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Vol. 4 No. 1 Sept. 2011

Freshman Survival Guide

Richmond is Haunted... and How to Deal

A Nightmare on Main Street Photo Shoot

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Hi and welcome to the first issue of Ink for the 2011-2012 school year!

Whether you are familiar with Ink and pick up a copy every time for the

fashion, art, music, or student life segments, or new to the magazine

entirely, we promise to pack every issue full of fantastic art, music, and

culture, exciting surprises, and relevant content to keep you pouring over

each issue front-to-back.

In this issue we explore all things fascinating, spooky, and otherworldly,

from Halloween culture and the Richmond occult to Intellectual Hedonism,

becoming a flesh-eating zombie, and giant musical aliens’ role in the

fashion world. Check out our spreads on Halloween and the new

movement started by Max and Jason the hedonists through mediums like

Current TV, and don’t miss our amazing D.I.Y. zombie makeup tutorial,

and, last but not at all least, our D.I.Y. Halloween costume photo shoot featuring the lovely Oderus

Urungus (aka Dave Brockie), of GWAR.

If you are interested in contributing to the magazine, see the contact information on this page

and email us some of your work, or come to one of our weekly meetings at 7 pm on Mondays at

the Student Media Center. Also feel free to send in any thoughts, suggestions, and negative or

positive feedback. We hope everyone enjoys all the great things we have in store this semester!

Addison Herron-Wheeler

Executive Editor

LETTER FROM THE

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Amaris Lemus

Staff Writer

Rachel Maves

Art Director

Emily Eason

Managing Editor

Kelsey Wheeler

Staff Writer

David Osnoe

Staff Writer

Carlista Martin

Staff Writer

Lena Sinanian

Staff Writer

Teddy Gregson

Ad Director

Ink YC_2nd5.5.indd 2 9/5/11 1:47 PM

CAMPUS LIFE CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

ARTS & CULTURE

Ink MagazIneContact us!

VCU Student Media Center817 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220804.828.1058

LIke THe InTeRneT? So do we!

[email protected]

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Sicily Study Abroad

Rumor’s Anniversary Party

Freshman Survival Guide

Richmond Is Haunted

Halloween RVA

Hula Hoop

Intellectual Hedonism

D.I.Y.: Halloween Face Paint

Featured Musician: DJ Mike Phear

Featured Artist: Erik Fox

Reviews

Fashion: Oderus and Halloween

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CORReCTIOn Our Bad!In last issues’ “Ever-too-green story,” the woman referred to as Bonnie Davis, a VCU journalism professor, should have been Veronica Davis, Virginia Roots Director, Restoration Coordinator All Sites. Sorry for the mix-up!

Danielle Harvey

Takira Goss

Peter Pagan

Larisa Robinson

Shelby Mertens

Evelyn Escobar

Ismail Vera

Santos Ramos

Corey Johnson

Margaret Amonette Copy Editor

Rachel Kiscaden Photo Editor

Ying Cheng Graphic Designer

Unpictured Staff:

Santos

Staff Writer

Hunter Rye

Graphic Designer

Hannah Swan

Graphic Designer

Marleigh Culver

Graphic Designer

Shannon Ransom

Staff Writer

Amir Vera

Staff Writer

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Teddy Gregson

Ad Director

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campus life

Study Abroad:

Sicily

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Hannah.indd 4 9/5/11 2:27 PM

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campus life

“I feel it’s important to gain insights from other cultures, especially in an art field, in order to chal-lenge yourself to view things from an entirely new perspective.”

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Takira GossPhotos by Allyn Smith

Allyn Smith is a rising junior in the

Photography & Film Department at Virginia

Commonwealth University. Currently, he

is practicing still photography focusing

on experimental darkroom processes with

35mm black and white film stocks, as well

as experimental, short filmmaking with

16mm. “Studying abroad has always been a

huge aspiration of mine. I feel it’s important

to gain insights from other cultures, espe-

cially in an art field, in order to challenge

yourself to view things from an entirely new

perspective,” says Allyn. Needless to say,

the “Cinema in Sicily” program was perfect

for Allyn.

The program was held partly in a small

town called Noto in Sicily, then followed by

a week-long film festival in Taormina. The

students took 7 credits, which included a

World Cinema class, an International Stud-

ies class, and an Italian Language class.

Going into the program, his personal goal

was to further his insights into the world of

cinema by gaining the Italian perspective.

His passion for film is fairly new, one that

he discovered during his freshman year at

Virginia Commonwealth University in the

Art Foundations program. However, he is

already confident that this is the discipline

he wants to devote his life to.

“It would be such an immense privi-

lege to engage myself in this field of study

while surrounded by a culture which I am

unfamiliar with,” said Allyn just days before

his departure.

While in Italy, Allyn found that the

Sicilian culture was very different than the

typical American lifestyle. He describes

the people as “not having much, but not

wanting much either.” The culture is very

sensual and stress-free, which he said was

evident in their filmmaking. He described

the lifestyle as very “care-free.” When he

wasn’t busy with his schoolwork or sight-

seeing, he spent his days simply relaxing

on the beach, and cooling himself off in the

crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea when the

blistering sun became a bit overwhelming.

This would often be followed by a European

“When [Allyn] wasn’t busy with his schoolwork or sight-seeing, he spent his days sim-ply relaxing on the beach, and cooling himself off in the crystal-clear Medi-terranean Sea.”

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“siesta,” which is a short nap taken in the

afternoon, ending with a truly authentic

Italian meal and a glass of wine.

In addition to becoming lackadaisical in

the Mediterranean Sea, Allyn’s favorite part

of the program was the Taormina Film Fes-

tival. He was able to attend master classes

with very notable directors, actors, etc.

including Jack Black, Kevin Smith, Monica

Bellucci, and Oliver Stone.

The program also included a pass that

allowed him to view all the films that were

showing, which he took complete advan-

tage of. He felt this portion of the pro-

gram took his experience to the next level,

because now he was not only focusing on

cinema from an Italian perspective, but had

the opportunity to view work from contem-

porary filmmakers from all over the world.

His favorite films were Hawi, an arabic film

shot in Egypt by director Ibrahim El Batout,

and a french film entitled Sur la Planche

by director Leïla Kilani. Allyn described

the films as “innovative” using techniques

that he was unfamiliar with but found to be

very engaging. With this experience under

his belt, he plans to continue his journey in

filmmaking with aspirations to be an inde-

pendent filmmaker or an editor.

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contemporary issues

RumoR's AnniveRsARy PARty

Makes a Splash

On July 9th, Rumor’s held their fourth annual anniversary bash at Hadad’s Lake, home of the yearly Best Friends Day gath-ering. Consignment fashion enthusiasts gathered for a day of high-profile partying and fun in the sun.

campus life

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contemporary issuescampus life

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FRESHMAN

GUIDE

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campus life

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After previously eluding high school’s evil hall monitors, creepy lunch ladies, and enduring the woes brought upon by teachers, you have finally graduated. You’ve worked hard for this opportunity and you’re ready to take the next big step in your life: College. Ink Magazine wants to make sure you know the drill to survive your freshman year here at VCU. For the first time, you’re coming to a new place, living with a stranger in the dorms, and fending for yourself. Your first semester might feel like it’s too much to handle. Fear not: your acceptance letter is your ticket to better days.

Don’t lose sight of why you’re here. You can choose to go to class, or to sleep in. You have the choice to go to that party or do your homework. Nobody’s there to take you by the hand and force you to go to class. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t the easiest, but remember that you are here for an education. Skip the party if there’s an important deadline. Trust me, there will always be another party going on.

Carry around your VCU ID card.I know, I know. Responsibility. Who wants something extra to worry about, what with modern take-alongs such your phone, computer, keys… the list goes on. However, it's a wise choice to remember your card; You won't be able to access your dorm, print at the library, get local discounts from businesses, or ride the GRTC bus for free if you don't have your trusty little friend with you at all times.

Peter PaganCollage by Ying Cheng

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your VCU email address or through Blackboard. Checking your email at 2 a.m. could reveal a reminder from your professor about the upcoming quiz at 8 that you forgot to study for.

Explore Richmond. Don’t go home every weekend. VCU’s location makes it easy for you to explore the city. Don’t limit yourself to the campus the whole year. If you go home for the weekend, you’ll miss out on building relationships. Go out walking with a group of friends. Biking is also suggested for a faster, cheaper method to get around. Popular places like Maymont Park, Carytown, Shockoe Slip, Belle Isle, and Hollywood Cemetery are extremely close to VCU. if you don’t have your own set of wheels here on campus, try using Richmond’s public transit; the GRTC bus can get you from point A to point B quickly and easily.

There is more to life than Shafer Court. Sure, it's where EVERYONE seems to go between classes, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This might seem like a shocker, but Shafer love dies down after the first few months of school. Luckily, there are other dining options around campus to choose from. For instance, Bleecker Street Café is a great Shafer alternative. Located on the first floor of Snead Hall, Bleecker Street features a fresh, healthy sandwich menu. RamBucks, Dining Dollars, and meal swipes can be used at multiple locations such as the student commons, as Pizza Hut Express, Subway, and Chik-Fil-A.

Tuition will continue to rise, so get your money’s worth by taking advantage of VCU’s student resources. Remember that you’ve got everything you need at your fingertips; all you need to do is decide how you’re going to use it. Go to the Writing Center when you need help with your ten-page English paper. When you don’t know where to turn next, visit your adviser for guidance. Talk to your R.A. if you’re having roommate troubles. Oh, and try not to use all of your dining dollars the first month of school! •

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Make friends with your dorm security guards. Think twice before pissing off a dorm security guard, it could prove to make your life a living hell. You should know that these guards are also students, like you. However, the guards are required to sit down for 6 hour-shifts, endlessly watching a sea of students pass. The last thing you want is to create a situation or make yourself the source of any negative attention. One thing's for sure– you'll be seeing them again. Why not use that to your advantage? Talk to your security guards; give them a face to look forward to seeing during their horrendous shifts. Make sure they know your name. You never know when you might need that extra favor when you forget your ID for the third time. Otherwise, you’ll be watching helplessly as a guard writes you a temporary ID pass that will incur an extra $30 dollar fee in addition to your recently steepened student tuition. Nobody wants that.

Don’t buy books until the first week of class.Typically, professors will hand out a syllabus the first week of class that will let you know exactly what you need. Read reviews online to find out if the professor actually uses the textbook. This can be an easy opportunity for you to save some cash, as some tests are based solely on the notes taken during lecture.

Establish Connections. Now’s not the time to retreat into your shell. Be social and join clubs with friends. Make sure you talk to everyone you possibly can, even your professors. If you establish good relationships with your professors, they will be more open to helping you out. Professors love when you ask questions and interact during class discussions. Showing initiative to the right people could introduce you to great opportunities.

Make it a habit to check your VCU email address/Blackboard. This isn’t the Stone Age. Professors will send important reminders to you via

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contemporary issuescontemporary issues

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arts & culture

My mother bought me sage brush seeds to

grow in my college dorm. I told my good

friend, Scientific Illustration major Michelle

Sites, that I was going to burn them to be

rid of any evil spirits plaguing the former

hospital room I’d be staying in at VCU

this year. She hurried over to a shrine-like

side table in her living room and picked

up a tied bundle of them, blackened at

the edges, “Don’t bother. It just pisses

them off. Besides, the smoke smells like

marijuana.” As much as I would like to

have the “No officer I wasn’t smoking,

just trying to scare away the ghosts”

conversation, I came to the conclusion

that the living have the potential to be far

scarier than the dead.

Now if there’s any place that could host

a surfeit of spirits, Richmond has to be

one of them. Our 17th-century River

City is among the oldest established in

the United States. VCU is situated on

land once home to the Powhatan tribe,

the Revolutionary War, Civil War, slave

rebellions, 18th century gangs, and the

Industrial Revolution.

Melanie Willing, a Forensic Biology

major that lived in the old hospital dorm

reported, “my light would always randomly

start flickering and I was always kind of

creeped out by that.” Advertising major

Osama Eqbal, disclosed a more in depth,

chilling episode. “I was sleeping and heard

and felt someone standing over my bed.

It just stood there whispering and I was so

scared I couldn’t open my eyes.” These are

among several individuals that described

weird, glowing lights and felt chills, such

as at night in Hollywood Cemetery (not

naming names) and around campus.

Yet, for skeptics there is little evidence

backing the legitimacy of the paranormal,

superstition, and ESP (extrasensory

perception). Take international magician

and escape artist James Randi. He

attempted to denounce ‘psychic power’

by putting up a 1 million dollar prize for

anyone that could see an aura from over

a brick wall. To my knowledge, no one has

earned that money.

But one thing is for certain: many of life’s

events are inexplicable. I could attempt

to rout this oxymoron, but I’d rather burn

marijuana-smelling sage brush and call it

a night. •

Richmond and how to deal with it

is Haunted......

contemporary issues


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contemporary issues

Halloween RVA Changing leaves, cooler temperatures,

and pumpkin spice lattes are just some of

the things I love about Fall. The semester

has begun and most students are working

to establish a routine to help deal with

classes, sports, jobs, and their social lives.

After all, the life of a college student

can be a little hectic. Students need

something to look

forward to, and

what could be

better than

Halloween?Since the days of trick-or-

treating are behind us, the chance to

go out with friends and get dressed up

is enough cause to celebrate. Luckily,

because we are in Richmond, VCU

students have a variety of options to

choose from.

Students love Halloween because

we have the opportunity to put on a

costume and be someone else for a night

or two. Originally, this holiday was a

combination of ancient religious practices

and European folk tradition. In the 19th

century, though, Halloween lost its

religious connotation and became focused

around activities such as trick-or-treating,

parades, costume parties, and other

means of celebration. Now that it’s time

to trade in our jackets and boots for

costumes, deciding where to go or

what to do is the next step.If the idea

of experiencing a haunted house

intrigues you, then try making it to

Edgewood plantation on the James

River. This haunted plantation was

even featured on the show Ghost

Busters. The story goes that

Lizzie Rowland was waiting

for her fallen lover to return

from the Civil War. Her spirit

still haunts the grounds

along with other ghosts from

the past. Haunted tours

are $10.00, and they are

available from September

through October.

Another event to

consider participating in would

be the Carytown Zombie Walk.

The 7th annual Zombie Walk will be

on Saturday, October 29. If you

can’t wait for the walk, there is a pre-

walk event held at Byrd Park. There will

be prizes awarded for the most convincing

zombies, such as most disgusting, best

group theme, and 2011 zombie of the

year. The dead have returned and they

will be eager for some new victims, so

proceed with caution on your journey.

If some of your favorite memories of

Halloween were sharing ghost stories, then

check out Haunts of Richmond Walking Ghost

Tours. This nighttime event

encompasses four different tours,

including Shadows of Shockoe,

Haunted Capitol Hill, Church

Hill Chillers, and Spirits & Spirits

Haunted Pub Crawl. These ghost

tours occur through the end of October

and are $13.00 when you purchase

tickets in advance. Each individual tour

offers something different. For example,

Shadows of Shockoe allows you to explore

one of the most haunted neighborhoods

in Richmond. The stories you hear about

The Old Stone house or Civil War hospitals

make this ghost walk truly unique. On

Friday nights, tour Haunted Capitol Hill

and be shocked to discover elected

officials and security guards aren’t the

only ones roaming the halls at night. If

you’re free on a Saturday night, check

out the Church Hill Chillers tour and

investigate the eerie past of the Church

Hill neighborhood. For the over 21 crowd,

the Spirits & Spirits Pub Crawl, held on the

third Wednesday of the month, might be a

good option for you. Bring a friend along

and visit some of the most haunted pubs

in Richmond.

After a long week of classes and other

activities, students need a little

break. Located in the Shockoe Slip

neighborhood is the Fishbowl Bar &

Bistro. There is never a dull moment at

Fishbowl with events such as karaoke

Wednesday and music by DJ’s ALX and

JINXX on the weekend..

Fishbowl has food ranging from fried

calamari to chicken quesadilla’s and

everything in between. For those of you

who are over 21, try

their notorious fish bowl punch or

longboard tea. Regardless of your reason

for going, the goal is to relax and have

some fun with friends.

No matter what Halloween activities

you choose to take part in, Richmond is

the place to be. One of the many things

that make this city so great is the diversity.

At VCU we not only have different types

of people, but also various activities for

students to participate in. From haunted

houses and zombie walks to restaurants

and bars, this Halloween will be a

memorable one. After all, we don’t work so

hard in school for nothing. So enjoy your

chance to celebrate this holiday and maybe

be someone else, even if it’s just for a

little while. •

by Danielle Harvey

art by Rachel Maves


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contemporary issues

It is amazing how such a simple object,

a piece of plastic, could do so much good

for your body and even your mind. The

hula hoop has been used as a form of

dance, ritual and games since throughout

time. There is a depiction on a vase in the

Louvre of a man using a hoop and during

the 14th century, it was apparently used

for medical and even religious purposes.

However, its use became Americanized

officially in 1957 when it was mass

produced by the Wham-o toy company,

when two friends, Richard Knerr and Spud

Melin, were inspired by Australian bamboo

exercise hoops. This mass production

worked and now the hula hoop continues

to be used as a wonderful form of fitness,

dance, and much more.

There are so many different forms of

hooping and the possibilities for tricks and

techniques make the whole process of

learning very exciting and fun. The hoop

can improve your flexibility, help relieve

stress, and of course, burn calories. Just

an hour of playing with a hula hoop can

burn 400 to 600 calories, and it is very

easy to keep hooping for hours. The hula

hoop also has excellent use in meditation,

the rhythmic flow of the hula hoop can be

used as a tool to help ease your mind and

Go with the flow

trust your body. With a few some simple

tricks and lots of practice, hula hooping

can easily help in improving your body,

your mind, and your self-esteem.

First off, regular stance is the most

important thing to learn, and it’s also

quite easy. Just make sure your feet are

at a comfortable distance apart, about

at length with your shoulders. Using your

hips, push the hoop off either right of left,

depending on which side you are stronger

with, and move in little circles along with

the rhythm of the hoop. If it begins to

wobble, just use your body to push the

hoop back into rhythm.

Isolation is another fun trick that helps

improve your arm muscles in major ways,

and it is one of the more cool-looking

tricks, too! First off, with your fist facing

inwards, hold the hoop in front of you

bent at the elbow. Think of your arm as a

hand on a clock, and with that in mind, pull

the hoop downwards, tracing where the

different points would be on a big clock,

3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9’clock, midnight. As

soon as you get to the point where you

cant twist your wrist, let the hoop go and

pass over the top of your hand, and there

you go!

Revolving door is a super easy trick

that can help with balance, timing, and is

also a great arm workout. With the hoop

over your head and your hands in a prayer

stance, take one hand and flick the hoop

down in front of you. Make sure you bend

your back a tad and give the hoop some

room to revolve.

Hooping is also a fun way to exercise

your thighs, your hamstrings and even

your calves with a simple leg trick. All you

do is use the rhythm of the hoop and your

leg muscles to push in little circles with

either your left or right leg. Remember,

you must practice and decide which flow

is most comfortable for you.

Escalator is another really cool trick

that can be fun to use in hoop dancing

and workouts alike. Start off with the hoop

hooked on one leg, then with your hand,

push the hoop up from your leg. As you

do this, pick up your other leg so the hoop

has a clean path. When it passes your

bent leg, make sure you have a hand up

and ready to catch the hoop or it will fly

off. After some practice, this trick can add

a little flair to your hoop flow. •

by Emily Eason

photos by Rachel Kiscaden

The hoop can

improve your

flexibility, help

relieve stress,

and of course,

burn calories. ”

“


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campus life

WHYDO WE WORK SO HARD?

WHY

A look into American HedonismDavid Osnoe

Illustration by Rachel Maves

I have asked myself many times now if

any of this is worth it. The grueling col-

legiate schedule, the money problems, the

expectations combined with the difficult

task of trying to be social and go out on

the weekends, all make for a stress filled

existence for most of us. So is it worth it?

When Max Lugavere and Jason Silva asked

this same question, “Why do we work

so hard?” they came up with their own

evocative (and provocative) answer. The

almost inevitable explanation seems to be

that we do what we do in order to at some

point enjoy ourselves. To have fun, to make

love, to live excessively. This lifestyle has a

name: Hedonism, but the ideology has been

reborn with Max & Jason, and its reincarna-

tion is quickly and quietly becoming known

as Neohedonism.

Neohedonism is partly the belief that we

are here on planet Earth to enjoy ourselves

rather than to suffer. Why should existence

be harsh and grueling? Technological

advances have increased life span, leisure

time, and opportunities for work and play,

so why not use what is available to us? Why

not enjoy ourselves as much as we can? I’m

not talking excessive drug abuse or alcohol

consumption and neither are Max & Jason,

rather we should be striving to end all hu-

man suffering in order to achieve the next

level of human evolution.

So how do Max & Jason fit into Neohe-

donism? At the University of Miami, these

two tan, brash young men created the

documentary Textures of Selfhood, an ex-

perimental film about Hedonism & spiritual

awakening. The documentary, at 12 minutes

long, deals thematically with indulgence,

and while detractors call it the pursuit of

Grecian Frat-boy ideals, the core query re-

mains: Is our Puritanical cultural perspective

keeping us from pursuing deeper spiritual

realities? After submitting the film to Cur-

rent TV, David Neuman, the President of

Programming called to offer them their own

talk show which covers a wide range of

topics from illegal immigration to philoso-

phy. They recently sat down with Darren

Aronofsky, the director of Requiem for a

Dream, The Fountain and Black Swan. Since

WHY


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campus life

then, both Max & Jason have enjoyed a

near iconic status while being provided the

means to explore Neohedonism as a philo-

sophical movement. Americans, however,

still seem to view Hedonism in general with

a vague, skeptical mistrust. How can we end

human suffering, and wasn’t Hedonism the

cause of the Fall of the Greeks? Neohedo-

nism, as espoused by British philosopher

David Pearce, is an ethical rather than

physical imperative. Rather than endlessly

satisfying our phyiscal desires, Neohedonism

calls for abolishing human suffering as it

exists today, with the technology and tools

now available to us. Max & Jason are taking

it a step further and asking: why not ALSO

have fun? What is life but the pursuit of

feeling good? They are using the interactive

medium of Current TV to work towards not

only exploring questions about the purpose

of human existence but a myriad of other

subjects, from fame as it exists today to

the state of American media. The boys are

working towards creating what they call,

“smartertainment” AKA television content

that has more meaning than an episode of

Jersey Shore and less bias than Fox News.

Real information packaged documentary

style and presented in ten minute “pods” has

been Current TV’s claim to fame.

Our generation understands that an

idea is only as good as the vehicle in which

it is delivered in. Your poster project may

be filled with important information and

fresh facts, but if it’s a gluey mess then

no one is going to give it the attention it

deserves. That is how Current TV fits into

Max & Jason’s quest for discovery and

dissemination. We shed our generational

complacency with the status quo with

the election of Barack Obama and have

become content providers on an individual

level, which makes for a massive amount of

data production. Which brings us back to

Neohedonism.

The big idea is this: with todays tech-

nological advancements, why do we still

suffer? Shouldn’t we be basking in the glory

of our achievements? The end of disease

looms, new applications for science are

constantly being formulated and mean-

while must we grind ourselves to dust? The

resounding answer is: No. We can take time

to have fun and in fact we must utilize these

moments as much as we can to enjoy our-

selves because to be frank: our time is lim-

ited. Instead of holding back we must move

forward with fresh ideas, bold actions and

meaningful experiences. We do not have to

live in the past nor must we be slaves to the

future because our time is now. •

“We do what we do in

order to at some point

enjoy ourselves. To

have fun, to make love,

to live excessively.”

campus life


ink18

arts & culture

Zombies are always a popular idea for

Halloween. The makeup is affordable, the

styles are endless and let’s face it, they’re

cool. You can make zombies look as

morbid, bloodied or traditional as desired.

This particular look is more of a flesh-

eating zombie, which means more cuts,

bruises and fake blood.

Face and Eye Materials:Fingers (the easiest and most effective

tool for blending) Small brush (can

be a pointed paint brush for small-

detailed work)

Any cheap makeup kit found at the

drugstore on Halloween (Must contain red,

maroon, dark blue, green)

Stippling brush or sponge (easy to find in

the drugstore by cosmetic sponges)

Wax (any costume store has wax for

around $4.00) OR 2-ply Toilet Paper with

Liquid Latex

Step One: On clean skin, use white face paint (any

type of cream or liquid base) to adhere to

the skin for the pale skin look zombies are

known for. To create an undead look, using

your fingers dab maroon, green and blue

makeup on the cheekbones to create a

sullen look.

For the eyes, I like to start with the basics

and add on later for a deeper look within

the eye sockets. Using blue, maroon and a

hint of green, dab underneath the eye and

up into the eye bed.

FLESH-EATING

ZOMBIE HOW-TO

FOR OCTOBER 2011

By Victoria Kremer

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arts & culture

Step Two:The cuts can be created two different

ways. One way is with wax, and a cheaper

alternative is toilet paper, which can be

rolled into a rounded shape and applied

to the skin with liquid latex or even basic

Elmer’s non-toxic glue.

Wax is easier because it adheres directly

to the skin. In a rolling motion, create the

look of the scar you would like. It can be

as big or as small as you want. I included

two (forehead and cheek) for a more

realistic look.

Step Three:After the cuts are applied, using the red

and maroon makeup, lightly outline

the scars for a bloodied look. Add as much

blood as you would like surrounding

the cut.

The key is to make the cut look as if

it is decaying. Next use green

lightly to fill in the scar for an infected

look. Around the cut, use a mixture

of blue and maroon for a bruised and

bloodied effect.

Step Four:Using the stippling brush or sponge,

lightly dab a mixture of red and maroon

around the mouth and upward toward

the cheek. This will create a look of blood

around the mouth.

By this point, I like to add more blue to the

eyes to make them look more undead

and bruised. I would not recommend

going too dark for this because it will

distract from the main attraction, which

is the rotting cuts.

Step Five:For the finishing touch, fake blood is a

must. This is an easy concoction, which

can be made from basic kitchen items.

Fake Blood Materials:

1/2 cup of light corn syrup

10 drops of red food coloring

2 drops of blue food coloring

2 teaspoons of dry Oatmeal

2 teaspoons of Cornstarch

The Cornstarch will add a thicker texture

to the corn syrup, which will help stick to

the skin. The Oatmeal will give the look

of chunks of flesh to the blood. Dab fake

blood around mouth, going down to the

neck area to complete the look. Overall,

it is okay to not be so precise with this

look. It is okay to be sloppy in application.


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arts & culture

It isn’t hard to notice the ever-present

influence that electronic music, like

dubstep and drum ‘n’ bass, has had on the

Richmond music scene. It’s unique sound

and use of sampling gives an entirely new

perspective to music, and brings together

a community that has developed a love

affair for dubstep, based on the fact that

it is completely different from all other

music genres, and has that dancey sound

that anyone can get down to!

When it comes to the local Richmond

dubstep scene, of course you must

mention the grimy genius that is DJ Mike

Phear from Steez Promo! In only a couple

of short years, Richmond resident Mike

Phear has truly made a name for himself

within this electronic phenomenon.

After being noticed by Steez Promo, a

promotional company, his talent and local

fame have become nearly untouchable.

He has opened for many inspiring

electronic artists like Zed’s Dead, Reid

Speed, Skrillex, AK1200, and 12th Planet,

just to name a few. DJ Mike Phear is

definitely a sight to be seen, with his

charismatic stage appearance and obvious

love for his music and his fans. This artist

truly has a passion for entertainment, and

his sets are always out-of-this-world, so if

you think you can handle it, do yourselves

a favor and check DJ Mike Phear for an

unreal dubstep experience! •

Featured Musician: DJ Mike PhearBy: Emily Eason

arts & culture

Photos curtesey of Steez Promo


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by Margarete Amonette

1. Who (or what) are your biggest

inspirations?

Honestly, I'm most inspired by the people

I've been able to work with in doing what

I do. Danny Tiet was the guy who first got

me started in live show photography, and

he's been in the game doing great work

longer than anyone I know. Todd Raviotta,

also known as Natural Science, is another

photographer whose incredibly unique

work has inspired me to experiment with

what I can do with photography. Also, local

shop owners Casey Longyear and Marshe

Wyche (Rumors Boutique), have always

been my models in creating and running

an independent brand and business. The

guys of Audio Ammo, a local DJ crew,

have also been huge inspirations and

influences, especially in falling in love with

electronic music.

2. Do you always see yourself working out

of Richmond? If not, where do you think

the next big move will be?

Richmond has been so good to me in

terms of being a place to grow. I mean

it when I say it's a tight-knit community.

Everyone here looks out for each other.

I've flown all over the country to work

as Dope On Plastic, and I've never seen

anywhere quite as welcoming to upcoming

arts & culture

Featured Artist


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arts & culture

artists as Richmond. At the same time, I do

see myself eventually doing work centered

in other places. I would love to go back

home to NYC and work with the friends I've

made up there. The West Coast has

also been kind of tempting in terms of

future opportunities and the friends I've

made out there. I'll go wherever my work

takes me, but I guess what I'm trying to

say is that I'll never forget that it was all

made possible because of the incredible

start I got back in RVA.

3. What is your focus in the Art

Department at VCU? Can you see Dope

on Plastic’s influence in your schoolwork,

or is it something you keep completely

separate?

I haven't settled on a major in the Art

Department yet, but I can see myself

going into a lot of different fields. The

big one on my mind right now is Graphic

Design. As much as I love photography, I

do enough professional work in the field

now to be comfortable with concentrating

on something else that I see being a part

of my career. Graphic Design is absolutely

essential to running a good, well-

functioning website, and that's something

that I plan to keep doing throughout my

working life, whether it be with Dope On

Plastic or another project.

Dope On Plastic is as much a brand as

anything, and because of that I try to

keep it separate from other parts of my

life, including school. It gets challenging

at times because a good amount of the

people who follow Dope On Plastic end

up being in my classes—sometimes even

teaching them—and I really dislike it when

people base their perspective on me

around a blog I write in my free time. In

terms of my actual school work, I can see

similarities between the two, but I wouldn't

call it 'influence'. Dope On Plastic is really

just a reflection of a certain part of who I

am, so when I do work that may resemble

it, I feel like it's just that same part of

me coming out in that work rather than

something else influencing me. Dope On

Plastic is me, but I'm not necessarily Dope

On Plastic—if that makes sense.

4. How long do you plan to keep Dope

on Plastic up? Any new projects in the

works?

Dope On Plastic actually started as just a

blog about what I did in my every day life.

Eventually some people started paying

attention to it, so I decided I may as well

make it interesting for them. It's constantly

growing in what it is and what it means to

me. A few years ago it was my web journal,

a year ago it was a locally-loved photoblog,

and today I'm really proud to say it's a

nationally-known media outlet and proud

sponsor and organizer of it's own events.

I don't know how long it will keep going,

how big it will get, or what it will be in

the future. So far it has been completely

organic in its development, and I plan to

just keep letting it grow.

5. Favorite RVA party spot?

I would definitely have to say Club 534. It's

got a good not-too-big-but-not-too-small

capacity of 600. The inside is beautiful in

terms of lighting and design, especially

since it was renovated last year. It's located

right on campus so it's really easy for

people in VCU housing and the Fan area to

get to without needing to drive. 534 was

also where I first started doing photos for

Audio Ammo's Brain Drain parties (before

they moved to the Hat Factory), so there

are a lot of memories that have come out

of that place. The monthly shows that

Dope On Plastic is throwing will be held at

534 starting next month, and I couldn't be

more excited about it.

Erik FoxFeatured Artist


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arts & culture

cannibis corpse: be-neaTH grow ligHTs THou sHalT riseAddison Herron-Wheeler

Richmond’s very own Cannabis Corpse’s

new full length album, Beneath Grow Lights

Thou Shalt Rise,

is chock-full of

delightful, smoky

surprises around

every turn. What

started as a joke-

band side project

featuring mem-

bers of Munici-

pal Waste, Battlemaster, and Parasytic and

designed to riff off of the titles of Cannibal

Corpse songs with weed metaphors has be-

come a full-blown, (and extremely talented),

serious old-school style death metal band.

Beneath Grow Lights takes things a

step further and pokes fun at the song titles

of death metal bands Morbid Angel and

Deicide. In addition to upping the pun ante,

they also go a step further musically, incor-

porating more vocal range, memorable gui-

tar riffs, and just all-around quality playing

into such sure-to-be classics as “Lunatic of

Pot’s Creation” and “Dead by Bong.” This

is a must-have album for any death metal

fans still out of the loop, as well as any

Richmond thrashers looking for something

beyond Municipal Waste and Andrew W.K.

aDele: 21Takira Goss

No sophomore album curse here. Though

only 23 years of age, the beautiful London

native, Adele Adkins, encompasses the voice

of a wise yet vulnerable, kind yet cruel and

broken hearted

yet strong willed

woman, which is

displayed on her

timeless sophomore

album, entitled

21. The songs on

this album sound

beyond her years in

regards to vocalization, story lines, and the

brave act of baring her heart and soul for

the world to place criticism upon.

Some of the best ballads on this album

include, “Don’t You Remember,” “Turning

Tables,” and “Someone Like You,” all pro-

duced by Rick Rubin. These are not to sur-

pass Adele’s more country, jazz, and soul-

influenced tracks like “Rolling In The Deep”

and the Ryan Tedder–produced “Rumor Has

It”. There’s no doubt that Adele has lived up

to her 2009 Grammy Awards for Best New

Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Perfor-

mance. Like the rest of the world, I am on

the edge of my seat waiting for more from

this remarkable woman.

pHaeleH:Fallen ligHTEmily Eason

This album is an excellent example of

the huge amount of diversity within the

dub-step genre, a new and exciting elec-

tronic phenomenon that has begun to influ-

ence the world’s musical ear. Phaeleh makes

heavy use of chill, ambient beats, which

offer the perfect blend of sounds for those

who enjoy listening to something not too

upbeat, but not

so relaxing that

it could possibly

put you to sleep.

This creative,

British sound ex-

perimentalist re-

ally knows how

to create a nice

balance within his music through his ability

to manipulate different types of sounds,

from rustling leaves to the sensual tone of a

violin in order to establish a beautiful, even

euphoric atmosphere.

cowboys & aliensAmir Vera

Cowboys & Aliens had all the elements

of a great action movie. Not only did it

feature cowboys, giving it that old West-

ern feel, it also had aliens as a twist. With

all the commercial time, there was no way

Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens wouldn’t

be a monetary success. That aside, all the

positive expectations for this movie, if any,

were false. Besides the action and excellent

special effects, Cowboys & Aliens had a plot

that was not only at times extremely pre-

dictable, but also ridiculous. It was basically

any John Wayne movie meets Predator. I

will not ruin the movie, though, for those

who want to see it. However, I will say the

twist the movie offers is not worth the 118

minutes.

Jesse boykins iii:way oF a wayFarer Larisa Robinson

Three years after his LP “The Beauty

Created,” Jesse Boykins III recently released

his EP “Way of a Wayfarer.” Although the EP

only has six songs and is just 21 minutes in

length, the Chicago-born artist doesn’t dis-

appoint, as he adds a new upbeat flavor to

his neo-soul

style.

Each

song

showcases

beautiful

falsettos

and harmo-

nies that

ease out of

his mouth

and flow throughout your entire body like a

drug. That’s probably why he titled his first

EP “Dopeamine: My Life On My Back”. But

unlike some of his previous work, these new

tracks use faster paced beats that kind of

jump on the dance music bandwagon tak-

ing over today’s music scene, but without

losing an inch of Boykins’ soul vibe. It’s like

a combination of Boykins and Flying Lotus,

J-Dilla and old Linkin Park. Best of all, the

download is available for free on jbiiimusic.

com. Get a copy and see for yourself!

Frank ocean:nosTalgia, ulTra Amaris Lemus

Attention: this is not your typical R&B

album. We’re not talking profanity and

overplayed songs giving you directions

on your dance moves. Nostalgia, Ultra is

absolutely brilliant. The album provides

listeners with a plethora of hybrid tracks

reviews


ink 25

arts & cultureand samples from artists like

Radiohead and The Eagles.

Signed to Island Def Jam

Records in 2009, Frank Ocean

started off writing songs for

John Legend, Brandy, even the

likes of Justin Bieber. After little

success with the label, Ocean

hooked up with L.A. rap/hip-

hop collective Odd Future Wolf

Gang Kill Them All and released

his first solo record, Nostalgia,

Ultra, on his website...for free.

What sets Ocean apart, and what will keep him around for a

while, is the cleverness and fluidity of his songwriting. He puts a

fresh spin on old hits with “Strawberry Swing” and delivers the ulti-

mate message in his version of “American Wedding.” Ocean dissects

the inner trials and tribulations of young love, sex, and self-doubt in a

dark, romantic yet earnest way. Nostalgia, Ultra is a perfect example

of innovative hip hop, although it is even difficult to box up Ocean’s

masterpiece into a category that broad.

Favorite tracks: We All Try, There will Be Tears, American Wedding

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS graDuaTes wiTH HonorsDavid Osnoe

The newest installment of the ailing X-Men film fran-

chise breathes much needed life into the series with trendy

directing, superb writing and evocative performances from

the cast. Matthew Vaughn (who gave us the film Kick-Ass)

directed the original story, harnessing top notch special

effects while mov-

ing the plot back

in time, setting

quirky 1960’s nos-

talgia against the

terror of the Cold

War.

Similar to the

first X-Men film,

First Class opens

on a ghastly Nazi

concentration

camp scene in

which we see a

prepubescent Erik Lehnsherr as his mother and father are

taken from him. This trauma causes his power to emerge

as he attempts to destroy a metal gate in order to save his

parents, giving the audience a sense of who young Erik will

grow up to be. Sadly, instead of saving his parents, Erik

only manages to capture the attention of Dr. Schmidt, later

Sebastian Shaw (stylishly performed by Kevin Bacon), who

use Erik’s emotions against him to reveal his true poten-

tial. Erik’s anger and Shaw’s cold ambition drive the film

forward to the Cold War era as the United States and the

Soviet Union quietly plot against each other.

The older Erik (played with a calculated charm by

Michael Fassbender) and his future enemy Charles Xavier

(James McAvoy) mimic the two warring nations as they

face off against each other in a series of chess-like maneuvers while

seeming to at times work towards the same goal. The two men are

opposite poles in terms of identity, although Vaughn leaves most of

the political ideology beneath the surface (which is for the best, I’d

say) as “mutant pride” becomes a divider between good and evil.

At Oxford we see Charles in top form and I must admit part of me

wishes the wheelchair that made Professor Xavier infamous would

never come to be. Alas, poor Charles must part with his mobility at

some point in the film.

Charles, in Westchester, is joined by Raven/Mystique (the in-

scrutable Jennifer Lawrence) and we see 1962 America begin to roil

with suspicion and fear. Shaw is now joined by Emma Frost (the

dazzlingly cool January Jones lending her talents here) and the

entire world becomes a stage for the machinations of Soviet gener-

als and American naval officers. The plot here involves CIA agent

Moira McTaggert (Rose Byrne) attempting to use Charles to battle

Shaw, although it is unclear exactly how the CIA (with its myriad

of bureaucratic bungling) found the mutants in the first place. The

final battle scene on the beach, involving mental manipulation of

both Soviet and US missiles, makes up for any sketchy plot holes

in that the special effects admirably create a believably tense situ-

ation, fraught with danger for all of our heroes. As the film closes,

new doors have been opened for future X-Men reprisals, hopefully

with the same exuberance and intelligent writing that sets First

Class apart. •


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a nightmare on main street

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Fashion Director & Stylist: Isabella Althoff

Assistant: Jennifer Mawyer

Photographer: Cameron Charles Lewis

Hair & Makeup: Carly Childers

Model: Kiersyn Cocke

Featuring Dave Brockie

(Oderus Urungus) from GWAR

arts & culture


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Collection Amazone Black Velvet Corset by Jean-Christophe Lagarde, stylist's ownBlack skirt by Winter Kate, shopbop.comPink tights by Capezio, Ellman’s Dancewear in CarytownPointe Shoes by Block, Ellman's Dancewear in CarytownSilver wing earrings by Forever 21, Forever 21 in Regency SquareBlack lace, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft StoresBlack tulle fabric, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

arts & culture

Black Swan


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TornadoGrey dress by Forever 21, Forever 21 in Regency SquareGrey cut out oxford shoes by Aldo, Aldo in Short Pump Town CenterMiscellaneous toys, Ben Franklin & stylist's own

arts & culture


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arts & culture

White mink fur coat by Alan Furs, stylist's ownWhite lace skirt by Forever 21, Forever 21 in Regency SquareCream satin platform heels by Qupid, Payless ShoeSoureRhinestone bow earrings by Francesca's Collections, Francesca's Collections in Short Pump Town CenterWhite polka dot stockings by Merona, TargetWhite ruffle socks by American Apparel, American Apparel in CarytownWhite leotard by American Apparel, American Apparel in CarytownPink ribbon, Ben FranklinCat purse, stylist's own

Marie from Aristocats


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arts & culture

Red trench coat by Charlotte Rousse, Charlotte Rousse in Regency SquareRed sleeveless oxford by H&M, H&M in Short Pump Town CenterLong red skirt by Ann Taylor, Black suede boots by Steve Madden, Buffalo ExchangeVintage red hat, Salvation ArmyBlack utility belt, Love of Jesus Thrift Store

Carmen Sandiego


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Black blazer by BCBG Max Azria, TJ MaxxWhite chiffon blouse by American Apparel, American Apparel in CarytownBlack cropped dress pants by H&M, H&M in Short Pump Town Center Black loafers by New Kid, Urban Outfitters in Short Pump Town CenterVintage black fur collar, Fan Tastic ThriftBlack sunglasses by Charming Charlie, Charming Charlie in Regency SquareSilver brooch by Cabi, cabionline.com

Karl Lagerfeld

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arts & culture

White bandeau pencil dress by American Apparel, American Apparel in Carytown Long sleeve brown shirt by H&M, H&M in Short Pump Town CenterWhite glasses by Dr. Peepers, Party CityWhite leather lace up shoes by Aldo, Aldo in Short Pump Town CenterGreen jewel earrings by Forever 21, Forever 21 in Regency SquareGreen jewel ring by Forever 21, Forever 21 in Regency Square

Oompa Loompa


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arts & culture

Rainbow Lollipop from For The Love of Chocolate


4.1

Documents

halloween culture

issue of ink

halloween costume photo

vcu student media center817

student life segments

fashion world

art field

fantastic art