SEE INSIDE DESIGNING FOR THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION THE ARTISTS WHO BRING YOU LAUGHTER THROUGH THEIR SONGS A RUN DOWN OF THE FINEST MOVIE JOINTS IN DUBLIN’S FAIR CITY WHERE IS BEST ON CAMPUS FOR YOUR CAFFEINE HIT
Volume XXIV, Issue 4 21st November 2017
OTWO CONTRIBUTORS ISSUE 4 XXIV EDITOR Aoife Hardesty DEPUTY EDITOR Ruth Murphy ART & DESIGN EDITOR Joanne Olivia OTWO CO-EDITORS Claudia Dalby Orla Keaveney CHIEF OF ILLUSTRATIONS Meadhbh Sheridan
Hey everyone!
CONTENTS
CHIEF OF PHOTOGRAPHY Phoebe Ireland
GAMES EDITOR Katie Lalwani FILM & TV EDITOR Alexander Glover MUSIC EDITOR Cian Montague FOOD EDITOR Aurora Andrus FASHION EDITOR Shane Cullen ONLINE OTWO EDITOR Conor O’Boyle CONTRIBUTORS Emma Kiely Sambhavi Sudhakar Ritika Sureka Brianna Walsh Heather Reynolds Senan Tuohy Hamill Paurush Kumar Jack Knowles Sarah O’Byrne Ekatherina Gillen Mary Meadhbh Park Jake McPartland Rory Clarke Rebecca Cryan Matthew Derwin Rose Doherty Clara Brannigan Bébhinn Campbell Conor Capplis Gavin Tracey Adam Lawler VISUAL CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Mark Coyle Priya Garg Rhea Cassidy
Arts & Literature 5-8 Games 9 Film & TV 10-13 Interview NASA 14-16 Music 17-20 Food 21 Fashion 22-25 Travel 26 Aperture 28
LETTER FORM EDITORS
ARTS & LITERATURE EDITOR Dylan O’Neill
Welcome to the last issue of OTwo for this semester! Can’t believe that it’s Week 11 already, though so much has changed. You won’t believe, but over reading week, the OTwo co-editors were transformed into their male alter-egos, Claude and Orlando, and we don’t know how to reverse it. It may have started as an autocorrect of Orla’s name (at least it didn’t correct to “oral” this time), However, we have decided to fully embrace our drag king personas, in honour of International Men’s Day (November 19th). We’ve even grown luxuriant Movember facial hair, which as you can see is 100% real authentic face-grown hair. Catch us sharing a big bag of cans with the lads. i.e. with the bust of Fitzy who ended up getting absolutely legless, get it? Luckily, despite the fact that we are men, we have still managed to work effectively and efficiently. Who knew it was actually possible? We’ve managed to put together a brilliant issue of OTwo to finish 2017 in style. You can check your horoscopes to see if the stars are in your favour for exam season; or hear exactly what smokers think of anyone who dares to criticise their beloved rollies. Then we have words of wisdom from our one true president, Andy Geeks; along with a definitive list of what’s hot or not this month. Over in Film & TV, you can read reviews of upcoming films, and the cinemas to see them in. Plus we explore whether big names in Hollywood are a mark of success, and ask if our generation’s attention spans are too short to enjoy feature-length films. Though if you’ve managed to read our humble letter up to this point, you can’t be going too wrong! In music we’ve compiled a list of musicians that are still worth listening to, based on their political activism, and you’ll find the Otwo exclusive and official opinion on Reputation, which I’m sure is what you’ve been waiting for amongst the endless Taylor hot takes. We’re proud to showcase our first issue of the year where JK Rowling is not mentioned in Arts & Lit, and instead take it back to the leaving cert syllabus with a take on monologues and soliloquies… to the last syllable of recorded time. Our centre this issue features a former NASA-administrator and her husband, a space architect. They dream of moving mankind to Mars, designing buildings for the moon, and saving planet Earth, while the rest of us dream of making it to the other end of exams… In Fashion, find out why Adwoa Aboah is the name you should be following as we move into 2018. Our Games editor looks back on the gaming highlights of 2017, and gives the inside scoop on Mario’s latest adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, the Food section answers the two most important questions in life: where are Dublin’s best chicken wings and which UCD coffee outlet should you choose to fuel your study week? Finally, we round off the final issue of the semester with a look at what the south of Spain offers beyond the wonders of Magaluf, and four of your beloved broadsheet editors share their snow memories to end on a festive note. 2017 has been a wild year at UCD so far. Let’s all try and relax after exams, and have a calmer second semester. Looking forward to next issue already,
Claude and Orlando
Soapbox:
Choking the Smokers
Mystic Mittens Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18 Remember to do your stretches before the Black Friday sale, you don’t want to be stuck in A&E for Cyber Monday, do you? Pisces Feb 19 – March 20 You’re having fish for Thanksgiving. Aries March 21 – April 19 I know you think you can handle that naggin but trust me; you’re going to make some poor taxi driver very unhappy. Taurus April 20 – May 20 Remember, a diet consisting entirely of Red-bull might get you through that final essay, but at what cost? Gemini May 21 – June 20 Find strength in others to get you to that final pub on the second consecutive pub-crawl. Cancer June 21 – July 22 When you’re pondering how the SU by-election will affect your UCD experience, remember that they’re only President until June. Leo July 23 – Aug 22 Somehow you managed to only have two exams at Christmas and they’re set just before the holidays. Sucks to be you. Virgo Aug 23 – Sep 22 While it is totally okay to still play Halloween songs, maybe put your earphones in to avoid any weird looks. Libra Sep 23 – Oct 22 Did you submit your thesis with the proper referencing? Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21 Ask your friend how they’re doing. A little kindness can mean the world to someone. Sagittarius Nov 20 – Dec 21 Jealous of not reaching that Christmas birthday, you feel the need to hang decorations up extra early. Don’t be that person! Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19 When was the last time you sat in front of the fire with a good book? Treat yo’self.
With smoking well known to be harmful to our health, Emma Kiely asks why strangers feel the need to remind us. Knowing that smoking is bad for you is like knowing that three comes after two. It’s worldwide knowledge that you’d have to be fairly dumb not to know. So why do people still feel this urge to shout at smokers in a smoking area or on the street? I am twenty years old. I AM AN ADULT. No one is holding a gun to my head, making me chomp through Marlboro Lites. I have made a decision. Yes, it may be a detrimental one in the long run, but it’s still my decision. My money, my bad lungs, my brittle nails. I was having a cigarette outside Tesco the other day and this random old man shouts over at me, ‘Jaysus love ya’d want to give them up, they’re rotten for ya!’ Oh Jesus, thanks Mother Teresa, I hadn’t a clue. I may start putting up posters around South Dublin. Every time someone calls me out for smoking I know that they think they’re going to be the one that’ll change my life, with a few poetic words that they probably got from a John Green book. Like they expect my eyes to widen and have a Shakespearian epiphany and suddenly never want to smoke again. You’d have a better chance of getting a seat with a plug in James Joyce in December than that happening. Yes, young smokers are a dying breed, with Marlboros up to €12 a box (cries silently) and the smoking ban being a pain in the ass. However, there is still a huge population of student smokers. Don’t believe me? Stand outside Newman at ten to any hour and you’ll smell like Amber Leaf for a week. People always act shocked when I pull out a carton but wouldn’t say a word to a sixty-year-old. If you’re old enough to buy them, may you be twenty or seventy, you’re old enough to deal with the implications of cigarettes, so leave us alone. I get the non-smoking adverts and campaigns, but I don’t get how a random old man thinks he can save me from smoker’s wrath by incoherently shouting at me in a car park. From the sound of his voice he didn’t seem like a stranger to the old Benson and Hedges. We trust teenagers to decide what they want to do with their lives and have a say in the political elections. Yet when we pull out a cigarette, you’d think it was a crime.
Illustaration: Priya Garg
OTwo //
Advice from Andrew J. Geeks How do I join the family of Swans in the lake?
While the Adoption Act 2010 provides for the adoption of orphans and children born outside marriage, there seems to be a gap in the legislation surrounding the issue of a human adult forcing a family of swans to accept them as one of their own. Furthermore, in a dystopian act of relational subjugation, UCD Estate Services routinely penalise students who enter the murky waters of swan-kinship with fines and an anti-swan-love ‘tetanus shot.’ Such structural discrimination is not uncommon in modern day Ireland, and, in this regard, you should not hold out hope of your civil rights being vindicated any time soon. Despite this, there are a number of treasonous acts you can attempt in the interim, such as rowing out to the island on the engineering lake and establishing a swanmune (a combination of ‘swan’ and ‘commune’). How do I vote in the upcoming SU elections? It’s nowhere near March and yet we’ve come to election time already. There’s nothing I enjoy more than an earnest duel of ideals, and unfortunately I think we’ll have to wait until the second semester to see if we get one. With the right to participate in a democracy also comes the responsibility to cast your ballot wisely. However, with the SU in such uncharted territory, when you go to the polls on November 22nd and 23rd, I think it might be rather entertaining if you all voted for RON (Re-Open Nominations). Even with only two candidates, Hart isn’t guaranteed to even come in second place this time. How do I have a sesh in James Joyce library? In the run-up to Christmas, Librocop has been known to hide naggins of vodka and gin, wrapped up in glittery bows, around the James Joyce Library. Aptly hidden in books such as Creative Solutions for Ireland’s Economic and Social Problems, and Life Skills - Key to Success, many diligent students have been lucky to have been handed the answer to the question “are you going out during study week?” Despite being a teetotaller himself, the noble and pot-roast-bellied guardian of the peace takes pride in this annual tradition. A modern day Saint Nicholas, Giuseppe “Librocop” O’Dowd has traded in handing out library fines for festive cheer. Although his love for the holiday season never wains, you should be wary. For when we return from our Christmas break, it will be all business once again. Still, when he hands you that €40 fine for drinking a can of coke rather than regulation-issued mineral water in the library, you’ll swear you saw a glint of humility in the eyes of this larger-than-life character.
What’s Hot,What’s Not NOT Hot
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Blake Shelton People Magazine has declared country musician Blake Shelton the Sexiest Man Alive for 2017, which has left us all worried about all the sexy men that must have been murdered to make this happen. Maybe we just don’t appreciate his whole “divorced dad at barbecue” vibe, as one Twitter user eloquently put it. Either way, Blake Shelton is definitely hot right now, if only from the absolute roasting he’s getting online.
Sexual Harassment It seems that everyday another case of sexual assault or harassment comes out. Al Porter has been identified as our local friendly pervert and there are probably more on the way. The LGBT+ community has decided that it’s finally time not to welcome someone; get back in the closet Kevin Spacey. Luckily many are facing punishment for their actions. Maybe someday Woody Allen will be forced to give his awards back. No...?
Novelty Coffees Every year, companies scramble to capitalise on our festive spirits, with varying degrees of success (*cough* Zoella *cough*). The upshot of this is that Dublin’s billions of coffee outlets are stocking extravagant new flavours, and since UCD has sold its soul to the corporations, we can try nearly all of them without leaving campus! The freezing cold dashes between buildings is made a lot more bearable when you’re sipping a hot chocolate that tastes like melted cake.
Moz the Monster The bar for John Lewis ads has been set unrealistically high over the years. All the same, was it too much to expect more than a vaguely creepy “Monsters Inc” rip-off? We just have to resign ourselves to watching Monty the Penguin again. This isn’t even a bad thing because that’s a two-minute masterpiece (what else could have people so invested in the love life of a penguin other than maybe Parks & Rec?)
Christmas Lights Dublin has had its annual lights up for weeks now, but they were only officially turned on last weekend. Now the city is a glittering wonderland at night, which makes dodging rickshaws, hunting for curry chips or puking on the footpath all feel that bit more magical.
Exam Season Uuuuuuugggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh. What else needs to be said really? Ask your granny to light a candle for us.
OTwo // Arts & Literature
The Art in Social Awareness
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Sambhavi Sudhakar documents the historical diversity and prominence of art to raise awareness of social issues of the time.
In its capacity to inspire progress, art not only provides a space for aesthetic expression, but also serves as a vehicle for social change. Being gifted with the agency to express limitlessly, artists are influential in engaging with the masses and ensuring proliferation of social ideas. Visual art is instrumental in communicating ideas with an audience, appealing to them on a sensuous level while simultaneously driving home a social agenda packaged tastefully in creative form. Historically, art has been most essential to any movement that endeavoured to create a shift in a social context for the intellectual advancement of humankind. This form of artistic creation has been most prominently represented in the Renaissance, whereby the revival of ancient Grecian aesthetics led to a blossoming of various art forms. In its celebration of humanism, Renaissance paintings paid tribute to the perfection and infallibility of human achievement. Sandro Botticelli’s Spring, for example is supposed to epitomise the new Renaissance man. With several periodic shifts in European cultural history, there have been concurrent modes of development in art. In the 1800s, Romantic art was conceived as a response to rapid industrialisation, upholding nature, emotion, and imagination. This was in response to the philosophy of the Enlightenment which laid emphasis on science, empirical evidence, and rationality. A piece of art that encapsulates this is C.D Friedrich’s Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog which presents the grandeur of nature alongside the infinite capacity of humankind. Artists of the Romantic tradition praised the spiritual power of nature as well as the value of man who was
presumed to possess divine potential. There have also been instances in history where art has been overtly political. Protest posters have emerged as a popular means to display political angst, as depicted by recent marches incensed
Romantic art was conceived as a response to rapid industrialisation, upholding nature, emotion, and imagination over the philosophy of the Enlightenment which laid emphasis on science.
by Trump’s administration. Such forms of protest date back to the 16th century, at the height of the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther’s 95 theses were posted on a church door. This created an active discontent which resulted in a rift in the Christian faith. The 20th century witnessed a plethora of political upheavals in the face of colonisation and warfare. From these large-scale revolutions,
art emerged from regions across the globe. During the Indian freedom struggle, several artists, poets, and musicians employed art to further their nationalistic aims in the face of colonial oppression. Abanindranath Tagore’s Bharat Mata, illustrating a four-armed goddess clad in saffron, was significant in being an icon of nationalism and spirituality. Much like the artists of the Bengal tradition in India, Tagore’s works were instrumental in serving as a cultural symbol for patriotism during the colonial era. Another movement that gained notoriety during this period was the Harlem Renaissance, a movement which is considered most significant in AfricanAmerican literary and artistic history. One of the most notable artists of the period was Aaron Douglas. Douglas’ book, God’s Trombones contains illustrations portraying the black characters in pivotal roles as divine figures so as to invoke a parallel between the suffering of the African-American population and that of Jesus Christ. Aspects of Negro Life was a mural series by Douglas, representing the collective black experience captured in four panels. Much like the aforementioned struggles, which used art as a means to achieve a political end, the Mexican Muralists in the 1920s revolted against tyrannical industrialization. These muralists were in support of the Mexican Communists who fought for the rights of the proletariat. Artists like Deigo Rivera painted public frescos depicting the plight of the workers. Infused with Leninist ideals, they engaged the public through their potent scenes. Following the world wars, the post-modern world witnessed an array of burgeoning social causes. The Women’s Movement in the 1960s gave
rise to painters like Nancy Spero, whose works are a portrayal of women’s issues and emotional turmoil during war. The Guerrilla Girls, a group of anonymous, mask-wearing protesters are well known for their posters and billboards. They fought for the inclusion and recognition of women and artists of colour in canonical art and culture. More contemporary examples include Joe Caslin’s giant mural of two men hugging on George’s Street which was essential to furthering the call for marriage equality in 2015. Caslin stated
Artists like Deigo Rivera painted public frescos depicting the plight of the workers.
that he conceived the painting of two young men embracing as a “poignant representation of same sex love in the city.” Similarly, the recent Repeal the 8th march used colourfully painted banners and posters with bold and vibrant images, insisting on legalising abortion in the country. Another contemporary movement that has been gaining global momentum, veganism, makes use of hand-painted banners during protest marches to depict the cruelty and violence of the meat and dairy industries. Drawing from the above instances, it is evident that art is an effective tool which even in present times instigates social change.
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OTwo // Arts & Literature
Unravelling the Drama: Monologues Ritika Sureka discusses the use and effectiveness of monologues in popular fiction and drama.
Autumn in Paris The champs elysée was blackened by the bodies on the ground, Its beauty tainted by hopeless eyes that hid amongst the
Since the character reveals some of their innermost feelings, soliloquies render him completely exposed to an audience.
One of the most infamously misleading or ironic monologues is Mark Antony’s “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” speech in Julius Caesar. It is so manipulative in fact, that it has been compared to various political speeches in history. Aside from the rhetorical discourse that makes it so powerful, how does the format itself add to its effectiveness? When a character delivers a monologue, they hold the complete attention of the audience, which would be otherwise diluted if a similar speech were made in dialogue. Hence, the character is the focal point where all the different energies on stage converge. This would then be the most effective way of getting through to an audience. Structure therefore is of vital importance, and one could say that Hamlet’s performance of “To be or not to be” in
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soliloquy form, is the primary reason why it is one of the most important pieces of writing and performance in theatre and indeed, literature. The reason why Shakespeare chose this format is evident; there is no way one can express a private thought as vulnerable as the desire to commit suicide without fully occupying the stage. This is exactly the kind of freedom a monologue gives a character. Since the character reveals some of their innermost feelings, soliloquies render him completely exposed to an audience. The viewer engages in an intimacy with the character. It makes the former feel strong empathy, concern, or even discomfort at the confidentiality of the latter’s thoughts. The aim is to stir the emotions of the audience, regardless of what they are. Any actor worth their salt should be able to perform this soliloquy in an original way, as the effectiveness lies in the genuine delivery.. Monologues in novels share a similar goal, but have different methods of conveying them. Examples of these range from the discourse on power in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four to internal stream-of-consciousness monologues in the works of Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. However, there is a difference between how the reader feels when they read it and what an audience experiences when they watch it being performed. Despite an actor’s best efforts, the accessibility of the audience to the speech is still second hand and therefore more distant than the first-hand experience of the words the reader absorbs when they read a novel. External monologues can hide a character’s true motives and present a false reality to the audience. On the other hand, internal monologues can stir emotions in the audience, by both offering a real glimpse into the character’s thoughts and by informing the audience of their true intentions, despite what the character may present to world.
crowds, The crowds who were indifferent Who simply walked on by.
We listened on the metro, To their stories, troubled lives. I couldn’t really speak French, But I could read within their eyes
The horror The pain
The suffering and the sorrow As they sold their stories on the train
And in exchange for what?
Disgusted glances Shameful stares Ignorance Pity Fear
And perhaps, occasionally, twenty cents Tossed nonchalantly into a paper cup, A conscience eased as shoeless feet shuffled further down the train, A perpetual journey Why?
Pennies tossed in paper cups are not real change.
Picture Credit: Rhea Cassidy
As I sat at home, watching Skyfall (a guilty pleasure of mine), Daniel Craig and his jawline had me mesmerised at first. Nevertheless, it was Judi Dench who made me pause and consider what was happening in the scene. Facing a public inquiry because of her questionable methods surrounding how she handled a case, she defends herself in a dramatic monologue addressing the board. Scornful stares, dry humour, and a quote from Tennyson as the cherry on top, this was classic Dame Judi Dench. There was obviously no doubt about its effectiveness, but what made this monologue stand out? Before discussing the technique, we must first understand what a monologue is. There are broadly two types of monologues: internal and external. An external monologue is a speech made by one character to an audience, be that other characters or the actual audience of the play. Internal monologues on the other hand, sometimes referred to as soliloquies, are a means for one character can externalise their thoughts to the viewer or reader. The difference is that soliloquies are the only time one can know the true nature of the character’s thoughts. External monologues are filtered by the very presence of the audience, and so we cannot tell if the character is misleading us and phrasing their intentions to put themselves in a good light.
OTwo // Arts & Literature
Excuse me Nurse, I’m looking for the Doctor
Picture Credit: Flickr
Heather Reynolds deconstructs the myth surrounding role model exclusivity in media and literature.
This summer, on July 16th, the next actor to be cast as the Doctor was announced during a minute-long short on BBC One. As always, the hype for this event was huge. The topic was trending on most social media sites hours before the announcement was made. The conversation was overrunning other hashtags, such as Wimbledon and BBC News, with fans waiting with baited breath to see who would be taking over as the star of a show with a legacy lasting over fifty years. However, through all of these posts, tweets, and hot takes, one query surfaced time and time again. Would this announcement finally see the introduction of a female Doctor?
The obvious response to this is: why can young boys not see a confident woman as a role model?
The time for the announcement came, Jodie Whittaker was announced as the new lead of Doctor Who, and the overwhelming response was positive. The majority of fans, men and women alike, were excited about the new opportunity this presented, with many pointing out how it was about time. Considering
how many other TimeLords were known to regenerate into different species, transcending gender seemed like a small step in comparison. This wasn’t even the first time the modern iteration has had a TimeLord regenerate into a body that would be perceived as a different gender, with the role of the Master being portrayed by Michelle Gomez since series eight, taking over from John Simm’s Master. By all accounts, while it is a first for the Doctor, it isn’t a big deal in the show’s canon. However, while many rejoiced over this new role model for young girls in popular fiction, and others felt no particular way about it, there were many viewers who held incredibly negative views about the casting. Some felt robbed of the grandfatherly nature of the Doctor, who had endeared them to the role originally, and some felt that it was too much to explain to children that the Doctor, who changed body every few series, had done it again but a bit differently. The majority of criticism received was due to young boys having one less role model to look up to. The obvious response to this is: why can’t young boys see a confident woman as a role model? This occurs time and time again with modern fiction, where men are seen as role models for all, and women are seen as just role models for young girls. Most modern television for children has male leads, including shows that are not geared towards a specific gender, whereas female led shows are perceived as a ‘girl thing.’ According to a recent
study, 57% of protagonists in children’s literature published between 1990 and 2000 are male, with only 31% of lead characters being female. The remainder are animals, of which only 1/3 are female. Books and television shows with female leads are seen as less marketable, and are more likely to be turned down by those in charge in the industry.
While Skulduggery is the titular character, it is Valkyrie’s story and she is the character people emote with, boys and girls alike.
However, this perception that boys cannot relate to a female protagonist has little basis in reality. The majority of children, regardless of gender, will look up to and relate to the ‘good guys’ regardless of who they might be. They may relate to some more than others, like the character that wears glasses like they do, or plays soccer like they do, but gender is often the last thing on their mind when looking at an ensemble cast. Many young children who
feel ostracised by their ‘nerdy’ nature find solace in characters like Matilda and Eliza Thornberry, while others get the courage to stand up for what they believe in from characters like Mulan and General Leia Organa. To take a more Irish example, the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Dublin-based writer, Derek Landy is geared towards those aged 11 up into their late teens. The ten book series is based around a skeleton detective who solves murders and can summon fireballs into his hands. It, by all intents and purposes, sounds like the ultimate teen boy series. However, it has one clear difference from the other books you will find in this genre. Its protagonist is a teenage girl. While Skulduggery is the titular character, it is Valkyrie’s story and she is the character people relate to, boys and girls alike. Female role models are for everyone, not just girls, and to limit the extent of their impact is to ignore and undervalue the immense good they do to the lives of so many children and adults alike. It’s long past time to gear media towards different children, instead of targeting children based on gender, and so, really, who cares about the gender of the actor who plays the Doctor, so long as they keep the fun and whimsy of the show alive? Doctor Who returns to screens on Christmas Day on BBC1
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OTwo // Arts & Literature
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle Recounting the journey the reader makes with the protagonist, Senan Tuohy-Hamill explains why The Wind-up Bird Chronicle is his favourite book. The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is a breath of originality. Murakami is known for his unusual blend of the mundane and the fantastical, and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle epitomises this style. This book is my favourite because it really resonated with me, the way it links together seemingly unrelated ideas into a meaningful story is incredibly unique.
As the couple’s relationship deteriorates, and the world of the everyday becomes more and more distant, Toru begins to feel alienated from reality.
Set in 1980s Japan, in the capital of Tokyo, the book begins as a portrayal of the relatively normal life of the main character Toru Okada along with his wife,
Kumiko. However, things begin to take a strange turn when their cat disappears. As the couple’s relationship deteriorates, and the world of the everyday becomes more and more distant, Toru begins to feel alienated from reality. The characters he meets throughout the story highlight his descent from the surface world of normality to the dream-like, illogical world where he begins to feel more and more at home. If, like me, you love delving into new and different characters, and following their development and arc, then this book is perfect for you. There is a constellation of unusual and bizarre characters, ranging from psychic sisters to war veterans, all of whom intrude upon Toru’s life and contribute to its increasing bizarreness. Murakami manages to create the perfect juxtaposition of the ordinary and the fantastical, leaving the reader confused, just like Toru as he tries to navigate these strange happenings. The use of magical realism is what makes this book so unique as it combines events that would otherwise have no contact with each other. Murakami has a knack for creating a dream feel, one that gently carries you along to the end. It almost feels like an easy read, except for the amount of questions left unanswered. Though this can be frustrating for some, if you focus less on loose-ends and more on the exploration of a person and their development
Murakami has a knack for creating a dream feel, one that gently carries you along to the end.
‘Atlantic Soul’ Exhibition Review Dylan O’Neill visits the Origin Gallery and reviews its most recent exhibition. Thursday November 9th saw the opening of the Atlantic Soul exhibition by acclaimed artist Gemma Billington, in the Origin Gallery, upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin. The evening commenced with arts critic, Niall MacMonagle, introducing the exhibition to the patrons in attendance. Following the wine reception, guests were free to view the many paintings on display in the gallery. A native of Co. Kerry, Billington studied at the Winchester School of Art in Winchester, Hampshire, showing an interest in watercolours, life drawing, photography, and sculpture. Dividing her time between her house in Glencar near the Skellig Islands, and her home in Bedfordshire, England, the artist has drawn inspiration from the natural world which she has titled Atlantic Soul. Titling her paintings after famous pieces of poetry and literature, Billington has found inspiration in the works of George Bernard Shaw and Jalaluddin Rumi. Having spent time at the Cill Rialaig Project, an artist’s retreat in Kerry, Billington began to focus on her style of capturing the raw nature of the sea and skyscapes, which manifested in the Atlantic Soul exhibition. Working in total silence in her two studios located in Berkshire and Caragh Lake, the artist contemplates the power of the Earth, often finding herself going with the flow
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of the watercolours. This is particularly evident in the pieces such as Everything That You Want To Be You Already Are and Now I Know You Listened. Through her use of unconventional methods of painting and natural materials, she transforms the black canvas using her hands and “rags of moth-eaten cashmere.” This particular style of painting is featured in the piece Soul. If You Want To Learn Secrets, Your Heart Must Forget About Shame and Dignity. This signature piece of Billington’s work was inspired by the poetry of W.B. Yeats, specifically, ‘He wishes for the Clothes of Heaven.’ Billington wanted to capture the emotional and spiritual intensity of the poem on canvas. This is only one of the many paintings on display but highlights the personal touches in Billington’s works. The Origin Gallery has showcased many Irish artists, both new and seasoned, over the years. With approximately 8 exhibitions being displayed a year, director Dr. Noelle Campbell Sharp, has also founded the Cill Rialaig Project involving restoration of a pre-famine village in Co. Kerry. The exhibition is open to public from 10a.m. to 5:30p.m. until the 29th November.
you will get more out of this novel. Through the veneer of normality, concepts such as the self, death, and what it means to know another person are approached, but no direct answers are given. It is left open to the reader to draw their own conclusions. It is as though Murakami is tempting us, nudging us closer to the answer, as though we are simply following breadcrumbs to reach what he already knows; some enlightenment that he reached long ago.
OTwo // Games
Review: Super Mario Odyssey
Nintendo’s golden boy, Mario, returns in Super Mario Odyssey for another adventure. A top billing for the Nintendo Switch, Odyssey is easily one of the greatest Mario games yet.
As with other Mario titles, Odyssey continues to push the boundaries, offering a fresh take on a beloved series with many new features.
A 3D platformer, the game sees Mario tasked once again with rescuing Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. As with other Mario titles, Odyssey
continues to push the boundaries, offering a fresh take on a beloved series with many new features. One major shake-up comes in the form of Mario’s new friend: Cappy. When Mario throws this cap companion, he has the ability to embody whatever it lands on. This ranges from traditional enemies such as bullet bills, chain chomps, and goombas, to the likes of a frog, a tree, and even a dinosaur. This bizarre ability often leads to hilarious and unexpected results. The game also sees a departure from Mario’s home turf of the Mushroom Kingdom. Players traverse a colourful open world, visiting woodlands, urban areas, and deserts while battling bosses and collecting power moons. No two worlds are alike, with features such as crystal-clear waters, lush forests and sprawling sands being perfectly designed. The changing style of the levels keeps the game fresh and unexpected, while hidden secrets and collectables dotted throughout ensure the game is never truly over. Along with new locations, Mario even has the option to depart away from his renowned red and blue plumber’s garb, opting instead for an endless
Photo Credit: Flickr
Reviewed by Katie Lalwani Developer: Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo Switch (Reviewed) Release Date: 27th October 2017
variety of new outfits including a pirate outfit, a business suit, and pilot costume.
No two worlds are alike with features such as crystal clear waters, lush forests and sprawling sands being perfectly evoked.
Easter eggs from classic Mario titles can also be found throughout the game,
including 8 bit-pipes which lead to 2D platform sections. This fits seamlessly in with the bizarreness of the game. Also featured are throwbacks to Mario’s earlier incarnations, such as posters and hidden character pixel art. The game also makes great use of all the various Switch configurations, though it is the Joy-Cons which really provide the most satisfying experience. Despite all of these changes, the one much-needed update that the game lacks is the plot. In a game packed with so much innovation, it is disappointing to see Mario tasked with rescuing Princess Peach. This damsel in distress plotline has long grown old, and is one blip in an otherwise thrilling game. Packed with surprises at every turn, Super Mario Odyssey is a captivating adventure and a must-have for any Switch owners.
2017 Gaming: A Year in Review Katie Lalwani remembers the games and consoles that made 2017 memorable. Duty, the Legend of Zelda, and Star Wars Battlefront, all made a return, with some new added features. Kicking off the year was the gruesome, horror role-playing game (RPG), Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. The game did away with the series’ traditional third-person view. Instead, players explored the grisly Baker house through a limited first-person perspective, adding an extra layer of horror.
Overall, 2017 was a year which certainly kept players on their toes.
Meanwhile Assassin’s Creed Origins saw a revamp of the series, with the game becoming more of an RPG. Combat in the game was given a much-needed update, so that enemies no longer queue up politely to take you on. A skills tree and an updated crafting system also gave the series a fresh take. This year also provided us with a
serious nostalgia kick, with many reboots and classic style games coming our way. Among the major successes was Sonic Mania, which involved Sonic fans in its creation so that the heart of the original would be preserved in the reboot. However, the likes of Crash Bandicoot: Insane Trilogy didn’t quite live up to expectations. Despite great sales, a change to the controls made an already difficult game even more so, frustrating fans. Indie games continued to give their
bigger-budgeted rivals a run for their money. Games such as Little Nightmares and What Remains of Edith Finch drew attention for their out-of-the-box creativity and intriguing narratives. Meanwhile the likes of Hellblade: Senna’s Sacrifice, with its hyper realistic design akin to a big budget game, further displayed the limitless potential indie games have to offer. Overall, 2017 was a year which certainly kept players on their toes. It will be interesting to see what 2018 has in store.
Photo Credit: Pexels
From new console releases to the introduction of 4K gaming, and some major games to boot, 2017 has been quite the year when it comes to gaming. It marked a year of change, with many games undergoing a revamp, often successfully. That being said, this year wasn’t without its pitfalls. This year saw some major console releases, including the hotly-anticipated Nintendo Switch. With a home console and portable system being wrapped up in one device, and the variety of ways to play, this ‘hybrid console’ has been eagerly snapped up. The Switch remains in high demand, with millions being sold across the world leading to supply shortages. While Nintendo have certainly stepped up their game, it’s hard to compare to their rivals Playstation and Xbox; the latter of which capped off the end of the year with the XBox One X. Boasting itself as ‘The World’s Most Powerful Console,’ the small console came packed with processing power and 4k graphic capabilities. Alongside these console releases, 2017 brought along with it some major games. Franchises, including Call of
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OTwo // Film & TV
The Man who invented Christmas Reviewed by: Paurush Kumar Director: Bharat Nalluri Writer: Susan Coyne Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce Release Date: 1st December Bharat Nalluri’s The Man Who Invented Christmas is an interesting take on writer Charles Dickens’ most famous book, A Christmas Carol. The period in Dickens’ life leading up to this novel included financial, reputational, and personal crises. The film explores the creative process Dickens embarked on to write this much-acclaimed book.
The film does reveal some interesting details about the author’s life but along the way, there are a lot of filler moments.
Dan Stevens’ performance as Dickens is commendable. His portrayal of the frustration of a writer’s inability to reach a conclusive end to a book and of parenthood stand out. The actor manages to depict Dickens’ angst with just his eyes. Christopher Plummer plays the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge to perfection, and Jonathan Pryce does justice to his role as Dickens’ financially irresponsible father.
Some of the scenes were shot in Dublin city so be on the lookout for familiar streets. 10
Writer Susan Coyne was inspired by historian Les Standiford’s book of the same title to write this screenplay. The writer seizes the opportunity to reveal some interesting details about Dickens’ life by retelling the tale of how A Christmas Carol came into existence. The characters in the Christmas novel are all results of visions/hauntings Dickens has of them. Each character is carefully developed and holds significance in the film. Coyne’s writing is well done, but Nalluri’s direction falters big time. The director seems to simply lift Coyne’s screenplay and make it into a film without adapting it or adding his own creative touch. The film is shot well and it looks beautiful throughout. The magic of the era is captured through the surroundings and the costumes. Some of the scenes were shot in Dublin city so be on the look-out for familiar streets. Overall, this 104-minute-long fantasy drama starts off on a good note, but as soon as you begin to get hooked, the movie loses its grip. The ending redeems the film slightly, the finale engages the audience well and the film finishes strong. The movie does reveal some interesting details about the author’s life but along the way there are a lot of filler moments. This is surprising as Dickens’ story is so interesting. Had there been a clearer story depiction by the director, The Man Who Invented Christmas could have truly done the author justice. In a nutshell: This film is an enjoyable festive watch but could have benefited from clearer direction or perhaps a shorter runtime.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Film Reviews
Suburbicon
Reviewed by: Alexander Glover Director: George Clooney Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, George Clooney and Grant Heslov Starring: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, Gary Basaraba, Karimah Westbrook, Leith M. Burke and Oscar Isaac Release Date: November 24th Suburbicon is an idyllic suburban town built fifteen years before the film is set, which has grown and flourished until the current year of 1959. The film begins with a satirical advertisement for the town that enlightens the viewers of its greatness. The audience is told that there is great diversity in the area which equates to white families from the four corners of the United States. In the next scene, we see the newest arrival to Suburbicon, the Mayers, an African-American family consisting of a mother, father, and young boy. The immediate reaction of the neighbours lets us know that we are in 1950s USA and George Clooney is about to attempt a social commentary. Clooney returns to the director’s seat for Suburbicon but this is the first time he has directed without also appearing on screen. The star of the show is the awkward-looking Matt Damon in an ill-cast role as Gardner Lodge, father, husband, and conman. (This is most likely where the ‘con’ at the end of Suburbicon comes from.) Alongside frequent writing collaborator Grant Heslov, Clooney resurrected this film from a twenty-year-old scrapped Coen brothers’ idea. Watching the film, it is clear to see where Clooney attempts to pull off the Coen brothers’ style but it is, at times, also apparent why the Coen brothers never made this film. The main storyline, involving the Lodge family, was created by the Coens, and then Clooney and Heslov added a subplot surrounding the arrival of the Mayers family. It makes sense to add this story of racism in suburban 1950s America, especially at a time when racism is such a big issue, but it doesn’t mesh well with the main plot as the sub-plot can be more interesting than the original story. Conflicting storylines aside, the film does have some redeeming qualities. The 1950s setting is just as most of us
picture it, complete with wonderful shiny cars. Robert Elswit (Nightcrawler) does a beautiful job with the cinematography with excellent pan-outs and well-used flashes. Some early imagery also foreshadows what’s to come in the film.
Clooney resurrected this film from a twenty-year-old scrapped Coen brothers idea.
The acting is great for most of the movie with a couple of standout performances. Young actor Noah Jupe, who plays Nicky Gardner, is outstanding. His portrayal of a lonely child dealing with a complex, adult issue is fantastic. Oscar Isaac also stands out as Bud Cooper, the life insurance fraud investigator. Unfortunately, we don’t see him for very long but a spin-off movie starring him in this role would be amazing. Julianne Moore should also get a mention for portraying both Rose and Margaret, sisters who both entangle themselves with Damon’s character. The film is weird and it seems to throw too many things together but it is watchable. At the end of the day, Clooney does make a social commentary. Tellingly, some scenes involving the Mayers family are more harrowing than any of the bloody scenes. In particular, the scene with Mrs Mayers (Karimah Westbrook) in the supermarket is hard to watch. In a nutshell: A crazy film from start to finish. Clooney tries to squeeze two films into one and as a result, misses the mark on both.
OTwo // Film & TV
Best Cinemas in Dublin Jack Knowles explores the best cinemas the capital city has to offer.
You’re in luck because most cinemas have great student deals. The Stella Theatre in Rathmines recently re-opened, offering cinema goers a vintage and luxurious cinema experience. With large seats, a wide selection of food, and a 1920s décor, the Stella could become a popular choice for posh nights out, if it weren’t for the off-putting ticket price at €19. Following the re-opening, it is important to look at what the other cinemas Dublin have to offer, and why they are all great in their own right. First of all, looking at the immediate question: price. Being a student with a student budget is note easy, but most cinemas have great student deals. The IFI is €5 for most screenings (excluding special screenings) before six every day. The Standard price after six is €8. Special screenings normally cost €15. The Savoy has two tickets for €10 from Sunday to Thursday, after which student tickets cost €7. The Light House’s student price is €8. Cineworld is the most expensive with a student price of €10.30 and if you want the IMAX experience it can cost you €16.80.
a trip to the cinema is more than just to see a film. But let’s face it, a trip to the cinema is more than just to see a film. So what if you want a snack during the film? The IFI is not your place for cinema popcorn, but it does have an excellent café that serves delicious food which you can bring into the theatre. There are good deals on burgers and beers. Likewise, the Light House has the same operation but with a bar as well as a café. If you want some of that sweet-smelling cinema popcorn then the Savoy and Cineworld are the way to go. Cineworld even has a Baskin-Robbins concession serving up delicious ice cream from the people behind Dunkin’ Donuts. Comfort is also a big factor when you go to the cinema. There is just no point watching a film if you’re going to
be uncomfortable for 2 hours. At times, the IFI can be a bit uncomfortable on the legs. The rest of the cinemas are all perfect from a comfort point-of-view. I have never found myself tossing or turning in any of them. The Light House is particularly spacious in one of the bigger screens, as is Cineworld. Now one of the main reasons to have a variety of cinemas in the city is because of the range of films available in each. The IFI will usually show foreign films, lesser-known Irish films, and arthouse films. The films tend to be outside mainstream cinema, but they still show a small selection of the bigger films. The special screenings held at the IFI are usually a film lover’s dream; for example, recently they showed William Friedkin’s Sorcerer. They also get film exclusives such as Jaha’s Promise which comes out on the first of December. The Light House is similar to the IFI but tends to screen more mainstream films as well as special screenings. The Savoy and Cineworld mainly show mainstream films, with the Savoy being the cinema of choice for most Irish premieres. What about the atmosphere though? How does it smell when you
Now one of the main reasons to have a variety of cinemas in the city is because of the range of films available in each. walk in? Is it alive with people or dead with just a few people around? The Savoy can be the latter, but it does have that nostalgic fresh popcorn smell. Even when it’s busy at the weekend, however, the Savoy still fails to offer a welcoming vibe. In contrast, the Light House and the IFI are far more appealing and relaxed, each due to different factors. The IFI always has people, even just for the café, which creates this warm atmosphere. The Light House has a cool design and very friendly staff. This, plus all the places to sit around the cinema, makes you feel at home. Cineworld seems to get bigger after each visit, you can appreciate this when you walk up to the IMAX screen on the fourth floor. What makes a cinema your favourite or the best is completely subjective. These cinemas may have some flaws but they do something magical. They show us unforgettable films in the best possible viewing environment.
Picture Credit: Priya Garg
What makes a cinema good? Why do we continue to go to the one cinema and form a sort of loyalty to it? Is it the food, the price, the films, or just the general atmosphere? The top cinemas in Dublin are generally considerd to be the Light House in Smithfield, the IFI in Temple Bar, Cineworld on Parnell Street, and the Savoy on O’Connell Street. Of course, all cinemas have their strengths and weaknesses. Which one you prefer is entirely subjective so crowning a champion is pointless as everyone has different tastes and requirements.
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OTwo // Film & TV
Are Films Too Long? With attention spans decreasing, Sarah O’Byrne asks if films should be shortened too.
Is our attention span so short that we can only comprehend material if it’s presented in under 10 seconds?
The world has become increasingly obsessed with shorter videos, much like shorter news articles and books. Short videos clog up our Facebook and Instagram feed, many of which are versions of teenagers performing some weird rushed form of 60 second slapstick comedy. There is a reason it takes time to make a funny film. Facebook videos are advised to be one minute long, and YouTube videos rarely exceed the ten-minute mark. This is to maintain our attention. Films, however, are usually at least an hour and a half long. Is our attention span so short that we can only comprehend material if it’s presented in under 10 seconds? This need for fast entertainment is encouraged from childhood; kids shows are forced to cut the length of their scenes to keep kids watching. A study showed that on average a scene from SpongeBob SquarePants will last just eleven seconds. In the 1950s, the average shot length was longer, His Girl Friday has an average shot length of about 15 seconds. This has been shortened to under five seconds in contemporary cinema. Michal Bay’s Transformers films have an average of 3 seconds per shot. A video on YouTube appropriately entitled ‘Bryan Mills Jumps a Fence’ shows how the editing crew of Taken used 15 shots to depict Liam Neeson literally jumping over a fence. This technique gives the effect of fast-paced action opposed to an elderly man struggling over a four-foot obstacle. Some say these shorter clips are popular because of our shrinking capacity to focus on one thing for too long. An article in the Telegraph in 2015 entitled ‘Humans Have a Shorter Attention Span than Goldfish, Thanks to Smartphones,’ blamed technology. The article claimed that “the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000, or around the time the mobile revolution began, to eight seconds. Goldfish, meanwhile, are believed to have an attention span of nine seconds.” That’s quite worrying. With this in mind, why are films
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getting longer? Films will occasionally use length to challenge an audience. Some films, such as Claude Lanzmann’s nine-hour-long Holocaust documentary, gain notoriety because of their runtime, but the length of a film should not be a deterrent for someone from seeing the film. Some of the most successful films of all time far surpass the hour and the thirty-minute mark, and for good reasons too. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather clocks in at two hours and fifty-eight minutes and Victor Fleming’s Gone with the Wind’s running time is three hours and fifty-eight minutes. That being said, a film doesn’t need to be long to be considered a great film. Fans of Toy Story (81 minutes) and The Kid (68 minutes) might agree. With the rise of film adaptations, some will argue that a film must be lengthy if it is to accurately represent the book on which it is based. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was the highest grossing film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it is a staggering four hours and ten minutes long. If a film is good enough, people will watch it no matter the length. It is easy to look down on short Facebook or Instagram videos and deny their right to be considered forms of film. However, this new medium is not necessarily inferior; any new or experimental form of film should be encouraged. Vine first became popular because it offered a new and inventive form of filmmaking. It could be argued that these 60-second skits are the first steps towards ‘real’ filmmaking, i.e. the feature-length film. Basically, anything that encourages young people to make films and be creative is a good thing. Ultimately, films are not too long.
Some will argue that a film must be lengthy if it is to accurately represent the book on which it is based.
Feature films have been hitting the ninety-minute mark since the 1950s and it does not appear to deter audiences. People are capable of enjoying short sketches as well as three-hour long epics. If you can’t sit through a two-hour movie without dozing off or leaving, you’re just watching the wrong film.
Picture Credits: Flickr, Wikimedia
We have all been sitting in a cinema just waiting for a film to end at one time or another. Having paid the hefty admission fee, we refuse to give in to this sunken cost by leaving early. Some films are just too long, there is no escaping the fact. The director may have felt that they needed that extra hour to really explore the characters, but more often than not, there are scenes that take away from the audience’s enjoyment instead of adding to it.
Reputation in Hollywood — Advantage or Pitfall?
OTwo // Film & TV
Emma Kiely ponders the implications reputation can have when it comes to filmmaking. end of the spectrum and the champion of them is undoubtedly Jim Carrey. Dismiss his personal life for a second and just relish his talent. If you’re a 90s baby then you probably grew up quoting his comedies: Ace Ventura, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber (ignoring the sequel). He was one of the very few who dared to continue the dying art of slapstick comedy which almost everyone can reluctantly admit they love every so often. However, in 2004, we saw a completely different side to the actor in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a film considered by many to be a masterpiece. Carrey gives us one of the most real, authentic, and human performances of the decade and in the blink of an eye, he eradicated his ‘comedy only’ typecast.
Pictute Credit: Flickr, Peopledotcom, Wikimedia Roypack
In recent years, filmgoers have been bombarded with celebrity friendship team-ups.
Everyone knows the importance of reputation, just ask Taylor Swift. In Hollywood, we have seen that an actor or director’s reputation can either limit, or maximise their artistry. When a reputable actor or director makes the transition from one genre to another, it can be a pleasant surprise or a shocking disaster. There are plenty of examples of both. The new film everyone is talking about is the latest Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok. With a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 93%, it is the highest rated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. This is arguably because of its direction by New Zealander Taika Wahititi, mostly known as an indie film-maker. Wahititi’s other films include the mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows and the comingof-age comedy-drama Boy. Wahititi was able to defy all the assumptions people have made of him and took on what could be considered one of the most ambitious projects of the year, and did so gloriously. English director Paul Greengrass made a similar transition. He went from making low-budget political dramas
about the Bloody Sunday massacre and the Omagh bombings to making the monumentally successful Bourne series with one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Matt Damon. These examples show that reputations can be successfully defied. However, some aren’t so lucky. Scarlett Johansson is one of the highest-earning actors in the world and rightly so. She is a central character in the MCU and stars in other action-dramas such as Ghost in the Shell and Lucy. You hardly see her with her feet on the ground, she seems to be jumping slowly mid-air all the time. However, this year we saw the release of Rough Night a comedy with some of the best actors in the genre such as Kate McKinnon from Saturday Night Live and Ilana Glazer from Broad City. We got to see Johannson swap her latex for a lighter more comedic role, and it was a mess. With jokes stolen from internet memes, a ridiculous subplot and no wit, I would honestly rather watch Latin Mass. As much as I love her, Scarlett’s attempt at being funny is
as painful to watch as Melania Trump trying to sound intelligent. Sometimes, you really should stick to what you know.
A lot of comedic actors out there have transitioned to the more dramatic end of the spectrum and the champion of them is undoubtedly Jim Carrey.
Now give her that solo film, Marvel! A lot of comedic actors out there have transitioned to the more dramatic
The reputations of actors are the biggest marketing tool used to entice movie-goers. We think that a huge Hollywood star means a great film but there’s been thousands of films that prove this isn’t true. Michael Fassbender recently starred in The Snowman, a murder mystery that several people only went to see for Fassbender, one of the most likeable actors of the moment. However, ten minutes in, audience members could be looking for their money back. The film is painfully slow for the first hour and a half and then shoves an hours’ worth of action into thirty minutes. The audience feels fooled by producers because they dangled a shiny name and you took the bait. In recent years, film-goers have been bombarded with celebrity friendship team-ups. Matt Damon and George Clooney, Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller, and Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg being the obvious examples. Sometimes, film roles can just be a favour given from one friend to another. Most recently, the upcoming George Clooney-directed Suburbicon stars the ill-fitted Matt Damon, which is just lazy casting. Films are part of a business that costs millions of dollars. To just hand your friend the lead role without considering their fit for the film can end catastrophically. Its 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes testifies to this. Reputation in Hollywood can really cloud the judgement of both filmmakers and film-goers. We care more about whether they’ve won an Oscar rather than their actual talent. Taking away the awards, famous names, and likeable reputations, you could be surprised by who you’d rather watch on the big screen.
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OTwo // Interview
Building for a Future in Space
An Interview with Dava Newman & Gui Trotti
The Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole
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OTwo // Interview
Since the dawn of the human race, mankind has looked up at the night sky and wondered ‘what’s out there?’ The ancient Greeks and Romans saw the constellations and wove them into their myths of warring gods. The native Americans’ creation story is based on the movements of the sky. The past few hundred years brought with them the birth of a new age, an age of science and deeper understanding of the cosmos, the universe, and our place in it. With this greater understanding, mankind started to dream of flying from Earth into the unknown, of walking on distant planets, floating amongst the stars
Trotti has possibly the best job title in the world: he is a space architect.
We tend to separate science and imagination into hard facts, and whimsical daydreams, but without the merger of the two, space exploration would never have begun. A certain amount of fantastical thinking is needed to imagine that humans could actually leave planet Earth, a great feat of science and engineering. For Dava Newman and Gui Trotti,
they are continuing mankind’s legacy of dreaming of the heavens, and are at the forefront of discovering new ways to better prepare humans for long-term residency in space. Recently in a talk as part of Space Week in UCD, these two recounted both experiences of their past decades at NASA and hopes for the future of space travel. Newman is a former Deputy Administrator of NASA, and currently the Apollo Program Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems at MIT. Like so many others of her generation, the historic moon landing of 1969 had a profound effect on her. “I was a little girl at the time, and I watched the moon landing [and it] taught me to think big, go to moons and explore.” Newman met her husband, Gui Trotti, when she “convinced him to run the space architecture department” of the International Space University which she was forming at the time. Trotti laughs and says, “she basically hired me.” Trotti has possibly the best job title in the world: he is a space architect. He has designed the new South Pole Research station and has worked on designs for lunar bases and the international space station. From Argentina, Trotti travelled to the USA to “study architecture and ended up landing in Houston in 1969, the year of the moon landing.” Trotti’s
university was roughly “30 miles away from the space centre” so he started visiting the centre “and getting more involved and fascinated by the idea of being able to design and going into space.”
By pushing bodies to the limits in the most extreme conditions on Earth, more understanding can be gained of the perils and potential dangers of life in outer space.
Newman and Trotti work together, and separately, to prepare humans better for life in space and for space travel. Together they have been designing a ‘biosuit,’ a sleek, futuristic looking spacesuit which is designed to keep air pressure consistent across the body. Space
is literally just that: space. Millions and millions of kilometres of empty space, absolute nothingness, not even air. Spacesuits need to be able to provide a coating of air pressure for human bodies. If exposed to the vacuum of space, the fluid within our bodies would almost immediately start to boil. Boiling bodily fluids would prove to be rather a hindrance to anyone attempting space exploration. When we picture astronauts, we imagine the large white, somewhat marshmallow-like spacesuits, the biosuit is the opposite. The design of the biosuit sets it apart from the typical inflatable-style suits, using an elliptical patterning across the fabric to aid the spread and maintenance of air pressure. Their hopes are that the suit will be suited to long journeys through space, and to help protect the body against the adverse effects of microgravity. The couple designed the suit on the adventure of a lifetime which Trotti describes as his “greatest achievement.” Together, they sailed around the world. They would spend weeks bobbing along in the vast oceans of the world thinking about space, and the vastness of the cosmos. It was on this adventure that the idea for the biosuit took hold. After weeks designing and drawing up plans, they pulled into port and submitted the design for a patent, before hopping back on their boat to continue their journey.
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OTwo // Interview
In planning how best to combat the harsh conditions of space, space travel, and eventual living on other planets, researchers use simulations, environments on Earth which mimic conditions in space. Dava describes a project “in Hawaii, climbing around volcanoes, that’s a simulation for Mars… We simulate it, and we get real science out of it” from rovers on the planet. “We go to Antarctica and do the exploration studies,” and by pushing bodies to the limits in the most extreme conditions on Earth, more understanding can be gained of the perils and potential dangers of life in outer space.
The top priority right now is regenerating the Earth. Mars will always be there, but the Earth might not if we don’t take care of it first.
We have been designed for living on Earth. Away from Earth, gravity decreases. Astronauts on the International Space Station live in microgravity. Without the force of Earth’s gravity, bone density and muscle strength decrease. Newman describes studying these problems on Earth. To simulate microgravity, space agencies use aeroplanes to “get [microgravity] for a short time. That’s not a simulation, that’s true microgravity.” To achieve microgravity aeroplanes fly in a parabolic flight path which is essentially flying up and down at 45 degree angles so that they aeroplane flies along the path of an imaginary upside down ‘U.’ At the very top of the hump, the people and objects inside the plan are in free fall, and for those few moments of freefall, that is microgravity. To understand the effects of microgravity on bone deterioration or loss of muscle mass, Newman says “we do bed rest studies” as the periods of microgravity achieved in the aeroplanes “last only for 20 to 30 seconds.” Astronauts can be living in microgravity for months at a time on the International Space Station, and future space travel will take months so there is a clear need to know and understand microgravity to keep astronauts safe and healthy during space exploration. Pushing the boundaries of designing equipment for space is no easy task and Newman says that “as an engineer, [you fail] a lot.” A design might seem like it works “but we try to have a zero-gravity mindset… When we flew on the parabolic flight, we really learned about our design and our instrumentation and it didn’t work. Did you know that screws reverse thread themselves in microgravity? No one ever told me that, that wasn’t in a design reference, and I
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learned it flying on that aeroplane. We had nuts and things flying everywhere!” Newman and Trotti are working extensively on spacesuits, they describe a suit that was being tried out on the International Space Station the day we were speaking, which is designed “not to keep someone alive outside the craft, it’s for when you’re inside. You can put a compression suit on and it looks like a leotard.” The idea is that the suit recompresses the spine and is used in parallel with exercise. “You grow a couple centimeters in space and a lot of people get back pain, so we recompress you.” Upon querying if a trip to outer space would add a few centimeters to a person’s height, Trotti explains “You come back the same shape, all that’s happening is you’re elongating. You’re not really growing.” Furthering the limits of space exploration is however not their only focus; for Newman and Trott, conquering the far reaches of the solar system and beyond is useless if we do not first heal our damaged home planet. In their talk in UCD, Newman speaks about using data collected by NASA to monitor climate change. With impressive graphs and simulations, she shows the scientific evidence that climate change is real, that it is happening now, and that humans are one of its largest contributors. In the current political climate, the voices of science are being drowned out and ignored too often. Newman and Trotti believe that the key to saving the planet lies in education. Newman talks about being a woman in a typically male-dominated field saying that as “a minority, it has been a challenge,” but she stresses the need to make science “open for everyone. We need everyone, it’s about excellence. These are such hard problems to talk about, especially the climate and the Earth, that we need all the brains out there.” Newman was appointed Deputy
Dava Newman demonstrates the biosuit
Administrator of NASA by the Obama administration, and stepped down from her position following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The Trump presidency was “part of what triggered [that decision]. It’s not really about the government anymore, but about putting the power in the people, by really strengthening our voices and creating educated voices.” During the Obama administration “we had more investment in science than ever, that’s the good news. Now it’s in a bit of our own hands.” To fight against climate change, the couple agree that the battle is going to be up to individual states. “We need
Dava Newman and Gui Trotti in UCD for Space Week
people to be proactive on this, and the states are going to be very proactive on this. Despite leadership in Washington, there is a lot of people and there is a lot to do, so we’re not going to slow down.” What do they want to see accomplished in their lifetime? Immediately Newman says “people on mars,” but Trotti wants to see people on the moon “I’d be happy if I could see that again.” Newman is quiet for a moment before saying “the top priority right now is regenerating the Earth.” Trotti agrees: “Mars will always be there, but the Earth might not if we don’t take care of it first.”
OTwo // Music
Music and Politics 2017 On September 5th, PopFront published an article titled ‘Swiftly to the alt-right: Taylor subtly gets the lower case kkk in formation.’ In it, writer Meghan Herning examines how Swift has been embraced as a pop icon by many of the alt-right. Herning highlights lyrics and imagery from Swift’s recent hit ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ as potential symbolic references to white supremacy. On October 25th, Swift’s legal team sent a cease and desist order to Herning. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stepped up to defend Herning’s freedom of speech.
Swift has been frequently cited as a prominent musician who largely stays silent on political issues.
The alleged references to white supremacy in ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ are open to interpretation, and likely most readers would find them rather tenuous. However, the choice to send a cease and desist letter rather than denouncing white supremacy is notable. Swift has been frequently cited as a prominent musician who largely stays silent on political issues. In her article, Herning says that Swift “... needs to state her beliefs out loud for the world – no matter what fan-base she might lose, because in America 2017, silence in the face of injustice means support for the oppressor.” This seems to be a view many other artists have taken.
Tellingly, the day after the inauguration, artists like Cher, Katy Perry, Rihanna, LinManuel Miranda, John Legend, and Halsey were all in attendance at the Women’s March.
In 2016, the world saw many public figures, including major artists and music industry figures, take sides and endorse candidates during the American presidential election. Musicians also addressed prominent issues like police brutality in America, as seen in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, for example. Last year, Swift did not express her support for Hillary Clinton until election day, and even then only cryptically,
prompting speculation about her political stance. In 2017 too, Swift has remained very quiet, giving no interviews and making very few public appearances before the release of Reputation. Her legal victory in her sexual assault case, which preceded the recent Hollywood scandals, is certainly significant, but it is far from the direct and engaged political involvement we have seen from other artists. Right off the bat, many musicians have made their political stances clear on the new president. In January, the Trump administration struggled to recruit artists to perform at the presidential inauguration, eventually booking acts such as 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, and Chrisette Michele. Michele has since expressed regret over her choice to perform. Tellingly, the day after the inauguration, artists like Cher, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Legend, and Halsey were all in attendance, among many others, at the Women’s March, which was largely intended as a protest against President Trump. In late January, as a response to Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ Sia promised to match fans’ donations to the ACLU up to $100,000, in order to support their work for immigrant and LGBT+ rights. Musicians such as Jack Antonoff followed suit with sizeable donations. Grimes did the same for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. International Women’s Day on March 8th, saw the Day Without a Woman strike take place, drawing support from Adele, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Yoko Ono, Christina Perri, and Madonna. In October Eminem’s BET freestyle challenged Trump and renounced some of his own fans, stating that they could not support both him and the president. In the same month Miley Cyrus delivered an emotional thank you to Hillary Clinton on the Tonight Show, calling her “an inspiration and a voice of reason in uncertain times,” thus reasserting her own stance. There has not been much notable support for President Trump among musicians. Kanye West caused controversy late last year when he announced his support for President-elect Trump and met with him “to discuss multicultural issues.” West talked about the meeting in a series of tweets, which he notably deleted in February 2017. This action may have signified West withdrawing, or at the very least questioning his support for Trump; however, he has remained strikingly quiet on the matter this year. Gene Simmons of Kiss had voiced some support for Trump in 2016, although he refused to say publicly whether he would be voting for him. This year, his position has largely been the same, stating in a September interview with SiriusXM: “I don’t care what anyone thinks about it because he was duly elected by the electoral college… that’s just the way it is.” The same month, on The Strombo Show in Canada, he defended some of the president’s remarks and commented that, in Trump, “what you see is what you get. Again however, he seemed reluctant to endorse the president outright. The decision to express a political
Kanye West caused controversy late last year when he announced his support for Presidentelect Trump and met with him “to discuss multicultural issues.”
Photo Credit: media.defense.gov, pixabay
With the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency coming to a close, Ekatherina Gillen takes a look at how musicians have expressed their political views.
opinion remains with the artist. In today’s political climate, it is becoming increasingly hard to justify silence, such as Swift’s, when political uncertainty is rising and voices supporting exclusionist and oppressive policies are growing louder. Any individual, especially one with a significant audience, has the opportunity to change the conversation for the better. Thankfully, plenty of musicians in 2017 have been recognising their place in the fight for change.
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Gig Guide
Modern Classics: Earl Sweatshirt - Doris
LAPALUX 24 NOV – THE SUGAR CLUB Lapalux is an electronic producer whose music has to be experienced to be truly understood. In the past, he has worked with artists such as Bonobo, and is signed to Flying Lotus’ experimental electronic label Brainfeeder. Many of Lapalux’s tracks are inspired by hypnagogia, the state between waking and sleeping, and he explores the depths of consciousness through distorted sound mixed with ambient melody. Tickets €15.
CURTIS HARDING 1 DEC – WHELAN’S Curtis Harding mixes soul with rock and roll, to create an eclectic and undeniably modern sound. Harding spent time working as a backup singer for CeeLo Green, but it is obvious that he was always made for a solo career. His smooth vocals and psychedelic guitar sounds take his audience on a journey back to a time of Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix. Hardings has a charismatic aura which mixes with incredible musicianship. Tickets €17
MARCEL DETTMANN 8 DEC – DISTRICT 8
ANETHA 9 DEC – INDEX Rising star of techno, Anetha, has appeared out of the Parisian underground. Anetha is a DJ/producer who made her debut in 2015 and has since proven herself to be something of a prodigy. Her talented mix up of groovy melodies has made her one of the most interesting new acts to emerge in recent years. She has already played at many top venues around Europe and released the track, ‘Acid Train’ with the label Anagram. Her sound is fluid, her mixes are skilful, her grooves are strong but most importantly, she knows how to work a crowd. Tickets from €12.
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The debut studio album of former Odd Future member, Earl Sweatshirt, may not immediately come to mind in a conversation about classic albums, but it should do. Doris is a release that I would implore every fan of visceral and honest hip-hop to go back and listen to, preferably with a good pair of headphones and an intoxicant of choice.
At times the album feels homemade, and the sense of a bedroom studio contributes to the relatability of the record.
Doris covers a wide range of themes such as family, drugs, youth, and relationships, and does so with eclectic and disjointed brushstrokes. This is an approach that could be risky in less capable hands, however, on this record Earl presents enough musical and lyrical skill, as well as a great supporting cast, to pull off an album that feels both constructed and unpredictable. Prior to this release, Earl had been sent to a correctional school in Samoa
by his mother, who was worried about his drug and behavioural problems. He had lived there, in isolation, just as he had started to blow up at home. Upon his return, nobody knew quite what to expect from the supposedly reformed Earl Sweatshirt. When singles like ‘Chum’ started dropping, it became clear that we were witnessing a dramatic change, and certainly one for the better. Gone were the childish shock-rap lines of Earl. Replacing them were well-crafted works packed with a pantheon of pensive, mature musings. Set alongside them were fun and playful lines, just to remind the listener of the youthful rebellion still in Earl. Doris’ production is a keystone in what sets it apart from its contemporaries. At times the album feels homemade, and the sense of a bedroom studio contributes to the relatability of the record. Percussion is used sparingly and many of the instrumentals are daringly minimalist. One particular example here is ‘Sunday,’ in which Earl and Frank Ocean take the listener through stories of relationships and drug use. An uncomplicated percussion loop is used, and above it are layered simple contrapuntal melodies. In this mix, as is common on Doris, a sense of precarious balance is created, mirroring the themes of impermanence and uncertainty in Earl’s verses. What truly makes Doris a modern classic is simple: it is one of the most unscrupulously authentic pieces of
Percussion is used sparingly and many of the instrumentals are daringly minimalist.
music you will ever hear. It is an unfiltered peek into the diary of the artist. Not once does the album feel like it is trying to be commercial or manipulative; rather it has the purest intentions of art in its creation. On wax these intentions translate to something dark, moving, and endlessly fascinating.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
A resident DJ at Berlin’s most prestigious club, Berghain, Marcel Dettmann has been described by the website Resident Advisor as “one of the most influential proponents of contemporary techno.” A veteran of some twenty years, Dettmann is one of the longest standing techno DJs out there, and has rightfully earned a place at the top. He plays old school industrial techno with the use of trance elements. Quick and smooth transitions, and intriguing vocal samples, allow his sets to remain fresh. His shows inspire thoughts and emotions of a transcendental nature, so that even non-techno lovers can enjoy the ingenuity on offer. Tickets from €18.
OTwo // Music
Radar: Loah Loah, or Sallay Matu Garnett as she is known to her friends, is a bubbly and down-to-earth musician with a unique heritage and appeal. This purple dread-rocking artist has struggled to label her particular brand of music. In the end, she invented a term,“ArtSoul”, she calls it. “It’s not strictly soul, but it’s not folk, it’s not rock, it’s somewhere in the middle.” She says that she has been heavily influenced by Erykah Badu and Björk, among others.
It’s not strictly soul, but it’s not folk, it’s not rock, it’s somewhere in the middle. Loah grew up in Maynooth to Irish-Sierra Leonean parents, and her African influence is irrepressible: “Even when I try not to put it into my music it just comes through.” This is despite her “grumpy” resistance to moving aged 12, first to the Gambia, and later to Sierra
Leone. “I felt really robbed of getting to start secondary school with all my mates,” she says. Today, Loah readily admits to acting like a “broody teenager” and finds herself going back to African music “with crazed affection.” She says: “It has this really powerful nostalgic and homelike quality.” Loah learned both violin and piano, and her classical education is another big influence. “It made my songs dramatic,” Loah explains, “I have big choruses in my songs, in an almost symphonic, orchestral way.” She likens herself to other female artists who use these techniques, such as Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush. Loah frequently writes with other musicians, and says she loves to do so: “I’m very good at creating nuggets of ideas, but it takes me a long time to finish things.” Perhaps her most famous collaboration is Hozier’s ‘Someone New,’ which she co-wrote. Loah says: “Left to me that song would have been very different, longer and more complicated. He made it into a really perfect little pop song - I would have taken it into the cosmos!” We lose ourselves in discussions of chilli sauce and Rihanna’s merits as a singalong artist. When I eventually ask
Photo Credit: Valentina Alvarez
Following the summer release of debut EP This Heart, Loah sits down with Rory Clarke to discuss all things musical and chilli sauce-related.
I have big choruses in my songs, in an almost symphonic, orchestral way.
about her stage name, Loah’s face lights up. “Loa is the name of these energies in Haitian Vodou. I googled it by adding a ‘h’ and it turned out to be a female name in Kabalarian – which I don’t subscribe to – for a musician.” She ends, with clear satisfaction “I was like, ‘I’ll be having that!’” Loah tours Ireland from 30 November. She plays BelloBar, Dublin on 7 December.
Do-Re-Mi: The enduring popularity of comedy music In 1998, flatmates Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement formed Flight of the Conchords while studying in Wellington, New Zealand. From there, the two would go on to create a successful radio and television series of the same name, picking up ten Emmy nominations for their efforts in 2008 and 2009.
Comedy music presents standup in a concise three-minute package.
The duo moved away from parodies of specific chart hits, as was the style of “Weird Al” Yankovic, to composing original songs that poked fun at a variety of themes covered in pop culture. Arguably, they are responsible for revitalising the comedy music genre. The success of comedy music continued as acts like the Lonely Island and Tim Minchin cracked up hundreds of millions of views on their YouTube videos in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Another prominent example within the genre is Bo Burnham. His 2013 song ‘Repeat Stuff,’ for example, offers a critique on how corporate management
pushes songwriters to come up with the same four-chords songs, with the same feel-good meaning, simply for profit. While somewhat divisive as a musician, Burnham has enjoyed significant commercial success, with multiple tours in the UK and USA. This year meme-turned-smash hit ‘Man’s Not Hot’ made an instant star of comedian Michael Dapaah. Flight of the Conchords’ upcoming March show in the 3Arena sold out in minutes. It’s clear that there is a high demand for this genre of music, but why so much? Comedy music presents stand-up in a concise three-minute package. Essentially, it provides listeners with the ability to relive the experience of hearing a joke for the first time, by setting it to a memorable melody. As the subject matter can take on any aspect of pop culture, comedy music’s target demographic is seemingly limitless. The TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, starring Rachel Bloom, is filled with musical comedy. The series both parodies and pays homage to tropes found in musicals, with its big ensemble numbers and character-driven ballads. ‘Settle for Me,’ for example, pays homage to old Hollywood cinema and the chemistry between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Swing Time, while at the same time mocking the predictability of the
Picture Credit: Blogspot
Dylan O’Neill looks at the prominence of comedy music and asks why it is so successful.
leading couple falling in love. The show has the ability to reintroduce the themes of Golden Age cinema and musicals to a younger audience, in a fresh upbeat way. Much of the appeal comes from the sense of being ‘in’ on the jokes, as the series’ winking looks at clichés feel both intelligent and familiar.
Whatever the reasons, the comedy music genre has grown from strength to strength. It looks as though its popularity will continue to increase, as it reaches ever wider audiences.
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Photo Credits: Wikimedia
Album Reviews
Taylor Swift
Reputation
Yung Lean
Stranger
21 Savage / Offset / Metro Boomin
Without Warning
Love her or hate her, it can’t be denied that Taylor Swift knows how to market herself and how to use the media to her advantage. The release of her highly anticipated sixth album is no exception. As a follow-up to the hugely successful 1989, Swift uses Reputation to debut her new image and edgier sound, a response to negative media portrayals and her infamous public spats with certain other celebrities. The album has a strong opening. Swift is largely successful in presenting her new sound, mixing hiphop and R&B influences with her usual guitar ballads and catchy pop. In particular, ‘…Ready for It?’ and ‘I Did Something Bad’ stand out as divergent from the music she has produced in the past. The use of heavy bass and drum beats in these tracks adds an interesting blend of attitude and ferocity to Swift’s typically catchy tunes and lyrics. The lead single ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ similarly portrays this harder image of Swift, as it claps back at her critics and haters. Another highlight, ‘End Game,’ sees Swift collaborate with Ed Sheeran and Future, creating a great mix of rap and soulful melodies. However, the second half of the album fails to keep up this momentum and dissolves into much of what we’ve come to expect from a Taylor Swift album. Pop ballads and dance tracks tepidly follow the highs and lows of love and relationships. While Swift has perfectly captured almost every aspect of these themes previously, unfortunately it seems she has now reached her limit for the number of ways you can say you’re in love, or totally over someone.
Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, better known as Yung Lean, is something of a mystery. Breaking onto the rap scene in 2013 with slurred vocals, charmingly ridiculous content, and top-level production, he has evolved from exaggerated self-parody to the unabashed baring of his soul. Stranger melds the quirkiness of debut mixtape Unknown Death 2002 with uncharacteristically introspective lyrics, without losing Lean’s refreshingly unique style. Lean doesn’t disappoint when it comes to rapping about his favourite subjects: drugs, women, and money on ‘Iceman’ and ‘Skimask.’ In the past, it may have seemed ironic that Lean, a member of the Sad Boys collective, rarely makes truly emotional music, but on Stranger, he takes some time to reflect. ‘Agony’ presents us with one of his best songs to date. A stripped-back piano melody, a half-mumbled musing: ‘‘When I’m afraid I lose my mind / It’s fine, it happens all the time.” The incorporation of a children’s choir on this track adds to the creation of something beautiful. Lean’s production team, comprised of Whitearmor, Yung Gud, and Yung Sherman, show a musical evolution that is just as notable as Lean’s himself. ‘Yellowman’ is another standout offering for its fantastic production. The track is underscored by bass, synth and a nagging snare, while the use of a siren is a pleasing callback to ‘Hoover,’ from Lean’s 2016 album Warlord. Lean seems comfortable in his sound, and everything on Stranger suggests that he has found his niche.
Without Warning is an unexpected collaborative project from Atlanta rappers 21 Savage and Offset (of Migos fame), and producer Metro Boomin. The album dropped on Halloween, and the holiday serves as its major theme. Without Warning maintains a dark and eerie feel right from the beginning, brought to life through Metro’s unsettling shrieks, shouts, and cutting winds mixed into the music. Horror references abound, such as in Offset’s namedrop on the hook to ‘Nightmare:’ “Freddy Krueger, give ‘em a nightmare.” Both rappers have a history with Metro Boomin. He is 21’s go-to producer, and they previously released the collaborative EP Savage Mode. Metro’s most notable work with Offset is on Migos’ mega-hit ‘Bad and Boujee.’ Though an unusual seeming pairing, 21 and Offset have also previously worked together, on tracks by Mike WiLL Made-It and DJ Khaled. On Without Warning, the vocalists complement each other, each providing what the other lacks: to balance 21’s chilling monotone and direct lyrics, we are offered Offset’s energetic and amplified rhymes. 21 relishes solo tracks such as ‘Run Up the Racks’ while Offset shines on ‘Ric Flair Drip’ and ‘Nightmare.’ These are refreshing moments allowing the individuals to display their unique flair and help the album to flow. The highlight of the 33-minute record is opener ‘Ghostface Killers,’ featuring Travis Scott. With the WuTang references and 21 boasts that he is as powerful as Kim Jong-un, this is a track not to be missed.
In a nutshell: Reputation starts out strong with a new R&B-infused sound but struggles to maintain the edgier themes throughout.
In a nutshell: An excellently produced album that is a treat for long-term fans, while remaining accessible to the uninitiated.
In a nutshell: Dark, ghostly, thrilling, Without Warning creates a vivid atmosphere through its lyrical allegory and thundering bass.
Reviewed by Rebecca Cryan
Reviewed by Matthew Derwin
Reviewed by Rose Doherty
What are you listening to? Musical Society Darragh McArdle (OCM) - Listen to your Mama by Pierce Fulton Taylor Fewer (Vocal Group Director) - Shaded In by Filous (feat. Jordan Léser) Rachel Murphy (OCM) - Big Picture by London Grammar Caoilfhionn Ní Dhulaing (Inclusion Officer) - Way Back When by Kodaline Andrew Lambert (OCM) - Professor Layton’s Theme, from Professor Layton and the Curious Village Taylor Fewer (Vocal Group Director) - Ring-A-Ring O’Roses by Charlotte Gainsbourg 20
OTwo // Food
Coffee On Campus Aurora Andrus finds out where the best coffee is on campus.
If you’re just drinking coffee for the caffeine then go to the SU shop because it’s the cheapest.
Information Science student, Sarah Pender, said that the Pi Restaurant, in the science building is the best. “They do a pretty decent mocha, it’s like a hot chocolate with coffee, it’s so good and so cheap.” Pi received decent praise amongst students for the quality and price of their coffee. Student, James Skelton, a coffee connoisseur, had a bit to say about the
coffee on campus. “The Arts cafe is the worst, but they do have a lot of tea if you like tea. If you’re just drinking coffee for the caffeine then go to the SU shop because it’s the cheapest.” While the SU shops do probably provide the cheapest coffee on campus, the queues can be tediously long, especially at peak hours of the day. However, the coffee is from a self-service machine which does allow for a somewhat speedy coffee break at the right time. As for the Arts cafe, there are hardly ever tables available and the coffee is too expensive for such poor quality. There are several other coffee spots that are valid contenders. The Costa Coffee in the Law building has its perks. It’s a little further away, but generally you can snag a seat and have a decent cup of coffee. Costa Coffee can also be bought in Reader’s beneath the library building. English student, Rebecca Quinn, recommends the new kiosk in the Newman building, “The kiosk in Newman is the best, it just tastes better. I think it’s better quality. They also take card now which is great. There’s sometimes a queue but they get to you relatively quickly.” Recent graduate Ruth recommends Starbucks in the Quinn building as the only place on campus to get a
frappuccino. “A creamy, cold drink that doesn’t taste much like coffee,” perfect for those who crave the caffeine without the coffee flavour. When it comes to coffee, it’s really up to the tastebuds and time of the drinker. For price, head over to your nearest SU shop, but leave a little time to queue during the busy hours. If you like a fancier cup of coffee then Pi is for you. The Newman kiosk seems to tick a lot boxes, the price is great, coffee is good and the queue moves quicker than others.
Picture Credit: Mark Coyle
The time for final essays and exam studying is quickly approaching. That means that countless students will be relying on coffee to get them through the impending all-nighters. UCD has many places to feed the caffeine-cravers, but which one is best? I took to the cafés and asked students where they thought had the best coffee in terms of taste, price, and wait time.
Dublin is Winging It Clara Brannigan finds out who has the best chicken wings in Dublin. There’s not much in life than can beat having a steaming bowl of chicken wings in front of you. In the last few years, chicken wings have definitely become a growing trend. They now feature as a main dish on many restaurant menus. With blogs and Instagram accounts purely dedicated to wings, the obsession is only building.
Elephant & Castle, always dependable, set the bar high with their American style buffalo wings.
The competition for claiming the title of ‘best wings’ is encouraging restaurants to come out with more inventive flavours. Irish meat-eaters are constantly on the hunt for the best chicken wings and there are a few Dublin restaurants in the running. The cult names are Elephant & Castle, Blue Bar, and Tribeca. Elephant & Castle, always dependable, set the bar high with their American style buffalo wings. The wings are marvelous, but the location is even better: right in the heart of Temple Bar. Tribeca, the sister-restaurant to
Canal Bank in Ranelagh, has had its name mentioned multiple times and for good reason. When you look around the restaurant you’d swear there was nothing else on the menu at all, everyone is eating their famous wings. Blue Bar usually comes out on top. The beautiful location, looking out over the quaint Skerries Harbour, is hard to beat. Combine that with their secret wing recipe, and Blue Bar becomes a top contender. There are a few other restaurants new to the game that are serving wings and gaining popularity quickly. Crackbird has innovative flavours, like ‘soy fried’ and ‘habanero and honey.’ Wishbone, on Montague St, opened last year and has made a splash. As they specialize in wings, they have created
some interesting flavours, like salted toffee apple and spiced orange. Don’t be skeptical, they are delicious. Each of these restaurants are certainly worthy contenders, but the winner may come as shock. Located not too far from the UCD campus, Kielys of Donnybrook is the real winner. The wings are called the Kielys Kilo. Yes, a kilo of wings, is there anything better in this world? Their unique honey sesame wings sauce is outstanding: aromatic, sweet, and tangy.
The chicken is succulent and crispy on the outside. The staff are lovely too, a bustling rugby dwellers pub with great drink selections. At €15, the price seems slightly above average but when you see the portion you know you’re getting value for money. They also come with fries. It’s an absolute feast, big enough for two, but too good to share. Nothing like beating the mid-week hump with Wings Wednesday in Kielys.
When you look around the restaurant you’d swear there was nothing else on the menu at all, everyone is eating their famous wings.
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OTwo // Fashion
A Contemporary Christmas Light up the party season with these festive fashion picks.
Photographer: Alex Fagan Stylist: Shane Cullen Models: Mauricia Goldup, Megan Doyle
Clothing kindly sponsored by: Siopaella, 8A Crow Street, Dublin 2.
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OTwo // Fashion
Bye Bye Burberry Bébhinn Campbell reflects on Christopher Bailey’s departure from Burberry after 17 years.
Using the rising obsession with social media to his advantage, Bailey revolutionised the relationship between fashion and the internet.
The turn of the century marked a new chapter for Burberry. In 2001 Bailey entered the scene as creative director, a decision that would raise Burberry to
a global scale. Some might wince at the idea of taking the classic trench coat and reimagining it in vinyl, but Bailey did just that in 2004 with a view to bring Burberry into the 21st century. Three years later, he sent a crocodile-effect version down the Autumn/Winter catwalk. 2010 saw the silhouette double in size, padded out with shearling and faux fur. Bailey successfully steered the company towards a more current direction. Thinking beyond just designs, he consistently embraced the technological advances of the past decade. In 2008 the label’s catwalk shows were streamed live for the first time, an idea that inspired countless designers to later follow suit. Using the rising obsession with social media to his advantage, Bailey revolutionized the relationship between fashion and the Internet with his Twitter “click-tobuy” innovation. The designer came to Burberry with not just a fresh perspective, but also a myriad of celebrities. Credited with linking the some of the world’s best-loved stars to the Burberry name, he joined forces with the likes of Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne to produce numerous iconic campaigns. In 2014, he achieved the impossible by making the poncho cool again. The former fashion no-no became an automatic must-have after being seen on Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker.
What happens next for Burberry? Former CEO of Céline, Marco Gobbetti, takes over the reins. Bailey will be staying on as president until March 2018. After a few difficult years, he is confident that Burberry will continue to grow and progress in its leading role in British fashion. Gobbetti has announced plans to further
embed Burberry within the luxury market. He envisions the brand moving upwards still, reaching heights occupied by labels like Gucci and Dior. It can only be imagined what exciting variations of the Burberry trench coat lie ahead.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Dosdldyhai
The trench coat is to Burberry what handbags are to Chanel. The signature check-print lining has captured the hearts of fashion devotees since its debut in 1912. Burberry’s significance extends further than its most celebrated piece, which today is just one contribution to its enduring legacy as the epitome of luxury British fashion. Now, the label must brace itself for the entry into a new era with the departure of CEO and creative heart of the company, Christopher Bailey.
Turning Heads in Tbilisi Clara Brannigan discusses how Tbilisi is firmly becoming a fashionista haven. capital of this part of the world,” she told website Observer. Irakli Rusadze’s label “Situationist,” gained significantly more attention this year. Last year on his Spring 2017 show, a Georgian flag print on a corset piece caught the eye of many attendees and social media followers. Bella Hadid has shown her seal of approval, after being spotted wearing a leather coat from the collection four times so far.
The city was packed with street style photographers, capturing the statement pieces worn by Tbilisi citizens.
Gvasalia has proved he isn’t the only fashion talent from the area, with new designers coming forward to make a name for themselves. This autumn showcased
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Photo Credit: Flickr Zirruss
Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, may not be the first place we think of when it comes to high fashion, but this is rapidly changing. Attention has honed in on the capital for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) this autumn. Demna Gvasalia breathed life into the Georgian fashion industry when he co-founded his vetements fashion collection in 2012, turning the media’s attention to Tbilisi. Gvasalia is the current creative director of Balenciago, shining brightly over the Georgian fashion industry. He rebranded Eastern bloc fashion as cool and fresh, capturing the hearts of fashion’s avant-garde elites.
the Spring 2018 collection and nearly 50 brands were featured. A womenswear label by Tamara Kopalianis kicked off the fashion week. The brand takes inspiration from a colorful ceremonial mosaic located on a wall in the early soviet era institution. Damian Gola, a new designer to the scene showcased a retro range for men and women, making a statement by dressing the male models in leather skirts paired with disco ball purses. This is believed to be a stab at Georgia’s lack
of acceptance of LGBT+ rights. This year drew interest from international editors, buyers’ influencers and fashion lovers. The city was packed with street style photographers, capturing statement pieces worn by Tbilisi citizens. Georgia’s Fashion Week looks set to become more credible than other MBFW’s in Russia and Ukraine, credited to their experimental designers. The founder of the MBFW Sofia Tchkonia is confident that Georgia could be “the next fashion
The fashion world will have their eyes peeled as Tbilisi is the new capital to watch.
This is only the beginning for Georgia’s fashion industry and its talented circle of designers. The fashion world will have their eyes peeled as Tbilisi is the new capital to watch. Since Georgia has broken free of the Soviet Union, it has begun to reinvent and express itself through fashion. Georgia now makes headlines for a different reason: its fashion industry.
OTwo // Fashion
The Humble Aboah Shane Cullen discusses how Adwoa Aboah is this year’s most exciting force in fashion. Adwoa Aboah may not be a name that immediately springs to mind when drawing up a list of catwalk features, but by the end of this year that looks set to change. British model and activist Aboah has just signed a partnership deal to become the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty. At just 25, Aboah is on her way to paint the town red, with lipstick. Marc Jacobs and Aboah are more than first-time acquaintances, sharing a relationship that began when Jacobs gave Aboah her first ever New York Fashion Week show. Aboah will now be at the forefront of Jacobs’ campaigns for “Le Marc,” a lip crayon. It launches next month and aims to achieve an easier application of colour. The Marc Jacobs Beauty team also features famous faces including Winona Ryder and Kaya Gerber. When she’s not gracing the catwalks, Aboah is a busy force in feminist activism. Now running its second year, Aboah is the founder of a platform called “Gurls Talk,” an online space dedicated to young women and men expressing their voices on a variety of life topics such as mental health. What started off as an Instagram account for sharing stories has now expanded into a brand,
and a festival that took place in July of this year. “Gurls Talk” was prompted by Aboah’s personal life, as she shared stories of her own struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues. As Vogue celebrates its first issue with newly-appointed editor Edward Enninful, Aboah reaches a new peak in her career as she makes a bold presence on December’s front cover. Speaking to Enninful in the latest issue, Aboah talks about becoming a recognisable figure: “There is newfound love and space for activism within fashion,” she tells Enninful. “I never would have dreamt in a million years that I would have young girls coming up to me and telling me how much Gurls Talk or seeing my picture in a magazine means to them.” Whether it’s working on New York Fashion Week, being an activist, or being a cover girl for Vogue, Aboah has her sights firmly set on success. Using her rising status to promote discussion on issues for young women and men is what sets Aboah apart from her peers. As the fashion world begins to build hype for 2018, Adwoa Aboah will be the one to wear the crown.
Whether it’s working on New York Fashion Week or being a cover girl for Vogue, Aboah has her sights firmly set on success.
Pictute Credit: Kato, Flickr
Campus Chic Name: Rachel Course: History (1st year) Favourite Part: "The pants"
Name: Patrick Course: Cultural Policy & Arts Management, MA Favourite Part: "My scarf "
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OTwo // Travel
Andalusia The Southern region of Andalusia is not just home to Costa del Sol as Conor Capplis explores.
Costa del Sol is widely known as a great getaway in the sun, synonymous with cheap booze, quick tans, and lots of craic with the lads. However, the rest of Spain’s Andalusian region has even more to offer.
The architecture is a very unique blend of Christian and Muslim styles, which gave birth to the beautiful buildings we see today.
Andalusia, a large agricultural region in the south of Spain, has a long and rich history. A combination of the traditional Spanish way of life and a Muslim influence are still present in their customs and traditions. The main cities to see in Andalusia, Córdoba, Seville, Granada, and Málaga, serve as a hub for activities for every kind of tourist. A cheap hostel is not hard to come by, depending on the time of year. Alternatively, a fancy hotel in an old, carefully-sculpted building is just as easy to find. So, don’t worry too much about paying a fortune for a room, unless you want to stay somewhere a little fancier. The architecture is a unique blend of Christian and Muslim styles, which gives birth to the beautiful buildings we see today. Much of the region is dominated by modern buildings for industrial,
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residential, or commercial purposes. However, the cities still retain some hidden gems that serve as a beautiful sight for tourists who wish to venture from the comfort of their sunbeds and explore the real Spain. The local people are proud of their identity and heritage, keeping in touch with traditions and celebrating what it means to be Spanish. With Seville being the home of flamenco dancing, one can see passionate and talented dancers, day or night, throughout the city. Dancing is an important form of expression for the Spanish people, and the passionate music mixed with a mad atmosphere in a bar can make Andalusian music one of the most exciting things to see while in Seville. The cultural nightlife doesn’t just stop with song and dance. Going for tapas is one of the most important things for a tourist to do while visiting Andalusia, to truly immerse themselves in the treats Spain has to offer. Many locals enjoy eating in restaurants late at night, sharing possibly 8 to 12 separate small dishes amongst friends. It’s a very social way to eat and have fun, all in the warm evening Spanish air. I would definitely recommend going for tapas in any restaurant that is packed with locals, just so you know it’s genuinely good food. Whether it is the centre of Córdoba or the edge of the coastal town of Benalmadena, the food in Andalusia will blow you away. The region is famed for its seafood with various dishes going back hundreds of years, but even if you’re not a fan of seafood there are plenty of other options. The local cuisine has many famous dishes such as Tortillas con Patatas, which we know as the Spanish omelette, or Paella, a rice based dish commonly
served with chicken or fish. You can also find several other more popular dishes from elsewhere in Spain such as Gazpacho, a cold soup dish, and Patatas Bravas – basically some fancy Spanish spuds! If you’re not a fan of the country’s own specialities, the locals are quite used to having tourists around, so most restaurants generally accommodate other cuisines.
Going for ‘tapas’ is one of the most important things a tourist needs to do while visiting Andalucia.
In the cities, many sights and attractions are within easy walking distance. Walking through the streets of Córdoba is a pleasure, passing small stalls with handmade goods and fresh produce. Between the cities and across the region, Andalusia is dominated by lots of fields. If you want to do some traveling, the Andalusian countryside can provide some of the best views on your trip. Endless fields of olive trees paint a picturesque image everywhere you look. Whatever you decide to do in Andalusia, whether you wish to have cheap drinks with your mates on the coast or visit the various old cities with a rich culture; just make sure to have a bitta craic and represent Ireland well, yeah? Photo Credit: Conor Cappils
OTwo // Fatal Fourway
Fatal Fourway
Snow Memories
Aoife Hardesty
Gavin Tracey
Picture Credits: Mark Coyle
Adam Lawler
Ruth Murphy
My life began in Minnesota, one of the lesser-known states of the USA, where it can snow from October straight through to April. The events in my story took place at such a young age that I do not actually remember the events, but it was the first of my many great adventures. I was a winter baby, born in early January in the freezing cold. I was kept wrapped in multiple blankets at a time, and the doctors warned my mother not to bring me outside until March. And so it was. I remained indoors, safe from the mountains of snow, which could pile up to be five feet deep. Eventually, the temperatures warmed, although snow did continue to fall, and I had my first mommy-daughter outing to see Little Women in the cinema. Wrapped up snug as a bug I was bundled into the car, bundled into the cinema, and back into the car to go home. Our car never made it home. It broke down. Which meant we were stranded, on the side of the road, with no way of keeping a two-month-old baby heated. Luckily for us, the cops came along, and the sheriff took little baby Aoife into custody in his car. He brought us home, the car was somehow magically repaired, and I had had my first adventure in a police car.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a particular fondness for cigarettes, mainly in the form of the rollie. To trace this love of nicotine back to its source, you must take yourself back to the early months of 2014, when record snowstorms fell across the country. I was 16, in my younger and more vulnerable years, and was out late one evening with a friend. He had just suffered a rather embarrassing and emotionally debilitating rejection, and was in a state of veritable heartbreak. The snow was heavy on the ground, and being the good friend I am, I searched for ways in which to cheer him up. I landed, for some reason, on smoking as a great way of dealing with sadness. I pictured us as James Dean type figures, leaning against lampposts and turning up our collars to the wind, cigarettes dangling from the corners of our mouths, pining for an innocence we believed we had lost. The reality however, consisted of us standing behind a large electrical box, coughing and spluttering at the acrid smoke we were inhaling from cigarettes stolen from my father. The snow fell heavier, and the church bells tolled midnight. In more ways than one, a beautiful friendship was born.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. There was a thick layer of snow on the ground for the first time in years, and this brought out the worst in everyone on my estate. Snowball fights weren’t fun, they were war. They were snow jokes, they made or broken friendships and could cause two former besties to give each other the cold shoulder for about a year afterwards. Everyone thought they were great craic until they got one in the face, which just proves what the Inuits say: you can’t have your kayak and heat it too. One teen compacted a snowball until it was as dense as a brick. He threw it at my sister’s face thinking he could get away with it. She was crying out in pain, not very ice of him at all. I was piste. When he saw that I had seen this go down, he froze, and let’s just say I got a talking to from his mam for the blue language that hailed down upon him. To prevent the slippery slope of snowball wars, please remember that with great powder comes great responsibility.
While on exchange in Toronto, I joined the University of Toronto Outing Club. The club is luckily not about outing closeted gays but about going on trips. Just before my birthday they were going on a weekend trip to their cabin in the woods, so I got into a car with strangers and we drove into the Ontario woods. In the woods we went hiking, eventually ending up on a tall cliff. From beneath us red, orange, and yellow trees stretched as far as the eye could see. I did not know how beautiful Autumn could be before I went to Canada. It was breath-taking. We came back to our cabin with no electricity or running water, and sat by the fire, sharing stories. Afterwards, we went outside and found some dry logs to make a fire and roast marshmallows. When the clock struck 12 and my birthday began I was offered beers and song. Toronto didn’t feel so lonely anymore. When we woke up, the beautiful reds and oranges that had surrounded us were covered by one foot of snow. It was my first experience of Canadian snow which is not slush but rolls easily to make snowmen and soft snowballs. We spent the morning exploring our now changed surroundings. I slipped a few times but luckily snow is soft. When we eventually returned to the city, there was no snow. It seemed the magic was contained on that trip.
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APERTURE My Favourite Thing About Winter
Camille Lombard
Joanne Olivia Solid Water
Phoebe Ireland The Nutcracker
Mark Coyle Decorations and the Tree
Joanna O’Malley
Ruth Murphy