YOOTOPIK ISSUE 02

ISSUE 02

YOOTOPIIK

ISSUE 02

YOOTO P IIK

ISSUE 02

ISSUE 02

FREDERIQUE PAX DUMAS

CREATOR/EDITOR

PPL

JAZMINE SARAÏ

LEAH MCFLY

MARIE-HÉLÈNE LAPENSÉE

TOMMY NUGUID

FRANCESCA CHUDNOFF

MARIE-PIER ZEPOL LOPEZ

PATTERN NATION

CHAD LAVOIE

35 TILINFINITY

SAM I AM MONTOLLA

LUKE LENTES

DURAN DEE DEE ABDULLAH

ISSUE 02 COVER IMAGE: FRANCESCA CHUDNOFF

ABOVE: TOMMY NUGUID / YFM

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ISSUE 02

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HEALER HEALER

SHORT STORY inspired by a Shamanic divination recieved many years ago.

Created by / Duran Abdullah Model / Duran Abdullah Photography / Josh Rumbold 3

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THE HEALER

Laying there lifeless in a fetal position on a river of concrete, so unaware of her magic. Covered in folds of green fabric, like a cocooned caterpillar undergoing her very own metamorphosis. Her coarse curly hair cascading down her back, cradling her small frame like a mother's embrace.

Her eyelashes, delicate like wings, concealed her big brown eyes perfectly ; tightly shut in order to avoid any gleam of light getting in. The noise in her brain dancing away to distract every fiber in her body from her purpose. Her kidneys pulsating, filtering and purifying all of the pain she had held onto for so long. "sssshhhhh... She's one of us" whispered one of the green people.

They stood by her side naked, with no visible reproductive organs, genderless avatars, staring down at her with their ominous oval eyes twinkling with the luminosity of a supernova. Their tiny red tinted mouths held in a unison of soft smiles on a canvas of petite faces. Little like her, with glistening green skin and hair that fell so long it tickled the cracks in the ground they stood on.

She had been sent to earth to fulfill a purpose but she was lost and left damaged. The green people saw her as one of their own, traveling the veins of nature's realms spreading creativity and love.

They had to help her and so one of them edged closer to her, kneeling gently beside her whispering softly but firmly into her ear. "Our dear Duran, you must go to nature. This is where you are located and where you will find us. You will download your messages there.

There is nothing to say or do. Go to nature."

With the power of the words that fell so blissfully into the pockets of her eardrum, she exhaled deeply as if she had been holding her breath. Her eyes began to flicker faster and faster and with each flutter of her lashes, the pain began to dissolve and exit her body relaxing her muscles that had contracted so tight to protect her organs. A storm of stardust began to gather circling the green people to carry them back to the other world.

By the time her eyes opened, they were out of sight, but she could feel their presence in her fingertips. A vibration of indescribable energy surrounded her as she rose from the concrete to take herself to nature.

To this day, they continue to watch over her, making sure that she fulfills what she must. They live within the elements of nature, waiting for the day she returns home once her missions are complete.

Until then, they will walk with her, keeping her safe and protecting her soul from the rodents and vultures in this cruel and treacherous world.

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HEALER HEALER

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LONDON TOWN. PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE LENTES LONDON,UK

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PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE LENTES LONDON,UK 16

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PHOTOGRAPHY: LUKE LENTES LONDON,UK 18

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S A M I A M M O N TO LLA F U T U R E L O V E W I T H A 5 :2 0 A M W A K E U P C A L L

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F U T U R E L O V E W I T H A 5 :2 0 A M W A K E U P C A L L First it started with a concept. The idea of mixing art, cinematic appeal and raw unfiltered Hip Hop. That was the recipe for the Short Film “Future Love” .The goal was simple: to honour Hip Hop with all sorts of emotions. Depicting passion, love, defiance, brotherhood, sisterhood, levelling up, origins and seeing it as all part of the future. In the end, it is all Love. “ I wanted to do something that I desired to see myself in the world. Having the image of women and men interacting positively and powerfully. Bringing the masculine and feminine energy together and not being afraid of it ”.

It starts off impromptu with the cameraman coming closer and filming as he approaches.

You see the 3 black silhouettes from a distance in an all-white studio, kind of like a box separated from everything else in the world. The beat is about to drop with Future’s voice chopped in the track. Then Sam I Am and the two dancers, Rweg “OP 06” Dantiste and Junior “Djungle” Dorsaint come with it, dressed in all black with a raw flow and energetic vibe.There is a quick audio cut into “DollaX” produced by Shash’U, as the visual frame switches to Sam I Am alone in her universe. The name for the second part of the piece is “The Law of Rhythm”, with that she sets the pace. “ Jai Nitai did such an amazing job. His taste and his ability to create seamless work not only with music but in visuals and video production is a statement to his artistic genius. I feel very lucky to have been part of some of his musical projects, and using his song seemed like a no-brainer . Working with him in the past I knew when I spoke to him of this project he would see the vision too, I trusted his input and direction, it just worked ”.

Part 1 - Artistic Direction and Choreography by Sam I Am Montolla, Dance Performed by Sam I Am Montolla, Junior "Djungle" Dorsaint, and Rweg "OP 06" Dantiste, Directed and Shot by Jai Nitai Lotus

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The video dropped simultaneously to the launch of a new image and direction for the website/blog 5-20intheam.com for which Sam I Am is the creator and curator. “And for the video, even though it wasn’t planned with the relaunching of the site, it just seemed like a perfect way to open it to the masses. With Montreal on my back literally, everyone who played a part, right down to the music is from MTL.” Initially created 4 years ago the platform was a way to simply express what was on her mind, without a defined theme to the subjects, but starting this year there was a change in direction. “ Wanting my own questions answered is what steered me in that direction. I started feeling like I wanted to see more documentation on Hip Hop dance and culturally related dance styles. I saw there was a need for it in our community. Since I am a singer/songwriter also, I wanted to touch on music as well, being that those art forms are so closely related. I am realising the need to preserve now instead of trying to preserve 20 years from now, when we don't have access to as much information, which is often the case. Over the past years, having been involved in my community and working with youth made me value the importance of having information to pass on to future generations. ” The aim is to promote, through dance and music, social awareness, black history and other topics that are not usually discussed. It's about searching for answers and continuing to ask questions. It is also a place for other artists to express and connect, a hub where creativity can ignite.

5-20intheam.com

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“Future Love (The Law of Rhythm)” is on Youtube on the 5:20intheAM channel, www.5-20intheam.com, IG: @5_20intheam @samiammontolla @jainitailotus @iamshashu

"I wanted to do something that I desired to see myself in the world."

- SAM I AM MONTOLLA -

Part 2 - Edited by Jai Nitai Lotus & Sam I Am Montolla, Styled by Sam I Am Montolla, Music Produced by Jai Nitai Lotus "Future Love" (Future Love) & Shash'U "DollaX" (The Law of Rhythm), Poem Written by Sam I Am Montolla, Read by Khaleem

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BEYOND & ABOVE

TILINFINTY

NIGEL EDWARDS

PHOTOGRAPHY: NIGEL EDWARDS 24

I"ll be nothing, I heard it lasts forever.

The sky is falling and so am I. 25

If it was up to me, it would come down to you.

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When it’s all said and done, I haven’t done what I said, and I haven’t said what I’ve done.

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LA FAIM ' The characters represented in these works aim to stay away from any moral, political or religious concerns.

They are not labeled by any nation, gender, or age category.These works reflect timeless and universal subjects from a nonconformist point of view.They were created in order to feed the imagination of those who observe them.

Series of twelve 35mm film photos, enlarged and printed on cotton canvas.

Includes handcrafting small costumes and organic staging under natural light.

Creator/Photographer: Chad Lavoie 28

1. HUMPTY DUMPTY

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3. MR.PEANUT

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2. LES BANANES EN PYJAMAS

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3. MR. & MME. PATATE

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Artistic Direction: Cydney Eva Photography: Cydney Eva Model: Costa Besta www.pattern-nation.com 34

PATTERN NATION

Fabricated Fantasy Collaborative shoot: Location: James Black Gallery Photographer: True Rose Models: Orin McRey Rosita Alcantara Isabel Stanleigh Brianna Klassen Bailey Creed Kaitlyn Sullivan Cydney Eva Costa Besta Brotha Jason Designers: Tops, jewelry and painted shoes: PatternNation Pants: Local Trash Blobs and Canvases: PatternNation

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PATTERN NATION

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PATTERN NATION

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PATTERN NATION

PATTERN NATION IS NOT ONLY A CLOTHING BRAND, IT'S A WAY OF SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH COLOUR & PATTERN, COLLABORATION & INCLUSIVITY

Artistic Direction: Cydney Eva Photography: True Rose http://www.pattern-nation.com 40

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PHOTOGRAPHY : LUKE LENTES LONDON, UK

BALLIN'

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PHOTOGRAPHY : LUKE LENTES LONDON, UK

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PHOTOGRAPHY : LUKE LENTES LONDON, UK

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PHOTOGRAPHY : LUKE LENTES LONDON, UK

ZEPOL

ZEPOL

ZEPOL

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INSIDE THE

CREATIVE PROCESS

INTIMATE INTERVIEW WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST ZEPOL YK: Where do you find inspiration?

Z: EVERYWHERE! Really, it can go from: past experiences, friends, family pictures (mine or others), magazines (mostly from the 80s-70s-60s) with specific topics like Playboy, National geographic, cook books, hikes outdoors, certain views of the street, old metal dumpsters and walls where I wander. It is often the small details of random things I see, instructions on the side of pillows or other stuff, diner aprons, stickers at the grocery store, food packaging and other items we use in our everyday life.

YK: Are you always in a creative mood?

Z: I wish, but to be honest, I quite often experience small panic attacks that totally block my creativity.

Especially, when I start to ask myself questions like " Am I going to be able to continue doing my art, follow my precious intuition, do meaningful things that make me truly happy and be able to pay my rent and save up for more inspiring adventures at the same time? " It happened a few times in my life where I committed to a job only to make money or gain experience in a professional field so that I can stop stressing. It never takes long before I realize I'm giving my time and energy to something not totally aligned with what I want to pursue in life. In the end I either quit or finish my contract feeling over tired, but at the same time super confident and courageous again and my creative mood is back on 24-7 until another panic hits lol. Oh well we’ll see where it goes…

YK: Why do you make art?

Z: It is a part of who I am. It balances me, drives me, calms me and, most of the time, makes me feel good. It’s also a language for me. It’s a way of expression, I can vent frustration through it or show the importance of different beauties in life. It’s also a good meditation.

YK: Would you throw away a piece that doesn’t work as you wish?

Z: Rarely. Most of the time I will start more than one piece at once, so when something blocks I can transfer my energy into another project. It’s crazy sometimes how I can find a solution to a problem while I’m working on something else. It does happen however, that I re-start a piece all over again. It’s a special feeling to voluntarily erase something you put a lot of work on, but it always seems to give me new perspective and drive to continue.

YK: Is the opinion of others important to you?

Z: I guess I could always get inspired by their opinion, but really, I don’t care that much. I do stuff because I feel I need to do it for something meaningful to me or to respond to a certain curiosity. Even when I have custom orders I imagine they are mine with their expectations so I can stay authentic and be confident about the result, no matter what others could say during the process.

YK: Do you consider yourself an artist?

Z: Most Definitely! As a worker, a creator, a girlfriend, a daughter, a friend and as a dancer I am an artist.

I always train my brain to remember little things and details, observe what is around me and learn from it.

This way I can create special moments, movements or any piece of art to enjoy this precious life of mine and the people I love.

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Explore, try stuff even if there’s no meaning at first, get lost ‌ then try to say the same thing in a different way.Then, repeat.

- ZEPOL 49

SLOPPY

ARTIST/PHOTOGRAPHER; FRANCESCA CHUDNOFF

MADEBYFRANZNFRIENDS.COM

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SLOPPY

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SIN'CERELY,

YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN

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Photography : Tommy Nuguid

YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN 54

YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN

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YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN 56

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YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN 58

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YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN 60

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YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN YOUR FELLOW MARTIAN 62

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Photography : Tommy Nuguid

SIN'CERELY

Haute Couture 2.0 Marie-Hélène Lapensée

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Stylist/Creative director: Leah Mcfly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

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Q U E E N D O M O F 3 G E N E R A T IO N S "After all these years working with different people as models, I felt it was time to highlight and spotlight the Queens in my life who inspired the style I have today." - Leah McFly Daughter, dancer, stylist, artistic director and event coordinator Leah McFly shares her inspiration behind the 3 generation photo shoot.

Daughter Leah McFly / age 32 Mother Linda Fletcher / age 62 Grandmother Mildred Fletcher / age 82

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Mother Linda Fletcher / age 62

L.M: My mother Linda was a body builder, I remember her taking me to the gym at a young age, and people would always think she was my sister. It still hasn't changed, people often say how young she looks, and I feel it's because she doesn't let her age affect how she lives, she lives her life and enjoys it with no limits and has always been an inpsiration to me.

Grandmother Mildred Fletcher / age 82

L.M: I call her "Gma" because she's not your typical Grandma, she

Styling Inspiration / 01

L.M: I see my Mother and Grandmother as incredibly powerful women, that is what inspired the Royal look. Though they are radiant always, I wanted to take it higher, and really make them feel like "Royalty". As they often dress more modest then this in their everyday life, I wanted them to feel more empowered and as the Queens that they are.

Stylist/Creative director: Leah McFly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

loves to be goofy and crack jokes with people and at their expense, she can swear like a sailor with no caption, dresses and shops young, listens to music like Wu-tang and 50 cent, and always dances like nobody is watching. She taught me to be a sweet and caring person yet always remain unapologetically myself.

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Stylist/Creative director: Leah McFly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

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Stylist/Creative director : Leah McFly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

Stylist/Creative director: Leah McFly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

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Styling Inspiration / 02

L.M: For the crazy patterns and shapes look I wanted them to dress as wild and funky as they often see me dress. They love it, but they don't always understand how I walk in the streets that way. I wanted them to step into my world and share this experience with me so they could feel the power I often have when I dress freely not caring how people perceive me. " 73

Styling Inspiration / 03

L.M: I grew up watching them always wearing animals prints, that's what inspired the head-to-toe leopard look to which I added a high fashion and tribal feel. The animals themselves represent the strength and power that I feel they possess as women and the tribal essence was to honor our deep roots and truths.

L.M: The idea for the photoshoot came from wanting to create family memories. My mother and I are 40 years apart and my grandmother and I are 50 years apart, I thought it would be amazing to have something to remember this moment in our lives together. People often say " black don't crack " I wanted to celebrate how young they look and feel at their age, how much fun we can have together, and how fashion can be a way to express yourself for anyone at any age.

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Stylist/Creative director: Leah McFly Photographer: Julie Soto Assistant director: Noire Mouliom

Queendom of 3 Generations

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JAZMIN

Photography: Christine Phang 76

SARAÏ

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EXPLORING THE CONVERGENCE OF SCENT, MUSIC & CULTURE.

Photography: Christine Phang 78

EXPLORING THE CONVERGENCE OF SCENT, MUSIC & CULTURE.

Gifted with synesthesia, Dana, can "smell sound" and uses the interplay of her senses to compose fragrances as well as inspire some of her work.

Perfumer, interdisciplinary artist, founder & creator of JAZMIN SARAÏ: Dana El Masri.

THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME

Jazmin Saraï embodies the union between the queen of white flowers, Jasmine, and the king of musical genres, Jazz. Wafting in unison through the inner walls of a Saraï, a palace. Pronounced " JAZZ-MIN SAR-EYE "

THE CONCEPT

Each perfume is an olfactive reimagining... An homage to the artists that inspired them. The choice of songs, musicians and genres is meant to be a commentary on today's diversity.

WHY IT IS SPECIAL

The two invisible mediums, scent and sound, elicit raw emotions from deep within.

Combined, they offer a change in perception as well as a temporal portal into the world of synesthesia (the merging of the senses), highlighting the power of music and the effect of the sense of smell on our subconscious. Jazmin Saraï provides the wearer a unique opportunity to interact with perfume in an experiential way.

WWW.JAZMINSARAI.COM

Photography: Saskia Wilson-Brown

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JAZMIN SARAÏ

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JAZMIN SARAÏ

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"Peep the skyline in the background brah"

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IM A G IN E .

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