SUBCULTURED. Issue 3: (for the sake of) LOVE - May 2016 by subculturedmag

Letter from the editor I am delighted to introduce our third issue, all for the sake of love. SUBCULTURED is literally a ‘labour of love’ as every staff member is involved in this publication due to their passion for fashion, art, music and culture. However, we are also celebrating love in all walks of life - from the importance of loving yourself, to love within friendships, and of course, romantic love, as seen in our cover shoot on page 44. We also explore what it’s like working behindthe-scenes at Fashion Week (page 10), the eccentric passions of Surrey students (page 58) and a lookbook in collaboration with the Friary Guildford, showcasing Spring/Summer 2017 trends (page 12).

have also been constantly searching for clothes for photo-shoots, from directly messaging brands to liaising with PR agencies, so the Friary Guildford collaboration was an absolute honour. Although we make it seem effortless, we really fought for the content in this issue. However, if you love something enough, you will find a way and we did. I hope you love this issue just as much as we do <3

It’s crazy to think that a year after our online launch, we’re now releasing our third issue, further establishing ourselves as an official publication. This issue will serve as a memento for our staff as to what we have achieved over this past year, but also as a gift to our readers who have stuck with us so far. SUBCULTURED would not be possible without either of you, so this is my gift to you. Whether this is your first time reading SUBCULTURED, or you’re a staff member who has helped create the publication, thank you. Finally, this issue is also a representation of what you can achieve with persistence. We 3

SUBCULTURED. Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director REBECCA COFIE Managing Director (Editorial, Art/Design, Videography, Photography) Alice (Vasiliki) Papadopoulou DIRECTORS Design Alice Papadopoulou Managing Director (Events, Marketing) Zehra Uluoz Events Director Ana-Maria Enache Online Director Juliey Pham Marketing Director Olivia Mitchell Editorial Director Katherine Frances Skippon Editorial Assistants Florrie Reeves, Holly Butteriss Photo Director Setareh Sanjarani Street Style Director Alim Haque, Franchesca Di Tella Picture Researchers/ Instagramers Donna Darafshian, Jonathan Espiritu Videography Director Niki Ho Social Secretary Elpida Komianou WRITERS Alice Papadopoulou, Dasha Nadina, Jake Roberts, Jess Madanayake, Katherine Skippon, Naomy Kuma, Olivia Mitchell PHOTOGRAPHERS Spring/Summer 2017 Shoot Kathleen Shing Love Shoot Tommy Chamberlain Cover Photography Tommy Chamberlain MODELS Spring/Summer 2017 Shoot Drix Demetriou, Jason He, Judith Magambo, Karina Kary, Lam Kam Yu, Ravi Karimi, Rebecca Foster, Renata Lee. Love Shoot Chisom Ogbedeh, Eve Ramesar, Kris Takoor, Setareh Sanjarani, Sophie Bradbury. MAKE-UP ARTISTS Spring/Summer 2017 Shoot Amber Hoskins, Onika Khatun, Safinah Ali Love Shoot Onika Khatun POST-PRODUCTION Spring/Summer 2017 Shoot Setareh Sanjarani, Olivia Mitchell Love Shoot Tommy Chamberlain MAY 2017

SUBCULTUREDMAG.COM

SUBCULTURED. CONTENTS MAY 2017 FASHION

Fashion and the Self/ Jess Madanayake

A Fashion Week Experience/ Dasha Nadina

Spring/Summer 2017 Trends

ART

For the Love of Art / Katherine Skippon

MUSIC

The Music Reviews/Jake Roberts & Olivia Mitchell

CULTURE

For the Sake of Love

Student Passions/ Naomi Kuma

FASHION

FASHION and the SELF Text: Jess Madanayake

‘‘Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.’’

Rachel Zoe

ll you have to do is walk around campus to see the different ideas that people have about style. Some go for comfy and casual. Others are on point every day. Some love their dresses, and a few love their yellow corduroys. There’s always a few that love their faux leather jackets and boots. (Calling myself out on that last one.) But what is it about clothes that produces so much variety? The answer to that, and maybe it isn’t the one you’d expect, is love. And no, it’s not just that you know you look good in those jeans. Maybe you love that ratty old t-shirt because of the memories you made in it. Maybe someone important gave you that jacket. Clothes aren’t just things to wear, they’re made up of people and places and memories. So what if you’ve had that t-shirt for 5 long years? If it’s something you love, maybe it’s just become a part of you; a part that you just aren’t willing to lose. As well as old clothes, there’s something important about new clothes too. Most of us have probably resorted to retail therapy at some point in our lives. New clothes can mean a new you if that’s what you want, and reinvention can help keep up your own self confidence. On days when I’m not really feeling it, you might find me in a baggy t-shirt. Other days, I make the effort. And for me, it works both ways. It’s about loving yourself in the clothes you’re in, and letting yourself be the person that you want to be. Fashion is about love. It’s not just an aesthetic, nor just fabric. Loving your clothes and your own style is a good first step on the way to self-love, which I think we can all work a little more on. Whether it’s you shoes, your shirts, or those yellow corduroys, make sure you love you. Because that’s what fashion is all about. 8

ÂŠ Chanel F/W 2014 Campaign

A Fashion Week Experience

Text: Dasha Nadina

ave you ever wondered what it's really like to be backstage at London Fashion Week?

Frankly, this question never entered my mind until I was given the opportunity to witness everything myself. Of course, I had seen some videos from backstage, and pictures models posted on their Instagram, but they merely gave me a glimpse from a spectator's perspective. Last September however, I was lucky enough to have direct involvement with London Fashion Week together with TONI&GUY Products. Now, if you were to ask me to describe my experience with one adjective, I would have to insist on a compromise and deliver at least two. London Fashion Week for me was hectic, but incredible.

3 minutes before catwalk. Sibling designer Sid Bryan makes final adjustments to the modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outfit (LFWM AW 17/18)

As part of TONI&GUY Products PR team I attended four shows. Before each show there is a hair test. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where a lead stylist discusses the hair look with a designer, creates it and decides what exact products of the sponsoring hair brand are needed backstage for the approved hairstyle.

Above: Before the show - preparing the catwalk for Ashish (LFW SS 17/18) Right: A model backstage at Faustine Steinmetz (LFW SS17/18)

FASHION

Depending on the number of models taking part in the show, there are between six to twenty hair stations. Makeup stations are separate to hair and just as busy. Each station must have all the necessary tools and products and all of the stations have to be set up as quickly as possible, within the first 10 minutes of arriving backstage. There are always more people in the room than would be sensible for the square space available. It is always inhumanely hot due to all the hairdryers, straighteners and tongs plugged in and being used simultaneously. There are people shouting,and people rushing around. I once saw an assistant finishing off a garment for the show while the models were getting their hair and makeup done. Yet this atmosphere is indescribably exciting, buzzing with endless energy and drive. There is a high possibility that something will go wrong, that some challenges will arise. However, somehow this kind of organised chaos makes you wonderfully focused, ready to find solutions to any problem there is.

black tape – all of this at some point served me or someone else greatly in a critical moment. Not much changes even after the first model from the line-up steps on the catwalk. The work of everyone backstage is far from being done. There are outfits to be changed and hair to be fixed. Chaos of preparation is rather mixed with than superseded with triumph and glamour of the show just behind the curtain. Having been present both backstage before and after the show and in the audience during the Ashish show, the contrast between the two worlds - what we see on the catwalk and what happens behind it, is even more striking. While the show was majestic, mellow and somewhat sensuous, the backstage was a concentration of nervous impulses.

After the show, the atmosphere changes. There are smiles, hugs, rejoicing. Stylists pack away their kits, models change, designers receive congratulations and thank you's. All of the hard work culminated and paid off in just under ten minutes of the show running, If you are backstage, you have to learn how and every single person present knows they to be out of everyone's way, but still able to played their part in it. do your job. For me, aside from managing the hair styling stations, that was managing In the end, there's nothing like seeing your the photography for TONI&GUY Products. I input being recognised, regardless whether worked closely with the photographer and it's acknowledged by someone else, yourtheir assistant to capture all the key moments self or by the silent agreement of the exultof creating a hairstyle as well as the final look. ing company of all those backstage. There are some things that proved to be It’s incredible. useful, if not essential, to have. Firstly, it's water – to hydrate yourself backstage is a number one priority, and thankfully there are always fridges with bottles of deliciously cold water. Wearing layers and comfortable clothes and shoes is ‘‘The work of everyone backstage is far also important – you're likely to spend hours on your feet, run- from being done. There are outfits to be ning around and, in the case of changed and hair to be fixed. Chaos of working with a hair brand, pullpreparation is rather mixed with than suing, moving, opening, unpacking, closing (and all over again perseded with triumph and glamour of from the start) a heavy suitcase the show just behind the curtain.’’ full of hairsprays, mousses and straighteners. A pen, makeup removing wipes, a phone charger, 11

Spring/Summer 2017 Trends Every season, we get to play with different colours, fabrics, textures and ideas. SUBCULTURED notes the best trends for the upcoming season, so you can prepare your wardrobe for the (hopefully hot) summer days and nights.

Photography: Kathleen Shing Creative Direction: Rebecca Cofie, Setareh Sanjarani, Alice Papadopoulou Project Co-ordinator: Olivia Mitchell Models: Drix Demetriou, Jason He, Judith Magambo, Karina Kary, Lam Kam Yu, Ravi Karimi, Rebecca Foster, Renata Lee Make-up: Amber Hoskins, Onika Khatun, Safinah Ali Styling: Rebecca Cofie, Olivia Mitchell, Setareh Sanjarani, Alice Papadopoulou Text: Alice Papadopoulou Special thanks to The Friary Guildford. All clothes bought from The Friary Guildford stores.

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Stripes It is no surprise that the summer-favourite has made its reappearance this season. Go for something more than a nautical shirt this summer, like a playful striped dress or striped, tailored trousers. Dress: ZARA

FASHION

Statement Tees From the catwalks to the high street, statement shirts are the fashionable way to speak up about pretty much everything, with many designers dressing their models with political messages. White Top: Topshop Long shirt: Zara

FASHION

Florals We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even need to go there. Trade the usual floral blouses and cute dresses for a jacket with a darker colour scheme for more attitude. Here the jacket is paired with a pink bodycon to check another trend off the list, with pink being favoured on catwalks for this season. Finish the look with some heels for a night out. Bodycon Dress: Primark Floral Jacket: River Island

Bralettes For the more daring, lacy bralettes can instantly add sexy to any outfit, but if you want to go for something more casual, look for something like a leather bralette/crop-top or look at Topshop for some simple black ones. Leather Bralette: Zara

Sheer Fabrics Nothing says summer more than sheer dresses, tops, skirts, and overlays. And while the Dior sheer dresses that dominate the red carpets might be to die for, opt for something more casual and layer a sheer overlay over a bralette or a top and a pair of jeans to transition the sheer look into a daytime outfit. Sheer Top: Topshop Bralette: Urban Outfitters Jeans: Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own

FASHION

Print clash Prints like camouflage have always been popular, but what is more popular at the moment is mixing prints together for an eye-catching outcome. Camouflage Top: River Island Black Longline Top: Topshop

FASHION

Pink Pink is creeping into the menswear departments fast, especially for the coming summer. Layering the colour under a jacket or combining it with darker colours is a good way to allow pink into your wardrobe. Shirt: River Island White Shirt and Pink Tee: Topshop

FASHION

Stripes for All Stripes are also a menswear classic, but this summer choose to invest on a more unusual pair to instantly jazz up your look. Shirt: Leviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jeans: Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own

FASHION

THE FRIARY GUILDFORD TOP FASHION DESTINATION

he Friary Guildford is in the heart of the town, conveniently located near the university and equipped to fulfil all student needs. Whilst Guildford is predominantly known for its boutiques and designer stores, The Friary Guildford has a retail offering that is fashionable and affordable, making it the town’s top fashion destination.

Saturday, 9 September will see the annual A/W Fashion Show kick into action. This event is not-to-be-missed as it will show you the season’s key fashion trends and statement pieces. PLUS… stay tuned to find who the celebrity host will be!

Additionally, The Student Takeover is back this Autumn. On Monday, 2 October, The So, it’s no wonder why we decided to do Friary Guildford will be giving students the a fashion haul there to source the latest chance to buy the latest fashions with up to trends for Spring/Summer 2017 and to cre- 30% off. Keep an eye out nearer the time to ate a great photoshoot with our models. see which retailers will be getting involved Look no further as we have your wardrobe and how you can get your tickets. sussed. Visit thefriaryguildford.com for more inforThe Friary Guildford have some fantastic mation or follow them on Facebook, Twitevents coming up between Summer and ter and Instagram. Autumn 2017, so rest assured that your back-to-uni wardrobe will be covered too.

As for what is going on in The Friary Guildford now, here’s what you need to know: KIKO MILANO. Make-up aficionados, this one is for you! Throughout the month of May, KIKO will be giving away goodies worth £30 to one lucky winner each week. In order to enter, entrants will need to go into the KIKO Guildford store and take a selfie with their frame. Simply upload the photo onto the KIKO GUILDFORD Instagram. CHINA UNIONPAY. Calling all International students! 17 retailers in The Friary Guildford offer China UnionPay, which means that if you have a China UnionPay card and are flying out of Europe, you are eligible for a tax refund on your purchases. Café Moka, Boux Avenue, Mango, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, Fuel Juice Bar, Krispy Kreme, River Island, KIKO, Superdry, Accessorize, Clintons, Muffin Break, KOKORO, McDonalds, Thai Express and El Mexicana all offer this payment scheme. For more information on China UnionPay visit www.unionpayintl.com REFUEL AT THE FRIARY GUILDFORD. The centre has made way for three new food retailers in recent months, including KOKORO, Subway and KFC. So whether you are on the go and need to make a quick stop or want to dine in at the food court, the F&B retailers make this possible! Choose from McDonalds or Subway for a quick take out, or Thai Express and El Mexicana for lunch with a friend. The Friary Guildford also brings you Free Food Friday, an online social media competition running across all of The Friary Guildford social media platforms from now until the end of December. The competition runs on the last Friday of every month and will feature a new food and beverage retailer each month. All you have to do is like The Friary Guildford social media page, like the post and tag a friend that you want to have lunch with! For more information visit thefriaryguildford.com. 35

For the love of T R A

ART

Students open up about the kinds of art that inspire them - from travel photography to game design, the love of creating art survives. Interviews: Katherine Skippon

Travel Photography I call myself an explorer-traveller. I like to deliberately get lost in a city where I can freely wander around and explore. My trips can be quite spontaneous - I often hop on a train to London or a random bus around Guildford- or more organised, like when I travelled to Zurich or Malta by myself and enjoyed some me time. The best thing about travelling is getting to enjoy the world of wonders and then capturing amazing scenes to keep as a memory. I’ve met so many things on my way, from a blooming cherry blossom tree on a sunny day to the marvellous Azure Window on the island of Gozo, and they have been

photographed into a special collection that reminds me of my adventures every time I look at it. Travelling and photography is an extremely joyful combination. So go out there, explore and learn new things, even if it means going to a new city or just wandering around your neighbourhood – so many wonderful things are waiting to be discovered. You’ll never know what is ahead of you! Follow @ julieythe1st on Instagram for more of my travel photos. Juliey Pham

Left and below: photography by Juliey Pham

Dance Why I love dance is an interesting question. There are many general things I could say – for instance, that it keeps me fit and healthy, as the exercise releases endorphins that make me happy. But then dance does more than that. When dancing with a group of people, even if I have just met them, there is a sense of community, of trust in one another, that is built throughout the class. Most dancers are so open and friendly that they will often say “If you are ever in.... I can show you around/ we should meet up” or even offer you a place to stay! Dance provides you with a list of friends from everywhere and it can take you all over the world. There is no need to speak other languages, because we share a universal one, one where we don’t speak with our mouth but with our bodies. So my answer to why I love dance is simply because of the many places it takes me, the experiences it gives me, and the people I meet who are there because they love the same thing as me. 38

Courtney Evans

ART

Fine Art Fine art, and I’m going to focus on paintings specifically, captures pure, raw emotion. This emotion is frozen in time and space within the painting’s frame and yet infinite. It is not refined by words or facilitated with coherent storytelling. It is a snapshot of an artist’s soul, rather than of their brain. It provides the dreamers with an opportunity to see beyond what’s on the canvas. It expresses something that sparks thought and awakens feelings. That’s why fine art is so appealing to me. From the portraits by Hans Golbein the Younger, where emotion is subtle, to the works of Kazimir Malevich, whose suprematism directly advocates and embodies the depiction of pure feeling – I am drawn to them. Drawn to the poetic essence of what it means to be human: expressing feelings, whether it’s pain or glee, through beauty. Dasha Nadina

Picture via: www.episodeseason.com/entertainment/ pokemon-pokeballs.html

‘Morning in the Village After Snowstorm.’ Courtesy of www. kazimir-malevich.org

Game Design I love game design for many reasons. I get to be endlessly creative, work with like-minded people who all share a passion for the industry and who, although we are on the same course and do the same things, may have completely different tastes than me. There’s been times on this course where I’ve been able to think of something, sit down and make it. For example, when Pokemon Go came out over summer, it rekindled my love of the franchise, so I sat down and made Blue’s room from the First Gen games. At the moment I’m making The Reptile Room from a Series of Unfortunate Events, a book series that I read as a kid and that I’ve always loved. It also allows me to look at games in a new light; I was always interested in how they were made and now I can analyse them and think how I could make certain objects. Jack McCann 39

MUSIC

THE MUSIC REVIEWS

Text: Jake Roberts & Olivia Mitchell Image credit: Jonathan Espiritu 41

Secret Company - Image via chartsaker.com

MUSIC

Skaters – Rock and Roll Bye Bye LP Skaters may have parted ways with their previous major label partners Warner Bros Records and “reclaimed their independent spirit” (to quote the album’s press release), but is, in many ways, a typical rock album. Youth, rock and roll and debauchery are valorised, the usual tales of rocky relationships and drugs are told, and the album draws sonic influence from the classic indie/garage rock canon, such as The Strokes, Blur and Primal Scream. In fairness, there is more aural nuance and diversity to the album than I currently let on, with it alternating between aggressive garage rock (“Head On To Nowhere”) and lethargic, hazy twangy indie (“Restless Babe”), with a dash of retro electronica along the way (“Clip Art Link 1 Bubbles”). Generally, though, the album unfortunately is both thematically and melodically stale. In the end it simply boils down to a series of tired and well-worn self-references to some abstract ‘rock and roll culture’, and all the adventure and instability it supposedly 42

brings. As a result, what is interesting about this album is not it itself, as a severed, separate piece of art, but the culture and process that engendered it. How is ‘rock and roll’ related to wider political and economic developments? Why is ‘rock and roll’ predominantly male? What social purpose does ‘rock and roll’ serve? Though the album generally was impressive, these are deeper, broader questions, which Skaters do not get close to answering in their rigid conformity.

Bright Young People – Suppress Happiness Upon my first listen to the single, I couldn’t help but think straight away of bands such as Lower Than Atlantis, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines. This 3-piece band from North Wales are really going full-speed ahead with the brazen guitar lines from the start, with choruses that really fit the feel of something Oasis might have come out with when grunge was still going strong.

MUSIC

It is heavier than the poppunk and indie rock that is popular currently, but I don’t think that should deter you. The link to The Libertines could however be due to the fact that Gary Powell of The Libertines signed them up to his label, but I wouldn’t say that is a bad thing at all.

Secret Company – The World Lit Up and Filled With Colour This four-piece indie rock band Secret Company debut album ‘Alive’ is honestly such a powerful first album for this Chelmsford band. From the first song of the album, the likes of Circa Waves and Imagine Dragons sprung to mind. Each track has clear and glorious melodies that have crafted this incredible album. With the big, and catchy, choruses, this album has captured something unique that is missing from the array of bands available at the moment. I was going to select my favourite tracks, but I’m really struggling to fault one against the other. However if I had to say, I would say that my personal favourite tracks of the album are ‘‘Alive’’, ‘‘Fever of Love’’ and ‘‘Pretend You Don’t.’’

Lead singer and guitarist Lee Dawson explains how he sees the single playing out: “I personally want people to paint their own picture of the content on the song, sometimes it’s best to not give too much away. I suppose you can say the chorus ‘Yeah come on and use me/ have some fun’ can mean a person being taken advantage of for money, being manipulatVocalist and guitarist Scott Revell spoke ed or blackmailed in some way. further about the meaning of the album: Also it’s about realising nothing “This album marks the culmination of all of is around forever, ie the lyric ‘I our hard work over the last few years. Not just know every breath I take, one more I lose.” getting the songs written and recorded, but all the highs and lows we’ve lived through Release date: 17th March 2017 whilst establishing ourselves as Secret ComListen to the single now on Youtube. pany. We’re all immensely proud of these 12 tracks and it’s impossible not to picture Purest – Always (Single) some significant moment around each of the tracks when I listen to them.” Purest fashion themselves as “shoegaze punks”, refracting the distortion and noise This is honestly an album that I’ve had on of classic artists such as My Bloody Valentine repeat since hitting play to our copy of the and The Jesus and Mary Chain through the album, and I really think that as soon as you prism of antsy pop hooks and choruses. “Al- hear this album you’ll be having it on repeat ways”, the band’s debut single, reflects such too, especially if you’re a big indie rock fan an endeavour, combining all the distortion like myself. It really is a great album to have and delicate vocals of shoegaze’s finest with on whether you’re studying, driving, or anythe length and structure of today’s usual thing in between. chart-toppers. The result is, unfortunately, a contradiction in terms. What Purest offer is Release date: 10th March 2017 not the humbling presence of shoegaze, but Available on 12” Gatefold Vinyl, CD, Downan aping of its aesthetics in order to dress load and Stream. up their lyrically and melodically banal efforts. Beneath all the image is the usual pop verse-chorus-bridge progression, with all the vapid lyrical content to boot. The best music is always provocative – it affronts us, confounds us, at least initially. “Always”, to say the least, does not do that. 43

for the sake of

love

Through the exploration of four different kinds of love, SUBCULTURED embarks on a journey to understand what love means and to capture the special moments we share with ourselves and other people.

Photography: Tommy Chamberlain Models: Chisom Ogbedeh, Eve Ramesar, Kris Takoor, Setareh Sanjarani, Sophie Bradbury Make-up: Onika Khatun Creative Direction: Rebecca Cofie, Alice Papadopoulou Text: Alice Papadopoulou

CULTURE

SELF-LOVE/ PHILAUTIA The Greeks viewed philautia as a very important kind of love, perhaps the most important. Read with a negative connotation, the word can be synonymous to selfishness, even narcissism. But in its pure form, philautia is a natural love for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self and it can be considered the foundation of all other kinds of love we feel towards other people. It is hard to strike a balance between self-love and selfishness and even harder to overcome self-loathing, which has been perpetuated so much in youth culture. Here, the solitary portraits offer a snapshot of life as we experience it on our own, providing insight into these rare moments of serenity with ourselves.

CULTURE

FRIENDSHIP/PHILIA Friendships in university can be quite a challenge. Getting thrown into an auditorium with strangers is hardly a pleasant experience, especially for the more introverted people. But once the chaos of the first month settles down and you start recognising people in the lecture hall and start talking to them and getting to know them better, friendships start to form and you might eventually end up moving in with them for the rest of your degree. That is definitely the way to go to get most out of uni; The support you get, the laughs, the ability to truly connect with othersâ&#x20AC;Ś these moments are irreplaceable. Coursemates, friends and flatmates is the best combination, as Chisom and Eve can vouch for; they met during Freshers Week their first year and, along with their other flatmates, they have been inseparable since. Besides, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than chatting to your friend about your day while cuddling a huge teddy bear?

ROMANTIC LOVE/ EROS So much emphasis is placed on finding love and creating a family, ‘settling down,’ ‘starting your life’ and becoming a ‘proper adult.’ But, beyond all that, romantic love is to be valued as an experience in itself; it transcends the limits we place for ourselves, it allows us to feel carefree, even for a few moments, and explore our sexuality. Sophie and Kris (pictured) are often voted as favourite couple among their friends and it’s not hard to see why. In their own words: “What is really nice is that we are completely ourselves with each other, unlike with others… Sometimes not everyone accepts you for the crazy person you are, but when we are together, we amplify our craziness and we kinda love it. At the start we were testing each other with the weirdness, but now there are no limits, we are like, ok cool, you are crazy too.”

CULTURE

LOVE FOR ALL/ AGAPE Agape is a selfless kind of love, the most noble. It is a stage you reach where you appreciate and love the world you are in. Certain religions share variations of that concept; in Christianity, agape is linked to the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;loving thy neighbourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and acting in the best interest of others. It is an all-encompassing love for God and his creation. But whether we are religious or not, agape is the kind of love that perhaps eludes us the most; it stems out of a true connection with the world we live in, with the people in our lives, the people in this world. 56

CULTURE

Student Passions Interviews: Naomy Kuma Picture : Tommy Chamberlain

CULTURE

his issue, SUBCULTURED is all about L-O-V-E. And while it’s nice to wake up to a good morning text from bae or spend a weekend away with your best mates, it’s also all about the things you love doing. A bunch of Surrey students were asked what they love to get up to in their spare time and they came up with some weird and wonderful hobbies. Laughs and warm fuzzy feelings guaranteed.

just couldn’t get the lyrical genius of it out of my head. They conveyed their messages about society in flows that were just jaw-dropping; almost like poetry with a fast tempo. I was inspired. I began, at first, writing about anything that made me feel a certain emotion, particularly anger and sadness, and it still is to this day such a large release to me. Now I’m more inspired by UK artists such as Akala, Logic and Lowkey. I bring a paper and Eve Morris, 20, Music and Sound Recording pen around with me anywhere in case I hear (Tonmeister) – Archery a story or see something that inspires me ‘There’s a whole club of us. It sounds weird there and then.’ but it can actually be kind of difficult to enjoy sometimes. It can be so frustrating when Oliver Bowring, 21, Music and Sound Reit doesn’t go your way. But then when you cording (Tonmeister) - Music have a good day and you’re getting 10s it’s ‘My work, hobbies and passions are all inso rewarding and you’re like ‘yes mate, I’m tertwined nowadays. Most of my indoor time so cool.’ is spent editing videos, both for myself and for clients. That’s closely followed by playing Sultan Kazi, 21, Law – (Not so) secret soci- piano, improvised and otherwise, depending eties on my mood. Related to this, I also love to ‘Apart from doing obvious things like read- compose music. Spontaneous trips for some ing up on medieval history and playing the photography are also common.But the simodd video game, many would be interested ple things like hanging out with friends. In to know that I am a Freemason. The Freema- fact, the older I get, the more I try to make sons are an ancient secret (not so much any- time for people who matter. Whenever I can more) society of a brotherhood of like-mind- do things in good company rather than ed men dedicated to improving the world alone, I will. around us. We regularly give to charity and often find ourselves discussing philosophy Anastasia Megally, 21, Music - Donkeys and morality and we often partake in cer‘My passion is donkeys! I have been doing emonies, something which builds up trust, a lot of research about them and how they character and confidence. can contribute a lot to society, since they can be very therapeutic, especially for children Lusi Dungyova, 21, Management and Inter- with autism. This was one of my parents’ plans when they first started breeding donnational Business – Cleaning ‘This is going to sound funny, but I find it keys. I want to open a donkey sanctuary in relaxing to wash the dishes and to tidy my Malta, but it’s a difficult process.’ room! I also love ticking off my plans for the day after I finish them. I am also learning Shaun Dugdale, 20, Chemistry – The simple Chinese as I have studied Mandarin in the things in life ‘I don’t usually have loads of spare time, past and I really liked it.’ but when I do, then I mostly like to spend it with friends. Knowing I can share experiLucy Barnes, 20, Law - Rapping ‘I like writing rap and Grime music. I began ences with others is what completes me. I with poetry when I was 10 and I had always don’t care what we’re doing or why; I’m albeen influenced by it and the rhythm was ways willing to take part. Many people don’t a big part of it for me especially. Then when always realise it, but it should be cherished. I was 13 I began getting into rap (after the Plus, I can say that the best times in life were JLS phase, such shame) and came across either spent with my friends or spent makthe Wu Tang Clan. I listened to ‘Triumph’ and ing friends.’ 59

SUBCULTURED.