SERIAL CULTURE ISSUE NINE

1 MARKETFEST/PRIDE/ANIMALTEACH/ GLOWETRY THEWORLDREIMAGINED/BUTTERFLYHOUSESEPTEMBER2022 ISSUENINE ExploringthelivesandartofyoungpeopleinHalton

2

Meettheteam

3 4COVERART 6OWEN-FIVEINDIEGAMES 11ARTBYLEE 12GLOWETRY 15BENDRAYCOTT 16HALTONPRIDE 18ANIMALTEACH 22LIVERPOOLPRIDE 24ARTBYLEE 25QUEERLIT 26MARKETFEST 28SCORESFROMTHESCREEN 30HUNTER 34THEWORLDREIMAGINED 36LARRISSABURTON 38BUTTERFLYHOUSE 40GETINVOLVED EditorialAdvisoryTeam EditorialTeamFacilitator-MegDeMar Designer-GregOldfield TheStudioProjectManager-LouiseNulty

Name:Eli/BunniiRot Whereareyoubased?: Mainlyinwidnes Howlonghaveyoubeencreatingart? ForaslongasIcanrememberi’ve beencreating,butistartedtakingitseriouslywheniwasabout10orso. Howdidyoufirstgetintoit? Ioriginallystartedout(badly)drawing animecharacters,andIreallyenjoyedit.Sofromthere,IdecidedthatI wantedtodosomethingmore,soIstartedtolearnthebasicsandsome techniquesandwentfromthere. Whattrainingdoyouhave? Idon’treallyhaveanyformaltraining. EverythingIknow,Ieithertaughtmyselforsomehowfiguredoutbyjust doingwhatworksforme. Whatmedia/softwaredoyouuse? Ifi’mdoingatraditionalpiece,itend touseamixedmediasketchbook,anda0.3mechanicalpencil.Andwith digitalart,IuseProcreateona2018Ipad,andmyfingers. Whatistheinspirationforthesepieces? Itakealotofinspirationfrom popculture,videogames,mythology,booksandalternativefashion, thoughI’dsay,mymaininspirationissongs.Sometimesalyricwilljust popintomyheadandIimmediatelyhaveaconceptforapiece. Whataretheaimsforyourart? onedaystartanartbasedcareer WherecanpeoplefindyouonSocialMedia? @_bunniirot_oninstagram @BunniiRottonRefsheet.net AndhopefullyonetsysoonunderBunniiRot

“AQuirkybutinnovativesequelto TomorrowCorporation’sHumanResource Machine,7BillionHumanshasevenmore brainbustingchallengesthanits 5 Thistime,I’llbelookingat fiveindiegames thatyoushouldcheckout. 7BILLIONHUMANS

byOwenJohnson

7 ASpaceAdventureGamecreatedby Swedishindiestudio,SysiacGamesand publishedbyLittleInferno’sCreators; TomorrowCorporation TheGameisaboutCaptainThomasWelmu, aSpacefleetscienceofficer,lostontheother sideofthegalaxy.Darkforcesareenroute toEarthtodestroyourplanet–andyouare carryingtheonlythingthatcanstopthem. Somegreathumourtoitandapositive reactionbythecriticswithitbeingreceived withVeryandMostlyPositiveReviewson Steam YoucanbuyTheCaptainonSteam, GOG.com,SysiacGames’sWebsite,andthe EpicGamesStore 4 THECAPTAIN

8 3 GLADIATORGUILD Aturnbasedbattlegamefrom EntertainmentForgethatisnowinEarly AccesssinceOctober2021andhas beenupdatedonaregularbasissince then.Strategicbattlesiminwhichyou buyandtrainallkindsofgladiators. Expandyourguild,builduniqueteams, planoutfighttactics,andseehowfar youcantakethemthroughthe championships.Formallegiances throughquestsandeventswhile exploringandinfluencingthisepic fantasyworld. YoucanbuyGladiatorGuildManageron SteamandontheHumbleBundleStore andyoucangetthefreeprologuedemo ifyouwanttotryitout,whichyoucan downloaditfromSteam

9 2 HumanResourceMachine ThisgameisquitefuntolearnAssembly LanguageinProgrammingandisamust buyfromtheprogrammingnerds!Fromthe creatorsofLittleInferno,WorldofGoo,and 7BillionHumansProgramlittleoffice workerstosolvepuzzles.Beagood employee!Themachinesarecoming…for yourjob. HumanResourceMachineisapuzzlegame fornerds.Ineachlevel,yourbossgivesyou ajob.Automateitbyprogrammingyour littleofficeworker.Ifyousucceed,you’llbe promoteduptothenextlevelforanother yearofworkinthevastofficebuilding. Congratulations! Don’tworryifyou’veneverprogrammed before–programmingisjustpuzzlesolving. Ifyoustripawayallthe1’sand0’sand scarysquigglybrackets,programmingis actuallyreallysimple,logical,beautiful,and somethingthatanyonecanunderstandand havefunwith!Areyoualreadyanexpert? Therewillbeextrachallengesforyou. AndrememberHumanWorkers…. Managementarewatching….

10 1 NIGHTINTHEWOODS Agreatgameforanindiestudiofilledwith darkthemes,personallives,and anthropomorphicanimals. CollegedropoutMaeBorowskireturns hometothecrumblingformerminingtown ofPossumSpringsseekingtoresumeher aimlessformerlifeandreconnectwiththe friendssheleftbehind.Butthingsaren’t thesame.Homeseemsdifferentnowand herfriendshavegrownandchanged. Leavesarefallingandthewindisgrowing colder.Strangethingsarehappeningasthe lightfades. Andthere’ssomethinginthewoods. YoucanbuyNightintheWoodsonSteam, NintendoeShop,AppStore,XboxStore, EpicGamesStore,PlayStationStore, HumbleBundle,andGOG.com Well,that’s5gamesthatI’verecommended toyou.Imayconsiderwritingupasecond oneifIhavethetime,buthavefunplaying thesewonderfulgreatgames!-Owen

11 ARTBYLEE

12

Facetoface Withthebeastlurks Screamstheyscratch Andtheygoddamnhurt Thismanthatstaresatme AsI'mtrappedinacage Thismanislaughing AmIinsane NowI'vebeensectioned Bymaninasuit SaysthatI'munstable Howcute AsIhitthewalls Chargeatbolteddoors Screamandshoutingletmeout Andthedoctorsignores Trappedinaroom Withpeoplestaringatme Icanseethemsmiling Astheywatchmebleed AndIwasforced Toletmydemonsin SonexttimeIseeyou You'llbetheonesscreaming -BenDraycott Hereisaverypowerful poemthatwewantedto share,fromoneofthe youngpeopleinvolved inTheStudio’sAmplify project.Bensharedthis poemattheLovely WordOpenMic,heldat TheStudio.

16

17

18

names,thenthesnailsbecomea squirrel.Myloveofanimalsthen wenttofeedingthesquirrelsin thegardenandthendropping mymumoffforworkandseeing theHerononthefieldsinthe sameplace.Soyeah,fromavery youngage,Ijustfoundthem incrediblyfascinating.That's probablywhereitstarted.The animalkeeperinside.

ANIMALTEACH

Idon'tfeed(foxes)attheminute.Idon'tputanyfoodoutonthe front.I'mnotsuretheneighbourswouldagree.

SerialCulture: Haveyoueverseenanyfoxesoutinpublic?Ifsodo youeverfeedthem?

Wehadthepleasureof interviewingNaomiEnnis,the personbehindAnimalTeachan exciting,educationalworkshop providerbasedinRuncorn.We managedtograbherforaquick chatbetweenalltheworkshops shewasdoingandaskheabout heranimaljourney.

Naomi: Irememberbeingabout sixyearsold,whenmymum askedmetostopfeedingthe snailsinthegarden.Iwasn't allowedanyanimals,soIusedto takeoutlettucetothegarden andcollectsnailsandtheyhad

Naomi: Ihave.SoIwenttoLondonquiteawhileago,andtherewasa foxsatnexttoataxi,whichwasreallyweird.Sothatwasodd.ButI dogetthemeverynowandagaininfrontofmyhouse.Atasimilar time,3amor4am,whichI'mnormallyawakebecauseoneofthekids willbesoyeah,that'squitenicetosee.

SerialCulture: Wheredidyour loveofanimalsstart?

SerialCulture: Whatisyourdreamanimaltoaddtoyourcollection?

mumanddadusedtoaskme whatIwascarryingupstairs.So yeah,Ihadthebeardeddragon, YemenchameleonBerber skinks,Leopardgecko,Crested gecko,andonewhichisstillwith me.GeckstheCrestedgecko.

Naomi: Iwas16whenIstarted doinganimalcareatcollege.I hadaplacementatapetshop andquiteoftenanimalswere notwantedandsoofcourseI givemeMumandDadasob storyofabeardeddragonwitha missingfootandmetabolicbone disease.Itneededanicehome andIwassomebody'shomethat itneeded.TheysaidifIpay towardselectric‘okay’,soIdid. Ithadgorgeousorangebands onthefaceandlivedwithmefor aboutfourorfiveyears.Iwas tolditwouldlastanight.Then one(animal)becamethirty,my

19

Naomi: Yeah,Ihavealotofanimals.SoI'mprobablyon35+plus differentspecies.

Naomi:IwouldloveaKomododragon.Butthat'snotviable.Ifindit sohardtohaveanyfavouriteanimalandIwillsayit'sachameleon. Likeit'sonmylogoandandeverything.Ifindthemweirdand wonderfulanduniqueandthat'showIoftendescribemyselfbecause I'mnotatypicalpersonbyanymeans.Butyeah,Komododragon.Oh mygoodness,marineiguanas;itisjustalltheanimalsthatyoucan keepinthehouse.SoIprobablyneedtoopenazoo.

SerialCulture: Youhaveenoughanimalstofeedasitis.

SerialCulture: Whatwasthe firstrealanimalthatyoukept anddidn'tjustfeedinthe garden?

Naomi: Geckosarereally,really nice.Theycomeinlotsofdifferent colours.There'smanydifferent speciesfromaroundtheworld. There'salwayssomethingstriking abouteachdifferentspecies. Cresty’sarealsoknownasthe eyelashgeckos.(They’ve)gotthese beautifulcrestsandeyelasheson theeyes,forleopardgeckoit’sgot tobetheireyes.Theyhavea beautifulbody,youcangetthemin differentcoloursfortheireyes. Gargoylesarebeautifulfortheir coloration.Soverymottledvery leatheryandtheycamouflagesoso well.Yeah,sothere'sjust somethingfascinatingabouteach ofthem.

SerialCulture: Iguessagoodoneto askreallyishowhasthe temperature(heatwave)affected them?

Naomi: Yes!EverythingI'vegothas itsownthermostat,soeverythingis tailoredtowardsspeciesspecific needsandseasonality.However, thecurrentheatwavewhichI've hatedwithapassionhasmeantthat I'veturnedeverylighttoUVsource andheatsourceoff.Theycome fromverywarmareasbutequally whenyouputthemintoamicro habitatthatreallycondensesdown theirenvironment,soeverything gotswitchedoff,waterswere

increasedandthenI’vebeen monitoringthemclosely.Yeah,so it'sit'snotbeenpleasant.

SerialCulture: Youseemtohave hadalotofGeckos!

SerialCulture: Whydidyoustart animalteach?

Naomi: Afewdifferentreasons.SoI havestudiedanimalssincecollege. Allofmyqualificationsarebasedin it,IwasazookeeperatKnowsley SafariandIwasteachingat Myerscoughcollege,andthen Covidhit,whichmademe reevaluatealotofthingsbeing basedathome.Atthatpoint,Ihad myeldest,andthenmyyoungest camealong,andwehadafewlittle healthissueswithher,soIlookedat everythingasawholepicture.Me asamumwithtwoyoungchildren wasn'ttheworklifebalancethatI couldenvisionforthefamily.Isaid toJohn(husband),I'mgonnaquit myjobandI'mgoingtosetupa businessandhejustlooked,he's like,whatareyou'regonnadowith that?Iwaslike,wearegoingtohave azoo.He'sveryusedtomebeing quitespontaneous,butinmyhead, Icouldseethat.EverythingI'd workedandstudiedforIdidnot wanttolose,Iputsomucheffort intolookingafteranimalsand caringforthem,thatIdidn'twant tolosethat.Mybrainlovesanimals andthat'swhatit'sgearedtowards. SoIwantedabusinessthatworks withanimalsandIalsolove teachingpeople.

20

21

SoAnimalTeach.Icanstillbemeandnotworryaboutgettinghomeand markinglotsofworkorfollowingupthings.Itwasallbasedonmeandmy timescalesbutequallyIcanstillbeamom.Oh,it'ssorewarding.Yeah,sothe biggestthingwasthefamilyandnotlosingsightofwhoIwasasaperson. SerialCulture: WhatanimalsdidyoulookafteratKnowsley? Naomi: SoIworkedwitheverythingfromcockroachestoelephants. Iwasawalkerandkeeper,myspecialityatthattimecoveredtheelephants section,mammalsandreptiles.Inthesameday,Icouldbeworkingwith elephants,giraffes,tapirs,meerkats,capybara.RedRiverhogs,moose.But mybiggestspecialitywasthebughouse.Iwaslike,theseanimalsaresocool, butcanIgobacktothecockroachesandthecrocodile. IfyouwouldliketofindoutmoreaboutNaomiandallherunusualanimal friendsyoucanfindherathttps://www.animalteach.co.uk/

22

23

24

ARTBYLEE

My Rating

AllThat’sLeftInWorld The AllThe That’sLeftIn World

Age Rating

ByOskar- 13+

25

byErikJ.Brown byErikJ.Brown

This post-apocalyptic dystopian features a beautiful queer romance as two of the last people left alive fnd each other and make their way through a world that has been torn apart right before their eyes. Follow the lovable protagonists, Jamie and Andrew, on their journey through this strange new world.

WewentalongtoWidnesMarketforMarketfest;adayofmusic,stalls, circustricksandmore,heldbytheMarketandTheStudio.HostNanaFunk kepteverybodyentertainedwithhersillysongs,andtherewasmusicfrom seasonedartiststonewbies,liketheyoungpeoplewhohavebeentaking partinAmplify;ayouthmusicprojectheldatTheStudio.Wehadtwovery importantquestionstoputtoalltheyoungmusicloverswhostoppedbyto sayhiontheday… 26 1.CaneShuga-GlassAnimals 2.Devil-Shinedown 3.Engravings-EthanBortnick 1.NothingElseMatters-Metallica 2.WhentheSunGoesDown-ArcticMonkey 3.StopCryingYourHeartOut-Oasis 1.Stacy’sMom-FountainsofWayne 2.Addicted-JorjaSmith 3.IfYou’reOverMe-Years&Years 1.Honey-Halsey 2.LovemeorLeaveMe-LittleMix 3.PickingupthePieces-PalomaFaith 1.TakemetoChurch-Hozier 2.HeySoulSister-Train 3.Starboy-TheWeeknd WHATAREYOURTOPTHREETRACKSOFALLTIME?

27 1.WallofGlass-LiamGallagher 2.IntheEnd-LinkinPark 3.GottheLife-Korn 1.SoWhat-Loona 2.NoTimetoDie-BillieEilish 3.Likey-Twice 1.Mercy-ShawnMendes 2.HelloMyLove-Westlife 3.HallofFame-TheScript ●Itoffersaretreatfromtheworldandallitsproblemsanddarktimes. Italsomakesme happy:) ●Becausemusicmakesmehappy ●Ilovemusicbecauseofthevibeitgivesyou ●Becauseitmakesmeandothersexpressourselvesandfeelings ●Ilovemusicbecauseilovelearningandlisteningtonewnoteseveryday ●Ilovemusicbecauseitisagoodwaytorelaxorexpressyourfeelings. Myfavourite artistisEminem. ●IfeelmorealivewhenIlistentomusic ●Becauseit’sloudandmakesmehappy ●Ienjoylisteningtoitnomattermymood ●Ilikelisteningtoitbecauseitmakesmenolongerbored WHYDOYOULOVEMUSIC?

Theinstrumentalsoundtrack(byKyleDixonandMichaelSteinofthe electronicband'Survive')ischaracterisedbytheextensiveuseof synthesisersandelectronicbeatswhicharereminiscentofthe80s worksofJohnCarpenter,Vangelis,andTangerineDream.Thesehelp togivethesoundtrackthenostalgicfeelthatenhancestheshow's80s vibe.Additionally,thethemefortheUpsideDownincludesmicrotones(fine-tunednotesthatarebetweenthekeysofapiano)tomake themusicsoundunsettling,astheycansound'off-key'andare uncommoninWesternmusic,somaysoundunfamiliartothe audience.Thesemicro-tonesarepossibleduetotheuseofan analoguestepsequencer.

IntheSeptemberof2017,DixonandSteinwontheEmmyAwardof 'OutstandingOriginalMainTitleThemeMusic'fortheirworkonthe StrangerThingstheme.Thismemorablepiececonsistsofamain sequence,abassline,anda'heartbeat'sound,playedonvintage synthesiserssuchasaRolandSH-2. Lastly,ifthereweren'tenoughreasonstolovethissoundtrack already,justtakealookatthetracknamesthe'StrangerThings4 (OriginalScoreFromTheNetflixSeries)'album.Itincludes80tracksin totalwithquirkynamessuchas'Hiiiiiiiii','ELVISCLONEDBYALIENS' and'[delicate,intensemusicplaying...]'. MyTop3FromTheSoundtrack: 1)Soldiers 2)TheUpsideDown 3)Inthecloset(atRinkOMania)

16thJanuary2006

Ihavebeensatatthisbusstopfor2hoursnow.I’mnotgoinganywhere,Ijustliketowatch thelittlepeoplesittingdown,gettingupagain,gettingonbuses.Thesepeoplewillneversee meagain,andIfindthatcomforting.SomepeoplethinkI’mcreepy,butIdon’tcare,because Iamsomuchbiggerthanthem.

ByKirbyBrown (TWderealisation)

30

Hunter

Todaytherewere29peopleatthebusstop,becauseIstayedabitlaterthanusualtomakeup forthetimelostinthemorning.Iwasrunningerrandsforthelandlady,Mallory.Herhusband diedafewyearsagoandnowshe’sanartist,alandladyandapparentlysomeyoungerlady’s sugarmommy.Idon’tbelieveinlandladiesorlordsbutshe’snotliketheothers;always talkingaboutmusicfestivals,andherlifeinthe70s,andherpaintingsand(occasionally,if you’relucky)thespiritualbenefitsofacid.Sheneededformetodropoffmoneyatthisold hippie-lookingguy’shouse.Ineveraskedwhatthemoneywasfor,Iassumeditwasfordrugs orsomethingbutIdidn’tdareask.Youneveraskaboutacoolperson’sbusiness,ifyousee theunderbelly,thedarkalleybehindthepristinechalkywhitehouses,it’snotsomethingyou cancomebackfrom…although,Iguess,forMallorythey’dbemoreofadirtymustard colour,ratherthanwhite,thekindofcolouryoufindunderwallpaperwhentheprevious tenantwasaheavysmoker.

Myapartmentwiththemouldbehindthesink.

15thJanuary2006

Today,therewere17peopleatthebusstopintotal,5amtill4pm.Themostinterestingperson therewasapregnantwomanwhostartedcrying,really,reallyloudly.Idon’tknowwhy...I wantedtoaskbutIwasworriedthatshewouldthinkIwasofferingsupport.Iwashonestly disturbedbythis,theappealofallthese‘littlepeople’isthattheyarejustthat: little, you don’thavetoworryabouttheirpersonallivesbecausethey’reallobjectivelyunimportant,but everynowandthenacryingwomanorashoutingmanor whoever willchangethat;they’ll strayfromthepattern.Ialsosawsomeguyshootingheradirtylook.That’sonethingIdon’t understandaboutpeople,alltheirexpectations.Theydon’tseethatthey’reallthesame,they justseethewoman’stearsbeforethemandtheircomfylittleapartmentintheirhead.Itmakes mecringetoseethemdoingthingslikethis...butIcan’tstopthembecauseiftheystopped thenIwouldn’twanttowatchthem,theywouldn’tbeanyfun.Thebusstopwouldbe rendereduselessandIwouldhavetogobacktomyapartment.

Idon’tknowwhatitmeans.Ihonestlydon’tthinkI’msupposedto.

31

Ididn’tcountthepeopleatthestoptoday,Iforgot.Ilikethingslikethis,becauseiftherewas noonetheretoreceivethatinformation,thendiditevenexistinthefirstplace?It’slikethat thingaboutatreefallinginthewoodswithnoonetheretohearit.Iwasn’talltoobothered aboutthelittlepeopletoday,becauseIfoundanotherthingI’minterestedin.‘ComeHereGet AwayFromMe’byEzraFurman.It’sagreatsong,butthesongitselfwasn’twhatinterested me,itwasalyric.Ittalkedaboutbeinginacar,parkedinafieldwithyourfriendwhois asleepwhileamanonamotorcyclecirclesaround,andwhenthesuncomesupyoutellyour friendabouttheman,youaren’ttoosureifhewaseverreallythere.Ilovethislyric.Iloveit inawaythatIcan’texpressthroughanymediumIknowof,notthroughartorthrough writingortalking.Itdescribesmyhelplessnessandmyfrustrationwithsuchaccuracy,thatit shineslikealittlelanterninmyfaded-storefront-greylife.TheonlywayIcanhopeto expressthesameenergyisthroughcontinuingtoexist.

WhenIwasonthewaytheresomeladytriedtohitonme.ShelookedaboutMallory’sage butshewasn’tascool,shewaswearinganuglytracksuitandshehadthesereallylongfake lashesonthatshekeptflutteringatme.She’sthekindofpersonwhoonlyhasthealleyways, there’snobuildings,nothingtocoveritup.

IwenthomeafterwardsandI’mwritingthisonmykitchenfloorwhilethecouplenextdoor shoutateachother,theydothisoftenandthistimeit’saboutthewifeaccusinghimof cheatingwhenhe’sstillthrowingatantrumabouthernotwantingkids.Iwonderiftheyare

17thJanuary2006

IwatchthelittlepeoplelivingtheirlivesandIampainfullyawareofmyconstantunsureness ofwheremylifeisgoingandifanyofitisevenreal.Iwastemytimedistressingoverissues inmylife;themouldbehindthesink,beingmistakenforagirlbythemanatthecornershop, gettingtheflueveryyearwithoutfail...watchingthemanonthemotorcyclecirclearound me.ThenIinvestinthelittlepeople once andIrealisehowmanypeoplejustlikethemthere areintheworldandthatmyissuesarerelativelynon-existent.Itmakesmefeelstagnant,like porridgewhenyoucookittoolongandthetoplayercongeals.

Laterthatnight,afterI’dheardthesongIwaswonderingmoreaboutwhythatlyricstruck suchachordwithme.Imust’vecarriedonthinkingaboutitwellintobeinghalfasleep, becausewhenIwokeupIfoundthisscribbleddownonanotepadbymybed:

18thJanuary2006

Isawthepregnantladytoday.Shewasnolongerpregnant.WhenIsawhershelooked different,greyandnottotallyalive.Iamnotscaredofdeath,Iamnotscaredofphysical pain...butmentalanguishterrifiesme,andIhaveneverseenanotherpersonwiththatamount ofpsychologicalpainradiatingfromthem.Butatthesametime,shelookedcalmerthanme, likeshewasattheeyeofthestormandIwastheonewithmyroofbeingblownoff.I wonderedhowlongitwouldtakeforhertojustblowawayinherownstorm.

{Memory2:Mum}lastApril,Mumcalled.Iusually returnhercallsbecauseshe’savery nicewoman,despiteheremotionalinstability.Ididn’tpickupthephone,butwhenIfinally didIsnappedatherbecauseofhowmuchshewascalling,IapologisedrightafterbutIdidn’t reallyforgivemyself.MumandDadgotdivorcedwhenIwas13andshe’sneverhadanother boyfriendapartfromthatguywhotriedtostealfromherbackin‘99.Becauseofthis,she alwayscallssothatshecanfeelalittlelesslonely.ShepretendsthatI’mnotdoingwellon

32 actuallyaslittleasIthought,they'resoloudthatIcan’thelpbutgivethemtheattentionI’d givesomeoneonmylevel.‘Mylevel’MegenuinelybelievingthatI’monadifferentlevelto everyoneelseisprobablyanissue,butifthelittlepeoplestayintheirownworldthenIdon’t havetoworryaboutthemnoticing.That,ofcoursecomesatacost:Icanhavenooneelsesee howclose-mindedIamattheexpenseofconstantlybeingsuffocatedinmyownhead,devoid ofanyrealinteraction,lyinginmybedzoomingintomyownbrainuntilIcan’tlook anymore.UntilI’mdisgusted.Itriedtotakeanapwhentheneighboursstoppedshoutingfor awhile,butIkeptthinkingaboutthepregnantlady.Idon’tintendtosleepatalltonight.

19thJanuary2006

Ididn’tthinkaboutthebusstopinthenight,Icouldn’t.Yes,it’sembarrassingthatastranger putmeoffdoingwhatIlovemost,butit’sagoodopportunityforme.IfIaminadifferent environmentthenIcanhaveaclearerviewofpasteventsthattookplacebecauseI’mnotat theplacewheretheyalloccurred.ToquoteMallory:“Youonlyrealisehowgrosslyingina puddleiswhenyoustandupandrealiseitwasapuddleofpiss.”

Ididn’tgotothebusstoptoday,nordidIsleep.Stayingupallnightisweird,becauseyou feelgreatuntiltheafternoonhitsyoulikeatrainandyoudon’tfeelentirelyawakeoreven alive.It’slikesomesortoftimeless,derealisedhangover.I’vebeenthinkingaboutthenighta lotlately,thedayisdissectedandarrangedbasedontimeand,tobefair,soisthenighttime… butwhentheskydoesn'tchangefor5hours,andmostpeopledon’tevenmoveinthattime,it feelslikeitsownworld.But,italsoscaresme,becausewhenwe’reallasleep,allvulnerable, itmakesmefeelasifI’mjustlikeeveryoneelse,likeI’m oneofthem.Thatscaresmeina waythatismorefascinatingthan anything thatcanhappenduringtheday.

Iwasoriginallyjustgoingtowriteaboutthebusstopandmetaphorsaboutpiss,butIrealised thatIhaven’treallywrittenaboutwhathappenedbeforemybusstopobsession.Ifeelbadfor organisingmyexperienceslikethis,butIonlyhavesomuchinkleftinmypen…I eventuallydecidedon3memories.

{Memory1:thefight}2yearsand15daysago,Isawafightacrossthestreetbetween2 people.Ididsomeresearch;mainlythroughawkwardlyacquiringgossipandreadinglocal newsarticles,andIknowthattheirnameswereRobertTruhamandAdamTaylor.Isawthem fightingatexactly11:00atnight,IrememberthatRobertthrewthefirstpunch,despitewhat peoplesaid.Ieventuallygotboredandwenthometobed,andwhenIwokeupIfoundout thatRoberthadbeenkilledasaresultofthatfightescalating.Itwasareallystrangefeeling... watchingthemfightwaslikewatchingamovie;itscaresyoubutyouknowitisn’treal.I startedgoinghomeearlierafterthat.

{Memory3:Geneva}Backin1994,whenIwasabout12,ImetthisgirlnamedGeneva.She wasprobablythereasonIrealisedwhowasalittlepersonandwhowasn’t.Irememberone dayweweredoingascavengerhuntonthelastdayofschool,andwewereputintogroupsof three.ThethirdgirlwenttothebathroomandmeandGenevajustsatthere.Wejustsatthere becausewefeltsafearoundoneanother,sheradiatedanenergyofloveandsafetyI’dnever seeninanyoneelse,shewasperfect.Whilewewerewaitingfortheothergirltocomeback fromthebathroomsheturnedtome“Hey.Haveyoueverranawayfromhome?”Ishookmy head“I’mgonnarunaway,youknow,”Shelookedaway“No,Ididn’tknowthat…”She reachedintoherpocketandgavemeabracelet.

myownsothatshecanlieaboutnotbeingdependentonherownson,andIthinkshe’s startedtobelieveit.Shesaysthatsheworriesaboutme,andI’msureshedoes,butIknow thatisn’twhyshecalls.

33

Toreadtherestofthestorygotohttps://issuu.com/youthzine2021

“Okay.Look,Idon’tknowyou,butyouseemnice.Youcannevertellanyonewhathappened here.”Andthenshejust…ranoff.Sheranpastthetreesandjumpedthefence,andthatwas it.Itdoesn’tsoundasamazinginwriting,butthat'susuallyhowthesethingsgo.Thesimplest thingsarethemostmemorable.Weweren’tallowedtotalkaboutitatschool,theteachers neededtodowhattheydidbest;forcewhattheywantedinsteadofusingtrustandrespect. Weonlygotaskedafewquestions,wewerekidsafterall.Theyneverfoundher.

Thesculptureshavebeen createdbyartiststobring tolifetherealityand impactoftheTransatlantic Tradeandinvitethepublic toengagewiththedialogue andactionsofmaking racialjusticeareality.

WemetwithKaren GallagherandMaleka Egeonu-RubyfromThe WorldReimaginedproject, toexploreour understandingofthe TransatlanticSlaveTrade andsetusinmotionfor creatingaglobedesign.

34 THEWORLDREIMAGINED SEESTRAILSOFOVER100LARGEGLOBESTRUCTURES INSEVENCITIESACROSSTHEUK FROM13AUGUST–31OCTOBER2022 INCLUDINGTHELIVERPOOLCITYREGION.

TheSerialCultureeditorial teamworkedwiththeir facilitatorwhoalso happenstobeanartist, MegDeMartocreateoneof theLearningGlobes.

Thefinalresultison displayatStMaries ChurchinWidnes (HeritageHQ)untiltheend ofOctoberandwill eventuallyreturntoThe StudioWidnes.

35

ArtistMegDeMarsaid: “Theprojectwasafun collaborationwith contributionsfromnotonly SerialCulture,buttheGlow group,StudioAssociates, artistRachelPrimeandeven Oliviawhohadcomeintodo workexperience,butjustso happenedtobeafabartist. OurGlobeisaninsightinto Halton’shistoricallinkswith theSlaveTrade,lookingat thesupplyofsoaptoclean thecottonthatslavespicked andanattemptofevadinga CivilWarblockadethatwent verywrong.Wealldiscovered somethingnewabout Halton’sheritageanditwas greattobeinvolvedina countrywideprojecttobe partofthedifficult conversationaroundracial injusticeinBritain.Itwas alsoachancetobeinspired byandcelebratethemusic, poetryandartthathascome fromit.”

LARRISSABURTON

Tryingairdryingmodellingclay

ThissummerIwantedtotry usingnewmaterialsand mediumsandIdecidedtoput my12.5kgbagofair-drying modellingclaytogooduse. Versatileandeasytouse,I decidedtomakecandlestick holdersasIhadrecently boughtsomenicecandles. Candleshaveoftenbeena staplewithinthehome,the perfectgifttoaddafragrant smelltoyourhome,asimple tealightormoredecorative piececanaddwarmthandlight toahomecreatingarelaxing atmosphere. Maybethisiswhyduringand afterthepandemiccandle salesandproductssimilarto candlessuchasdiffusersand essentialoilshavejumped. Spendingmoretimeathome hasledthenationtovaluetheir

36

homesanditsinteriormore thaneverwhichexplainsthe riseindecorativepiecessuch astealights,candlesticksand candelabras–usedtodisplay andholdyourcandles. Idecidedtodesignandcreate myowncandlestickholders sincebuyingsomenew candlesandwantingtobeable todisplaythemwithinmy room.Iwantedtocreatesome piecesthatweremodernand unique,andwouldfitwiththe aestheticofmyroom.Ilooked tomagazinesformodernand contemporaryshapes,colours andpatternsforinspirationto influencemydesignofthe candleholders.

Idecidedtouseroundshapes andcurvaturewithinmy pieces.Workingwithclaywas newformebutthemediumis funtoexperimentwith.I wantedtocreatehandmade candleholdersasIwanted somethinguniqueratherthan shopboughtandmass produced.Iusedairdrying claytoolstohelpshapeand mouldtheclayandadd additionaldetailandtextures butnospecialtoolsarereally necessaryinsteadyoucould useacocktailstickorpaint brushandthesewillworkjust aswell.

Keepingitdampusingwater isimportantwhilstshapingthe claywithyourhands.From experienceIfoundthatthe claycanbecomeverydelicate oncedriedespeciallywith smaller,thinpieces,theycan breakeasily. Iwouldrecommendtrying largerpiecesthatwillbemore

durableandeasiertowork with.Makesuretheclayis completelydrybefore attemptingtopaint,thiscould takeafewdaysdependingon sizeandtemperature.

It'salsoagoodideatoapply aclearglossvarnishorpva gluetosealit,thiscreatesa resistancetowaterand protectstheporousclay piece.

Oncedried,Icarefullysanded mycandleholdersdownto createasmoothsurface readyforthepainttobe applied.Iusedapaintbrush togentlyremoveanydustor residue.Iusedmyacrylic paintsasIwantedmy candleholderstobecolourful andfun.

Istartedoffbycreatinga whitebaseandworkingover incolour,Idilutedthepaint withwatertocreateathinner paintconsistency,thiswas easiertoapply.

37

VPETJulysawthegrandre-openingofVictoriaParkButterfly House.

38

Whilstthehousehasbeenclosed,theirgroupofvolunteershave beenworkinghardbehindthescenescreatingabeautifulcommunity gardenandhostingaseriesofeventsusingtheircommunityspace, intheglasshouseattachedtothebutterflyhouse.

Oskar,KirbyandRubyfromthe SerialCultureteam,tookatrip downtotheButterflyHouseto meetartistSarahGallagherHayes,whohasbeenhostinga seriesofbamboomodelling workshopsandhaveagoof makingsomethingthemselves. Theystartedwithasmall weavingbamboopieceandthey progressedtoagiantstructure takingupahugesectionofthe communitygarden.

39 “Buildingbamboostructureswas completelynewtome,butwasextremely fundespitechallengesingettingthe hangofthetechniqueatfirst.”-Oskar Thezineteamthengotasneakpeek behindthescenesatthebutterfliesas theystartedtoemerge,pupaewriggling around. “Havingtheopportunityto witnessthenewbutterflies wasamazing-theywere beautifulandseeingthem socloseupfeltvery special.”-Oskar Tofindoutthe openingtimesofthe Butterflyhouse,you canfindthemon FacebookVPET& ButterflyHouse.

40 WELOOKFORWARDTOSEEING WHATMAGICYOUCREATE. GET INVOLVED! SerialCultureisaplaceforyourstoriesandyourart! Wecanfeatureyoursketches,painting,photography,graphic designs;whateveryourartformis,wewanttoseeit!Share withusyourpoems,shortstoriesorarticles. Beentoa GIG,PLAY,SHOW,EXHIBITION,EVENT? Sendusyourreview. Needsomeassistance? Wecaninterviewyouaboutyourlifeexperiences. Wecanfeatureorganisationsthathavesupportedyouasa youngperson. Wecanshineaspotlightonyourcharitableandcommunity activitiessuchasraisingfundsandcollectingforfoodbanks. WhateveryourCultureiswecangiveyouaplatform. serialculturezine@gmail.com AwordfromtheeditorMegDeMar

41 SerialCultureZine OriginStory! SerialCulturezinehasbeencreatedtoprovideapla�ormforthe youngpeopleofHaltonaged11-25tosharetheirartwork,cultural ac�vityandlifestyleloves. ThroughHaltonBoroughCouncil’syouthprovisionprogramme,young peoplerespondedtooursurveyandcalloutforcontributors.Asmall teamhasdevelopedthezinefromscratchwithalargercommunityof youngcontributors.Theeditorialteamchangesandgrowsasthezine reachesmorepeople,wewelcomethosewhowanttostayforthe wholeprojectorjustaddanar�cleeverynowandthenoraoneoff. Ifyouwanttoaddyourculturalvoiceandartworkcontact serialculturezine@gmail.com Theviewsexpressedarethoseofthecontributors. LOOSEhasbeencrea�ngopportuni�esforthepeopleofHaltonto perform,record,shareanddevelopcrea�velysince1997.In2010 LOOSEopenedTheStudioinLaceyStreet,Widnes.Thiscommunity venueishometoavarietyoffundedcommunityandyouthfocused artandculturebasedprojects.Itisalsohometopartner organisa�ons,communitygroupsandcollegecourses.Tofindout whatwecurrentlyoffer,orsuggestaprojectoreventyourselfvisit: www.thestudiowidnes.org.uk

42 COVERARTELI