Thursday, December 12Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Tag: Art

How to Capture Stunning Cityscapes at Night
Culture & Literature, Music, Visual Arts

How to Capture Stunning Cityscapes at Night

There's something mesmerizing about cities at night. When the sun is replaced with a stream of fluorescent lights and neon signs, it’s completely different to anything you’ll see during the day. Capturing this on camera may seem hard, but shooting nightscapes can be very simple, and something that every budding photographer should try. Most smartphone cameras now have a long exposure mode, so you don’t even need a professional-level camera to get those Instagrammable photos after sunset. Equipment Most tutorials will tell you to buy both an expensive tripod and high-quality ND filters, but neither of these items are necessary. A tripod – which can be bought second hand for as little as £10 – is advisable for keeping the camera still, but you could always stabilize the camera by rest...
“You saw it in the tears of those who survived” – The Grenfell Tower Mural
News

“You saw it in the tears of those who survived” – The Grenfell Tower Mural

A mural to honour the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower was created on Thursday 21st July in London at Village Underground. Painted by the renowned English street artist, Ben Eine, the mural featured a poem about the disaster by the Booker Prize winner and Nigerian writer Ben Okri. Okri's poem "Grenfell Tower, June 2017", composed in the days after the fire and first broadcast on Channel 4 News and published in the Financial Times, will be rendered across the 120-square-metre wall of the Village Underground on Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, East London. The lines "You saw it in the tears of those who survived" will appear in Eine's colourful style – with the full 1,600-word poem appearing across the wall as the background to the main text. Bahari - ‘This mural is our attempt to...
The Floating Piers, Lake Iseo
Features

The Floating Piers, Lake Iseo

Last summer saw an artist’s dreams recognised as Christo was given the go ahead to carry out a project he had been planning since 1970. The idea was the product of two artists, however Christo’s partner, Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2012, and was never able to see the project completed. Finally, earlier this year, Christo and his team were able to begin setting up the Floating Piers on Lake Iseo in Italy. The Floating Piers was a highly anticipated piece and became a hot topic worldwide. The project was an incredible success and drew in over a million tourists throughout the 16 day exhibiton. I was lucky enough to be able to visit the Floating Piers in late June, and it truly was a beautiful experience. Lake Iseo is naturally a stunning sight, sparkling crystal blue waters surrounded by...
‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good!
Culture & Literature, Music, Theatre & Performance

‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good!

‘Lady Be Good’ made this lady feel good! Last night I was treated to the Savoy Opera Society’s main term show ‘Lady Be Good’, music and book by George and Ira Gershwin, directed by Monte Marché. It was the perfect start to my weekend. I was giggling and singing the songs all the way home! The plot follows the misadventures of brother and sister Dick Trevor (Tom Chippendale) and Susie Trevor (Jenny Collins) after becoming destitute on the streets of New York. Their struggle to turn their fortunes around leads to false marriage proposals to the rich and glamorous Josephine Vanderwater (Sarah Vanderplank), falling onto the wrong side of the law via the misguidance of the mischievous lawyer Watty Watkins (Will Davidson) and a run in with Mexican gangsters, lead by the serial murderess Ma...
The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition 2016
Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition 2016

One of the biggest art events of the year is also one of the most accessible art exhibitions. Running until 21st August, this year’s Summer Exhibition is definitely worth a visit. The art world is often seen as impenetrable, pompous and downright confusing. The plethora of exhibitions and events that run every year often prove to be an intimidating and uncomfortable place to be for anyone who is not an art dealer themselves. Many times I have found myself stifling giggles at pieces that those around me find fascinating. There is one exception to this unwritten rule of the art world: the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in London. This yearly event is open to all. All kinds of punters and all kinds of artists, and that is what makes it so special. Every year the Royal Academy accepts...
MTS showcases talent with Summer Cabaret
Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

MTS showcases talent with Summer Cabaret

With its annual show, MTS kicks off the post-exam term of Pimm’s drinking in Founders quad with their ‘Summer Cabaret’. Orbital sends its resident photographer Jessie Beach-Thomas to investigate the action and interviews Violaine Brunelin, a member of the production team. Jessie’s take: ‘Colourful, glittery- everything you would expect from a musical!’ From watching Summer Cabaret, a show directed by Max Harris and presented by both Pippa Gentry and Matthew Siveter, I was very impressed. It is clear to see why so many of MTS’s shows have been sold out throughout the year. MTS take pride in their inclusivity, with both auditioned roles and full cast numbers that do not require any auditioning. If you aren’t into the performing side of things, there is plenty of opportunity for students to...
Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon
Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon

Ever wondered how life began for the fashion icon and infamous actress, Audrey Hepburn? From her traumatic upbringing in the German-occupied Netherlands to her overwhelming success in Hollywood and inspirational outreach work, get up-close and personal with some rarely seen photographs and prints donated by her family. This wonderful exhibition has been on at the National Portrait Gallery in London since 2nd July, but it hasn’t decreased in popularity. Do not fear, there's still just over a week left to experience this unique opportunity (finishing 18th October). Although likely to be very crowded, the enjoyment far outweighs pushing through groups of people when approaching a photograph. Learn about her dancing career, read about her iconic films and watch her striking style progres...
Who said you need to go on holiday to have fun?
Features

Who said you need to go on holiday to have fun?

We’ve all had that moment when we realise that everyone will be having the time of their life in Barcelona, Saint-Tropez or even Los Angeles for the summer and we won’t be. Sometimes money is tight. Sometimes money is as tight as our jeans are as we’ve spent way too much on Domino’s. However, not going on holiday isn’t the end of the world. Being at a university so close to London means that we can enjoy various fun events and experiences there instead. Here are a few things to do in London at a very reasonable (or sometimes non-existent) price. Enjoy free activities at the beautiful Canary Wharf During this summer there will be: Fashion weekend (29th - 31st May); dance performances (29th June - 4th July); outdoor Ping pong (7th –16th August); screens showing sport events in the park...
The feminist behind the flash
Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

The feminist behind the flash

Feminism as an ideology has snaked throughout all elements of the media, all the more prominently in the last couple of years. I use the word ideology, as Feminism unfortunately does not yet hold a quintessential place within modern societal norms. Photography as one of these media outlets, and one very close to my heart, has become an instrument through which the Romanticised image of woman can finally portray festivities of feminism as well as femininity. Francesca Woodman was a striking photographer who has always remained on my radar- a beautiful woman whose inner turmoil and intelligence sent her to her demise, yet during her shortened career, she was able to portray with conviction, the concept of hiding herself in plain sight. Her monochromatic self-portraits utilised rustic yet fam...
Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

Anselm Kiefer and the Pornography of Art

It doesn’t take much stimulus for me to assimilate a passion about art, whether I’m revelling or critiquing, given the material I will go on until I’ve either inspired someone or angered them. It was only the other week that I found myself in a heated (and drunken admittedly) discussion with an older friend over an exhibition which I had just attended. Anselm Kiefer at the Royal Academy is absolutely spectacular. I hadn’t previously expected to connect to the extent at which I did with his love of books and mythology, and how they play a pivotal role in many of Kiefers pieces. However, he expresses the ability to carry us down to earth by combining the celestial with the realities, of the Second World War for example, a subject portrayed through many of his early works and indeed percol...