Thursday, September 13, 2012

Vignetting Vic Exhibition


I am, by no means, a bonafide photographer. I can, however, take a good shot or two and have been using film cameras for the last year or so. So far, Lomography cameras have been my weapon of choice, because they're easily attainable, simple to use and oh so freaking cute. I was lucky enough to have a photo of mine selected recently for a Lomo Australia exhibition, which focussed on images of the great state of Victoria and is currently running at the No Vacancy Project Space at Federation Square. 

My baby, Pins
I, of course, had to attend the opening party last night, which featured a lot (and I mean A LOT) of cool customers, bevs and really really impressive images (all within a really really tiny space). Despite mutterings of 'hipsters', 'shit cameras and shit photos', it was an overall fun vibe, with flashes going off and polaroids being given away. No doubt these 'other' people needed to loosen the buttons on their work shirt, be grateful for the free booze and shut the fuck up.

Me and my baby
I haven't shot a roll of film for a minute but am missing the process of shooting, forgetting, remembering, developing and being pleasantly surprised. For an anxious person, film photography can be like yoga or tai chi or Xanax. It's therapeutic and forces you to practice patience and consideration. And the appreciation of that awesome shot that turns out unexpectedly - or the ability to accept all the failed attempts despite your best efforts and intentions - really is the ultimate payoff. Inadvertantly, it becomes something that brings you peace, relaxation, learning curves and excitement. 

Scoff if you like, it sounds wanky, I know. But it doesn't have to be film photography. Maybe your thing is pottery. Maybe it's cycling. Maybe it's customising high-heeled hooker boots. Fuck, who cares. There's always that thing that allows you to escape, explore and create. This is mine.

If you're in this wonderful city, definitely take a minute to check out the space. Check out the venue and exhibition info after the jump.

K.x


Sunday, September 9, 2012

An excerpt from...

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer



'I wonder in my Nothingness moments if she's testing me...just to see what I'll do in response, she wants to know if I love her, that's all anyone wants from anyone else, not love itself but the knowledge that love is there.'

K.x

Friday, September 7, 2012

"I love you but you don't know what you're talking about"



I've never run away from home. Mainly because it probably wasn't the safest thing to do in my neighbourhood. And my parents would either have kicked my ass or locked the door behind me. But also because I'm sure it would never have been as magical as the two runaways' adventure in Wes Anderson's latest film Moonrise Kingdom.

Moonrise Kingdom is ridiculously endearing fun with just the right amount of dry humour, famous faces and indie soundtrack. All the sets, locations and costumes are so vintage, they border on kitsch. In short, it's every hipster's dream. But don't let that deter you, it's a beautiful film. 

Suzy (Kara Kayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman) seem to be two completely different personalities but are obviously drawn to each other by their shared outcast status. They fall in love and conspire to run away together, sparking a frantic search by Suzy's folks (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), Sam's scout leader (a super cute Edward Norton) and the town cop (Bruce Willis, like you've probably never seen him before). 


While the two young leads certainly steal the show, the stellar adult cast are hilarious in their respective roles. I honestly couldn't pick a favourite among them, they are all so committed to the absurdity of their characters. They're all so disaffected in some way and watching them look for themselves, whilst physically looking for the young fugitives, really appealed to my girlbrain. AND when you play that against the nostalgic yet fantastical 1960s New England setting, I had no hope - I was completely invested. 

I would liken this film to another of my favourite things - cupcakes. It's super manufactured in its cuteness, a little too excessive and unnatural but so fucking delicious that you will gladly stay seated until you've devoured the entire thing.

So if you, like Suzy Bishop, also love to get lost in magical worlds of adventure, you will surely love getting lost in Moonrise Kingdom. 

K.x


Saturday, September 1, 2012

Spring is in!


I don't like letting boys or weather toy with my emotions but I can't help it. It continues to happen and while I try my best to avoid matching my mood to the darkness of the clouds in the sky, I am not immune to the winter blues. I was born on a tropical island and brought up on the west coast of Australia - I was built for sunshine. And thank fuck it's finally Spring. Not that it matters between today and yesterday, as the weather was pretty much the same. And I'm sure within a week there will be a miserable day thrown in, because it's Melbourne and she's a fucking psycho.

Nonetheless, it is 'officially' Spring and I am geed. The promise of sunny summertime adventures is just around the corner and it is going to be glorious. In the meantime, I will work on my tan (and booty) during Spring when I can and eagerly await the days when the median temperature is 30 degrees. 

This summer will feature a lot of love, laughter and midriff. I can't fucking wait.

K.x