Skip to main content

Month: September 2019

Hot Right Now: Dantevilles

Written by Lily Martin on . Posted in Music.

Old-time favourites, Dantevilles, feature as this week’s Hot Right Now featured artist. Having recently played a sold-out gig at Salford’s Eagle Inn in the wake of their comeback to the music scene, they are impressing fans both old and new with their tight sets and new writing.

It’s the sultry combination of poignant vocals, smooth charisma and easy melodies which makes this band a must-listen at the moment, especially in the aftermath of their latest EP Welcome to the Theatre. The three-track release is a distinct, albeit slightly unimposing reflection, of what is to come from the local foursome. ‘Soundscape’ has been rightly labelled as the highlight of this release, and it possesses an old-fashioned eeriness which compliments the vibe the band is conveying.

Known for their precision writing and great gigs, Dantevilles are a essential part of the best of what the up-and-coming music scene in the city is presenting. Having worked in the past with Courteeners Joe Cross as a production partner, fans are looking forward to their releases over the Autumn tour season. A six-date tour has recently been announced, with shows from London and Bristol to Liverpool. They play the Star and Garter in Manchester on October 26th.

Their Eagle Inn release show was reflective of their longstanding popularity in Manchester. The venue was tightly-packed and full of energy for the headliners who have a reputation for their energised sets and whimsical stage performances. It did not fail to disappoint.

Keep your eyes peeled for tour tickets via their social media platforms very soon.

Opinion: Black Midi are the future

Written by Erin Botten on . Posted in Music.

Black Midi, a London-based group of four and alumni of Croydon’s Brit School, are the best bet I have for how the future will sound. The easiest genres to liken the group to are rock and jazz, but their music is more layered and diverse than a simple fusion of genres. There are clear nods to hip-hop and their music is cinematic in scale and direction. They have tracks that echo the vast highs and lows of classical music and they’re easy to dance to. This fact was reflected in their appearance on the line-up for Mura Masa’s upcoming Warehouse Project event.

I think that “boundary pushing” is a term often used far too liberally when describing new artists. On this occasion, however, it might just be apt. Given that 2019 has been the year of their debut singles and album, alongside their touring schedule of over 40 gigs, it’s apparent that they’re on a mission to establish themselves in people’s musical consciences. Their most streamed track at present, ‘953’, has over 600,000 listens on Spotify. Their debut album, Schlagenheim, has received almost unanimously positive reviews across the board.

As is apparent from interviews, the group are intentionally shirking any genre foisted upon them. This is not an arbitrary, anti-establishment move by them. Rather, it is an intentional means of ensuring that they still have creative space to explore. Given the variety of their debut, it should be apparent that they won’t be reserving the experimental material for the ‘notorious third album’. As such, the prospect of all the possible directions this group can go in is exciting. Add to this the truly new territory the group are occupying and the future looks bright for the band. They are not just simply making incremental changes to existing genres.

Of course, the true testament to a band’s longevity is often the people who follow in their footsteps. This could be the critical test of Black Midi’s impact on the music scene. I would hope that their free-form approach to music would inspire new musicians to do something similar. Even failing that, it will be interesting to see what the copycats would create. The group’s choice to pursue what feels right rather than bowing down to what they may feel obligated to produce is admirable. Black Midi are the future.

Photo: Rwendland @ Wikimedia Commons

Labour board back motion to dissolve student wing

Written by Aya-Zoe Atallah on . Posted in News.

The founder of labour organisation ‘Momentum’, Jon Lansman, has succeeded in his call to abolish the National Organisation of Labour Students (NOLS). The decision was made during a meeting with Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) on the 17th of September.

Often referred to as a key ally to Jeremy Corbyn, Lansman won the backing of the NEC to exclude the 40-year-old organisation and replace it with one that represents the Labour party more accurately. 

The student party was accused of not fulfilling the requirements needed to qualify as an affiliated group. The motion to ban claimed that NOLS had not paid necessary affiliation fees. The motion stated: “The NEC therefore asks general secretary to urgently devise a plan to establish a Labour Students organisation which does meet its obligations.”

In a statement, Manchester Labour Students welcomed the decision by the NEC, writing: “The current organisation of Labour Students is profoundly unfit for purpose, run by a small clique with anti-democratic, exclusionary elections which disenfranchise almost the entirety of the Student Labour membership.”

Writing on the necessity for the introduction of a replacement group they said: “Labour clubs including our own are vibrant, radical campaigning forces and we need structures which mirror and nurture this radicalism. Structures which above all are democratic and accountable to our large and ever-increasing student membership.”

However, the decision to remove the party has been criticised. Some have argued it is counterproductive to focus on this issue during such a vital time leading up to an election. A number of MPs expressed the importance of prioritising election preparation over internal rows.

Labour MP Stella Creasy spoke on the timing, saying: “Why at such a critical time in our country, and with an election on the horizon, does anyone who wants Labour to be an effective force for good think this is the time for such attempts to silence parts of our youth movement, when we need them to be seen and heard campaigning?”

Further accusations were made regarding the NEC’s decision for targeting the group for holding a more centrist position to Jeremy Corbyn’s politics. 

 

 

Review: Red Dust Road

Written by Patience Kanjira on . Posted in Theatre.

On 12th September, I had the pleasure of watching Jackie Kay’s Red Dust Road at Home. Tanika Gupta adapted Kay’s memoir for the stage, but it felt as if her memoirs had literally jumped off the page.

As we walked into the theatre, we were met with a large golden brown frame that was combined with a twisted large branch that overtook the corner of the frame. It became apparent to me that the large frame/branch was symbolic of Jackie’s mixed heritage – which is one of western influences and one of tribal and traditional cultures.

A key scene in which the traditional influence of her African ancestry was shown was the scene where she meets her biological father, who is from Nigeria. His sole purpose is to assert his religious righteousness upon his daughter.

However, there was humour created through this scene by Stefan Adegbola as Jackie’s father highlights the contradictions made by his character. He claims to be holier than Jackie, now that he is on the right path. Yet, he decides it is best to lie to his family about Jackie’s existence.

In addition, the constant outbursts of prayer in which Jonathan roughly lays hands upon Jackie created the perfect level of slapstick within the play. They didn’t take away from the poignant moment of Jackie’s self-realisation that her identity is not linked through her biological father, but the beauty of Nigeria itself.

Sasha Frost (Jackie) showcased the complex emotions of creating a hero of someone and being let down by the reality.

Photo: Richard Davenport (The Other Richard).

There were often striking juxtapositions of scenes. The following scene, for example, saw Jackie going through photos of her adopted (white, Scottish) parents. She is visibly more at ease with them.

Jackie’s parents (Lewis Howden and Elaine C Smith) created a loving and warm atmosphere. This drew the audience into the scene.

Jackie’s parents were communists, and some may describe them as mavericks, constantly going against the norm. One example of that maverick streak is their decision to adopt not one, but two mixed-race children at a time of ignorance. Moments of song and dance helped show the strength of the love they had for their children.

The character of Jackie’s brother, Maxwell (Declan Spaine), highlighted the issue of self-hatred within the black community. In one scene, he defends his sister from racial abuse, but then refuses to see himself as even a little bit black. This shocks Jackie and leaves a sour taste; it is a very real issue and provokes deep thought.

Arguably one of the most heartwarming moments of the play is when Jackie, even with the resistance of her father, finds the ancestral village in which her father is from. It is such a lovely moment of unity, in which the community welcome and bless Jackie. In particular, it allows Jackie to be able to piece one part of her identity together. Frost’s emotional response almost brought me to tears.

Dawn Walton did an amazing job of bringing two different cultures and identities together. The use of authentic African instruments and traditional Scottish lullabies gave us an overwhelming taste of the deeply rich and cultured life of Jackie Kay.

Red Dust Road runs at Home until 21st September.

Photo: Elena Bradley

GLOBE Chorlton Review: Seasonal and sensational

Written by Elena Meritxell Bradley on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Approaching my third year in Manchester, I, like many students, now know Fallowfield and the city centre intimately. So when you need refreshment from your same-old-same-old, look no further than Chorlton.

A twenty minute tram or bus from the centre takes you to a suburb that is worlds away from the commercialised bustle of Market Street. The bohemian streets are filled with independent restaurants, casual food spots and bars that most students never get to experience. Having spent the summer living in Chorlton, I’m here to divulge it’s best kept secret: GLOBE. 

GLOBE is quintessentially ‘Chorlton’.  Independently run, bohemian, relaxed and inspired. It’s menu is a fusion of globally inspired small plates, burgers, and curries – and offers a variety that caters for all, with over 50% of the dishes being vegetarian and a large proportion of those also being vegan and gluten free. The capacity is very small, catering for up to twenty guests and, though to some this is off-putting, in GLOBE this translates as exclusivity and an assurance that the quality of the food is never compromised.

Service is relaxed and the atmosphere even more so, with friendly service staff bobbing between the bar and floor, giving a homely feel. The philosophy behind GLOBE is shaped around inspiration from worldly travels, which is very evident in the menu. This ‘global’ notion of fusion had initially put me off as, without generalising, fusion food tends to be style over substance, tenuously executed and very predictable. But, I was willing to put my judgements aside and thank god I did.

Between three, we had four small plates and this was enough for a light but satisfying meal. Each plate was beautifully presented, with their mix-and-match ceramic plates giving it an ‘authentic’ feel. The first small plate to arrive was the ‘Persian braised beef nachos’ which consisted of a pile-high arrangement of nachos, tender pulled beef, feta, cucumber, and fresh mint all adorned in a heavenly garlic, tahini, and yoghurt sauce.

For £10.50, the portion is definitely enough for two and although in ‘Spoons you can get nachos for a fraction of the cost: These were absolutely insane. Rich pulled beef with middle-eastern spices but lightened with the addition of feta, yoghurt and cucumber. Delicious.

The second small plate was a ‘Pan-fried red mullet with a salsa verde and rocket‘. This dish was more simple than the nachos, but for fish lovers this fillet of fish was perfectly cooked and accompanied by a blitzed sauce of herbs, lemon and chilli; letting the quality of the fish speak for itself. An important side note is that where possible, a lot of the focal ingredients like the fish are sourced locally from other Chorlton shops, which make GLOBE both culinarily aware and conscientious.

Finally, the ‘Sumac braised pork belly’. Sumac, for those who don’t know, is a tart spice blend used a lot in north African cooking and tastes like powdered citrus. This pork was exactly what you want with pork belly, enough fat to make the dish decadent and meaty, but enough tartness from the sumac, yoghurt, and Sriracha sauce to stop it getting too rich. Heavenly. 

I was massively impressed with GLOBE. It’s rare in this fast culture of cheap food that you hand over money for a meal and feel fully satisfied, but this was the exception. I would happily pay £15 each for a few small plates to experience what GLOBE’s kitchen have created as I can assure you this is an underrated and hidden Manchester food gem.

4.5/5.

Our Predictions for the Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2019

Written by Elena Meritxell Bradley on . Posted in Food & Drink.

The Awards

The Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2019 are soon approaching!

Each year they’re held to celebrate the Manchester hospitality scene, with their awards going out to the most ‘innovative and high quality restaurants, bars and individuals’ in Manchester. To some, this is considered one of the most sought-after food awards in Manchester with 18 different categories in its 22nd year.

Nominations and Predictions

Here is a brief rundown of some of the  nominations for a few of the respective categories!

Bundobust and Dishoom both feature it at least three categories each so it seems likely that either one will clinch a prize. Both are nominated for best vegan offering of the year and I think either could take home the award as they offer some of the best Indian vegan food in the city! Foodie Event of the Year may go to GRUB at Mayfield Depot as their popularity this year soared in a similar way to the previous 2018 winner, HATCH.

Two Chorlton institutions also make it onto the list with Out of the Blue and Unicorn Grocery being nominated for ‘Food and Drink Retailer of the Year’. As a lover of all things sustainable and progressive, it would be amazing to see Unicorn Grocery be awarded for it’s consistent contributions to the Manchester food scene. Alternatively, the incredibly luxe fishmongers also deserve an award for bringing luxury seafood and fish to the streets of Manchester!

Rather happily I see YES being nominated for both ‘Affordable Eats Venue of the Year’ and ‘Best Bar of the Year’. As an avid fan of YES I find myself rooting for them to secure a prize – the following, support, and success that this bar has garnered within a year of opening is really something to celebrate. Equally though, Rudy’s Pizza do also deserve a prize for their affordability – nowhere will you find a pizza as delicious and authentic for the prize offered.

‘Coffee Shop of the Year’ last year went to Pot Kettle Black which was worthy of recognition, whereas this year the list features my personal favourite Ezra and Gil, who have provided my friends and I with the best poached eggs and avocado on toast in the city. Equally, Federal Cafe are also nominated and, for their recent expansion and dedication to keeping their smiley Australian brunch cafe packed day after day, some celebration is in order.

As mentioned before, YES are nominated for ‘Bar of the Year’ as one of the more casual offerings, with the incredible Hawksmoor and Speak in Code covering the higher end of Manchester’s drink scene. In the same vein of YES’s recent opening, the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award features two nominations, Tast Catala and Kala Bistro, who have been praised very highly in Manchester publications. Tast Catala on King Street has been open for just over a year and has consistently been regarded as some of the best higher-end food in Manchester, joining Hawksmoor, Mana, Umezushi, Where the Light Gets in and Restaurant MCR for the exciting ‘Premium and Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year award’.

Tast Catala also features in the ‘Chef of the Year’ category with Miquel Villacrosa rivalling Aiden Byrne from Restaurant MCR, Adam Reid from Adam Reid at The French, Umezushi’s Omar Rodriguez Marrero, Mana’s Simon Martin and Sam Buckley from Stockport’s best kept secret Where The Light Gets In.

With Tast Catala being newcomers to the Manchester food scene and already being nominated for four separate awards, it seems hopeful that the Catalan offering may have a win.

How can I vote?

Everybody has a chance to vote, so if you consider yourself a foodie and want to make a difference in the Manchester food scene by voting for somewhere you love, head to the Awards’ website. Make sure to confirm your email address through finding the confirmation email as otherwise your vote doesn’t count and you only get one. Voting Closes on 26th September, so don’t delay!

 

Review: Ad Astra

Written by Tobias Soar on . Posted in Film.

The “lonely astronaut in space trying to understand what humanity is all about” sub-genre is overdone, but that hasn’t stopped James Gray from adding his own spin on the theme with Ad Astra; a tale of a macho, gruff astronaut grappling with his emotions as he ventures deep into our Solar System on a dangerous mission. The plot doesn’t run any deeper than my previous sentence — Gray punches above his weight, and misses completely.

It’s clear from the start that Ad Astra is attempting to build a world of a grandiose scale. Practically ripping off Blade Runner, red text on a black background lay down some basic plot points. This feeling of almost building something huge is present throughout the film. Brad Pitt’s inner monologues make up most of the dialogue in the film and serve to construct a layered story – yet, they’re as empty as the blackness of space itself. The beautiful cinematography lingers on characters and scenery as if to convey a deeper message that just isn’t there.

The camerawork is by far one of the highlights of the film. From the wide shots of the moon, planets, and spaceships to close-ups of Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) looking confused, every shot in the film seems to have been meticulously planned, highlighting the set decoration that makes the world of Ad Astra feel lived-in and almost real.

Accompanying the camerawork, the sound design in the movie is spectacular. Space is a quiet vacuum where explosions have no sound, and every action scene that happens in zero-g is tense thanks to the use of Pitt’s perspective as the “ears” of the film — his calm breathing is sometimes drowned out by explosions near him, but not by ones further away than an arm’s reach. My experience was genuinely enhanced by watching the film at the Dolby Cinema at ODEON Trafford Centre, allowing for the enveloping sound and crystal-clear projection to totally suck me into the story.

The attention to detail in the audiovisual presentation underlines my favourite part of the film: the world-building. During the first half hour of the film, the story begins on a dying world which resulted in the corporate colonisation of the moon. There’s something deeply concerning about seeing a Chick-Fil-a on the surface of our satellite. Corporate greed is the only truly impactful philosophical question raised by Ad Astra, as the core introspective plot is simply bland.

What makes McBride a man? Where do the limits of his psyche lie? How deep do the scars of his past run? Can he ever move on? These are some of the questions that the plot poses, yet it never answers them, instead it presents a self-absorbed pseudo-philosophical outlook on human existence, akin to what you’d expect from a teenage boy who read his first summary of Nietzsche. Pitt’s introspective performance is not Oscar-worthy in the slightest; all he does is look confused, angry or sad at times while completely Stoic at others. 

With some interesting set pieces, solid cinematography, and clever sound design, Ad Astra has the components of a strong film — but the lack of a compelling cast and story give way to a crash landing.

2.5/5.

Run and talk: Tackling mental health through exercise

Written by Ellie Martin on . Posted in Societies.

Run Wild, the University of Manchester’s running society, are hosting a ‘Run and Talk’ event in conjunction with England Athletics. The event aims to get people out exercising and connecting with each other, in order to highlight the benefits of exercise for mental health. 

I asked Tom Lewis, President of Run Wild, about his thoughts on the link between running and mental health, and how the society aims to promote it.

“It makes running a lot easier, being next to someone or running in a group. I find for myself it’s easier to do more distance and run quicker. It’s a great way to relax and de-stress, talk to someone. That’s the whole point of run and talk – to get people to talk and raise awareness for good mental health.

Run and Talk

According to Tom, Run and Talk are focussing on men’s mental health this year: “One of the key things [England Athletics] are trying to push this year is to get someone who’s a man involved in the campaign.”

England Athletics‘ week long “Run and Talk” campaign is runs from the 23-29 September, and as Tom says, “research shows that men are less likely to report this or discuss issues because they don’t want to show weakness”, it’s a perfect way for new members to start opening up about their feelings.

Running to relieve stress

Tom shared his personal experiences with using running as a way to manage stress. He started running during his A-levels after set of bad mock results left him feeling overworked and overloaded. The pressure to pass exams in order to get into uni was feeding his negative mood. He said he got into running as a break, but found the benefits of a run to be wider than anticipated: “I wanted to improve my physical fitness but it actually helped a lot with my mental health as well. I find now if I don’t go out and clear my mind it will actually leave me a lot worse.”

When commenting on the experiences of other members of the group, he said that he and other leaders have seen significant changes in the members’ moods as they attend. The society also receive referrals from the UoM counselling service, for students to try exercise as a way of combatting mental health issues.

Benefits of running for students

There are multiple ways that running as a form of communal exercise is beneficial for students. Tom added that a lot of people run with the society as it makes them feel safe, especially as day light hours shorten significantly over the winter months: “A lot of people wouldn’t feel comfortable running alone in the dark and feel safer when they run in a group. We have people designated to make sure that no one is left behind.”

On the topic of Freshers’ Week, Tom remarked on how overwhelming a city as large as Manchester can be to new-comers, but running is a great tool to break down that fear with new friends: “We change route each week so it’s a really good way to learn the city. We take people over to the Etihad, we take people over to Old Trafford, all round the city centre, all round the parks. “

Tom also discussed the benefits that running can have for students around exam time. A common problem amongst overstressed students is the feeling of having no time to prioritise exercise.  Tom has found that actually taking break, even though you feel like you can’t, can leave you more clear-minded and more able to tackle a sky-high pile of work: “I’ve seen a lot of people who come in stressed or lonely. People start the session off quite tense but after an hour they feel a lot better and able to cope.”

Join Run Wild

Run Wild’s ‘Run and Talk’ run will be held on Tuesday 24th September, at 18:15, meeting outside the Students’ Union.  There is a push to get men involved and they are encouraging runners to bring a man in their life. Their sessions are held weekly on Tuesdays at 18:15, and there is also a group who run the Platt Fields’ Parkrun on Saturday mornings.

If you want to speak to someone about mental health issues, UoM’s counselling service is on the 5th Floor of Crawford House. You can access their website to find out how to use the service. The SU also has an Advice Service, which is confidential.

The forgotten history of Somalia

Written by nimoomer on . Posted in Opinion.

Diaspora communities generally have complex and meandering relationships with their homeland. Whether you are first-generation or fourth, chances are that that connection to a land that you may have never even seen stays with you in an inexplicable way. In the case of refugees and their children, this relationship can be traumatic, confusing, and fraught because the relationship almost always is with a country that no longer actually exists.

The immediate effects of war are imminently clear; destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, economic stagnation, famine, the list is endless. The materiality of these things unsurprisingly makes it impossible for many to focus on anything else, and this is no different in the case of Somalia.

With a climate crisis on its doorstep and decades of unrest and conflict, Somalia has been defined by devastating political and economic calamity. But what many do not note, however, is the cultural stagnation that has gripped the country – a nation known for its cultural richness has, over time, become censored and beaten into nothingness.

And this is the side of war that people do not speak of.

Whilst we focus on the physical; the levelling of cities and the inescapable spectacle of war, we miss that what we are truly witnessing is the very soul of a country being destroyed.

In the 1970s, Somalia bred some of the most innovative musicians and poets; the streets spoke of coral houses and cafes, every inch of Mogadishu was evidence of flourishing cultural and economic centre, attracting innovation and prosperity.

We have been told that New York, London, and Paris are the cultural capitals of the world. If you want music or art or theatre that’s where you have to be, but this wasn’t always the case. Now for all you art-snobs out there who have began to froth at the mouth, I’m not suggesting that Mogadishu, even at its height, was Paris, nor am I suggesting that I think that it should be. But the complete erasure of the history of this country, and many like it, creates the image that those in the so-called ‘third world’ have perpetually been in a state of conflict. This erasure has created an image that violence is the only language they know when, in reality, for centuries Somalis used poetry to navigate and avoid conflict – and the nomadic lifestyle which defined Somalia for centuries lends itself quite well to peace.

I only stumbled upon this history fairly recently. Before that, to me, Somalia was just another nation embroiled in ceaseless conflict; a country that I probably would never see again, but it is upon finding this history that has brought Somalia to life for me.

The culture of a nation is what makes it human; it is what we leave behind and what we live for while we’re here. The erasure of said culture allows us to comfortably ignore the humanity that still lives in the conflict. So we must responsibly teach the past, but more importantly we need to prioritise investing in future theatre, music, literature and art. It is through these mediums that we find the loudest voices of political dissidence and scorn; the revolution starts with a pen or a paintbrush or an instrument.

Richard Herring press shot for Manchester Podcast Festival

Preview: Manchester Podcast Festival 2019

Written by Bella Fleming on . Posted in Music.

The Manchester Podcast Festival is back with an impressive line-up of some of the UK’s most popular podcasts, talking on topics such as history, comedy, politics, feminism, LGBTQ+, music, sport, and everything in between

Now in its second year, the festival will run throughout the month of November with live podcast recordings taking place at various venues across Manchester.

Kicking off the festival on the 1stNovember is the live recording of Jordan North and William Hanson’s podcast Help! I Sexted My Boss. Taking place at the The Dancehouse Theatre, this hilarious satirical comedy will help guide you through the everyday perils of the modern world. No matter the problem, this duo are here to help!

The second night of the festival features a double bill starting with Dan Snow’s History Hit, live at the Exchange Auditorium in Manchester Central. Succeeding this will be a live recording of Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. This award-winning series sees Herring sit down with some of comedy’s biggest names. Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan, David Mitchell, Russell Brand, and Sarah Millican are amongst some of the guests to have been interviewed across the 200-plus episodes of this podcast.

A personal standout on the line-up is the Slacker Podcast. Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart’s podcast was launched last year and delves deep into the career of a different musical guest each week. Each show begins with the artist playing their first ever demo, and then delves into the evolution of these well-renowned artists from where they first started out, to where they are now. It makes for a truly fascinating listen, and previous guests on the Slacker Podcast include Wolf Alice, Bastille, Mura Masa, Manic Street Preachers, and Dizzee Rascal. You can catch Phil Taggart’s Slacker Podcast live on the 14thNovember in our own Students’ Union Theatre.

Other line-up favourites include The Guilty Feminist, Set Piece Menu, and the UK’s number one award winning LGBTQ+ podcast A Gay And A NonGay, now featured on BBC Radio 1.

The Manchester Podcast Festival will come to a close on the 27thNovember with a live recording of the Mandatory Redistribution Party, hosted by northern comedians Sean Morley and Jack Evans. The recording will take place at the intimate venue the Peer Hat in the Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Whatever your podcast preference, the Manchester Podcast Festival will have it! Tickets are on sale now.

All and Sonder: merging collage with experiences with cancer

Written by Camila Florencia Rusailh on . Posted in Arts.

All and Sonder is the Manchester-based online collaborative project that conveys individual stories and experiences with cancer through tarot-like collage illustrations.

The project relies on people getting in touch to share their experiences with cancer, then working alongside collage-maker Alice (AKA Keith Bloody Mary) to transform these individual stories into tarot cards.

I sat down with Alice to discuss how, and why, the project has shaped itself around the intensely personal yet equally universal experiences people have with cancer.

Alice was clear on the openness of the project: “Absolutely anyone can be involved and that’s kind of the point of it really, that everyone is connected to cancer in some way.”

This card represents the fact that life must go on throughout (and after) illness, and how it helps to find a way to normalise it. You do whatever you can to get through it, forgiving yourself along the way.

Alice asks members of the public to get in touch via her website, but future conversations that guide the final card can take place over the phone, written, or meeting face-to-face – depending on the practicality of each collaborator and ultimately whatever makes the person most comfortable. It is a true collaboration between the public and Alice. Alice remains partially anonymous, as she feels that having her name attached to the project would detract from the joint ownership with her anonymous collaborators. 

By taking the enormous subject of cancer and focusing on individual stories of those diagnosed or the people around them, All and Sonder steps away from the science of statistics and into the more tangible abstractness of shared emotion and experience. The word sonder is a made-up word taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows which means ‘the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own’.

Just like the word cancer, which encompasses so much yet is specific to the individual, the tarot medium begins to question just how connected we all are in times of seeming isolation.

The creative takes action with projects. This card symbolises tackling difficult life subjects in a creative way and making new things that may enable discussion. Photo: All and Sonder

“I felt like I’d focused on researchers in previous work and cancer as a scientific thing, but I hadn’t really thought about fate. I had my tarot cards read and I realised the way she was reading me was that she was taking elements of the card to read the premonition and I thought ‘that is exactly what collage is!’. You take an image as a whole and read it either as the whole or through the pieces that have been put together as separate objects.”

It’s this marrying of elements within All and Sonder that creates a fascinating dichotomy between the composition of the collages and the deconstructed coding of elements of stories, which are concealed within the ambiguity of the tarot cards.

Alice hopes that “they are very personal and that [the collaborators] see their story in the card. Nobody else will, but they will see their own story and that’s how people are. We don’t see people’s story when we look at them, we only see what we see.”

I wondered if the intrinsic trust required between collaborators, in order for the project to succeed, influenced its departure from the usual focus on bleaker aspects of mortality and pain, which usually go hand-in-hand with cancer experiences. Alice reflected on this proposed idea: “It’s up to the person sharing their story to tell me what they want me to know.

“I think it’s natural that the stories they are telling me are not overly positive – they are telling me about a hardship they have experienced. But there always seems to be a change in outlook, something that they have learnt through the experience.”

All and Sonder’s refreshingly neutral stance on cancer arises from exploring the territory of human experience. Sidelining the disease and putting the spotlight onto the stories and changes individuals have gone through enables the growing number of cards to become an immortalised gallery of research, through stories that cannot be conveyed through black and white survival and mortality rates.

“The people cannot be identified through the card, the nature of collage is that it’s surreal and abstract, but having said that, the people sharing have to be comfortable in giving their stories to the project. I wouldn’t want them to regret sharing their story of cancer, because it is a part of their life. It’s their story. I’m just trying to bring those individual stories together and give them a collective voice.”
The sentient card represents the power of a determined mindset and a fighting attitude. This card suggests that times of transition can be followed by positive change. Photo: All and Sonder

To see the full display of the current deck, learn more about the project and how to be a collaborator, visit the website for All and Sonder.

Photo: Sakeeb Sabakka @ Flickr

What’s your degree worth? UoM grade inflation revealed

Written by Josh Sandiford on . Posted in Investigations.

The number of first-class degrees being awarded on the most popular courses at the University of Manchester has increased significantly, in some cases by almost 400% over the last decade.

An investigation by The Mancunion shows that in the last ten years, the number of top grades being awarded has jumped, amid concerns that so-called ‘grade inflation’ is lessening the value of degrees across the country. 

Grade inflation occurs when universities award a high amount of top degrees to their graduates. Universities are independent in awarding their grades and can, therefore, award as many first-class degrees as they like.

It’s the first time the University’s grade inflation has been broken down by course. Figures show that in all but one of the ten largest courses, the number of firsts awarded has increased. 

The University says it’s confident the degrees it awards reflect “the hard work and dedication” students put into their studies.

Grade inflation on the largest courses, obtained by The Mancunion through Freedom of Information requests

Chemical Engineering, which has become increasingly popular since 2008, has seen an almost four-fold increase in the number of firsts awarded – from 11% in 2008 to 52% in 2018. This means that over half of those who graduated from the Chemical Engineering course in 2018 did so with a first-class degree. 

For those studying Economics, the proportion of students graduating with a first has gone up by 75% between 2008 and 2018 – with 28% of students on the course graduating with a first compared to 16% in 2008.  

Adult Nursing students also graduated with a high amount of firsts when compared with ten years ago. In 2018, the percentage of first-class degrees awarded was 42% – a 250% percentage increase on the amount awarded in 2008. 

According to Times Higher Education, the University of Manchester awarded 30% of graduates a first-class degree in the 2016/17 academic year, with over 80% of students awarded either a first or an upper second-class degree.

Higher education regulator, the Office for Students, last year warned that universities must take urgent steps to tackle grade inflation. At the time, Chief executive Nicola Dandridge said it was “fundamentally important – for students, graduates and employers – that degrees hold their value over time.” 

The Office for Students are supposed to ensure that grades maintain their value over time, and questions are now likely to be asked about how the University of Manchester seeks to tackle spiralling grade inflation and an upward trend in grades awarded. 

Critics of grade inflation argue it makes it difficult for genuinely outstanding candidates to shine through, and harder to distinguish between those who have a first-class degree and who are really first-class graduates.

Eduard Krkoska, who graduated from the University of Manchester last year with an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for Economics, has an interest in grade inflation. 

He told The Mancunion: “This is shocking but not surprising. Looking at the programme I have just graduated from, the BA in Economics, the proportion of students graduating with a first has gone up by 75% between 2008 and 2018.

“It would be foolish not to believe that the value of grades in the job market has decreased. With over a quarter of the graduates on the programme coming out with a ‘top’ degree employers now have to go through that much more effort to find out which are the best and brightest.”

“It is no wonder that graduate employers seeking to attract top talent do so using internal assessments comprising of numerous online tests, written exercises, telephone interviews and assessment centres, paying little attention to grades awarded,” he added. 

In 2018, 58% of all Physics students graduated with a first. 

Kieran, a second-year Physics student, told The Mancunion: “Physics is a hard degree and it takes a lot of effort but you’ve got to be talented – 58% of people getting a first sounds like a lot but you’ve got to bear in mind that the level for getting into Physics is high anyway. People already have a natural talent; you’re not going to get 2 A*’s and an A [entry grades] without being good and putting in the effort.” 

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University of Manchester takes its academic responsibilities extremely seriously and our robust Assessment Framework ensures our grade valuations are fair and rigorous … we are confident the degrees we award reflect the hard work and dedication that our students put into their studies.

“This is demonstrated by the fact our University has just been named the University of The Year for Graduate Employability by The Sunday Times Good University Guide and is ranked in the top ten UK universities for overall graduate employability, alumni outcomes, employer reputations and partnerships with employers in the latest QS Graduate Employability Rankings.

“This shows that, as well as our teaching and learning, the additional opportunities we provide for students during their time with us make them stand out from the rest upon graduation.”

Manchester Professor named ‘ordinary hero’ by EU

Written by Aya-Zoe Atallah on . Posted in News.

Stefan Bouzarovski, Professor of Geography at The University of Manchester, has been named an ‘ordinary hero’ by the European Union. Being one of only four UK ordinary heroes, this title was earned from his work regarding energy poverty.

The EU’s “Together we protect” campaign notices and praises individuals that work to find ways to improve everyday lives. As the chair of the Energy Poverty Observatory (EPOV), Bouzarovski’s work aims to help the 50 million households in the UK, Europe, and worldwide struggling with high energy costs.

His research influences the EU policy that helps protect these struggling individuals. It consists of pinpointing the causes and consequences of domestic and fuel energy deprivation in order to reach beneficial solutions.

Funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), he also leads the ENGAGER European network on energy poverty. This scheme is backed by the EU’s biggest research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.

Households struggling with energy poverty in the UK, Europe, and globally can be left without basic necessities such as lighting, heating, and access to appliances and cooking facilities in their homes.

This can be attributed to a number of causes, including an inability to access affordable energy or due to living in badly maintained or older homes that are not easily heated. These homes use excess heat inefficiently creating a larger contribution to the environment and climate change.

Energy poverty can therefore damage the individuals in said households, leading to greater risks of developing cardiac and respiratory illnesses and mental health problems.

On receiving the EU title, Professor Stefan Bouzarovski said: “I am honoured and humbled to have received this recognition. It is just a small part of the UK’s much wider role in shaping EU energy policies through expert input and various forms of knowledge transfer.”

Fuse TV plan an exciting year of production

Written by Johnny Boom on . Posted in Societies.

The University of Manchester (UoM)’s student TV station, Fuse TV, is entering the new academic year with an exciting line-up of original scripted series, sketches, and short films. As part of creating opportunities for young talent behind-the-camera to develop their skills, all projects go through stages of development, production, and release. They provide students with a taster of what it’s like to work in the industry. 

The Fuse TV Team

Third-year Drama and English Literature student Alfie Clark is on board for a short film adaptation of his acclaimed short play Rota – a black comedy about student life and survival – which is set to start production in November. He plans to develop a scripted comedy series for the station. Rota was showcased earlier this year as part of the University of Manchester Drama Society’s annual season of short plays and was a hit with audiences. Alfie was also a producer on Lauren Ellis-Stretch’s play Her which was taken to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this past summer.

Music and Drama student Phoebe Lynch plans to write and produce her mini-series Blessed Earth (working title). Her previous play, We Have Sinned won a Manchester In-Fringe Theatre Award, and was nominated for seven MIFTA awards in total last April by the UoM Drama Society. Blessed Earth is a drama with comedic elements, focusing on topical issues including politics and the environment. It sees three goddesses of creation – Luna, Sola, and Mother – deciding the fate of the planet. They integrate themselves on earth by becoming university students and, whilst they try to fit in with those around them, they are also trying to decide whether it is time to terminate the Earth.

Lara Biller – whose script Rich Girl was selected for production with the University of Manchester Filmmaking Society earlier this year – already has a short film in development and plans on adding more. It is described as an LGBTQ+ romantic comedy set against the backdrop of student life.

Fresh off her MIFTA award win for Most Promising Writer for her play Swish Swish – which took home 4 additional awards – third-year drama student Ellie Klouda is set to write and produce projects for the TV station.

Overseeing the development, production, and release of all scripted projects at Fuse TV is Matt Johnston. After internships at NBC, Universal and Creative Artists Agency, Matt joined the television station as the new Head of Drama. He wants to focus on building a slate of original female-driven, LGBTQ+ stories that resonate with a student audience.

Fuse TV’s previous scripted projects include Continuity and Flint, both of which ran in 2018/19.

Get involved

If you’re interested in a career in TV and would like to get involved in these projects, contact Fuse TV through their Facebook page to find out more about how you can get involved.

Isadora cover

Dancing through the pages: Isadora, the graphic novel

Written by Shaheena on . Posted in Books.

Isadora Duncan is a revolutionary figure in dance, so much so she is termed the ‘Mother of Modern Dance.’

SelfMadeHero brings you Isadora, a graphic novel about her life, written by Julie Birmant and illustrated by Clement Ouberie.

The Graphic Novel recounts some of the most momentous events in the dancer’s life. We join her on her family’s voyage to London, Paris and her further travels to Greece, Russia, Italy and back to her home city in the USA.

Isadora Duncan becomes vulnerable in the depiction of her career, love life, and family interactions.

Sensitivity, excitement and intellectual common-ground are evident in her relationship with her brother in early adulthood. She shares with him her passion and curiosity for Greek architecture. Comical scenes help to communicate these passions, eloquently written into the rich illustrations of the graphic novel.

During the novel, we move between time periods. We are able to empathise with Isadora’s loss of her young children and gain insight into her short-lived marriage to Sergei Yesenin. We discover her own communist sympathies, but most of all her unbridled dedication to the vibrancy of life itself.

It’s true, Isadora attracted controversy throughout life, especially in later years. However, her carefree yet emotional approach to life is celebrated in this account. Her autobiographic experiences transform in the visual story-telling.

Isadora’s career is at the forefront of the storyline. Important characters that featured in her career progressions like Auguste Rodin and Loie Fuller are duly noted in the novel. Her inspirations and pathways become clear for the reader.

Whether you are an avid fan of modern dance, or you would like to expand your cultural knowledge, Isadora proves to be a pleasant and easy read. Being a graphic novel, there are visual and literary elements that deserve to be celebrated.

Isadora is just one of the series of graphic novels SelfMadeHero have released. Julie Birmant is also known for other graphic novels which you can find on their website.

Pursue their line of graphic novels, they could make the perfect gift, or more personally, a gateway into the genre.

 

 

Photo of Alice Catherine on the streets of Manchester

Four must follow Manchester fashion bloggers

Written by Burcu Can on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Sixties and Seventies-inspired vintage outfits on the streets of Manchester are what keeps the city dynamic and unique and many Manchester fashion bloggers with various different styles are at the heart of this. Let’s take a look at some of the influencers who represent the spirit of Manchester with their stylish outfits.

1. Alice Catherine

Alice is obsessed with vintage style, music and the sixties. She’s a huge fan of Jane Birkin, which inspires her timeless style, especially her hair. Alice always looks effortless, elegant and stylish even on Manchester’s rainy days.

Her outerwear collection mostly consists of nude/beige colours including comfy cardigans, trench coats and blazers whereas her go-to shoes include small heels and loafers on sunny days and casual brown boots on rainy days.

Additionally, I would recommend her new podcast called ‘On The Outskirts’ with Sophia Rosemary. It discusses blogging outside of the London bubble and the positive sides of blogging in Manchester, as well as personal style.

2. Sophia Rosemary

Some people believe Sophia is Alice’s sister since they look alike and they have similar styles. But they’re actually just friends! Although they are alike in some ways, they manage to keep their styles different and they also discuss this topic in their podcast series.

Sophia is also a vintage lover, especially sixties and seventies style. In contrast to Alice though, Sophia’s go to is a jeans and t-shirt combination. Some of her indispensable pieces are colourful tops, striped or plaid skirts, classic leather boots and white sneakers. She also enjoys floral vintage dresses with sandals for summer.

3. Megan Ellaby

If you see a brunette wearing a fur coat, brogues and straight leg coloured trousers wandering the streets of Manchester, look again because that might be Megan Ellaby.

Megan’s style reminds me of the colourful streets of Northern Quarter and her striking outfits really make her stand out from other bloggers. She’s often seen wearing pink straight-leg trousers and patterned sweaters. She is a proper Mancunian with her style, accent and colourful personality. She also has a YouTube channel.

4. Faye Ellaby

Megan Ellaby’s sister Faye also loves wearing colourful pieces but her style is more modern than some of the other bloggers mentioned. She manages to look casual and fancy with her chic fur coats and Dr.Martens boots, or animal print dresses with coloured heels. Despite being from Manchester, her style gives us New York street style vibes.

 

Busy student on a budget? Try a capsule wardrobe

Written by Alice Porter on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a capsule wardrobe as “a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways and includes everything you would normally need to wear.” Although the term was founded in the 1970s by British boutique owner Susie Faux, the idea has grown more popular in recent years as minimalism and sustainability movements have gained more credibility. And it might just be the answer to all your clothes shopping on a student budget woes.

There is no singular formula to a capsule wardrobe, with some recommending owning only ten pieces of clothing while others advocating up to 50. But, evidently, the key is having a minimalistic wardrobe.

The idea can sound daunting but many people, including members of the fashion blogging community, have raved about its benefits. For example, having so few pieces in your wardrobe means you have to think about every single item of clothing you buy, ensuring it’s worthy of being one of the few items of clothing you own. This means that there will be less of those impulse purchases that you’re bored of within a few weeks, which is better for the environment and your bank balance.

Additionally, because you are making less of these ‘it’s only £12 in the sale I might as well buy it’ purchases, or ideally avoiding them altogether, you can start to invest in good quality, timeless pieces that will stand the test of time. Despite how gratifying impulse purchases can be in the short-term, it’s usually the clothing in your wardrobe that you spend more money on that you’re sure to love, because you’ve really had to consider that purchase.

However, spending lots of money on clothes isn’t a requirement of the capsule wardrobe. You could create one entirely from second-hand pieces if you are on a tight budget. Although, the idea of a capsule wardrobe is not having to re-purchase clothes, so make sure you pay attention to the fabrics used in the clothing you want to buy, this goes for both new and second-hand items.

Even if your budget is limited, remember that it is worth investing a little more into your clothes at the time of purchase so you don’t have to buy anything similar for years and years to come, saving you money in the long-term, even if this means you might have slightly fewer items of clothing in your wardrobe than you’re used to for now.

Not only can a capsule wardrobe save you money, but time too. The idea is that most of the pieces in your wardrobe can be worn together, allowing you to look put together in an outfit you love even when you wake up ten minutes before your lecture is due to start.

So if your wardrobe is currently overflowing and the prospect of getting dressed in the morning fills you with dread, but you can’t stop spending money you don’t have on clothes you never wear, maybe a capsule wardrobe is for you.

Start by having a clear-out (although try not to be too hasty in getting rid of clothes if you’re not in a financial position to build your capsule wardrobe all in one go) and taking some clothes that you haven’t worn for a while to the charity shop, or selling them on Depop for some extra cash.

When you’re ready to start building your capsule wardrobe, there are lots of helpful videos and articles out there that can guide you along the way. TheAnnaEdit on YouTube regularly creates videos about her capsule wardrobe so that might be a good place to start.

Even if you decide not to commit to a wardrobe of 50 or fewer pieces, there is definitely something to be taken from the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Avoiding bad quality, fast fashion impulse purchases and investing in high quality pieces that you’ve thought about and that will last can only be a good thing for the environment, your budget and your wardrobe.

London Fashion Week Round Up (Spring 2020)

Written by Alice Porter on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

While Manchester might feel a million miles away from the fashion capitals, there’s lots of ways to get involved with Fashion Week from the comfort of your own bed, the library or at the back of a lecture theatre. We’re making it easier for you to catch up on all the shows at The Mancunion with our fashion week round ups. Following on from our NYFW round up, here’s our London Fashion Week recap…

Despite LFW’s status as the newest fashion week, with as many big brands as exciting up and coming ones, it’s certainly not one to be missed.

The collections shown throughout the last 5 days were varied and diverse, impossible to summarise in a sentence. What’s more, in contrast to NYFW’s 80s mania, London seemed to be embracing the 70s, with many designers championing pastel colours, where New York showcased neons.

View this post on Instagram

S/S20 thank you the most incredible team for making our vision come to life! Huge thank you to our original Darlington @karenclarkson for the styling, creative direction and so much more. Gorgeous casting by the one and only @maddeostlie @aamo_casting Set design by the mirror queen @culietta Hair by the hair king himself @larrykinghair using @larrykinghaircare Make up by the best @naokoscintu using beautiful products by @code8beauty Dreamy nails by @imarninails with @nailsinc products Honoured to have worked with @aaronsillis on movement Finally, a special shout out to the incredible @studioboum team, the @britishfashioncouncil, our amazing 16A team and the best PR @mgc_london @gabynassif @katefinlan @miguel_arquero for always going above and beyond! Couldn’t have done this without you!

A post shared by 16ARLINGTON (@16arlington) on

London Fashion Week is renowned for its promotion of up and coming designers. The opening shows on Friday morning exemplified that. Its line up of new brands included 16Arlington, who are already making a name for themselves despite only being in their fourth season, with their glamorous meets grunge designs, and their SS20 collection took inspiration from 60s silhouettes.

Temperley London was the big name featured on Friday’s line-up and their presentation took place at the Temperley store on Bruton Street. The SS20 collection, by eponymous designer Alice Temperley, was distinctly informal compared to the brands usual focus on evening dresses. It featured multiple pairs of paperbag shorts and denim pieces, alongside their classic floral midi dresses, dressed down with flat sandals, belts and straw hats.

Saturday saw the start of the public catwalk shows, making London Fashion Week the first ever fashion week that is open to anyone – or at least anyone with a spare £135 .

The first brand who partook in this experiment was ALEXACHUNG, a relative newcomer to fashion week, although its eponymous founder is a fashion veteran. Chung’s show took place three times throughout the day, another first for fashion week.

Also on the Saturday lineup was Ports 1961, whose colourful collection was full of prints and based around the button up shirt, showing a multitude of ways in which it can be worn and created.

The Marques ‘ Almedia show, taking place right in the middle of the day, had ethics at its heart, with a video of the brand’s female friends imagining what they’d tell their future daughters preceding the show, and a recent sustainable change in the brands production process.

On the topic of sustainability, the brand told Vogue: “We’re on this issue now…Everyone who’s in fashion just has to be.”

The collection itself took their classic denim pieces and made them wider and longer. This oversized silhouette was also present in many other pieces in the collection, especially the outerwear.

Shortly following this was the Molly Goddard show, whose signature pastel-coloured tulle dresses were bigger than ever for SS20. This was accentuated by the narrow runways which meant those sat on the front row were grazed with the fabrics as the models walked past, which made for some very Instagrammable content.

 

Rejina Pyo’s show brought fashion week back down to earth, or at least as far to earth as fashion week gets, with a fairly neutral colour palette and clothes that could be very easily included in your everyday wardrobe.

The colour palette was interrupted in the middle of the show by a few brighter pieces, including a checked suit made up of reds, yellows, greens and blues, paired with a straw version of her signature Nane bag.

The Rixo ready-to-wear collection was also presented on Saturday night. It felt like more of a party than a presentation – with food stalls, a double-decker bus painted to reflect the collection and music blasting throughout the Woodstock-inspired location. In keeping with this setting, the collection was a 70s dream with psychedelic prints, flowing midis and barely there mini dresses.

Saturday night ended with the Fashion for Relief catwalk, a charity founded by Naomi Campbell in 2005 to support humanitarian causes. As usual, it attracted some of fashion’s biggest names including Anna Wintour, Edward Ennifull and Billy Porter.

The public shows on Sunday’s schedule were House of Holland & Self-Portrait, but the Instagram favourite of the day was the Margaret Howell show, with influencers like Lizzy Hadfield and Brittany Bathgate singing the designer’s praises. The brand’s SS20 collection has also received praise from publications including Vogue, for its ability to “reexamine and reinvent the trench, the shirt, the blazer.” Effortlessly combining womenswear and menswear in a collection that manages to be both timeless and modern, it’s easy to see why Margaret Howell’s SS20 collection has received so much praise.

Shortly following Margaret Howell was Victoria Beckham, whose SS20 collection embraces neon colours with subtlety, mostly through clever layering. After that was Emilia Wickstead whose Little Women inspired collection brings some fun to ‘grown up dressing’ through pastel colours and lots of gingham.

Simone Rocha’s SS20 collection was also shown during Sunday’s busy schedule, distinctive in its use of tulle and layering with each look also coming with either face paint or a head accessory, usually a bejewelled headband.

Phoebe English was one of the last shows of the day, whose press release read: “We Are The Problem and We Are the Solution”, the SS20 collection being a lesson in sustainable fashion.

Monday took LFW outdoors with the ERDEM collection, which suited its location in a London park perfectly, being both regal and romantic. Oversized dresses that were at once structured and oversized were what distinguished the collection with delicate lace and unique prints in each piece.

The JW Anderson show felt just as elegant, perhaps an unusual description for the brand, with a clear focus on tailoring throughout.

The Christopher Kane show followed that afternoon, with the SS20 collection titled “Eco-Sexual”. The collection was littered with prints inspired by nature and the bardot necklines and deconstructed bra attachments signified the sexual element of this collection.

Riccardo Tisci showed his third collection as creative director of Burberry, adopting a fairly neutral colour palette that abandoned the signature Burberry check. The set was fairly simple, an intentional move by Burberry, who announced on Instagram that they were trying to offset their carbon impacts through the build and production of the event.

Richard Quinn ended Monday evening with a pink catwalk and maximalist designs, including a selection of pink floral dresses with feather hoods, worn by a group of school girls.

The final day of London Fashion Week, Tuesday the 17th of September, mirrored the first, in which newer designers were given some room to show their collections. They mainly took place at the BFC Show space and DiscoveryLAB, without all of the attention, from the press and attendees, being focussed on the bigger names of the week. This decision encapsulates the spirit of LFW and its longstanding willingness to embrace new talent that makes the city and its fashion week so exciting and unpredictable.

Review: The Playstation Dreamworld ​by Alfie Bown

Written by isaaclucia on . Posted in Books.

Psychoanalysis still suffers from the lack of conceptual immediacy Freud complained of in Beyond the Pleasure Principle .

Video games suffer from a lack of serious interpretation, their enjoyment either proceeds uncritically, or is straight-jacketed by critical methods of books and films. Alfie Bown’s The Playstation Dreamworld aims to solve both problems, arguing that videogames constitute a highly successful application of psychoanalysis.

Both, according to Bown, ‘denaturalise desire’. There is no natural, authentic, or universal desire – as taught in Lacanian psychoanalysis, demonstrated in video games by making players pursue an arbitrary goal, in a space structured by the game’s designers.

Firstly, this means that the ‘interpretation’ of a videogame must go beyond its content and analyse how the player’s subjectivity is being altered in situ. The book is a catalogue of errors of reading a game’s content alone, and will come as a relief to those exhausted by ‘endlessly proving the same points in new contexts’.

Secondly, these undreamt of possibilities for producing new subjects have huge political consequences. Video games are for Bown what dreams are for Lacan. Bown outlines with remarkable clarity their potential as operating theatres of ideology, where alien desires are implanted into the subject, misrecognized as her own. It is no surprise, given who holds the scalpels, that most games are rife with corporate ideology. Subversive games are then those which expose this reprogramming, laying the groundwork (though Bown is tentative here) for a Left politics of desire.

Other topics include the dialectics of work and play, retro gaming, and ‘machinic subjectivity’, which runs through the book as the culmination and end-point of psychoanalysis. The silence over technology and desire in contemporary debates testifies to their importance, and makes Bown’s book urgent, but no less enjoyable.

Photo: JFA DeWit @ Wiki Commons

Nature, Manchester and You

Written by Felix Hanif-Banks on . Posted in Features.

A city like Manchester can really take it out of you. Whether you’re running up and down 6 flights of stairs to make it to your next lecture on time or bustling through Deansgate Locks to get a selfie with Love Island star Molly-Mae, metropolitan life in one of the country’s liveliest cities really drains even the hardiest of party-goers. If the smell of peri-peri chips as you enter the Fallowfield strip is getting a bit repetitive, stay on that 142 and get amongst some nature. Here’s some of the finest spots in the local area for some peaceful nature exploration, hand-picked just for you.

Reddish Vale Country Park

Stroll along the banks of the beautiful River Tame, met by geese, ducks and fantastic views on every turn of this snaking river. Reddish Vale offers an expanse of greenery and wildlife along the river banks and in its forests, including some adorable hedgehogs and even deer! Look out for the Roman viaduct that stretches along much of the river, providing a great little view for a picnic.

The Mancunion would like to apologise sincerely for failing to announce the Park’s ‘Apple Day’ on Sunday the 22nd of September, featuring such activities and attractions as ‘Allen’s Garden Ornaments’, a hog roast, and ‘Meet Crocodile Joe’. There’s always next year!

If you’re more into petting than walking, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a farm in the park, with a whole host of cute pigs and goats, with a cafe nearby. Reddish Vale is just a 30 minute train journey away from the town centre, or about the same distance in a car.

Photo: Mr Stephen @ wiki commons
Photo: Mr Stephen @ wiki commons

Highfield Country Park

For a bit of nature within walking distance, look no further than the Fallowfield Loop. Running around the edge of everyone’s favourite cesspit, the Loop offers a high, leafy treeline either side so you can feel protected from urbanity for a few hours. Full of dog walkers, excellent graffiti and very fast cyclists, walk along until you find Highfield Country Park in all its forested glory!

The Park isn’t too large, but has multiple trails to explore and forks in the road to contemplate, meaning you’ll stumble on peaceful clearings and secluded ponds along the way. It makes for an excellent and very easy day out with friends; bring some shoes to get muddy and a spirit for adventure, and lose track of time for a while.

Tatton Park

If you fancy a journey into the heart of leafy Cheshire, Tatton Park is a perfect location for a day out. With a country house, ornate gardens and a farm on offer, Tatton has you covered no matter what kind of outdoors adventure you’re in the mood for.

Each part of the park costs £7 to visit individually, or £13 for all three. It’s incredibly easy to spend a whole day there, with many good viewpoints or heavily forested areas to get lost in. There’s no shortage of wildlife; deer lurk somewhat menacingly around the long walk into the park, and a real menagerie of birds can be found across the park making for a lovely peaceful day of just watching nature do its thing.

Tatton isn’t the easiest to get to without a car, but the nearest station is Knutsford which you can get to from Piccadilly or Oxford Road stations. I feel obligated to warn people to not make the same mistake as I did: you can get an Uber to Tatton Park, but you cannot get an Uber home from Tatton Park. But if you enjoy long walks, feel free to make that journey.

Photo: Andreas Mortonus @ Flickr
Photo: Andreas Mortonus @ Flickr

Fletcher Moss

Located just beyond Didsbury, Fletcher Moss (and especially its Botanical Gardens) offers some outrageously good nature in a very convenient package. Hop on a 142 and explore the expanse of the Gardens and the neighbouring nature reserve, which is home to a great variety of birds according to its website, including such great names as Chiff-chaffs, tree-creepers and Sand Martins. and a range of edible produce!

The Botanical Gardens are a serene spot in which it’s very easy to sit and read a book, or just watch the world go by. The plant-life is large and vibrant, stretching way into the sky to create an immersive natural world, which feels a lot further than 20 minutes away from Owens Park.

Photo: Wikidwitch@wiki commons
Photo: Wikidwitch@wiki commons

Peak District

A well-known and well-loved fan favourite, such a list would be incomplete without the Peak District. Take a train to one of numerous stations across the Peaks accessible from Manchester, or take a drive that is rarely more than an hour. Beautiful rolling hills as far as the eyes can see, babbling streams and air so fresh you won’t want to leave, the Peaks really are the perfect spot for a student overwhelmed by city life, or anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature.

A group of friends could easily spend a night camping out, provided the harsh northern winds don’t get you, but it really does provide some beautiful scenery, perfect for reflection and relaxation. If the Oxford Road Corridor is looking a bit too familiar for you, look no further.