Issue 70 - September 2018

ISSUE 70 SEPTEMBER

DUNDEE’S FREE MAGAZINE

The Optimist’s Guide to Dundee Just what can I discover in Dundee?

New Style for a New Start Reinvent yourself at university through style and personal expression.

Why We Reinvent Ourselves at Uni How new beginnings spark boldness.

LGBT Dundee Coming to Dundee as gay and what to expect from it.

EU is Our Past, Present and Future UK, Brexit, and finding a place for the country in Europe.

NEW BEGINNINGS

THE MAGDALEN

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR IN CHIEF I write this in the mindset of probably every editor who has come before me, one of writer’s block. I have always written for The Magdalen, it is almost impossible to get me to stop writing. However, I find myself struggling to decide on a tone to introduce myself to you, the reader.

Firstly, I would like to welcome you all to another year at the University of Dundee. Whether you are coming into Fresher’s week 2018 as an optimistic, young first year with that double instalment of SAAS burning a hole in your pocket or as a fourth year wondering how you’re going to get any sleep with all the fresher’s stumbling past your door for the next 10 days, the Magdalen welcome you.

If you have picked up this issue out of curiosity due to our snazzy new front cover (thanks to Iona, Molly and Olivia) or because you are a faithful returning reader, this is just one of changes we have made this year. We have a brand new editorial team, a new emphasis on creative photography and more editorially-focussed design and all for a good reason: just as

Dundee is changing around us, so must The Magdalen. With money, attention and new faces pouring into the city, we must diversify in order to tell its story. We are blessed to be studying in a city experiencing such a renaissance, and there will always be a chance to show the growth and beauty of its change. This being said, it is equally important to remember that there will always be corners of society where the light of the redevelopment we see does not reach. According to statistics from DC Thomson, in the year that we open the new V&A, 38 people will die from drug-related causes, 242 girls under the age of 19 will fall pregnant, all while the struggles of the homeless community will not go away.

There is a duality to Dundee, and one which we at the Magdalen will always acknowledge. If you feel up to looking beyond DUSA for the real story of Dundee, come and find the Magdalen at Freshers’ Fair.

In fairness, we are not killjoys and know that freshers’ is a time to remember (or try to, depending on how much of that SAAS goes on skittle-bombs), so from all of us, enjoy. Here’s to another year!

Murray Glen

SEPTEMBER

ISSUE

70

A NOTE FROM YOUR CREATIVE DIRECTORS Welcome everyone to a new year at Dundee Uni! I’m sad to say that for us three it is our final year. However, it is only just beginning and we are so excited to be spending it as your creative directors. With this new year comes a brand new design for the Magdalen – one that we hope reflects the bold and vibrant atmosphere that this University carries.

Whether you’re brand new to campus or oldies like us, there’s always new and exciting things to discover about University and Dundee itself. The Magdalen is here to help you through that, especially in this issue. So take a look through our Introduction to Societies, Feature, and Opinions sections to see what Dundee has to offer and what your fellow students really think of it all!

Somewhere in there we are sure you’ll begin to see that there’s

something you’ll love, even if you didn’t expect it. We’re certainly not done seeing what’s out there!

Maybe one of those things will be right here, at the Magdalen!

We have an amazing team of designers and we are always keen to have more people to involved.

If you’re interested in any or all aspects of design – layout, photography, and illustration then we highly recommend that you give the Magdalen a go!

We’ll be at the Fresher’s Fair on September 8th so look out for us there and you might find your work published for all of Dundee to see!

Ultimately we hope this year at Dundee is spectacular and that you’ll be able to make the most of your time here. Have a great Fresher’s week, we hope you enjoy this issue!

Olivia Sharkey Iona Sorbie Molly Porteous

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EDITOR IN CHIEF Murray Glen SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF Barbara Mertlova DEPUTY EDITORS Kris Aare Alastair Edward Letch

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Iona Sorbie Molly Porteous Olivia Sharkey PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER Victoria Sanches ILLUSTRATION MANAGER Fraser Robertson

ART & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Alexander Ferrier

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Applications Open

COMMUNITY EDITOR Sarah Jayne Duncan

LIFESTYLE EDITOR James Houston

CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR Kiera Marshall

OPINION EDITOR Rose Kendall

CURRENT AFFAIRS EDITOR Mary Erin Kinch FASHION EDITOR Emily Fletcher

COVER DESIGNER Fraser Roberston

SCIENCE EDITORS James Dale John Ferrier COPY EDITOR Taylor Petrie

PRINTERS The Magazine Printing Co. www.magprint.co.uk mpc@magprint.co.uk

September - The Magdalen -Section

06 FEATURE 10 CREATIVE WRITING 14 QUIZZES & COMICS

26 COMMUNITY 32 SOCIETIES 2018/19 38 CURRENT AFFAIRS 42 FASHION 46 INTERNATIONAL 51 LIFESTYLE 56 OPINIONS 62 SCIENCE 68 WHAT’S ON

CONTENTS

16 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Feature - The Magdalen - September

The Optimist’s Guide to Dundee During the year of 1901, almost 118 years ago, the HMS Discovery set sail to the Antarctic. Helmed

by Captain Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton, the voyage lasted the better part of three years.

The results of their exploration were newfound discoveries of the frozen south, braw stories and, of course, penguins. For enduring such cold, the voyage bolstered a sense of pride for the city of Dundee; a pride which can be felt to this day (with a number of statues that act as a reminder of this).

The expression ‘City of Discovery’ was coined by the local authority: inspiring the vision of Dundee for years to come. While the crew of the ship may never have envisaged this kind of success, many of you readers may question whether this stands the test of time. Namely, is Dundee still a city that inspires discovery?

Although the history of Dundee has been less forgiving, with a former loss of industry and rise of deprivation as a consequence, there is now a growing appreciation for the newer wave of publicity that the city has amassed. Dundee is developing rapidly: very few can deny this. Whether you subscribe to the BBC, The Guardian, SciTech Europa or even Vogue, many international papers are reporting on what the city has accomplished over the last two decades and what the city is up to next. This spans from being awarded the status of UNESCO city of Design in 2014 (the only city in the UK to have such an accolade), maintaining a growing games industry, having one of the world’s top 200 universities and hosting a Pride parade on the 22nd of September. Hurrah for living in the sunniest city in Scotland!

When asking “what can I do in Dundee?” you may be supplied with an assortment of jokey answers.

Nothing, sadness or perhaps trouble registers amongst them (or at least from what I was told, when earnestly asking the question to a circle of prospective students). The assumption that Dundee is lacklustre is sadly one which the city may never shake free of. As internet forums and Scottish meme pages uphold a general sense of asinine humour when discussing Dundee, it is sometimes hard to find that happy compromise between optimistically looking at the city and embracing the harsher realities that exist.

…That’s if, as a student, you even get to see the sun.

I can attest to this by stating that I’ve spent literal days away from venturing outside and can say, with confidence, that sometimes it is needed of us.

Guiltily, I admit that prior to arriving in Dundee, it was easy to believe that the campus was everything that I needed. Why bother exploring when all you need is less than five minutes away?

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It was only after being forcibly woken up by a fire alarm at 5AM, when I decided to take a long walk. For too long I had been saying that I lived in Dundee, without actually seeing the city or fully

Designed by Iona Sorbie, photography by Arjun Kalsi

September - The Magdalen - Feature

understanding the culture behind it. In hindsight, taking that 6 hour walk was what opened my eyes to the brilliance of Dundee.

Although that was almost four years ago now, the memories of exploring Coldside, the Harbourfront, the Hilltown and industrial zones remain with me.

Thus, I am inspired to give you a flavour for the city, share some of the greater attractions beyond the campus and inspire you to look out for some of the more secretive places you may never have thought about.

As a starting point on this optimist’s guide, it would be hard for me to avoid talking about the V&A. It is undeniably what will draw a lot of attention to the city over the course of this year and will feature frequently in your quarterly catch up with the relatives. For being a hallmark of the one billion pound investment into the waterfront, it stands just by the HMS Discovery as a great feat of engineering, architecture

and design. The discovery is also an attraction worth seeing: as you would get to understand more about the legendary boat that sailed to the Antarctic and back.

Additionally, if museums are your cup of tea, then Dundee is home to the McManus; a collection of Dundee’s finest art and trinkets from the past. If you ever want to learn about Dundee’s culture, whether obscure or mainstream, then the McManus is likely to display it. Fancy something off the beaten track? Broughty Ferry Castle, which stands about an hour and a half’s walk away from the city centre, tells the tale of the many servicemen, women and locals who contributed to the war aid.

Alternatively, if you are a fan of the stars and astronomy, then look no further to the Mills Observatory. After trekking up Balgay park (30 mins North West from town), you can find yourself in the nicely isolated centre (with

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September - The Magdalen - Feature

‘there is now a growing appreciation for the newer wave of publicity that the city has amassed. Dundee is developing rapidly: very few can deny this’ there being monthly scientific talks hosted up the hill). You can even spend 5 minutes to find yourself on top of GOAT HILL! If you find a goat or two, then you’ll have good luck for the rest of the time you spend in Dundee. True fact.

If you are more nocturnal, then how about a ghost tour? Dundee’s haunted history is one of the lesser documented, yet more gruesome pieces of Dundee’s culture. Underneath The Shore lurks the old harbour: a long lost piece of the city harkening back to the time when Dundee was a prime destination for sailors and sea folk. The tour would be likely to cover the grounds of the Howff, a collection of tombstones dating back as far as the 16th century. For a burial site, despite its appearances, is a peaceful place to spend a moment or two in contemplation.

Assuming that local history doesn’t butter your croissant, then how about the nightlife… that’s if you are a fan of making history. With a wide assortment of club venues (The Union, Club Tropicana, Reading Rooms, Underground), bars (Art Bar, Boozy Cow, Duke’s Corner) or music venues (Church, Buskers, Generator, Slessor gardens) there is a never-ending list of choices. Even by taking a quick ten-minute walk, you can end up finding your local for the next three to four years.

As a day person and fulltime foodie, I can safely say that Dundee boasts a great number of eateries, cafés and takeaways. What is perhaps unique to Dundee is the popularity around greengrocers, butchers and (most notably) bakers. Whether you are in town, on the Perth Road, venturing to Broughty Ferry or further (into the counties of Angus, Fife or Perthshire and Kinross), there is a deep satisfaction that comes with purchasing from the local artisans. Veganism even, has become a factor: that there now exists a 100% vegan café by the name of Marwick’s. If there was ever a time to get into healthy eating as a Dundee student, it really is now (no pressure though).

If you are up for engaging with the communities and spending some time connecting to your inner community worker, then I would more than recommend getting involved with a project or two.

Granted, it is entirely dependent on what time you can give, but if you really wanted to get to know what makes Dundee, then I doubt there would find a more immersive experience. All it takes is a quick search to find the projects that engage with you most. You could even volunteer with the Magdalen or DUSA media… if that isn’t too cheeky of me to suggest.

If none of these ideas connect to you and you are more just looking to find some quiet spots to calm down, then don’t worry as there are some wee nooks and crannies dotted all over. You’ll likely be told already of the views you can get from the top of the Law or the vistas you can get by talking to Newport (over the Tay road bridge). Yet have you considered the waterfront down Kingoodie, taking a walk through the botanic gardens or even venturing to Camperdown Wildlife Park? These are just some ideas, but what really matters is taking the time to find them. This list of things is far from fully comprehensive, and if you were to ask anyone on what their perspective is, then you will undoubtedly find a trove of ideas that I would never have considered.

I would recommend taking a long walk. Right now, this very second.

In all seriousness though, no, it doesn’t have to be at 5AM and be a result of lacking the sun for too long, but it would be good for you to see the whole city before you leave. If it is in a bid to combat loneliness or to find a sense of isolation to quietly contemplate life, then take that weekend off to do so. Sure, there is great adversity when leaving the comfort of your dwelling, but in the words of Earnest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer who walked around Dundee over 100 years ago, “Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”

Words by Alistair Letch

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Creative Writing - The Magdalen - September

Lost &Found She looked at herself in the mirror. Her head was lifted high, eyes travelling from her pushed back shoulders, to her barely visible collar bones and further down to her pointy breasts. Sucking in her stomach, wishing it was leaner. Grabbed a handful of pubic hair, letting it slide through her fingers. The hair was dark and coarse. She put a hand on her hip and thrusted it forward. She looked into her eyes, so alike her mothers.

“You are beautiful.” She told the mirror.

She couldn’t see the fire which had once been burning.

“You are strong.” The eyes looked at her with scepticism. She never really believed that.

You’re weak.

“You have nothing to fear.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Turned away from the mirror before opening them again.

She looked outside the window. The sun flowers licked the raindrops.

She walked briskly through the rain as another car drove by her. She looked up and felt a drop on her lips. She licked it away with the tip of her tongue.

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Design by Fraser Robertson, photography by Emma Richardson

September - The Magdalen - Creative Writing

There was always such a beauty to the sky. To the stars. Such mystery, such attraction. That’s what he always told her.

She hadn’t cried yet.

She was letting go.

Or was she but all just hollowness of a shell, holding in oceans of tears? It was like taking a bite of a juicy, perfectly pink apple, just to realise it’s rotten on the inside and having to throw it away. But she couldn’t just throw it away. His eyes were like moss blended together with hot chocolate.

She thought about how every religion had a piece of truth, which could be enough for a new beginning. Of reconciliation. Of happiness?

She would walk for miles and miles and see no end.

She would fall every day.

The darkness around her grew closer. The scars on her skin were left by heartbreakers and she hugged herself to get warmer. The time went slower and slower. The rain felt deeper and deeper. He would not come back. You were everything.

“You can do better.” She mumbled to herself as strangers on her way stared at her. I’m not crazy, she shivered. Just lost.

I am a house, built on a fundament which is my faith in myself. Sometimes I have to rebuild the house, one brick at the time. His voice would bring back memories of broken bones and darker rooms.

She climbed up the stairs, higher and higher. She needed to see the city lights. She could never go back to the same places as before, because she could no longer go without tasting him like the taste of blood in her mouth.

Every time, she found somewhere new. That’s the beauty of cities with lights so bright you can see them from miles away.

One day I’ll be able to let you go.

I am the sound of summer, each year sweeter and fresher than the year before. Sometimes I get remixed, but in the end, I will stay the same.

The lights of the cars were blurry and moving at such pace that it looked like one, long stream of lights. She could barely see the stars from here, the city lights drowned them with their many colours and intensity. She knew the pain as a friend, walking beside her for months and months, but she knew one day it wouldn’t be like a blanket smothering her.

It would be part of her, like the lipstick she always wore. Or the golden necklace around her neck, reminding her that, after all, nothing lasts forever.

Words by Lizzie Husum

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Creative Writing - The Magdalen - September

Gang Aft Agley It was all quiet where he sat.

The pistol felt heavy in his hand and his arm felt heavy on his shoulder.

His body felt faint and his clanging head was ready to swing to the grass, more and more swayed by the shivering in his lungs.

The wind whistled through him.

“George!” A woman’s voice cried out for him. He was sitting in the kitchen with his breakfast untouched and had lost himself in a daydream. “George! Why haven’t you left yet?” George’s wife, Claire, came down the stairs in a hurry while she fixed in her earring. “It’s ten minutes to.

Hasn’t Jim come yet?”

“No,” George said. “Jim ain’t coming today. He ain’t goin’ to work either.” He had glanced at her as she came down and felt warmer just seeing her.

When she started speaking to him, he straightened himself and resumed his natural stoic poise.

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Design by Melissa Cocker

“The whole damn place is on a strike. Union boss says to me I’m to keep home too.”

Mr Cobb said he could only hold that rabbit for us until the end of the week.”

“But why? You never told me you signed with the union.”

“I know I know. Christ, you think I don’t know that?” She flinched, but gathered herself again.

She put the other earring in with ease and started grabbing her things.

“I never did. But the boss says to me all the same, I’m to stay home too otherwise the rest o’ them will give me some grief for not actin’ like one of the team.”

She had lost her nerve hearing that and her hands slowly fell to her sides with the earrings in hand.

She had fastened her hair in a bun to present herself as professional.

“Are they going to still pay you?”

“No they ain’t gonna pay me.

John slipped me fifteen bucks to help out. Said some o’ them dipped in from their funds to do it.”

George grabbed his fork and grazed the bacon on his plate.

He had no appetite and knew he’d have to eat it cold later.

“You know we still need to take Lennie to the store later.

“I’m going to be finished by lunchtime. Then I’ll go ahead and run some errands. I’ll take Lennie to Mr Cobb’s myself.”

George turned around without looking at her.

“Claire, don’t. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m gonna come with you to see Lennie.” She paused, hiding some discomfort and slowly blinked. “This is a big moment for him. He can’t see you when you’re like this.”

“You know I didn’t mean it.

I don’t mean it Claire. I’m gonna come and see Lennie later.”

September - The Magdalen - Creative Writing

Claire looked at her husband.

“Alright.” She grabbed her bag and turned to see him again.

“Alright then. I’ll see you at two. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.”

She went out and shut the door.

George played with his food a little. He tapped the plate with the fork and then tapped his temple twice. He laughed at himself. Then he got up with enough force that his body threw the chair back. George ran out the door to catch up with Claire.

He yelled after her and tried to catch sight of her. She spun around, embarrassed and a little angry.

“Wait! Claire, wait!”

“Je- George. What are you doing?

People are staring at us.”

“Them starin’ don’t matter nothin’ to me. Let’s get a cab.

Pick Lennie up from school.

Say it’s som’pin important like his grandmother died.”

“George.”

“Hold on. Jus’ listen. We pick him up. We drive to the Lockheed factory for your interview. We go get lunch somewhere. Then we go see Mr Cobb’s and spend the rest o’ the day just the three of us.

We’ll have a helluva day.”

“George.”

It was too sudden for her to take it in stride. She was happy to see him happy but had to temper the both of them.

“You know that’s going to cost us more. We’re not sure when you’re going back to work.”

“Claire,” he said tenderly.

“To hell with all that. Let’s just make today a good one, huh?”

She smiled, biting her lips and nodded. They took a

bus into town and caught a cab to the pre-school where Lennie was. George put on a solemn face and gravely told the receptionist that there was a family emergency. The receptionist, a kind-looking, frail old woman, hurriedly obliged and walked them through the corridor decorated with innocent drawings.

She knocked on the door and politely peered in. A few words later and she stepped back, replaced by a plump happy kid too stocky for his own good.

“Pop! Mom!” “Hey son,” said George, almost slipping into a whisper. “We gotta go now. We’re gonna go and see Mr Cobb’s.” He winked at his son. Lennie beamed with a smile bigger than his face.

“Am I gonna get to have a rabbit?”

“Yeah kid. You are.”

Words by Vashel Novesha

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Comics - The Magdalen - September

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Design by Kieran O’Connor (above) and Leah Cameron (below)

September - The Magdalen -Section

WHICH FRESHERS EVENT SHOULD YOU GO TO? Do you like clubbing?

YES

NO

PITCHER OR SINGLE COCKTAIL?

PITCHER

SINGLE

are you a FRESHER?

YES

CLASSIC OR CHART music?

NO

CLASSIC

CHARTS

SAM DIVINE

Section - The Magdalen - September

FOLLOWING THE

BLOODLINES

September - The Magdalen - Arts & Entertainment

Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia is a gripping and inspirational forthcoming documentary examining the life and career of one of the most acclaimed contemporary fine-art and tattoo artists. A New York-based virtuoso surrealist Vincent Castiglia started using his own blood as an exclusive personalised pigment, a raw material from which the art is born. Castiglia creates phantasmagoric monochromatic sepia-toned tableaux

What kindled your interest in art?

To be forthright, making art began very early in my life as a way of disconnecting from my environment, the most effective way, actually. I was four years old. Drawing has become second nature to me ever since.

What is your preferred painting medium and why?

Human blood, because it provides the most direct connection, I believe, one can have with their work.

I fell in love with blood painting because it perfectly communicated the emotions building up in me. There was some pain involved in the process of blood collection, which corresponded to extreme emotional distress at the time but then, through its reconstitution on canvas, I saw almost as if looking through windows, into the depths of my being and psyche. It was magical and liberating. Every new aspect of my subconscious was a manifest, which would

reflecting on the bittersweet idea of how everybody and everything eventually becomes obsolete. Recognised for its complexity, depth and genuineness, his artwork evokes elements of figurative surrealism, while exploring the universe of reveries, spirituality, slumber, oblivion and wretched existence. In the run-up to release of his documentary, Vincent gets interviewed by The Magdalen.

have been inaccessible and uncharted, had I not released it. Things I was unable to share or communicate in any other way were beginning to take shape in my artwork.

This enriching experience has been and still remains crucial for my very being and evolution as an artist.

How would you describe the genre and themes of your artwork?

It is figurative and surrealistic.

It could also be considered symbolist by some. The themes are as varied as the experiences we encounter over the course of life and its aftermath - the intentions that motivate us and are remembered by others.

What were the main obstacles on your career path as a fledgling artist?

How did you manage to overcome them?

There were a lot of obstacles: coming from meagre means in Brooklyn and working in an extremely unusual medium, to name the few. Maintaining

singleness of purpose, and putting in consistent work, time and care is how I have overcame all of the past struggles and continue to navigate the new ones as they come.

Which of your artworks appeals to you most? What makes it special? ‘The Sleep’ would probably be my favourite painting, if I had to choose one. This piece contains so much raw emotion! It depicts a mortal man asleep in the arms of a power greater than himself, a blind force of greed and excess personified by the devil-like figure. Oblivious and infirmed, he is being glared at by the unseen forces unbeknownst to him. It is my allegory for the current state of the world.

In earlier interviews, you mentioned H.R. Giger as your mentor and the greatest artistic inspiration.

What have you borrowed from him?

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Arts & Entertainment - The Magdalen - September

Having been acknowledged

by Giger through his invitation to present my artwork at his solo exhibition was the most pivotal experience in my life up to that point and the most unfathomable honour. I have gleaned many things from our relationship, including his guidance and a personal example to aspire to. One of his sayings that struck me deeply and directly influenced my formation as an artist goes as follows – ‘An artist does not have to explain his work, it speaks for itself.’

My work does not have the easiest time being accepted and understood, but for those who do connect with it, the bond is extremely strong.

To me it means more than what the extensive popularity and financial success could ever amount to. Giger’s work epitomised this.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired some of your pieces of art?

‘Feeding’ is a good example of the painting depicting my very personal experience.

In it, a mother is portrayed breast-feeding her child despite struggling to nurture herself due to self-evident maladies that are innately threaded into her existence.

There is frailty, decay, and temporality represented in this painting but there is also love, hope, and serenity in it. This piece directly relates to my life experience in terms of relationship with my mother. She was crippled with a mental illness but nonetheless, was still caring for me as a child, albeit in her own morbidly handicapped way. I believe this piece is universally relatable because as the human species, none of us is immune to weakness and personal impediments.

18 Design by Rachael Hastie, photography by Vincent Castiglia

Having seen Madonna, Jesus and archangel Gabriel appearing in your paintings, a cathedral window quilt pattern tattooed across your neck, I would like to ask about the role religion plays in your art and life?

Art is my sacred place, it is my form of contemplation in a sense. Some people go to church to pray, and this is my ‘prayer’. This is how I commune with my vision of a power greater than myself.

To me, the iconographic overtones are simply a way of communicating the sacred nature of art and how much direction and resolve I draw from creating it.

You once mentioned that getting tattooed is a way of releasing inner demons for your clients. Do you believe that all people are plagued by demons? If so, describe what your demons are like

September - The Magdalen - Arts & Entertainment

and what impact they have on your art.

I do not. Nor do I believe in ‘demons’ in the actual sense. I would rather define them as discordant energies.

That statement referred to projects of a particular subject matter. My tattoo clients are coming to me to illustrate and indelibly apply to their bodies the concepts of personal significance, some of which are their versions of the classic conflict between good and evil, memorials, intense events or ideologies that are meant to serve as a reminder of their reality. That being said, the process is often cathartic and somewhat transformative.

My own ‘demons’ have been largely subdued over time. I choose not to entertain them anymore. My art delineates my deliberate and hard-won movement out of and away from the abyss. If the amount of tattoo coverage on one’s body is proportionate to the number of ‘demons’ exorcised from them, then I am nearly clear of them, as there is little area on my body that has not been ‘consecrated’ in this way.

What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?

There are a few aspects to it that are equally important.

The first is arriving at a level of stillness within oneself in order to access the thoughtforms that are naturally residing there. Descending into the obscurity of the psyche for long enough to accurately convey this is half the battle. Then, physically

painting it is the other half, which is extremely labourintensive. Maintaining focus throughout this entire process and taking a sufficient number of breaks to make sure I do not stifle myself (which would then be counterproductive) are a few additional elements to it.

Beyond this, it should all just occur naturally. By no means am I saying that it is easy but there is crystal clarity of purpose directing it.

What is your intended audience and why should they see your artwork?

Humanity is my intended audience. Everyone is welcome.

The world-renowned filmmaker John Borowski is working on a documentary centred around your artwork. Could you please tell us more about Bloodlines and what motivated you to get involved in this project?

It has been a great honour to be working with an awardwinning filmmaker like John and a person as wonderful as him. The story began when a client of mine, who works in the film industry, offered to start up a reality show about my artwork. Having asked the opinion of my followers in social media, I was flooded with positive feedback but there were

also some comments in the thread saying that it might be a bad idea (which was my feeling too). One of those comments belonged to John, who suggested making a documentary film instead, which would stand the test of time. I agreed with entirely, and the rest was history.

It has been an amazing project thus far. One of the exciting and transformative aspects of the filmmaking process was the candid personal interview about my life and childhood. Because it is so personally revealing, at first, I felt a little uneasy about sharing my story.

However, soon it made me realise and embrace the fact that everything in it is the facts of the matter, and I only need to keep track of one version of reality, which is the Truth.

What other projects are you currently working on and what direction do you expect your artwork to take in future?

I am currently working on a new series titled ‘Autopsy of the Soul.’ It will consist of twelve paintings, the fourth of which I am just starting.

Regarding the direction my future work might take, instead of planning ahead, I shall just let it flow naturally.

Words by Kris Aare

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Arts & Entertainment - The Magdalen - September

Review: First Reformed

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Design by Molly Porteous, illustration by Graeme Docherty

September - The Magdalen - Arts & Entertainment

Paul Schrader returns to familiar territory in First Reformed, which focuses on the deteriorating stability of, quite literally, ‘God’s lonely man’

Ethan Hawke plays Reverend Ernst Toller, pastor of the historic First Reformed Church in upstate New York. Perpetuating the habits of Arthur Bremer (An Assassin’s Diary), Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver), and the Priest of Ambricourt (Diary of a Country Priest), Toller determines to keep a journal, the only outlet for catharsis amid days of personal austerity. It is through his work that he meets Mary, a pregnant parishioner with a troubled husband, who exposes Toller to the realisation that his world is soon to collapse, both intimately and globally. These revelations lead Schrader’s Reverend to question not his faith alone, but the society and institutions which have supported him.

Hawke offers an exemplary performance as the restrained holy man, his puritanical disposition existing as a thin veil for inner turmoil. Cedric the Entertainer (listed as Cedric Antonio Kyles in the opening credits) is perhaps the most revelatory casting choice, having previously appeared in contemporary Blaxploitation comedies such as Barbershop, Johnson Family Vacation, and Codename: The Cleaner. Cedric demonstrates, in this critic’s cinematic experiences, hitherto undisclosed dramatic abilities, which impress to no end. His role is

that of the Reverend Joel Jeffers, who runs the corporate Abundant Life Church, of which First Reformed is a subsidiary. This businesslike House of God, which holds thousands in its cavernous nave, is funded primarily

by Edward Balq, of the imposing Balq Industries. With this local tycoon becoming the focus of Toller’s lonely nocturnal contemplations, and appears to be, as Charles Palantine seemed to Travis Bickle, the source of his suffering.

While it is clear that First Reformed deals with many of the same themes that Schrader had explored previously, the transcendental scale of his latest work is masterful.

Excluding one moment of sublime magical realism, the film is a chaste one. Schrader and cinematographer Alexander Dynan opted for an abstemious 1.33 box aspect ratio, this, combined with the sombre colour palette, lead to what Schrader describes as a “sparseness of everything”. The subtlety of the editing, unassuming production design and almost complete lack of non-diegetic sound allows the audience to not only share in Toller’s ruminations, but gives space for our own. Although not released at the end of the year for awareness during awards season, First Reformed is one to keep an eye on when the critics present their accolades.

Words by Alexander Ferrier

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Arts & Entertainment - The Magdalen - September

SOLO : A STAR WARS STORY (Warning: this review contains spoilers)

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hen rumours first spread of Rogue One’s troubled production, many were concerned for the fate of the first official Star Wars spin-off. These fears were abated when the film was released to largely positive reviews from fans and critics alike. However, Disney’s luck seemingly ran out with their latest release, Solo: A Star Wars Story.

With somewhat disappointing box office figures, not to mention the significant global marketing costs (someone has to pay for all those Wired Autocomplete Interviews, you know), Solo has failed to live up to the financial precedent set by its peers. Many have suggested that audiences are suffering from ‘Star Wars Fatigue’, with The Last Jedi being released just under five months prior. However, poor timing cannot be the sole culprit.

To be curt, Solo just isn’t particularly good.

The performances, for the most part, are satisfactory.

After witnessing Alden Ehrenreich’s propensity for handsomeness, mild swashbuckling and comedic prowess in Joel and Ethan Coen’s Hail Caesar, expectations were high. Inclusion of the polymathic Donald Glover also garnered understandable anticipation. While both men, given the right circumstances, can be suitably charming, here they appear as cheap imitations of the mannerisms made famous by Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams. The film verges dangerously close to pastiche territory, referencing nearly every miscellaneous object and throwaway comment made in the original trilogy.

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Fresh inclusions such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s L3-37 make the nostalgic elements somewhat more bearable, while also raising the issue of droid sentience and freedom, something which Star Wars is yet to fully explore. Waller-Bridge’s character exists as a tame Roy Batty, who shines in the film’s most enjoyable sequence centring around a jailbreak heist. ‘the film reveals itself to be little more than a tug on sentimental heartstrings’ Comic relief is desperately needed in such an aesthetically ugly film, the majority of which is incomprehensibly grey and muted. The controversial ‘twist’ ending reveals that Darth Maul has somehow glued himself back together and taken to menacing the galaxy once more. What may have been enjoyable fan service instead feels like a cheap last minute insert. In relation to aforementioned social issues, the ‘wink wink nudge nudge’ nature of Calrissian’s newly intimated sexuality is frustrating. There are a few vague allusions to Lando’s diversion from heterosexuality, however, nothing is concrete. By only alluding to the soon-to-be Cloud City Administrator’s non-traditional sexuality, the film reveals itself to be little more than a tug on sentimental heartstrings, with those at the helm too frightened to subvert an established style.

Words by Alexander Ferrier, design by Graeme Robertson

September - The Magdalen -Arts & Entertainment

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Section Arts & Entertainment - The Magdalen - The - September Magdalen - September

Review: T

he Swedish band Ghost are arguably one of the biggest heavy metal bands of the decade, perhaps even of the 21stcentury. Partly known for their image, Ghost disguise themselves as a satanic cult, with frontman Tobias Forge playing a new character in every album (Papa Emeritus I, II and III and now Cardinal Copia), accompanied by a band of ‘Nameless Ghouls’.

Despite their sinister image, it’s clearly lighthearted, as the band don’t take themselves too seriously and are often intentionally cheesy.

They play a revivalist blend of heavy metal, psychedelic and progressive rock, reminiscent of 70s and 80s groups such as Mercyful Fate and Blue Öyster Cult, whilst also putting their own unique spin on the style by including elements of

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Design by Olivia Sharkey

pop.Their 3rd album, Meliora, was one of my favourite albums of 2015, so naturally, I had high expectations for their latest release, Prequelle.

To be honest, Prequelle is a bit of a letdown coming off of the high of Meliora. While the preceding album found an impressive balance between Ghost’s heavier moments and poppier sensibilities, Prequelle relies much more on sweet, catchy synth and vocal hooks. This juxtaposition is all the more bizarre when considering the dark and evil nature of the artwork. The album centres largely around an arena rock sound, with the extremely catchy chorus of Dance Macabre and the “woah-ohs” of Rats (both of which are obviously intended for audience singalongs). Whilst I can’t deny that many of the tracks stick

in your head, there isn’t much in the way of great guitar riffs (the only one coming to mind is the stomping riff in Faith, also my favourite track), which,after the more guitar-centric Meliora, is a little disappointing. That’s not to say the instrumentation on offer is bad, but it does leave a lot to be desired, as most of the album features simple power chord patterns.

Towards the end, Prequelle also starts to lack behind in variety and feels slightly monotonous; I feel that a few heavier songs might’ve injected a much-needed burst of energy, especially as a couple of tracks towards the end, such as Witch Image, come across a little uninspired. Some of the lyrics are also pretty weak, especially in the track Pro Memoria –“don’t you forget about dying, don’t you

September September--The The September Magdalen Magdalen - The --Arts Arts Magdalen & Entertainment -Section

Prequelle forget about your friend Death, don’t forget that you will die”. Very subtle, Tobias.None of this is to say that Prequelle is a bad album; it’s not. In fact, there’s a lot to like –Forge’s voice is as strong as ever, there are some great performances (such as the guitars on Faithor the saxophone solo on Miasma) and bright, clean production.

Ratsand Dance Macabre, the two leading singles, initially didn’t impress but they’ve grown on me since the album’s release. Both are total earworms, despite the slightly cheesy sound. Faith, which I previously mentioned as my favourite track, is an all-round great number. It’s probably the most reminiscent of their earlier work featuring great guitar work and a menacing performance from Forge, adding up to perhaps one of my

favourite Ghost songs. The eerie, ethereal Helvetesfönster is another highlight and offers a decent change of pace –perhaps one of Ghost’s most unique sounds, the track is a piano and acoustic guitar driven instrumental with somewhat of a medieval sound. However, I can’t help but feel that the guest appearance of Opeth’s frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt was wasted, I had hoped that he would contribute a jagged riff or some creepy vocals but instead he only offered a short acoustic piece. Whilst I like the part, it’s not very distinct, it could easily pass by without the listener ever realising someone as unique and skilled as Åkerfeldt was playing the part (which it had on my first few listens before it was pointed out to me).

Whilst it may sound contradictory to what I’ve already written, Prequelle may serve a good starting point for newcomers to Ghost. The catchiness and more simplistic songwriting is more accessible than their darker and more psychedelic earlier work, giving new listeners an idea of what to expect from the band, with a more inviting sound.

I definitely think there is a case to be made about Prequelle being Ghost’s worst album, but, despite my criticisms, it’s still worth a listen as reception has been largely positive. It’ll probably grow on me eventually, maybe I just need to open up to the cheesiness.

Words by Calum Mackay

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Community - The Magdalen - September

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September September--The TheMagdalen Magdalen--Community Community

LIP Theatre Review

Henchmen and Outcast

‘Outcast, a beautiful drama, based on the struggles of being part of an immigrant family.’

‘Henchmen is a slapstick comedy that makes great use of stage props and puppets.’

If you didn’t get a chance to catch LIP Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year, kicking off their 22nd year at the Fringe, you were truly missing out. There were two performances which had premiered in Dalhousie just two weeks before their festival opening night. Outcast, a beautiful drama written by Taskeen Bailwal, which is based on her own struggles of being part of an immigrant family. And the second being on the different end of the spectrum, with Ewan Gray and his slapstick comedy, Henchmen. Having the chance to interview both Gray and Bailwal was an experience which helped me understand what it was really like for them to see their creations come to life.

Outcast is a drama which covers how growing up in an immigrant family can lead to feeling lonely and unwanted in a country that you call home. Bailwal carefully wrote a beautiful piece that tears out heartstrings when the family deals with death and identity. It delicately explores the struggle of crimes, and how people are quick to judge someone by their skin colour, religion and culture. It was evident that although it was a sensitive topic to portray, she wanted to use this as a platform

for discussion. The importance of having a safe space for expression is emphasised by recent immigration discussions due to Brexit and policy changes in the USA. When speaking with Bailwal, she explained that although it is a personal story, she was worried that people may not understand and wanted to use the Fringe to spark an open discussion.

Henchmen is a slapstick comedy that makes great use of stage props and puppets. The play itself is very contemporary with brief mentions of Theresa May and references to popular TV. It surely is a feel-good show. When speaking with Gray after the show, he said that the show was a superhero blockbuster on a Fringe budget – which is exactly what it is. He also said it was not designed for someone who is a massive comic-book fan, but someone who is “up for a laugh”.

LIP Theatre gives students the opportunity to gain so much from being part of the society, it allows the members to gain experience in professions they may not have considered before. LIP Theatre hold many different events throughout the year for the public and students; it’s definitely one to get involved with!

Words by Sarah Duncan, design by Molly Porteous, illustration by Katriona Gillon

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Community - The Magdalen - September

LGBT DUNDEE

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Design by Molly Porteous, illustration by Leah Cameron

September - The Magdalen - Community

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rowing up as a gay person in London, I felt accepted by society. Secondary school was predominantly where some insults occurred, mostly as a result of lack of understanding.

These also tended to be a way to put someone down, as opposed to genuine homophobia. I was lucky to have grown up in a family with an understanding of what it meant to be gay and I was grateful to be surrounded by friends who felt the same way.

‘As long as you treat people right, they will treat you the same’ When I began applying for universities, I never considered my sexuality to be a factor; I applied all around the country without a second thought. When came the time for my move to Dundee, it had quickly dawned on me that I would be moving from a large diverse metropolitan area to a significantly smaller city, which many people can have preconceptions about. I felt worried that I was going to be marginalised or treated differently because of who I was.

I should make it clear that this was totally not the case.

Through some research, I discovered that there was a small but very prominent LGBTQ+ community in Dundee. There are various establishments around town to engage with if I want to. Personally, I do not see the appeal of gay bars/clubs,

and I was determined to find a place where I didn’t have to be worried about who I was or how I presented myself. It may be surprising to know that even the gay community has its own classifications and rules that can often be degrading. It forces you to fit into a category that represents you. Despite all of these worries, I decided to arrive at uni gay. That is, to say I wasn’t going to pretend to be something I wasn’t and come out much later on; similar to my experience at secondary school. I ended up blessed with excellent flatmates, who frankly didn’t care that I was gay, and that was all I could ask for. Throughout Freshers’ week, we went to the Union almost daily. It was there that I discovered I felt most at ease.

What I learned while being at Dundee is that it is an extremely welcoming place. I feel the most accepted when around the students. There is something about the student community in this city, something far different to that of London. People are less critical of each other; my differences aren’t turned into weapons, nor are they celebrated, which is something I like. Being put on a pedestal or treated as the trophy gay best friend is definitely degrading, and I am perfectly happy to be judged by the content of my character instead, which seems to be the case here. My perception of the community in Dundee is that as long as you treat people right, they will treat you the same in return. This is, in my opinion, how it should be.

I mentioned the LGBTQ+ community earlier, and I feel as though I should address that briefly, not out of obligation, but because it’s probably obvious that the treatment of gay people and transgender people can differ from each other, even in communities that come across as accepting. I have met a variety of people during my first year at Dundee: genderqueer, transgender, androgynous and some very lovely Drag Queens. I am pleased to report that other than some shady glances or double takes on the Mono dance floor, I have never heard of or witnessed any discrimination to any of these people, and I like to think that has something to do with the attitude of mutual respect prevailing in Dundee that I mentioned earlier.

Whether you are a new arrival to the university, or a tourist who has stumbled upon this up-and-coming town, you can rest assured that the student community is vast and strong throughout all of the city and that it is the perfect place to come to if you want to feel accepted as a part of the community, as well as treated as an equal to others, regardless of who you are. While Dundee was not my first choice, I can confidently say that it was the best one, and (not to sound cliché) I would choose it again.

Words by George Cameron

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Community - The Magdalen - September

DUAL:

A Lifeline DUAL (Dundee University Access to Learning) was, for me, a lifeline to get into university. It helped me gain the necessary skills to be a student.

It was the offer of doing summer school that allowed me to get out of my town and experience things I may have never been able to do in Fife. Having partaken in the summer school, it showed me that although I went to a low-attaining school and had been unwell over the last two years of school, I did have the ability to go to university like the rest of my friends.

DUAL has been a way for many people from all different backgrounds to get the chance they deserve to go to university. It is a sixweek intensive course, comprising 2 weeks of learning online and 4 weeks face-to-face.

In order to be offered DUAL, you have to have been in academia within the last five years and have a good reason for not hitting your university requirements. This widening access programme is a fantastic opportunity allowing people to experience and get to their full potential, especially if they weren’t offered such options before.

DUAL’s affect in the wider community is astonishing; the

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‘A way for many people from all different backgrounds to get the chance they deserve to go to university.’

summer school has been part of Dundee University since 1993 and has helped many people from deprived areas all over Scotland gain access to university. The course itself claims to have a 95% success rate. This has been helped by the Scottish government, widening access schemes into the local area through projects like ACES, REACH and DUAL. It has seen attendees of DUAL contribute back to the university and the wider community, with many becoming student mentors providing support for others the following year. It serves a way to give wisdom to those who may be a bit nervous about starting university and discovering themselves.

DUAL is a great project that allows people from all over Scotland to get the same opportunities regardless of what their academic results had been in the past. It challenges the people who take part, shown for instance in the requirement to adhere to a strict schedule of 9-6 every day in order to pass successfully. It is, however, the academics that sacrifice their time, who deserve the biggest round of applause, because without their passion for education, many people would not be able to succeed at university, if to be accepted at all.

Words by Sarah Duncan, design by Molly Porteous, photography by Rebecca Phelps

September - The Magdalen -Community

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introduction to societies

Societies - The Magdalen - September

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Afro-Caribbean Society We are a vivacious society that embody a colourful spirit. We come together in unison to entwine in a fusion of cultures from the heart of Africa and all throughout the Caribbean and Americas. Giving insight into the diverse, vivid and intriguing aspects of our cuisine, music and traditions.

Bulgarian society Banitsa, rakiya and horo…

It might sound unfamiliar to you now but when you come and find us at the Fresher’s Fair, the Bulgarian Society will provide all students with delicious traditional food, Bulgarian music and of course bright and welcoming people. We bring all members together as one big family.

Catholic Society A fun, welcoming place for young Catholics to gather and share their faith. We aim to support each other both in our Faith and our everyday student lives. Activities include Mass, talks, outings and lots of social time. All are welcome – we are always excited to see new faces!

Dundee University against poverty We, at Dundee Univeristy Agaisnt Poverty, are utilising the strength, creativity and energy of students here in Dundee, not only to help tackle poverty but also to encourage our members to think about poverty in a new light. Whether you’re looking, give something back or to meet likeminded people, we’d love to hear from you!

Dundee Uni Boob team Hi all! We’re Dundee Uni Boob Team - a branch off of CoppaFeel, and we aim to spread awareness of breast cancer and fundraise for CoppaFeel across our campus. We recognise the high incidence rate of breast cancer in the UK and try our best to make awareness spreading fun!

Design by Olivia Sharkey

September- The Magdalen - Societies

Whether you’re crazy about computers or fixated on Facebook, the Computing Society is for you! Our Facebook group has hundreds of members, each with interest in computing, hardware, programming and more. We also have regular events, quizzes and nights out! Anyone is welcome to join and membership costs just £1.

Dundee University Conservative and Unionist Society The Dundee University Conservative and Unionist Association actively engages in local politics, supporting councillors, MSPs and MPs. DUCUA also hosts regular social events for our members and the city-wide association. We look forward to welcoming new students at the Freshers’ Fair in the coming academic year.

Dundee Uni Indian society The University’s award-winning University of Dundee Indian Society has been an integral part of the University throughout the years and our primary aim is to integrate the International and Indian parts of the world. Whether a fun-filled Holi with Bollywood music or a formal Diwali event, UDIS has it all covered!

Dundee University Kink Society DUKS is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and take part in socials and workshops based around the world of kink. Throughout the year we have fantastic nights out, casual socials (Munches), and fun and informative workshops covering all areas of kink. All are welcome!

Dundee Uni maths society Dundee university maths society is here!

Whether you are studying maths, interested in numbers or just want to have a good time and make some mates, this is the society for you! We are laid back, friendly and approachable. It’s a good way to gain advice and meet people who could be friends for life!

introduction to societies

Dundee University Computing society

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introduction to societies

Societies - The Magdalen - September

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Dundee University quiz society Quiz Society is launching this year, and we want you to help us make it the best society in Dundee! We promote quizzing at all levels, so whether you like a casual pub quiz, or want to be considered for the university challenge team, this is the society for you!

DUSNA Brexit! Independence! Austerity! If hearing these words fills you with emotion, passion and argument, then we can provide you with an outlet!

Join likeminded students for debate, discussion, pub crawls, trips to Parliament, campaigning, conferences, and plenty of opportunities to meet politicians both in Dundee and across Scotland!

Francophone society Bienvenue à la Société Francophone, a society that jubilates the cultural and historical richness and diversity of the French-speaking world. Regardless of your knowledge of French, our society has plenty to offer to everyone: soirées cinema, délicieuse cuisine française, special events and celebrations, and more. Come join us!

Guide Dog society Love puppies? Want to add some volunteering and fundraising charm to your CV? Then Dundee University Guide Dog society is pawfect for you!

We hold lots of exciting events such as pub quizzes, bake sales as well as destress sessions with some adorable, cuddly guide dog puppies!

Hispanic Society We are an active society whose goal is to promote the Hispanic culture and Spanish language in a friendly environment. But you do not have to speak Spanish to join our Salsa classes, our social gatherings, our radio show on JAM and our cooking events! Come and join us!

Lip Theatre Company Proud Society of the Year winners 2018, LIP is the only completely student run theatre company at Dundee uni. We provide excellent opportunities in every aspect of stage production as well as frequent social events and show afterparties. We love new faces, so come say hi and get involved!

September- The Magdalen - Societies

Volunteering for Marrow is a rare opportunity to take part in real life-saving work during your time at university. As a volunteer, you’ll be trained how to sign people up to the national stem cell and bone marrow donors register. Our events are a lot of fun, and really rewarding. We have regular socials as a society, so volunteering with us is a great way to make friends and to really make the most out of your time in Dundee.

Marvelesque Cabaret Society Marvelesque Cabaret Society is here to show you how to burlesque and cabaret yourselves into better body positivity and mental health; with experience offered from backstage to spotlight! We pride ourselves on being very inclusive, with low impact workout options and a Whisper Zone for those who need a quiet few minutes.

Mental health society MHS aims to debunk the stigma and misconceptions about mental health problems. Our members enjoy a range of enriching social events including movie nights, coffee meetings, dinners and bake sales that help fund local mental health organisations. For more information please see us at the Freshers’ Fair. Everyone is welcome!

Model United Nations We choose a debate topic, you choose a country to represent and together we discuss policies, throw diplomatic insults, and hopefully agree on solutions just like the real UN! If keen (which everyone always is), we attend conferences with Universities from across the globe as well as hold regular socials!

Music society The Dundee University Music Society (DUMS) is home to a number of talented musicians from both in and around Dundee. As the university has no music department, the society aims to provide a place for those with an interest in music to collaborate and meet like-minded people to perform pieces from a variety of genres and styles.

Nightline Be the difference for struggling students and develop your interpersonal skills by volunteering for Nightline Dundee! We’re an anonymous, confidential listening service which operates 8pm - 8am during term time, allowing students to chat in a safe, nonjudgemental space. Come say hello and learn more at our stall!

introduction to societies

Marrow Dundee

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introduction to societies

Societies - The Magdalen - September

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OpSoc Love musical theatre? Then how about joining OpSoc, the University’s only musical theatre society?! Renowned for our annual full-scale production performed in March, our 2019 production is ‘Loserville’, a story based on the songs of noughties band, Son of Dork! For more information, visit our facebook page ‘Dundee OpSoc’!

Physics Soc The Physics Society aims to bring socialising to science and promote all things Physics! We’re DUSA’s Society of the Year 2014/15 and 2016/17!

Highlights of a year with us include: renowned annual trip abroad, annual Ball, pub quizzes/crawls, laser tag, camping trip, helpful weekly study group and more!

SignSoc Learn an exciting, new, and helpful language whilst meeting like-minded people along the way. The sign language society hosts weekly British Sign Language classes, as well as social and fundraising events for charities that support deaf individuals.

Find us on Facebook @UoDSignSoc or email us at SignSoc@dundee.ac.uk to learn more!

Singapore Society Calling Singaporeans and culture lovers! Want to indulge in amazing mouth-watering Asian flavours?

Dundee’s Singaporean Society welcomes you to our fun-filled events like Chinese New Year, Deepavali and other unique events! We’ll give you an unforgettable time and leave you with a smile on your face!

Thinkpacific Volunteer in Fiji on a life-changing expedition.

Build lifelong friendships and shared memories.

Volunteer with children through education and sports in partnership with Fijian Government. It is an incredible experience not to be missed! For more information, please e-mail thinkpacific@dundee. ac.uk or visit our website: https://thinkpacific.com

Words provided by societies listed

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Current Affairs - The Magdalen - September

It’s not all Trump and Brexit

A Sustainable Scotland for the Future These days the political landscape often appears consumed by the current US President’s antics and Brexit related issues. While these are undoubtedly significant, it is important to not only refrain from switching off from current affairs under the assumption that

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Design by Molly Porteous

there is nothing of substance around, but to also see what’s happening in our own little corner of the world.

Well, as ever, The Magdalen, is here to help. Here are 2 recent developments in Scotland’s own current affairs to remind you that we’ve got plenty to talk about here:

SNP’s Growth Commission Starting here at home, the SNP spent a lot of the summer riding the wave of optimism generated by their Growth Commission report.

The commission, headed by Andrew Wilson, covering facets of political economy from immigration to currency, lays out

September - The Magdalen - Current Affairs

‘Scotland pushing ahead with economic and environmental growth and sustainability.’

how an independent Scotland would be set up. Crucially, it presents answers to issues which were used by Pro-union sides during the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014.

Currency, just as it was in 2014, remains the gatekeeping issue for many in terms of where their opinions fall. According to the commission, a newly independent Scotland would be able to retail the pound sterling for a sustained transition period after the vote, but would not have to follow the monetary policy of the Bank of England. Following the formation of a central bank and the passing of six pre-determined tests, Scotland would then move on to establish its own currency.

In terms of the hardcore figures that our economically inclined readers have been waiting for, the Commission states that Scotland would start out with a 6% annual budget deficit, which would apparently be cut down over subsequent years through intense micro-economic budgeting measures. Interestingly, the Commission says that austerity would be avoidable to achieve this, once money is saved from defence spending for example.

The optimism which oozes from the Commission is no longer pie-in-the-sky either, especially as it comes on the back of plans for a Scottish National Investment Bank.

Circular Economy Zero Waste Scotland have recently introduced the Circular Economy Investment Fund to work with small to medium

enterprises (SMEs) and nonprofit organisations to help support and develop a circular economy which creates wealth from waste. The fund is worth £18m and is part of Scotland’s Economic Strategy, first set out in 2015. It is also part of the larger European Regional Development Fund. The aim of the Fund is to further work towards making Scotland, and the world, a more environmentally friendly place, whilst also boosting the economy in a sustainable way. In 2018, four regions of Scotland were selected to receive free project funding and support for their local businesses in order to promote the concept of a circular economy. Three of the four regions have been announced over the past few months to include North East Scotland, Edinburgh and our very own Tayside.

Known as Circular Tayside, the joint initiative will be operated by Zero Waste Scotland, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce. Single-use services and products are to be actively discouraged in favour of leasing schemes, repair/take-back programmes etc. One business already making use of the services available is Recycling Technologies in Perth. They were awarded £1m to develop a compound called Plaxx. Plaxx is a low sulphur HFO replacement that is made from residual waste plastic. It can then be developed into heavy fuel alternatives.

This is an exciting new project which will hopefully expand

and improve across the country.

Scotland is making a name for itself worldwide when it comes to circular economic development and has even been chosen as the host nation for the Circular Economy Hotspot this year. This will be a major international event and trading showcase allowing businesses and organisations to demonstrate their products and services, as well as facilitating networking opportunities. That follows directly on from Scotland receiving the Circular Economy Nations and Regions award in 2017 at the World Economic Forum.

This is a huge step forward politically and economically for Scotland. Renewable energy is already fast becoming one of our most important and profitable industries and organisations such as Zero Waste Scotland are successfully developing relatively quickly. However, this does not appear to be a fad. Significant work has gone into making these programmes sustainable, and increasing public concern for the environment will ensure public support. Furthermore, the economic benefits are significant on their own insofar as they support the findings and trajectory of the Growth Commission Report.

If Scotland is to be an independent country, it must be environmentally and economically sustainable. If what we are seeing now is an indication of the future, then it certainly seems like a logical and realistic choice.

Words by Mary Erin Kinch and Murray Glen

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Current Affairs - The Magdalen - September

idhli

‘Speaking loud and proud from the heart in 280 characters or less.’

#IsMiseGàidhlig In April 2018, the hashtag “#IsMiseGàidhlig” exploded over Scottish Twitter and found itself being shared by people from the Outer Hebrides to Nova Scotia.

Social media lived up to its name as it became a way for a community of speakers, learners and more to come together to talk about what Gaelic meant to them. After years of impersonal facts and figures, most based off the 2011 census, it was a refreshing and humanising change to the discussion. The trend was started by Liam Crouse, an American living in the Western Isles of Scotland who learned the language as an adult after moving there. As you would expect, when you learn a language, you also begin to learn about the culture. One of the most striking things Crouse observed was the negative attitude towards Gaelic by the mainstream media. From this, he decided to offer a counterpoint – to invite actual Gaelic speakers to share what the language and culture represents to them. As

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we now know, #IsMiseGàidhlig was born.

Whether you are a speaker of Gaelic or not, you would be hard pressed to find someone ignorant of the problem Crouse referred to. From questioning its status as a living language, to complaints about “wasted money”, Gaelic, as a language and culture, is still fighting to prove its validity and importance in modern Scotland.

The most common complaint to be found often stems from bilingual road-signs. It is argued that it is a waste of money to display a language that only 1% of the population speaks; money should be directed towards more universally beneficial projects such as potholes or maintaining pavements. What is often left out of the argument is that it is only road-signs due for replacement already that are being reintroduced as bilingual.

As seen by the #IsMiseGàidhlig trend, the language is growing beyond the 1%, not just in the

#IsMis

September - The Magdalen - Current Affairs

‘A 'bruidhinn àrd agus moiteil bhon chridhe ann an 280 caractar no nas lugha.’

number of speakers but also by geographic spread and level of awareness. Thanks to the increase in Gaelic Medium Education (GME), the number of young Gaelic speakers have been increasing, and it seems to be a trend set to continue. This itself is important, as the more children that grow up with Gaelic being a normal part of their lives, the more it becomes simply another part of our society. The more it develops and evolves as we grow as a society, literally and figuratively.

Gaelic is not being promoted at the expense of English, nor is it the only language to be recently elevated to a recognised language of Scotland –British Sign Language and Scots are of equal status. According to an article in The Herald in 2017, recent studies had also shown that children educated through GME achieve higher attainment on average in primary school than children educated through a monolingual system. The benefits

of a bilingual upbringing are common knowledge, and raising attainment levels has been a key goal for Holyrood. Through GME, not only are they working towards their targets, a large part of Scotland’s culture and heritage is being preserved and allowed to flourish for a new generation.

Stereotypical as it may be, teenagers and young adults are more likely to make use of social media. Simply by reading the #IsMiseGàidhlig tweets, it was easy to see a strong youth presence but other demographics were also represented. Many people remarked how they had either discovered Gaelic later in life or that if they had been speaking it from a young age, then only within their own communities. Since the hashtag was introduced, it has been more and more common to find tweets in Gaelic or tweets related to the topic. Scottish Twitter is well known the world over, some may say infamous, but it seems now

that Gàidhlig Twitter is finding its own place.

A language is more than just it’s words, it is a culture and a history. In the case of Gaelic, it is a culture that has had to struggle against social, legal and political discrimination for centuries. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree that it is a living language, the reasons behind this questionable status can’t be ignored. Gaelic was and still is a huge part of Scotland’s culture and history. It should not only be recognised for that, but also allowed to find its own place today. It seems that these days, that place is through an international social network that is constantly being updated and increasing in size.

Scotland is a country that prides itself on being a diverse, forward thinking and welcoming nation of many cultures. Gaelic is, and will hopefully continue to be, part of that.

Words by Mary Erin Kinch

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Fashion - The Magdalen - September

In Conversation with Isle of Ìomhaigh

Isle of Ìomhaigh is a new clothing brand and art collective, formed by none other than DJCAD student Lewis Deeney.

I spoke with the 3rd year student Lewis, one of three founders of the brand, to talk about Isle of Ìomhaigh, his inspirations, and being a student in Dundee.

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Design by Aaron Donald

Tell us about Isle of Ìomhaigh. What can we expect to find?

We are a Scottish visual art collective, influenced by the nature and beauty of Scotland.

We take a contemporary approach towards ancient Scottish art and culture through varying mediums, such as clothing and artwork. We are comprised of a brother [Lewis], sister [Alice] and friend [Dan] combination from Dumbarton, Scotland, and have had our brand up and running since mid-August. All our products are available via our website, and you can keep up-to-date with us through our Instagram and Facebook pages.

And what inspired you to start it? Why now?

We’ve always had a love of the outdoors and been hugely inspired by our home. We started IOI to celebrate Scotland and its ancient culture in a modern way. Starting the brand seemed like a natural progression for us, so we’ve slowly built it up over the past few months while we continued with our day to day lives.

Isle of Ìomhaigh is such a unique name, what is the meaning behind it? ‘Ìomhaigh’ translates to ‘Image’ in Scottish Gaelic.

It symbolises both the field we work in and our creative interpretation, our image of Scotland.

When did you first have the idea of starting your own brand? And why?

Around a year ago, I had been experimenting with making my own tartans, being influenced by the geometry and complexity of them. I showed the designs to Alice, who was in her last year of an International Business degree at the time, and we started discussing the idea of creating our own brand to showcase the artwork. We were then telling Dan about our idea, and it just seemed like the right fit to do it together, as we all have different strengths we can bring to the brand.

SeptemberSeptember -The TheMagdalen Magdalen--Fashion Fashion

To talk more about yourself, what is it like running a business while being a student?

As of right now, we’re not entirely running yet, so I’ve not quite experienced doing both. This semester will be the first time. It will be a lot of effort but split between the three of us, we’ll make it work. We each bring a different quality to the brand and have different strengths, so the various challenges that are presented with running a brand are naturally spread out between us. Our bond and level of understanding have made this an effective way of dealing with the workload.

What made you want to study in Dundee?

Dundee was never originally in my plan, but after getting accepted into DJCAD, coming to the open day, and seeing the talent and energy within the art school, it seemed like the perfect place for me to progress with my artistic journey. After the first few days of moving, I knew I wasn’t wrong.

Would you say that DJCAD has given you the confidence to create the brand?

Definitely. Being inspired by fellow artists as well as working more independently on my own projects in the studio has given me more ambition and confidence within myself to expand on my ideas. DJCAD offers you the opportunity to try out new ideas and not be afraid to fail, so it’s definitely given me the “fuck it” attitude that I’ve incorporated into Isle of Ìomhaigh Collective.

What inspires you?

I have always been inspired by nature and my surroundings but more recently I’ve been interested in Sacred Geometry and trying to understand the structure and philosophies of the natural world. I feel that sacred geometry and spirituality in general tie together many aspects of what inspires me.

How would you like to expand the brand in the future?

We’re hoping to develop our clothing range with more diverse designs and widen our product range. Our current designs are just the start. We want to delve into philosophies and push our creative boundaries, while also looking at different mediums which we can express our art in. The beauty of being a collective is that there are no limits to what we can create. We seek to inspire through products that look good and pay tribute to the aspects of our lives that inspired us.

And finally, is there anything else you would like Magdalen readers to know?

They live in a beautiful country that they should embrace for the infinite source of inspiration and restoration that it is. Once you pay attention, you’ll never want to ignore it again!

To find out more about Isle of Ìomhaigh and to shop the collection, head to www.ioicollective.co.uk.

You can also stay up-to date with and support the brand through social media, at: Instagram @isleofiomhaighcollective Facebook - ‘ioicollective’ Isle of Ìomhaigh is out now!

Words by Emily Fletcher

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Fashion - The Magdalen - September

“

the reality is that student fashion is diverse

44 Design by Lily Wilson, photography by Holly Quinn

September - The Magdalen - Fashion

NEW STYLE STYLE FOR FOR A A NEW NEW START START NEW

F

or many people, university is the first time that they get the chance to fully express themselves through their clothes. At school we wear uniforms five days a week with only our weekends to wear casual clothes, cramming every jeans-and-a-nice-top combination and party dress into 48 hours before having to go back to the confines of blazers and ties on Monday morning.

Some schools also ban dyed hair and makeup, meaning that the biggest form of personal expression can come from your backpack. Coming to university not only signals a reinvention of your education and social life but of your personal style.

Some people want to reinvent themselves when they come to university. Perhaps they are moving away from home and relish coming into an environment where they have not been pigeonholed yet, or perhaps they just feel like a change.

I personally don’t like to tell people what to wear but I do have advice for those who feel as if they want to leave their school style behind or who feel like they don’t know what their personal style is yet.

When first year begins you will be tempted to bring all your existing clothes with you. In fact, you will have to do this to an extent because the other option is buying an entirely new wardrobe, and we all know skint students can’t afford that. However, you should really be selective with your choices. What image do you want to portray to your new flatmates, tutors or fellow students? Ultimately, it’s what you feel comfortable and most like ‘you’ in. Bring the pieces that you wear

repeatedly, the ones that you always reach for when the weekend rolls around. These are your staples, the items that form the foundation of your personal style. For me, this is denim jackets and jeans, a camel coat, black ankle boots, and trainers.

Once you know what your staples are, you can introduce trends into your wardrobe. Fast fashion is very tempting, but by its nature is fleeting. Instead of putting all your disposable income into trends which you’re not sure you’ll wear more than a handful of times, save your money for the things you know you can wear repeatedly and opt for cheaper brands when it comes to trend pieces. Similarly, running around Primark and buying an armful of basics which are not completely your style is a bigger waste of money than carefully choosing a handful of clothes of better quality, which you can get your low cost-per-wear out of.

Student style used to conjure an image of leavers’ hoodies, trainers, and gym gear. While this is still prevalent, the reality is that student fashion is diverse. Some people like to dress to impress, seeing university as an opportunity to network and present themselves as ready for the working world, while others like to embrace a laid-back style. No one cares what anyone else wears, and a range of styles grace a lecture hall.

In the same row, there could be someone in jeans and someone in a suit. Anything goes.

Look at magazines, social media, and the people around you to find inspiration and to decipher what

style of fashion you enjoy and want to emulate. Furthermore, keep student discounts in mind. The discount will help you make cheap items cheaper but will also allow you to purchase those pricier pieces with a fraction of the price off. Look out for student events, where the regular discount is doubled to buy items like a proper coat or winter boots, things that your mother would be proud of you investing in!

The most important thing to keep in mind about personal style is that it is always evolving. Going to university will inform your choices, even if that is subconsciously. You will meet new people, who will give you fresh perspectives, discover new shops and undergo completely different experiences to what you have before.

Your new independence will also create independent thought, and gradually you will find yourself not wanting to follow the crowd all the time. The quick and fast rule? - To wear whatever makes you happy.

Ultimately, you don’t have to completely reinvent your fashion choices when you come to university. Not everyone wants to put a huge amount of thought into what they wear, and that is okay.

Additionally, not everyone wants to change how they dress, as they are already happy with how they present themselves to the world.

However, university is the perfect place to experiment with what you like and to discover your personal style. It gives you the chance to chop and change without consequence.

As stated before, anything goes.

Words by Emily Fletcher

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International - The Magdalen - September

What Would You Do?

In Serbia, there are currently 3,000 refugees waiting for a place to call home or a signal of safety from another country.

I had this in the back of my mind on the way to the Airport when the 6 o’clock news came on the radio: Meghan Markle has a new hat, Trump’s North Korean summit is back and Greg James has been named to host the new Radio 1 Breakfast show. The next piece caught my attention; the Hungarian Government just announced that any person who was helping, or ‘conspiring to help’ illegal immigrants was to be punished. The extremist views of Hungarian politics has also led to the complete closure of their borders to migrants including refugees and asylum seekers. Those who are found in the country are housed in shipping containers and told to wait. This results in thousands of migrants left to find an alternative way other than the ‘Balkan Route’ through Europe.

However, a large majority of them are left stranded homeless on the streets of Eastern European countries, deported or taken to camps.

The reason for catching a plane later that day was I was flying to Belgrade to volunteer with Refugee Aid

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Design by Veronica Hamilton

Serbia (RAS). Refugee Aid Serbia is a non-governmental organisation that was initially started as a crisis response unit due to the massive influx of refugees into the country.

The unit’s main aims were to meet necessary and immediate needs like providing food, clothing and healthcare. As the situation calmed, it became apparent that the mental and psychosocial states of the migrants were in tatters -they were traumatised by their experiences and what they had been fleeing. It was imperative to restore their faith in other people and to make them feel like human-beings again.

When I first arrived, I was given a tour of the area surrounding RAS’s office.

You see, when the migrant crisis was at its peak, all of the new arrivals gathered in Luke Celovica or as it is more commonly called now, “Afghan Park”. Consequently, encompassed within half a mile of this spot there is a concentration of charity headquarters still providing constant support. The migrants gathered here is because they were kettled into this place, segregated away from the eyes of tourists andcitizens. If they were to

September September--The TheMagdalen Magdalen--International International

leave without permission and without identification cards -of course if you have no home or European identity this is impossible to obtain -they would be arrested.

Few refugees who make it to Serbia are able to apply for asylum seeker status. When you hear the word ‘asylum’ you think of safety and comfort, and one would hope that for those who have fled savaged lands, this would be the case.

The Belgrade asylum centre is referred to as the “barracks”.

It consists of several concrete buildings locked and guarded by military security guards.

The road to it is desolate; strewn with rubbish, broken glass and rubble. I was told by my colleague that this is luxurious compared to the one in Southern Serbia. Far from a safe-haven, you will find broken toilet facilities, cramped sleeping conditions and no provision of education or activities. It’s no wonder that people don’t stay, and instead travel further north.

One day, sitting outside of the centre, my colleague and I spoke to threeyoung males who had decided to try and

escape the confinements of Serbia. I think what shocked me the most was that all the people I spoke to were children who were far too mature for their years, speaking with confidence and honesty that someone thrice their age could not achieve. Those boys lost a childhood all because of an adults’ political misguidance.

On their three-month-long journeys, they will sleep rough, face aggression from locals and walk treacherous terrain.

Unfortunately, those who survive it will inevitably be driven back by border forces.

According to the Coordinator of RAS, we will never see the influx of migrants like in 2015 again, and there has been a significant decrease in the

number of newcomers. What we are seeing is a “deflux” of those who have made their way north having to return due to failed border crossings.

There is a recurrent theme of migrants not finding or being given somewhere they can call home, either because they are not welcomed or that they themselves do not have the resources to do so. I have seen first-hand how hard Refugee Aid Serbia works to try and solve this problem and I have also seen the despair they feel at not being allowed to achieve it. Having left Serbia, I keep with me memories of the most lovely and welcoming people who are beyond ready and deserving to feel happy, safe and truly free.

‘When you hear the word ‘asylum’ you think of safety and comfort, and one would hope that for those who have fled savaged lands, this would be the case.’

Words by Billi Allen-Mandeville

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International - The Magdalen - September

EU is our past, present

and future

E

urope is my home and a place I am proud of. Touring the continent has always been a great pleasure, and I was lucky enough to study at the University of Wroclaw in Poland last semester. It provided a fresh perspective on European affairs, and especially of its political superstructure, the EU. The EU stands as the proof of our collective strength, nations working together instead of brandishing arms. It is a peace project, which has continually facilitated opportunities for all its citizens. That said, during the last decade or so, we have witnessed a challenged EU. Experts, queuing in a line longer than the Union’s on a Tuesday night, have repeatedly declared the EU a failed project. But in 2018, its distinctive flag still flutters in 28, soon to be 27, countries, despite the multiple crises the EU is facing. How is it possible?

It is possible because the EU still is a project of the people, for the people. The dream of a Europe based on peace, cooperation and prosperity was a result of its people’s nightmarish experience of the first half of the 20th century, characterized by mass cruelty and destruction. The EU

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was conceived to deem such continental conflict inconceivable, let alone disadvantageous.

So far, it has arguably been a tremendous success, and in 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.

However, the EU is challenged, fighting on multiple fronts.

The EU elite and national governments have for too long been operating the EU train without the support of the people, most of them left at the station. Furthermore, we see Euroscepticism on the rise in Italy, Hungary, Germany and many other places, despite 60% of citizens in EU emphasizing membership as a good thing.

There are multiple reasons for this. Even though the European dream was of the people and for the people, and still is, European leaders assumed command and continued the project without facilitating a true debate about what the European Union should actually represent. Instead of having a discussion about culture, identity and pluralist ambitions, the EU leadership has focused on intensifying technical integration and prioritising further enlargement. This has been a mistake; most Europeans favour

Words by Christoffer Nielsen, design by Veronica Hamilton

the EU but remain frustrated with their lack of participation in its development process.

Can this development be reversed and improved? Brexit might actually be the perfect motivation to do this. Today, we observe an environment in which national leaders have conceded that they cannot continue to criticise the EU while avoiding the necessary reforms to keep our common project afloat.

The EU, first and foremost, needs democratic reforms.

The executive Commission must be directly accountable to the people. This can be implemented in multiple ways, one being that the Commission’s composition should be a direct consequence of the European Parliament elections, thus reflecting Pan-European voting behaviour and debate.

The present Spitzenkandidat system is not enough, because it again gives more power to the national leaders compared to the European public.

The current governmental structure, with both the Council and Parliament as co-legislators, should remain because it maintains the EU’s niche

September - The Magdalen - International

between intergovernmentalism and supranationalism, arguably the optimal balance.

The parties competing in the parliamentary elections should be European parties instead of national parties, though such groups should seek to include representatives from each EU member state to widen electoral choice and participation.

Such ambitious reforms cannot be implemented overnight.

Indeed, the Commission and Parliament should therefore initiate a transitional process, implementing much needed democratic reforms, continuing on the wave of pro-EU sentiment stoked by the 2017 election of Emmanuel Macron in France.

The President of the Commission should then not be another grey-haired bureaucrat, but instead a person who demonstrates optimism in the future of the European project. May I suggest a fellow Dane, Margrethe Vestager?

Is it realistic to dream about a renewed and more democratic EU? What I learned during my Erasmus residency in Poland is that especially the young generation, but also the wider public, appreciates the EU and European solutions. When I travelled throughout the country, I encountered proEU demonstrations dotted in every major city, something

I also noticed further afield, in Vienna and Bratislava to name a couple of places.

People want the EU, and most realise it was born out of a dream of peace, prosperity and cooperation. The EU has so far achieved these seminal aims; it is therefore time to take our common project to the next step and let the public occupy the centre of its decision-making.

I hope that the UK, despite Brexit, will place itself as close as possible to a newly reformed EU. As President Macron declared in Sorbonne last year, we do not have a choice but a reformed EU. En marche!

‘...the EU still is a project of the people, for the people.’

Design by Veronica Hamilton

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September - The Magdalen - Lifestyle

Food fur a Sare Heid (Food for a sore Head)

Over the past number of years, newspapers and my Dad have been informing me that “University is the best time of your life”. Most of us do not work full-time or have any real responsibilities, and can be habitually found hammered in the Union at least three nights of the week. Although, I do agree with my Dad, it should not be forgotten that life at the University of Dundee does have its countless struggles. These include having to walk a full two minutes from Heathfield to lectures, raiding the reduced aisle in Tesco, ironing our own clothes, as well as only receiving a short three-month summer vacation.

However, the main strife a student has to encounter on a regular basis, is that of making the crucially important decision of where to get their hangover fix. Such decision can make or break your hangover.

The remainder of this article aims to carefully construct an accurate guide to the top three ‘hangy’ food establishments in Dundee.

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Lifestyle - The Magdalen - September

the crucial decision of where to get Your hangover fix, can make or break your hangover.

Clarks 24-Hour Bakery

First on the list is the famous Clarks 24-Hour Bakery.

Since 1950, the bakery has transformed into a popular fast food haven and has become part of the staple student diet. Dundonians have known it for years, Kevin Bridges has called it his favourite, and now students across Scotland have confirmed Clarks to be one of the best places in the U.K. to buy food after a night out.

Clarks is legendary amongst students, construction and office workers and of course all-night party goers. Dundee’s famous pie shops, such as Wallace’s Auld Dundee Pie Shop have all but vanished. However, Clarks remains fighting the good fight against the monotonous High Street chains like Greggs and Pret.

In regards to hangovers, the bakery boasts some of the best comfort food in Dundee. The menu consists of a wide variety of award-winning pies, bridies and sausage rolls, as well as paninis, baguettes, home-made soups, chips, cakes and even ice cream. Furthermore, Clarks has recently added stone-baked pizza to their all-inclusive cuisine, so you really are spoiled for choice. As if that wasn’t enough, you can even get Clark’s finest in the DUSA prem shop.

James’s choice It has been argued that the Clark Classic Dishes could feature on Man Versus Food. These hefty dishes include the ‘Helicopter’, which is a feast consisting of burger, square sausage, bacon, fried egg and chips on a bun. If you’re feeling extra hungry, one may attempt the beastly ‘Chinook’. This comprises two Helicopters stacked together.

There are other options besides these ‘artery cloggers’. My fragile go-to is the large sweet-chillichicken baguette as it never disappoints.

Rating:

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Design by Fraser Robertson, photography by Victoria Sanches

September - The Magdalen - Lifestyle

Pacamara Food& Drink This next suggestion deservedly earns its place on my list as one of the best places for a hungover feed in Dundee. Pacamara is situated in the West End, on the lively Perth Road, close to the University.

In regards to Dundee, this charming café is a true pioneer in the field of speciality coffee and fullflavoured brunches. Pacamara has become popular amongst students for brunch after a ‘heavy’ night out due to its fresh and friendly atmosphere, not to mention its classy food.

Admittedly, I was sceptical at first. I had preconceived visions of a stereotypical café filled to the brim with basic instaholics. However, just like with everything, don’t beat it until you try it. To some degree my prejudiced opinions were correct: I did witness my flatmate Marcus taking a ‘cheeky boomerang’ of his breakfast. Nevertheless, this has been overshadowed by the fact that the food is truly something special

The

Tinsmith

The final recommendation for a hangover feast can be found in the quintessential student bar, The Tinsmith. If you have never experienced what The Tinsmith has to offer, you must be living under a rather large rock. If one thing is for sure, you are definitely missing out.

The Tinsmith is situated on Old Hawkhill Road on the outskirts of the University campus. This lively bar is the social hub to the average Dundee student.

It is packed with students most nights due to its good music, its £2.50 pints of Fosters and £2.00 singles. However, there is more to the pub than just booze, bad decisions and Ian Van Dahl.

The Tinsmith offers some of the best homely meals in Dundee.

James’s Choice

James’s Choice

The food at Pacamara may lack the poundage exercised in a Clark’s breakfast bap, but it more than makes up for it with its presentation and taste. My personal favourite is the hash brown stack, which includes a nest-like home-made hash brown, with a poached egg and spinach. Furthermore, you can add buttery garlic and thyme mushrooms as well as a black pudding or grilled chorizo, costing only £6.50 in total.

The Tinsmith’s food is the best. The menu ranges from light bites and sharers such as nachos to deep fill sandwiches and melts, to a wide variety of delicious burgers. One section of the menu highlights the ‘Tinsmiths Favourites’, which you cannot go wrong with. The bangers and mash, as well as the mac ‘n’ cheese hit the spot. However, the chicken fajitas are my personal recommendation.

Although costing £11.45, the fajitas are tasty and filling and are well worth paying a little extra.

Overall, the food is brilliant and there is genuine thought and creativity infused into the menu. The combination of the good food as well as the lovely Perth Road setting can make even the worst postchunderground headache disappear.

Rating:

Rating: Words by James Houston

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Lifestyle - The Magdalen - September

Keeping fit, without the membership Y

ou glance through the window of the gym. What you see are seemingly expert athletes operating complex fitness machines, men mountains slamming heavy weights onto the floor, and groups in matching club gear judging everyone outwith their clique.1 The motivation to be a fit and healthy student for the upcoming semester, rather than one whose main physical activity is walking to the door to meet the Domino’s guy, takes a dent.

Do you really want to spend money on a membership if the gym doesn’t seem like your kind of place?

Fortunately, not being a “gym person” doesn’t mean you can’t be a fit and healthy student. There are countless sports clubs at the University of Dundee that are desperate to have you.2 It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before. There are club nights where you can just have a fun run around, try it out, and get a sweat on. So if you used to play rugby, football, or hockey at school, get back into it and make lots of new friends.

If you want to have a crack at something you’ve never played before, throw yourself into it. With options such as trampoline, squash, and aikido (no, me neither), there will certainly be something for you to enjoy. Away from campus, lace up your trainers and try out the Camperdown Parkrun on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

It’s 5 km, there’s no competitive pressure, and it’s free!3

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Words by Rory Mellis, design by Cara Rooney

As the semester wears on, with deadlines mounting and exams looming, finding space in your schedule for club training or organised events becomes tricky.

However, there is always something you can do.

Doing a little is always better than doing nothing.

Home personal workouts are a favourite of mine for those days when I just cannot find the time to get out and about. A classic is 10 press ups, 10 crunches, 10 squats, and a 30-second rest. Repeat this 10 times.

You’ll be done in under 20 minutes and you’ll go back to studying feeling happier and more focused.

Overall, due to Dundee’s vast open green spaces and thriving sports clubs, students are spoilt for choice when it comes to exercising outside of the gym.

1

Google Clubs AZ – University of Dundee Sports Union for a full list.

2

In reality there, such preconceptions are misguided.

ISE staff are always available to provide guidance on how to use machines, and the seemingly judgemental cliques in matching sports gear are too busy swiping on tinder between sets to actually look twice at anyone else’s work out.

3

Register online in advance.

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Opinions - The Magdalen - September

The Fresh Face of Dundee

Y

ou may have noticed the perfect bubble of the ‘centre’ of Dundee, perched on the waterfront and hugging the Tay bridge with its flawless, crisp squares of grass at Slessor Gardens and the striking pyramids of the V&A. But you don’t have to stray far, just the other side of the Law really, before you find run down housing estates and areas you’re warned not to walk through alone past 7pm. Such a divide makes Dundee feel like two different cities – one which we want to showcase to the world, into which we pour funding and time and resources, and another, dirtier, tucked away city, where hardships line the streets and the regeneration of the waterfront is viewed with

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Design by Rachael Hastie

resentment and a ‘not for the likes of us’ attitude.

The boxy apartment flats which have sprung up in front of the Seabraes are a perfect example of Dundee’s fresh face having a complete disregard for the existing Dundee. The ugly new blocks are devaluing the older properties behind, which have now lost their beautiful Tay River view.

A quarter of Dundee’s children live in poverty, in some of the most deprived areas in the UK. But it’s okay, because now Dundee has the Victoria and Albert Museum (about £80 million over budget I might add), which will attract art loving tourists in

September - The Magdalen - Opinions

droves, to simply marvel at the museum’s contents, its striking architecture, and will flood Dundee’s economy with enthusiastically spent cash. Dundee is, after all, a UNESCO City of Design and culture.

The hope is that by having such cultural attractions, we can encourage and harness the creativity we have amongst the people of Dundee, creating jobs and communities. This sounds ideal for a well qualified student, bringing their skills from far and wide, but what about the people who have lived in Dundee their whole lives? It’s going to take much more community engagement than a few new shiny buildings and probably a generation or two for such ideas to filter down, through the immediate,

enthusiastic artistic and student communities, to kids growing up in the deprived areas of Dundee where it can make a difference, but it’s a step in the right direction.

This new, invigorated waterfront will help bring money to Dundee, but will that money make it to the areas where it can really make a difference?

If Dundee’s new beginning is to be a success, a reinvention from post-industrial city to an embodiment of our UNESCO status, we will have to go beyond the fancy architecture to the people who live and work here.

Words by Rose Kendall

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Opinions - The Magdalen - September

Why we reinvent ourselves at uni New beginnings always inspire new ideas and boldness. Starting on something fresh in your life is the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself, and starting university is definitely the time and the place to do so.

Getting rid of bad habits can be rather difficult, but when everything else is changing in your life, such as the place you live, the people around you, the city and even the way you get educated, it seems like getting a complete re-start fits well. Maybe that’s why it feels so easy to reinvent yourself. It’s not about changing your personality and trying to be someone else, but rather about becoming more yourself. At home you might have found it difficult to do the things you really wanted, out of fear of being judged by the people who have known you for years. They might laugh at you or ask silly questions if you suddenly started wearing those killer-boots to school, dyed your hair pink or if you unexpectedly started talking more, smiling more, or whatever else it may be. But think about it for a minute: you’re starting a completely new chapter in your life. This is the time to reinvent yourself.

If you feel like going crazy and doing something you’ve never done before, do it. No one knows you, so it’s never been more up to you: Do you want to reinvent yourself in this new world you’re encountering or are you going to stay the same?

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Words by Lizzy Husum Design by Robbie Kieran

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Opinions - The Magdalen - September

The Degree Show

Labyrinth I

t’s past the middle of May, Sundee is doing its often over-accentuated nickname a surprising justice, and if you are a student of any of the more traditionally laid-out subjects, all influence over your fate has by now been handed over to randomly assigned exam markers. In other words, you’re likely to have already departed Dundee, and long forgotten about the UNESCO City of Design’s new-coming talent showcase taking place from 18-27 of that month.

What is for sure, the prospective DJCAD graduates with their own work on display weren’t just filling space. From the moment you walked through the glass door at main entrance, ushered by red-shirted student representatives advising you to take a map of what doesn’t fall short of being called a maze, to realising you’ll probably want to plan a few additional visits back if you are to ever see all it has to offer, you were not allowed to take a step without feeling immersed in the creative atmosphere of the school.

That is why The Magdalen made sure not to miss the Degree show – or the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and Architecture Degree show, if you need to fill some wordcount by adhering to its official title.

60 Design by Eilidh Shedden, photography by Taylor Dewar,

September - The Magdalen - Opinions

You could almost question whether the labyrinthlike structure of the exhibition isn’t put in place with intention, so as to have you revisiting the displays you’ve already seen multiple times, and yet they somehow manage to still take your breath away.

I walked into the show as a self-professed graphic design enthusiast, potentially willing to embrace a hidden fascination by illustration, but determined to avoid the whole section of architecture, as having been told at my 8 years of age that drawing buildings required doing physics was still an open wound. A few visits later, I found myself grinning at an animation love story portrayed in a way so captivating that Cameron’s Titanic could compare, chatting to an environmental designer explaining why user-centred design mattered to her, and having a fabric shade recommended to match my skin tone in the textiles department (sadly, it’s apparently not turquoise).

So perhaps it was somewhere between the cellar halls filled with jewellery designed using repurposed materials, and the controversy-sparking display of replica firearms on the fifth floor of fine art, that I couldn’t help but relate the wandering from room to room of the exhibition to my experience of Dundee; and I wouldn’t stop myself from believing that more than one student moving here for university would feel similarly. Coming to an unfamiliar place with certain expectations, only to be hit with realisation that despite the compactness of it, there is so much to discover.

Taking turns and entering spaces along the way, trying things you had never thought you’d enjoy, which can range from tasting deep fried Mars bars to stumbling into workshops in Highland Dancing.

Talking to people, whether that be about the motivations behind their graduate projects or about how they had set up a community-designed garden, and finding inspiration and refreshing wisdom in the easiness of the casual conversations.

Or realising that building if a temporary home in the City of Discovery might, after all, promise community, opportunities and personal growth, allowing you to come out at the other end enriched by the experience, just like many of the artists agreed to have over their time at DJCAD. It may be a wrap to the 4 years of nine-‘til-five stuck in the studios spread across Crawford and Matthew Buildings, there might be no more Cantina fries rating for you, and symbolically enough, the DJCAD students’ second home The Mayfly seems to have shut its door once and for all now as well. But with the critical eye of an admittedly design-untouched Politics/Psychology student, on behalf of the Magdalen, a huge well done to everyone who contributed in any the slightest way to putting together such an inspirational show, and all the best for wherever life takes you next.

And if you’re reading this, disappointed as you didn’t make it to this year’s Degree Show, www. dundee.ac.uk/degreeshow promises nothing short of a taste of what you’ve missed.

Words by Barbara Mertlova

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Uncovering the truth about vaccination I

n 1998, Andrew Wakefield changed the world. The work was groundbreaking: to some, it confirmed what they had always suspected; to others, it opened their eyes to something they had never considered. In short, it shook public perception of a common medical practice to its very core and the reverberations are still ongoing.

Fortunately, it wasn’t true.

Wakefield’s controversial paper - a study alleging that the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine promoted development of autism in children has been described as ‘the most damaging medical hoax of the last 100 years’ and is the trigger behind the rise of the ‘anti-vax’ movement, despite having been reportedly disproven. Following its publication, the infant vaccination levels plummeted, and the incidence of preventable diseases increased - all due to the movement founded at best on misguided and misinformed attempts of child protection.

Today, the anti-vax community is a small but vocal movement continuing to spearhead the notion that vaccinations - not just MMR are responsible for a number of pathological conditions: diabetes, ADHD, seizures, Sudden

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Design by Iona Sorbie

Infant Death Syndrome, to name a few. In many cases, it’s simply coincidental. A child gets a fever following the jab – a very common side effect – and then months later, is diagnosed seemingly out of the blue with a serious medical condition. However, it is important to keep in mind that certain symptoms do not manifest until after certain age milestones. In addition, diagnostic strategies are continuously improving, enabling earlier detection of disorders that may have otherwise passed unnoticed for years.

The root cause of the anti-vaccination stance comes down to fear. Have a look at a list of vaccine components – technical jargon, long chemical names, not to mention the virus itself – and it’s easy to be afraid. In many cases, looking up any of those ‘alien’ terms won’t help either. Take for example thimerosal. Originally an antiseptic preservative found in vaccines, it was removed following public outcry despite multiple studies supporting its safety Why? It contained mercury.

However, if you look at the components of an apple, chances are that you won’t recognise many of them

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What are memory cells?

Memory cells form the core theory behind vaccination. They are long-lived immune cells specific to a pathogen which enable the immune system to mount a rapid response against a previously encountered pathogen and prevent infection.

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Interested in reading more about the Wakefield Scandal?

Look for Brian Deer’s “Revealed: MMR research scandal”

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Fresher?

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to get the Meningitis ACWY vaccine. Prevention is the best cure.

either. Take a closer look at it and you’ll realise that apples contain cyanide – in trace amounts, much like mercury was a trace component of vaccines.

Arguably, much of the ‘anti-vax’ movements come from a lack of understanding of the vaccination process. At the core of it, is presenting an attenuated form of a pathogen, a virus for example, to our immune system in a manner that allows the body to safely develop specific antibodies targeting the ‘invader’ and so-called memory cells, without the risk of developing an infection. In the event of a repeated encounter with the same virus later in life, the well-educated and carefully selected thymus-derived memory cells will beable to fend off the invasion immediately. Vaccines are incredibly effective at what they do. One of their best-known accolades. Vaccines enable the formation of memory cells without prior infection. is complete eradication of smallpox. However, not only did vaccines liberate us from some preventable fatal diseases, they also gave us the freedom to speculate and even refuse what is ultimately one of the most effective disease-prevention strategies.

Naturally, a common argument surrounding the parents’ decision not to vaccinate their children is freedom of choice. However, it is important to

2 remember that immunisation allows for disease prevention not only in single individuals but also in the community as a whole. This effect of vaccination is known as herd immunity-‘the large majority of the population being vaccinated prevents the spread of disease within that population’. It also protects those unable to get vaccinated - infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. The less people vaccinated, the greater are the chances of disease outbreak. Refusing to get vaccinated affects not only you personally but many others around you, including family and friends.

Today, Andrew Wakefield is barred from medical practise after his data has been proved fraudulent, his findings falsified or insignificant, and his work littered with conflicts of interest. Remarkably, he was working towards developing his own MMR vaccine. There is no denying of his work’s deleterious impact, and it remains to be seen how soon the damage can be rectified. With celebrities such as makeup mogul Kat Von D coming forward to announce that they won’t be vaccinating their children, and even some influential American politicians promoting Wakefield’s ungrounded autism claims, the ‘anti-vax’ movement is far from being conquered yet.

Words by Alex McCraw

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Terrible or Terrific?

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September - The Magdalen - Science

I

magine there was the technology to correct any potentially fatal genetic mutation in the DNA of a developing foetus prenatally? In the past decade, scientists have made great progress toward making this possible by developing high-precision gene-editing techniques, with CRISPR being the most prominent.

CRISPR is an abbreviation of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, which, in simple terms, is a repeating sequence of DNA fragments borrowed from bacteria, where it serves as a miniature immune system to recognise and memorise the DNA of attacking viruses. This cluster navigates the gene-editing machinery along the long stretches of DNA in cell nuclei and guides it to the mutation site with filigree accuracy. The detected defect can then be excised by Cas9 enzyme that serves as molecular scissors. The ‘flipping’ ends of DNA strands at the cut site are then ‘stitched together’ by a special repair machinery. This technology could potentially become a cornerstone in treatment of cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, Huntington disease and other so-called single-gene disorders caused by DNA changes in one particular gene. Pretty incredible, isn’t it? However, it’s just as likely to raise eyebrows as it is to save lives.

Since its introduction, CRISPR has ignited a firestorm of controversy in scientific community debating about the ethics and efficacy of gene editing in vivo. Scientists employing this technique in their research regard it as a major biomedical advance. In addition to being a valuable tool for basic and applied biomedical research including disease modelling, in a long-term perspective, it could also reduce the incidence of pregnancy terminations and the number of embryos discarded during fertility treatments following diagnosis of disease-causing genetic mutations. However, due to its off-target side effects, CRISPR requires further investigation in order to resolve the issues associated with its selectivity, specificity and overall safety.

Although its bench-to-bedside transition won’t be immediate, it’s well worth the wait. Currently, scientific community is very cautious about using gene editing in clinical research. Until the method is refined, it is important to address the stigma associated with gene editing by informing the members of general public about the extraordinary therapeutic potential of CRISPR, which, like any other newly budding experimental treatment strategy, comes with some significant but potentially addressable limitations.

Words by James Dale, design by Duncan Adams

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Science - The Magdalen - September

Fresh Medics

of Dundee

Welcome to the most memorable five years of your life! Getting this far is no easy feat, and it means you have already won half the battle.

Now that you are here, what will happen next?

You will forge wonderful friendships that will last a lifetime and make incredible memories you will cherish forever. Most importantly, you will embark on a journey to explore the intricate workings of the human body, creating a foundation of knowledge upon which you will build throughout your career. During these five years you will be in awe of the delicate architecture of the body, with your ability to diagnose and manage illnesses leaving you beaming with pride.

However, being a medical student is no ordinary task, so prepare to be pushed out of your comfort zone. You will experience both achievements and setbacks. You will celebrate your accomplishments but also develop a capacity to learn from your failures. Medicine is like the ocean, its depth and vastness are staggering, but to study it is worthwhile. There are two important things to bear in mind for this lifelong venture: compartmentalise your learning and, most of all, love what you learn. The medical

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field is not suited to everyone, but you have your reasons for pursuing this career. So whenever your journey may seem overwhelming, remember why you chose this path, for that will be your eternal motivator. Always help and learn from your peers. Medicine relies on teamwork, and supporting each other will guarantee success and solidify your learning.

Although hard work, late nights and challenges constitute the life of a medical student, they merely represent one side of the coin. Maintain a healthy work-life balance, join clubs, sports teams and societies. Enjoy your leisure time by getting involved in everything the University has to offer. Don’t buy into the belief that you won’t have the time to enjoy a social life or engage in other activities! It will be your outlet for stress and will help to mould you into a well-rounded student.

You are about to take the first steps into one of the most noble and gratifying professions in the world. There is nothing comparable to the feeling of being able to save a life. I wish you all the best for the next five years and all the years to follow. Keep calm and doctor on!

Words by Surhara Niriella, design by Olivia Sharkey

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