Aesthetica Magazine - The Cultural Arts Publication

INSIDE ISSUE 24
Out Now

Pop Art & Mass Culture
making sense of the modern world curated by Stuart Semple

Irvine Welsh
looking at the darker side of humanity

Docu-Fantasia
My Winnipeg: the new genre of documentary filmmaking by Guy Maddin

Defining the Art of Illustration
the debate surrounding contemporary visual culture

Also featuring
Faiza Guene
Games, Theory & Art
Denis Kehoe
Yoshitomo Nara + graf
Catherine Yass
Thea Gilmore
Underground Railroad
White Denim
Port O'Brien
motiroti
Forced Entertainment theatre

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A Look at Issue 24

Editor's Note
Inspiration is tricky. Sometimes you�re oozing with it, and at other times it's like a drip from a leaky tap. I find the best way to keep the creative juices flowing is to immerse myself in as many things as possible. Recently, I have signed up for a German class. I just love learning languages.

This summer has been brilliant, with so many festivals, exhibitions and events on the calendar. The more active or absorbent you are, the more inspired you will become. It seems simple and logical, but sometimes it's so easy to be "tired" and "worn-out," when all you want to do is flop down in front of the box, but I say resist the urge. In the end you'll feel much better for it.

Issue 24 of Aesthetica brings together some of the best new releases, features, views, previews and reviews from the most acclaimed contemporary works available at the moment. In this issue, you'll find interviews with Faiza Guene - the brilliant young French author, as well as the iconic Irvine Welsh.

In art, we have brought you the latest from Illustrative 08, Europe's foremost festival for illustration and graphic art. There is also an interview with Japanese artists, Yoshitomo Nara and graf, as well as a look at 80s Pop Art with Stuart Semple, Catherine Yass's new work High Wire, and finally Games and Theory at the South London Gallery.

This issue is jam-packed: also featuring Guy Maddin on his new film My Winnipeg and Motiroti on their new project 60x60. In music, there are reviews of the latest releases and interviews with Thea Gilmore, White Denim, Underground Railroad and Port O'Brien. In the theatre section, we have the usual round up of the five recommended productions this season, alongside an interview with dramaturge veteran, Tim Etchells from Forced Entertainment.

I am seriously excited about this issue. Be inspired with us this summer.

Cherie Federico, Editor.

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Inside

News: 'What are you looking at?' Tsang Kin-Wa's exhibition at the Chinese Art's Centre. 'Dead Innocent,' the return of Dan Baldwin. Colognes's off-show for Contemporary Art.

Writing: Irvine Welsh, 'Exploring controversy & exposing reality.' Faiza Guene, 'Untold stories, contrasting worlds & dreams.'

New Books: Denis Kehoe 'Nights Beneah The Nation'

Books Reviews: 'The Consequence of Love' by Sulaiman Addonia. 'Now You See Him' by Eli Gottlieb. 'Travel Writing' by Peter Ferry. 'Never Never' by David Gaffney. 'Unpolised Gem' by Alice Pung. 'Delirium' by Laura Restrepo.

Art: 'Defining the art of Illustration' Illustrative 08, Zurich. 'Games Theory & Art' a New Modern Perspective. 'Pop Art & Mass Culture' curated by Stuart Semple. 'Reality is what you make it' Yoshitomo Nara + graf. 'Personal dreams & social aspirations' Catherine Yass.

Music Interviews: Thea Gilmore 'Honesty and Intimacy,' Underground Railroad 'Transcending genres, maintaining momentum,' White Denim 'No ordinary pair of jeans,' Port O'Brien 'Raucous Sea-faring Anthems and Constant Collaboration.'

Music Reviews: Hjaltalin 'Sleepdrunk Seasons,' Mock Orange 'Capain Love,' Milosh 'iii,' Bowerbirds 'Hymns For a Dark Horse,' Jackie Leven 'Lovers A The Gun Club.'

Film: 'My Winnipeg' the Nostalgic, the Poinant and the Macabre, film by Guy Maddin, 'Motiroti' filmmaking and cultural dynamics.

Theatre: Experimental Theatre: Provoking Ideas from Forced Entertainment.

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