All Is Made Manifest

Interests and Inspiration

[hyperallergic]

INSPIRATIONAL POSTER BY DAN LOWE

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[wetheurban]

KYLIE THOMPSON

Chicago-born Kyle Thompson is a 23-year-old self-trained photographer. Having only practiced photography for four years, his work is conceptually perfect, technically challenging and aesthetically stunning.

Keep reading

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It’s been a while...

Like ages. 

Reading through the earlier posts I’ve written I’m going to stop with the half-arsed promises of writing more and filling you in. Considering the huge amount of followers I have on here amounts to a grand total of 6 …I doubt anyone is even really that bothered.

Conclusion…I’m writing this for myself to either make a record (you know to like pass the time….feel like I exist… I’ve just watched interstellar and it’s got me thinking about parallel realities and time-frames. Maybe in an alternate dimension of time another me could or has or will (based on our notion of linear time) read this and been like….Jess…you should have got out more. Spend less time rambling about things that not that many people really care about. Your sense of time is linear and therefore limited. Go and do something fun, make something of yourself. So I am!) OR…this is my way of figuring out how my mind works, to come to a more thorough understanding of myself…which can only make things better…right?

Probably both.

This is my logic of why I shouldn’t write a post every week…maybe I’ll do it every two. We’ll see.

So I got back from Italy around March. By the end of my time there I had fallen a little bit in love with its shitty charm. Nothing worked, the alcohol was crap and cheap (cheap part is good), the food was great but got pretty dull after a while, no one can dress, everyone poses, noone dances properly, the flat I lived in was above 3 brothels …yet I loved it. I think I also lived with a pizza chef slash part-time drug dealer. I say think because it was the girl’s boyfriend that actually lived with us….but didn’t pay any rent. Great.

But I do really want to go back (not to the flat, to Italy) to see my friends and piss about having a good time...however I would never consider living there again. I don’t think I’m cut out for the culture, It’s inherently lazy and...well…I get bored. I want to be doing things all the time…and if I’m not doing something I want to be planning doing more things.

Now I live in London, just outside of Camden, and it’s great (although moving to Manor house or Brixton in September…anyone know any rooms going?). I know saying it is a cliché but London is such a happening cosmopolitan space. I know it’s getting gentrified, and I know it’s too expensive and I know that I’m lucky I can actually afford somewhere to lay my head that has plumbing…but I love it. My mates say I’m in the honeymoon period and soon I’ll turn into a moody Vice-article writing knobhead that pounds doom and gloom into other innocent people’s lives, but I don’t think I will. I’m too much of an optimist glass-half full kind of person (believe it or not) and my mates are obviously dicks and I shouldn’t hang out with them (if you’re reading this…luv u guyz).

I’ve started work in a Photographer’s agency: Morgan Lockyer. (www.morganlockyer.com if you want to check it out – it’s a good agency I swear). And I’m having a way better time than at the UN. This suits my personality a lot more and I enjoy production/looking after artist’s rights. I like the idea that I’m making creative things happen, in an environment where people are genuine and good at what they do (no I’m not in fashion…lol).

While this is all great…my emotional stability isn’t exactly ideal. Within a month of returning to England I broke up with my boyfriend. It’s complicated, it’s stressful, it’s causing heaps of emotional conflict…but I’m not going to let it stop me being me, working to the best of my ability and looking forwards and upwards. Life has so much to offer me right now and I’m happy with the direction it’s going work-wise and socially. I’m having a great time.

Like this weekend…it’s PRIDE (!!) and I’m really looking forward to having a good party in the street. The weather is supposed to be great as well. I’m going to get glittered and rainbowed up and take lots of out-of-focus not-very-good-at-all pictures that you can all have a look at and make fun of me for.

I feel like this post has focused very much on me and my thoughts/feelings (oo-err) and for that  I apologise, next one will actually be about fun things you want to read about (I hope…unless I have an existential crisis and lose my mind, in which case don’t read any more…it will just get weird).

J x

[sfmoma]

SubmissionFriday: 

 mixed media on wood 18” x 18” by Kindah Khalidy

[anothermag]

An aerial jellyfish on AnOther Loves

[boristhelion]

For some reason I couldnt add photos to the last post. So here we are. 

[hypebeast]

adidas Originals Superstar 80s by Gonz

http://hypebeast.com/hb1kbop

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Peru

OKaaay next post: COP20 and Lima and Machu Picchu It was awesome. Lima was nothing like I expected. I was staying in a hostel in the Miraflores area near the coast. The whole area is really new, giant high-rise tower blocks and green parks around every corner. The streets were clean, the people were really welcoming and best of all, the food is incredible. Ceviche is one of my favourite foods from there. It's so simple yet ridiculously yummy. Peru actually won some gastronomy prize last year for its cuisine, which is becoming internationally renowned (particularly in Aus). If you ever get the chance to go (I cannot stress enough how much of a good time you will have or how much weight you'll put on) visit La Mar, Panchita, Astrid y Gaston and make sure you eat heaps of street food. You will not be disappointed. All the fish is fresh (travelled literally ½ a mile), they use the highest quality ingredients and have a serious passion for their food. I don't often get blown away by food but La Mar was just exquisite. We actually had a chefs table booked there for IFAD's Recipes for Change Launch (see below). Instead of the standard ‘near the kitchen’ chef’s table they cleared the whole restaurant and we had all the chefs in the kitchen teaching us to make their dishes. Not only that but to top it off we had the spearfisherman who caught the very fish we were eating come and talk to us about his life and how his livelihood is being affected by climate change. (see photos) Recipes for Change is a programme which through looking at local recipes of different regions globally, we can focus on issues such as climate change, food security and issues relating to smallholder farmers. To read more visit www.ifad.org/recipesforchange . I have been working very closely with this programme over the last three months, designing recipe cards, connecting reporters and organising the launch itself. I am happy to say that it was, and continues to be, a success. COP20 itself was definitely different to anything I have ever experienced. I had a great chat with the Mongolian Minister for Climate. However I didn't manage to see Ban Ki Moon. I was on the stall or writing blogs regarding side events a lot of the time so I was pretty busy. Even so,  I did manage to see some cool stuff. The Peruvian government had organised this exhibition called Voices for Climate. It had loads of interactive tech and art installations (obvi I went and played on all the touchscreen stuff). There was loads of info about indigenous peoples and how they are trying to combat climate change, as well as large MNCs like Coke and Nissan all showing the latest developments in climate-smart technology (going to have to be real with Coke though….it was just a PR stunt. I’m not sure exactly how giving out free coke was helping the environment) anyway it was really interesting and attracted a lot of attention, which was the aim of the game at COP.

 After COP, myself and my friend Chris (and another girl from work) flew to Cusco to climb Machu Picchu. Honestly it was so great. Though all my wanderlust came straight back and the idea of going back to work in an office filled me with horror. We went on a two-day 12 km hike to the site on the Inca trail . Fortunately we had a private guide (called Ludwig - great guy) so the tour felt super exclusive. We were there in the rainy (aka. quiet) season so even though we paid for a group tour we had Ludwig all to ourselves.

  The first day was the 12 km hike through the Andes mountains. It was surreal; A winding dirt track(?) that was bordered on one side by lush subtropical forest and on the other a sheer precipice of unfathomable depth. The experience was exhilarating. When we finally did get to some Incan ruins the sheer quality of masonry was unbelievable. The stone fit together just so. However when I learned the buildings were constructed without the wheel, amazement turned into awe. I cannot comprehend how many years it must have taken to build, especially when my DIY skills are limited to the IKEA £5 LACK side table.

  When we arrived at the Sun Gate looking down into Machu Picchu, the weather turned and I had to don my sexy green poncho. The weather there was mad. One second you have saharan-strength sunlight burning your face and shoulders, next second you're swathed in cloud. It was like what I imagine the Greek gods on Mount Olympus would have had to deal with. Honestly you can't see shit. But then the clouds would part before you like wraiths and the sun would stream down again.

  Machu Picchu was great, would have been better if everyone had to walk there though. The second day we took the bus back to the site after staying in a local town overnight. The fact that there’s a bus means that (in my personal opinion) that people ‘cheat’. I feel like one can't achieve the same sense of awe if you haven't travelled along the Inca trail and reached the wonder on foot. It’s a journey thing.

  The tour on the second day was 3 hours. I learned about Pachamama and the Inca cross, the significance of the Eagle, the Panther and the Snake, and that although the Incas were much more peaceful than their Aztec cousins, they did still perform sacrifices. The sacrificial element of their culture was a much more errrmmm…. ‘civilised’ (if that’s the right word, we are still talking about killing people) affair than the Aztecs though. It was much more religious. The young boys and girls were prepared for years beforehand and then drugged before the actual ceremony. The Aztecs apparently sacrificed their enemies and cut out their hearts while still alive (please don't hold me on this, its what my guide said. Don't shoot me if it’s historically inaccurate).

  The journey back (to Rome) was long and sad. Peru is awesome. I cannot stress it enough when I say you should go (If you want a relatively cheap, clean and central place to stay Hostel el Patio is excellent (see photos)).

Until next time xxx For all blog posts and info on COP20 look here: www.ifad.org/climate/cop20

[hypebeast]

Vans OTW 2015 Spring/Summer Tesella “Marble White Print”

http://hypebeast.com/hb1k06n

[boristhelion]

Does it come in black?

[notational]

Don’t wait for permission. If you’re doing creative work for the right reasons, you don’t’ need the validation of others to put yourself out there. That’s what the internet makes possible. Lest we forget, TNI started as a Tumblr. And love other women. The world wants you to find extraordinary women threatening. Undo that training. When you feel threatened, it’s a great sign that you have just found an ally who will bring you new energy and insight and together you will rise.

"Don’t Wait for Permission": Talking with Rachel Rosenfelt, Founder of The New Inquiry | Brooklyn Magazine (via notational)

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Ciricevaa | via Tumblr on We Heart It.

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It's only a matter of time. I'm bleaching my hair white very soon...I can't wait.

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In case you wanted to see the UNAME concept film staring yours truly + all Rock n Yolk staff

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20 year old Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “resume” 

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If you haven't seen the film, you should

[sculpture-center]

FEATURED ARTIST: Vera Kox

Vera Kox (b. 1984, Frankfurt/Main) explores material uncertainty and the limits of form through the creation of richly textured sculptures that carefully play with density, fluidity, and weight. Working experimentally, Kox’s approach serendipitously blends highly controlled industrial production methods with makeshift elements and gestures from daily life. The illusion of shifting physical states subtly disrupts the viewer’s experience with the work, emphasizing instability and promoting a phenomenological look at matter.

Vera Kox received her MFA Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London in 2010 and has recently exhibited at Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin (2014), Salon Dahlmann, Berlin (2014), Green Is Gold, Copenhagen (2014), Minibar, Stockholm (2013), Galleri Opdahl, Stavanger (2013), Museum of Art, Luxembourg (2013), La Scattola Gallery, London (2012), Casino Forum of Contemporary Art, Luxembourg (2012), Van Horbourg, Basel (2011). Forthcoming exhibitions include Vera Kox / Manor Grunewald at Duve Berlin, Berlin, opening January 16th. Kox will be an artist in residence at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon in 2015. The artist lives and works in Berlin and Luxembourg.

Vera Kox, Reassuring Inertia, 2014. Courtesy the artist.

www.sculpture-center.org

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Vita a Roma

So as it turns out I went to an aperitivo last night and therefore didn’t have time to write a post so I’m doing it now.

When it snows in the UK everything shuts down. Schools close, no one goes to work and we invariably run out of grit. Similarly when it rains in Rome the working world grinds to a halt. A couple of months ago there was a storm ‘scheduled’ to hit Rome. We got sent home early from work in case we couldn’t get back to our homes because if it rains the metro floods and the streets turn into raging torrents. Apparently. Although it did rain, the city-wide closure was perhaps slightly unwarranted.

If there is an excuse to skip work be assured the Italians will take it - skivers one and all.

Tuesday was a national holiday for Italy so everyone has the day off. So…..logically, if Tuesday is a day off everyone should probably take Monday off as well.

It’s part of the culture here that tax evasion or skipping work or doing as little work as possible is seen as a favourable trait if you can get away with it. The Italians actually have a word for it…furbo (fuor-bo) and don’t forget to roll the ‘r’. It means foxy, clever and canny but in ways that personally benefit you I.e. Skipping council tax (which actually a vast amount of people do - no wonder the government is running out of money). This was reflected in the absence rate in the police force on Christmas Eve - 82%. That means out of every 100 officers on duty only 18 showed up for work. I hope no one needed them.

Just this morning I got on the tram to get to Termini (main train station) where I get the metro to work. The tram driver decided to not stop at any fermata (stops) until the last…que an Italian argument with everyone shouting at the driver and him shouting back making unapologetic hand gestures. I’m not sure who was driving the tram at this point.

The cries of Stop! And io scendo qui! Followed me off into Termini. It was probably his last drive and he couldn’t be bothered to stop anywhere. Kind of like the time I got the 716 bus from Laurentina into town. The driver saw his mate on the side of the road, got off and had a smoke and a beer before driving off again. Drink driving is fine here…and now you know why everyone is late. The public transport leaves much to be desired.

That said, it is only €35 a month. Significantly cheaper that TFL.

However huge plus points on the Italians for having aperitivo. Basically you pay 10 euros for a drink of your choice and a buffet of amazing food. If you ever come here go to Momart near Bologna metro station. It’s the bomb. I went last night to a place near Colosseo and tonight I’m trying out another place near Basilica St. Paolo. Aperitivo is so great; cheap and yummy. I go at least twice a week. Momart also cater for vegans as well….sorry celiacs but bread and pasta are there in abundance I doubt there will be much for you. Actually there’s not much point you coming to Italy unless you can survive on a liquid diet of vino rosso.

Lastly in one of my previous posts I said how great the shabby chic fashion was here. I retract that opinion. Within RnY the style is black luxe sportswear crossed with a bit of UK edginess (I was at Leeds uni …..being edgy was a way of life. Just check out edgygirlleeds.com ) however Rome at large…..no one can dress. It’s a fact. And the Italians themselves agree. The place to be for fashion is Milan. And even then, it’s a safe, classic old school Prada, Salvatore Ferragmmo and Bottega Veneta’s S/S 2015 collection.

Lovely, but not exactly my thing. I am wearing more black though. Next thing I’ll be wearing sunglasses inside.

Ciao xxxx

[boristhelion]

Sorry I'm late

I apologise for the lack of posts in the last two months. Busy is an understatement. I have so much to write about so for now I'm just going to get some bullet points down of forthcoming topics. Having them written down for public perusal makes me feel obliged to write posts, so I'll actually get them done. - More info on rome life. I've been back in the UK for Christmas and New Year and I'd forgotten the more ....particular...aspects of Italy. - My trip to Peru. COP20 (United Nations Conference of the Parties) commenced between the 1st and 12th December and was hosted in Lima. As the environment and climate communications intern I was writing blogs and tweeting live from the event. Then I had a few days left at the end so we managed to cram in travelling to Cusco and climbing Machu Picchu on a 12km hike. - Various random photos. I'll try and explain them all but I apologise for the crappy quality. I don't have a camera and my Italian phone leaves much to be desired. - Parties and aperitivos and going out. I've managed to get involved in a pretty great friend group here in Rome. Though I think they see me as a novelty and I don't really understand much of what is being said but you know.... You don't have to fully speak the same language to have a good time. (My Italian is appalling) I've managed to get involved in this friend group through the guys I was staying with when I first got here. I'm going to give them a shoutout because they are lovely people and know how to have a good time. Lorenzo and Fabrizia...their apartment is available on Airbnb here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1287551 . If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Rome and want to go for drinks, maybe go on a night out (Friday is the one) hit these guys up. Anyway through L&F I met Sere Na (dj name) who is a DJ for rock n yolk, (see earlier post) she's been at Glasgow uni for three years and now doing her masters in civil engineering as well as being a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights and during the week. Turned out she had a spare room in her flat so I moved in. Through her I met all the RnY people and loads of her mates. Because RnY does weekday events as well as at the weekend, I've had quite a good social life, something I did not expect to achieve here. I'll tell you about some of the events in different posts...I need to get the photos sorted first. Hopefully I'll have one up tonight. Ciao xxxxx