a l t e r n a t i v e
l i f e s t y l e
z i n e
SUMMER 2013 +ALBINWONDERLAND +FEMINISM BREAKDOWN +REAL INVESTMENTS +NATALIE KUCKEN +MORE
our mission statement
this issue is dedicated to women everywhere. the staff here at UNCULTURED have faced nemeses, small and large, over publishing this issue. we believe women are unique, special, and talented beings. our aim with this issue, is to inspire a generation of women to reach after their dreams and be not held back by social, financial, or political barriers. men are equally deserving of these goals, and we are jazzed to see a new wave of forward-thinking people focused on lifting one another up. Whether you are a man or a woman, we thank you for reading this issue and sharing it. We also would like to thank our readers, for being open to new ideas and giving yourselves the opportunity to think for yourselves. change starts in the mirror.
john 3:16 to bring honest, quality literature, written with passionate soul, driven to inspire a zealous lifestyle. to encourage and motivate a generation built on a foundation of organic-humanity thinking: one who believes in love, faith, real people, the simple beauties of life, a global family and the sui generis of every person’s soul. and to widen your mind with potential, creativity, knowledge, and ideas made possible by utilizing the full spectrum of art.
o f t
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where you can find us
contents
check out our interview with natalie kucken on page 5
feminism 03 natalie kucken 05 rewind the tape 07 satisfaction 09 may day 11 albinwonderland 13 summer reading list 16 smart cinema 17 editor’s rant 18
UNCULTURED MAGAZINE editor-in-chief editorial directors head illustrator secondary illustrators head cinematographer head photographer* music editor photography make up artistry art direction hairstyling web sponsor models
KAT WAWRYKOW MADDIE DENNIS, MEREDITH PARK MAGDaLENA WOLAN MADDIE DENNIS, MEREDITH PARK BRANDEE WYSE BOVAIRD SETH STEVENSON JENNA BENTZEN kirstyn rogers, seth sevenson matthew brackett, natalie kucken desiree fraser kat wawrykow karin skapski anita naimi-roy cheyenne ivey, jenna bentzen
Comments + Questions + Collaborations contact@unculturedmag.com cover image: photo kirstyn rogers hair karin skapski mua desiree fraser model cheyenne ivey ad kat wawrykow
words and illustrations by maddie dennis
<A FEMINIST IS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE> <being a feminist is not congruent with being an extremist> <anyone can be a feminist: man, woman, or child>
feminism is important because femininity is still considered inherently weak “hit like a girl” “cry like a girl” Why are boys humiliated when expressing “feminine” interests? dance, cooking, etc.
no t sm and rd i n i m e f wo Wh y m”? The The s i l a u q “e t” holds ss “feminis eeded to addre power n er inequality d the gen till there. Not ts i that is s e word erases le h g using t and the strug histor y en still face. m that wo
many people are mistaken if they think feminism is code for manhate and imaginary injustice. feminism is about treating women with respect, listening to their thoughts, and thinking of their personalities and skill sets, rather than by gender expectations. the issues are real. we encourage you to get to know what difficulties ladies are currently facing by researching it for yourselves and becoming a part of the discussion. a good video to watch to clear the air (click here)
FEMINI S BRINGIN M I S N ’ T A B O G ABOUT B MEN DOWN, U T RINGING I WOMEN T’S UP
THE WAGE GAP - IT’S REAL women are still paid less for doing the same jobs as men. The rate is variable, but according to the u.s. Census bureau, women make on average 77 cents to every dollar a man makes for the same job (a rate that is much lower for women who aren’t white)
<here are some words that might make their way into a discussion on feminism> patriarchy: A male-dominated social system where females are expected to be subordinate
&more want to learn more about feminism? Canadian blogger and awesome person, ceedling, has lots of interesting and informative blog posts and videos that give you way more information than we could ever have fit here!
“misandry”: this video says it all about misandry, (CLICK HERE), be warned the video has course language.
FEMINISM, OF COURSE IS FAR deeper than this oversimplification. It ADDRESSES RACE INEQUALITIES as well as opening up discussions about other inequality issues.
Dreamy Eyes interview by kat wawrykow photograph by natalie kucken Who are you, and what do you do?
I'm Natalie Kucken, I'm a young freelance photographer living in New York City. Most of my time is taken up with wandering around, sleeping, and photographing.
How do you like to begin your mornings?
With coffee and sitting on my rooftop with a beautiful view.
At what age did you start photographing?
I started photographing daily at 14, when I was obsessed with documenting my life. I had (and still have) a really terrible memory so I needed photographs to remember.
When did it turn from passion to profession?
I'm not too sure; jobs started sneaking up on me very early. It was a seamless sort of transition. I never even thought about it.
How did life change when you moved to NYC?
I think everything changed. My schedule, my thinking patterns, my freedom, my friends, my work. Then again it never felt scary or overwhelming or wrong to me. I just felt like I had sort of been here (at least in my imaginings) for a very, very long time.
What is one aspect of being a young photographer people don’t know? What is your creative process like? What are themes that you like to play with? Who are you keeping an eye on? Who are your female inspirations?
Mostly I'm not happy when my client or someone on a shoot knows how old I am and decides to tell the whole team my age. I don't like when my age gets in the way of my work. Not that it would, I just would like to ignore it. A lot of sleep, sadness, and loud music. I like to represent a sleepy sadness or ghostly people. I'm really into making what I see [seem] other-worldly. I'm interested in musicians at this point. I would love to work with more, I have such a crush on music. Some of my female inspirations are: the Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova for her amazing outlook on life and talent, Patti Smith for her life's journey, and Beyonce because she is Beyonce and I respect her very much as a woman in popular culture.
Last question, where or who has your heart? My heart is a secret ice cube.
Any last words?
Please dedicate at least 17 minutes per day to quite observation. ▲
Rewind the Tape Our resident cinematographer studied the lessons mapped out by Old Hollywood for what a lady should and should not do. Following this, she made a sandwich (she didn’t mention who she was making it for).
Tonight’s special feature is dedicated to our favorite leading ladies: The Damsel in Distress, The Femme Fatale, and of course, The Loving Wife. Also, our special appearances include: The Motion Picture Production Code, The Patriarchal Society, and the Social Importance of Gender Identities. We begin our story in the fantastic and magical world of Hollywoodland. Here we find heroic gunslingers, thrilling villains and steamy romantics, all lined up and ready to jump onto the silver screen. Our favorite cowboys (or shall I say, my favorite cowboys) guard the streets and keep pesky outlaws out of our saloons. Sophisticated spies equip themselves with the latest gadgets as they buckle up and prepare to save the world from nuclear meltdowns. Handsome husbands return home from a long day of work to – wait a minute – cut! You knew I was about to say wife, but why? Why not Spot the dog, or Felix the cat? Because that is where classic Hollywood’s leading ladies live, in the home, away from adventure or any real danger. Now, before I take an unflattering bite out of Classic Hollywood, I’d like to make it very clear that this cinematic time period deserves the utmost respect in terms of analyzing its power, development and genius simplicity. However, with that said, no one can deny that these films have instilled unfair expectations for both women and men. I mean, c’mon! How many of us can honestly say that they’ve had a steamy and ridiculously romantic kiss in the sunset after achieving love at
WORDS BY BRANDEE WYSE
first sight? *Gag* Pleaaaseee, how corny can it get? (Okay, I’m sure moments like this are not impossible. I mean, if I ever got my hands on Christian Bale, there is a 98.3% chance that our first kiss would be A+ AMAZING) Does anyone remember A Streetcar Named Desire? “Stelllllllaaaaa!!!!” Yes? No? Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll give you a basic summary of what this classic and twisted tale represents. Written by good ol’ Tennessee Williams, Streetcar became a smashing hit amongst the public, hitting the stage and silver screen with a bang. The 1951 film production won 4 Oscars and 13 awards. The story begins when Blanche, a southern belle, decides to visit her little sister in New Orleans. Arriving on a streetcar named Desire, Blanche is greeted by her sister Stella and is welcomed to the city. Blanche, spoiled and delicate, quickly becomes outraged with the slummy conditions of her sister’s life. On top of it all, Stella is married to a monster, otherwise known as Stanley (portrayed by the outrageously attractive Marlon Brando). So, as you can imagine, drama ensues and enemies are quickly made. On top of this, Blanche goes insane and Stella decides that it’s alright to live with a wife-beating maniac. The downfalls of both sisters emphasize their dependence on men and what happens when women step out of line. By the end of the film, you’re asking yourself what you’ve just watched and why Marlon Brando is still attractive, even after watching him as Scumbag Stanley? It’s all just very overwhelming, okay.
Interestingly enough, films such as Double Indemnity (1944), Notorious (1946), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Psycho (1960) all feature themes of punishment. It was encouraged that if a woman stepped out of line, broke the law, or betrayed a man, she would suffer a particular consequence (according to the Motion Picture Production Code, which ran from 1930-1968). For example, when Double Indemnity’s Barbara falls in love with her husband’s assassin (whom she hired, by the way), she later suffers a terrible fate. In Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious, Alicia is poisoned after spying on her fiancé’s Nazi friends. In Streetcar, as we know, Blanche goes insane and Stella loses her self-worth. And, of course, after Pyscho’s Marion launders money from her employer’s client, she gets stabbed to death while taking a relaxing shower. None of these ladies seem to catch a break! Tagging along with these twisted themes, the wildly popular success of sex symbolism began to take over. Classic Hollywood defined beauty as being glamorous, sophisticated, and most importantly, slim. Not only were women encouraged to be slender, but men such as Carey Grant, James Stewart, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, and the King (Elvis Presley) followed the same physical description. Of course, also noted, the most popular stars of Classic Hollywood just so happened to be white. Coincidence? I think not! I could honestly go on forever. From racial stereotypes to gender inequalities, the strict rules of the MPPC and the growing male dominance in filmmaking, Hollywood quickly became an industry of moral ambiguity. Today, in 2013, we are fortunately blessed with the incredible freedom to change society’s standards. Unfortunately, however, the foundation created by traditional cinema has proved, regretfully, difficult to destroy. Have you ever noticed that full-figured celebrities can’t be appreciated without pointing out their weight? That if a character in a film has a few extra pounds, they’re forced to be comic relief and characterized as fat? “Fat Amy” from Pitch Perfect (2012) for example? Do you understand why? Because classic media defined beauty as being slender. I’m telling you guys. These themes from 1930 are going to take forever to change! …Or will they? I’ll tell you something important; when I make my films in the future, I’m not going to follow these rules. That’s right, I said it. I’m a rebel! A true patriot! My stars will be real! My ladies will be naturally brilliant! I’ll throw Classic Hollywood to the wind. I definitely won’t be the first to adopt this mindset, of course. Today, plenty of filmmakers break traditional law. Unfortunately, not many people have opened their eyes to alternative forms of presentation. That’s where you come in, lovely readers. If you want change in the entertainment industry, then you have to support it! Studios don’t tell their actresses to drop a few pounds or act like a proper lady just because they feel like it. No, they do that because they believe you want it. Stop freaking out when celebrities act like real people! Don’t believe the tabloids! Look deeper into the history of social standards and realize how powerful they have been in our history! Movies are not just movies. Music is not just music. Entertainment is not just entertainment. Media, my friends, has the power to change the world. Don’t forget that. And most importantly, don’t forget that you have the power to change media. ▲
“It was encouraged that if a woman stepped out of line, broke the law, or betrayed a man, she would suffer a particular consequence ... Hollywood quickly became an industry of moral ambiguity.”
The term investment is one most relate to real estate, stocks and ruthless brokers - all relatable to other words like ritzy, upper crust and unrealistic. Allow us to shed light on an often overlooked activity as we believe true, worthwhile investment starts in the self, the family, and the community at large. Possessions and the like are secondary. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to receive advice that is truly feasible and worthwhile? Dear one, read on and find simple nourishment.
satis faction
words by kat wawrykow
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Following the Washing Tags on Clothes To be honest, I am a sucker for simplicity when it comes to chores. I usually see laundry as one of the most tedious chores which I neglect for as long as possible. Recently, with the motivation to write a piece about what to invest in, I got to thinking this should be my first milestone. Following the washing directions of each piece will ensure its life and keep you looking sharp.
Eating Dinner With Family Our world is a fast-paced and often broken one. My family is one of the few families that when together in the same house, eat together. We do this to ask one another how our days went and to stay involved in one another’s lives. Many a time while I grew up, my friends commented on how they always looked forward to coming to dinner at my house because my parents would ask them about their days. This is a topic to dive into later, but next time you are with family, try to eat together. It may be awkward to do something out of the norm, but you will find it is a simple treasure.
Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) In Canada, each person is entitled to one Tax-Free Savings Bank Account. Call your bank for more information about how to set one up. It is a free service that will allow you to deposit and keep a sum each year without being taxed. What’s not to love about that? No special requirements are necessary, an easy way to save money!
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Recycling Bottles and Cans Even if your region or country does not pay you for returning bottles, recycling is a practice we all should become comfortable with. Sometimes, small fortunates are given in change for empty pop and alcohol cans. It is nice to have some pocket money for a lunch or two. Unplugging Unnecessary Appliances You will not believe how often I see friends or family leaving cell phone chargers plugged in the wall or lights on for hours on end with no one around. If you are paying bills, which I am sure you are or will have to do some day, I remind you that electricity does not come for free. Leaving appliances you don’t need plugged in wastes your hard earned money as well as electricity, so just take the extra seconds to unplug. This can also be applied when you are going away on a trip, take a extra couple minutes to unplug things (kill two birds with one stone: this is also a good safety check, remember the hair straightener or hotplate?)
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Getting A Library Card I would like to assume that because you read this publication, you consider yourself a reader. However, you may feel like that label is too hasty, too committing and is reserved solely for hermits. Friends, a library card gives you access to eBooks, regular paperbacks, a large selection of DVDs as well as a large selection of CDs. Exercising your brain with literature keeps one healthy and also is a more effective stress reliever than listening to someone else’s voice (according to an English study reported by PR Newswire in 2009). If you aren't convinced yet, know that reading also improves your mood, as concluded by a survey taken by the National Year of Reading Committee. Not to mention a ravishing vocabulary doesn’t hurt either. Buying Local: What Goes Around, Comes Around Shopping locally is always a solid choice. Supporting local growers and small mom & pop shops means a flourishing local economy. Why ship off your money to a big brother corporation in a bustling metropolis? Since when did you travel to another city or town and felt their chain restaurants were the highlight of your travels?
In no way am I saying to completely boycott large corporations, but I am saying spend your money on people worth supporting. Chances are, local produce makes for fresher and tastier meals, local artisan creations make better household conversation starters rather than a non-de script repeat print of Marilyn Monroe, and strange restaurants will provide lasting memories (even if it is just a hilarious tale) rather than a without-risk trip to Boston Pizza. And believe me, the face-to-face relationships you will make create a greater understanding of the need and the talent around you, and what they say is true: what goes
comes to some people, but surely not me. Sunscreen itself is found these days in many foundations, as well as alternative formulas come in powders and nonsticky sprays.
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Buying A Vinyl or Actual CD Now and Then While I am of the entertainment and design industry now, I realize my ideals may not look the same as yours. My convictions make it hard for me to take from a fellow artist. I realize the artist alone does not benefit from your purchases, but is accompanied by a slew of small people with very little. In itself, holding a physical copy of an album you love has a special quality to it. You get to enjoy the whole experience, as it was intended by the artist - cover art and all. If you are of the vinyl persuasion such as I, you know there is an enchanting quality in the sound of a record. The experience is soothing and healing in many ways, and it becomes an activity rather than just background noise. I feel like many people have forgotten music’s roots and have ultimately prostituted music (in the sense they demand instant, fast pleasure in each track and then toss it aside with ease as if every song is a One Hit Wonder). This is why I feel simply downloading (or stealing it) makes music impersonal and destroys the intent of the artist. Something to think about next time you hit up uTorrent.
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Giving Blood This is one of the most important and easiest decisions of your life, and the truth is it can be life-giving for someone else. The idea of giving blood seems sentimental and charitable, but the reality is it is as easy as getting the flu shot. Times have changed. Giving blood is an easy and painless process and just requires your willingness to give. Try something that may be a source of fear for you, and challenge those around you to join you. If runners in the Boston Marathon were able to finish the race and continue onto the General Hospital to give blood to those who were hurt in the bombings, you really have no excuse not to, do you? And...you’ll find out your blood type! Wearing Sunscreen We get it, we support it, but yet the bottles aren't busted out until we hit the beach, and even then half the time we forget. When symptoms or consequences hit us down the road instead of in the moment, many of us disregard the safeguards or precautions. I attribute this common negligence to the fact that many of us live as if we will live forever, or that harm only
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Prayer and Contemplation While everyone has a different opinion, I myself believe in the value of prayer and contemplation. Our lives can seem so full and busy, often we feel as if we don’t have time for anything anymore. The truth is, we do have time, but where we chose to put it is of our own choosing. For myself, dedicating time to a prayer walk, and meditating on the Word can bring about a peaceful solace unmatched to anything else. I find such time gives me great counsel, helps me regroup, and gives me a change of perspective. Flossing Your Teeth There hasn’t been a dentist trip in recent history that my dentist hasn’t shot me an evil eye when he has asked if I flossed regularly. I would squeak sometimes, and he would banter on about how I need to take care of the best and luckiest gift I’ve ever received - perfectly straight white teeth. Making Every Plate Colorful Dieting in itself is a topic of controversy even for medical professionals, but one thing that they all agree on is color. Fruit and vegetables by nature are colorful, and therefore the more colors on your plate the better. Look at it as the sure-thing diet, one that will ensure a challenge, but remain realistic. Plus, the vitamin boost will only add to your mood, clean skin, strength, waistline and overall health. A Good Skin Cleanser I rarely vouch for products, but one that I can guarantee is Proactiv. Each of us has a different complexion, but more often than not, Proactiv seems to cover all the bases. A healthy complexion makes you look polished and gives you confidence. A Good Pillow Clinical experts say we need 7-8 hours of sleep per day. A good pillow is an essential to utilizing those hours to their full advantage. A bad pillow can equal a poor sleep, and ultimately you will wake feeling exhausted even after hours of sleep. While a price tag may prevent you from making this smart investment, perhaps ditching your daily coffee or vice will make it reasonable. Side note: It is also recommended not to engage in exercise an hour before bed. And lastly, don’t do work in bed, leave the bed for sleeping. Google Free Parking You probably just didn’t think of it, but if you live in city, especially one that has limited parking, I recommend seeking Google. ▲
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So what is this May Day all about?
what was once a pagan festival, is now a modern celebration of spring. we sent our own maddie dennis to report on a very special rhode island tradition.
A Tree from the forest is cut down as music plays and people sing. It is paraded to the field and the old may pole is taken down. The new tree is trimmed and set in place of the old. children swarm the base, tying the end of each rainbow colored ribbon to the pole. The dance begins and people weave in and out, dodging the musicians dancing around the inside of the pole. by the end, the ribbons have grown short and hard to maneuver but the stubborn hang on to them. the very last ribbon holder is crowned the may queen.
I'm not sure I can actually remember my first may day. I can remember the feeling though. I remember the way the old silk ribbons felt in my hands as i clutched them tightly and the wind tugged. When they sold the farm, the celebration moved to a new farm where there were peacocks and bales of hay to slide down, stacked in musty towers. Folding tables lined up by the barn and filled with food (DO NOT EAT UNTIL AFTER THE MAY DANCE. The old may poles stay in the field and you can watch them decay year by year, even the ones with the plastic ribbons. Blue ribbons are the only ones that survive the sun, poking out of the grass and the decaying wood wherever it can. May day is a coming together of lovely things and interesting people. Despite the fact that some things lose their magic as you grow older, may day has not lost its magic because everyone participating has never lost theirs. They remain as bursting with energy and life as ever. As i get older I can't help wonder what will happen as all of these people die off. Will their children want to keep the tradition going? whose farm will it be at? or will it die off slowly? destined to be a faintly glowing beacon of a time past? For the time being I will ignore these thoughts and appreciate the celebration as it comes every year.. The spring doesn't feel quite complete until my family dons our most flamboyant clothing to dance around the may pole. On may second, we tuck away those straw hats and spangled shirts. Until next year! â&#x2013;˛
Call of Duty and no it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting back in the kitchen...
with youtuber, ANGELINA of
Albinwonderland interview by kat wawrykow, maddie dennis words by kat wawrykow photographs by matthew brackett
It is sullen evening in ontario, and my internet is weaving in and out. Suddenly, I see a bright pink knot of hair and a face teeming with joy who greets me well. Angelina, better known as ALB of the youtube channel albinwonderland is finishing eating carrots, and is ready to make my night a lot more interesting. I haven’t gotten to dinner yet, but the conversation quickly turns to food, an activity we both are quite fond of. “I love cheese and pasta. You could romance me with pasta so quick.” she says over a now empty plate, with desire still left in her eyes. This here ladies and gentlemen, is a good woman. “We Heart It is not a source” were the first words I ever heard out of Angelina’s mouth. You probably had the same experience when her video, Shit Tumblr Girls Say, went viral last January. Today, the video is quickly approaching 2 million views, and is accompanied by a slew of feminist and LOVE YOURSELF DAMN-IT videos on her youtube channel. Viral videos often happen overnight, so I asked her if she knew her jump on the Shit ---- Girls Say bandwagon was destined for greatness. “NO!” she exclaimed in the most adorkible way. “We were just having fun. The most my videos ever got [before S.T.G.S.] was 100,000 views. At the time, I thought that was really good. But then this got a million...” voice trailing off. This is the moment things change, the transition from being a viewer to a recognized creator - surreal. She laughs, “[I was thinking,] HOW? WHY? NO.” As she shook her head in disbelief, remembering how she was tossed into the 15 minute spotlight. She gives me an animated shrug, and throws her hands up as if to say ‘you can’t understand this world’. “It is just one of those things. You put a lot of work into [your art and different projects] and they don’t get recognized, and then you go and make something stupid and people love it.” This is one of the hard truths of our world; it is human behavior that doesn’t quite make sense, because we want to believe that hard work should and will be rewarded. She nods, “It’s frustrating because I understand it. I am a consumer, and i love stupid videos like that. I watch, you know, cat videos... So i can’t fault them for it, but that’s okay because some of those people subscribed to me and stuck around. That was the coolest part for me, that they wanted to see more.” She is right. ALB is widely known on youtube and on the rest of the internet for being a comedic and brave feminist, calling out those who are throwing low-blows and praising those who deserve recognition. Her fearless attitude has racked up countless viewers, and a dedicated following who hang on her every word. When asked about changes to her personal life, she says there are few. “Maybe I’ll be in public with my parents and people will recognize me...” she says. For a moment, she toys with the thought of being considered ‘famous’ and decides she isn’t comfortable with the term. Smiling as she patters, she continues, “I don’t have that many subscribers, but the thing is with the hair,” pointing to the pink knot on top of her head, “because I wear somewhat ridiculous things, people sometimes recognize
me. Its not like, is that [ALB]? Its like, OBVIOUSLY that’s her. Sometimes they approach me. It didn’t used to be in my hometown...” She hesitates, “[I grew up in a small town.] Like everybody knows who I am. Everybody knows everybody’s business. But even now I will have high school kids come up to me saying, ‘I watch your [videos]’ and I’m like ‘Staaapp it’.” You can tell that this is the part of the whole process Angelina wasn’t really expecting. What would you do if your secret blog life suddenly came to your doorstep? The intermixing of worlds is a strange one, one that she is beginning to pioneer, but with considerable ease and grace. “Other than it hasn’t effected my personal life. I didn’t have many friends growing up. I had a weird high school experience.” she says softly. (Referring to that she rarely was able to attend school in the first place.) “I was sick for most of high school, so I did high school at home. You know how people have big groups of friends? I don’t know what that is like.” This isn’t a sad statement though. She perks at the opportunity to tell me about her close knit circle, explaining with exuberance their worth to her, and some of memories they’ve shared. Clearly she hasn’t missed a beat. “So really, I just end up pulling my friends [into my videos.] like my friend Jess in S.T.G.S. She works at Shoppers, so sometimes my other friends and I go in and pretend we don’t know who she is and be like ‘OMG, that girl is on S.T.G.S.!’ and other people in the store will start freaking out, like she is someone famous on the internet. They will ask for her autograph, and she gets really embarrassed. They just trust that some young kids know what they are talking about.” “I think they did this experiment, where they put this good looking guy in a mall, and had a couple people in on it be like, ooo that’s so and so and everyone [else said] ‘ahhh that’s that famous so and so’ and it wasn’t even a celebrity.”she says. I can’t say I was shocked by this though, and neither was Angelina. “if they say they are famous, I should probably care who they are.” she continued. The world of feminism is still strange to many people. When I was young, my mother and father used to live out feminism instead of just talk about it. They wanted us to grow up to believe we could do anything, and be anyone we wanted. Angelina’s family was very much the same. Her older sister encouraged her to read feminist novels, even though she didn’t understand their worth at the time. “I realize my sister had a lot to do with the person I am now. How lucky was I to have that influence in my life. [But] she was so subtle about it, like ‘if you wanted to read this that would be cool.’” Her sister was the starting point, but her friends continue to support her along the way. Her friend Jess, seen in S.T.G.S. encourages her to promote those she believes deserve recognition instead of just complaining about the promotion they lack, but have rightfully earned. “I’ve met so many amazing people on the internet, I talk to other people people about it, but they don’t always get it. [They say] “it’s on the internet so you are not really friends.”
Angelina quickly became exposed to a community online of unique, sometimes very feminist people who were interested in mentorship and promoting one another. She now very much revels in that tight knit world, and enjoys the family mindset. “It makes me feel really good, like I am apart of something.” She added. One of such ladies is Amie Ceceriga, who she will be meeting in person for the first time in a few weeks. “I met her when I was 14, [she is the] sister of the guy who made Potter Puppet Pals.” After chatting about some of the other ladies in her “tight circle”, Betty Falon and Kateordie to namedrop a few, I realized this is a circle I, like many others, would want to be apart of. So what does being a woman mean to Angelina? She erupts in laughter as I unleash the floodgates for discussion. “I don’t know if even there is a definition because I don’t hold anyone to the standards I hold myself to. What does it mean to be a woman? For me, it means caring. Not just in a nurturing way, but in a selfless way. I know so many women, and none of them are the same... [It is] finding ways to make people feel they have value and function.” In many ways, this is a paraphrase. Her explanation was great in length as it was deep, but I believe her body of work and ability to hold in person discussion is where Angelina’s true answer lies.
When asked about what’s next, Angelina did haste for a moment. Besides hoping for a future involving the ability to contact celebrities at whim for collaboration, she wants to switch gears to cosmetics and athletic wear. “I want to make a line of cosmetics for pale girls who can never find their foundation match, like the whitest [would be] ‘Snow White’ and [then] ‘Bucocky Shower.” Just really stupid names. [As far as athletic wear goes, when I’m working out] I’m like this outfit sucks, I have so many ideas for better outfits. Like black with a neon stripe? Adidas you really did it...” “FLORALS FOR SPRING? GROUND BREAKING!” we shout together. It is easy to laugh with this girl. You can see why her future is bright, and it is because she beams with possibility and passion for her dreams. “I have this other secret dream,” she adds. “[It is] to dress up in costumes and go to hospitals to visit children. Up until I was 18 I spent a lot of time in children hospital’s and they are probably one of the saddest places I’ve ever been. But the nurses are the nicest staff I’ve ever met. [But] it would be good skills to have on my resume, you know?” she laughs. Before I leave her, on an evening which has become vastly more pleasant, I asked UNCULTURED’s most sacred tradition, ‘Any last words?’ “In the name of the moon, I will punish you!” she says with a giggle. ▲
SUMMER READING LIST words by Maddie Dennis For those of us no longer coerced into reading books by the threat of impending tests at school, it can be hard to find books to read on our own. Here are a few books that my failing eyes managed to take in recently.
French Milk - Lucy Knisley. A comic diary/ travelogue that Knisley made while spending a month in Paris with her mother, French Milk deals with relevant and relatable ideas about growing up. With her effortlessly cool brushwork, she feeds into her obsession with food (and appreciation for France). Although her most recent book Relish is probably better organized and her style is more defined ('cause she's older), the appeal of French Milk is that you have entered someone else's diary - filled with drawings, writings, and actual pictures of their time spent together in the city. Demian - Herman Hesse & The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde. Why do I place them together? Because they both involve an obsession with beautiful boys. Both books talk about the play between dark and light in a person in different ways. Demian speaks more to a religious or inner aspect, whereas The Picture of Dorian Gray focuses on aesthetics. Also both books and authors are FANTASTIC. Island of the Aunts - Eva Ibbotson. Yeah, this is a kid's book. It's on here because it is cleverly written and it has all the trappings of the most perfect book ever: A) varied and weird looking aunts. B) kidnapped children, and C) MAGICAL CREATURES. But not in the dumb way. In the cool way. This is a book that I read when I was younger, and continue to reread, because it is just that awesome. 1984 - George Orwell. I HAD TO SAY IT. YOU KNEW I WAS GOING TO SAY IT. There's a reason sales of 1984 have risen exponentially recently. If you haven't read it yet, you probably should. I can only guarantee that your life will change and you will walk away a better person in every way. It's a good cultural reference to have anyways (Hi mom). Holes - Louis Sachar. This is Katâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to this list. Holes is written like a nice bowl of hearty soup. Beautiful to look at, easy to understand, and tasty to indulge in. You may remember this novel from your younger days, but it one of the best refreshers we can revisit. I promise that you will feel full by the end of it. The Complete Walker - Colin Fletcher. Half story, half how-to. This is a book that encompasses the art of walking. Does it sound boring? 'CAUSE IT ISN'T. Fletcher details what you need for a hike anywhere from a day to a month, and shares his own experiences along the way with humor and wisdom. (Spoiler alert: the main point is just to go). â&#x2013;˛
SMART CINEMA words by MEREDITH PARK and kat wawrykow
Ever noticed how certain movies get labeled as 'smart', 'cerebral', or something equally pretentious? After figuring out that all the film critics were just using the same words to describe these movies, we decided to check them out for ourselves. It was soon discovered that the reason the same descriptors applied to this vein of film is because they each poke a special place in one's brain, in a way that your standard summer romcom or blockbuster action flick most certainly won't (if anything, those'll sand your brain smooth). These movies provoke thought, and feelings that you're not inside your own head anymore. Until I saw these films, I didn't know such storytelling was possible.
The Fall. I'll tell you what makes a difference between a story told merely to put a child to sleep and a true bedtime story: the most epic story was the one made up especially for you, whispered by someone who was older, wiser and perhaps world-weary, someone who loved you very much. The Fall centers around such a story, between a man broken by the hardships of life (literally and figuratively) and a precocious, kind little girl whose insatiable curiosity is what hospitalized her in the first place. While staying within the white walls of the hospital they both inhabit, Lee Pace and Catinca Untaru play characters that manage to escape their pains and problems by absorbing themselves into a fantasy tale where they can be heroes. You cannot make up such a tale without loving the one you craft it for. The greatest satisfaction of this film comes at the moment of true love's realization. Rumba. This one is a short film, and you may have to do some digging to find it. It is film made by true cinematographers and story tellers rather than by verbalists. A classic love story which beats the odds and desires you to view the world with a different set of eyes. The style of the film enlists creativity and a peculiar sense of life. I became childlike to its lack of judgement and gentleness, and strangely I think you will too. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. A memory caught on camera, a lucid dream captured on screen. In ESOTSM, time is fluid for Joel and Clementine, and so is reality. The complex nature of a relationship between two people is explored in this film, so deeply that it is one of the best studies in human nature and relationship ever captured onscreen. The interesting variable of this story is that it illustrates such truths by using a vehicle of fantasy, a made-up science of memory-erasure. Movies are usually meant to be an escape - to transport the viewer into the fantasy, and make them feel a part of it. It is a rare victory for a movie to tell us the truth - that is, to give us the feeling that we are merely silent observers, watching the story play out between two people. It is then, when we are taken out of ourselves. I find watching movies that make me think, move me, or give me ideas inspire me to watch more such movies. If you like these films, hit up IMDB for more from the director, writer, or star actors. You might find your new favorite story. National Treasure 1 & 2. Lord willing, let me explain myself before you judge me. I consider both these masterpieces essential satires to any movie lover’s collection. What you need to realize is that is not about the plot line or the undeniable sensation that is Nicolas Coppola (I meant Cage, but my hand slipped), but the presence of history in mainstream media. This movie makes history fun, and encourages us to get buck wild when we learn new, obscure facts about the American Civil War (I note that the movie does not rest on true facts, but it is the effort all the same). I am not trying to remedy the acting, in fact I am a strong believer of it. Nic Cage makes me remember why I have a sarcastic humor and the good sense of an epic fail. He plays with the idea that it isn’t just about being a good actor, it is about being the Cage. The slow head turns, the drawn out responses, and the verbalization of the obvious make me slow clap every time. ▲
Dear generation Y, shut up and listen. In a time and age that is equipped with technological advances and newfound medicine past generations could never dream of, I bring you Generation Y, the great unaccomplished generation which shall inherit it all. ILLUSTRATION BY: MAGDELNA WOLAN WORDS BY: KAT WAWRYKOW
“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” Those are the word’s of Albert Einstein, a man I reckon we all respect and are inclined to listen to. Sadly though, I would have to say the future is now. You’d think I would be excited about this, but truthfully I am afraid of what it means. Our world is fast and changing. Toddlers are playing with iPhones, North America’s youth are obese, we have no decade clothing, and most Canadian’s don’t even know the name of the Prime Minister (which is Stephen Harper by the way). While some of these things may seem irrelevant, I ensure you that they paint a greater and sinister picture. Recently I walked into Toys-R-Us looking for a gift for a young cousin. I was shocked to see that the store I grew up with has reduced its toy selection by at least 70%, and is replaced with babies needs. I was shocked since there were barely any youngsters in sight. Those that were there were in the electronics department, which in itself has multiplied in size. The danger here is that kid’s don’t seem to know how to play anymore. Rattles are a thing of the past, I couldn’t actually locate a set of wooden blocks, and when I asked my young cousin if she wanted to color with me, she replied that she’d rather go shopping or texting instead. I think back to when I was her age, and all I wanted to do was play outside in the dirt and play imagination games. I strongly believe this is the first warning sign of an even worse up-coming generation that won’t understand what creativity is or how to use it. The word material is the only descriptive word they will possess, and when I thought of it, I realized my own generation was just the same. This is the first time in history that obesity is quickly being labelled as an unofficial pandemic. Whether their in grade school or post-secondary, the youth of North America seem to be getting rounder and rounder. I can only imagine the dominating reason is an unhealthy lifestyle: processed and unhealthy food, little to no exercise, and a ridiculous attachment to technology. I see a sea of people with a cellphone as a constant attachment to their bodies. Sometimes I wonder if in years to come the cellphone will actually become part of our skeletal structure. As hilarious and impossible you may think that would be, the truth is stranger things have happened. What about the inability to communicate that accompanies this? One would think that because we are on cellphones all the time, on Facebook, Twitter, or just ‘old-fashioned’ texting, we have a lot of practice with
interacting with others. The truth is when the in between man is gone, and humans are just stuck in a room with other humans, the world becomes rather quiet. I knew there would be consequences when my Middle School teachers started letting kids not participate in the public speaking competition that at one time was mandatory. The inability to make friends and interact with the opposite sex makes for workers not leaders, and in the end a large herd of sheep. Decade clothing is important. It shows in some ways what is at the heart of a generation, what is important to them, and points to popular activities or lifestyles at the time. The 60’s held the hippy days, the 80’s the parachute pants. For the 60’s it was all about anti-war, community, and nature. For the 80’s it was about being able to breakdance, move, and exercise. What about today? I can’t put my finger on it as I doubt you will be able to either. For the last ten years or so, styles change every year. We seem to be the gen that doesn’t know what they want or what they believe in. Designers offer up new creations constantly, only for us to try them on and discard them with each new look. What does this say about us? I feel it says we are dull creations who can’t choose for ourselves so we look to the few who can. The hipster look also proposes issues as we are simply reusing past looks. A gen of mimickers, that doesn’t sound too good either. Are you starting to see my point? A generation born and raised to follow and just accept what we are given and where we are at are useless as leaders, and one day we will be the majority, the adults, the movers and the shakers. But what will our world become if we don’t even know who leads our country? If we don’t want to be involved, then someone else will take the opportunity to seize power. If we don’t like their choices, it may be too late to complain about it. (Doesn’t this sound familiar?) Sit up straight and listen. My mother and father raised me well, looked me in the eyes everyday and told me they loved me, that I was special, and that it was my job to follow my dreams and live for Christ. Your parents may have done the same, or may have done nothing of the sort. What matters is who you are today, and tomorrow, and all the days to come. Add something positive to this world, stand for something, and create. Don’t let someone else live your life for you or convince you you can get only so far. The greatest people, and the leaders of any revolution come from the strangest and often lowest places. It isn’t too late for us, and with so much at our disposal we can and will do great things. I just believe we are more than a re-hash of thick framed lens. ▲
UNCULTUREDMAG.COM tell me what Now? we are excited to announce that very soon we will be releasing our new site, packed with a blog in full-swing to bring you the latest and greatest news, updates, and posts about all things UNCULTURED as well as anything that tickles our staff채s fancy. let it be known that a group of young people are working through the bumps and bruises of the times to bring you this magazine and this new blog. we are blessed to have you as a reader, and thank you for your patience through this year of change, we welcome you to be a part of this new leg of our journey. please expect great and good things from us. Godspeed.