Ban Ki-moon is coming to town.

Festive cheer can come along in the most unexpected of guises. In this case, the UN Secretary-General.

T.M.

Guardian Photography Competition

Check out this link to the Guardian's annual 'catch G2 on camera' comp!


K.H.

Go wild with our new theme: WILD

Hello all, and thank you for picking up our magazines so fervently. Quite frankly, we haven't been able to keep filling the stands up quickly enough! If you're still having trouble getting hold of a copy, try the ASS library by the book returns area or read it online here.

Now onto more pressing matters: our new theme has been decided, and that decision was WILD. Awful puns aside, we implore you to unleash your creative powers accordingly in the direction of art, photography, poetry, prose and features. We were also deliberating around the wild, or wilderness, or even chaos, so feel free to draw your inspiration from any of these ideas.

As usual, your submissions can fulfill the theme as loosely or literally as you like. Light-hearted, serious or just plain ridiculous, please email them with your name and medium as the subject (eg. Bear Grylls Poetry) to helicon.magazine@gmail.com before the deadline of February 6th where they'll all be lovingly recieved and provided with full feedback.

Please don't hesitate to drop us an email if you have any questions. Other than that, we look forward to receiving your submissions, and Merry Christmas!


TB.

Ceci n’est pas un profil Facebook

Click on the profile to discover the face behind Facebook.

E.D.

Poem of the Week: 'On the Table' by Andrew Motion

'On the Table'
Andrew Motion

I would like to make it clear that I have bought
this tablecloth with its simple repeating pattern
of dark purple blooms not named by any botanist
because it reminds me of that printed dress you had
the summer we met - a dress you have always said
I never told you I liked. Well I did, you know. I did.
I liked it a lot, whether you were inside it or not.

How did it slip so quietly out of our life?
I hate - I really hate - to think of some other bum
swinging those heavy flower-heads left to right.
I hate even more to think of it mouldering on a tip
or torn to shreds - a piece here wiping a dipstick,
a piece there tied round a crack in a lead pipe.

It's all a long time ago now, darling, a long time,
but tonight just like our first night here I am
With my head light in my hands and my glass full
staring at the big drowsy petals until they start to swim,
loving them but wishing to lift them aside, unbutton them,
tear them, even, if that's what it takes to get through
to the beautiful, moon-white, warm, wanting skin of you.


AW (courtesy of Steven from Helicon Poets)

DISGUISE: Unveiled

In case you couldn't make it to our wonderful launch party (scroll down for a goony picture of yours truly to see just what kind of bliss you missed out on) our Disguise issue is now widely available throughout the libraries, common rooms and other notable locations of our university. Just keep your eyes peeled for our stunning new stands and, fingers crossed, some lovely copies should be awaiting you there.

If, however, you can't make it through the insane (well...) snow drifts then Disguise (and all three back issues from last year) can be read here from the comfort (well...) of your subzero student abode. Watch this space for next term's theme, which will be unveiled before christmas to give you time to hone your creative art of choice whilst toasting chestnuts over an open fire.

TB.

Calling all bookworms - go forth and multiply!

Anyone who has ever had the privilege to truly understand the concept of ‘getting lost in a book’ will know that when you stumble across one that you can hardly bear to put down and end up devouring the whole thing in a matter of hours, this book is worth shouting about. That is the belief that has inspired the organisers of the World Book Night campaign to announce a giveaway of one million books next March. A panel has come up with 25 titles, classics and modern works, home-grown and foreign, that they believe deserve to be read and enjoyed by as many people as possible. The idea is that this will encourage people to start reading again, in an age when literature is being left behind in favour of the virtual world, and where books are having to contend with shiny new eReaders and film adaptations. 

HELICON Launch Party: A Flashback

Great party on Tuesday, the new "Disguise" issue has officially been launched! It was impossible to wipe the grin off Tom's face as he caressed and flipped the pages of his precious newborn; could've sworn I saw sparkling driblets hanging off his eyelashes. He was "so delirious".

To all the editors - fantastic work! But extra bless to the chiefs, Emma and Tom, for putting up with our numerous absences at meetings, and for displaying subtle yet skillful diplomacy with regards to our oh-so-brilliant track record at blogging! Credit to Emma's "reminder SMS" for this blog post.

LISTEN TO: Beach Fossils and find yourself transported by urban infused psychadelia

With the trend in current indie bands from Brooklyn and with a name like 'Beach Fossils', as Pitchfork points out, it would be pretty easy to dismiss Beach Fossils as predictable. Probably just another lo-fi, bland band singing about ice-creams and  being in love with banal girls- more image then substance. However, cast all prejudices aside and have a listen to 'Daydream' (whilst reading Sitting and Thinking from the Disguise issue of Helicon) from their self-titled debut album released earlier this year.

Reminiscent of The Cure's catchy pop jangles in their early days and The Jesus and Mary Chain's reverb masked lyrics, Beach Fossils also claim influence from improvisational jazz, classical music, and Stereolab. The repetitive nature of their songs and constricting song structure may lead to some accusations of a lack of strength, but in a similar manner to the enduring poetic drawl of Mark E. Smith's lyrics drifitng through a mesh of hypnotic repetition in The Fall, Payseur's lyrics capture evocative details we might otherwise have missed 'And we fall in the grass/Of an open park/And the sun will break/When our hands hit the tree'.

This is an upbeat, warm, uncommplicated soundtrack for relief and reflection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Yt2LcCqrk

IH

Jules et Jim (1962): My first encounter with the French New Wave

  

                                        Photograph by Raymond Cauchetier, on the set of Jules et Jim.


Just a quick post to point you all in the direction of this beautiful film. I watched it (sort of by accident) last night, wrongly assuming that it would calm my mind on what was proving to be a frustratingly sleepless night. In fact, it kept me up long after the credits rolled, and has stayed with me all day today.

In short, it tells the story of an impossibly complicated love triangle, set against the backdrop of the First World War and its aftermath. Sounds gloomy, doesn't it? But tragedy is not it's defining feature, and the natural warmth of the film triumphs over it's ultimately heartbreaking climax. Created in 1962, Jules et Jim is now considered to be one of the foremost examples of Nouvelle Vague cinema, combining photographic stills and archive footage with broad panning and tracking shots, amplified by a mysterious chocolate voiced narrator and a celebrated soundtrack.

Have a look at this shot, in which the three lovers race across a Parisian overpass. We end up running alongside Jeanne Moreau, catching her up where the others have fallen behind, intimately close, sharing breath, flying almost.

I'm telling you, it'll charm your socks off.

P.B

Launch Party Update!

LIVE at our OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY on 30/11/10

 We are delighted to announce that recently signed Bristol - based band GOLDTRIP will be performing an acoustic set at our magazine launch party this coming Tuesday...

Poem of the Week: 'Five Short Poems for Your Amusment at the Hospital', by Priscila Uppal

Five Short Poems for Your Amusement at the Hospital
Priscila Uppal

 
     I
Manage your room like a hotel.
Phone down for food
and flowers. Be conspicuous
about guests.

Steal the robes.

     II
Think of the things you've chased:
your brother when he was small
and used to pinch your cheeks, the moon,
the cat next door in the garden,
streelights when they turn too fast, the rain,
fire, bureaucrats, all kinds of balls, lovers,
the express bus, shame, your mother's
memory.

Think that the world must now
come to you.

     III
The kidneys are outrageous organs
greedy and unkind
they unwind
by punching people
in the ribs.

Who wants to make peace with them anyway?

     IV
The nurse and doctor have been
having an affair
for the last month

hot for each other
they run their hands on your belly
burning up

and you are the embers
keeping romance alive.

     V
When they insist on taking more blood
and x-rays
pretend you are a prehistoric mammal
they are laying bare
to read your bones
uncover how you managed to survive
all this time.


(Taken from Successful Tragedies: Poems 1998 - 2010).

AW

Students! Enjoy the written word once more!

In the dark of night, alone in the house, he awoke.  As he went to the door, a match was lit behind him. . . .

Perhaps not the most original but the short story is indeed an effective genre which seems to be undergoing a significant revival.  I have already sent a little hint of an online publishing house eager to receive new short stories, and now the BBC have their own award dedicated to this written form.

You Are Cordially Invited to...

The First Helicon Launch Party of the Year!!!

Time:      8.30pm-midnight, Tuesday 30th November 2010

Location: Papaji's House of Teas, 

                        109 Whiteladies Road, 

                        Clifton,

                        Bristol.

                        BS8 2PB.

The long awaited Helicon Launch Party for the brand shiny new 'Disguise' issue is finally upon us, bigger and better than ever before! Anyone, whether a contributor to the magazine, appreciative reader of the magazine or blog, or just someone interested in learning more and meeting some like-minded people, is more than welcome!

We are planning a lovely evening for you all. Papaji's is a brilliant, quirky venue (tea cocktail, anyone?), and we'll be displaying some of our artwork throughout. There will also be live music, an improvised show, and even the chance to win an amazing prize courtesy of Swinky Sweets!

So come! Bring your friends, bring your neighbours, bring your cat! Bring anyone who you think might have an interest in anything creative.

We look forward to meeting you all!

LE.

Freedom Fries: Big Mac revolution in Russia

Having been born on the 9th November 1989 (the day the Berlin Wall came down) I've always had a stringent interest in the history surrounding East Germany and the revolutions of 1989 that ultimately led to the collapse of communism. Indeed, my visit to the check-point Charlie museum in Berlin was something of a personal pilgrimage and was fascinating in understanding personal stories of individuals caught up in the web of significances, their psysche and emotions and the bemused sense of self-awareness with which they re-constructed the European community.

WATCH: How to Train Your Dragon

It's been a great year for animated films. Toy Story 3 is widely tipped to be the first ever to take Best Motion Picture at the Oscars, and equally-highly acclaimed alternatives have surfaced outside of the mainstream; such as the brilliant A Town Called Panic from underneath the quirky milk bubbles of those Cravendale adverts. How to Train Your Dragon is neither Pixar nor set to be an indie classic, but it is a lovely fantasy tale rendered in more sensitive computer animation than can usually be found in the celebrity-reliant Dreamworks output. With enough Scandanavian horned helmet and axe antics for the boys and enough strangely comforting cutsey reptillian purring for the girls, it also served as the perfect excuse this evening for three (straight male) third-year students to snuggle in bed for warmth and pretend they were at a year four sleepover.

TB

Meet Patrick R.

Patrick R. from WØLFF on Vimeo.

Here is somebody we met at 4 in the morning in the centre of Bristol.

Camera, Sound and Editing: Ben Patterson
Interviewer: Abby Worth

Poem of the Week - 'my sweet old etcetera' by e. e. cummings

I've chosen a poem this week connected to Rememberance Day. Usually at this time of year we being out the Owens and the Sassoons, and whilst these poems are undoubtedly extremely powerful and immediate records of war, it seems to go quite against the spirit of rememberance to use the same single voices to speak for thousands. The poem I have picked out (which incidentally, might also be my very favourite poem), is by a poet who you may not immediately connect with the battleground, although his early years serving first in the American Ambulance Corps and then in the Massachusetts 12th Division in WWI gave him the scope and space to develop anti-war views in his early creative work. The poem, unlike the style of Wilfred Owen, is delicate in its construction, with the syntax and linear structure constantly at risk of falling apart. There is also a surprising amount of humour, which avoids any claggy sentimentalisation of the subject. The revelation of the speaker's whereabouts at the end gives clarity to the whole business of  the inifnite etceteras that lie ever waiting, now and after. It also perhaps evokes the sheer thousands (etc.) of young men killed in action. Clear, fragile, youthful, bittersweet, devastating.


'my sweet old etcetera'
e. e. cummings

my sweet old etcetera
aunt lucy during the recent

war could and what
is more did tell you just
what everybody was fighting

for,
my sister

isabel created hundreds
(and
hundreds)of socks not to
mention shirts fleaproof earwarmers

etcetera wristers etcetera,my

mother hoped that

i would die etcetera
bravely of course my father used
to become hoarse talking about how it was
a privelege and if only he
could meanwhile my

self etectera lay quietly
in the deep mud et

cetera
(dreaming,
et
    cetera,of
Your smile
eyes knees and of your Etcetera)


AW

MEET: Jamaica Street Artists

One of the largest art collectives outside London, Jamaica Street artists has been calling Stokes croft home for fifteen years. I met studio manager Andrew Hood for a quick chat, catch the interview in the first issue of Helicon!

Studio Manager and Artist Andrew Hood

Artist Vera Boele Keimer

"Angels" by Trish Lock

"Fox" by Tom Mead

D.T.

Literature Live

Attention all literature and theatre lovers!



When: 7pm, Sunday 14th November

Where: The Epi Bar, Bristol Student Union

What: The Bristol University English Lit Society, also known as "Falstaff", will be putting on its first "Literature Live" performance, an evening of play extracts, scenes from novels and  poetic dramatizations, all directed by English students. Expect a lot of laughs!

How much: only £3

Click here to see the facebook event.



LE.

Short films at the Harbourside

The Encounters International Short Film Festival returns to Bristol Harbourside this month for another six-day programme crammed with titles from all over the world, each of which must last no longer than 30 minutes and must have been made no earlier than January 2009. The originally distinct Brief Encounters Festival and Animated Encounters Festival joined forces in 2006 to create the event as we know it today, representing the best from each sector of the short film industry. The programme offers more than the films themselves, with master classes, workshops, discussions and industry events, not to mention an impressive number of awards, including the prestigious European Cartoon D’Or award.

Skateistan

SKATEISTAN: TO LIVE AND SKATE KABUL from Diesel New Voices on Vimeo.

Wow.

CA

Vienna in London

Vienna in London

Interesting (yet fleeting at 5 minutes in length) '3D' photography project held in London, recreating aspects of Vienna both modern and historic via pictures submitted to the Vienna Tourist Board, projecting them onto the buildings around the Imagination buildling (WC1E 7BL).

JM

The Wraiths' Musical Poetry

The Wraiths - Above the Dock from Ukeydesign on Vimeo.

"That poets throughout all ages have aspired to, and been inspired by music is apparent"

The Wraiths are in a genre of their own; they perform classic poetry from the likes of Tennyson, Keats and Emily Dickinson to a live orchestra. "Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff in a world of its own" (Venue).  If you'd like to hear more, they'll be performing in Bristol's Central Library at College Green on the 11th of December. To find out more, visit their website.

E.D.

Felix Thorn's Musical Sculptures

Felix's Machines from Felix Thorn on Vimeo.

Meet Felix Thorn, the young artist/engineer who takes salvaged objects and scrap material to make weird and wonderful contraptions that resemble no instrument you've ever seen before. Formed from detritus from the past, the artist wires these new creations up to his computer so that he can digitally control the acoustic noises. The result? I suppose you'd call it 'sonic/kinetic art' - but that doesn't quite do it for me. What you really see is a self-performing, almost conscious, contraption emitting strange noises and flashing lights; a chorus of euphonic vibrations, it could be sinister if it weren't so enchanting.

In the age of the i-Pod and mp3 tracks, this machine stands out in its charming cumbrousness. Felix Thorn (great name, by the way) is very much keeping the steampunk dream alive.

E.D.

Jacques Resch: Dark and thematic surrealist oil paintings

 'Le Pape au raisin'

"A painting by Jacques Resch is not perceived in a single glance. It is peeled back little by little through the thousand subtleties that you discover during this encounter." -- Harry Kampainne

One painter who has caught my eye recently is the French surrealist painter Jacques Resch. Despite bearing a striking similarity to the styles of Gonsalves, Breugal and Dali he seems to occupy some sort of medium between the three.

Sand Animation

Click here and watch the winning performance on 'Ukraine's got talent' 2009, where Kseniya Simonova illustrates the tragedies of the Second World War by drawing pictures into a box of sand. Ukraine lost 25% of it's population during the war, suffering more losses than any other country. Each scene melts into the next with startling fluidity and grace, and the pain that they recall bring the panel of judges to tears.

Spread the Love

On December 7th, 2009 at  1.30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song.

Join in by lending your own voice to http://www.starbucksloveproject.com/ Watch streaming video from countries around the world and then join in by singing All You Need is Love yourself. For each video submitted, Starbucks will make a contribution to the Global Fund to help fight against AIDS in Africa. You can also help increase the Starbucks contribution to the Global Fund by submitting a drawing to the Love Gallery.

The global sing-along is part of continuing efforts to help fight AIDS in Africa. In just one year in partnership with (RED)™, Starbucks has generated money equivalent to more than 7 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa.


LE.

Short Stories Ahoy!

So, you have way too much work to do and no time to do it, so where are you going to get the time to write a short story of at least 4 pages? Well, perhaps if you had the added incentive of being picked by an online publishing house the time could come!  Shortlist press are looking for short stories to publish online so here's your chance to get writerly recognition.  Of course, we'll be happy to support you and give feedback on any prose you decide to write to go on the website have a look and start writing!

No pumpkin left behind

All Hallows’ Eve greetings to you all. I hope you are suitably hungover after a night in Syndicate rubbing up against various witches, zombies and token cross-dressers who may or may not be your mates. Now, in these times when the hard-strapped student is feeling the pinch even more (with the prospect of leaving university with a shiny degree, a shed-load of debt and... no job offers) we must be extremely prudent about what we throw away – wastage is not an option! So, provided it was not used as a sick bucket by a worse-for-wear flatmate last night, here are a couple of recipes to make the most of your pumpkin even after the candle has gone out. From pumpkin curry to pumpkin waffles... what a multitalented fruit.

Pointy-black-witch-hats off to Sophie Harries, the skilful carver of the pumpkin shown above.

RLS

CONTROVERSIAL: Sex in Hostel Dorms

I originally wrote this article for the travel section of Epigram, but the Man (or the Union, at least) have declared it unsuitable and won't publish it! So, I'm putting it on here instead. Viva la revolution!

Celia Celia Celia Shits!

Literature has, throughout the past, had a tendency to portray women as untouchable sylphs, otherworldy beings that radiate perfection; they, unlike men, are certainly not subject to the misfortune of bodily functions. While this obviously isn't the case, women still do a good job of disguising this fact (one that Swift put so eloquently!) The Lady's Dressing Room represents the ultimate unveiling of this truth; men, if you're squeamish, look away now!

No Such Thing

Nosaj Thing Visual Show Compilation Test Shoot from Adam Guzman on Vimeo.

Nosaj Thing - pronounced "no such thing" in a strong California accent - is the latest in the slew of uber-talented LA producers now taking their work around the world right now. Just ahead of his home boy Flying Lotus (who played Trinity Centre last night), Nosaj Thing dropped in to play an exemplary set at Metropolis last week. His current show, a two year project in collaboration with visual artist Julia Tsao, is a highly innovative light display projected around him. Unfortunately nowhere in Bristol actually had a screen big enough to deal with said light show, resulting in a hastily adapted wallpaper and duct tape drape and a very unhappy Jason Chung. Despite the technical difficulties he certainly showed Bristol how art and music should be done... together.

Check out Julia Tsao's other work as well, even if just to listen to Holy Fuck with flashing lights, because that's always fun.

Full interview / article appearing in Epigram soon.

Holy F*ck LED Array Live in NY from Aaron Sjogren on Vimeo.

T.M.

Want to make video art?

With smartphones you can now make great stuff from a lot less.  The bizarre short film 'Dragonly Love' will testify to this...

Here's the making of video:

Making of Dragonfly Love from The Dragonfly Love Project on Vimeo.

And the finished version:

Dragonfly Love - The Film from The Dragonfly Love Project on Vimeo.

It's obviously a product push but it does show what can be done with just a camera-phone now.

CA

Who cares about chairs?

Chairs are defined as 'a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person'.  Sounds pretty boring.  Well being a pretty sad person I actually find them really interesting.  If you've nearly fallen off your chair hearing that then I wouldn't bother reading on.

Chairs seem to embody everything that is right with design.  They fulfill a purpose, they are defined by shape and there are certain remits you have to work by designing one.  The Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich has a great range.  Now I know you're probably not on the edge of your seat with excitement from what you have read up to this point so I won't waste anymore of your time...

Here's the best of the Pinakothek's collection:

The Flag Halyard

MEET: Lola Dupré, a Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes

Don't baulk at her outlandish exterior, it's rude. Well it might be if this were her; in fact Lola Dupré - or Wasted Lola, as she goes by on her blog - describes herself as a "bearded recluse" who spends most of her time hanging out in the Scottish Highlands, cutting up faces and sticking them back together with PVA glue. But that doesn't really paint a better picture of her (excuse the pun). No, Lola isn't some kind of Scottish Quasimodo, but a talented and enigmatic artist. Her work presents a kaleidscopic vision of the human face, bent and warped, haunting yet strangely arresting. I tracked down Lola for a chat that quickly turned from matters of art to her "glue" addiction, crazed paedophiles, and why she's not into voodoo photomontage...

For the Hungry Art Lover

Time to get truly creative in the kitchen! 

Amazing food art contains so much inspiration that below are just some of its gems... 

Poem of the Week: 'Little Motors' by Daniel Hevier

Little Motors

Daniel Hevier [translated from the Slovak by John Minahane]

All day I walk the streets and do nothing
except grow old. I watch
the children present their fiery performances.
I am scared of the splendid flywheels
winding at the hub,
their bodies full
of strings and magnets.
They smell of cinammon and sand.
They stand in the rain conversing
with my shoes, while I
stand over them like an ancient palm
that no longer remembers anything.
All day I walk the streets and feel
their gazes photographing me.
Who knows how I look
In those snapshots:
most probably like a weary bear
observing their bodies
full of pumps and alarm clocks.
The rounded geomtery of their little butts
takes my breath away.
They walk behind me and amuse themselves
treading on the shadow of my head.
Orange juice drips off their bellies.
And the globe goes on turning,
driven by those
unsatiated,
resolute,
furious,
wonderful
little motors.


AW

Russell & Ryan Oliver: Dark yet intelligent experimental painting and collages

Two artists making a name for themselves in Bristol and with a featured interview in the current edition of Crack Magazine are the identical twins Russell and Ryan Oliver. Influenced by death, gang culture and over-sexed advertising, their work explores the sexual language of fashion and sex within corporate advertising. If you're a fan of the gore and grimness of the Chapman Brothers  or the American visual artist Christian Marclay, who creates similar collages out of record sleeves you'll absolutely love the moody suggestive artwork of the Oliver twins. Visit their websites and grab a copy of Crack magazine (can be found in Uncle Sams on Park Street and other independant shops about) to read their compelling and inspirational interview.

Only 3 Days Left to Send in Your 'Disguise' Submissions!

As you probably know by now 'Disguise' is this term's theme, so send your art/ photography/ poetry/ prose/ features to helicon.magazine@gmail.com. And take a leaf out of my housemate's book and be as inventive as you like! Disguise... Disk Eyes?! Genius.

Wyndham Lewis: Original Master of Disguise

Mr. Wyndham Lewis as a Tyro,
1920-1, Wyndham Lewis.

"The flourishing and bombastic role that you may sometimes see me in, that is an effect... rather than what I am (in any sense) myself. Or, to make myself clearer, it is my opposite"

Forgive me if you're a fellow third year seeking some academic respite, but thinking about my dissertation has been dominating both my thoughts and to-do list for the last few weeks (Historical Studies disclaimer: I spent a "large portion" of my summer researching it in suitably erudite and exotic academic locations). The following few sentences are thus extracted from the tangle currently writhing around my head, and in hindsight may account for some kind of subconscious explanation as to why 'Disguise' seemed like such a bloody good theme for this term's magazine.

Le Misanthrope: Bristol Old Vic

The Old Vic is finally up and running and has come back with this updated version of Moliere's most famous play: The Misanthrope.  This version, translated in 1973 by Tony Harrison, has been updated so that Moliere's play of 17th century play of manners includes i-phones, e-mails and various references to the current French president Sarkozy!

SEE: 'Blind by Stardom'

And I quote:

"‘Blind By Stardom’ opening at the StolenSpace Gallery on the 7th October will showcase new works by artist Word To Mother. This much anticipated solo show, his fourth at StolenSpace, will feature paintings in mixed media on wood, mixed media assemblage and installation pieces. This show will also see the release of a limited edition zine with hand screen printed cover."

Bored? Then this'll brighten up your day...

CA

Tricks and Treats at Bristol's Festival of Lunacy

"We invite you to step behind the looking glass, and into the rabbit warren of the mind. Come and cavort in our dreamscapes and frolic in our fantasies with a programme of performance, cabaret, burlesque, live music, DJs, visuals, and silent film"

Intrigued?

‘Yep, those are my boobs!’

Life Drawing with ArtSoc

‘Yep, those are my boobs!’ our model chirrups as she points over to my sketch. She proudly parades the art room eyeing up the fruits of her labour, a jumper dress pulled lazily over her previously exposed figure. ‘Do you mind if I take a picture of those?’ she whips out her phone, ‘I’m trying to prove to my friends that I actually do this’. I ask her if she finds it intimidating, subjecting her naked body to the eyes of 20 or more students scrupulously tracing her every line and curve. She answers unflinchingly, ‘No. I’m a pro’.

And Speaking of Poetry...

The English Society (Falstaff) are hosting a poetry reading this Thursday at 6.30pm in the very cosy White Bear pub. Open to all - whether you're an English student or not. Find out more here.

E.D.

Poem of the Week: 'The Phone-Fox' by Christopher Reid

'The Phone-Fox'
Christopher Reid

We were talking about Ted Hughes,
          when the corner of my eye
twitched to the fact of a fox
         on the flat, tar-papered roof
of the chapel-of-rest next door.
         What a moment to choose!
I watched it as it spelt itself out
        from shadows of the far-side garden
into clear sunlight,
        at which point I gave a shout
which must have sounded crazy.
        Then it trotted about,
inspecting different views.
        And then it did a quick jig
once around itself,
        lay down, extended its forepaws
And cocked its muzzle for a big,
       tasty, air-licking yawn.
Unbiddable, unbidden,
        this was a genuine fox
Of the Inner London variety,
        now enjoying its own society
on top of the squat brick box
        where they bring the newly dead.
Accident or sign,
       I was sorry nothing I said
could make it real for you
        at your end of the line.

Andy Rouse - Inspirational Wildlife Photography

Andy Rouse 2009

In our current, heavily enthusiast-weighted, 'arty' photographic society, it is increasingly easy to let slip from our minds the work of those more traditional photographers. By 'traditional' - and I may indeed be guilty of inappropriate use of the word - I mean the kind that travel to the far corners of the earth and spend weeks trekking through testing conditions just to get a shot. Andy Rouse has seen some incredible things; more importantly, he's also turned them into incredible photographs. His work needs little further introduction, but I think he sets a great aspirational target in the volume of fantastic images he's produced, and budding photographers of any genre should take a look for some inspiring stuff.

JM

Helicon's Haik-Who? Competition

  

Attention all competitive spirits and procrastinators! Helicon proudly presents this term's exciting competition opportunity: Haik-Who? (If Shakespeare loved the pun, so do we).

Trans-species Fancy Dress

To celebrate our new theme, DISGUISE, I went for the obvious: animals disguised as other animals. Genius.

Our new theme: DISGUISE

Attention all: as broadcast by the shiny poster above (created with the help of our surprisingly willing art editor Isaac) the theme for this term's issue is DISGUISE. Our hungry new editorial team is desperate to devour your art, photography, poetry, prose and features submissions, which can fulfill the theme as loosely or literally as you like. Light-hearted, serious or just plain ridiculous, please email them to helicon.magazine@gmail.com before the deadline of October 24th where they'll all be happily recieved and provided with full feedback.

Welcome to a new year of...

Helicon has been around for over ten years, yet not everyone knows exactly who we are or what we're about. So, for all the Fresher's joining us at Bristol Uni as well other newcomers who, by one means or another, have stumbled across us: here's a quick low-down of what goes down at Helicon Headquarters.

MEET: Marcel Veldman

Marcel Veldman is a skateboarder and photographer based in Rotterdam; he's been skating for 22 years but insists he only got into photography through a "detour": "basically, there were no good skate photographers in Holland taking photos of me and my friends". So he took matters into his own hands and started shooting his own photos. Travelling the world, capturing life on and off the board, Marcel has developed a vast portfolio, a living documentary of his and his friends' lives. Ten years on, he's earned his name as one of the most renowned photographers in the skate industry, and is the man behind Fluff, the Netherlands' leading skate magazine. I sat down with Marcel and, like the welcome guest entrusted with the family photo album, was given a guided tour of his life through the lens...

So you think your camera's a pimp?

Think again.

And another one:

Making Future Magic: iPad light painting from Dentsu London on Vimeo.

CA

Just a couple of good videos:

The Future of the Book. from IDEO on Vimeo.

&

Linotype: The Film Trailer from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.

CA

Mash Up Sundays....

The Mash Up of September 26th, 2010

click click click

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Branded content: http://www.thisisrealart.com/ & http://vimeo.com/14454938
Sibling’s new comic knitwear collection pretty neatly promoted

Southern Exhibition: http://www.londonmiles.com/index.php
the London Miles gallery has got two exhibitions opening this September: Visual Splendor and Made in Britain - it’s a gallery well worth taking note of

Hay-on-Wye in the Autumn

Hay-on-Wye is a small Welsh market town that straddles the Welsh- Anglo border and sits huddled within the Brecon Beacons National Park (about an hour and a half’s drive from Bristol incidentally)- nothing out of the ordinary, except that it’s positively groaning with the weight of its many thousands of second- hand, specialist and collectors’ books. This is a town literally packed with words, and come June every year the bibliophiles arrive in their droves for the annual Literary Festival, booking up the quaint B&Bs and draining the tearooms of Earl Grey as they pore over the multitude of bookshops and gather to hear the greatest literary minds of the year speak.

Watch this space

Kind of irrelevant, but how sick is this? Kudos here for exposing me to this "visual crack" like a dealer in a playground.

TB

Just another church in Clifton?

Sometimes, when you wander into an abandoned church set for conversion into student apartments, you find an eccentric group of squatters building a bicycle carousel. The history of this building - of art and squatting... and bicycles - will unfortunately be swept to the side long before any new arrivals. Here is a collection documenting the final throws of a vastly under used and quite incredible building.

Mash Up Mondays...

The Mash Up of September 13th, 2010

click click click

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Branded content: http://bit.ly/aNdgp7
Converse’s coolest thing since plugging Avril Lavine

Northern Exhibition: http://bit.ly/a2kzu6
the man who brought you sprinter at the Tate

WANTED: Legitimate Graffiti Artist

Whilst flicking through the freebies section of Bristol Gumtree (anyone want a 6ft Albino python by the way?) I noticed this advert and couldn't help but think of you creative lot!

Basically the shop owner is sick of the usual rubbish that repeatedly appears overnight on his shop sign and has decided if you can't beat them, join them; but he's not just gonna give in, oh no, he's gonna beat them at their own game and get a real artist in on the action.

Gotta love that attitude, eh?

I would dearly love to see one of our Helicon readers getting some artistic exposure on this free canvas, so follow the link to the advert and apply if you have any ideas! Who knows, we could be fostering a new Banksy in our midst...


LE.

Francis Alÿs: A Story of Deception at Tate Modern

Francis Alys in Collaboration with Ortega
Rehearsal I (El Ensayo) Tijuana, 1999-2001

I'm honestly not sure what to say about this exhibition. Whilst my friends were grunging out in Camden, I decided to dash across the city to Tate Modern; more for the sake of catching 'Francis Alÿs: A Story of Deception' a few days before it ended than for want of actually seeing it. Overwhelmingly positive reviews from across the board had stirred some interest (it was "thought-provoking, funny and full of pathos" according to Adrian Searle at The Guardian and "Tate Modern's finest show to date by a living artist" according to Richard Dorment of The Telegraph), but, as Reception Theory dictates, the art experience is as reliant on the mental state of the viewer as on the physical state of the work. With other things on my mind, such as the fact that my fringe was plastered sweatily to my face, I forked out £8.50 to wander disorientatedly around the exhibition, pausing to watch the videos as gallery etiquette demands.

Hooting & Howling

To much furore and backlash, and then backlash as a result of the backlash, it was recently announced that American restaurant chain 'Hooters' would be coming to the UK, nationwide. Fifty-four restaurants have been planned across the country, spanning as far as Bournemouth to Aberdeen, Oxford to Cambridge, even including our very own Bristol.

It raises questions as to the morality and relevance of the Licensing Act; councils can legally offer restaurant and bar permits but The Act limits who can provide legitimate complaints (i.e. local business owners - local meaning very local) etc.

The Art of Business is the Business of Art

So we all know not to mix business with pleasure.  But what about mixing business with art?  Art should provide critique and perspective on the direction the world is heading.  On its morals and meanings, its grave mistakes and its greatest triumphs.  So quite rightly the involvement of money and the flow of capital into an artist’s current account is looked on, not quite with scorn, but with raised eyebrows.  The reason being that perhaps the lump sum should be the subject of their next provocation rather than the basis for it.

At the same time, a hard up artist will not create many works from a casket.  There’s some sort of middle ground here.  This middle ground though is a bit like a Tibetan border; it’s a fluid concept about as stable as a well developed game of Jenga.

The Mash Up of August 13th, 2010

The Mash Up of August 13th, 2010

don't be scared of the short links... adds to the intrigue.

Branded content: http://bit.ly/bumj4n
Perfect from Puma

Northern Exhibition: http://bit.ly/cYLhJB
Suki Chan, who previously wowed with swarming starlings, now hits all the right notes with her study of London which focuses on the boundary between the beauty and the alienation of the capital

The play's the thing...

A new group of theatre critics has emerged in recent months, student-based, but outside of Union control and eschewing official affiliation. Their aim is to provide at least two individual reviews of each and every drama production put on by any society within the University of Bristol- and any others they may have seen in local theatres besides. They are anonymous, they are original, and they are here in Bristol.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet The Play Group. 

Want to see plays for just £5...?

If you're aged 15-25 years old, that dream could be a reality! The National Theatre is offering young people the opportunity to claim a free membership card by filling in just one easy form, which entitles you to theatre tickets for just £5, expect for the first one which is free!

For more details on how to claim your card, what's on in theatres and the scheme that makes this all possible, A Night Less Ordinary, simply visit this website.

Happy theatre- goings!

LE

Bristol Pride Week- acclaimed authors at the Arnolfini

Pride Bristol is a large festival that'll be taking place in Bristol this month. One of the main events of Pride Week will be a literary event featuring Stella Duffy, Rhona Cameron, Paul Burston and Jack Wolf. You can look at the website or facebook for more information.

They aim to encourage a diverse audience, including people who'd enjoy the event but wouldn't necessarily think to come to an LGBT festival.

Tickets are only £10 and include free acess to an afterparty on Under the Stars, a boat-turned-cafe-bar along the quay, and a complementary glass of wine!


Pride Bristol 2010

Celebrating Diversity, Championing Equality

Pride Week: 14 - 22 Aug

Pride Day: Sat 21 Aug



LE

MEET: Goldfrapp

Like an illicit marriage between Madonna and a disco ball, Goldfrapp’s fifth and latest record, Head First, descends upon us – its edges trimmed with glitter, its feathers all ruffled, and its core pulsating with a heart of gold. That’s Goldfrapp for you: the London duo of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory may occasionally oscillate between downtempo trip hop (Felt Mountain) and shiny synth-pop (Supernature), but its innate theatricality and flamboyance remains in constant attendance. So as Alison and Will shape-shift into their fifth LP, you can expect another evolved sense of being – both in sound and in wardrobe, but of course, with those orchidaceous colours intact.