CATALYST: 'BLOOM', Issue 4, Volume 76 by Catalyst Magazine

catalyst

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E PIS O D E B LO O M ODE TO ISO

LO C ATING

B O D IES

FA S HIO N

SUNSHINE

O F WAT ER

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EPISODE BLOOM

AMANDA WESTMORL AND @A JWESTMORL AND

SHE CAME TO ME WITH A NEW NAME

H O R T I C U LT U R E O N T H E WAY H O M E

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F E X P E R I E N C I N G N AT U R E

T H E S TA R T I N G L I N E I S N O T FA R F R O M T H E F I N I S H

CO N T RIB U TO R S

L E T T ER FROM T HE ED I TO R S

LE T TER FROM THE PRESIDENT

AUGUST C ALENDAR

SEPTEMBER C ALENDAR

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F E X P E R I E N C I N G N AT U R E

IN B LO OM

B O D I E S O F W AT E R

SHE C A ME TO ME WI T H A NE W N A ME

L O C AT I N G S U N S H I N E

O D E T O I S O FA S H I O N

E T H I C A L FA S H I O N D O E S N ’ T H AV E T O B E E X P E N S I V E & E X C L U S I V E

T H E S TA R T I N G L I N E I S N O T FA R F R O M T H E F I N I S H

T I DY I N G U P WI T H M A R I E KO N D O

E A ST ST KILDA

H O R T I C U LT U R E O N T H E W AY H O M E

K E L LY L I M ’ S P H O T O E S S AY

H O W D O Y O U A S K R U O K I N T H E M I D D L E O F A PA N D E M I C

SPRING STREAMING SEASON

BE AUT Y ’ S TIME

PHOSPHENE

B L O O M P L AY L I S T

CONTENT

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EDITORS Chloe Karis Ellie Barclay Tamara Clark

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Bethany Davis Daisy Barrett Eliza Sears Erica Lange Georgie Elinor Martin Isabella Krebet Jaidyn L Attard Jean Wenjing Zhang Mikayla Bamford Nicole Pereira Siri Smith Youssef Saudee

NEWS EDITORS Alexandra Middleton Phoebe Humphrey

CREATIVE WRITING EDITORS Caitlyn Grant Isabella Battersby Jake Parker

SOCIAL MEDIA Isabelle Leng Le Minh Ngoc Cu Milosha Vaz

WEBSITE MANAGER Cameron Magusic

CULTURE EDITORS Cameron Magusic Emma Sullivan

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Matt Adrian Young

DESIGNERS Ellen Waite Daphne Kok Sayali Harde FRONT COVER Chelsea Radin @cradinphotography__

NEWS REPORTERS Umang Olivia Davendra Zara Gudnason PHOTOGRAPHERS Jean Baulch Luka Rhoderick Robert Miniter Rudraksh Thumar Sophie Smith

SPECIAL THANKS TO RMIT Next The Campus Bookstore Depop CATALYST Issue 04 2020 RMIT student magazine est. 1944 CONTACT rmitcatalyst@gmail.com rmitcatalyst.com RMIT Building 12, Level 3, Room 97

CATACLYSM Cameron Magusic Isabella Podwinski Sharni Hill Umang Olivia Davendra

Catalyst and RMIT University Student Union acknowledge the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we contact the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future. Catalyst and RMIT University Student Union also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where it contacts its business.

+ Catalyst is the student magazine of the RMIT Student Union (RUSU). The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editors, the printers, or RUSU.

CHELSEA RADIN @ C R A D I N P H O T O G R A P H Y __

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EPISODE BLOOM

CHLOE K ARIS, TA M ARA CL ARK + ELLIE BARCL AY

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to Bloom! We may have only just released our winter episode but it’s time to look ahead and spring into spring - A season of new beginnings and fresh growth. Spring can be a hopeful season. Even in quarantine. The temperature is rising, dewy flowers are bursting with new growth and sunlight feels almost just as good through our window panes. With the recently released pathway to a covid normal, this will hopefully be our last season in isolation. While times are extremely trying, what silver linings will you remember from spring 2020? This season also marks Self-Care Awareness Month and R U Okay Day. There’s no denying 2020 has been difficult and support networks may never have been this important. The message for R U OK? Day 2020 is “there’s more to say after r u ok.” Compass is still here to help! Any information, referral issues, questions, thoughts and concerns can be sent through to compass@rmit.edu.au.

We hope you can find some refuge within the pages of Bloom and encourage you to take a little bit of “me time;” be it tidying up With Marie Kondo, immersing yourself in spring time poetry or connecting with nature. + CHLOE: SHE/HER ELLIE: SHE/HER TA M A R A : S H E / H E R

CHELSEA RADIN @ C R A D I N P H O T O G R A P H Y __

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DANIEL HOOGSTRA

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello there, Melbourne is usually perfect in spring. The sun is out, the weather is great and AFL Finals are in full swing. This year, spring is looking to be a bit different though. Instead of hanging out with our mates and enjoying all our city has to offer, we are all isolating and doing our best to learn from home. It hasn’t been easy. While remote learning can have its advantages, it also comes with its own challenges. Many programs have struggled to convert to an online format. Avoiding distractions is now harder than ever. Not all the benefits of face-to-face learning can translate to an online format. RUSU has been busy. We repurposed much of our budget and plans to provide services that students need. We’ve been delivering hundreds of meals to students in student accommodation every week, and given out almost $100,000 in emergency relief for students who were

DANIEL HOOSTRA

struggling to pay for essentials like food and rent. We’ve provided new COVID-19 grants for clubs and are continuing to provide crucial services like Student Rights and Compass. We’ve also held an online town hall meeting and a Have Your Say Summit to allow students to discuss the impacts of RMIT’s budget cuts and priorities. We’ve also been doing a lot from an advocacy perspective. We called on the university to revise their semester one census date to April 30 to allow students the necessary time to assess the quality of their online learning environment. RMIT listened and made those changes. We also successfully called for failed grades to be converted to WDRs and not affect GPAs. Our request that GPAs and WAMs not be negatively affected by grades last semester – in line with changes made at other institutions – was unfortunately rejected by the university as the way the RMIT systems are set up made the task of changing those grades too difficult. Many students aren’t getting the education and experience they are paying for. International students are doing it particularly tough. Most are unemployed, away from support networks, and have huge fees hanging over their heads with only days to pay it. These tuition fees pay for their education, a service which is still continuing, but they also pay for study spaces, campus internet, computers, cleaning, toilets, campus heating and

LETTER

electricity, none of which these students can use. Some of them struggle to pay for heating and electricity for themselves, let alone for the university. RMIT has repurposed some of these funds to pay for financial hardship grants, as well as boosting services that are typically SSAF-funded, such as counselling and legal services. Beyond that, much of what we are paying is effectively a debt tax. The burden of this pandemic shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of students. Unfortunately, those making the decisions don’t agree. I wrote an open letter to the Vice Chancellor calling for a 20% reduction to fees, for the implementation of fairer fee structures and for the provision of additional options for students who are struggling to pay their fees. The response I received was disappointing to say the least and was the subject of a few Stalkerspace memes from dissatisfied students. VC Martin Bean has said that they are unable to provide fee reductions due to their current financial circumstances. The university isn’t solely to blame. It’s also our federal government. It was their decision to exclude universities from JobKeeper. It was their decision to cut funding to many of our programs and courses. Many universities asked for government assistance to make up for their

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projected shortfalls. Unfortunately, although perhaps predictably, they were refused. On top of all of that, they are currently proposing a complete restructure to fees for public universities, which would see the cost of degrees more than double for many of our students. Those studying social work, law, economics, management, and communications would see increases to the costs of their degrees by up to 113%. Those in teaching, nursing, maths, engineering and science would see their total course funding decrease, which will mean more online classes, less teaching staff, less practicals, and an overall decreased quality of education. The government’s disregard for universities and students is on full display. The decisions they have made will only worsen the intergenerational inequities in this country. University shouldn’t be a debt sentence. The government should adequately fund education and universities and not force students to pay for their economic mismanagement and incompetence. What can you do? Follow the National Union of Students on social media, write a letter to your MP or to a Senate crossbencher, or tweet Dan Tehan, the Education minister and let him know how you feel. While it might have been good to take this to the streets, I think we can all agree

that now is unfortunately not the time. To wrap up, RUSU elections are just around the corner, so I thought I’d take the chance now to wish all candidates the best of luck in what will be a very different election week. Isolation can be tough, but it is important that we all persevere. We are apart, but we are not alone. Together we are united in purpose. We can only win if we all do the right thing. If we can do that and defeat the virus, we will finally be able to step outside and smell the spring flowers again. Stay safe and take care. Daniel Hoogstra RUSU President

AMANDA WESTMORL AND @A JWESTMORL AND

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SUN

MON

TUES

AUGUST 2020 WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

NOT E S:

SEPTEMBER 2020 SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

N OT ES :

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THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCING NATURE ALEX ANDRA LINEHAN

I am lucky enough to live near an oasis. I can walk out of my apartment and trek down a steep hill to a park on the river banks, where birds call as they fly between the grey-green eucalypts. Here, I sit and watch the glossy surface of the Yarra change colours in the sunset. Stage Four lockdown began two weeks ago. One day, whilst doing my hour of allowed exercise, I wandered down to my oasis, a welcome break from my laptop screen. There was a new mother walking too, a tiny baby strapped to her front. She stopped near one of the great gums on the riverbanks and held out his tiny hand to feel the rough texture of the bark. I smiled at the sight of this. From such a young age, this child was getting to experience the sight, sounds, and touch of nature. Although we have built cities and urban spaces as our modern habitat, humans come from nature,our bodies and minds benefit from being in it. Nature makes us less stressed and improves our mood, it can help increase creativity, and some studies have even shown that communities which spend more time in nature are more cohesive and have lower crime rates. There are also swathes of physical benefits. Exposure to nature can help strengthen our immune systems, as well as providing gut microbes which are important for mental and physical health.

But arguably most important is the process of experiencing nature. People who experience nature are more likely to feel an affinity for it and develop a sense of stewardship towards the natural world. When people feel this connection, they are more likely to engage in behaviours that benefit nature. Researchers have identified connecting with nature as a cornerstone of conservation work and have identified the socalled ‘pigeon paradox.’ The pigeon paradox is the name given to the situation we find ourselves in in an era of biodiversity loss - biodiversity conservation relies on people’s positive interactions with nature in an urban setting, but most people in cities only get to experience nature in the form of the humble pigeon. The pigeon paradox signifies the wider problem; people are having fewer and fewer meaningful interactions with nature. In a world where most people live in cities, and technology dominates our daily life, people are turning to virtual alternatives to nature. However, nature as seen on a screen cannot possibly replace the real thing. You cannot smell the flowers, or hear the birds, or feel the bark under your fingertips. So, if you want to help the environment and improve your health, get out into nature. Spring is arriving and with it warmer days and baby birds. This is all still possible in the time of the

ALEXANDRA LINEHAN

pandemic. My advice is to spend, if possible, your allowed exercise time in a green space (such as a park) or a blue space (such as the beachfront). If you are not near a park, consider getting an indoor plant or a planter box, or studying in your garden - weather permitting, of course. When restrictions ease, head to some of Victoria’s beautiful, and free, national parks for a day trip. Even better, take your friends.

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F E X P E R I E N C I N G N AT U R E

AMANDA WESTMORL AND @A JWESTMORL AND

We can all play a part in preventing the extinction of our connection with nature, and therefore preventing the extinction of species.

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IN BLOOM ALE JANDRA OL AVARRIA

Way back when I did this series (as part of an assignment for my VE Photography program) I became enamoured with the work of Anne Brigman and the Pictorialists in general. The goal was to create and capture a mood above everything else- forsaking accuracy and technical proficiency, (which isn’t that hard for me) for images that seek to elicit an emotional response from the viewer. This year, with its global pandemic that has given rise to a world adapting to a ‘new normal’, articulating and expressing emotions in my photography practice has become even more essential, as a way to make sense of a reality that is simultaneously mundane and surreal, harsh and yet hopeful. These images try to show nature herself going from death to life, to a blossoming that finally blooms. Like seasons, our lives follow this dance, and this has become more evident for me as we wait and watch for spring to return.

WOMAN AND EARTH

We are exhausting the hours out of this earth We are climbing mountains and filling rivers with words The city always made sense of my complicated heart, and now I cannot wait to get awayAnywhere where the earth breathes freely anywhere where she can bloom.

A L E J A N D R A O L AVA R R I A

IN BLOOM

HANDS

WOMAN AND FLOWERS

IN BLOOM

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BODIES OF WATER EVANGELINE STOIOS

You know that feeling when water rises? The curl of lips roll toward your cheekbones, because you’re smiling. You’re not sure if this is the right moment to smile, but then again. You’re smiling because a specific tonal element makes your heart lighter. The pulsating movement of someone’s trickling melody fills your ears. And you can feel the sweeping kiss from icy winds alongside your jaw as you slide into this body, of water. Soft sheets of pondering wisps settle amongst the atmosphere. Tingles of beginning again call out, remembering a youthful teenage joy you once felt. Connecting the present. ~ (You’re riding your bike down the Merri Creek trail, peak night and lights glisten to glimmer in your periphery. Cheeks flush a burnt sunset as you remind yourself of goodness. Teeth are bare as fresh air drips down your throat in bliss. Something appears different about you. It takes years, resilience. But seagulls do migrate over metal bridges. Over rivers that you might one day float towards & make love in) ~ I want you to dance on my skin (she asks herself).

E VA N G E L I N E S T O I O S

B O D I E S O F WAT E R

D M I T R Y B AY E R

SVEN SCHEUERMEIER

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ENGIN AKYURT

Trickle in moonlight, ripple off into the distance, but come back! Return when I can hear the morning birds awakening in violet grey. Create goosebumps as the ancient ruins upon my limbs. Tell stories of how beside flickering candlelight, tears brim at their circular surface to dive into a dancer’s pool. Surreal, silken like a hand in gloves. Watch me witness my body’s eruption. ~ I find you staring. Reflecting back a shape of what we came here to remember. My eyes filling with the same sense of rising tides, reminding me of currency and being a professional at watching the seasons evolve. I can no longer endure that language. My smile is wide, and I feel melancholy because I am not the same anymore. We’ve become something new and I hear the distant call of those birds on the horizon. Cycles are changing. They ask after us differently. Do you know of that feeling when the water meets you? When it kisses your skin giving permission for something new to begin? +

SHE CAME TO ME WITH A NEW NAME CALLUM M ATEER

A D I L Z H A N B Y R B AY E V

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She came to me with a new name. I close my eyes for a moment. In a voice I recognise without seeing, she says to me: “I am Beatrice to some. I am Stephanie to others.” I open my eyes and turn to face her. Her hair is golden, though fading to moth-coloured. Nothing is as beautiful as when she is in my eyes. Birds sing above her. I’m enamoured enough by the sound of their voices to think they sing about love. She holds out her hand. It is purple bruised, the joints stretched to their limits. Hers is a face I’d seen fourteen years earlier, on a day forever blue. Her chilblains are disappearing as the seasons change. We are at the base of a mountain, a labyrinth lays before us. She tells me: “I have been on many journey’s before, though this is ours.” I take her hand and we walk together up into the labyrinth. The walls are tall, made from broken branches and fallen leaves. They offer shade against the heat of the November sun, a heat swollen with lovers and poetry and smell of things growing. We walk hand in hand until we reach the first decision: left or right? The wall in front of us is marked with the names of all those I love, though I don’t recognise any with confidence. “Whose names are these?” I ask. “They’re everybody born on a Monday.” I think of Tuesday Weld, of Wednesday

Addams, how it always rains on Thursday, and how Friday always seems so far away—and do Saturday and Sunday ever happen? The days of the week disappear like all of July disappears in this November moment. The leaves are turning green again. She lets go of my hand, and she points to the right. As this autumnal dream tumbles into a spring morning I find that we’ve become windswept candles, bright, shining lights of memory bending in the breeze. Her to the left, and me to the right. “What’s at the centre of the labyrinth?” I ask. “A Manet.” She replies as she turns to leave. I watch her until she turns a corner and disappears. More and more I find myself dreaming of X-rated picnics. And I feel as though I have never lived more than just a little; enough has never felt like enough. I look at my empty hand and think of hers, and there is a new emptiness inside me. I look forward, the path is the same as before. I am sure that though they are similar, they are different—I have to see their difference in order to move forward, or I am trapped miming the past. I continue the path to the right. Leaves pulsate in the light breeze. I turn another corner, disappearing for her if she had stayed to watch me. The birds above me have disappeared, turning into ships with wooden bellies. Their shape, curved and polished to the eye; their promise: to get away from everything I know. I

C A L L U M M AT E E R

follow them, smitten with the thought. They float, the spring breeze moving them forward. Another fork in the labyrinth appears, another left and right. In the centre lays a rock, it reads: TO ALL THOSE WHO FOLLOW: DON’T MAKE YOUR DECISIONS SO QUICK—THEY STICK. The ships move to the left, though I am drawn to the right. Pristine petals mark the clear path ahead, while a fog settles into where the wooden bodies move. It envelops them and they pass into the unknown. I am drawn to the knowledge of everything new. Though I’m compelled to stay the course. I turn to the right, walking the petalled path into the centre of the labyrinth. There is a great tree coloured by dying orange blossom, its leaves falling. I see her again and she comes towards me, she is Stephanie to me now. She points me to the entrance of another labyrinth cut into the earth like a pit, and says to me: “This is the way.” “Is this not what I was looking for?” I ask. “This isn’t the centre of your labyrinth.” “Which way should I have gone?” “There is no other you could have.” “Then what am I looking for?” “The right way is never clear, neither is the wrong. This labyrinth is not unicursal.” As she

SHE CAME TO ME WITH A NEW NAME

replies, she offers me her hand, I take it in mine. And we walk, descending into the belly of the labyrinth, hand in hand. And we are enveloped by the darkness of night as it drapes the day. The season changes; her chilblains reappear. +

CHANDRA OH

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L O C AT I N G S U N S H I N E MILO BAZOOKA

EPISODE BLOOM

MILO BAZOOKA

L O C AT I N G S U N S H I N E

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LIGHT AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH TIME MILO BA ZOOK A

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ODE TO ISO FASHION JEAN BAULCH

All the bras I’ve ever owned Are collecting dust in a forgotten draw I’ve no need to wear their cage Now I live at home No one cares about my nipples Throwing shapes through my tops And no one cares about the shape My tits take on without support And my legs have never felt so free As they do now, after more than a century of days rocking trackie dacks, exclusively their range of movement: surprising superior in every way My socks don’t match, and my slippers are fierce A whole range has been assembled, of edgy blanket apparel To drape around my shoulders, because The landlord refused to fix… …fucking everything including the heater But it’s all okay, my pick of beanies Keeps my head afloat And my glove collection…

Is mostly made of socks, but warm ones.

And my pyjamas pair elegantly With almost any jacket

JEAN BAULCH

O D E T O I S O FA S H I O N

And my two pairs of trackie dacks now genuinely seems to go with everything I own? The potential of my wardrobe, Has grown and grown and grown! I hope I remerge into the world As fashion brave as I am right now, at home. +

ANDRIK LANGFIELD

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ETHICAL FASHION DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE & EXCLUSIVE ELLIE BARCL AY

WHOE VER SAID ENVIRONMENTAL SUS TAINABILIT Y AND LUXURY FA SHION COULDN ’ T MIX? A few years ago, sustainability was a niche concern… however with the rise of consumer knowledge and eye-opening documentaries shining a light on how the fast fashion industry depletes the earth. Consumers all over the world are questioning the clothes they wear every day and weighing the costs of being ‘fashionable’ vs being a conscious shopper. Now, there is no compromise when it comes to sustainability, and pushing boundaries is at the forefront of any fashion brand. Not only have dozens of designers emerged that are dedicated to ethical and sustainable practice. New technology is beginning to play a leading role in a sustainable fashion future. Platforms such as Depop, an app-based fashion marketplace, allow us to direct our conscious spending towards apparel that makes us feel and look good, without breaking the bank. Depop represents a move in the right direction for fashion because they extend the life of millions of items, which helps reduce waste. Their mission

is to use their reach to drive positive changes across the industry, making fashion circular. This means generating a culture that is based around self-expression and creativity, and one that makes space to regenerate our planet’s resources. Since its inception in 2011, Depop have held sustainability as one of their core values, they’re committed to finding new ways to champion sustainable creativity as an example for the world, using their voice and reach to make a positive impact across the industry, especially as it relates to circularity and responsible fashion consumption. “We exist to empower the next generation to transformation fashion” – Maria Raga, Depop CEO I admit, There’s always going to be value to the physical experience of shopping because of the thrill of going into a shop, sifting through a unique assortment, and discovering something really exciting which you can feel and try on then and there. The value of platforms such as Depop is its accessibility at a global scale, always on, connective online destination where unique vintage inventories can live together and are accessible at the same time.

E L L I E B A R C L AY

E T H I C A L FA S H I O N D O E S N ’ T H AV E T O B E E X P E N S I V E & E X C L U S I V E

They work with sellers who own real-life vintage shops but also leverage Depop to reach a broader audience, but for the majority of their community, the opportunity to bring their vision for fashion and creativity to life – from their bedroom, from their phones and at no cost is priceless.

+ Georgie Martin (Serial Shopper) “I have been an enthusiastic consumer of things since getting my first real job, and with it, my first weekly wage, at age sixteen. The idea that with an item of clothing I can reinvent myself I have always found attractive. Scrolling through the

“Being a digital platform has allowed us to bring entrepreneurship and a sustainable alternative to fashion, to life” - Aria Wigneswaran, Depop Australia’s General Manager Sustainable fashion isn’t just for your basic’s either, high fashion has made its way off the runway and into our phones with influencers such as Rebecca and Melisa from Twice Blessed sharing their designer wardrobe (at a bargain price too) on Depop. Ultimately, Fashion is an external expression of our personalities and while the importance of choice should not be overlooked. We should be more mindful of how many pieces we truly need and where they come from. Yet fashion is also a consumer-facing industry, and in this, consumers have real power—power to be vocal about their expectations. With such, we reached out to our RMIT student community to get their view.

ANDYHEART

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new arrivals on my favourite retailer’s website late at night is a compulsion that I sometimes can’t relax until I’ve indulged. Unfortunately, I’ve recently become more aware of the impact that my shopping habit – especially as an online shopping habit. Thankfully, I’ve also recently become aware of Depop. Beyond the obvious advantages of shopping second-hand both for your budget and your carbon footprint, I love that Depop allows you to speak with sellers; to request specific measurements or pictures from a certain angle; even to arrange a (currently contact-free) pickup or drop-off if they’re a local to reduce the environmental impact of your purchase even further. Even better: payment is secured through PayPal, so you don’t have to worry about the seller going AWOL after you’ve transferred them your hard-earned cash. The jury’s in: I’ve deleted the other shopping apps from my phone, which don’t offer nearly the selection nor the prices you’ll find on Depop.” + Alexandra Middleton (Sustainable Seller) “I had seen Depop promoted on social media, with Instagram influencers and university students alike posting photos and stories asking people to buy their clothes through the app. As

someone whose wardrobe was overflowing, I wasn’t interested in buying anything new but selling some items I already had? Sounds like a bright idea. As a seller, I have always found buyers to be reasonable when negotiating prices and generous with their five-star reviews. Not only does selling clothes on Depop promote sustainable fashion and give clothes a new life, it gives sellers the opportunity to make some real money. I’ve discovered that vintage inspired, and thrifted items are quite popular and easier to sell than on other platforms. My only qualm with selling clothes online, and I assume most other sellers would agree, is the waiting game. There are also a couple of fees associated with selling; Depop takes 10% of what you’re paid by buyers, and PayPal charges a small transaction fee. But ultimately, for somebody with many clothes and no clue what to do with them, Depop is the perfect solution.”

P I N K S AT I N A P PA R E L

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THE STARTING LINE IS NOT FAR FROM THE FINISH GEORGIE M ARTIN

After closing the browser window, I sit serenely and bask in the afterglow of a class in which it was scarcely mentioned that it was our last for the semester; for me, the last ever. Around me are my mother’s things: a sewing machine with a keyboard stacked atop it; a jigsaw mat rolled up to preserve its contents, the green felt underside of it exposed. The blinds on the window are half-shut like eyelids succumbing to sleep: like at any second they might drop, might land like a smack on the windowsill. I wonder how small I would need to make myself to hear my own eyelids close (then I try: I am very still and I can hear them like the soft padding of a child’s feet down the hallway in the middle of the night). A school bell rings faintly a few blocks away. That I experience the bell this way – gently – I know, is because of my size, place and age. It doesn’t

make me jump anymore; not like the marimba of my phone’s alarm, or those two staccato notes that signify a text. I think what I’ll do next: I have essays still to write, the deadlines in the coming weeks, but I find I’m pulled with the students at the nearby primary school to that Friday feeling. Want to go to the 7/11, though it’s torn down now, and buy donuts; eat them in multiples on the walk home. Shoplift Turkish Delights from the local supermarket. Climb out a friend’s window to sit on the cold carwash concrete, late at night, drink mixed spirits from plastic water bottles. I’m no longer calm but filled with childish joy or excitement, like the world is my oyster, which I suppose it is. The starting line’s not that far from the finish. +

AMY LEDGER

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TIDYING UP WITH MARIE KONDO DIANE ARMSTRONG

You’ve probably heard of—or even been told to—get rid of anything that doesn’t ‘spark joy’ in your life. For some this might be old clothes, books, or even an embarrassing memory you’d rather forget. This process of decluttering is part of the KonMari method, made famous right now by the Japanese queen of organising: all hail Marie Kondo and her show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. Having spent the majority of 2020 in our homes— whether we are working, studying or filling in time doing crafts—we have needed to adapt to our homes more than ever. A clear workspace can help us feel organised and productive. In the same way, a disorganised workspace can lead to frustration and no motivation. We often feel overwhelmed with clutter in our homes which lead to negative energy and lack of productivity. This negativity has the potential to manifest itself in stress and anxieties affecting the balance of our lives. Throughout the show, Marie helps out those struggling to find a balance in their lives by employing the KonMari method. There is something about Marie’s presence; every time she walks into a cluttered space there is a sense of serenity that touches each person in the room. The show follows a family and their process of trying to deal with clutter in their homes. Many say they don’t have the time or simply don’t know

how to organise. Then, the doorbell rings and in comes Marie with her bright smile and her translator—whose name is coincidentally also Marie, but goes by (Lida?) Iida—and they tackle the mess. Here are some useful tips I’ve learnt from watching the show:

DIANE ARMSTRONG

T I D Y I N G U P W I T H M A R I E KO N D O

Giving Thanks When Marie enters a house, she introduces herself to the home and gives thanks for providing a safe space to live. This simple gesture of thanksgiving makes Marie’s presence so much more personal. She is not just helping a family organise, she is marking the beginning of a transformative journey in their homes. When throwing away old belongings, Marie also suggests thanking the item for its use before you get rid of it. (just a personal note from me, I love the giving thanks bit!) Decluttering Saying a personal thank you and goodbye to those low-waist jeans you bought from Supre in 2008 may feel a bit odd, but it’s all part of the process of decluttering. When it comes to our clothing, Marie says to put everything in one big pile. This way we can put into perspective how much we actually have and compare it to how much we actually use. While doing this process, we often find items that we forgot about simply because we couldn’t see it. Organisation When it comes to organisation, it’s important to understand that different methods work for different people. Find joy in organising! Buy little boxes and containers, even a label maker if you’re really serious. Do what works for you.

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Folding Folding clothes. It doesn’t matter how precise my folds are, I find it near to impossible to create a neat fold. Not to mention having to do it time and time again. By the end of the week, no matter what I do, my clothes become a rolled-up pile in my wardrobe. After watching Marie fold clothes, I found out I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life. She folds vertically and rolls it so it can neatly stand up in a drawer. This way every item can be seen, so we can never forget what we actually have. Categorise By Use Marie suggests organising items by its use rather than by location. For example, bringing all the books you have into one space, then work through them to find the ones you don’t need. Separating by use means that recipe books get categorised together while your poetry book collection has its own place. This way it is easier to find what you need, when you need it.

Creating Space To create a specific place for specific items, ensures every item has its home. This method works well for skincare; instead of placing your moisturiser on the countertop, create specific space for it on a shelf or a tray. This way you will be more likely to put it back in its own space.

DIANE ARMSTRONG

T I D Y I N G U P W I T H M A R I E KO N D O

Mindfulness The process of decluttering and organisation is definitely a way to practice mindfulness. By clearing our physical space, we start the process of clearing our mental state. We unintentionally become aware of our present surroundings and the space our belongings occupy in our homes. We can use this state of mindfulness and positive energy towards doing what we love. Spark Joy Probably the most featured catchphrase of all is “Does this spark joy?” If something doesn’t bring you joy, don’t keep it. It’s that simple. And somehow it makes more sense when someone else says it. Why do we hold on to things which don’t make us happy? Our minds are reflective of our environments, in which we live and work in. Now that both those worlds have been combined it’s become increasingly difficult to differentiate those environments. By watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, I have learnt that decluttering and organisation is an ongoing process that helps us become more present in our current surroundings. Use this new season as a reason to start afresh and get onto your spring cleaning!

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EAST ST KILDA @Z AHAVAPINSON

Z A H AVA G U T N I C K

EAST ST KILDA

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HORTICULTURE ON THE WAY HOME GERARD STARLING

Prunus blooms will celebrate The end of winter’s chill Bright pink fireworks Prunus cerasifera Nigra Will form a guard of honour Down Burwood Highway Wattle will burst Acacia baileyana A neon butter yellow Reminding you to swell And cry Sometimes by its direct influence One day I will bloom Feed from the sun And form a guard of honour For those who pass through Until then Like a pruned white iceberg rose Rosa floribunda I will stand dormant Thorny, Wrapped in clouds and winter’s shade Waiting for the season to change +

G E R A R D S TA R L I N G

H O R T I C U LT U R E O N T H E WAY H O M E

JACE & AFSOON

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K E L LY L I M

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HOW DO YOU ASK R U OK IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC? COMPASS

Artwork by Crystal Lee RUSU Student Liaison Officer RUOK? Day is on September 10th. It is a national day of action where people are encouraged to ask someone ‘RUOK?’ This is to help foster a community where people look out for each other and to give people the skills and confidence to ask if others are ok and know what to do if the answer is no. But this year due to COVID19, lockdown RUOK Day looks quite different from other years. Our Compass Drop In centre is usually buzzing with activities and events at each campus marking this important day. Even though we cannot ask our loved ones in person this year, we still can on Zoom, via text message even in a letter in the mail. It is important we check in with others and check-in with ourselves. This year has been challenging for all of us, so it’s perhaps more important than ever that we check in with everyone ask them if they are OK. How do we ask each other how we are going, when we know so many are struggling, and the impact of the pandemic has affected everyone in different ways? As RUOK promotes, the best thing you can do is to ask.

ONCE WE A SK SOMEONE HOW THE Y ARE , WHAT DO I DO NEX T ? We listen: We can validate how they are feeling by saying something like ‘that sounds really tough’. We need to be present and understanding as listeners, so make sure you set aside time for the conversation and you keep an open mind. We encourage action: We do not have to have all the answers and we don’t have to solve everyone’s problems. You can say something like, ‘that sounds really hard, have you thought about reaching out to a service for support? I can send you some phone numbers.” There is a range of services and supports that are out there for everyone. RUOK Day webpage is super helpful in directing you. https://www.ruok.org.au/ how-to-ask We continue to check-in: we want to make sure our loved ones know we are there to support them. It can be nice to make a follow-up time to chat and see how they are.

C O M PA S S

H O W D O Y O U A S K R U O K I N T H E M I D D L E O F A PA N D E M I C ?

HOW TO COPE WITH ISOL ATION: At Compass, one of the main issues we have heard students experiencing is isolation. In response to this, we reached out to our Compass Volunteers to ask their advice on how to cope during isolation. Our Compass Volunteers are students studying social work, youth work or psychology, and when we are on campus, they provide peer support to students at the Drop In Centre. Here is their advice: Shakira Gade, studying Youth Work “Make sure you check in with your friends to see how they’re coping, isolation isn’t easy for anybody. More importantly, make sure you check in with yourself. Make sure you’re feeling okay and if you aren’t, speak to somebody, whether it be a friend or a family member. And if you can’t reach out to anybody there, give the RMIT student (support) a call, they can help you. Pick up a hobby, learn something new, read a book. Do something you know will make you happy, I know being in isolation is a struggle for some people but with the help of family and friends, we will be able to get through this”

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Adam Moffat, studying Alcohol and Other Drugs “Have a list, but don’t follow it as written, as some things come up in life that change your priorities. Don’t be scared to not know an answer, nobody knows everything, so give yourself a high five for knowing that you don’t know! Be willing to have non-productive days, with the whole “learning remotely” it’s very easy to not have a structured life. I had to actually think as to what day today was! Set aside time for frivolous activity, whether it is reading a book totally unrelated to study or going online and playing games with Discord/Twitch/ Zoom whatever. It resets the brain and gives you a change to unwind with input from others. If you are struggling, let someone know. I have two mates who are doing the whole “single parent, remote learning for the kids, whilst working from home” routine, whereas I am living alone & have very little contact with F2F just now. (These friends) contact me via messenger every morning so we can tell each other how we are going. This gets me laughing some mornings as it will occasionally be a facetime call with one of the kids who will tell me I need to go get out of my pyjamas..... :-) If you don’t think you can bother friends with

how you are travelling, reach out via the RMIT services’.” Laura Hallahan, studying Social Work “I got into was 5Ryhthms dance (meditative free glow dance). Here is some info on it. Moving essence is the Melbourne based group & they have online classes atm but I’ve just been using the Spotify playlist By Gabrielle Roth (Endless Wave Vol.1 & Vol.2) - some are guided. Take the time you need to switch off to rest & restore. People say laughter is the best medicine, so find some comedy to lighten the mood. You may or may not want suggestions because each to their own with humour, but some great strong independent female comedians on Netflix: • Hannah Gadsby (Douglas) • Katherine Ryan (Glitter Room) Male comedian • Gabriel lglesias (I’m Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry)” Laura suggests: • Collecting photos and images that are relevant to coping • The importance of support in times of need. • Perspective is a useful tool to manage the present by remembering this to will change. • Some days are better than others

M O L LY M A G E N N I S

SPRING STREAMING SEASON

SPRING STREAMING SEASON MOLLY M AGENNIS

I hope I’m not the only one, but I’ve come to the point where I feel like I’ve watched every TV show and movie worth watching on Netflix or Stan. I find myself mindlessly scrolling for hours trying to find something to watch and then eventually give up when it seems all hope is lost. Thankfully, I’ve recently discovered some new streaming services on offer, plus some newly released films, that guarantees me some fresh content, which I’m very excited about. So, if you feel like you’re in the same boat as I am, I hope you can find something of interest in my recommendations below!

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY S TRE A MING SERVICES Shudder Finally, the American horror and thriller based streaming service is now available in Australia and New Zealand. Shudder is essential for any fan of the horror genre and has countless films, TV shows and documentaries, with more sure to be added as the service grows its fan base here. Shudder features movies like the recently released ‘Host’ (a film about a lockdown zoom call gone wrong, very topical), and classics like 2015’s ‘It Follows’ and ‘Let The Right One In’ from 2008. Plus, Shudder also produces their

own original films and TV shows like ‘Creepshow’ based on the 1982 movie written by Stephen King. I’d also like to throw in a personal recommendation, a documentary called ‘In search of Darkness: A journey into iconic 80’s horror’ which as the title suggests, dives into one of the best decades of horror and includes interviews with icons of the genre like John Carpenter. You can try Shudder for $6.99 a month or purchase a $69.99 yearly membership which works out to be $5.83 a month. Plus, there’s a free trial on offer when you sign up so you can see if it’s something you’d be interested in. Binge If horror is not your thing, you are guaranteed to find something on Binge. Binge has got all the best TV shows from ‘Chernobyl’ to ‘Game of Thrones’ and acclaimed movies like ‘The Social Network’ and ‘Taxi Driver’. They also feature a new HBO show called ‘I’ll Be Gone in The Dark’, which is based on the book of the same name by Michelle McNamara, famously known for her work in trying to uncover the previously unsolved identity of the ‘Golden State Killer’.

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There’s seriously something for everyone on Binge and so much content you wish Netflix or Stan would add but they never do. Plans start at $10 a month and come with a two-week free trial.

NEW MOVIES GONE S TR AIG HT TO VIDEO ON DEM AND ‘Project Power’ has recently been released on Netflix and at the time of writing is currently #1 on the platforms ‘Top 10 in Australia’ list. It stars Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Dominique Fishback, who all team up to try and stop the distribution of a new pill that allows the user to experience superpowers for five minutes. ‘Relic’ is a new Australian Horror/Drama that has been released on Stan and stars Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote. It tells the story of Edna, who disappears under seemingly mysterious circumstances. When her daughter and granddaughter come to help look for her, upon her reappearance, they discover something more sinister inside residing in her house. Unfortunately, most of the big blockbuster films set to be released this year have either been pushed back to later in the year or to next year, so many highly anticipated ones have not been released to video on demand.

That being said, Disney has decided to release their live-action remake of ‘Mulan’ straight to their streaming service Disney+ on September 4th. Not only do you need a Disney+ subscription to watch ‘Mulan’, but also $34.99 to be able to pay the additional ‘Premier Access’ fee. I mean it’s Disney, so we can’t be too surprised, but for fans of the original film, I’m sure the ability to even watch the new film is incentive enough.

As we find ourselves consuming more content these days, I hope I’ve given you ideas and places to find something new and fresh. Take advantage of those free trials, get stuck into a new TV show that is 10 seasons long and happy watching! +

BEAUT Y’S TIME

JADE ARMSTRONG

BEAUTY’S TIME JADE ARMSTRONG

This installation was created to showcase the drying process of rose petals over time. Watch as the roses change colour, shrunk and their form slowly transforms. In many ways, this ageing reminds us of the experience we have throughout our lives. The series was positioned in the bedroom to suggest connotations of femininity and romance. The room was staged, pink rose petals were hand-stitched with thread and secured to the ceiling, to further these themes.

The series of photographs includes photographs of the installation, as well as a digitally edited photograph. The latter was designed to confront the viewer with the transition from fresh to withered through the use of a mirror. This drying process mirrors the aging process of humans, thus the use of the mirror further brings viewers into the work. +

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TELL US HOW RMIT CAN BE EVEN MORE INCLUSIVE RMIT thrives because of the different perspectives, life experiences and needs within our community. It enables us to be better and think more innovatively in our approach to study and work, and our impact in the world.

We’re proud of the work we’ve all been doing, though we can always do more. So, over at RMIT NEXT, we’re asking:

HOW CAN RMIT BUILD MORE INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITITES?

Your thoughts will lead RMIT’s university-wide ambitions for the next 5 years and beyond. With your help, RMIT can keep smashing stereotypes, removing barriers to quality education and creating equal opportunites for everyone in our global community.

Get involved at WWW.NEXT.RMIT

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A stymied sensation Agelast beyond doubt chained withheld the adage of our days My life partner in crime I feared you’d never flourish the paucity of your femininity a disgusting guise Glazed was your gaze to the world minutiae minutely degrading your fulfillment you curled further away from me push and pull I give, you return florist the bouclé of what you say pollen drops before me and I claw at my eyes begging to see the signs Yet in the locks of these closed doors I find myself and it swings open to your abode humectant and sweet, the air to let love transform You confided in me, brother And it’s sacrosanct this foiled floor remain fertile he is my baby blossom he will grow tall the sun will shine again.

PHOSPHENE ISABELL A KREBET 56

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y O F F I C E R

B O O M P L AY L I S T

BLOOM PLAYLIST EMILY CORK

VIBE Zhané

FEEL GOOD Polo & Pan

O Heaven Blu & Exile

STOP B.W.H

SHINJUKU STRUT Rick Wade

NATURAL WOMAN Kaiit

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AMANDA WESTMORL AND @A JWESTMORL AND

CATACLYSM TH E P OD C A ST

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. EMAIL CATALYST AT: RMITCATALYST@GMAIL.COM

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O D E T O I S O FA S H I O N JEAN BAULCH E T H I C A L FA S H I O N D O E S N ’ T H AV E TO BE EXPENSIVE & EXCLUSIVE E L L I E B A R C L AY T I D Y I N G U P W I T H M A R I E KO N D O DIANE ARMSTRONG HOW TO YOU ASK R U OK IN T H E M I D D L E O F A PA N D E M I C C O M PA S S BEAUT Y’S TIME JADE ARMSTONG PHOSPHENE ISABELL A KREBET

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