Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524298
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JULY 2024 4 ALMANAC My essentials GWEN JANE AGIUS 18, writer After finishing my A-Levels last year, I decided to take a gap year before university and started working. I have experience in proofreading, editing, and writing articles for the Arts and Entertainment section regarding music and art. 1. Books 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place I'M a huge music fanatic, so it's difficult to choose one piece of media. DIIV, a con- temporary shoegaze band, released their album Frog In Boiling Water last May and I adore it. The title is an apo- logue which describes how a frog can be boiled alive if put in tepid water that is slowly brought to a boil; similarly, the album discusses how we're unaware of how we are politi- cally and environmentally de- stroying ourselves, slowly but surely – we're forging our own downfall. I haven't been abroad many times in my life, but I know Ireland's Cork has stolen my heart. It's so peaceful, green, and full of culture. I hope I have the oppor- tunity to study there soon, as I've applied to UCC for the next scholastic year. Anyone who goes must visit Fitzgerald Park, the Crawford Gallery, and the second-hand bookshops dotted around the city. It's a place which is purely me. A while ago I had read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. It tackles topics such as womanhood, individuality, and the power of knowledge from the per- spective of a girl who has never in- teracted with men; she has no sense of gender stereotypes or norms, and thus sees the world through an al- tered yet neutral lens. There are al- so aspects of absurdism in it. It was interesting to read about a narrator who expects nothing of herself or society. LA Planète Sauvage is a French film which I had stumbled up- on ages ago, but finally had the chance to watch last month. It's about this society of human- oid aliens who view humans as pests and sometimes domesti- cate them for their enjoyment. Except the amazing animation and soundtrack, the film acts as an allegory for how humans see minority groups and animals as lesser, and therefore treat them horribly. I'm not usually interest- ed in sci-fi films, but this one re- ally stood out for me. IT'S hard to keep track of the content I consume online, but The Canvas is one of my favourite creators on YouTube. They post beautifully curated videos where they dissect and explain art. Their video about Magritte had fascinated me; they explained how many of his paintings re- flect his mother's suicide and how he had allegedly found her with her white dress covering her face – The Lovers is a good ex- ample of this imagery. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com This page is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 5 1 2 3