A new student magazine seeks to make the invisible visible by revealing the work of hidden artists. Sandra Aquilina meets Bettina Paris, communications coordinator of Hide+Seek.

These days, as soon as she wakes up, Bettina Paris reaches for her computer to check her mail. Deadlines are approaching for Hide+Seek, the student magazine which Bettina has been working on together with all her classmates for the past academic year.

“I think we’ve all become really engaged in what we’re doing. Now everyone’s really committed.”

Hide+Seek refers to the magazine’s ethos, which is nothing short of “unearthing the unseen, by making the invisible visible.” How do the students plan on achieving such an aim?

“We want to shine a light on hidden treasures in Malta’s artistic and cultural landscape,” says Paris enthusiastically.

A look at the magazine’s facebook page certainly makes for an interesting browse. Alongside some better-known names, are artists hidden deep inside Malta’s multi-layered subculture scene, underground musicians, visual artists, photographers, mixed media artists.

“I hadn’t heard of most of them myself,” says Paris.

One of the magazine’s strengths is in fact the sheer breadth of reference, skills and talent provided by an entire class of students.

Produced by third year communications students as part of their study-unit Magazine and Digital Publishing, a total of 37 students have organised themselves into four teams: editorial, advertising, design and communication.

There is no editor, although each team has a coordinator and an assistant coordinator to follow up work flow and lecturer Malcolm Bonello provides guidance and direction.

Between them, the students share ownership for the production of the magazine. Initially all had pitched individual con-cept ideas, elements of which were selected by lecturer Malcolm Bonello.

Eventually, four ideas were shortlisted and students voted for their preference. The resulting concept is a hybrid-magazine of student ideas.

The end product, too, will be a result of the students’ work. From the writing to the photography and design, all the work involved in the magazine is being produced by the students, who take pride in working professionally.

“We have our rate card, our own editorial policy. Our press release has already been written,” says Paris.

Students were, in fact, asked to organise themselves into teams, stating a first and second preference.

Paris’s first choice was to form part of the communications team and, as the magazine’s communications coordinator, she must liaise with the media as well as be involved in the various events which are being organised.

Arts and culture are necessary for future jobs and the magazine will bring them closer to people who might not normally engage with them

One of these, a campus bake sale, already raised some revenue. Another, a music event in collaboration with Trackage Scheme, will be held at Beachaven.

After that, the focus will be on the magazine launch, which will be held on May 15, with a morning launch on campus and an evening launch at Barcelona in Paceville.

What will the finished product look like?

“The various layers surrounding the concept of Hide+Seek run through the whole publication,” says Paris.

Articles will focus on underground music, fashion, performance art and dance. The publication also highlights invisible social problems in Malta, while celebrating diversity and equality.

“We have taken subjects that people want to read about – but we’ve taken a slant on that. Readers can expect articles to be thought-provoking, shocking, humorous, controversial – and revealing.”

The idea of revealing runs through the magazine, right through its design concept. The +sign signifies adding visibility to the hidden art, explains Paris.

Playing on the contrast suggested by the title, the design is a mash-up of monochrome and psychedelic.

The final product will be an 80-pager with a print run of 1,500 which will be distributed on campus and other post-secondary and tertiary schools.

Most of the revenue has already been generated by the advertis-ing team, says Paris. Do they think they will keep it going? She seems uncertain.

“It would be great if we could continue… especially if it does well… I’m very attached to it.”

At the moment, however, she is looking at the bigger picture and is enjoying acquiring the practical skills that the assignment builds upon. It also provides a glimpse of the realities of the industry and of the dynamics between the various teams that put together a magazine.

“You would be surprised how many students spend their University years focused solely on studying. I think the beauty of it lies in the opportunities. I prefer to take in as much as possible.”

Outside school hours Paris is involved in theatre as an actress. Best-known for Tender Napalm – an intense production involving only two actors which made it to the Edinburgh Fringe – she feels privileged to be growing up at a time when the arts have taken on so much impetus.

Her dream, she confides, is to be an actress. “I want to act for the rest of my life, that’s what I want to do.”

Arts and culture are necessary for future jobs, she says, and the magazine will bring them closer to people who might not normally engage with them, while revealing the growing wealth of talent and skills in the local artistic landscape.

Why should Hide+Seek matter to readers?

“We want it to serve as an inspiration to do something in life that makes you unique, as an individual.”

The fundraising event for Hide+Seek will be held at Beachaven on April 24 in collaboration with the Trackage Scheme. Hide+Seek will be available from May 15.