Showing posts with label goes full on churnalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goes full on churnalism. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 October 2014

Cambridge Festival of Ideas


Now in its seventh year, the Festival of Ideas aims to explore some of the most essential and thought-provoking ideas of our time, from rising nationalism, gender and racial politics to digital rights and innovation. It celebrates the very best of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Over 250 events ranging from talks, debates and film screenings to exhibitions and comedy nights are held in lecture halls, theatres, museums and galleries around Cambridge and entry to many is free.


Fiction is described as an anxious journey through the sprawling architecture of our dreams. A sound journey through complete darkness the show plays on the senses, creating a unique theatrical experience that undermines common theatre convention. 


It is the second collaboration between director David Rosenberg, the co-founder of Shunt and director of Electric Hotel, and writer Glen Neath whose previous work includes Romcom and The Bench, which have been performed fourteen countries to date. They previously worked together on Ring, which received great acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

The sound, provided by Ben and Max Ringham, is recorded using binaural sound technology, creating a 3D listening sensation, giving the performance an extraordinary intimacy and immediacy. It transports the audience, who become protagonists in the show, into their own dream world, but all is not as it seems, and they won’t be alone. Fiction creates the eerie sensation of presence, even, or perhaps especially, when there’s no one there.

By setting the show in complete darkness, with the audience wearing headphones, David Rosenburg explores ways of creating an alternative reality, building on his previous use of technology and sound in successful earlier works Ring, Electric Hotel and Motor Show

Fiction was commissioned by the Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Cambridge Junction and Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival. It is funded by Arts Council England and a Wellcome Trust Arts Award. 
Performances take place on 28th and 29th October from 7.30-8.30pm in Room J2, Cambridge Junction.


Other performance-related events taking place at the Festival of Ideas include:

- Hip hop psych - a hip hop takeover of West Road Concert Hall exploring mental illness through hip hop beats and lyrics, including live performances [[20 October]

- METIS present World Factory - Zoe Svendsen, Zhao Chuan and Wu MEng discuss their work with their theatre company Grass Stage, focusing on the politics of creating performance on contemporary issues in China and their collaboration with Cambridge-based METIS [21st October]. 

Followed by a performance of World Factory: the game which explores the relationship between China and the UK through the lens of the global textile industry [1st November]

- L'apres-midi d'un Foehn - Version 1 - Compagnie Non Nova - a company of prima ballerinas made entirely from a handful of plastic bags [23rd October]

- Panopticon: are we losing our identity in today's Orwellian reality? - an interactive are installation, with live audio-visual performance, investigating and exploring identity and privacy erosion through the rise of the Internet and social media [24th October]

- Semaphore - an evening of dynamic dispatches interpreting between music, dance, film and poetry springing from the creative sci-art-tech investigations fuelling ongoing collaborations between composer Richard Hoadley and choreographer Jane Turner [26th October]

- Your Song - a celebration of community singing in Cambridge, featuring choirs from across the city [29th October]

- Bright Club - six Cambridge researchers get up behind the microphone to have a go at doing stand-up comedy based on their work [30th October]

- Bridget Christie: a Bic for her - award-winning comic and Radio 4 regular Bridget Christie talks gender equality in her smash-hit Edinburgh show [1st November]

- Cambridge young composer of the year - listen to pieces entered for the Cambridge Young Composer of the Year competition, followed by Young Composers Concert [2nd November]

The University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas is sponsored by Cambridge University Press and Anglia Ruskin University. Event partners include Heffers, University of Cambridge Museums, RAND Europe and the Cambridge Junction. The Festival's media partner is BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.




Sunday, 14 September 2014

Scots are more passionate, more experienced and better kissers than their English counterparts

After finishing my dissertation, I am trawling my in-box to see what I have missed. Important stuff, apparently. I'm surprised no-one had thought of using this angle in the referendum debate. 

SCOTS GET THE YES VOTE...IN BED AT LEAST
11th September 2014
A poll commissioned by AshleyMadison.com comparing Scottish and English men has revealed that Scots are more passionate, more experienced and better kissers than their English counterparts.

More than 1300 members of AshleyMadison.com, the leading extramarital dating site, responded to the survey.

Oh, it's them again. Ironically, extra-marital sex is one of the few practices that the vilearts does not endorse. 

Ahead of the Scottish referendum next week results reveal the Scots coming out on top with an overall grade of 7.7 compared to a measly 6.2 grade for the Brits. Scots really know what they're doing with those bagpipes!

I think they missed a pun here... something like 'this explains why all those people are shouting 'yes' all the time'.

As well as being ranked as more romantic, funnier and better kissers, the Scots obviously also know how to use what’s under their kilts, as the results revealed them as having more stamina in bed, more passion and more experience.

I have really gubbed this referendum. I say I want to see engaged
theatre, but when there are loads of political plays I sat back and said that I wouldn't discuss my political position. I'm like one of those cricket guys who say 'politics has no place in sport,' only I didn't even say that much.


The two areas English men ranked highest were in the looks department and for being massive party animals...why would Scotland ever want independence from that? 

It's probably because, like Harold Hobson, I am not convinced by political theatre - the answers I seek are existential. Tynan said everything is political, but he never really got the absurdists. 

“The result on 18 September may remain uncertain, but this poll is absolutely clear Scottish - English relations could not be better – at least in the bedroom!” Said Christoph Kraemer. “It looks like English men could learn a thing or two from the Scots, before the ladies start searching for their own Loch Ness monsters!”

About AshleyMadison.com
AshleyMadison.com was founded in 2002 by Noel Biderman, known as the “King of Infidelity” in international media. It offers married people a 100% safe and anonymous alternative to look for a discreet affair. Currently the leading extramarital dating site has more than 1 million UK members and 28 million members overall in 41 countries around the world.


Participating female users: 1.397
Which grade from 1 to 10 (1=not even worth a yawn,10=mind-blowing) would you give lovers from Scotland vs. England in the following categories?
                                       Scotland          England


Romantic                                  9                    5

Sense of humour                       8                    6

Best kisser                                 9                    6

Best looking                              5                    9

No, too bored, now. I'm sure the rest will turn up in The Scotsman or somewhere. 

Stamina in bed 8 / 5

Party animal 6 / 9

Experienced 8 / 6

Passionate 9 / 5

Generous 8 / 5

Sexiest accent 7 / 6

Final grade 7.7 / 6.2

Friday, 11 July 2014

Hyper Japan: Press Release

Anime (Japanese animation) and Manga (Japanese comics) form one of the most popular cultures among the youth of Japan. As integral parts of modern Japanese life and culture, they bring colour, cool and intrigue to the country. What you may not know, however, is that this is a feature of Japanese culture that is becoming increasingly popular here in the UK – particularly amongst young women.

In recent years, the Anime culture has been fast expanding across the globe and it is of no surprise that it has reached as far as the grips of English fans. Anime attracts everyone everywhere, of all ages in all countries, with all types of interests. From heartbreak and heroism, to horrors and the supernatural, Anime never fails to appeal.

Michael Murray, Organiser of Hyper Japan 2014, comments on the appeal of manga and anime compared to Western comics and cartoons: “With the estimated gender ratio for the global comic book market almost 1/1, it’s not surprising that a huge female readership would turn to manga over Western comics. There’s a truly massive amount of manga and anime aimed specifically at a female audience, in a way that the mainstream Western comic book market no longer offers.”

Anime offers a much wider variety of story lines to its audience compared to those in American cartoons, which are based predominantly on superheroes. Whilst superheroes are undoubtedly entertaining, anime stories focus on deeper story lines, with unusual subject matters - many of which are strange and compelling - and as a result appeal to both children and an older audience. Also, while superheroes often leave a lot of women feeling uninvolved and cold, young women say that manga and anime characters speak to them. 

Michael comments,"“Shoujo” manga, such as the extremely popular “Sailor Moon”, “Fruits Basket” and “Nana” series, tell many different kinds of stories, but all of them are aimed at young women. Even series that aren’t particularly targeted at young women often have strong or well-developed female characters that they can relate to.”

Leading female heroes have never been more powerful than they are in Japanese animation. Not only are the kickass female protagonists compelling to watch, but as we watch them battle adversity, betrayal, sacrifice, jealousy and heartbreak, there is no doubt that they provide a strong role-model for young girls all over the 
UK.

Michael comments, “Attack on Titan” - a series currently experiencing massive commercial success - is an example of a “Shounen” manga aimed at a young male audience that is hugely popular with both genders. Indeed, the massive popularity of series like “Attack on Titan” and “One Piece” comes in part from not alienating female readers. The same applies with Japanese anime, as these are usually based on successful manga series.”

Sabrina "Himezawa" Schultes, Cosplay Guest of Hyper Japan 2014, comments, “Apart from a cute appearance, the big eyes and well-designed animation style, anime provides more creative stories than the average evening TV programme. It offers a colorful and funny insight into a different culture, as most series are set in the present Japan. Though the animated worlds often display abstract storylines, and character stereotypes that differ a lot from the western ones, many young women can identify with them and their stories.

There are various different types of anime, so when they look into it, girls find a genre they like more than others. The most popular one amongst young women still is romance, however, the romance theme in anime is a little bit different than its western definition, as it focuses on a completely different aspect of it: comedy. Therefore the target of a time-travelling girl’s love might be a half-demon upperclassman, to lighten up the mood.

Himezawa continues, “Though the plot may be interrupted by abstract slapstick elements, the female main characters always seem to have a characteristic, or a background, or a lifestyle that a lot of young women can identify with. They might be 'the odd one out' in their school, or have a nearly impossible goal to reach in their life, so a lot of girls can relate to it. Another type of anime genre that is popular with women is without a doubt boy’s love.

Compared to the usual western comics and cartoons, manga and anime contain a different image of female characters. While female superheroes are quite rare to find in the west, magical girls are a well-selling part of the Japanese franchise. Connected to the female hero theme there is a female dominated community focusing on the dressing-up part of the anime and manga community, Cosplay, with more than 80% of young women having taken over the cosplay community

Himezawa concludes, I personally am glad to be part of the cosplay community myself, as I have always been keen on crafting, sewing and knitting, which came in handy for various cosplay contests, such as the German Cosplay Championship and the European Cosplay Gathering.”

All fans of anime will come together at HYPER JAPAN this summer to celebrate and enjoy the latest and best thatJapanese Anime has to offer  - with publishers such as Kodansha of popular series Fairy Tail and Attack On Titan! and Manga UK bringing DVDs and J-comics.

This year’s HYPER JAPAN is also set to host the UK preliminaries for the European Cosplay Gathering (ECG)contest - an exciting contest that brings cosplayers from all over Europe together to showcase their experience and talent on stage.

In addition to this, HYPER JAPAN’s COSParade is once again returning to this year’s stage! This is a chance for experienced and beginner cosplayers to strut the stage and show off their costumes – with prizes available for the best costumes.

With enough exhibitors and events lined up to satisfy even the most ardent of enthusiasts, giving fans the chance to get their hands on genuine character merchandise and hard to find items. Expect a huge selection of books, figures and other goods featuring your favourite characters.

Friday 25 – 27 July 2014
Earls Court, London

Friday, 16 May 2014

Interchange Junctions descent into pure churn

Interchange Junctions
5 Howick Place, London
10 May - 21 June 2014
Open Day Saturday 17 May 11am - 5pm


Chapter the fourth
goes full on churnalism

During the open day of Saturday 17th May (12 – 12.30pm), there will also be a rap performance by David Blandy and Larry Achiampong who under the alias ‘Biters’, will examine the possibility for truthful, authentic experience via the popular cultures that have influenced them. They will investigate what identity might mean in the post-colonial and post-mass media age by crate-digging through history, recycling already-sampled beats and reciting stolen rhymes.

During the Open Day 17th May, the exhibition will be open between 11am - 5pm. 


Those interested in attending must register for the event by emailing jball@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk

Spaces are limited.

On all other dates the exhibition is open by appointment only. Please email: info@hsprojects.com to arrange appointment.

About Howick Place
Howick Place is a key part of Victoria’s £2 billion renaissance, offering just over 143,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and 23 luxury residential apartments. Inspired by an area that has become a magnet for leading brands and creative industries, it is a stylish light-filled environment that has been designed to be good for business. Howick Place was awarded Best UK Office Development in the prestigious 2013 UK Property Awards.