Aesthetica Magazine Issue 31

October / November 2009

This issue of Aesthetica explores some of the most exciting events happening in the contemporary art world. Opening in October at Baltic, Parrworld dives into the mind of Martin Parr, while Tate Modern surveys Pop Art through Pop Life: Art in a Material World, and in Paris as part of FIAC, a new group show, Contemporary Art from the Middle East opens. Finally, esteemed make-up artist, Alex Box, celebrates the body as a canvas. In film, Born in ‘68 examines the era of free love, and also a look at Aesthetica’s new opportunity for filmmakers. While in music, we explore the changing music industry and chat with Seattle rockers, Telekinesis!. Also, a preview of In the Spirit of Diaghilev at Sadler’s Wells this autumn. And finally, a chat with American author Keith Donohue and an extract of the fabulous novel Black Water Rising by Attica Locke. This issue celebrates creative impulses, innovation and exploration.

The Einstein Girl

Two young boys find a girl naked and close to death in the woods. The only clue to the girl’s identity is a ticket she was clutching for admission to an Albert Einstein lecture.

Cold Earth

Cold Earth tells the story of six graduate archaeologists who enlist to excavate the ruins of the Norse Greenlanders who mysteriously disappeared.

Edward Carpenter: A Life of Liberty and Love

In an illuminating study, the often forgotten figure of Edward Carpenter is revealed as a precedent for modern sexual and social liberation.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Audrey Niffenegger has returned with a powerful and rewarding story of two sets of twins and their relationships – how can you be both the same and different?

Re-enchanting Everyday Life

Exploring the connection between human emotion and divine intervention, contemporary fantasy Angels of Destruction considers the ability of art and imagination to create new worlds.

Attica Locke

In conversation with Attica Locke.

Innovation & Collaboration for 21st Century Ballet

Evoking the ethos of the Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev, Sadler’s Wells contextualises today’s artists, designers and composers, within the sphere of modern performance.

My Robot Friend

Energetic, fun, edgy, catchy and alive, Soft Core, is a delightful record. Two year’s in the making, it’s the third album from the band based in New York City.

A.A. Bondy

Creating a real buzz around his music, A.A. Bondy has legions of fans like Bon Iver and Low Anthem. On the same label as Andrew Bird, Bondy is in good company.

Portico Quartet

At times this is avant-garde jazz at its befuddling best, where the twang of guitars is interspersed with oboes, violins, drums and the calls of gulls.

Efterklang & The Danish National Chamber Orchestra

In 2008, Efterklang teamed up with The Danish National Chamber Orchestra to perform their original work to a capacity audience at Koncerthuset in Copenhagen.

Phil Kieran

Kieran’s background as DJ, producer and film-score creator for Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience, means that Shh doesn’t sound like a debut album.

Samara Lubelski

Lubelski has a voice of calm, serene with textbook energy, simplicity at heart, and with depth in each track; Future Slip is bound to become a staple.

The Geography of Dreams

Free and easy, impetuous, unaffected, inspired: from the very first guitar chord, Telekinesis! is imbued with hazy loveliness, which proves ridiculously infectious.

This CD Doesn’t Sell

The rack of plastic in HMV may be getting dusty as downloads become the norm. The effects on the industry are far from subtle, but change inspires innovation.

Make Art: Make Films

Aesthetica launches the International short Film Competition, with cash prizes up for grabs and screening opportunities. It has never been a better time to get your camera out and start shooting.

1968:Rebellion & Free Love

Reminiscing on 40 years of free love, political protest, family values and social unrest, Born in ‘68 focuses on the humanity of the late 20th Century epoch.

Julian Stallabrass

Julian is a writer, photographer, art critic, curator and lecturer. His primary focus is on the effects of politics, and the economy on contemporary art and New Media.

The Body is a Canvas

Challenging the boundaries of art and fashion, Alex Box’s inaugural exhibition fuses figures from the artist’s imagination onto the face.

Contemporary Art from the Middle East

Images of the Middle East often leaving a negative impact on the viewer. Daniela da Prato challenges stereotypes, and invites us to reconsider cultural preconceptions.