Delivered by STACK May, 2010: Under/current
Provocative, disruptive and intelligent, Under/current is a brilliantly original arts magazine that mixes in fashion, music, literature and lots of photography. It takes itself very seriously, but it carries the reader along with it as it investigates themes such as ‘Downfall’ and ‘Dawn’, gathering an eclectic range of work and taking the time and space to properly explore its meaning on the page.
The Stack interview
Names
Will Alderwick, Yannis Tsitsovits
Job title
Editors in chief
What is Under/current?
It’s a biannual arts and fashion journal with a wayward approach to its theme selection. Our Downfall issue, for example, featured among other things apocalyptic, ruinous landscapes and Nazis in drag. We like to blend provocative imagery with challenging, accessible writing. So an art feature will sit comfortably next to a poem or a Francis Bacon-inspired fashion editorial.
What makes it different to the rest?
Under/current unashamedly takes in the epic and intellectual along with the subtle or ridiculous. Our tagline could be ‘because it’s worth killing trees for’.
Who makes Under/current?
Our dysfunctionally creative, London-based team of six, with the help of a growing collective of contributors – writers, photographers, stylists, artists and poets – from all over the world.
Who reads it?
The kind of person less interested in fleeting trends than food for thought and a distinct visual aesthetic. Contrary to what the mainstream media would have us believe, this includes a wide spectrum of people.
Why do you work in magazines?
Because, to paraphrase Warhol (and plagiarise from Momus), in the future everyone will be famous for fifteen people.
Aside from the print magazine, what else are you involved in?
We have some radio and art shows in the pipelines and our blog is constantly updated with new material. We’re always looking to expand our activities and find new people to work with, be it curators, promoters, or designers.
What would you change about Under/current if you could?
Have it be breastfed by an adventurous, art-loving sugar daddy.
Can you pick a favourite issue of Under/current?
So far it would be Downfall, which came out a good few months before the recession hit the headlines. We really feel that we tapped into something that was in the air at the time. But our forthcoming issue, Dawn, will be even better. The motto this time round is ‘dancing on the ruins of yesteryear’.
Where do you see Under/current in five years?
We’d like to continue doing things our way, establishing an uncompromising, instantly recognisable aesthetic and vision.
Tags: UNDER/CURRENT, Will Alderwick, Yannis Tsitsovits
