Rat World, an independent quarterly publication, celebrated the release of their fifth issue with a launch party hosted by Evening Books and Yours cafe. The Tāmaki Makaurau based magazine launched the issue in Ōtepoti after Evening Books owner Frances offered to host.
The party was an opportunity to browse the freshest issue of the mag, listen to some local musicians, peruse a photo exhibition, and get your tarot cards read. Needless to say, us Critic Te Ārohi attendees came out of the event feeling affirmed and energised, albeit a little sleepy from the burning sage cloud wafting over the evening.
“It was really cool to see people come together and celebrate arts and culture not readily accessible or shown. It was a really cool night,” said first-year student attendee Billie. “With a lot of sad moments happening recently it’s always nice to see people just happy.”
Issue five featured the work of a number of local creatives, many of whom were students from the Uni and Polytech. The photo exhibition at the launch accompanied a photojournalism piece on Ōtepoti street postering that was the product of a collaboration between photography student Liam Taylor and our Local Produce columnist Jamiema Lorimer.
Ciaran Naylor, a second-year fashion design student at the Polytech, had his brand Dimock featured in the issue. Asked how it felt to have his work in the magazine, Ciarian replied, “It’s pretty incredible!” He said that the experience of working directly with other creatives and designers who “speak the same language” was “incredibly inspiring” - especially since they were also all still learning as well. “I’ve made so many friends and connections through these experiences too,” he said. “It’s made me even more excited to be a part of the Aotearoa art/fashion scene after I graduate.”
The launch will be the first of the Evening Books’ literary events that Frances hopes will become regular in the store’s calendar. This Friday, Evening Books will be hosting the author and activist Murdoch Stephens along with Renters United for a reading event of ‘Rat King Landlord’ - a topic we can probably all identify with.
Now for the real question: Should Critic follow suit by celebrating our weekly releases with a raging flat party?