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