Gyro #4

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WEIRD WONDERFUL WORLD

By Garon Whitney.

pg 4

Issue 4

CONTENTS

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.Meet the 201 team!

.pg 6-7

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PASSIONFRUIT:JON GOMMBy Ezzra Wilson

pg 9-11

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GIG GUIDEBy Mark

pg 9-11

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DAN ROBERTSBy Margot Taylor

pg 8-9

Gyro Magazine•

Published by. OPSA. Copyright (C) OPSA 2012. A member of ASPA.

Set in. Arno Pro, Gills Sans, Helvetica Neue & Trade Gothic Condensed. Cover. Bell MT

Advertising. [email protected]

Editor. Andrew Oliver. [email protected]

Technical Editor. Mark Baxter. [email protected]

Head Designer. Dave Strydom. [email protected]

Words. Andrew Oliver, Garon Whitney, Margot Taylor, Ezzra Wilson

So OPSA has been busy working away on a number of awesome Student Services Surveys! These have been sent to your student emails, and will take 5 minutes to complete! Please take the time to complete these so that we know which services we are doing well, and which ones we could improve on. Plus, every survey we get back goes into the draw to win some wicked prizes. If you didn’t find one in your inbox, we have hard copies available so please pop on into the

office and fill out a paper copy today.After the holidays OPSA is planning a few events such as the Cultural Food Festival, A Pink Ribbon Breakfast and a 30th Birthday Party for Student Job Search. So keep your eyes open, read your emails and I will see you

all around campus.Before you put Gyro down, check out the centre fold and get to know your 2013

Student Executive Committee!

OPSA Prez 2013 Signing off!

It seems a lifetime ago now, but it was only a few months ago that I spent Christmas Eve in the Gore county police station lamenting all my life decisions and quite sure that I was doomed to a lifetime of suffering, no matter where I went or what I did trouble always found me. Well a few months later, life has changed dramatically, I’ve changed, and my future has changed remarkably for the better. When I was looking over this years 2013 Execs I came across a face I recognized. I won’t give his name away but I worked with him for a couple of years not too long ago and I knew him as a very nice but very unsatisfied man, someone capable in their work but wholly uninspired and bored with their career. His true passion laid elsewhere and seeing his face among that group I know that he’s left a career and industry he hated and he’s taken that risk and is following his dreams, he’s changing his future. That’s the beauty of education; it is never too late to be the person you were always meant to be. Enjoy this issue of Gyro, we have some wonderful interviews with musicians and artists, current events and gig guides and updates on all the latest Polytechnic news.

Sincerely,Andrew Oliver

HEY ALL, ME AGAIN!THIS IS THE LAST

UPDATE FROM ME BEFORE YOU ALL

HEAD OFF AND HAVE MUCH DESERVED BREAK!

DEAR READER, YESTERDAY I HEARD MY NEWBORN SON LAUGH FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT WASN’T MUCH AND IT WASN’T FOR LONG BUT IT WASN’T DEFINITELY A LAUGH, AN UNCONSCIOUS BLISSFUL EXPRESSION OF JOY; A TIMELESS COMMUNICATION OF HAPPINESS. IT IS AMAZING THE POTENCY SOMETHING SO SMALL AND SO SIMPLE CAN HAVE.

OPSA President 2013. Rebecca Swindells.

GYRO EDITOR 2013. Andrew Oliver.

THEY BREED THEM TOUGH IN CANADA.Canadian Billy McNeely went to the doctor recently

to investigate what had being causing a constant back-

itch for the previous three years. The doctor eventually

dug out a 7cm knife blade. It turns out he had been

stabbed five times at a birthday party in April 2010,

during an argument about an arm wrestling contest.

Billy decided to get checked out after the growing

lump on his back began setting off the metal detectors

in the airport.

A STICKY SITUATION.On March 22nd 2013 at approximately 3.30am, two

trucks collided on State Highway One just south of

Whangarei. Thankfully there were no reported injuries

from the crash but what makes this common situation

fascinating was the resultant spillage: glue. One of the

trucks was carrying 14,000 lites of a PVA glue used for

laminating wood. Several thousand litres were spilled

over the road taking emergency services hours to

make the roads driveable again.

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE???A Pentecostal church missionary died in his bed in

August 2009 in the Yaroslavl region of central Russia.

Instead of calling authorities or an undertaker, his

wife and their five homeschooled children kept him

in his bed for over three years, awaiting for him to

be resurrected. During this time the widow forced

the young children to feed and talk to their deceased

father and keep his death a secret. They used air

freshener to suppress the smell of the rotting corpse.

Police were alerted when the woman and her children

dismembered the body in order to finally dispose of it;

the head and hands were discovered in nearby bushes.

Police later dropped the investigation after interviewing

the entire family. No charges were brought or further

action taken.

E.T PHONE WESTPORT???It seems that New Zealand is the new home of UFO

sightings, particularly along the west coast of the South

Island. Several west coast locals have reported seeing

strange, hovering, green, red and blue lights in the early

hours of the morning. The most logical explanation, an

aircraft of some sort, has being ruled out, due to the

local aerodromes reporting no flights taking place at

the time and no reported engine sounds accompanying

the lights. Other more likely explanations of squid boats

or comets have been dismissed by Westport locals,

convinced extra terrestrials have taken an interest in

their town.

THE END OF PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL?The state of Ohio has indicted a groundhog.

Punxsutawney Phil, as he is known, has been charged

with misrepresentation of spring, a felony “against the

peace and dignity of the state of Ohio”. One possible

sentence for the groundhog is death, according to

Ohio prosecutor Mike Gmoser, with tongue in cheek.

“Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior

calculation and design, cause the people to believe that

spring would come early” Gmoser further stated. This

comes about as Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an

early spring in Ohio failed to materialise as the state

temperatures were 5 degrees below normal and with

15 cm of snow still lying on the ground. Punxsutawney

Phil does his have fair share of supporters, with

numerous Facebook groups and Punxsutawney Phil’s

handlers voicing their disapproval of the sentence and

trying to overturn the indictment. His enclosure has

been moved next to the local police station to try and

deter retaliatory action.

If anyone has seen the 1993 Bill Murray movie

GroundHog Day you will hopefully understand this

article. If not Google groundhog to find out.

WEIRD WONDERFUL WORLD.A brief low-down of some quirky news events from the last few weeks by Garon W hitney.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter Find out the latest news, events and student deals here www.facebook.com/otagopoly www.twitter.com/otagopolytech

NEWS:NATIONAL CUTS POLYTECHNIC FUNDING BY $29 MILLIONThe government has stripped Polytechnics around NZ of $29 million while simultaneously increasing funding for privately owned tertiary education providers, or PTE’s by $25 million. As reported by the Tertiary Education Commission, Lesley Francey, TEU national president, stated “Polytechnics are in integral part of their communities, especially outside the major cities, and they have been robbed by this government since it took office. Another $29 million of cuts represents over $350 for every full time student in a polytechnic, or over $3000 for every full time staff member in a polytechnic. It worsens the cuts that have taken place each year since 2009. Members will yet again be facing the gut-wrenching stress of potential job losses.” While Aoraki, NMIT, EIT and MIT all lost significant funding ($3 Million or more), Otago Polytechnic stayed reasonably even keeled with a one percent rise in funding.

Field of Study – Applied Sport

Experience on the committee - Newbie

Contact (email) – [email protected]

Kia ora tatou. My name is Phil Te Tana (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Ati Haunui-A-Paparangi). I’m currently studying towards becoming a Personal Trainer. OPSA provides students with a wide range of services to ensure that student life is a memorable experience. My role on the Executive Committee is to represent the views and interests of students on campus, in particular, our Maori students. I hope to achieve this by meeting with students and providing events to build Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga on campus.

Phil Te TanaMaori Rep

Field of Study - Applied Sport



Bethany RobertsonMaori Rep

Field of Study - Bachelor of Design (Fashion)

Experience – 4th year on the committee


Hello all, this is my fourth year on the executive committee. Previously I was PI Rep from 2010-2012. I have just started a Bachelor of Fashion and I am usually in the office on a Friday, so feel free to pop up for a chat!

Georgina Bridgman Vice President

Field of Study – Applied Sport



Kia Ora! My name is Ven Yee Nai and I am from Malaysia. I am currently studying for a Diploma in Personal Training. I am one of the international representatives and my role is to actively liaise with international students and help organize events on the Polytechnic campus on behalf of all our international students.

Ven Yee NaiInternational Rep

OTAGO POLYTECHIC STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2013

Field of Study – Bachelor of Design (Communication)

Experience – this is Lenas thirds year on the committee


Alena Plaksina Women’s Rep

Field of Study – Travel & Tourism



Agnes ElisaraPasifika Rep

Field of Study - Applied Sport


Contact (email) – OPSA.Presidents@

op.ac.nz

Eden IatiPasifika Rep

Field of Study – Travel & Tourism



Gabrielle TiliPasifika Rep

Field of Study - Bachelor of Social Services

Experience on the committee - Stephen joined OPSA

for the second semester in 2012


My name is Stephen, and I am returning to OPSA for another year. I have just started my Bachelor in Social Services and am a mature student. My goal while being part of OPSA for 2013 is to work on making the Men’s portfolio here at OPSA well known, and to throw some cool events for the men on campus.

Stephen HohaiaMen’s Rep

Field of Study – Business Management,

Experience - 5th Year

Contact – [email protected] Call - 0212129939

I have been part of OPSA since 2009, I have held a number of portfolios including maori, social and vice president, this year I am working on a few cool and new things like revamping the class rep system and making our online and distance students services better.

Rebecca SwindellsPresident

IN A MOVE TO GENERATE NEW IDEAS AND GET HIS MIND PROCESSING

CONCEPTS OF MATERIALITY, THIRD YEAR SCHOOL OF ART STUDENT

DAN ROBERTS IS CREATING WORKS OF ART THAT ARE “PHYSICAL

BRAINSTORMS” IN THE FORM OF DAILY NEWSPAPER RESPONSES.

After a long hiatus from the art

school over the summer, Roberts,

who is majoring in sculpting,

explained to Gyro “I wanted to

create an exercise that would allow

me to work in the opposite way to

which I naturally orientate”. While

he had previously created works

that involved in-depth planning and

pre-conceived ideas of what the

final piece would look like, a daily

newspaper response renders the

notions of planning and perfection

irrelevant.

The practice of a “newspaper

response” by which an artist will

select a news story and create a

physical expression of what the

story is about is not a new practice.

The winners of this year’s Dunedin

Fringe Fest, The Yellow Men,

use a similar practice to create

performative pieces.

For Dan Roberts the exercise has

formed a daily routine where his

first port of call when he gets to

the art school each morning is to

seek out that days Otago Daily

Times. “I use materials that are

easily accessible and I look for articles

with ‘props’ or objects that form part

of the story” he explains.

The diverse nature of news stories

in turn allows for great diversity in

the subject matter and approach

that Dan takes when creating the

sculptures. For example, a boot

with a shovel fixed into it echoes

the scale of a human figure while

visually explaining a story involving

the human work force.

In a nod to the satirical nature of

the “Tui billboards” Roberts takes

a photo of the former Top of the

Pops presenter and alleged child

sex offender Jimmy Saville and

places it with the caption “out of

control kids? Jim will fix it”.

The stories aren’t always positive,

intelligent or in good taste but that

is the very nature of news. Dan

tells Gyro “the scale of the project,

the repetitive nature of it mirrors the

very production of disposable mass-

produced news”.

“During my first week back at art

school I created one artwork a week.

Then I thought that one a week

wasn’t in keeping with the medium

of news. To have conviction it had to

be a daily thing”.

While Dan says the exercise

is “stimulating my mind and my

practice” it is also allowing the

student, who admits he often

arrives at the School of Art early in

the morning and doesn’t leave until

it is dark, to “keep up with the news”.

Roberts’ daily newspaper response

works will culminate as part of an

exhibition with other third year

students to raise funds for the

annual “Site” exhibition run by the

School of Art at the end of each

year.

Dan explains that while newspapers

will be present with his exhibit, they

will not be a main part of the work.

“They may just be sitting

in the corner in a pile.

Because like the saying goes,

yesterdays news is today’s

fish and chip wrappers”.

1) Around what time did you

start to think outside the box, and

see that your entire guitar was an

instrument? I think because I started learning guitar formally so early, taking classical lessons at four years old, then when I saw somebody doing something different to what I was used to it really excited me. W hether it was Stanley Jordan playing the guitar two-handed like a piano, or Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine playing solos with an allen wrench, or anything original, that was really interesting to me.

2) If there were anything else you

would like to do, besides play

guitar for a living, what would it

be? Lighthouse keeper.

3) I hear you turn down big gigs,

and never sign up to any big

record labels. Why is this? I don’t turn down big gigs per se; I just generally don’t really like corporate music festivals we have here in the UK . They don’t have the vibe that smaller festivals have. And the same is true of most chain venues, but not all. And I don’t want a record deal because I’m happy controlling my own life, working with people who care about music and not so much about what my target demographic is and how I can best be marketed. I just like a simpler life I guess!

4) Would you say it’s because you

pack so much emotion into a song,

you feel like it’s better received in

a more intimate place, like a pub

or small venue? That’s definitely true;

it’s easier to communicate to a smaller audience. The challenge with bigger venues is making them feel intimate.

5) What is the best part about

your career? Travelling. It’s both the best and worst part! It’s brain-frying hard work, but the experiences are unforgettable.

6) What would you say is the

most frustrating part? Like everyone self-employed, it’s trying to make time for work day to day. Trying to make sure you don’t get bogged down in the wrong tasks and put off the important stuff.

7) The highlight of your entire

career? I have no idea. 8) You’ve started playing ukulele at

Music is an integral part of student culture. As we all inevitably grow older, we

change in both appearance and taste. Just like anything

else, our music tastes can change entirely

as well. One year it could be funk,

next year it could be an orchestral

ensemble. One musician that

has truly moved me through the

medium of melody is a musical

mastermind from leeds. From the first

note i heard by this artist i was hooked,

listening intently from start to finish with my jaw was

resting comfortably on the floor. The song’s name: Passionflower. The artist: a

man by the name of Jon Gomm.

Passion

f ui

t

EZZRA WILSON INTERVIEW WITH JON GOMM

TUE 16 APRILOpen Mic Night, Bog Irish Bar, from 9pm till late. Free entry.

FRI 19 APRILAnthonie Tonnon Cassette Release Party, Taste Merchants (Lower Stuart St.), 7pm.TLA homecoming show with Black Sky Hustler and The Maine Coons, Chicks (port Chalmers), 9pm, $10 – bus leaving Countdown 8.30, Uni Library 8.35, $5 each way or free with Radio One Card, return bus at end of gig.

SAT 20 APRILBazooka, Gravemind, Foe, Feral Hunks, Foe, Mince on Toast, Chicks Hotel (Port Chalmers), 9pm, $5 – bus leaving Countdown 8.30, Uni Library 8.35, $5 each way or free with Radio One Card, return bus at aend of gig.

SUN 21 APRILRichard C Wallis, Inch Bar, 4pm, Free.

THU 25 APRILHair Raiser Ghost Walk - The Whispering Walls Tour, 8pm, $30, book at 0800 428683.

FRI 26 APRILToy Destruction & Astro Children, Crown Hotel (Rattray St.) $5.

SAT 27 APRILPower to the People rally against asset sales, Octagon, 2pm.

Feastock V, day event: Fea St, night event: ReFuel, Tickets $30 from Too Tone Records (Gardens), no door sales to

day event.

Tahuna Breaks album release tour, Sammys, Radio One Card holders $20.

Ruby Suns “Christopher” album release tour, Chicks (Port Chalmers), 8pm, $10 pre-sales SAT 27 APRIL – 2 MAYYou Can Always Hand Them Back (Roger Hall play), Fortune Theatre, students $20.

THUR 2 MAYPink Floyd Experience, Regent Theatre, 8pm, $95.

2 MAY – 4 MAYSheep (Arthur Meek play), Pioneer Women’s Hall (Moray Pl.), students $10.

FRI 3 MAYMatt Langley Album release Tour, Chicks (Port Chalmers), $15, tickets at http://bit.ly/MattMay.

SAT 4 MAYSickest Smashes from Arson City release show, Queens (The Exchange), 9pm, $5.

MON 6 MAYDanny Bhoy, Regent Theatre, 8pm, $54.50.Sat 11 MayBattle of the Bands National Champs – Heat 1, Sammys, 8pm.

FRI 17 MAYRegent Theatre 24 Hour Book Sale starts.

FRI 31 MAYBeastwars Blood Becomes Fire Tour, ReFuel, 8pm, $15.

TO ADD A GIG TO THE NEXT GYRO GIG GUIDE EMAIL MARK [email protected]

GYRO GIG GUIDEthe age of two. Was there any point

in time where you just thought,

“maybe this isn’t for me”, or have

you always known that it’s what you

wanted to do? It’s just always been what I do, what I am almost. “This is Jon, the musician.” Since I can remember.

9) Have you got any tips for aspiring

musicians out there? Listen. The world is tiny now. We are so lucky. You can listen to music from anywhere in the world, and from any time in history. So absorb as much as you can and find something you love that you would never have expected to! I’m really into Chinese pop music at the moment; I got into it via Sa Ding Ding. You’re not going to hear me making a pastiche Chinese album, but it will change my music for sure.

10) With a recent tour to Australia,

Ever think a visit to New Zealand is

on the cards? Next time I come to that side of the planet, I am desperate to visit New Zealand. There wasn’t time last year, but maybe we can do it in 2014.

11) When will your new album

be out, and where can people get

their hands on a copy? Autumn 2013 hopefully! It’ll be on the usual online stores like iTunes, but I always encourage people to get stuff from my website. Less than half my catalog is available on iTunes, but you can get it all from jongomm.com. I just want people to feel comfortable spending their music-money away from the big online mega-marts!

Thank you for the interview Mr

Gomm, I hope all goes well in your

musical endeavors!

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Gyro #4