Mouthing Off

28/09/2021

Andrew Cuomo had stood as the Governor of New York since 2011, during which he became a notably strong Democrat, especially in opposition to Trump’s Covid policy. However, during August, news emerged that an inquiry into sexual assault allegations filed against Cuomo indicated that there had been wrongdoing. Andrew Cuomo resigned on 23 August 2021, following backlash from fellow Democrats, with a now tarnished political reputation. Initially, this seems a standard case of politicians behaving badly, which became the norm following the election of Trump as President in 2016. Nonetheless, the incidents Cuomo has been accused of lead to a far deeper concern within American Politics; the issue of misogyny within officeholders. Sexism and sexual assault appear to be the only bipartisan topic for American politicians in the current day...

Written by Giselle Inglis | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

Insight into Andrew Cuomo's sexual assault case. Who is he? What happened? And what were the final steps?

27/09/2021

The variables in photography can be difficult to manage. Whether it’s lighting, a subject or composition, the capricious nature of photography is the essence of its beauty. However, underwater photographer, Christy Lee Rogers, works with one of nature’s most unpredictable elements as she shoots: water. Inspired by the idyllic, crystal waters of her native Hawaii, Rogers has drawn on the element’s innate healing properties and its ability to defy photographic conventions in her work, leading her to work with corporate giants such as Apple and Lavazza.

By submerging her subject (a regular person, not a model) in a pool, Roger’s experiments with vivid hues of texture, kaleidoscopes of ethereal lighting and simplistic models, create narrative displays of the human experience.

Written by Simone Harrison | Video Edited by Gregory Segal

Read the Full Article by Clicking Here: https://buff.ly/2XvPLe7
Watch The Full Video by Clicking Here:

Inspired by the idyllic, crystal waters of her native Hawaii, Rogers has drawn on the element’s innate healing properties and its ability to defy photographi...

26/09/2021

The Wolf of Wallstreet, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Joker, and Fight Club. All these films have something in common, but what is it? Is it that they are all regarded as great pieces of cinema, with die-hard fans from all around the globe? Is it the great stories that they tell, ones that inspire the masses? Maybe it’s even the relatable and realistic protagonists, with pros and cons who may seem grey but in the end, redeem themselves and ultimately come out on top. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fanbase they’ve created, filled with film bros TM who fail to see the subtext of the film and have chosen to relate to some of the most abhorrent characters to ever be a protagonist in film history.

They’re also all based on a book of some kind… maybe that’s the connection.

Written by Matthew Cowan | Illustrated by Chantelle Weir

The Wolf of Wallstreet, Joker, Fight Club. All these films have something in common, but what is it? Maybe, it's the fact they're all Red Flag Films

25/09/2021

James Kay (Barker) and Eran Monkcom (LED) are two young, talented musicians heralding from Hampshire, UK. The duo met during their school years and would soon build a freindship based on their musical interests. While their personal tastes would vary greatly, from classical folk to Russian hip-hop, the pair would continually spur each other on in an effort to get creative and record demo-tracks throughout their youth.

Now on the verge of entering their 20’s, Barker and LED would be born – graduating from the raw, roadside recording session to the slightly more serene bedroom studio. In 2018, Kay would record and originally intend to release a single titled ‘Missing Heart’, however, through a series of circumstances this would not come to pass. Instead, the song would be shelved to gather dust, until Monkcom listened to the track and saw potential in the lyrics contained within it.

Over the next three years, Monkcom would use the foundations of this song, sampling the vocal acapella, to restructure it from the ground up; converting the piece from a doomy indie-pop ballad to a house track with melancholy lyrics.

Interviewed by Gregory Segal | Illustrated by Anna Ring

James Kay (Barker) and Eran Monkcom (LED) are two young, talented musicians heralding from Hampshire, UK. The duo met during their school years and would soon

24/09/2021

Information leaks have changed and journalists will now have to alter their methods of exposing information if they wish to avoid a prison sentence.

The advent of signficant data leaks: the release of large data caches, has brought us some of the most important investigative journalism of the past fifty years. It has been a powerful tool for the press and seems to have hegemonic power structures shaking at the knees.

Ryanair flights were redirected to steal away reporters at the behest of the Belarussian government, Donald Trump advocated for an expansion of libel laws to sue newspapers, and a Spanish rapper has received a prison sentence for criticisms of their royal family. These events seem to show an intensified aggression from those in power toward the press.

Written by Leo Black | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

A reform of the Official Secrets Act will lead journalists to recieve up to 14-years in prison for revealing government information, even if it is in the public interest.

23/09/2021

Has the NHS just become another Ministry of Propaganda?

Should vaccine's be mandated? Should Covid Passports become a norm? Should the government have the power to coerce or force its voting public int medical treatments?

Discuss in the comments below...

To see more of Micheal Lance Kagoule's work head to his Instagram () by clicking the link: https://buff.ly/3tQGWYA

22/09/2021

Pornhub has launched an interactive platform that guides viewers through a tour of the erotic art that is exhibited in the world’s most renowned museums, such as the MET, the Museo del Prado, the Louvre, and the Uffizi Gallery. However, museums aren’t happy.

Written by Eugenia Pacheco Aisa | Illustrated by Tara Mulliss

Pornhub has launched an interactive platform that guides viewers through a tour of the erotic art that is exhibited in the world’s most renowned museums, such as the MET, the Museo del Prado, the Louvre, and the Uffizi Gallery. However, museums aren’t happy.

21/09/2021

Amal Graafstra is an innovator and inventor. He is known as the first person who decided to use an implant for the sake of convenience; so as not to carry bank cards, keys and gadgets, but to open doors and pay with the hand. Subsequently, Amal Graafstra realized the potential of chipping and founded Dangerous Things in 2013 – a Seattle based cybernetic microchip biohacking implant retailer. He has repeatedly stated that thanks to modern technology, people can now become cyborgs. When negative commentary began to spread among the tech community about the danger of chipping from a cybersecurity point of view, Amal Graafstra opened the Vivo Key company.

VivoKey is a secure subdermal identity platform that combines the robust data protection of cryptography with the convenience of biometric systems. Within the framework of this project, Graafstra created the world’s first (and only) cryptographic implant. That is, by agreeing to be chipped, VivoKey members will not fear the possibility of the server to which the chip is connected being hacked, as their digital identity will be secured inside the implant and not through passwords and usernames. After interviewing him, I managed to understand Amal Graafstra’s reasoning behind his innovative projects. However, in the course of a personal conversation, much more amusing things emerged.

Written by Anastasiia Shkuro | Illustrated by Victoria Hoover

An interview with Amal Graafstra. An innovator and inventor, Graafstra is the founder of VivoKey, a platform that combines cryptographic data protection and biometric systems to create secure subdermal identity implants.

20/09/2021

Title: Let Them Eat Cake

"A few days ago the creme-de-la-creme of the celebrity world attended the Met Gala 2021 at the Metropolitan Museum, New York.

The attendees would be given free reign to parade their narcissism without the use of PPE or social distancing restrictions, while being waited on hand-and-foot by a collection of well behaved servents who had to be masked at all times.

For the price of a $35,000 entry fee and likely a considerable sum more for their outfits, this group of singers, sports-personalities, and politicians used this opportunity to inform the general public on how to make the world a better place - because, of course, they know better than you do."

To see more of Micheal Lance Kagoule's work head to his Instagram () by clicking the link: https://buff.ly/3tQGWYA

19/09/2021

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has received multiple Freedom of Information requests to reveal how many individuals have either died or had complications with each iteration of the vaccine.

The ONS explains on their website that they use a two-pronged approach to this question. First, they look at the cause of death listed on the death certificate. There are two parts to a standard death certificate—the direct cause and any underlying contributions to the death. Then, according to their, the ONS inputs this information into an algorithm built to increase consistency and accuracy in reporting.

Learn more about O'Banion's perspective on the covid-19 vaccine and the ONS' reporting on its effects by clicking the link below:

Written by C.E. O'Banion | Illustrated by Anna Ring

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has received multiple Freedom of Information requests to reveal how many individuals have either died or had complications with each iteration of the Covid vaccine.

03/08/2021

It's that time of the month again... If your playlists have become stale and you're getting tired of listening to that same Alex Turner song for the 56th time then we have a suggestion.

Written by Perry Wyatt | Illustrated by Georgia Harmey

This month we are taking you to Manila, where the humble origins of Idris Vicuña gave birth to the alternative, psychedelic sounds of Eyedress.

02/08/2021

Are you getting tired of seeing Superman on the big screen?

Written by Matthew Cowan | Illustrated by Sofia Toi

I don't know if this is a popular opinion or not, but I've grown tired with the current superhero genre. It all feels the same, it all needs to change.

01/08/2021

Following recent news, the world celebrated that a ceasefire had been broached between the Israel and Hamas forces on the Gaza strip, purportedly bringing an end to the escalating violence. But while Egyptian and American diplomats were patting themselves on the back, reports soon emerged of shots fired at Palestinian women and arson balloons targeting the Israeli people.

Despite the overwhelming silence over the continued use of violence between Palestinian and Israeli citizens, the question remains: what is the true meaning of a ceasefire? Is the term used for show to make politicians look good? Or is a ceasefire politically vital? Can trade-offs and deals of foreign diplomats change the opinions and actions of civilians?

Written by Giselle Inglis | Illustrated by Gregory Segal

What is the true meaning of a ceasefire? Is the term used for show to make politicians look good? Or is a ceasefire politically vital?

31/07/2021

What would you do if a political party of Incels got into power?

Written by Rhys Clarke | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

She found herself in a large, oval-shaped office. A sheen of grey light billowed in through the vast window that occupied the very back of the room. In front

30/07/2021

It’s a strange time, especially in clubland. Tentative reopenings come tempered by an eye on covid figures, uncertain advice and the probing feeling that we might before long be plunged back into the dark days of a few months back. When I reconnect with people in the sun and ask how they are. They say “good” and then an unsettled look crosses their face. “Well…” They add, uncertainly. Yet despite the solstice having come almost a month ago, summer feels like it’s heating up – and I’m not just talking about the weather.

So perhaps this is the perfect time for Avelino to drop Ego kills, an album that both hits hard and treads softly, flitting between hard-hitting 140 and the sun-dressed sounds of the park on a hot day. Swinging beats and catchy rhythms set an *instant* groove on every tune and mark this as an album undoubtedly suited to the club, yet, it remains both reflective and upbeat. Ego Kills has bops for nights out, jams for the park, and tracks that you might get the most from out of from listening alone, with most tunes blurring the lines and becoming all three, providing a smooth listening experience whatever the setting.

Written by Oskar Smith | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

"Ego Kills" quick flows, hard-hitting beats and smooth listening marks the latest album from South London's "young fire" - Avelino.

29/07/2021

Xi Jinping’s voice echoed across a sea of Communist party members. The speech he gave at the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party was fiery, pugilistic, proud, and replete with allusions to potential conflict with Western powers. It becomes clear from this speech that the People’s Republic of China of 2021 is a global power with enough geopolitical might to stand up to anything the West has to throw at it. It is even more clear that Xi Jinping knows this.

The speech comes at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan are reaching a boiling point. China has been accelerating its action against Taiwan in recent years, always walking the tightrope between shows of force and all-out aggressive action with acrobatic deftness. These actions prove particularly chilling when coming from a nation already called the chief geopolitical threat to American hegemony by Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State...

Written by Leo Black | Illustrated by Gregory Segal

"Listen to the party, be grateful for the party and follow the party." A time of uncertainty as the CCP fully considers Taiwan to be a breakaway Chinese region.

28/07/2021

Bristol Museums have recently announced that the Edward Colston statue that was toppled in June 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests will be displayed in a timeline of last summer’s events. What was the UK’s reaction to the BLM movement, and what impact did this have on the art world?

Written by Eugenia Pacheco Aisa | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

Bristol Museums have recently announced that the Edward Colston statue that was toppled in June 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests will be displayed in a timeline of last summer’s events. What was the UK’s reaction to the BLM movement, and what impact did this have on the art world?

27/07/2021

25/07/2021

Home movies have a very distinct style; think of the shaky camera, off-kilter framing, and in-camera edits. None of these things would be considered ‘good’ film making techniques but amateur videos still have a profound effect on us as an audience. So much so that some filmmakers use this to their advantage, recreating home-videos in their films.

When it comes to amateur video, a personal favourite of mine is a selection of videos of John Daniel, an ape raised as a boy in Gloucestershire, available on the BFI website.

This footage has something very innocent about it. The images of a monkey drinking cider in a quaint English village would be totally unbelievable were it not for the shaking camera and the filmmaker’s untrained eye. Watch this footage and imagine the same scene filmed like a big-budget production, the high-quality video would take away the charm of the subject and make it impossible to believe that what we’re seeing happened in real life.

Written by Ed Murden | Illustration by Gregory Segal

Home movies have a very distinct style; think of the shaky camera, off-kilter framing, and in-camera edits. None of these things would be considered ‘good’

24/07/2021

We've got another fantastic collection of poems written by Sam Barrowcliffe

Fallout:

Emerging from
Our shelters
We walk the desolate
Streets

Dust particles
Stripping
Our throat linings
Like hot arguments

We trudge
Through
Wreck and ruin
In search of some
Salvation

But we won’t
Find it yet
The dust
Ain’t settled

The war rages
And until
It ends the
Fallout

Will cloud our
Mind’s

Eye
Indefinitely

Written by Sam Barrowcliffe | Illustrated by Sofia Toi

Mouthing Off presents 'Fallout', a selection of poems by Sam Barrowcliffe.

23/07/2021

China’s rise to power, in regard to its economic capabilities, military might, and political dominance, has rapidly increased over the last few decades. While there is certainly contention amongst many as to whether this nation has or will surpass the significance of other major superpowers (US & Russia) around the world, one thing remains certain – China is growing, and it doesn’t look like anything will be stopping this…

Written by Lloyd Watts | Illustration by Gregory Segal

Biden has recently sent another destroyer to challenge the Chinese efforts in the South China sea with the US Navy destroyer USS Russell sailing through the

21/07/2021

Set in a dystopian future where state surveillance is taken to the extreme, 'Sweet Dreams' is the new short story by Rhys Clark.

Written by Rhys Clarke | Illustrated by Beth Herbert

Set in a dystopian future where state surveillance is taken to the extreme, 'Sweet Dreams' is the new short story by Rhys Clark.

20/07/2021

John McAfee has passed away. The government claims su***de but even after his death McAfee disagrees. Q-Anon, claims of murder, and coded messages have sparked a global conversation to rival that of Epstein.

He was a pioneer in the software industry, he worked as a programmer for NASA on the Apollo projects and for Lockheed Martin on a classified project developing voice recognition software. He then went on to develop McAfee Antivirus, the first ever antivirus to go to market, which at one point controlled 70% of the software antivirus industry. He was also an international fugitive accused of tax evasion, market manipulation, drug manufacture, and murder.

McAfee passed away on the 23rd of June 2021, found dead in his prison cell in Catalonia, Spain, from an apparent su***de by hanging. Immediately, the media was whipped into a frenzy, claiming assassination and cover-up. The taste of the passing of Jeffery Epstein was still in the mouths of the major news networks. An interest intensified by mysterious cryptocurrency transactions, alleged secret cryptographic codes, and prophetic tweets intrinsically tied to these events. But how much of the controversy surrounding his death is founded in reality? How much of it can be dismissed as buying into the strange internet presence of a man once labelled “The Prophet of Paranoia”?

Written by Leo Black | Illustrated by Gregory Segal

John McAfee has passed away. The government claims su***de but even after his death McAfee disagrees. Q-Anon, claims of murder, and coded messages have sparked a global conversation to rival that of Epstein.

19/07/2021

Whether it was the unnecessarily long titles of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out or the sweet memories of ‘Ocean Avenue’ and ‘Cherry Street’ that were the soundtrack to your teenage years, it’s inevitable that most people (whether they admit it or not) have gone through an emo phase. Emo music, or ‘emotional rock’, is an umbrella term for genres like pop-punk, screamo, and grunge-rock, and usually addresses issues such as failed romances, self-expressionism, self-loathing, and despair. The genre derived from the 80s gothic movement, formulated by icons such as The Cure’s Robert Smith, and built upon the American grunge movement of the 1990s.

Written by Simone Harrison | Illustrated by Gregory Segal

Thundering, head-banging drums crash on top of over-saturated guitars as confessional, introverted lyrics of despair cry out from teens. Smears of thick black eyeliner run under a curtain of iron-flat fringe, adorned with slashes of red and blue. These are our emo days.

18/07/2021

There are few directors that have the ability to create genuinely piercing films, the kind that leave you in complete and utter shock by the end, only able to weep a bitter mixture of grief and an appreciation for the beauty you just witnessed. One such person who can do this however, is Dutch director, writer, and producer, Jos Stelling.

Hailing from Utrecht, Netherlands, Stelling has made an array of films with a cult like following: Duska, The Illusionist, The Girl and Death, and Rembrandt just to name a few. Despite not being particularly popular in his homeland, he and his work is always welcome at any of the world’s best film festivals.

In an exclusive interview, the film director discusses where he gets his inspiration from, and what life values he possesses.

There are few directors that have the ability to create genuinely piercing films, the kind that leave you in complete and utter shock by the end, only able to

12/07/2021

Nobel Prize winner George Shaw once said, “without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” Sadly, this is a reality that may ring true for future generations of students.

Earlier this week the British government announced plans to cut funding by 50% for higher education arts degrees. The cutbacks apply to art and design, music, dance, drama and performing arts, media studies, and archaeology courses starting from the 2021-2022 academic year.

Do you think their should be cutbacks? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by Louisa Howells Vessey and Jon Paul-Berry | Illustration by Sanni Pyhänniska

How are the arts helping us? New government plans will aim to cut funding for arts degrees in higher education. Why is this an appalling decision and why should we react to it?

11/07/2021

Read about the series of scandels and displays of corruption within the current UK Government. From Boris Johnson to Matt Hancock - how have mutltiple politicians managed to get away with 'murder'?

Written by Lloyd Watts | Illustrated by Charlie Colville

Scandals concerning Parliament’s “Rich Boys” have been a regular theme over the past few decades, and it seems that Boris Johnson and cabinet aren't immune to the trend either.

10/07/2021

If you would like to support Mouthing Off Magazine, Our Team of Volunteers and Resident Artists - Then why not check out our online store!

Make sure to visit regularly as we have lots of exciting products lined up over the coming weeks and months! From T-Shirts, to Art Prints, and Music Tracks we have a plethora of exciting stuff for sale.

Welcome to the Mouthing Off Magazine Store. Find all of our latest products from items of clothing and art prints, to music and books. Support our young creatives on their journey to maintain their artistic career!

09/07/2021

Welcome to Band of the Month, a series here on Mouthing Off which aims to introduce our readers to some of our editor’s top music picks – both old and new.

At a time when live music may seem a faraway memory, we want to recapture the excitement for music and performance. It doesn’t hurt that we’ll be spicing up your playlist while we’re at it.

This month we’re taking our readers across the world to meet Australian indie electro-pop group GLADES. The Aussie trio have experienced major success in their home country, hitting mainstream charts shortly after hitting the scene in 2015. With praise from the likes of Troye Sivan and Clean Bandit, GLADES are quickly gaining popularity amongst artists and listeners alike.

With 2021 marking the release of GLADES’ second studio album, Planetarium, we thought it no better time to introduce them to our readers.

Written by Charlie Colville | Illustrated by Sofia Toi

This month we’re taking our readers across the world to meet Australian indie electro-pop group GLADES.

08/07/2021

I want to start by telling you what Mike isn’t. He isn’t a famous artist. He isn’t a successful businessman. And he isn’t even a celebrity. So, why are you reading this article? Why are you about to (hopefully) read this interview. Well, it’s because, despite not being any of these things, Mike has managed to create the biggest impact he possibly can in an effort to enact change.

Many of us talk about what we think, what we believe, and what we would like to do to make the world a better place (whether its simply for us or for the betterment of mankind), yet we rarely act on our mutterings. Instead, we sit at our screens or walk through our communities and do nothing… We wait for someone else to come along and clear up our mess because this is the easiest path.

So, this interview isn’t about red carpets, an in-depth analysis of the financial markets, or how someone managed to venture to the moon, but for you to find out about an individual who has put themselves out there and is sticking to what they believe in. Mike’s dedication to his philanthropy might be unachievable for most, but it might provide a lesson that you can help your neighbours, community, and the wider world if you want to.

Written by Gregory Segal

I learnt about Mike Harman through my habbit of using LinkedIn to connect with potential contributors and the business/arts community. Wherever I looked I

07/07/2021

If you haven't already listened to LOVE AGAIN by LED (ft. Barker) then you can enjoy the whole track on LED's Soundcloud!

If you like the song and want to support the artists that worked to create it, then you can head to our store to download the track for just £1.49!

Featuring Barker: SC: -mclane-424706787 IG: YT:https://youtube.com/channel/UCiv53AnoaokcrU6Jutoa2Pw Released in collaboration with Mouthing Off Magazine: https://mouthingo

06/07/2021

We're currently looking for more student/young adult illustrators to volunteer with us. 🔍

If you are someone that loves creating exciting designs, thinking outside the box, and being creative then this would be the perfect role for you.

You will be able to have your work published on a regular basis, work with a fantastic community of young writers and artists, and build your Portfolio/CV by learning new skills and gaining invaluable experience.

If you would like to learn more about this position or apply please contact us at: [email protected]

To apply you will need to attach the following to your email:

(1) A CV.
(2) A Portfolio/Examples of your work.
(3) To explain why you would like to become part of the Mouthing Off Magazine Team and why you believe you would be the perfect fit.

So, what are you waiting for! Send us an email today! 🤩

06/07/2021

After the EU Referendum was held in Britain in June 2016, with 51.9% voting to leave, a countdown followed until the UK officially left the EU at 11 pm (GMT) on the 30th January 2020 – the withdrawal agreement did not come into force until the 31st December of that same year.

According to Bendor Grosvenor , art historian and columnist at The Art Newspaper, we are at a time where it is more difficult to trade art between the UK and Europe than it was fifty years ago. European buyers who import art from the UK now have to pay an import VAT according to specific countries’ rates – 9% in the Netherlands, 7% in Germany and 5.5% in France. The latter is becoming the preferred channel for art sales at it has the lowest import VAT rate...

Written by Eugenia Pacheco Aisa | Illustrated by Sanni Pyhänniska

How is the art community reacting to Brexit? Who in the market is being affected and how is this changing London’s role as a cultural centre?