Aesthetics Now Vol 2

July 2010 Vol.2

EXPERIENCE
ORGANISED K-OS

DAVID JON
KASSAN
A DEEPER REALITY

PLUS
ANIKIKO
NANAMI COWDROY
STANLEY STREET STATION
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL
AESTHETICSNOW.COM FILM FESTIVAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

L
et me first commend and congratulate you on the your very insightful
and informative first issue! The content was truly aesthetically pleasing,
and the work showcased was of the highest standard.

I must however single out the feature on the young Jamaican artist Taj
Francis, which singlehandedly pointed out to the reader everything good,
and bad, related to the arts and indeed our society. Francis' work is simply
extraordinary, and demonstrates what can become of the talent hidden
within the suppressed minds of Jamaica's youth, if only harnessed. His
formal training at the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing
Arts is undoubtedly instrumental in the actualization of his full potential,
potential stifled in others with his abilities by socialization and the inculcation
of academic excellence before all else.

It is quite counterintuitive to foster to such an extent the virtues of traditional
education in a country rich with talent in the arts. World renown music, dance
and contemporary art are apparently not enough to coerce a paradigm
shift towards a greater emphasis on the arts, rather than the assembly line
that is our primary and secondary education system. Matriculation into
our universities is not the end-all to a life of schooling, wake up!

Ryan Smith

W
here do I begin? From the time I saw the cover I had hopes that this magazine would have the potential to
really inspire me in a creative way... and it did! Each artist featured shows a really interesting style and
it’s nice to see artists of different mediums put together in one magazine.

I really like the Film Festival feature and how it explains the progress of film over the years. I am so used to reading
really short reviews on film or music festivals so to see an actual article which really delves into the details of the
concept of the event is fantastic. Good work Dungog on the success of the festival and good work Aesthetics
Now for making international artists like me aware of what is going on in different parts of the world. I really appreciate
having the opportunity to be exposed to this and think it is definitely a very important aspect in assisting nations
in developing creatively on a whole.

Lucia Gonzalez

VOLUME 1 IS A-MAZ-ING!
I enjoyed reading this so much!

I took particular notice of Protoje and his fantastic feature. His
music really manages to strike a chord in making me feel emotion
Lucia Gonzalez
for Jamaica and wanting to visit there to experience the way it’s
described through his lyrics. He sounds like such an encouraging
young artist who is dedicated to making a change within his
society through encouraging the youth. It’s so nice to see that
happening in today’s world where so many people are consumed
by materialistic things, so witnessing the love that this young artist
has for the place his roots are firmly embedded in is so amazing.

I wish you every success with the development of the magazine
and will be eagerly waiting each month to see what new artistic
talent is featured. Congratulations with such an achievement; I
would definitely buy this magazine if I saw it on a newsstand!

Samantha Hatch

Thankyou! I think that one word completely sums up the appreciation I have for a magazine of this calibre.

Good luck with every coming issue. I can’t wait!

Sarah Brown

I read your mag and loved it. The visual art was awesome. Great job.

Caty Schildmeyer

ALL READERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WRITE TO US.
HAVE YOUR WORDS PUBLISHED BY SENDING YOUR EMAILS TO
letters@aestheticsnow.com

THIS IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT AESTHETICS NOW...

Aesthetics Now is a magazine of the new era that explains culture in the upmost fashion. Aesthetics Now keeps you
informed on today’s emerging artists in all genres, and to me this is so important simply because I truly believe the arts
help shape our world, our society and our cultures. So basically Aesthetics Now is going to play a huge role in shaping
culture ...bottom line....let alone help shape my culture.

STAY PROPER
STAY FRESH
Chor Boogie

FIRSTLY, A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCH A
SUCCESSFUL FIRST ISSUE!

I really enjoyed reading the magazine and felt a sense of disappointment
when I got to the last page because I wanted to see more!

I was particularly drawn to Che Kothari’s article and work. His photography is
absolutely stunning and captures the depth in his message, not to mention
an interview of words that left me feeling that I could sit in a room listening to
him talk all day and leave knowing that a lot of what he has to say would
leave a motivational impression on me.

Cannot wait to for each 1st of the month to roll around to read each new
issue... I feel like I have huge expectations of this magazine and Aesthetics
Now will pull through and even exceed them.

Raylene Thompson

Aesthetics Now arts magazine... absolutely awesome! Browsing online at work has just become so much fun!

Don’t ever stop... change can definitely be made through the arts. Thankyou

Kaiona Feni

CONTENTS JULY 2010 VOL.2

A DEEPER REALITY
Take a journey through the amazing work of David Kassan. Be sure to do more than just
glance over his portraits, look in thier eyes and see their longtales

PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIAL
Ever wanted to capture water in one of it’s most amazing forms? Here’s our guide to
creating beautiful photography through the help of some simple tricks.

SYSTEMIZED DISARRAY
The work is busy, it’s messy, it’s smudgy, some might even findit confusing. Yet, when
complete, the work of Nanami Cowdroy still shines in equisite detail

Step off the platform and venture into an artistic playground where art meets knowledge,
knowledge meets music and music meets delictable treats totantalise the tastebuds.

IF THEY COULD TWEET
When in doubt, ask yourself... What would DaVinci Tweet ?

www.aestheticsnow.com

ANIKIKO
On her way to musical stardom, the strong yet seductive tones of singer/songwriter
Anikiko will have your ears begging for her sounds to linger on through the air.

ORGANISED K-OS
Canadian hip-hop artiste K-os is no rookie to this industry. In this exclusive, we discuss
his life, his inspirations, and what’sto come.

BOOKMAN REVIEW
Magic of Reason , a fantastic series of novels that will open your eyes to greater dimensions

POETRY IN MOTION
Love, lust, passion. This is where poetry and the visual arts combine for their own
interpretation of the others creations

TOP 5 CULT FILMS OF THE LAST 10 YEARS
A toast to the ones that may not be number 1 at the Box Office, but resides at the top
of out film loving hearts

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Insight into the event and films that will be showcased in the heart of Australia
this July

VISIONARY SQUAD
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Editor in Chief
Neville Ewers
Managing Editor
Simone Colosi
Copy Editor
Ryan Smith
Art Director
Neville Ewers

CONTRIBUTORS
Andre Hall
Dutty Bookman
Allison Charmaine
Tasha Williams
Joao Encarnacao
Deidrean Williams

Email
info@aestheticsnow.com

Website
www.aestheticsnow.com

Copyright © 2010.
All rights reserved.
Material in this publication may not be repro-
duced in any form without permission. Requests
for permission should be made to
info@aestheticsnow.com

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L IM IT E D T IM

“Pray that your loneliness may spur
you into finding something to live
for, great enough to die for.”
-Dag Hammarskjold

Photo Credit: ScallopHolden.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scallop_holden/

DAVID JON SSAN

“Realism to me is the same intensity of looking into
one’s soul. His paintings stir
By creating life size portraits,
David begins the long yet inspiring
capturing truth in emotion and have the viewer task of beginning to paint. His
what we see”. wanting to get to know the
person; touch them, talk to them,
canvas is stocked with numerous
colours as he combines them to
gaze into their eyes and understand perfect the shades of his model’s
He goes by the name of David their inner thoughts. skin tones, aiming to convey the
Jon Kassan, and for those who exact luminosity and texture that
aren’t familiar with his paintings, The concept behind his work is natural skin entails. “The paint is
prepare yourselves to be inspired an evolution of “observing more layered over, because a person’s
as you take a journey into a and slowing down life”. Through life is layered over, and I want
reality deeper than you could taking time to understand the that to come through in my
possibly imagine. finest details of all that surrounds paintings”. Through merging
him, David allows people, the layer upon layer of paint he
Having travelled throughout environment and street art to act works tirelessly until every detail
Europe as a child, David’s love as the source of what he creates. is completely intact, enjoying the
for art was ignited through his By painting exactly what he sees, different interactions of colours
parents exposing him to numerous from a distance the untrained eye that form to create that feeling of
museums, where he fumbled can be fooled into thinking age and experience. “I am a huge
through pages of old reading David’s work is a mimic of fan of Rembrandt and how hard
material and stared at artistic photographic art. However, they he worked to get it right”, and
masterpieces. A later trip in 2003 couldn’t be more wrong. Take a each time he puts his brush to
revealed a wider perspective look closer and view the tiniest of canvas, David delicately works to
encompassing the concepts he did details that these paintings entail.. form every imperfection and
not understand as a child, fuelling They are not photographic in any create every fold, adding to the
David’s creativity and providing shape or form; they show no sign many levels of paint as he mimics
encouragement through the many of flat surfaces or lack of texture. the exact patience of Rembrandt.
challenges he would face as a fine In fact, his paintings are the
artist. complete opposite and if you still You only need to watch David
refer to them as replicas of pho- working to know how intense the
David’s work, while unique in its tography then stare into his process is in creating such amazing
style, bears a close resemblance to portraits eyes; you will become results. David has just released a
the paintings of Dutch artist exposed to their feelings and will video of a live web stream recording
Rembrandt, who happens to be truly understand the overall where he finger painted from his
one of his greatest sources of essence of David’s unique style. trusty iPad. Conjuring the brilliant
inspiration. His technique acts as idea to paint a live model while in
a vehicle to observe and then
capture an emotion or feeling
“I’m trying to his studio, David worked for
hours on end to perfect his technique
without being idealised in any create something outside of his usual paint medium,
shape or form. “I just want to
capture that person the best I
that‘s real, showing art lovers the process of
how he works in his own space.
can”, and through the use of rich something that is He does this all the time, observing
details and endless passion,
viewing David’s portraits convey
in your space”. people on the subway and quickly
painting them in the short timeframe

DAVID JON SSAN

David has just
released a video of a
live web stream
recording where he
finger painted from
his trusty iPad.
of them being in his presence. His idea
is to create a drawing within the iPad
that replicates his style, enjoying the
fact that he can record every stroke
produced by the brushes, so that when
replayed you can embrace a clip of
an image being painted by an
invisible source. Now for all of
those who have not warmed to
this savvy piece of technology
(like Aesthetics Now’s Art Director
who has since taken an incredible
turn), you only need to view David’s
video to have your negative notions
removed. Since taking the time to
interview David we have decided that if
his love for art becomes solely a hobby,
then his best (and most profitable) move
would be to work for Steve (Jobs) himself, as
we’re pretty sure he can do a better job at
selling this product!

David never experiences “painter’s block”. On
the contrary, he is often inundated with too many
ideas, excited to paint more than one image
simultaneously. He is inspired by the challenge of
having to express so many ideas and attacks the
issues of ensuring the accuracy of every detail of his
technique. “These are my visions that I want to get
out, and I want to make them as clear as possible and
to do that I have to be as critical as possible”.

Having painted numerous portraits over his years
as an artist, David holds two paintings particularly

DAVID JON SSAN

close to him – those of his mother
and aunt. “I think they’re some of
my strongest work”, reason being
that he knows them personally
having grown up with them, and
has thus seen them age as the
years have gone by. This in
turn enables greater focus on
depicting those exact markings
that have changed over time.
Along with these two paintings
David feels that his “self
portraits are getting there”.
His opinion on why is actually
quite enlightening; “it’s the funniest
thing, it’s like you live with yourself the
most but you end up knowing yourself the
least. I feel like the self portrait is always a
search to find yourself, and it changes so much
that you feel like you’re continually searching”.

“These are my visions that I
want to get out, and I
want to make them as
clear as possible and to do
that I have to be as critical
as possible”.

DAVID JON SSAN
Aside from painting from his studio, David is also teaching others
how to paint. With the idea that “we all gain knowledge from
being in the class”, David enjoys the collaboration of a large
number of people coming together in search of a common goal.
He has taught in Australia, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal (just to
name a few) and is heading to Belgium for a month, inspiring
individuals the world over with his painting style. “I feel like I’m
not that far removed from learning myself so I find it crazy that
people are inspired by me. I get lots of emails from people asking
question, it’s bizarre. I definitely appreciate that, the people who
compliment me like that”.

David is also working on a solo show in his gallery in New York
next September that will see him grounded in the States as of
next March, working on pieces that reflect his family, where
he can express his strongest art yet.

In what was close to an inspiring interview with an
amazing artist, we asked David to pass on some
encouraging words to you, our readers; words that
you can take along on your many journeys
through art, and words that you can openly
embrace, allowing you to develop your creative
expressions with a building desire. “I guess be
as true and honest with your work as possible.
This is a really hard gig; you are the only
person you can lean on which is sad and
depressing but also kind of enlightening
at the same time. It’s a full contrast all
the time. The idea is that everything
relies on you so only you have
yourself to answer for, if you
don’t do it you don’t have
anyone to blame except for
“The idea is that everything yourself. But you can work
whatever hours you want,
relies on you so only you you can work as hard as you
have yourself to answer for, want, you’ll never have a
boss over your head. It’s
if you don’t do it you don’t the best job in the world.
have anyone to blame However I work way
harder than I will
except for yourself.” in any other job,
I work way
harder for
myself.

DAVID JON SSAN
You are constantly refining yourself
and that becomes a very worthwhile
and very honourable thing to do,
to learn about yourself. And my
job, I monitor life, and understand
things. I’m constantly learning
about that as well. It’s a hugely
inspiring gig, but it can be taken
away at any minute and I know
that, and so that keeps me working
like a dog to get it right”. And that
hard work has definitely paid off,
personally embracing these words
with open arms as encouragement to
continue striving to develop on
a daily basis.

A truly inspirational
and talented artist, you
can view more of
David’s paintings at
www.davidkassan.com

“And my job, I monitor
life, and understand
things. I’m constantly
learning about that
as well.”

TUTORIAL
TRIBUTE TO JAMES CAMERON’S

by Joao Encarnacao

T here are many ways of shooting water drops and this month Joao shows us how he sets up his
working environment to perfect the art of photographing water.

The main object you require is patience. Outside of that it is beneficial to have access to an external flash, as
you’ll be taking photos at 1/200 shutter speed and f/13 aperture. With this speed there generally aren’t many
natural light sources to accommodate successfully in allowing you to control where the light hits as you take
your photos.

Materials Placing your Camera
So here is what you need to success- When positioning the camera regard-
fully photograph water; a flash and ing the tray, you should try to get as
remote trigger, as well as a low as possible without having the
wired/wireless remote for the front or back of the tray appearing in
camera. The remote is a must have the picture. Avoid the camera being
when you are shooting water drops too low as you should not be able to
and can be purchased relatively see the rim of the back of your tray,
cheaply at as little as $5 nor too high as you'll lose the depth
of the drop of water within your
bubble
Setting Up Your
Environment
The final setup should look something
like the photo above.
Please note: The best place to conduct
this experiment is in your kitchen as the
progress of this masterpiece can
become slightly messy with the splash
back of water.

First of all you will need to define a If reflections from the light start to
place on your tray where the bubble become a problem because of the direct
can be placed. Several techniques can flash, try to tilt the bulb so that it’s
be used and Joao found that a positioned as low as possible; since your
measuring tape was the best means camera is on a higher plane, it should
to determine the arrangement. not be a concern. If flare occurs, use a
lens hood.
Secure the tape from both ends so
that it hovers right above the water.
Placing the bubble in the correct
spot is an important factor, so you The Editing
should put the tape measure one Joao used Photoshop CS4 to edit his
third of the distance from you to the photo, and by following the adjust-
end of the tray. This allows you to ment technique he has used, you
get more breathing space in the top should be guaranteed excellent results.
of the bubble, where it really adds to
the composition of the photo. For this photo shoot Joao used ISO
100, f/14 and 1/200. And a flash
These markers will also be used for power of 1/16 or 1/8. This is what
you to guide the bubble when taking The Drop his original photo looked like before
the shot. Even your breathing causes With the existing water in the tray, fill editing
the bubble to shift position ever so the eye dropper in preparation for the
slightly, and you'll know that between water drops. Get the remote release in
the markers the area is in focus. one hand and the eyedropper in the
other, and get ready for some long
shooting. The first time Joao tried this
he took up to 400 photos but can now
get the results he desires within 30-40.

Drop some water from about 7" high
(or more, depending on your focal Imported into ACR with roundabout
range and line of sight), and fire away. these settings:

Some shots you will miss, some shots
will look ok, and every once in a
Next, focus on the measuring tape. while, one is excellent. If the bubble
If you have an option for live view, it bursts very easily, add some more
helps to zoom in. If not, use the soap to the water to make the bubble
viewfinder in order to have all the thicker. However do not add too
measuring tape in focus. Manual
much soap as it will cause the bubble
focus has to be used.
to become too thick and will not allow He then used the Topaz "Smooth
the water droplet to get in easily. Portrait" preset, lowered the satura-
tion, increased adaptive exposure and
If the bubble moves across the water regions, and added detail. After
as your droplet falls, use the side of completing this he used “Smart
the eyedropper to gently shift it back Sharpen” to finish with, his final
to focus position. photography looking like this:

The Bubble
Pour some soapy water into the tray
and use the straw to create a bubble
by blowing into the water. Do some
test shots of the bubble before
continuing with the water droplets so
that you can adjust the flash power
and zoom. Also check for relative
size of the bubble inside the frame.
View more of Joao’s work at www.encarnation.net

NANAMI
COWDROY
SYSTEMIZED DISARRAY

NANAMI COWDROY

T
here is always one or more things in our apart as a familiar face in the successful artist world.
lives that we cannot perfect not matter As you glance through her pieces you have no
how hard we try. “Hi, my name is choice but to be fascinated by the many elements
Simone and I am a qualified designer. It that make up her art.
has been 6 years, 14 days and 22 hours since I first
discovered my inability to loosely create. I have Before you open another browser to look her up
compulsive structured disorder (yes, it’s a new yourself, travel through our pages as we disclose
disease), and when I create pieces with messy the creative talent this artist presents. This month
elements the overall feel is exactly that... messy!” the Aesthetics Now team had the opportunity to
get to know Nanami on a more personal level and
Having just defaulted myself to the typical AA are pleased to be able to share with you her thoughts
meeting environment, the fact is that my appreciation about art, inspiration, her style... and not to mention
for art that has been created freely is no secret. those beautiful pieces that will keep you in awe!
Flowing lines coupled with paint splatters and
messy marks, spread between the folds and AN: Tell us a little bit about what it was like
textures of the canvas really hit the spot if pulled growing up in Sydney with strong Japanese
off effectively. So it was no surprise that I was roots.
stopped in my tracks when I one day stumbled When I was little, being half Japanese and half
across Nanami Cowdroy and her chaotic imagery European was never something I was particularly
that comes together to form visual bliss. conscious of being - I always just thought of myself
as an 'Aussie', and being little, I didn't want to be
With a vast imagination and an ability to create seen as different really – I wanted to be the same as
intricately detailed illustrations through pen and everyone else and to fit in.
ink, Nanami (whose name means “Seven
Seas” in Naturally though, I grew up with distinct Japanese
Japanese) influences and had strong ties to my Japanese
has set background and culture which influenced me
herself greatly and shaped my psyche. We regularly went
to Tokyo to visit my relatives, Mum was an
Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) teacher in
Sydney and we would speak in both languages at
home. Our place was filled with lots of creative
objects, photo's and paintings from both countries -
so it was a natural & integrated part of life grow-
ing up.

Obviously there were times when I was made to
feel self-conscious of being part Japanese, but it
was my dad who told me that one day I'd understand
and embrace both my roots equally - and he was
right! I'm definitely proud of both cultures.

AN: How did you come to form such a strong
appreciation of art?
Art has always been a great part of my life. I come
from a creative family on both sides and it’s a
particularly strong characteristic of the Cowdroys.
On dad's side there are fine-art painters & artists,

NANAMI COWDROY
graphic designers, (political) cartoonists, writers. let it go. As art is such a personal process I do pour
Then on mum's side there are photographers, a lot of myself into it and tap into a lot of stuff
filmmakers and she herself did Ikebana. So from from within, so it can make me feel quite vulnerable.
very early on, I'd been exposed to and developed Especially after spending a significant amount of
an understanding of many different forms & styles time creating it, I do develop an attachment making it
of art. It's something that runs in the blood. hard to let go at times because it feels like a part of
yourself is now out there for all to see, so it can be
AN: Do you remember your first piece of art and a little daunting but equally exciting at the same
how you felt upon its completion? time.
Generally speaking - it's the creative process which
truly gives me a genuine feeling of freedom and AN: Tell us a little bit about your style and what
contentment, as I feel connected to my inner being defines your artwork in its own uniqueness
and imagination. It's hard to explain, but it has I love the colour black and being a meticulously
always just felt right. That said, with most of my obsessed perfectionist - I'm definitely one who
work - when I finally complete a piece that usually enjoys getting lost and carried away with lots of
takes a few weeks to do, I normally experience a detail and my artistic style reflects that. It
mixed bag of feelings, both positive and negative. allows me the perfect means with which to
express my style without any boundaries.
I always feel a mix of satisfaction and apprehension,
where I feel comfortable enough to step My artwork is generally made up of mixed media,
away from the piece but also apprehensive but essentially my artistic technique is quite tradi-
as to whether or not I’m ready to tional - I love illustrating with pen and lead pencil
on paper, and this is the foundation and heart of
all my work. I love to try to reflect a kind of refinement in
my pieces, where I can compose as well as channel
the chaos, and try to harmonise the complexity. I
enjoy dirtying and roughing up clean lines and
forms, as well as blending both Japanese / European
subjects - it gives me a great sense of freedom to
create and combine contrasting elements and
techniques. While this may sound quite planned -
in actual fact the process is really organic and kind
of just happens.

Also working with a dark, monotone palette is a
challenge that I love! The contrast of black and
white is how I feel most comfortable expressing
myself. Unlike other colours such as red, yellow,
blue - which often reflect or evoke a mood, I
personally find the colour black draws me in
and creates uniquely dramatic effects. In order
to gain a deeper understanding and insight
into something, it invites the viewer to look at
things more closely. I love the sense of wonder
that comes when you first see something that is
hidden in plain sight.

NANAMI COWDROY
AN: Your imagery is bold and strong, yet amaz-
ingly beautiful. How does this reflect on your
personality as an artist?
Thank you. I guess being a creative person at
heart, emotions are an integral part of my
personality and they reside fairly close to the
surface. I've always wanted to have 'thicker skin',
which is perhaps why I tend to be drawn (literally) to
subjects I feel have a sense of fragility and sensitivity
about them. On some surreal level I feel a kind of
affinity towards them. So by using bold lines and
strong, definite forms - I love trying to 'toughen'
up and bolster up my delicate subjects, to give
them more of a sense of strength and permanence. I
guess it's just my way of wanting to preserve
them more, using ink as a means to give them a
greater presence and solidity - because I do think
they're beautiful.

AN: What and who inspires you and why?
I have a pretty freakish memory; particularly
when it comes to remembering things visually. I
don't know why or how - but my memories of
things, subjects as well as the emotions associated
with them do tend to be the things that inspire
me. And inspiration comes from anything
and everything. It's nutty what randomly
pops into mind, or turns up in dreams and I
experience déjà vu quite a bit also, but it's
no secret I find a lot of inspiration in the
humble, unassuming goldfish.

I've always owned them ever since I
was little, and to me
they're such simple yet
stunningly unique
creatures. I've always
loved and have
been

NANAMI COWDROY
fascinated by their flowing and floaty forms - they're of the desires in me to try and let go and follow
so expressive and I love trying to reflect that in my my dreams. The silhouetted head in the work is
works. They're the perfect subject which allows me actually my own, blowing away some goldfish
to create and combine both my hard edge style and and bubbles into the air. I created it at a pivotal
curvy, organic forms. Not to mention, along with time, where I had recently lost my dad who was a
their delicate beauty - they equally display a curious very important and influential figure in my life -
kookiness which greatly appeals to me also, and and the one who always encouraged me not to give
the kind of feeling I like reflecting in my works. up on my love of art.
AN: What is there in store for the future? Are
Also, I love the work of the Surrealists such as there any upcoming events or plans in the
Salvador Dali and MC Escher. Last year I went to making?
see the Dali, Liquid Desire exhibition held at the As far as new pieces go, it's been a while - but at
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne - and it last, I'm stoked to say I'm finally about to release
totally blew me away! It was so inspiring and a my newest works. On a different note regarding
fantastic showcase of his work. exhibitions - I'm very happy to say I will be taking

“
part in an exhibition called 'Tokyo Love' at Strychnin
Gallery, Berlin Germany in September - I can't
It amazes me - without wait! Also have plans to take part in an upcoming
the aid of too many fancy show in Los Angeles at the end of the year (dates
to be confirmed). I'm also finalising details for my
technologies, how some creative first solo show hopefully happening in Canada
early next year which I'm very excited about! Just
individuals can not only break gotta get some serious scribbling and coffee drinking
done in the meantime ;)
the mould, but can completely
AN: Our readers are artists just like yourself. Any
turn it inside out, flip it words of advice that you could pass onto them
upside down and open up to encourage their creativity?
Stay true and trust in your own creative instincts
new possibilities through the and skill - it's the stuff that cannot be taught, and I

”
feel lies at the heart of creative individuality &
power of their thinking originality.
and the imagination To find out more about Nanami or to delve deeper
into her work visit www.nthread.net
AN: Is there any particular piece or series that
has stood out in particular for you and projected
a stronger message about who you are?
That's something I'm still working on I think ;) …
but "Blow Fish" is a
work I definitely
feel reflects
some

hile brainstorming perfecting the flavours that hit your pages of volumes of knowledge. All this
the approach to take palette. To the left are some tables, coupled with the tiny details likening this
for this article, an cleverly surrounded by small screens that restaurant to a train station environment
ingenious member play short videos that have left a favour- – such as the scene of a wreckage beside
of the Aesthetics able impression within the film industry. the coffee machine, complete with
Now team giggled and said Yet your journey through this restaurant miniature people involved in or vulner-
“Imagine Culinary Art and Visual Art is far from over; as you follow the tables able to pain – add to the unique
are having lunch at Bondi Beach; Visual around the bar you are met by a number surroundings that you are met with as
Art goes back to Culinary Art’s house of comfortable sofas, a bookshelf that you take the chance to come on board for
and together they partake in an act most delves into the ideas of psychogeogra- this interesting ride.
of us keep behind doors... and 9 months phy, a combination of game boards, and
later Stanley Street Station is born.” an array of artwork sprawled across the
Okay, so aside from personifying the
various arts, my original thought when I
walls to be seen from every corner of
your eyes. “your eyes are in
heard this was “Oh my goodness, I work
with a clown”. It was only after my Stanley Street Station is a dining
constant motion
many attempts at trying to convince him experience which hits the core of all of as they jump from
of his delusional concept and being
rebutted that I realised exactly how right
your senses. The beautiful aroma of the
terrariums target your sense of smell, artwork to film and
he was; Stanley Street Station was the
brilliant conception of an environment
while the enticing flavours of the menu
dance upon your taste buds. The smooth
through the many
fused with multiple fields of art, that sounds of 50s music or the talented DJs pages of volumes of
stimulates your creative senses and fuels
your artistic mind.
of the night have your ears begging for
the evening to linger on. While mindfully knowledge”
engaging yourself in a range of games
Snuggled in the corner of Sydney’s busy you not only target your sense of touch
Crown and Stanley Street, you are but also challenge your mind as you I have many times dined at this restau-
invited to take a step onto the platform wistfully think of new tactics to win. rant and can honestly say that I
and venture into an artistic playground. Last but not least your eyes are in thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere and
Enter through the doors and to your right constant motion as they jump from experience. All personal biases aside,
are the culinary minds, hard at work artwork to film and through the many there are 14 friends I took along who


would totally agree. We chose from a With a stunning food menu, expectations Having launched only weeks ago this
variety of different delicacies and must be set high for the beverages that creative space has been an instant hit!
snacked from each other’s plates eager to complement the meals. Bec Foley, “We have been busy ever since launch
choose a crowd favourite. Rave reviews Manager of Stanley Street Station joins which is just brilliant. Probably the most
were had of the the Pork Belly. Not only us while we dip our taste buds (literally) rewarding thing has been seeing locals
the favourite of my hungry tribe, Greg into the luscious flavours on the drink returning night after night. It's such a
Vankuyk, Owner and Chef at Stanley menu, and while we love the sweet great savvy area here and to see such
Street Station agrees as he tells us “It’s aromas and the beauty of the gentle hues discerning customers reward us with
very naughty but nice; crispy skin pork that mix within our glasses, she is very their patronage is telling us that what
belly with sautéed Asian greens, dressed quick to let us know which beverage hits we're doing is bang on.”
chard and apple jus.” the spot for the patrons every time. “The
Moore Club, which is dedicated to With plans for moving into the future,
Clover, happens to be really yummy and constantly developing what Stanley
we use our own house raspberry syrup.” Street Station has to offer, Amy “would
Another brilliant idea from the Stanley love to see the space exhibit a range of
Street Station team, naming a cocktail local artists regularly so that the way that
after a loyal woman that has left an we understand Stanley Street Station and
important mark in Australian society. its context in the Sydney playground is

“to see such
through the interpretatiotns of young
artists and designers.” She also tells us
discerning custom- that “in the near future there will be more
art and design works in the space so that
ers reward us with regulars can come in each time and be

their patronage is
approached with a different kind of
welcome.”
telling us that Stay tuned in issues to come for more
information on this creative atmosphere
what we're as Aesthetics Now takes a journey

doing is through Stanley Street Station in the lead
up to our monthly art event. Jump on
bang on” board, take a comfortable seat and
prepare to be awoken to all of your
What we are served on our plate is So how did the concept of Stanley Street senses as you discover the levels of
visually pleasing. In an artistic environ- Station arise you ask? Artist Amy Yong enlightenment that art, music, and
ment our meals are presented in their Siri, who was commissioned to design delicious food bring on this joyous ride.
own creative way; layer upon layer each and create the atmosphere of Stanley
element plays an important role in Street Station, tells us that the concept is
adding to the contrast and beauty of loosely based around psychogeography.
these interesting meals. Needless to say, “This space touches on the notion of
that with Greg’s fantastic culinary bible Sydney as an urban playground. All the
embedded inside the back of his mind, elements of the space from the bar and
we wouldn’t have expected anything dining areas to the artworks and terrari-
less. Having cooked for 15 years, Greg’s ums and accident scenes pay homage to
skills have seen him move to London the idea of micro climates and the way
where he worked at “OXO Tower and that certain markers in a space lead
The House of Lords”, creating mouth people here and there and encourage
watering masterpieces for the likes of the them to use the spaces in the restaurant
Queen and Dalai Lama. I giggle as I in a way that is dependent on them.”
write this because I often hear my While psychogeography can come across
mother say to me that her cooking is ‘fit as a daunting and quite complicated
for the Queen’; yet in Greg’s case this is concept behind an environment, the way
actually true! It’s no wonder the next in which it has been applied tenderly to Visit ww.stanleystreetstation.com.au
move was to embark on his own venture, Stanley Street Station acts as a “gentle to view to scrumptious menu and to take
bringing his skills and artistic passions to introduction to it by encouraging people a sneak preview at what Stanley Street
what is now Stanley Street Station. to wander in and throughout and drift. “ Station has to offer!

Austrlain cheese
Lavash, Muscatels
& Predilecta guava paste Krishna Pakora

Pannacotta
300g New Yorker Vanilla Bean Gelato

if only they had

by Neville Ewers

W ith all the great marketing possibilities and personal
connections we gain through twitter, there is is still that negative
9th Grade High School pressure to always be smart, funny, witty
and inspiring. Who the hell needs that ?

Well we decided to pass on this pressure to some
of our favourite people of the past. They haven’t let
us down.

TheRealMrMarley @PTosh made I a slingshot today... make
that 2 little birds by the I doorstep
6 minutes ago via web

DaVinci So guess what a month alone in Florence
with @monalisa gets you?... a big comfy seat in the friendzone
#FAIL
about 30 minutes ago via TweetDeck

LudwigVanB Played 9th Symphony on a Vuvuzela today...
in other news, apparently bee stings send me in anaphylaxis
shock #whoknew
about 1 hour ago via Übertwitter

RayCharles My key seems to be stuck, can eel it... AWW
UCK... this is not unny
about 1 hour ago via TwitBraille

ColumbusC Last time I checked, the score was still Columbus
1 - @googlemaps 0
1 minutes ago via ÜberTwitter

WillShakespeare Worst Hamelt performance in history today,
experimented with a mime at lead, can you say
#awkwardsilence
about 1 hour ago via Übertwitter

Nietzsche Dianetics is DEAD!
about 1 hour ago via Übermensch

....and don’t forget to follow us

twitter.com/aestheticsnow

ANIKIKO

I fell in love with a particularly freedom of the clubs, and later enjoyed the privi-
lege of being the designated driver, taking her
musical boy who gave me an parents to big band performances. It was at these
clubs she would sit and write: whether it be poetry
awesome gift - he put or her emotions in their rawest form. These

music to my words poems would later form the base for her music,
such as her third release the EP “Soul Naked
Before You”, and her soon to be released full-
length studio album.
will admit that I started my research for this
article by watching her video for the track A Kinesiologist, her artistic parents encouraged
“Like No Other”. Before reading the press her to study psychology instead of embracing the
release, the biography, or even the interview title of musician. Her decision to pursue a musi-
questions – my intention was to take a peek at the cal career which she wittily describes as an illness,
video to see if I was interested. It was only when and the only remedy being to “create, write and
I had heard the applause at the end of the video, tailor/refine the art” – is one she stumbled upon.
which I admit was well-directed and produced In her own words:”I fell in love with a particularly
that I realised I had just spent 4 minutes and 38 musical boy who gave me an awesome gift - he
seconds with one thought: where can I get this put music to my words and melodies.”
song for my playlist?
Dear Particularly Musical Boy, we thank you.
Her voice, which has been compared to Beth Without that encouragement,
Gibbons (of Portishead fame), while being a fair this musical talent would have
comparison and a compliment – is not even close ended with a Grade 5 perfor-
to being an imitation. I could sit here all day and mance (accompanied by her
think of cute adjectives and phrases, and not father Czech revolutionary
properly describe the pure quality of her voice and poet and musician Jiri Nerad-
the beautiful range she employs to deliver equally ilek) of “Slow Boat to China”.
beautiful lyrics. When asked about her mus-
ical nfluences and the develop-
However, before I go off on a tangent that might ment of her unique sound,
resemble a newfound girl-crush: let me give you AniKiko credits her
the facts about this songstress. AniKiko, a early exposure to
Czech-Australian singer/songwriter currently the trumpet and
residing in Sydney, New South Wales launched double bass found
her EP “Soul Naked Before You” in April of this in Jazz. “I like the
year. To fully appreciate her as both singer and space the double b-
songwriter, you have to understand her back- ass creates and I have
ground. Her mother was a classical flautist, and so much room to fill
her father a poet and trumpeter who one could in the gaps with mel-
say helped to hone her natural talent by exposing ody and lyrical phrases.
her to jazz clubs, and performing on stage. I also am drawn to the
intensity of artists like
By her own admission, AniKiko hated the pierc- Nine Inch Nails - Trent
ing sound of the flute, and the “farting” sounds of Reznor and the beats or
the trumpet that often filled her small childhood electronic influences of
home. Her parents who never believed in babysit- trip hop artists like Porti-
ters would take her to musicals and jazz shows shead or Massive Attack.”
from an early age. The alternative to these
outings was staying home with her brother and Good musical found-
listening to him blast Poison and Van Halen while ation aside, she draws
he did chores. Needless to say she preferred the from life to create

music: she is inspired by people and relationships.
“Music doesn’t need to be encouraged by anything
in myself. It happens and continues – rain, hail or
shine.”

She acknowledges the plight of artistes in this
simple statement: “I find encouragement more
applies to the times when you wonder how you
can keep going to sustain the amount of time;
dedication and commitment to a project when all
blood, sweat and tears don’t necessarily support
the new equipment you need to buy, etc. That’s
when the handout from the folks really comes in
handy... (Laughs) or when someone just says how
much they were moved by a track you wrote or
when a company wants to use your track for
licensing.”
By now, deciding she is both talented and beauti-
ful, Aesthetic s Now decided to attempt to stump
her with a standard beauty pageant contestant
question. She did not falter for one second in her
response.

Music doesn’t need
to be encouraged by
anything in myself. It happens
and continues – rain,
hail or shine
AN: Our readers are artists just like you. If you
could give them some words of wisdom to encour-
age them to continue fuelling their creative
passions, what would they be?

AniKiko: “I would have to say keep going and
learn to ask for help and support. Find a strong
team as I do believe when you are on your own as
an artist the community, family, friends, society,
public can quite easily make or break you.

I wrote this song – "Like No Other" that speaks
exactly of that support and is inspiring to me – to
keep fine-tuning your craft, keep expressing and
asking the questions of yourself most people do
not dare to and you will crack through. I dedicate
that track to my dad, Jiri.”

With a new album being released on September
30th and a roster of live shows including:
Vangard (Newton, New South Wales) on Sep-
tember 30th, and Vault 146 (Windsor, New
South Wales) on both October 29th and 30th –
this artiste is busy sharing her amazing voice
and soothing lyrics. Speaking of sharing her
music, her thoughts on travelling and perform-
ing before a live audience perfectly sums up
how I feel about her: “It feels connected. It feels
universal. It feels boundless and timeless. I hope
that I get more opportunities to do this.”

For more information and performance updates
on this artiste, please visit her MySpace profile:
http://www.myspace.com/anikiko

is Grandmother handed him a melodica at a young age, and told him
to “just play”. e melodica, a free-reed instrument with a musical
keyboard on top, played by blowing air through a mouth piece that
ts into a hole in the side of the instrument, is not exactly how most
musicians would describe their rst direct contact with creating
music. Without any knowledge of notes, technique or style, he took his melodica, and
just played. is was the rst spark for Kheaven Brereton, popularly known as K-OS
(pronounced “chaos”) that would light the tunnel towards his destiny.

With 4 albums to his name – Exit (2002), Joyful Rebellion (2004), Atlantis: Hymns
for Disco (2006) and Yes! (2009) – each with writing and production credentials, as
well as playing in a live band at times during his shows, a rare sight in hip hop, K-OS
is a fully groomed, well-rounded veteran in this music industry. If he can call up Crazy
Legs and the Rock Steady Crew tomorrow for some B-Boy lessons, I’m personally
dubbing him “ e Hip Hop Swiss Army Knife”.

K-OS has through the years formulated a style of his own that has been modelled o
some of the original pioneers of the genre. “My sound was based more o the Fugees
and A Tribe Called Quest, but I get Black Eyed Peas a lot, guess I look like him
(Will.I.Am)” he chuckled. Truthfully, if there was a celebrity-only celebrity lookalike
contest, my money would surely be on Will.I.Am in resembling K-OS, and vice versa.
is however, has absolutely nothing to do with his musical style, and once you hear
K-OS on the microphone, you understand something signi cant is happening.

Originally calling himself “Cosmic” due to his early fascination with space and Star
Wars, Kheaven went through a number of name altering phases before becoming
K-OS. “ ere was an episode of Seinfeld where they found out that Kramer’s real
name was Cosmic, a er that my dad would repeatedly make fun of my name, I had to
change it so I dropped the last 3 le ers to become Cos” he told us. “It then went on to
become K-OS, which at the time stood for Kheaven’s Original Sound”. e nal
modi cation came, as much as a surprise to K-OS as it did to everybody else. In an
elevator, the question was randomly posed what did K-O-S stand for. “Knowledge of
Self” were the three words that rolled o Kheaven’s tongue, three words that at the
time came as a shock to him – three words that have stuck ever since.

At an early point in his career, K-OS decided that his music would not be stereotypi-
cal hip hop. Without sacri cing self-worth for success, he has consistently produced
conscious music with a message. Being a humanitarian, K-OS described how the rst
humanitarian work any artiste should do, should be the work he/she produces. “Your
humanitarian work should actually start in your (art), making it environmentally safe
which is being concerned about the messages and ideas you put out there”.

Years later, K-OS is still using his talent to spread his knowledge, most recently
through his 2009 album Yes! K-OS’s work on Yes! is a concoction comparable to the
e orts of Victor Frankenstein, the hard work of a mad scientist, whose e orts result in
the creation of what can only be considered a “beast”. Easily his best album yet, Yes! is

WORDS BY NEVILLE EWERS

a moving and conscious piece of work that exempli es the in the right direction in terms of what they should focus on
level of con dence and comfort the artist has found within with the progression of their careers, and of course his
himself and his abilities. With a wide array of styles, K-OS response is one of true inspiration; a message K-OS has
shows o his willingness to experiment with sound, and been consistent with communicating since the release of his
that his versatility is just as strong behind a production rst album Exit.
board as it is behind a microphone. “I don’t wake up trying
to sound like anyone, I grew up in the suburbs listening to K-OS: It’s more about saying that you should be yourself,
di erent sounds, from Fugees to Bob Dylan, and it comes looking towards people like Bob Dylan who said that great
naturally” he said when asked about his style; “It’s just what artists are people who are either running towards God or
I know”. running away from God, and then in that way there’s the
underlining fact that as long as you tell the truth to yourself
e progression of Yes! has since gone through another and God, then that’s all you really have to be concerned
transition with the release of Yes It's Yours (Fan Remix about. e real justice of the world is knowledge of self,
Album). Yes It’s Yours is a special remix being truthful to yourself, being
version of the Canadian rapper’s 2009 truthful to some higher power that you
album. It is comprised of tracks from believe in, whether you call it God, the
the 2009 studio album mixed by fans universe, energy. Also in that, no
of the artist from all over the world. “It ma er how awkward you are, no
wasn’t easy” K-OS admi ed. “As artis- ma er how weird you feel, just be who
tes we get very sensitive about our cre- you are because that will pay o in the
ative work, this helped me get more in end; when you just be yourself, you
touch with my fans and helped me to let don’t need to feed o other people’s
go and share my work”. is is easily one ideas but (can still) be inspired by
of my favourite concepts yet. I can only other great artistes. If you follow a
imagine the look on the faces of salivat- person’s footsteps you can only go as
ing young producers jumping at the op- far as they can go. Pre y soon you
portunity to put their creative vision on have to create your own path so my
one of their favourite artiste’s work. It’s whole thing was trying to carve a path
also quite impressive to see an establish- of my own from the beginning while
ed musician agreeing to such a risky still loving certain artistes and trying
concept. to emulate them as well. Quincy Jones
said something along the lines of “you
At the moment, K-OS is enjoying the need to pick an artiste you like, try to
idea of being free within himself and be them and try to sound like them
with his music, currently touring with because you never will”. at
no present plans on the next studio al- “THE REAL JUSTICE OF THE WORLD (statement) being said is very true in
bum release. Fans should hold the river IS KNOWLEDGE OF SELF, BEING the sense of everyone is original and
tears for another day though, as we won’t TRUTHFUL TO YOURSELF, you like someone original, whether
have to wait long to hear new material you like Michael Jackson or whether I
BEING TRUTHFUL TO SOME HIGHER
from K-OS. “In July, we will be releasing like (A) Tribe Called Quest, or Lauryn
POWER THAT YOU BELIEVE IN”
a new mix tape titled Anchorman; this Hill or whatever, these are the ones I
one is for the fans.” e interesting title look up to and some people say “yeah
for mix tape came from, as you have probably already you can hear that”, but for the most part it goes over your
pondered, the 2004 Will Ferrell comedy of the same name. head who I really love. Some artists want to control outer
“I love that movie; we’re always watching it on the tour bus. space, and some artists want to control inner space. Some
roughout the mix tape will be quotes from the lm.” To people get o on being top of the charts and want to control
that, all I can say is “I’m legendary anchorman Ron outer space, they want to control money, they want these
Burgundy. I’m si ing here in my aqua jet 9000 enjoying outward things to make them feel secure about the art that
uh...well my favourite meal of steak, wa es, french fries, they do. Some artistes are cool with the inner space, they
and of course scotch. Now if you don't think this is the want to feel cool within themselves, and then there are
greatest mix tape ever...I will ght you. at’s no lie.” artistes who are both. at’s all the advice I would give.
Really by having some understanding of yourself and then
As per usual, I asked K-OS to leave a few words of wisdom going into the world and realising that, you can do whatever
for aspiring artistes; for our young readers who need a push you want to do”.

MINIMALIST
POSTERS
Jamie Bolton
http://jamiebolton.com/

BOOKMAN REVIEW

The
Magic Of
Reason
from Justine Larbalestier mentally adjust. e brilliance
of Larbalestier is in the way her
s short chapters communicate the
by Dutty Bookman perspectives of the three main
characters, Reason, Tom and
Jay-Tee. In addition, the

W hat is magic? What does it look like? Would we language slightly changes
know it when we see it? Does it even exist in our depending on whose reality the
world? Is it a supernatural phenomenon or is it chapter surrounds – Reason’s
one of humanity’s conveniently discarded and forgo en and Tom’s chapters are meant
natures? Is magic a sort of sixth sense that can be devel- to have Australian characteris
oped during our childhood in the same way that modern tics due to their origins, while
education develops our cognitive and logical brain func- the chapters for Jay-Tee, the
tions? American, displays American
mannerisms, vocabulary and grammar. Even the way words
Justine Larbalestier’s e Magic of Reason might evoke are spelt re ects the version of English known by the
these very questions. e thickness of the publication, subjected protagonist. In this literary strategy the reader is
slightly intimidating, is less so when it becomes clear that it made to feel like a y constantly transporting from wall to
compiles a trilogy: Magic or Madness (2005), Magic wall, ge ing a more complete picture from the various
Lessons (2006) and Magic’s Child (2007). e rst points of view. is intensi es the drama and turns out to
introduces the reader to Reason Cansino, a 15-year-old be a delightful experience. e second instalment in the
Australian girl, deliberately kept away from her magical series progresses with less disbelief in magic powers and
heritage by her mother, Sara na, who named Reason as further exploration of the deeper truths associated with
such because, as the inside ap of the book describes, she Reason’s magical heritage. e third and nal episode,
“liked it be er than Logic or Rationality or Intellect – all then, brings with it some conclusions, closure and new
good words representing the calm, ordered certainty that beginnings.
opposed Esmeralda’s world.”
One of the more interesting aspects of this ctitious story –
Esmeralda, “a real-life witch,” happens to be Reason’s the Fibonacci series as a factor of magic – might seem a
grandmother. Conditioned to avoid her at all costs, Reason li le disconcerting at rst. What could a mathematical
had been living in the Australian Outback for most of her phenomenon have to do with magic? Apart from the fact
life when destiny changed her course. She suddenly nds that the reader would rst have to believe in the magic that
herself living in Esmeralda’s home when Sara na is the book supposes by the time this revelation takes place,
captured and delivered to a mental ward. us begins a the Fibonacci series is nothing more than an abstract
previously unfathomable journey for the young Miss scienti c concept to most people who have ever come
Cansino. across it. What could be magical about something used in
computer algorithms or nancial market analysis? en
Along the way, Reason nds herself travelling to New York again, those markets could very well be the hocus-pocus
where she encounters new acquaintances bound to her by responsible for the world’s repeated economic crises.
the fate of a twisted reality with which she struggles to Magical indeed.

Nature is garrulous to the point of confusion,
let the artist be truly taciturn.
Paul Klee

You can't depend on your eyes when your
imagination is out of focus.
Mark Twain

“I shut my eyes in order to see.”
Paul Gauguin

TO BE NICE
words by Deidrian Williams

To be nestled in your arms
At a time like this, to have lived
A moment like this, at a moment like this

To have your a
In a net of safety, t
That, for me to

arms encircle me
to be touched like
o feel like that

To have your lips touch mine
In a manner like that, to be able to
Dwell like that, on a taste as soft

To have your deepest desire opened to me
To an extent like that, to be able to partake
Pleasurable bit by bit on that building desire...

To be able to enjoy you as I do
In moments of dark, in moments of light,
In the way I do, in the manner I’m able,
To appreciate you, and all there is, in a
Moment like this, at a time like this,
In a place as this, is simply...wonderful

TOP 5 CULT CLASSICS

TOP 5 CULT CLASSICS
OF THE LAST TEN YEARS
otherwise known as they usually take on a life of their
“Reefer Madness”, an own, usurping the director’s original
absurdly alarmist PSA on intention. That’s actually the best
the dangers of marijuana. litmus test for the authenticity of
Ironically, the film went on to a cult film, weighing the intention
become a staple of the late night vs. the outcome. Taking this into
stoner crowd who unfortunately consideration, recent movies like
did not succumb to the evils of “Snakes on a Plane” (2006) and
jazz music and fornication as Harry the Paris Hilton mess, “Repo: The
Anslinger predicted. Genetic Opera”, are obvious
attempts at manipulating the
The 60s and 70s were a mainstream audience with more
good time for the night Hollywood pre-construction. If

A
“Snakes on a Plane” (2006) became
s the old models of marketing owls, weirdos and other cemented in pop culture, it was
and distribution bow down members of the perhaps more due to the purposeful
to the ubiquitous presence
of the Internet, you’d be
counterculture; inclusion of Samuel L. “Mother
Fuckin’” Jackson and a clever
hard pressed to find a more hotly
films like “Eraserhead” (1979), marketing scheme catered to the
debated topic than the criteria needed
“El Topo” (1970), “Night of the woefully naïve, than any kind of
to elevate a film to cult status.
Living Dead” (1968), “Pink Flamingos” natural evolution on the film’s
The main aspect which defines a
(1972) and “The Rocky Horror part. Some harbingers of doom
cult film is its relative obscurity,
Picture Show” (1975) dominated have gone on to claim “The Big
as if it were some sort of secret which
the midnight movie circuit, covering Lebowski “ (1998) as the last of
only a small group of devotees knew
varying themes of transgression the true cult films, a personal
about. “Unusual” and “hard to
and subversion of the current favourite of mine that was slaughtered
find” are becoming increasingly
social norms. “The Harder They by the critics upon release and
difficult to define in an age where
Come” (1972), the Jamaican film has since gone on to spawn a
anything and everything is available
equivalent to Bob Marley, flopped yearly festival and the philosophy
to anyone at the click of a mouse; a
on release, but ran as a midnight of life known as “Dudeism”.
time when literally any film is available
movie for 6 years, helping to spread
to be ironically viewed out of context. Regardless, recent times have
a love of reggae in the US in the
spawned some prime additions to
In the early days (as far back as process, and inadvertently causing me
the new cult canon, riding on the
say, 2002), it took some serious to incorporate “avoiding mindless
coattails of their predecessors, who
dedication to amass the repeated hippies with dreadlocks” as a part of
paved the way for the strange and
viewings and word of mouth my daily routine. “Night of the
unconventional to take their place
promotion needed for a film to earn Living Dead” (1968) went on to
in ‘normal’ society. Here’s a subjective
its rightful place in the cult canon. become the definitive influence of
look at some of the better films of
Early cult films were of the “so the zombie genre, with its satirical
the past decade I believe have
bad it’s good” variety: the campy take on American consumerism,
earned the right to be authentically
B-horror and low-budget sci-fi of a theme critics lauded and George A.
defined as “cult”.
Ed Wood; exploitation films like Romero famously answered “Ah,
Tod Browning’s “Freaks”(1932) ok. Yea sure that’s what I meant!”
and “Tell Your Children” (1936), Another aspect of cult films is that By Tasha Williams

TOP 5 CULT CLASSICS

BATTLE
Kyouichi Motobuchi:
If I survive, can
I go home?

ROYALE
Director: Kinji Fukasku
Teacher Kitano:
Yes, but only if everyone
else is dead!
Writer: Kenta Fukasaku (based on novel by Koshun Takami)
(2001)
Growing up in the complacent that the film would follow in Japanese elementary school,
West, it’s easy to walk out of a the book’s footsteps and become predictably blamed on the film
film like “Battle Royale” (2001) a staple of the new cult canon. and media violence in general.
brushing it off as “just a movie”. Although achieving box office Of course, the controversy has only
Not so for director Kinji Fukasku, success overseas, the film didn’t increased the films staying power,
whose inspiration to make the receive a US release outside of spawning a manga series and a
film came from his own real life festivals, and rumours of its sequel I’ve chosen to ignore, but
experience as a 15 year old munitions American ban, fueled by its making up for it by introducing
worker during World War II. His conspicuous absence from any Quentin Tarantino to a young
entire class had been drafted, video store, only increased the Chiaki Kuriyama, otherwise
and in July 1945, were caught in anticipation felt when one finally known as Go Go Yobari of
artillery fire and forced to act as got a hold of a friend with a Netflix “”Kill Bill”.
human shields to survive. subscription. Despite the excessive
violence and gore, the “Battle
Royale” isn’t all shock and no
Those left substance. It serves as an extreme
standing had to allegory on the “dog eat dog” nature
of life; a literal lesson on “kill
deal with the chore or be killed”; Lord of the Flies
of disposing the on acid. Like its predecessor,
“Cannibal Holocaust” (1980), the
corpses of their film employs a stark contrast with
former friends. its theme music, the haunting
overture ‘Dies Irae’ playing in
the background of a murder
The hatred young Fukasaku felt by multiple gunshot.
at the time towards the adults of
his nation and the bad decisions The release of the DVD was
they made are brought to the postponed in 2004 when
surface in his ultra-violent adap- life decided to imitate art
tion of Koshun Takami’s cult in the infamous Sasebo
novel, “Battle Royale”. A faithful slashing, a murder
conversion, it was inevitable taking place in a

TOP 5 CULT CLASSICS

Director: Richard Kelly
Writer: Richard Kelly
(2001)

ocrates astutely stated that mixing coming of age drama Swayze’s portrayal of a snake oil
wisest is he who knows he with period piece and science fiction selling life coach who manages a
does not know. Apparently to create a whole new breed of genre “kiddie porn dungeon” on the side,
some Donnie Darko fans bender and elevating the star power perhaps one of his most memorable
didn’t get the memo. In the years of a then unknown Jake Gyllenhaal. roles. Donnie himself represents
since its release, it’s not so much the high school everyman, a hero
a question of have you seen the for every disillusioned kid who can’t
film, but when? There’s a rift between shake the feeling that he’s a pawn
the persons who stumbled upon in a game he didn’t sign up to play.
the film during their own private The film’s increasing popularity
meanderings, and those who caught led to a production of various books
on after it had already achieved and supporting material, the release
mass appeal. One side cries “wagonist”, of a director’s cut in 2004, the
while the other cries “snob”; to spawning of a wretched sequel
bring out the true poseurs, just ask and a flood of merchandise in
them to explain the plot. Nonetheless, stores like Hot Topic, predictably
it’s a definitive film of the 2000’s, capitalizing on its established
appeal to “emo” kids. But some of
His idea laden films usually us can remember a time before
require multiple viewings to “The Prince of Persia” (2010),
appreciate, which helps to explain when one insomniac night flicking
the dismal box office returns. With through the channels, we stumbled
a budget of $4.5 million, the film upon that “weird movie” with the
barely managed to scrape past “killer 80s soundtrack”, and “a guy
the $100,000 mark on its opening in a giant bunny suit named Frank”.
weekend. It was actually saved
from the straight to DVD market by
Drew Barrymore, whose production
company Flower Films fronted
the money for public distribution,
thus explaining her previously
inexplicable presence. There are
other inexplicable presences in
the film, most famously Patrick

TOP 5 CULT CLASSICS

BRICK
Brendan Frye: Pin?
The Brain: Pin. The Pin?
Brendan Frye: The Pin, yeah?
The Brain: The Pin is kinda a local spook story, yeah know the King Pin.
Brendan Frye: Yeah, I've heard it.
The Brain: Same thing, he's supposed to be old, like 26. Lives in town.

Director: Rian Johnson anti-hero, absent of morals, the The rest of the film
brooding loner with an idee
Writer: Rian Johnson
fixe; protecting the woman he
plays like some dark
(2006) version of Charlie
so desperately loves. The other
High school is a microcosm of
students represent various noir Brown, without the
the real world, shrouded in secrecy
archetypes; dippy dames and unintentional
femme fatales; the criminal master
and doublespeak, populated by
mind with his lap dog muscle;
philosophizing.
caricatures more than actual
the go to guy for information. her too-old-to-still-be-at-home
people; life with the drama amplified.
Besides the typical meathead son is running in the basement of
It’s a wonder it took jocks, it’s high school without the their house with the “tacky mailbox”.
awkward, everyone acting with
someone this long to the restrained emotional assurance There is no small talk, no conversations
make the analogy of adulthood. The absence of without purpose and no delusions
with film noir, a genre actual adults isn’t realized until of morality when it comes to getting
that has evolved to we’re actually presented with one what you want. Upon release in
in the form of the collaborating
become a cult vice principal and the absurdly
the US, the film fell shy of the
$100,000 mark, not coming remotely
within itself. comical interrogation scene that close to matching its almost
takes place in his office. The only $500,000 budget. Some may be
Brick (2006) is a hard-boiled
other adult presence is the mother turned off by the snappy dialogue
detective story set in suburbia,
of the local drug dealer, The Pin, and esoteric slang, but the film is
surrounding a dead body, and a
sweetly questioning Brendan on dripping with “cool” and the
cast of shady characters driven
his choice of beverage after he’d convoluted storyline is bound to
by unabashed self-interest. Brendan
been beaten up for threatening to bring the intrigued viewer back
(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is our
expose the drug dealing racket for a second watch.

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