For st ud en ts • by students • I ssue #04
E R A S MU S - I S IT FOR YOU? • A B E RTAY VOLL EYBALL - THE UNHEARD CLUB VI DEO • GAMES ARE NOT AR T
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The Geek
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PROTECT YOUR STUFF! Think about how much you’ll be taking with you to uni this year and remember you and your housemates all have laptops and mobile phones. With such a lot of gadgets under one roof, you should consider the insurance you need. For more housing advice, visit endsleigh.co.uk/housing
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SLAM MAGAZINE Student led abertay media
EDITOR’S WELCOME Welcome to SLAM, your University magazine revamped and ready for a brand new year. Last semester we took some tentative steps towards opening up our magazine, but now it’s time to start really running with it. In this short editorial, I’d like to introduce myself, my fellow editor and the innovative new print which you are reading. This is a truly student-led magazine, with all of our articles coming from the students of Abertay. In this issue alone, our contributors have discussed anything from local events, to theatre reviews, opinion pieces and advice for foreign students. Anything you are interested in can appear in SLAM, and we need your contributions to help make this project as successful as we know it can be. We are a ground-breaking magazine, pioneering new forms of digital media that work alongside our prints, to form a new kind of student media in a way only Abertay and its students, with our strong roots in computing and digital arts, are equipped to do.
WHATS INSIDE...
It doesn’t matter how much experience you have with writing, we are also learning the ropes, and Sophie and I are here to give whatever support you need to get the full potential out of your articles. So we hope you will consider writing for us, and keep this wonderful experiment alive. But anyway, I’ve been wittering on long enough, so on behalf of the team at SLAM I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again in the brave New Year ahead of us.
THE SLAM TEAM... Editorial Erasmus - Is It For You?
Abertay Volleyball - The Unheard Club
UADSA - How To Be More
Editors Neil Cole Sophie Chandler Writers Leva Jokubaityte Christy McLaughlin Adam Learmonth Kayleigh Radford Sophie Chandler Robyn Donoghue
Production Designer Stuart Tait
On The Origin Of Findo Gask
Photography Danny Proctor Allan Reid Print Winter Simpson
Games Are Not Art
What’s on this December?
Fancy getting involved? Email us at slam@uadsa.com
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My name is Neil Cole and together with Sophie Chandler, we are the editors of SLAM, and it’s our job to get your articles into the magazine, make sure everyone gets a fair voice, and that SLAM continues to be interesting and informative on as diverse a range of topics as is possible. If you have an article, or even an idea for an article, that you want to appear in the magazine you can email us at slam@uadsa.com.
ERASMUS IS IT FOR YOU? “Going through all those life stages will provide an unforgettable experience. As well as that, it will give you more independence.”
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hinking on joining Erasmus programme and go global with Abertay? The advice is to consider whether it is really for you. All of us are different individuals and might have different expectations. Some of us deal with experiences easier than others. This article will be based through the eyes of the student who has independently come to study to Abertay from abroad. When you hear a word studying abroad it brings mostly positive ideas to your head. However, as everywhere in life there are advantages and disadvantages. This article will not try to encourage you or discourage but it will give basic ideas what it looks like.
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Firstly it is very important to research whether you will like to live in the country. Some cultural differences can be extreme and some people find hard to adapt to different cultures. Also, it is better if an individual likes learning languages because it will be something it is necessary to do. Even, the course can be in English, outside university life you may need language to communicate and get around. Once chosen the country it is necessary to choose university. It is very useful to read about what status it has and how it works. If you travel not independently but with Erasmus you will not need to do research on your own as much, however you still might want to research the educational system in the country or university you will be sent to. The most important thing to consider is the finance. It is a good step to check what expenses it will require to stay abroad. Even though, the student is illegible to apply for funding from home institutions and get Erasmus grant the amounts should be
carefully compared with expenses. It is easier to get jobs in some countries than the others. If there is a case that student needs more funding he/she can go to work. It has to be checked weather the educational system in the country allows a student to have time to work. Going through all those life stages will provide an unforgettable experience. As well as that, it will give you more independence. Travelling is a great way to meet people, to see how the world abroad is like. This is perfect for cultural studies students to experience things practically in addition to theories. A student can make a lot of good friends from abroad; having international friends is a great experience. I hope whatever you choose; it will be something you enjoy. I wish success and unforgettable time for students who decide to join Erasmus programme. I hope you will share your stories with the rest of the students in Slam magazine when you return. Leva Jokubaityte
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ABERTAY VOLLEYBALL
The Unheard Club
“They’d be surprised to know that it is one of the biggest clubs Abertay has to offer.”
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the club was back up and running. This was all thanks to the new and current club captain, Shaun O’Neill.
Being my fourth year at Abertay and fourth year on the Volleyball team makes me the longest running member of the club. When I first came here it was an extremely small club with maybe 7 – 10 members. They’d struggle to form a team for games (I knew this because I was always asked to play and at that point was not very good). After a year of playing and training I was looking forward to returning after the Summer but, upon my return to university, I discovered that the Volleyball Club did not exist anymore. However, after about a month or two I received a message that somebody new had stepped up to be club captain and
3 years down the line and Shaun O’Neill has transformed this club into one of the biggest at Abertay; with multiple leagues and teams of all skill levels. Due to a late start in the year we struggled to have a team but now we have a full Men’s and, for the first time, Women’s team who each compete in University leagues. There are two district leagues; Division 1 and 2 which involve teams from the Dundee and Arbroath area. These teams are mixed with a minimum of two female players on the court at all times. Division 1 is for the more experienced players in which we have 1 team. Division 2 is for recreational players in which we encourage all to come and join at the start of the year and you will definitely have a team to play for. For this
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bertay Volleyball Club seems to be a small mediocre club to students at Abertay University but they’d be surprised to know that it is one of the biggest clubs Abertay has to offer…
league, this year, we have 3 teams.
be able to win the league and get promoted into Division 1.
This year’s main focus is on our Men and Women’s University teams. With this being the Women’s first appearance in the league, they are looking to get themselves promoted to the next division. Currently being captained by one of Abertay’s Elite Athlete Development Programme student’s, Nicola McKenzie, the Women’s team are currently in joint first place and have a very high chance of being promoted to the second division.
As I say it’s been a huge journey for Abertay Volleyball Club and it is slowly getting bigger and bigger; with trophies and awards to be won in each league, monthly social nights and everything in between. Last year we won ‘Club Of The Year’ at Abertay’s Sports Award Dinner and for that and everything else he has done, I would like to personally thank Shaun O’Neill for what he has managed to accomplish for this club.
This year I am captaining the Men’s team. With a strong squad we are currently in a very even-matched league; we are joint first with a few teams. With a few games left before the end of term we are looking for comfortable wins, ready for the games next semester. This is the first year the Men have had a fully capable squad who should
Abertay Men’s Volleyball Club has a Naked Calendar for sale to raise funds for the club. £10 per calendar with £2 per calendar going to Children’s Ward at Ninewells Hospital. Christy McLaughlin - Abertay Volleyball Mens Captain.
UADSA HOW TO BE MORE “Your Executive volunteer their time for you” opportunities and working closely with you to raise money and benefit charitable organisations. Elley, our SVCC is based in the Students’ Association and is happy to help in any way she can.
Sarah, your Vice President is passionate about you getting the most out of your time at University. She is here to support you with societies, volunteering and giving back to the community.
Volunteering is extremely rewarding. Working with local organisations, including within the University you can gain valuable skills, meet new people and of course help you in the search for that amazing job! We have a wide variety of opportunities available and work very closely with outside organisations looking for volunteers, please see our website for details of opportunities and get in touch to discuss.
Being involved in activities out-with your degree is incredibly enriching, but we don’t need to tell you that – you already know this. With employers looking for evidence of skills gained outside studies the experience you can gain from being involved in a society can help you stand out from the crowd. Societies are Student-led groups that share a common interest and are supported by UADSA. Societies can be a benefit to helping you settle in if you are far from home or if you like to learn new and exciting skills alongside being with people with similar interests. We have held our Fresher’s Fayre which was a huge success, for a full list of societies, visit our website: www.uadsa. com If you don’t see a society that interests you, you can always start a new one. All guidelines are on our website and all documents are downloadable for you to complete and return. If you need any additional support please get in touch, as we are happy to help. UADSA have recently recruited a new Societies, Volunteering and Charities Co-ordinator to assist Sarah, your Vice President, in growing society numbers, increasing volunteering
Thinking outside our campus? We are all guilty of staying in our comfort zone. However this year will see UADSA encouraging you to get outside and connect with the community. We are here to support you in deciding where to be involved and how you can make an impact on the community and its residents. How to make an impact? If you are interested in extra-curricular activities then pop up and see us. We are always happy to help with information, planning, events, promotion and making sure that you get the most out of your time at Abertay
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o, you are studying for your degree and thinking that there must be more you can do to increase your chances of employment at the end of your time at Abertay. There is something you can do, get involved!
ON THE ORIGIN OF FINDO GASK
“The book takes on a new lease of life, upping the ante considerably amid a brilliant pseudo-parody of spy thrillers and action movies.”
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F
indo Gask, self-described as “Scotland’s ugliest sixteen-year-old”, buys alcohol strictly according to price-per-litre-per-alcohol-content, ponders how far he can follow Mandy Duplin down the high street without becoming an actual stalker, and nurses a healthy disdain for the church he was expelled from at the age of eleven after being suspected of demonic possession. On the Origin of Findo Gask does as it says on the cover, regaling us with the life and times of the eponymous outcast as he searches for meaning in life beyond yearning after girls he’s never going to shag. The book starts unhurriedly, interweaving a recap of key incidents in Findo’s earlier childhood and adolescence with the events surrounding one week in his present life. The title alludes to the Darwinian Terrorist Organisation he founded in protest against his eviction from the house of
God, though he resigned since activities quickly spiralled out of his control and into the hands of his “nutter” associates, Maxwell and Cousin Dan. It’s somewhat difficult to get on board with Findo at first, in spite of him having some enjoyable one-liners, because the opening chapters come off as a vent for all the character’s woes, real or imagined. Everything is shit, or boring, or stupid, or all three; while this is a perfectly accurate reflection of the typical teenager’s outlook on life, it doesn’t do much for building a sympathetic connection with the reader. I wouldn’t have put the beginning at the beginning, if you see what I mean – starting the book with, say, what is currently the gripping penultimate chapter, before backtracking into Findo’s life story, might make it easier to be drawn in.
Comparisons with The Catcher in the Rye are inevitable, it being a benchmark for every isolated adolescent male character of the last fifty years, and sure enough, Findo shares the same air of disaffection, cynicism and worldweariness that afflicted Holden Caulfield. The most obvious difference between them is their use of profanity; whereas J. D. Salinger’s protagonist never uttered anything worse than the occasional “goddam” or “sonuvabitch”, Findo and friends make liberal and inventive use of F-bombs, S-shells, T-grenades and other strained euphemisms for the best-known four letter words. Holden also never had to take care of someone’s severed nipple – “like a wet ravioli” – after a nasty incident down the pub. Subtle this ain’t. The first sexual experience is a cornerstone of the teenage coming-of-age novel, and all credit to the author, he stays away from the geek-gets-the-girl cliché. This passage was almost impossible to read, not because it was poorly written, but the precise opposite. The painful awkwardness of a less than perfect encounter comes through sharply, grating from moment to agonising moment – the sort of scene you’d watch through your fingers on a screen, but are forced to endure on the page. As the past and present storylines converge around three-quarters of the way through, the plot also turns a sharp corner into the surreal. Once you’ve swallowed your incredulity at the change of tone and direction, the book takes on a new lease of life, upping the ante considerably amid a brilliant pseudo-parody of spy thrillers and action movies. It may seem pedantic to criticise a book’s editing in a
review, but it was one of my biggest problems with Findo Gask. One or two errors will slip into any publication, but my copy at least was riddled with loose punctuation, misspellings or words missing altogether, and even paragraphs of dialogue with no speech marks to bind them, meaning I had to read some lines more than once to double-check who was speaking, if anyone. It’s not enough to lose any of the story’s meaning, but it’s enough to stumble on several occasions and interrupt the flow of the text. I hope a second edition will be cleared up for future readers. Overall, the biggest compliment I can give to Findo Gask is that I did not see Findo’s final decisive act coming, even with a handful of pages to go, yet it still wraps up the central themes and questions with a beautiful turn of irony. Bear with the book’s slow start, as it improves with every page until its gloriously inglorious end. Once you can look past its minor flaws, it’s a thought-provoking and immensely funny read. Adam Learmonth
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I’ve never been anywhere near Inverness or the villages surrounding it but the author seems to know his locations very well, and it shows in the strength of his settings. He captures well the bleakness and emptiness, but also the sporadic moments of beauty, that define the Scottish countryside and coastline; moreover, focusing greater description on the remote landscapes compared to the city centre or the insides of houses draws a figurative parallel with the loneliness and despondency felt by Findo. Clever stuff.
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“Game design is predominantly a science, not an art.”
Video Games Are Not Art Nor Should They Be
Among the most banal of all is the question of whether video games are “art”. The late film critic Roger Ebert was one prominent figure to receive an unhealthy dose of scorn from players, developers and critics alike, when he refused to beautify the medium of games with the A-word. However, after much thought, I’ve concluded (against my own expectations) that Ebert was right: they are not art, though not for his reasons. Allow me to explain. The definition of art is itself the subject of many a trite debate, but for this argument’s sake, it is any process of creation in which some degree of aesthetic choice is involved. A breezeblock, for instance, is not art, as its purpose, design and implementation are purely functional. But arranging twenty breezeblocks into a miniature ziggurat would be art. It may not be “good” art to many, or inspiring, or skilful, yet that subjective expression makes it art nonetheless. Some further examples – an ordinary urinal is not art, but a urinal turned upside down becomes ludicrously pricey art. Carrots, implausibly, can be deemed works of art; mostly purple until the 17th century, the meddling Dutch popularised the more visually appealing orange variety – aesthetic choice. A Formula 1 car is designed entirely for racing performance, so every aspect of its design down to the paint job is optimised for this end alone. Despite any coincidental beauty they possess, F1 cars cannot be called works of art. It is this last example that comes closest to equating with video games. Consider the original Pong: a black screen, two white lines representing paddles, a white square for the ball, and two blocky numerals displaying the current score. The only sound effects exist to indicate the ball striking different surfaces.
There are no superfluous properties whatsoever to the design, nothing that does not relate precisely to serving the gameplay. Therefore, Pong is a game, but it is not art. At the other end of the spectrum we have Heavy Rain, which received plenty of acclaim for its branching storylines and authentic facial expressions. It’s definitely artistic, but without a set of play rules, or definitive win/ lose conditions, is it even a “game”, or simply an overwrought interactive movie? Answering that means opening a new can of semantics, and there isn’t space here for that. Anyway, here’s the dirty not-so-secret – game design is predominantly a science, not an art. E=mc2 is beautiful not because Einstein chose to make it so, but because of how it simply works within itself. The interconnecting number systems beneath the hood of Football Manager, of Pokémon, of Tomb Raider, aren’t the way they are because the numbers are pretty, or because they’re easy to crunch. It’s because they work, providing an intricate, balanced, and glitch-free playing experience (or at least aiming to). Video games contain plenty of magnificent artwork, of that there’s no doubt. But gameplay – the very feature that identifies the medium – is not, or at least should not be, considered as such. To do so discredits the science that allows hedgehogs to run on ceilings, and plumbers to use mutated turtles as trampolines.
Adam Learmonth
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spent four years at Abertay studying the design and development of video games, and the same conversation topics would appear repeatedly – the most effective business model, how to deal with piracy, is the industry inherently sexist, will games ever stop being scapegoats for every modern-day shooting spree…
DUNDEE REP D
undee Rep is a Theatre, Dance and Creative Learning company that has been around since the 1930s. They put on a number of shows throughout the year in a wide variety of genres. They perform shows in areas such as Shakespeare, musicals, American Classics, New Works and works for children and young people.
This Award winning Theatre Company is definitely worth going to see. There is always magic at Dundee Rep over the Christmas season and this year will be no exception when Dundee Rep Ensemble performs Roald Dahl’s The BFG. Adapted for the Stage by David Wood and directed by Joe Douglas this captivating tale of good versus evil will delight people of all ages.
Running from 28th November until Tuesday 31st December Matinees: 7, 14, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December at 2.30pm BSL Interpreted Performance: Saturday 14 at 2.30pm & Friday 20 at 7pm Captioned Performance: Tuesday 17 at 7pm & Saturday 21 at 2.30pm Audio Described Performance: Tuesday 17 at 7pm & Saturday 21 at 2.30pm All of the Information above is taken from the Dundee Rep website and the official press release for The BFG.
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To find out more and to purchase tickets for any of the shows visit www.dundeerep.co.uk or call the box office on 01382 223 530.
Kayleigh Radford
Whats on? From the writer of ‘Five Pound’ & ‘Twa Bairns’ and Mother of All the Peoples, comes the Dundee premiere of the third part of the Dundee trilogy. It is a Scottish Musical by Mike Gibb with the Music by Kevin Walsh and Malcolm Dowie. December 1944, and after five long years, the war is drawing to a close when cousins Joe and Matt and best friends Barbara and Angie meet in Dundee’s Empress Ballroom, little realising that this chance encounter would change all of their lives. Forever. Running from Wednesday 22nd January until Saturday 25th at 7:30pm. An evening of Dirty Dancing 2014 returns for a second run at Dundee Rep. The Tribute Show has been delighting audience all around the country since 2010. Based on one of the best movie soundtracks of all time. Don’t miss out! Its running from Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th February at 7:30pm.
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“There is always magic at Dundee Rep over the Christmas season and this year will be no exception”
CHRISTMAS IS COMING “Christmas is just around the corner, and what better place to get into the Christmas spirit than Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland!”
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undee’s Museum and Art Gallery ‘The McManus’ will play host to two temporary exhibits opening in the next few weeks.
As well as other festive events and films across December the DCA gift shop is open late on Thursday the 12th December for all gifting needs.
As the nights draw in and Dundee descends into darkness quicker than you can put on an extra festive jumper, The McManus will be shedding light on stunning (if often freezing) Scottish scenery through a collection of photography.
For the more hands on, Creative Dundee presents to you – Stop, Collaborate and Celebrate! An evening of networking and discussion with creatives from across Dundee. Festivities will ensue on Thursday the 19th of December with tickets available online.
As well as this the venue will be showcasing the work of local young people, exploring through art, their connection to the city.
Winter Wonderland – Edinburgh
With big strides in content for Tumblr, Instagram and Youtube your exploration around the building can become quite an interactive and digital affair. If that’s not reason enough to pop along, there’s always the draw of a cup of tea in the café to warm you up.
A Silvered Light – Scottish Art Photography from the City’s Permanent Collection Exhibition Dates: Friday 6 December 2013 and throughout 2014 Sense of Place
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Exhibition Dates: Friday 13 December 2013 to 7 February 2014 Venue: The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum Admission: Free Exhibition Contact: 01382 307200 If you’re struggling for present ideas then Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) can curate the perfect present for you and wrap it too!
Christmas is just around the corner, and what better place to get into the Christmas spirit than Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland! With so much to see and do it’s the perfect evening out. Why not fasten on a pair of skates and visit one of Europe’s biggest open air ice rinks? Genuine fun for all ages, and an ideal excuse to wrap up warm and get some festive snaps along the way. Edinburgh is infamous for the German Christmas Market that has been part of Wonderland tradition for 20 years. This market is the perfect setting to walk around and look at the unusual and quirky gifts on display, amongst other handmade crafts and decorations. Keep yourself warm with some heated mulled wine and indulge yourself with German snacks. To top off this great experience you can climb aboard the decorated and magically lit Ferris wheel and take in the beautiful view that Edinburgh has to offer at Christmas time! This is the perfect setting to put anyone in the Christmas mood! The Winter Wonderland is open from now until the 5th of January; get yourself down for some winter merriment! Sophie Chandler and Robyn Donoghue
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For st ud e n ts • by students • I ssue #04