies on Clubs Day. With a wide range of clubs and societies—from academic to social and sports—there’s sure to be something for everyone. And if not, why not just come for the free food?

RMIT Link Undergoes Change Process Part of the University’s Education Portfolio, RMIT Link (now known as RMIT Student Life), has undergone a change process “designed with an improved student experience in mind.”

As part of this, RMIT Link Arts and Culture relaunched as RMIT Creative and made changes to First Site Gallery operations. Programming for Semester One does not consist of fortnightly student exhibitions, which was the previous structure. Email studentlife@rmit.edu. au to participate in the planning process for Semester Two.

Newly-Formed School of Design RMIT introduces a School of Design, headed by Professor Laurene Vaughan as Dean, with the aim to “bring together RMIT’s strengths in digital, industrial and communication design.”

This means degrees like Digital Media and Communication Design are no longer part of the School of Media and Communications. The School of Architecture and Design has also undergone an extreme makeover, by adding Urban in front of Design.

NUS National Day of Student Protest In response to the government’s two billion dollar cuts to higher education, outlined in December’s Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook, the National Union of Students has organised a protest on March 21st. It’s happening at the State Library at 2pm, or head down with RUSU by meeting at Bowen St beforehand.

News Updates

RMIT’s Annual Fashion and Textiles Exhibition @ First Site RMIT Creative and Melbourne Fashion Festival are collaborating to show off student talents by presenting Edges and in between. The exhibition will feature 15 student artists and designers whose work “examines how contemporary creative practices embrace the space between traditional boundaries, webs of connectedness and interdisciplinarity.” The exhibition will run from March 7 to the 23rd at First Site Gallery.

Metro Tunnel Update A 20 metre tall acoustic shed at the future State Library station location on Franklin St has finished being erected, with another shed on A’Beckett St in the works. These will facilitate 24-hour digging and construction works on the Metro Tunnel.

William Ton

Ed Hirst

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed: Killer Tune

All trends undergo change, whether it be fashion, the weather, or your tolerance to drinking tequila (please don’t bring up last weekend). Perhaps as you limply stagger onto a train after a big night out your ears pick up on a strangely familiar melody that’s drifting down the carriage. In your drunken stupor, you might ask yourself, why is this song so familiar?!?

You’re thinking, perhaps it’s the drums that sound quintessentially 1980s? Maybe it’s the guitar riff that sounds like it’s taken from a White Stripes song… or is it the catchy chorus that keeps repeating the words ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’?

Whatever the case may be, popular music has proven to be cyclical in nature and embellished with flares of nostalgia from times gone by, forging that skewed sense of familiarity.

Let’s jump back to the turn of the millenium.

The charts were dominated boy bands and girl groups, save for the occasional pop-punk tune. Enter the 2000s, and suddenly bands such as The Strokes, Interpol and The Killers emerged, bearing a guitar-fronted sound that, in contrast, seemed particularly modern, fresh and accessible.

However, a similar ‘garage-rock’ or ‘new wave’ breakthrough occurred 20 years earlier,

in the turn of the 80s, led by bands like Joy Division, The Cure and Talking Heads. Borrowing from these post-punk groups, the garage-rock revival of the 00’s swept across the globe, unearthing bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, and—here in Australia—Jet and The Vines. Darrin Verhagen, Senior Sound Lecturer in RMIT’s Digital Media, explains that this phenomenon “stems from the fine art idea that particular movements can often be viewed as a reaction against those that immediately preceded it.”

By the end of the 2000s, however, a general consensus was formed by many that indie rock is actually ‘a bit shit’ and peoples’ attention soon shifted to electro-pop, leaving an abundance of Kings of Leon and Kooks CDs in the landfill.* From what past trends suggest, every 20 years or so, a dead music genre is dug up from the grave and brought back to life until, sooner or later, it implodes once more.

Verhagen reasons however, that each revival of a genre is certainly not identical to the original and questions ‘affirmations of genre’.

“Music styles are not necessarily large, blunt blocks, rather after periods of time, they tend to form subdivisions,” he explains. “These

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subdivisions can often overlap with more contemporary styles, leading to the formation of new, innovative subgenres.”

For example, the 1970s presented a ‘Teddy Boy revival’, a nod to 1950s culture and the resurrection of rockabilly music. Fast forward another 20 years and this then rockabilly fused with punk music, creating the new genre of ‘psychobilly’—another short-lived phase of music.

Despite the constant ‘deaths’ of genres in the mainstream, it’s somewhat comforting to know that pop music will never reach a stagnant point.

The same sort of thing happened in England, when the 1980s brought forth a ‘Mod revival’, a throwback to 1960s youth culture. This revival carried over into the 1990s with britpop bands like Blur, Oasis and Pulp all borrowing aspects from the aesthetic. However, the britpop movement soon reached the end of its tether by the end of the 90s, with Blur shifting to a sound that borrowed more from American indie rock; Oasis facing severe critical backlash; and Pulp on the cusp of a soon-to-be breakup.

Despite the constant ‘deaths’ of genres in the mainstream, it’s somewhat comforting to know that pop music will never reach a stagnant point.

As soon as a particular style goes stale, an old, forgotten style will rise to take its place.

But hang on… if we’re currently in 2018, doesn’t that mean that within the next couple of years we should start preparing ourselves for an oppressive ‘Nickelback revival’ period? Thankfully, this might not be the case!

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed

A recent insight conducted by Spotify uncovered that between 2014 and 2017, the average number of artist listener streams increased by 37 percent. This means that music lovers are listening to a wider range of artists and therefore seeking diversity. In an age where millennials’ attention spans are narrowing, it would appear that music tastes are broadening!

This data further explains the current, incredibly varied, landscape of music that’s currently in the charts. It’s hard to pin down a definitive sound for this decade, given that the 2010s have brought forth previously underground styles such as dubstep, trap and jazz-rap into the mainstream. Verhagen draws comparisons to the principles of design and, in particular, the relationship between “comfort and curiosity”. He puts forth the idea that many successful songs contain “enough elements which are comforting, but enough of an innovation component which makes them interesting,” whether it’s Justin Bieber’s Spanish singing in ‘Despacito’, David Guetta’s genre mash of ‘Bang Bang’ or all of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly album.

With so much diversity in the music scene right now, it’s exciting to see (or rather, hear) what will come next.

— Ed Hirst @edhirsty Author’s note I still love indie rock; I’m just upset that Arctic Monkeys haven’t released an album in five years, and telling myself that indie rock is bad seems to be the best coping mechanism.

Ed Hirst

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A Unique Shopping Strip

Just a 3 minute walk from the Brunswick campus or No. 19 tram from the city

SYDNEY ROAD STREET PARTY

Sunday 4th March

brunswickmusicfestival.com.au

Melbourne’s biggest street party for the annual celebration of the best of Brunswick – the music, the people and the traders.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed

@sydneyroadbrunswick

@sydneyroadbrunswick

Ed Hirst

www.sydneyroad.com.au

Claire Ciantar

Jasmine Wallis

Thinking About Cycling to Uni?

While bicycles as a means of personal transport have been around for over a century, the use of them seems to be passing through a revival as we continue to see a continual increase of bikes on the road. It’s hard to avoid hearing all about the benefits of riding a bike to uni or work. It is not only environmentally friendly and can be more time efficient, but it also saves a few dollars and reaps amazing health rewards. RMIT University graduate Yasmin Nebenfuhr is an avid cyclist and rides her bike pretty much everywhere.

“Riding my bike is always my preferred mode of transport. I’m located in North Melbourne and it’s the best way to commute to surrounding inner city suburbs...Riding gives you time to clear your mind and that’s something pretty beneficial, studying or not!”

However, while cycling is so beneficial in a number of ways, it doesn’t come as a surprise to most that a lot of uni students like myself, avoid cycling to uni. Cycling in the city can be quite daunting and ultimately very dangerous. In a study conducted by the Amy Gillett Foundation, it was found that the “highest proportion” of all bike rider crashes “occurred in urban areas, mainly metropolitan Melbourne,” 81% to be exact.

Fiona Wright, a RMIT University graduate and employee at SYN Media (located on the RMIT campus), says she has only really started cycling to uni in the last month but while feeling better in herself for doing so, she definitely found it to be a challenge at first.

“I believe in the environmental and also the health benefits of being human powered,” Fiona said. “If I can save on a gym membership and paying public transport costs and just consolidate those two things into one free activity, well, that just makes sense.”

Fiona recently posted a status on Facebook asking for any advice on riding in the city after experiencing her first ride to work. She recalled it being quite “scary and intense” and jokingly questioned if those who ride to work “are all crazy secret adrenaline junkies”. There are many factors, other than danger and difficulty, that can cause people to be less willing to jump on their bicycles and ride into uni. Fiona said that “trucks, motorists being jerks, the unreliability of bike lanes and fear of injury” are all factors as to why people are often deterred from the efficient mode of transport. The Amy Gillett Foundation supports Fiona’s claim, reporting that “heavy

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Thinking About Cycling to Uni?

Claire Ciantar

vehicles were involved in over a third of fatal crashes” and “90% [of all bike rider crashes] involved a motor vehicle.”

“Why do you think those old dudes in lycra that ride on Sundays start so early? It isn’t because they like getting up early—it’s because they feel safer when there’s fewer cars on the road!” Fiona added.

Yasmin also pointed out that “over the last two years Melbourne CBD has seen some massive construction, so the mess of traffic can be off putting. Also the possibility of being whacked by a car door is something that’s often on [her] mind.”

Distance is another of these factors; I’ve used Google maps to check and it would take me at least two and a half hours to get into uni if I rode my bike, which is simply impractical.

President of RMIT’s Cycling Club, Richard Wolter, also mentioned Melbourne’s flippant weather as being a definite deterrent, specifically during the winter months.

“Even the best prepared riders may be tempted by the comforts of rail or car when it’s wet and windy in winter.”

In spite of this, Richard keenly advocates the value of traveling by bike.

“Traveling by bike can be an enjoyable alternative in developing or sustaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.”

In an attempt to encourage active travel and sustainable transport, RMIT has provided many storage, parking and repair facilities for use by all staff and students. In April 2016, RMIT established a huge secure Bike Hub for cyclists to use on the City Campus. The bicycle storage facility is located in Building 51 (corner of Victoria and Cardigan streets) and is fully equipped with lockers, showers and a bicycle repair station. It also has bicycle vending machines and kiosks, where you can stock up on any equipment you might’ve left at home. Additional to the Bike Hub and to continue the University’s efforts to encourage cycling to uni, the RMIT Cycling Club hosts rides throughout the year that discuss bike-friendly routes around the city.

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While crowdsourcing on Facebook worked for Fiona, there are also a number of resources on RMIT’s website that can assist cyclists on their journey. These links include Ride The City, where you can plan the most suitable path for you as well as Map My Ride, which allows you to map your route, track your activity and share with your friends. RMIT University also promotes the 18th of October each year as Ride 2 Work/Uni Day and encourages staff and students to make use of the bicycle facilities RMIT provides.

If you’ve ever considered riding in the city, contemplate some of these useful tips to ensure you are well prepared for cycling in the hustle and bustle of our busy Melbourne streets.

Fiona says it’s important to “do test rides before you commit to riding to work for the first time...Chat to your mates, make a FB post about best routes to travel. I’ve had loads of great suggestions and tips just from having a conversation.”

Yasmin says “on Google Maps you can tailor preferences to show bike paths and the main roads that have clear and wide bike lanes. Also, It’s best to ride in the right of the bike lane, not the centre, as you could get car-doored (grim but true). And always have lights and a good bike lock!”

Richard adds that “Community announcements are also published via [RMIT Cycling Club’s] page on Facebook ... Have fun and ride safe. [RMIT’s Cycling Club is available] to help.”

— Claire Ciantar @claire_ciantar

1. You’ve Probably Never Heard of Them Only drinks black coffee, Never ventures south-side, Spends 80% of their income on vinyl.

3. Daisy Duke Forever wearing pigtails, Drinks soy chai lattes morning and night, 90% of wardrobe comes from Princess Highway— the other 10% from Gorman sales.

2. Disco Stu Constantly wears funky ‘Dad’ shirts, Has a mullet since Year 12, Only listens to disco.

4. Rosie Gold Obsessed with skin care, Coconut milk lattes, Watches french cinema at the Astor.

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Thinking About Cycling to Uni?

Claire Ciantar

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Sarah Loo

Julia Pillai

Confessions and Confusions of a ‘JAFFY’ Postgrad

After four years of my undergraduate degree—carefully negotiating bizarre university bureaucracy, figuring out which parties are worth it, and perfecting the careful art of sifting university clubs from cults—I feel like a JAFFY again. JAFFY, meaning ‘just another fucking first year’, is a term that seems to be used to an alarming extent at Monash University and the University of Melbourne.

On a side note, having graduated from the former, I am no longer in a phoney blood feud with the latter. That’s going to be a great change!

Beginning grad school is a strange feeling.

At the age of 22, I’m much older than most people starting their undergrad and am seriously verging on university “lifer” status (“Hello fellow kids!” I yell, wearing my music band shirt with a flipped cap, grasping onto my skateboard). In saying this, however, I’ll definitely be one of the youngest in my cohort. When I applied for my course, after many years of trying to forget my ATAR, I had to quote those four infamous digits in my application. After all this time, the mantra of “no one will ever ask for your ATAR ever again” appeared to be a lie!

I’ll need to learn about those secret cheap lunch places and that dodgy café I’ll need to

Confessions and Confusions of a ‘JAFFY’ Postgrad

avoid. Which is the universally despised building?

Is hating (and loving) a singular building a Monash thing, or all universities? And why is RMIT Stalkerspace still focused on gushing about the cute person you bumped into rather than dank memes or shaming JAFFYs who get caught in revolving doors?

Instead of spending time on a campus that is so big people call it a city (Monash Clayton has its own postcode), I’ll be going to campus actually in the city. Do people lurk around campus after class making friends, or is that just a suburban university thing? And what about RMIT students, do they keep to themselves and slowly disappear into Emporium?

My finely-tuned routine will change. I will no longer need to catch a myriad of trains and strange buses to uni, or take the crowded intercampus shuttle bus for classes on different campuses. After years of straddling between two campuses, everything I’ll need will likely be neatly situated on Bowen Street, or very close to it. Wild.

Is it just me, or is RMIT a somewhat bewildering place for even seasoned students?

I spoke to Isadora Bogle who completed a graduate diploma of journalism at RMIT in 2017.

Prior to studying at RMIT she attended UWA and

Julia Pillai

ANU. The main difference, she said, between undergrad to postgrad was that “most of [her] classmates were juggling a number of different jobs and internships, so even though we spent a lot of class time together, we really had to make an effort to hang out and get to know each other.”

“This was also influenced by RMIT’s [small] campus and [CBD] location, which meant people didn’t just hang out on campus,” Bogle said.

So what does RMIT have for postgrad students?

For postgraduate by coursework students, the university runs drop-in learning centres that operate throughout the year. The university also runs postgraduate coursework workshops that cover everything from note taking skills to how-to sessions on writing a thesis.

For PhD and Masters by Research students, the PhD Up! program runs workshops and info sessions throughout the year, and the School of Graduate Research at RMIT also runs academic focused activities. Postgraduate students at RMIT have a specific student lounge, located in Building 13, Level 2, Room 24. Additionally, postgraduate students can access specific study rooms at RMIT Library that they can book for up to four and a half hours for private, uninterrupted and blissful study.

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As far as student representation, RMIT Student Union (RUSU) has a postgraduate department, with Mayura Ashok the postgraduate officer for 2018.

“If you have any academic or non-academic issues with RMIT during your time as a postgrad student, you can reach out to our postgrad student rights officer Sarah Joyce (sarah. joyce@rmit.edu.au) or myself. We’re part of an independent body and happy to help,” Ashok advised.

RUSU is also an affiliate of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), a national body which represents postgraduate students and runs campaigns. For postgrad students doing degrees by research, there is an additional Higher Degree by Research Association (HDRA), catering to the specific needs of these students at RMIT. The crux of this though, is that once you’ve figured out a space where you fit in—you will leave it. Once again you find yourself in a new world with a different vibe, strange lingo, unfamiliar humour and new experiences. The cycle of confusion and confidence turns again.

— Julia Pillai @juliapillai

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Campbell Mowat Q&A with Pitch Music & Arts Festival Director Pitch Music & Arts Festival returns to the Victorian wilderness this March to showcase some of the leading names in contemporary electronic music. In preparation for the four-day extravaganza, we spoke to Festival Director Daniel Teuma about the inner machinations of the event, his personal career path and what to expect at this year’s festivities.

In such a competitive market, do you have any advice for those trying to begin running their own parties and events?

Try to offer something different and unique within the sphere you’re trying to operate. It can’t be too different that it won’t appeal to people but there needs to be a balance between what the market wants and what is already being offered.

How did you find yourself in this position, running a festival with some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene?

I started on the hospitality side of this industry, working as a ‘bussy’ (bar runner) at various Melbourne venues 20-odd years ago. I worked my way up into bar management positions and eventually thought that things looked more exciting on the other side of the bar. So I started doing touring and events just off my own back, way before there was Facebook, so it was a lot more difficult to get in contact with people. It was just self-taught really… and I’ve been doing it ever since.

What are the different and unique factors about Pitch Music & Arts Festival?

There’s a whole lot, but I’d say the lineup. It’s quite large and has depth—from high profile, to emerging, to local artists. Unlike other events which may put focus on the social and lifestyle aspects of a festival, our priorities are very much on the music. We want people on the dance floor for as long as possible. Other than that, I’d say the site itself is quite unique with its backdrop of the Grampians.

What were the first events you remember running?

It was a trance brand called ‘Storm’ that wasn’t very long-lived unfortunately. It was run at the Hi-Fi Bar —which is now Max Watt’s. I saved up my money for about a year and lost most of it in one night. More importantly, everyone that was there had a great time, but you can lose a lot of money very quickly, so you have to be very resilient to the ups and downs.

When you were at university, is this what you envisaged yourself doing?

No not really, I didn’t have a lot of visions of what I wanted to do after university. I did Accounting and Marketing at VUT so those skills have come in handy, but I fell into the industry by accident.

Q&A with Pitch Music & Arts Festival Director

How do you think the festival’s location influences the music and the overall experience?

The site is really beautiful. It has old blue gum trees, which are hundreds of years old, spread throughout the site, giving off a really nice energy. The area used to be used by the indigenous people for gatherings as well, so there’s a nice tradition of having people gather in that space.

How many people does it take to put together a festival of this scale?

There’s around 20 people working on it throughout most of the year. Then you have 40-50 site and production managers who work on other festivals as well. There’s about 300 volunteers. In total, at the peak of the festival, we’re probably talking 500 people.

Campbell Mowat

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Can we get any explanation for the video accompanying your lineup announcement, which plays like a fancy infomercial for an aluminium can?

We try not to take ourselves too seriously.

We also try to do things differently than the traditional way of promoting a festival, so its more a concept video than just a lineup video. The video’s futuristic promises of a ‘better life’ are really just a bit of a laugh at ourselves.

Who are you personally most excited to showcase this year?

Off the top of my head, Bicep is definitely one.

They are amazing performers and I’m yet to see their live show. On the Monday there’s DJ Tennis who is one of my favourite DJs, and Motor City Drum Ensemble closing the festival, which will be pretty special. I mean there’s so many.

What do local acts bring to the table which the bigger international acts may not have?

They bring local knowledge. They know what’s hot in Melbourne at the moment, so sometimes you’ll hear people’s favourite sets come from the locals, as they know exactly what to play.

Ultimately, it’s just great to see some of your local heroes playing on the large stage with their international counterparts.

Q&A with Pitch Music & Arts Festival Director

Other than getting to watch all these amazing acts, what are the most rewarding aspects of your work?

When it comes to Pitch, there’s two. As it is a family-friendly event with specific licensed areas, I get to enjoy the festival with my children, which is really important for me personally. My kids can’t come to other events I run like Let Them Eat Cake... and I’m certainly not taking them to Revolver! And like any other event I do, just seeing the satisfaction in people’s eyes and how much fun they are having is the greatest reward you can get when putting on these sort of events.

When the festival is all said and done, how do you go about looking after the space, so it can be recycled for years to come?

We have a really strong team of people who manage our clean up. There’s some shipping containers which stay on site and a few holes in the ground from where we put our shading, but other than that, the site—which is a sheep farm throughout the year—looks how it looked when I first found it.

— Campbell Mowat @campbellmowat

Campbell Mowat

Claudia Tilley

The New Period

↳ Photography by Claudia Tilley.

The first memories I had surrounding “Aunt Flo”, “The Rag”, “that Time of the Month”, or in short, my period, were mainly associated with a feeling of fear. Visions of my period coming unexpectedly, painting my school uniform a crimson red and consequently fueling the classroom with laughter, taunted myself and the majority of my friends.

We were not taught about the natural phenomenon of menstruating: period blood consists of the eggs to create human life. Instead we were raised with a heavy stigma around periods. It resulted in behaviors like flushing pads down the toilet, afraid the blood stained tissue would be seen in the bin. It created phrases that undermined our emotions, such as the infamous, “oh it’s probably that time of the month.”

Myths surrounding periods date back to Ancient Roman times (around AD 77-79). Pliny the Elder, a Roman Author, described in Natural History the effects of a menstruating woman.

“Her very look, even, will dim the brightness of mirrors, blunt the edge of steel, and take away the polish from ivory,” he wrote.

“A swarm of bees, if looked upon by her, will die immediately.”

As I sit in my home in 2018, the idea of a satanic period seems absurd. For the most part, we long ago relieved the period of this myth and many other monstrous stories but the shame and unsanitary stigma of the period still lingers in mainstream media, like tampons advertisements that use a vague blue liquid to represent blood.

Hope has come in the form of artists, advocates and intellectuals like Petra Collins and Sandy Kim. They are the new age feminists unafraid to show the menstrual cycle as something equally bloody and horrific but also fascinating and beautiful. After all, we are allowed to exist as both.

Collins is an artist and curator widely known for her photographic style of pastel colours and dream-like haze. In 2013 she caused controversy with her vagina t-shirt for American Apparel. The t-shirt’s drawing is a close up of a vagina covered in pubic hair, a hand masturbates whilst a bright red period blood trickles out. The t-shirt is bold, unapologetic and completely natural.

Similarly, photographer Sandy Kim documents her period underwear in an intimately raw self portrait. In the photograph she is bent over with her butt facing the camera, a small vivid red

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stain near her vagina stands strikingly out for the viewer. Another shot captures Kim naked next to a lover, with period blood smeared over her vagina and legs.

No more hiding, let’s represent period blood for what is really is: pure and intensifying.

Seeing the same crimson red blood I was once terrified of staining my clothes with displayed overtly through Collin’s and Kim’s different mediums eliminated the shame I felt earlier on in my adolescent years.

Don’t get me wrong, we are yet to abolish the stigma all together. US President Donald Trump stands as a prime example of period shaming.

In 2015, the President shamed journalist Megyn Kelly after a CNN presidential debate, claiming that. “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”

Collins, Kim and many others have taken their period, put it on a pedestal and spun it around for the world to view, and this is far more powerful than a man-with-a-toupée’s sexist commentary.

No more hiding, let’s represent period blood for what is really is: pure and intensifying.

As we look into the future of period destigmatisation, a new angle needs to be adopted. The period is known to affect 50 percent of the world’s population. But are we taking into account trans women, men and nonbinary people?

The New Period

The Establishment published an article titled ‘Yes, Trans Women Can Get Period Symptoms’, which reported trans women on long doses of estrogen showing PMS symptoms like cramps, bloating, headaches and mood swings. Basically a menstrual cycle without the vagina and blood.

Some trans men and agender people menstruate. Equating the period with womanhood attaches biology to gender, marginalising trans and non-binary people.

Associate Professor at UTS, Melissa Kang, specialises in adolescent health and advocates for LGBTQI inclusive sex education in schools.

“The school environment should promote understanding of and respect for sexuality and gender diversity,” she wrote in an article for The Conversation. “Policies and programs to address homophobic and transphobic abuse and support the professional developments of school staff, are crucial to inclusive sexuality education.”

As a woman who menstruates, I hold the period battle close to my heart; it creates a space for me to feel comfortable in my skin, no matter the time of the month. To show the uttermost power our periods have in breaking down stigma, the battle needs to be as inclusive as possible.

Whether you are woman, man or just someone, menstruating or not, let’s unite for the fight.

— Claudia Tilley

Claudia Tilley

Ben Madden The Sophomore Slump

The old saying goes it takes a lifetime to write your first album, and a year to write your second.

In music, the ‘sophomore slump’ refers to the trend in which an artist’s second album fails to live up to its predecessor. But is it real or just imagined?

Unfortunately, the nature of the music industry today demands fast and repeated output. Gone are the days of pre-internet music, where bands could spend years finding their sound, releasing multiple albums before creating their magnum opus (see, The Cure with Disintegration). Now you have to hit the ground running, lest you be left behind. But what happens after you release that killer first album?

A study from concerthotels.com, based off data from Albumoftheyear.org and Rolling Stone’s ‘100 Best Debut Albums of All Time’ showed that 66% of the time, listener numbers dropped from the debut album to the sophomore album. Not only is the phenomenon real, but it seems to be damaging bands across all genres. Acts such as Missy Elliot, Metallica and even The Beatles were adjudged to have fallen victim to the sophomore slump.

But why is this the case? Having to play the same songs over and over again, night after night, can get boring for anyone, especially when you’ve only got one album to choose from. Bands get bored of their own music, and try and change up their sound. Look at American rock band MGMT, they tried to change up their sound drastically after the smash success of their album Oracular Spectacular, but they never captured their debut magic again. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. The life cycle of a band can often be measured, with the EPs and first album having a similar sound, before the sound drastically changes on album number two. Matching their previous success can be what determines a band’s career.

However, some artists struggle to overcome the sophomore slump before they’ve even made a second album. After Australian singersongwriter Courtney Barnett found unbelievable success from her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, she publicly stated how hard it has been for her to release a second album, and how much pressure there is after coming from relative obscurity. While not everyone gets the chance to make a second album, often those with the biggest fanbases face the most pressure.

But how can bands avoid the slump? At the end of the day, people have to make money, and fans can be fickle. If you change your sound too much, you get criticised. If you don’t change your sound at all, you get accused of not evolving.

The best artists are able to walk this fine line and come out the other side with their reputation not only intact, but enhanced. This is exemplified by Kendrick Lamar, who released his debut album Section.80 to critical acclaim. However, this was nothing compared to what was to follow. In 2012, Lamar released what some consider to be the best hip-hop album of all time with good kid, m.A.A.d city. Showing that sometimes, artists can thrive under the pressures of expectation.

For music artists of today, the sophomore slump is a reality. Bands feel pressure to change their style and keep up with the times; fans, labels and even the bands themselves can get antsy if they’re not evolving. However, evolution comes with risk, and changing your sound might not always be for the better. Take the time to consider your second album, and don’t rush it. Often, those who have avoided the sophomore slump are those with the strongest artistic vision. Don’t try to cash in on your newfound success, or you might just burn out.

— Ben Madden @benmaddentweets

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Bethany Phan Illustration Essay

1.

3.

ven in the pain E Remembering people, places, experiences of the past and allowing those memories to be a wellspring of strength and healing.

2.

Lost Finding strength and growth in being rooted in one place. Staying in one place doesn’t imply a stagnant life but rather allows for growth.

4.

Time Time is a strong force of nature that dictates our days, months, years, etc. Are we constrained by it (fear death) or find freedom in it (embrace own mortality)?

Rooted The cycle of bad habits can eventually eat away at you. All actions have consequences.

— Bethany Phan @bethphan

Illustration Essay

Bethany Phan

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Bethany Phan

Rhianna Malas The Social Food Chain: Life Cycle of the Common Introvert In the urban jungle of the adult world, human beings attempt to build connections with others, to socialise, to court and eventually, to mate.

For some this is easy—the more fortunate can float through life, seamlessly creating bonds with friends and lovers. Some, however, are not so lucky. Today on The Social Food Chain, we will be looking at the social behaviors and life cycle of Awkwardis Secludim: The Common Introvert.

Phase One: Isolation Ah, here we see the introvert in their natural habitat, the bedroom. See, the introvert has a unique defense mechanism. When they have fully depleted their energy and no longer have the desire to intermingle with other species, they hide themselves in a metaphorical cocoon, like a sea anemone or the mucus fortress of the parrotfish.

It allows them to keep themselves sheltered and provided for, at least for the time being. Here, we see the introvert’s diverse natural behaviours. This one is on their fifth episode of Stranger Things.

The Binge Watch is a strength for the introvert, a move they’ll often use within their habitat.

Phase Two: First Contact After a short while, the introvert becomes restless with its surroundings, desiring connection. Thus, the hunt begins. First, the introvert scouts for their prey. Who will they choose? How much embarrassment are they willing to gamble? The introvert begins with more familiar territory, close friends, but they all have work or prior plans.

With primary sources cut off, the introvert must seek alternatives. They aim for the semi-friend from high school, the classmate they did a group project with that one time, the one coworker who they don’t work with a whole lot but hey, they get along alright. They hesitate, they don’t want to choose anyone too far away from them in the social food chain.

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Too high above will make them feel unwanted, blocking their drive to go hunting again, surely making them starve. Too far below, and spending time with someone unlikable will not give the introvert the proper nutrients required for a satisfying social interaction. The introvert decides to take a drastic measure, and scout for events.

One nearby, with no extortionate prices but also isn’t a hole. One with friends going, so they don’t have to spend the night with complete strangers.

At last! A breakthrough!

Phase Three: Social Achievement The introvert has found a source of social interaction, a party! At a club! What a rare event for us to see the introvert in such unnatural territory. They leave their habitat feeling confident, ready to interact with other species.

What a feat for the introvert! They feel on top of the world. Like the mighty chameleon, they can melt into their surroundings, allowing them to be anyone they want to be. They truly feel a part of the social food chain… For the first two hours.

Phase Four: Anxiety What’s this? The introvert is feeling anxious, they hesitate to talk to anyone, it’s loud and clammy and it smells weird in this room. Why did they come here? They’re prey, surrounded by predators, with nowhere to hide and no one to talk to. They hate clubs, they just remembered.

They hate clubs! Why. Did. They. Come. Here?!

Maybe it’s time for the introvert to return to their natural habitat. Episode six is waiting, after all.

— Rhianna Malas

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Simone West Conundrums with Simsational – advice from Simone West When I’m in a movie, I never know which armrest is mine, or how to go about claiming my armrest. What’s social protocol? – Dani Chances are, you had to sell a kidney in offer to afford the cinema ticket, as well as popcorn and $6 water. So you deserve that armrest. I like to show up two hours beforehand, to make sure I get it. Consider investing in adult diapers, because it’s going to be a long wait before the movie is over. Also, a great tip is to pretend you work at the cinema so you get first pick of the seats. I once cleaned up popcorn and took wine glasses from patrons from the session before mine in order to suss out the space. If you can’t get there early, just be aggressive. Elbow your neighbour if you have to, just to assert your dominance. May the best cinematic fan win.

I don’t come into uni all the way from Geelong to socialise, I just want to get my degree. But on my first day, I accidentally made friends with the leader of a social group. They always invite me out and force me to go out for drinks after. I really don’t know how to tell them I hate them. – Geoff Endure it. Invite them to your wedding. Set your kids up with their kids when they turn 18. Be the cool godparent. Before you know it, years will have gone by and they’ll be dead. Deliver their eulogy, and then you can finally tell the world how you actually thought they were a horrible person.

Make sure you don’t die before them though!

That way you can get this all off your chest and finally live your life.

Conundrums with Simsational

I have always waxed or shaved my legs, as I used to cycle regularly, but recently a guy I have been seeing told me he would prefer if I was hairy. I feel like this could be very liberating for me. I’d like to embrace my natural self but I’m a bit scared of what other people will say! – Charlie Firstly, you should never do anything just because your partner wants you to. You do you.

That said, remember human beings are very selfish by nature. I very rarely shave my legs these days and let me tell you—no one says anything —not my barista, not my electrician, not the men I am dating. Because NO ONE CARES. Everyone is too busy thinking or worrying about themselves.

Like me, for instance. Why am I answering all of your questions? I have other things to do. I need to sleep, eat, take my vitamins, text boys back, etc. It’s hard being me. But you wouldn’t understand that, would you? All you care about is yourself. Own it, though. Love yourself, and trust me, nothing can go wrong.

— Simone West @swest7 If you would like to consult Simsational on your own conundrums, shoot a facebook message through to facebook.com/rmitcatalyst or insta dm us @rmitcatalyst.

Simone West

Isabella Oliviera

Kick, Push: What the Rise of Mainstream Skate Culture Means for Women in Skating

“I liked it before it was cool!” cries the woeful hipster. Keyboard in hand, he makes his personal injustices known to the world before routinely disappearing off into the depths of obscurity. Ah yes, the long-standing tradition of liking something before it was taken over by the masses—and making sure everyone knew about it—has grown to become one of youth culture’s most nurtured generational pastimes.

While we might not hear people use this expression with the same zest and intensity as they once did a few years back, the need for exclusivity and enigma remains the same. And with skateboarding’s popularity steadily on the rise, so is the underlying sense of entitlement that comes with expanding one of society’s most beloved ‘indie’ subcultures.

Understandably, skaters who are rooted in this scene may view the sport’s expansion as a short-lived fixation influenced by the media. A mentality that isn’t surprising when we consider how social media practically bursts at the seams with models and celebrities decked out in skate brands like Thrasher and Vans. The tipping point?

Justin Bieber and Rihanna’s evidently ill-informed decision to rock one of Thrasher’s hoodies.

In a passionate display of artistic integrity, the brand’s editor-in-chief, Jake Phelps, made it clear that wearing one of skate culture’s most prolific clothing brands does not come without its consequences. Calling the two artists “f-ing clowns” who aren’t “real” enough sent quite an explicit message to people who reside outside of skate culture: ‘don’t wear Thrasher if you don’t skate’.

Some would rejoice at the thought of their creative outlets being recognised, while others view it as a personal violation of their culture and livelihood.

20 years into his skating career, nine of which have been dedicated to coaching, Victorian Skateboard Association coach Richard Flude understands the undertones of entitlement and intimidation and their prominence within the world of skateboarding.

“There’s always been a bit of an underground culture which has been long-stated [and] as the mainstream come towards it… that can also have a negative consequences because skateboarding is very much like a brotherhood or a sisterhood, and [skaters] might want to keep those ideals,” he explained.

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“Just like anything…people want to make sure their culture is preserved and people in skateboarding need to make sure that it’s being represented in a way that stays true to its roots, even as it expands.”

Richard recently completed a three week pop-up event with co-trainer, Rachel Delphin, an English and Drama teacher who represented Australia in an international skateboarding competition. Their skate-aid program, Ownlife, has been progressing strongly for the past three years and has since become one of Victoria’s largest skate training communities.

Ownlife is dedicated to creating spaces that foster acceptance and confidence within people new to the sport. “The events Rachel and I do are very much about enjoying it and bringing community and seeing families together. It’s been great to share more widely,” Richard said.

While Ownlife promotes equal representation for all groups, not all skaters find it easy to integrate themselves into the often ‘cut-throat’ nature of skateboarding.

With a growing opposition to ‘posers’ and the need to retain skate culture’s roots, what might this mean for women skaters

Kick, Push

entering a sport often replete with roughed-up masculinity?

Women in skating are outnumbered and Rachel observes that some girls are “selfconscious in nature” and “sit on the sidelines” while guys take the helm at the skatepark.

Sometimes she’ll notice a “girl crew on the side” that won’t skate out of intimidation and a fear that they might be intruding on what they feel is naturally a guy’s sport. Rachel declared that female skaters are “just as relevant in this space as others” and “the discourse and linguistics surrounding women in skateboarding needs to be changed”. Ultimately, we need support for the “Lacey Bakers in skateboarding”.

Echoing this sentiment, Richard acknowledged how society is often led by its misguided social expectations and described his own feelings of intimidation when entering foreign skate territory. “When it’s your first time out there, there is a bit of hexing and sort of hazing the new person,” he says, but at the heart of it, skateboarding has always been accepting the moment people show their sincerity for the sport.

It seems that everyone, in one form or another, must undergo the initial rites of passage

Isabella Oliviera

before fully being embraced into the culture with open arms. Though equality is a fine thing to advocate in the sport, there’s no denying that women are received a little differently than men upon their arrival at the skatepark. For some adolescent boys, skateboarding is a significant part of who they are, what they know and how they choose to spend a lot of their free time.

Seeing a girl added into the mix can not only shake up the status quo but it can create quite the spectacle in what some would refer to as a “lounge room” for boys—but it really shouldn’t be so shocking.

Estelle Landy, co-founder of the all-girl Melbourne skate gang, dnl crew, shed light on this mentality and shared her experiences that give credence to women often being under the heel of prejudice at the skatepark. Recalling her days as a 16 year old skater, Estelle remembers how the skatepark was often rife with teenage hormones and immaturity to the point where she and her friends were sometimes targets of sexualisation by adolescent peers.

“We were like fish out of water,” said Estelle, “you had teenage boys who were more interested in trying to date us than they were in trying to support us.”

More often than not, Estelle would receive suspicious looks from local guy skaters that screamed, “What are they doing here? They can’t possibly be here to skate, they must be here to hang out with us.”

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While it’s no secret that skaters should expect some form of intimidation upon their first encounter with one another, not all skaters are subjected to the advances of others.

Combine this with the added pressure of having to prove her sincerity as a skater, Estelle divulged the ways in which she and her friends were often immediately written off as having an ulterior motive other than skating.

“I feel like we as women, when we’re skating for the first time, they’re already making their second judgements on us. The first judgement being that we already have to prove ourselves without even having a chance.”

Yet, in spite of the occasional dose of scepticism that Estelle’s younger self was usually accustomed to, there has been an undoubtable wave of support for women in skating in recent years.

“The skating community we’re in right now is fantastic and the men that we have is so supportive and we wouldn’t be where we’re at without them,” she said.

The 28 year old observes that now, more than ever, society is evolving in their values and the different qualities they attribute to gender. With inclusivity at the core of skate culture’s ethos, this sentiment needs to extend to all.

Like anything with growth, there will be individuals who invest themselves in the downsides of their cultural pastimes reaching the mainstream, while others welcome the idea wholeheartedly. As Richard aptly summarised: “Not everything about it is good, and not everything about it is bad and I think it’s up to the skateboarders—who have been there before it was popular—to make sure the heart of it is still beating and pumping the blood to the rest of it.”

“As long as the heart beats true to the fact that we skate because we want to build a community and that we skate because we love it.”

— Isabella Oliviera

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Kick, Push

Isabella Oliviera

John Barrett

Sarah Krieg

Cold War 2.0?

Whether it’s over a period of centuries, decades or days, history always seems to have a way of repeating itself. This time, it looks like the constant threat of nuclear annihilation is coming back, like it did in the Cold War. In case you missed it, the Cold War was a period of tension between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their allies post-World War II. The issue at hand was largely about power—both wanting to be the world’s largest superpower at a time when world politics, and much of Europe’s landscape, had been muddled by the destruction in the wake of World War II. The war ended in 1945, after the USA made it abundantly clear they had nuclear weapons.

The US destroyed two of Japan’s major cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with atomic bombs to force Japan into surrender. The USSR realised these bombs were a way to climb the world political ladder, and set out to create and stockpile nuclear weapons.

The war was labelled ‘cold’ due to the mainly verbal nature of the conflict —‘hot’ conflicts like the ones in Korea and Vietnam did flare up, but the US and USSR mainly threatened each other with their nuclear capacity. The world knew that

‘mutually assured destruction’ was one of the few safeguards in place—if one country launched their nuclear weapons, retaliation would be immediate, leaving both decimated.

The last year has seen escalating nuclear weapons-related tensions between the USA and North Korea, particularly after Donald Trump’s rise to power. Their war is one of words too, with Trump recently tweeting that “I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his” in response to Kim JongUn’s statement that a nuclear launch button is “on his desk at all times”.

Their fighting words align with some of the themes of the Cold War period: a democracy versus a communist regime, and two countries threatening to use their nuclear stockpile to show their power.

Dr Iain Henry, a lecturer at the Strategic Defence and Studies Centre at the Australian National University says that while North Korea is a threat, it cannot match the power held by the Cold War-era Soviet Union.

Dr Henry said that while North Korea does have a nuclear weapons program, “it is nowhere near as powerful as the Soviet Union was during

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↳ John Barrett, Light reading. @johnsdooodles

the Cold War. North Korea has no economic clout or ideological appeal beyond its own borders. It does have a very large army, but that doesn’t mean much if you don’t have more sophisticated capabilities to support them in wartime.”

While Dr Henry sees some parallels between current tensions and the Cold War, he is confident the idea of mutually assured destruction will continue to act as a safeguard, stating “the primary role of nuclear weapons is not their destructive potential on the battlefield, but having them linger as a threat in the background to prevent escalation past a particular point.”

One main concern Dr Henry has focused on is technological: some of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War were when early warning radars mistakenly reported that the other side had already launched a nuclear attack. While Cold War radar operators waited for confirmation of attack, there is concern North Korean military personnel may just fire immediately.

Another is American attempts to coerce North Korea into negotiations could be misread —military exercises on the Korean Peninsula,

Cold War 2.0?

for example. While America might be posturing its military might to encourage North Korea to negotiate, Kim Jong-un may see it as a sign of imminent attack.

“Washington might think that they are sending a very clear message: ‘negotiate, or else’. But there is a risk that Pyongyang won’t receive that message clearly, and might conclude that they are about to be invaded.”

“If North Korea believes this, they will have a significant incentive to use their nuclear weapons before they are destroyed.”

Overall, Dr Henry is cautiously optimistic.

While it is terrifying Donald Trump has access to America’s nuclear codes, he hopes America’s allies will be successful in dissuading Washington from a pre-emptive attack.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t look like this is going to be another Cold War by any stretch.

While the war of words between two leaders continues, it is unlikely to escalate to a nuclear level, for fear of the devastation these weapons will cause.

— Sarah Krieg

Sarah Krieg

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Rebekah Andrews

Ellisha Kriesl

Space Junk or Space Treasure: the trail left behind by human space exploration

↲ Illustration by Ellisha Kriesl

@ellishamk

Hurtling through space at this exact moment are millions of fragments from old spacecrafts; remnants of former satellites and tools used by astronauts from the very beginning of human space exploration. Researchers call these remnants ‘space junk’, and they are wreaking havoc on highly valuable satellites. On board the International Space Station (ISS), currently the home of six astronauts, space junk continues to destroy technology essential to their survival.

Doctor Alice Gorman, an archaeologist from Flinders University who specialises in space junk, understands the destructive forces of the junk, but argues the man-made infrastructures, materials and technologies cycling the Earth hold significant heritage value. Which poses a question of classification, is the floating debris trash or treasure?

“I think [it] is really important to not look at space junk just as junk … a lot of this stuff is junk that is telling us our own stories about how we engage with space,” she said.

“People sometimes leave out that there’s all kinds of natural objects in Earth’s orbit as well, but space debris is referring specifically to human manufactured materials,” Dr Gorman said.

Space Junk or Space Treasure

The problem is that space junk poses a problem for the future of space exploration.

“There are thousands of very expensive satellites which are providing us with things like weather data and telecommunications, and if they collide with a bit of space debris … it can cause them to not work,” Dr Gorman said.

This is why scientists and researchers in countries all over the world, from Japan to the European Space Agency, are working to rid the sky of space junk. The Chinese, for example, suggested using a laser to shatter bigger pieces of space junk into tiny pieces; a solution potentially less damaging to our satellites. In Australia, the Space Environment Research Centre (SERC) is also looking into laser technology for removing space junk.

This is a form of practical research for moving space junk, but other experts are looking into modelling, and the classification of all nearby space junk. The University of New South Wales has been exploring research in GPS receivers which could report the positioning of the 21,000 artificial objects currently able to be tracked. This doesn’t include the millions which are too small to be tracked by current technology.

Rebekah Andrews

“If the rate of collisions become too high, you won’t be able to put anything into orbit without it being hit by a piece of space junk,” Dr Gorman warned.

However, Dr Gorman also highlighted the dangers of completely cleaning up Earth’s orbit.

“You wouldn’t want a situation where someone gets overly enthusiastic about their space junk clean up method, removes Vanguard 1 from orbit and then is sort of like oh dear, perhaps we shouldn’t have done that.”

I suppose the draw card here is the thing that archaeologists all over the world are drawn by, the opportunity of telling stories that nobody knew about before Vanguard 1 is the oldest satellite in orbit around the Earth, this year marking the 60th anniversary of the day it left the planet. As an archaeologist, Dr Gorman has a vested interest in the historical value of artefacts such as

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Vanguard 1. She suggests we form a heritage list of culturally significant items—so when the right technology comes about, space junk such as Vanguard 1 can be saved from destruction.

“It’s probably the kind of work that at a national level, different countries might want to undertake to identify their cultural heritage objects in Earth’s orbit,” she said.

But why is an archaeologist looking up at the night sky?

“I suppose the draw card here is the thing that archaeologists all over the world are drawn by, the opportunity of telling stories that nobody knew about before,” she said.

She is not just an archaeologist; she is at the forefront of a field of study termed ‘space archaeology’. For Dr Gorman, space junk, despite its dangers, “is about connecting people to space,” by finding and preserving histories which might otherwise have been lost, and making the great unknown seem “a lot closer to home.”

— Rebekah Andrews

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Isabella Frezza

Birth of Venus

Birth of Venus is a series focused on how nature and art can create images of beauty and femininity.

The pieces in these series focus on the birth of Venus—goddess of love, beauty and fertility.

The pieces are just two out of a series that also emphasises the cycle of life: birth, development, reproducing and death.

The two pieces featured represent birth and reproducing. Birth is explained by the use of ‘clinical’ colours and aesthetic to emphasise the purity that offspring carry with them during the first moments of life. Reproducing is portrayed with a set vibrant and chaotic, yet beautiful, imagery to show the different aspects of life found in a range of diverse species within the ecosystem that we coexist in.

— I sabella Frezza @isafrezza

↲ Isabella Frezza, Birth. ↳ Isabella Frezza, Reproducing.

Birth of Venus

Isabella Frezza

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The Deadly Cycle

Australia’s waste problem is getting worse, and the need to recycle and buy recycled products is now more important than ever.

With a lack of public education regarding what is and isn’t recyclable, environmental activists and business owners are urging the public to act.

Reusable alternatives to single use plastic, such as keep cups and reusable shopping bags, protect the environment and reduce the amount of waste sent to disposal sites.

However, it’s going to take more than an environmentally-friendly mug to rectify Australia’s waste problem.

Planet Ark’s 2017 National Recycling Week Report entitled ‘What Goes Around: Why Buying Recycled Matters,’ revealed that Australia’s waste is growing “around six times quicker than the population.”

Despite recycling growing at a faster rate than waste, the report shows that few Australians are confident in their knowledge of which products can and cannot be recycled.

Most Australians are all too familiar with the linear (and wasteful) ‘make, use, dispose’ economy. A circular economy, where the aim

is to ‘make, use, return and recycle’ is both environmentally friendly and economically productive.

Education surrounding where our rubbish goes after we’ve thrown it in the bin is lacking, despite Australians being surrounded by items made with recycled content. Like a green snake in a lolly bag, all it takes is one incorrectly recycled or disposed-of material to contaminate an entire load.

Usually, items placed into kerbside recycling bins get sent to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where manual workers and specifically designed equipment separate the different materials.

But for smaller waste disposal companies such as Wilwaste Geelong, this process is simply not viable.

Wilwaste specialises in the removal of green waste and dry household rubbish in the Greater Geelong area. Due to the public’s limited knowledge surrounding what can and cannot be recycled, lacking resources, and limited funding, Wilwaste have no choice but to send contaminated rubbish to landfill.

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Co-owner of Wilwaste Geelong, Bianca Webber, says that the key issue is today’s “throwaway society.” For Australians, she says it’s “cheaper to buy something new these days than it is to fix it.”

Low cost stores such as Cotton On, Kmart and Aldi offer toys, clothes, homewares and more at drastically reduced prices. Bianca explained that after Christmas, Wilwaste were inundated with “unwanted Christmas presents” from stores like these, which they were forced to bury in landfill.

I don’t want to be unnecessarily contributing to waste and environmental destruction when the alternatives are so easy and accessible.

According to Planet Ark’s 2017 report, fixing Australia’s waste crisis has been “on the agenda of some governments and environmental bodies for decades.” But Bianca believes the problem is “only getting worse.”

Wilwaste desperately need government grants to open a warehouse where waste can be dumped, sorted and recycled. Another option that would require government intervention, according to Wilwaste, would be to “incinerate our waste which in turn can produce energy.”

A similar program has been successfully implemented in Sweden.

Political and long-term solutions aside, what can we, a cohort of financially struggling yet environmentally conscious uni students, do?

Well, hold onto your keep cups and carry your reusable shopping bags with pride. If you’re concerned about whether change is being implemented, RMIT’s sustainability team have the answers.

Rob and Juliet, members of the team, explain that the university is “committed to reducing the quantity of waste going to landfill and maximising recycling rates on all campuses.”

They explained that a new “standardised waste management system” is currently being implemented on campus to “help staff and students reduce waste and recycle more.”

Specialised, colour-coded bins can be found at all RMIT campuses, designed to separate recycling from paper and general rubbish.

The Deadly Cycle

On another note, RMIT journalism student Maeve Kerr-Crowley is as creative as she is resourceful. Her decision to use recycled and thrifted fabrics when making and designing her clothing is partly because it’s cheaper, but also because she feels better about reusing materials that “would otherwise have just contributed to our insane amount of waste.”

Maeve is environmentally conscious and always tries to remember to bring her reusable cup or bag along, but she believes the “conflicting information” about “what you can and can’t recycle and where and how to dispose of things” leads many people to carelessly dispose of potentially recyclable items.

Despite the efforts of RMIT’s sustainability team, Maeve believes that more could be done.

“It’s not something I’ve ever noticed at uni, so that probably means they could be doing a better job.”

RMIT’s sustainability team suggest swapping plastic bags for reusable fabric bags, donating old clothing or, better yet, upcycling the fabric into something new.

— Louisa Cheatley

Louisa Cheatley

Liana Hardy

Upcycling Inspiration

Introducing recent RMIT Fashion Design and Technology graduate Liana Hardy, from Her Random Outbursts. Aside from designing, she is an avid photographer, stylist and proud upcycler.

LH For those wondering what upcycler or upcycling may mean, it is essentially recycling waste and transforming old/unused items into new. My love for thrift transformations and upcycling first began in my early university days, where I’d immersed myself in many documentaries relating to fast fashion. At the time, it was an uncomfortable subject to be faced with. Realising that I was involved in an industry so severely prone to unethical means was uneasy and almost undermined my creative approach in fashion designing. From this point on, I pledged to devote more investment to improving on sustainable fashion methods to the best of my ability. I wanted to rid the negative stigma often attached with sustainable fashion, whilst making it more of an important matter for consumers.

And so my journey with thrift transformations, consisting of many joyous trips to Savers and general thrift shops, began.

My main inspirations are heavily influenced by the large amount of time I spent on student exchange in Salford University, Manchester. It was here where I discovered my main design philosophy and most importantly, a love for using draping techniques. Through draping, I was able to explore new ideas in using pattern pieces— creating shapes, volumes and silhouettes. I hope to share this inspiration in my fashion designs as a way to educate viewers about sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion can take many different shapes and forms, starting with upcycling—I want it to be the next big thing.

Here’s a few tips to get you on the right track to upcycling:

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on’t throw old/unused items too D hastily. Rather than throwing items out, alterations and amending by hand can sometimes be worthwhile!

2.

rainstorm ideas to recycle elements of B the broken or neglected items—it can be any small or big element, like the fastening, pocket, fabric etc.

3.

ig garments such as evening/formal B gowns have a tendency to be easier to manipulate and upcycle.

4.

econstruct an old or unused garment D to study its construction. This may provide ideas on restructuring the existing pattern pieces to a suitable fit and shape.

5.

pcycling doesn’t necessarily mean you U have to buy new items, they may quite often be under your nose!

6.

et your creativity run free and have fun L experimenting!

Check out Her Random Outburst’s latest fashion work on herrandomoutbursts.com and Instagram @herrandomoutbursts.

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Upcycling Inspiration

Liana Hardy

Courtney Gallert

2018 Astrological Guide

↳ Illustration by Julia Pillai

Whether you’ve adhered to your New Year’s resolutions or slipped back into old habits, this astrological guide will help you approach 2018 with positive spirits and an open mind. Since the beginning of mankind, civilisations have looked to the night skies and studied the movements of stars, moons and planets and their effects on human behaviour. Known as astrology, many believe this ancient method can predict good and bad karma, depending on your birth month.

So get out your diaries and pencil in some dates; you never know what the stars have in store for you!

January: Super Blue Moon Eclipse On January 31, a lunar eclipse occurred at 11 degrees Leo, also touching on Cancer. You may be wondering what exactly is a lunar eclipse? In short, a lunar eclipse has a strong influence on the personal lives of those in the affected star signs depending on the Moon and asteroids. This month, the alignment of the Moon and asteroid Ceres will have a specific focus on strong women and mothers. Powered by the domestic influences within Cancer, potential points of discussion around this time could include parenting styles,

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maternity leave, and equal pay. In terms of uni, there may be discussions about the extravagant fees tacked on our HECS loan.

If you’re born in January: Make this year your greatest yet. With Saturn in the air, now is the time to lock in plans and follow your ambitions.

February: Partial Solar Eclipse On February 15, a partial solar eclipse happened at 27 degrees Aquarius, a tropical Zodiac sign.

Closely aligning with Mercury as well as asteroids Juno and Hygeia, a focus on communication, love, health and medicine will arise from this partial eclipse. So perhaps the first week of uni won’t be so bad after all? Be sure to pick up your diary before February ends as next month may pose some distractions.

If you’re born in February: This is a time to air important topics and thoughts weighing heavily on your mind.

Collaboration of ideas and views around February 15 may bring positive outcomes.

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March: New Moon On March 2, a new moon is present at 7 degrees Aries. The new Moon occurs in tandem with Venus, the planet associated with love and money. In short, March is all about LOVE! Forget the plan to get ahead on those pesky early assignments, Aries will be distracted by the distant glimmer of love on the horizon. Finances are also looking up in March. Maybe you’ll find a new share house with decent flatmates at a reasonable price.

If you’re born in March: On one hand, the new moon brings an exciting time to turn up the romance. On the other, Aries are in danger of suffering a broken heart and loss of money. Remaining level-headed and in control despite exciting advances, may be the best advice.

April: Full Moon, ‘Pink Moon’ Known as the ‘Pink Moon’, a full moon will occur at 16 degrees Scorpio on April 30. The ‘Pink Moon’ historically refers to the April blooming of the moss pink flower. This full moon brings a peaceful time, encouraging Scorpio’s in particular to take a break from distractions.

Hello mid‑semester break!

If you’re born in April: Despite the anticipated peace on April 30, due to the moon being in Scorpios water sign, strong emotions may be in play, pushing you to extremes and causing exaggeration.

May: Full Moon On May 29, a full moon will be in 18 degrees Sagittarius. The positive energy within Sagittarians and their ability to overcome even the most depressing of situations will ensure May 29 is uplifting, buoyant and full of vitality.

This sense of positivity can be prolonged by consuming excessive amounts of coffee (science says four cups a day is the best amount), which is probably already your tradition for the weeks leading up to exams.

If you’re born in May: As full moons symbolise reaching full potential, babies born in May will begin to mature in their personalities, starting on May 29. A period of significant personal development will follow the full moon.

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June: New Moon On June 13, a new moon will present itself at 15 degrees Gemini. With friendship and cooperation at the forefront of Gemini, this new moon will bring newfound companionship and enforce friendships already made. So make sure you attend those end of semester drinks! June 25 signifies the beginning of the semester break, welcoming your social life with open arms.

If you’re born in June: Social networking and calling on contacts may be important to enhance career prospects. Don’t be afraid to use people to your advantage.

July: Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse On July 27, a full moon total lunar eclipse will occur in Aquarius. In this eclipse, the moon will pass completely through the Earth’s shadow, turning a dark red colour. Despite affecting Aquarians the most, a total lunar eclipse signifies a new beginning or ending for all zodiac signs, just in time for the beginning of semester two on July 16. As Aquarius is associated with social ideals and humanitarian principles, this lunar eclipse is a perfect time for social change to either begin or progress. On a personal level, positive changes may begin. Maybe you’ll enact some new study habits or actually attend those 8:30am lectures.

If you’re born in July: Be ready to put forward ideas and be at the forefront of change this month. Ensure you’re in touch with your values and beliefs before July 21, as you may be asked to lead a group or movement.

August: Partial Solar Eclipse On August 11 there will be a partial solar eclipse at 29 degrees Leo. The loud and positive tones of Leo will reign supreme this month, with a full 31 days of upbeat energy on the horizon.

August will be a great time to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. A perfect time to apply for that exchange you’ve always dreamed of and enrol in that subject you’ve been wanting to do all year.

If you’re born in August: This month is a great time to let go of old habits which have been weighing you down for far too long. Start the process before August 12 for the best results.

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September: Full Moon A full moon will present itself on September 25 at 26 degrees Aries. This moon encourages us to reflect on the year and more broadly, our lives.

Ultimately, it asks for us to accept and learn from the past and invest our energies in a brighter future. This reflection could relate to upcoming exams and serve as a reminder the revision process really does start now.

If you’re born in September: Aries is the sign of the strong determined individual and this full moon will equip you to reach a state of peace, justice, and love.

Gemini, alongside the planet Mercury. The energy from a Supermoon is stronger than other full moons, bringing a power of truth which may seem impossible to escape. As 2018 comes to a close, reflect on what you’ve achieved this year. All the hard work will have been worth it.

If you’re born in December: Something you may have been trying to avoid will be persistent on and around December 22. Take note and act accordingly.

— Courtney Gallert @courtgallert

October: New Moon On October 9, a new moon will appear at 63 degrees Libra. A new moon represents the opportunity for change which is embraced by the balanced and peaceful natured Libras. You may be inspired to find balance in both life and health or open your heart to new possibilities. After the reflection process in September, now is the time to enact the changes.

If you’re born in October: This new moon is a perfect time to bring about change; Libra will ensure the effects are gentle.

Don’t be afraid to give it your all.

November: New Moon November 7 will bring a new moon at 87 degrees Scorpio. Although all new moons give the sense of a new beginning, the November new moon is a particularly special occasion. Scorpio is a deeply intuitive sign and has the capacity to transform. November 7 may represent the start of a transformation in mind and body. Perhaps begin yoga classes or buy a gym membership; you owe it to yourself.

If you’re born in November: Relax, uni is over for the year. This month you need time out, a holiday and a bubble bath with candles and wine. You should catch up on that Netflix series you have been meaning to finish! Take your foot off the accelerator for the time being.

December: Full Supermoon The full moon on December 22 will be a supermoon, meaning it comes extremely close to the Earth: 362,000 kilometres away to be exact.

December’s full moon will occur in 30 degrees

2018 Astrological Guide

Courtney Gallert

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Keen to get involved‽

There’s plenty of ways to contribute to Catalyst in 2018, whether it’s through our magazine, podcast or online.

email rmitcatalyst@gmail.com to get started!

2018 Astrological Guide

Courtney Gallert

⬑ Photograph by Adam Hogan