Access Magazine | Fall 2023; Issue 1

Fall 2023; Issue 1

College Majors (Taylor’s Version)

Find Swift Anthem for Your Major

Cycling of Old Trends A Fashion Comeback

TAKING CONTROL WOMEN GAMERS FLOURISH ON CAMPUS

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 1

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR

Dearest readers,

to shedding a light on the exciting and ever-changing world of fashion trends, there is something in this As we venture into this exciting new semester, magazine that you will enjoy.

I want to extend my warmest welcome and express my I’d like to express my deepest appreciation for gratitude for your continued support and enthusiasm the unwavering support from our readers, staff and the for Access Magazine.

SJSU community. Thank you for being an essential Our magazine has and will continue to always part of our creative journey. be a celebration of the rich culture San José State University and the broader community offer. Our Warm regards, talented team of journalists, photographers, designers Joanna Chavez and creatives pour their hearts into every issue to bring you stories that entertain and inspire. Each article is crafted to provide you with a glimpse into the people and stories that shape our vibrant cultural landscape.

This semester, we’re dedicated to expanding our horizons and getting out of our comfort zones.

Our features will dive into multiple entertaining topics. From the expanding e-sports scene on campus Executive Editor of Access Magazine

2 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

TABLE OF

CONTENTS October 2023

Beyond the Fandom

4

The Sound of Memories

6

SpartanFest: Worth Your Time or

8

Past Its Prime?

San José Stars

10

Sonic Summer

11

College Majors (Taylor’s Version)

14

Taking Control

15

Barbie Girls

19

Game Changers; Women in Sports

22

The Cycling of Old Trends

25

Claying Around

28

Beyond the Fandom

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By Siobhan Robinson Staff writer

4 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

Fan culture fuels the relationships that fans have for their favorite artists and singers.

“I am constantly keeping up with these artists, what they do [and] where they are,” marketing senior Juliana Sumajit said. “I will constantly support the music and content they release by all means.”

With the rise of boybands, social media and a variety of content activities ranging from appearances on latenight talk shows to guest appearances on variety shows, fangirl culture has gained widespread prominence.

The negative connotations connected to

individuals who consider themselves to be superfans is exacerbated as fangirls have a more visible presence in the music industry.

“Fangirls are always seen as crazy people who are obsessed with their favorite artist and looked down when they always wear their merch or go to multiple concerts,” criminology senior Kaiya Murray said.

Murray said she considers herself a fangirl of Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Beyoncé.

“I love them all for different reasons, but [it’s] mainly because they all have made an impact on my life [through] listening to their music during some tough times and just how amazing they are as people and performers,” Murray said.

So, where did the idea of fangirls being “too loyal” to their idols come from? The current usage of the term is most commonly associated with the rise and overall popularity of The Beatles. The Beatles predominantly drew a large number of teenage and young adult female fans.

The Beatles fangirls were frequently portrayed in the media as belligerent and hysterical.

Journalist Paul Johnson of The New Statesman wrote in an 1964 op-ed, “Those who flock around The Beatles, who scream themselves into hysteria, whose vacant faces flicker over the TV

screen, are the least fortunate of their generation, the dull, the idle, the failures.”

With the development of fandoms like the Directioners, Beliebers and the BTS Army, this flawed perspective of fangirls continued to translate in modern

fangirls in their minds over the years.”

Some fans attribute sexism as a reason why there is such a stigma attached to being a fangirl.

“There is definitely a double standard where guys can be super fans over sports teams but girls

also stated that superfans account for 50% to 80% of an artist’s revenue on average.

However, being devoted to fan culture may be a rewarding experience that can transform your perspective.

“It has helped me grow as a person as being a fangirl helped me feel a sense of community and family and I love every girl I’ve met while being in the fangirl community,” Peng said.

Being a part of fan culture can Fangirls are always seen as also inspire people to step outside of their comfort zone and create crazy people who are obsessed new friendships with people who with their favorite artist and have a similar interest in the artist.

“Growing up I was bullied and looked down when they always isolated, so I would often reach out wear their merch or go to to my social media friends,” SJSU alumna Naima Clark said. “We all multiple concerts. had a Nicki Minaj fan page from all Kaiya Muray over the world, and it allowed Criminology senior me to be myself and identify with a culture I never thought I was able to be a part of.” media fan culture. cannot fangirl over certain artists,” Finally, it can help “I think people often think of political science senior Penny Peng people become more confident and fangirls as an extreme and people said. certain about their interests and often don’t want to associate Women account for the vast forms of expression. themselves with being fangirls majority of sales and streaming “I have learned to be more because of these stigmas,” business numbers in an artist’s career confident in myself and my administration sophomore Salinka according to Amplify Her Voice, an interests and have been able to use Dhamija said, “Part of this comes organization that fights for gender it as a way to make time for myself from the way the media portrays equality in the music industry and and spend time on things that make them and part is also just of the developing women’s careers through me happy,” Dhamija said. image people have created of the lens of music. The organization

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Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 5

T

H

E S O U

OF

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How

E R M O

Music Brings

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6 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

D

Back

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You

By Maya Pettiford Staff writer

Savannah Hammett said. “It rarely rains where I live, so we treat it like a holiday especially if there’s lighting.

We all went out in front of my house and I made a video of us dancing with lightning in the back with that song in the background.”

According to a 2008 National Library of Medicine article, “emotions enhance memory processes and music evokes strong emotions, music could be involved in forming memories, either about pieces of music or about episodes

associated with musical melodies is evoked when we hear relevant music or when we are engaged in Picture this, you and your best conversation about music or episodes friends are flying down the freeway and events in our life in which music with the windows rolled down. Your has been important. Hearing music hair is flowing in the wind while associated with our past often evokes your favorite song is blasting in the a strong ‘feeling of knowing’. We have background. All of a sudden you this feeling for many songs without aren’t in the car anymore, you’re at knowing the title or text of the songs.” the club, having the time of your life This means the memory goes or at game night with the new friends both ways. When we experience you have made at college. Music has similar events to when we first hear a magical way of taking us back, a song, we can be reminded of the bringing us to a time we may have song, as opposed to a song bringing forgotten. up a memory. “[Paper Planes by M.I.A.] always Another reason music can takes me to a memory of me and bring back memories could be the my family at the beach,” business repetition of hearing a specific entrepreneurship junior song, or type of music. When Nathan Cadena said.“It’s a tied together with an event vivid memory of us leaving or stage in your life, the the beach during the sunset. repetition of music links the “Every time I hear the Every time I hear the song, two things together whether it brings me back to that.” we want it to or not. “When song, it brings me back Whether it’s a pickyou hear a song over and me-up in the morning over, the brain transmits to that.” or something that helps Nathan Cadena that sound information to Business entrepreneurship junior you relax at night, music is the “phonological loop,” a prevalent in everyone’s lives. short-term memory system in It’s often forgotten just how the auditory cortex,” according music and memories are tied to a 2020 Samitivej Hospital article. together.

“This song [Vintage and One of the main reasons as Adventurous by Conradfrmdaave] to why music evokes memories is takes me back to the summer of 2019. because of how the brain processes and information associated with I was driving to the beach with my music. Music is processed in multiple particular music.” friends and we were just singing our areas of the brain like the amygdala, This means that not only does hearts out to this song,” accounting hippocampus and auditory cortex music help us to remember things junior Yahir Moreno said “We would, according to an article published long forgotten, but it could potentially for real, play this song like ten times by the University of California San be involved in the memory-making a day.”

Diego in 2020. The hippocampus is process itself. So when you hear the Music is a connection between the important area of the brain that song you had your first dance to our past and who we are now. Music is mostly responsible for our memory in middle school with the boy you can connect people of all ages. In functioning system and retrieval swore you were going to marry, the thirty years time, your generation process. hippocampus activates and brings up will hear songs from 2023 and will all “The song Fade Into You by memories that are tied back to that be reminded of this time in your lives.

Mazzy Star reminds me of dancing in music.

When you were in college just trying the rain with my two best friends back The article also explains that to figure out who you were as people home,” forensic sciences sophomore “Autobiographical information or who you wanted to become.

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Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 7

SPARTANFEST

WORTH YOUR TIME OR PAST ITS PRIME?

8 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

Bino Rideaux (left) Blxst (right) Photo by Irene Adeline Milanez

By Richy Zajic Staff writer

music I had heard in the past. As a result, I went into the event with the While it’s not exactly assumption that I would Coachella or Camp Flog like the music. This was Gnaw, SpartanFest is a true for the most part. mostly fun experience with I enjoyed Blxst’s and some flaws.

Bino Rideaux’s music when SpartanFest is a free I finally got to hear it. The concert for San José State creative rhymes behind University students held melodic beat after melodic every semester. beat. But, for an hour and This years concert change, Blxst’s DJ played had a fairly large crowd, songs that, while good,

any concert, the opener was too long and I wanted more of the main act. This also was not an end-all beall by any means, the night was still quite fun and the music was good.

The artists that were booked compared to those that have been booked in the past seem to be less wellknown. While it’s possible that I am just uncultured and hadn’t heard of Blxst or

and my peers. The best part is that it didn’t cost me a dime . . . Well, besides tuition.

SpartanFest is a good thing for students and the fact that it occurs twice a year gives students something to do on a Thursday evening that isn’t homework. While there may not be A-list celebrities headlining these shows, those with the status of someone like Blxst aren’t exactly easy to book and at the end of the It’s tough to say whether SpartanFest is in its prime day it’s something to do on or if the glory days are behind it because there campus. have never really been any A-list celebrities who It’s tough to say whether SpartanFest is performed for it. in its prime or if the glory days are behind it because with most people in the pit were just tracks that you’d Bino Rideaux, SJSU could there have never really leaving many seats empty. hear on the radio a million be reaching higher for been any A-list celebrities While the atmosphere times. Not that Blxst’s DJ someone that more people who performed for it. As of a gymnasium wasn’t did a poor job or anything, know of. long as you go in with those exactly optimal or in fact he did a good job of I don’t expect SJSU to expectations in mind, you comparable with other warming up the crowd and book Beyoncé or Tyler, the will have a good time. concert venues I’ve keeping the energy up. But Creator, just an artist with a Consider going if attended, it definitely his set could have been bit more notoriety. you enjoy live music and wasn’t a bad vibe overall. much shorter. Blxst and Overall, I enjoyed my especially enjoy the genre Notable artists of Bino Rideaux also should experience at SpartanFest of artist. At least if you’re past SpartanFests include have shown up earlier. and I would say that it is anything like.

Pierre Bourne, E-40 and I suppose that is a worth your time. It was a Waka Flocka Flame. This common complaint about good time, with good music year’s performers were Blxst and Bino Rideaux. All of these artists are either hip hop or R&B. I had a fun time for the most part but the event definitely had its issues.

As for the background of my knowledge of the artists prior to the event, I had heard a little of Blxst’s music and had never heard any of Bino Rideaux’s. I do enjoy most music of this genre and had liked Blxst’s Photo by Irene Adeline Milanez

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Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 9

By Alicia Alvarez Social Media Manager & Co-Creative Director

3. Smash Mouth

2. Los Tigres del Norte

1. Stevie Nicks

Smash Mouth, an alternative rock band formed 1994, has remained a cultural icon for decades. The San José band is known for their infamous Shreksummoning song All Star is at the bottom of the influential chain.

While Smash Mouth did not produce music for almost two decades, they released a new song in 2023 titled Underground Sun. They never fell into obscurity despite their small discography.

Being the root of jokes and childish trends on social media is far from the desired stardom many musicians strive for. The infamy and humor of their songs kept Smash Mouth alive.

The band was never groundbreaking but remains steadfast in the memories of youth around the country. San José pumps out garage bands and one-hit wonders constantly so the longevity of Smash Mouth has made them a notable addition to the list.

While not from San José, Los Tigres del Norte immigrated to the city from Sinaloa, Mexico in 1968. The band spans across various Latin genres such as corridos, norteños and ranchera.

Los Tigres del Norte have become a household name for many Latin families, especially those in the Bay Area.

Los Tigres del Norte have been producing music since the ‘60s. The band has rotated members throughout the years while keeping the core value of a family affair.

Their music can be heard at any Mexican party with the attendees dancing through the night to their seemingly neverending songs. Los Tigres del Norte are a cornerstone of the journey of Latin artists breaking into the American music industry.

Fleetwood Mac lead-singer, Stevie Nicks, was not born in nor is from San José but still has a small connection. Nicks briefly attended San José State University to study speech communications.

She is most known for her work while performing under Fleetwood Mac despite only being their lead singer for five years. The singer/songwriter has remained in the rock genre throughout her career, marking her as a legend within the community.

San José being a stepping stone on her journey allows the community to understand a bit more of her background and perspective, giving SJSU a unique claim to a generally rare connection, placing her at the top of the list.

10 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

A voice you have to hear live to truly appreciate.

Photos and Story By Victor Lam Contributing photographer

beat selection that ranges from the talents of industry heavy hitters such as neo-soul stylers like The Free Nationals and house music royalty MAETAs melting vocals stand out from what Kaytranada, MAETA is an artist we will continue to contemporary R&B has to offer. Taking her full hear about for a long time. bodied voice and combining it with a meticulous MAETA sings at the Cafe’ du Nord in San Francisco, August 29.

Through the night ft. The Free Nationals | Questions ft. Kaytranada | Cool Cat (Queen cover)

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 11

SONIC SUMMER

Photos and Story By Victor Lam Contributing photographer

Often described as The Bay Area’s Coachella, Outside Lands took place from Aug. 11 to Aug. 13 in beautiful Golden Gate Park. The weekend provided attendees with warm weather accompanied by a cooling mist that only made the time spent dancing and singing all the more enjoyable.

Misty

Mariah the Scientist (R&B)

TOPS (indie)

Father John Misty is a folk rock star that had audiences swooning and dancing without a care.

Listen to: Chateau #4 (in C for two virgins), When You’re Smiling And Astride Me, Only Son of the Ladiesman.

Mariah The Scientist made every listener a STEM major with her performance. She is a sweet and sultry R&B singer and also rapper Young Thug’s romantic partner. “When I say ‘free,’ y’all say ‘Thug!’”

Listen to: Always n Forever, 2 you, Note to You.

The band from Québec made a rare appearance in the Bay Area to play their classicindie pop sound for a small group of adoring fans that knew every word of TOPS’ fantastic set list.

Listen to: Blind Faze, Superstition Future, Petals.

Father

John (folk)

12 | ALL ACCESS PASS

Janelle Monáe’s incredible performance featured constant costume changes and energetic choreography providing the audience with non-stop action.

To close the show she ran all the way into the back of the crowd to personally greet fans and back to the stage with trackstar-like speeds.

L’impératrice was the talk of the town all festival season, the French dance-pop band had just headlined Lollapalooza 2023. The excitement for an intimate show with the next big thing was palpable. The entire band consisted of musicians who provided the most dynamic

performance weekend.

of

the

entire

Kendrick Lamar returned to the Bay Area joined by a group of clones and a set list that included all of his hits. If you can think of a popular song from the Pulitzer Prize winning rapper, he performed it. Older cuts including Swimming Pools, m.A.A.d city Backseat Freestyle as well as new classics including King Kunta, Loyalty and Die Hard had the entire crowd wanting the funk. Rare performances included a cover of Pusha T’s Nosetalgia and a performance of his verse from Sidewalks by The Weeknd.

ALL ACCESS PASS | 13

By Fabiana Palacios Staff writer

14 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 15

Women's involvement in esports and gaming flourishes at SJSU In the world of SJSU Esports, where skill and passion collide, only a small fraction of the players represent the female gaming community, with just two out of the 80 collegiate competitors who represent SJSU Esports being women.

In the realm of Spartan Gaming, roughly 10% of active members are women. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, female representations in gaming are inspiring examples of determination and resilience, proving that gender is no obstacle to pursuing one’s gaming dreams at SJSU.

By Quetzali Topete Staff writer San José State University Spartan Gaming Club and the Esports Club actively foster inclusive environments where female students are breaking barriers in the world of esports and gaming.

Through leadership roles within the gaming community with Spartan Gaming and Spartan Esports, many women have paved the way for others to feel included and seen.

“Since the new year, we have seen a bunch of new girls join the club because we have women officers as the ‘face,’ ” Destiny Chau,

16 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

criminology junior and vice president of Spartan Gaming, said. “So it’s really nice to see girls and not be intimidated by the guys. And especially with the Esports club, the majority of their cabinet is mainly women.”

While women accounted for 46% of gamers in the United States in 2023 according to the Entertainment Software Association, the gaming and Esports industries have been heavily criticized for their lack of gender diversity.

“One of the pros of going to SJSU is our community, and the gaming one in particular, is that they’re really big on helping other people,” said Charlene Nguyen, marketing

senior and social lead for Spartan Esports.

Unfortunately, the lack of visibility and inclusion can be intimidating, discouraging talented individuals from entering the field. Chau said she herself has faced discrimination on campus.

According to a survey done by Bryter, 72% of female gamers have experienced some form of discrimination or abuse from male gamers, with 36% reporting that this is a regular occurrence.

“Even as VP, I did receive some hate for my involvement. It’s not something that we’re proud of, but we can’t change the way some people think,” Chau

From left: criminology junior Destiny Chau, marketing senior Blaire Chua Photo by Joanna Chavez

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 17

said. “They just didn’t like that a girl was in charge, but that didn’t stop us.”

Despite these challenges, promoting diverse and inclusive representation can empower aspiring girl gamers, dismantle gender stereotypes and pave the way for a more equitable future.

senior and president of Spartan Esports, said the importance of role models within the industry.

“We as people who are in the industry have to take that initiative and be that role model for anyone who is scared to speak up,” Chua said.

She said that the barriers that women

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They just didn’t like that a girl was in charge, but that didn’t stop us.”

“Any kind of hate we receive about gender, sexuality or race, you’re getting a talking to,” Chau said. “We have a zero tolerance for that.”

Blaire Chua, marketing

Destiny Chau Criminology junior

Marketing senior Blaire Chua | Photo by Joanna Chavez

gaming, because there are younger people that and underrepresented are scared to break into individuals face when an industry that is fully pursuing careers in male dominated because gaming are concerning. they are women or “Representation of underrepresented,” Chua women is so important said. in general, especially in Nguyen said the

From left: Criminology junior Destiny Chau, marketing senior Blaire Chua | Photo by Joanna Chavez

18 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

progress made so far, acknowledging that even though discrimination is present in the gaming community, we’ve come a long way.

“We’ve come a long way, right? You know, with any kind of discrimination, it’s still scary to be a participant in the gaming industry, which is mainly male,” Nguyen said.

But Nguyen emphasized that each club has gone through extraneous lengths to create a safe environment but the industry lacks those same characteristics.

“The Esports industry is a lot harder because people are stubborn, but if we stop enabling certain behaviors, we see improvement,” she said. “Everyone is human behind the screen, it’s not like we live to play the games.”

BARBIE GIRLS

m Co

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Life in the Real Dream House

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By Marie Aquino Staff writer When the Barbie movie was announced, pink was declared the unspoken dress code going to the movie theater.

The dress code is just one of many influences Barbie has had.

In Barbie, after trouble arises in the perfect-pink Barbie Land, Barbie and Ken have to go to the human world, where they find out about the joys and perils of humanity.

The movie was announced by Warner Bros. Studios in 2019, with Variety confirming that director Greta Gerwig was in charge of the movie on July 9, 2021.

“I thought it was going to be another lame, soulless Hollywood cash grab when I first heard about the movie,” marketing junior Summer Lee said. “However, after watching the trailer and seeing leaked pictures of the set, I felt that it was a passion project and had actual potential.”

As the signature color of Barbie and the summer, fans online collectively agreed to wear pink to the movie. People showed off their pink looks to showcase what they were wearing to the movie theater.

Animation and illustration senior Elisa Roberts said she was very

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 19

excited for the movie.

“I can’t think of any huge movie that women have had to dress up [for], so it was really exciting,”

and “Hi Ken!” to those wearing pink and walking out of Barbie.

“I thought it was kinda cringy when I heard people saying ‘Hi

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Seeing as Barbie has always been marketed to young girls, it was nice to see people of different ages and genders enjoy it.”

Vanessa Rangel Business senior

Roberts said. “It felt like a first, and made me reflect on that women haven’t had a lot of media to celebrate by dressing up.”

While we can’t track down the original person who started this trend, its popularity blew up and many people showed up to theaters in the signature color according to a 2023 Today article.

Barbiecore, which has been an aesthetic since the early 2000’s, took the world by storm as people all over the world shared their outfits to show their own Barbie, according to a 2023 Time article.

People outside the theaters have taken to saying “Hi Barbie!”

20 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

Barbie’ and ‘Hi Ken’ but most people just say it because they enjoy the film, so I don’t mind it,” graphic design senior Marykate Lambarte said.

Another cultural trend was the introduction of “Barbenheimer”, a mash up of Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. As both movies were released on the same day, fans also took up the idea to watch both on the same day according to a 2023

From left: Journalism junior Julia Chie Engineering grad Chandrahas Paidi Communications junior Vanessa Real Photo by Ulises Gonzalez

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USA Today article.

“It was nice seeing the Oppenheimer and Barbie outfits and the discussion on which movie was better,” business senior Vanessa Rangel said. “Seeing as Barbie has always been marketed to young girls, it was nice to see people of different ages and genders enjoy it.”

On a surface level, Barbie’s message revolves around the negative effects of patriarchy on both men and women.

The climax of the movie is when America Ferrera’s character, a mother named Gloria, gives a speech about how difficult it is to be a woman in modern society.

“It’s addressing how women feel when we’re growing up and as girls piece together what it means to be a girl in today’s society and it’s kind of addressing our, everyone’s, inner

child with that,” Roberts said. “And the same with boys growing up and they realize that they have so much inherent power in the US and other countries.”

Women have struggled to be on equal footing with men and the Barbie movie gives society a chance to give an important lesson on girlhood.

“It’s important for newer generations to learn about because they are able to change any mistakes the older generations have made,” Rangel said.

Barbie was a cultural phenomenon that created a sense of community for women all over the world. It sends a message that it’s okay to be different than what society expects you to be.

J o u rna lis m

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Game Changers; Women in Sports

From left: Nursing senior Tawni Hicks, arts and media sophomore Moana Faleofa, kinesiology sophomore Joireen Orcine Photo by Ulises Gonzalez

22 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

By Hennah Emran Staff writer Some of the greatest moments in women’s sports history have happened in only the past decade.

From Missy Franklins’ world record at the 2012 Olympics to Becky Hammon becoming the first woman to serve as a head coach in the NBA and Marta Vieira de Silva scoring more

She said many of her teammates are frustrated with not being recognized on social media for their achievements equally to the men’s team.

“Just little things like that,” she said.“Some of the girls have said [it] is kind of discouraging.”

SJSU women’s rugby club is another example of women dominating in their arena.

“The path that we’re going on, we’re very much going

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The attention that we have been getting, and how we’ve been succeeding has attracted a lot more girls for the club.”

travel and our regionals travel,” Bautista said. “We have to fight for a lot of our stuff and it’s crazy because I am really, extremely proud of us. We have a good track record: we won nationals, we came in second place at nationals, we’re undefeated.

Stuff like that. So it’s really heartbreaking to know that we are still getting scrapped of stuff, even though we are getting results.”

Support for women’s sports is shifting, but there is still work to be done to topple stereotypes and shrink the funding gap.

Joireen Orcine Kinesiology sophomore

World Cup goals than any other player, according to a 2019 article from YardBarker.

Women have continuously shown that they can perform just as well as men and succeed in professional sports.

“Every year there’s more and more [female athletes], and there’s more progress,” kinesiology senior and defender for the SJSU women’s soccer team, Evan House said.

Although women’s sports have gained popularity in the last decade, there is still much work to be done towards real equality.

“I think that sometimes people forget that soccer, or whatever sport you play, can be really emotional,” House said.

“You’ve put so much effort into it and time and this is what you’ve been doing since you were so young. So it can become emotional at times,”

uphill,” kinesiology sophomore, and center for the SJSU women’s rugby club, Joireen Orcine said.

“The attention that we have been getting, and how we’ve been succeeding has attracted a lot more girls for the club.”

The team came in second place at the College Rugby Association of America Nationals in 2022 and had won nationals in 2021.

Women’s rugby club president Reyna Bautista said although the rugby club’s funding has increased this year, it’s still a stretch to cover more than just balls and other basic equipment.

“Realistically, that won’t even cover like our nationals Kinesiology sophomore Joireen Orcine Photo by Ulises Gonzalez

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 23

Aries

peculiar senses are at its peak, your courage will be tested in chilling ways.

March 21 - April 19 Aries, an extraterrestrial entity crashes into your life.

What once seemed strange to you will become benign.

Sagittarius

November 22 - December 21 Sagittarius, a mysterious quest. Your quest for truth will uncover haunting revelations.

Taurus

April 20 - May 20 Taurus, a stranger rides in at night. Be wary of new influences in your life, they may not have your best interests at heart.

Capricorn

Gemini

May 21 - June 21 Gemini, the doppelgänger in a crowd. You will enter a period of self reflection, what you see may surprise you.

Cancer

June 22 - July 22 Cancer, the final girl. You will persevere even when the odds seem like they’re stacked against you.

Leo

July 23 - August 22 Leo, the witches’ circle. Find comfort in your friends, support them as they support you.

Virgo

August 23 - September 22 Virgo, a haunting melody echoes in the emptiness. Let your intuition guide you to your unwanted but needed answers.

Libra

September 23 - October 22 Libra, a labyrinth winds before you. Double check your steps, for the path you walk on may lead to the unknown.

Scorpio

October 23 - November 21 Scorpio, the vampire. Your

December 22 - January 20 Capricorn, coming back from beyond the grave.

Reinvigorate your life by reclaiming abandoned interests and joys.

Aquarius

January 20 - February 18 Aquarius, an ancient curse calls upon your spirit.

Venture cautiously and be prepared to face the unknown.

Pisces

February 19 - March 20 Pisces, a ghostly love from beyond seeks your embrace.

Find solace in the connection and release the haunting past.

Cycling of Old Trends Fashion Comeback A Fashion Comeback

Graphic design sophomore Caden Chang | Photo by Analyn Do

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Interdisc

With the resurgence of ’90s baggy jeans or Y2K’s shiny accessories, the cycling of trends is something to note as we start to see clothes resurfacing from prior decades.

In today’s fashion, the love of flare, cargo, low-rise and mom jeans is starting to make a comeback as the appeal for loose, oversized clothing has a more comfortable and effortless look.

“I like flare bottoms and low top jeans because back in 2016, 2018 tight jeans, cuffed and skinny jeans were really trendy . . . It kind of felt uncomfortable because it was so tight,” pre-nursing sophomore Joann Ha said. “But now it’s more looser pants and more baggy pants, or even flare pants. Those are more comfortable and they kind of add style. It’s not just like skinny tight jeans.”

With trends constantly changing, societal pressure on what’s in and out of fashion causes many people to hop onto new styles without truly loving the pieces they’re wearing.

Social media platforms have a huge impact on people’s perception of certain pieces of clothing and often create the misconception that these pieces will look good on everyone because someone on the internet was able to pull them off.

Justice studies freshman River Chavez said experimenting with her fashion style took many attempts and she played around with styles she saw online.

“I regret it,” Chavez said. “I remember I bought this purple sweater with black flames on it. It was everywhere on TikTok and I bought it and wore it once because I couldn’t style it.”

The way social media platforms

influence fashion is positive and you feel good.” negative. Even for those who know their style, finding cute pieces online can be difficult as each piece can look different for every person.

“I experimented with so many different styles, and I hated so many of them,” Chavez said. “But you can’t be embarrassed when you’re trying to figure it out. It’s like, everybody has those awkward phases. You can’t be afraid to go through them.”

Despite the toxicity social media has within the beauty and fashion industry, the popularity of posting outfits online has helped people view different trends and styles they may have not known of before.

“A lot of the influencers I’ve taken style inspo from really emphasized finding what works for you,” graphic design sophomore Caden Chang said “I think it also helps that a lot of the influencers I followed have pretty different styles so I never felt forced to conform to one specific thing. They also emphasized the importance of a sustainable closet and buying clothes wisely which I think was really good to drill into my head when I started out exploring different styles.”

With the constantly changing trends, finding a style right for you needs experimentation.

“I think bringing back things from the past is totally fine. I think that’s actually a really fun idea,” Lauren Kaufman, illustration and animation freshman, said. “But I also don’t think that people should be doing it because other people are forcing them to do it or they feel inclined to do it because of the pressure of social media … You should be focusing on what makes

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Story and photos by Carolyn Brown Creative director Between San José State University’s ceramics department, the SJSU Ceramics Guild and the ceramics studio Higher Fire in the SoFA district, San José has a bustling ceramics scene.

Cynthia Gonzalez

Spatial sculpture grad student Cynthia Gonzalez’s ceramics are bright, psychedelic and dream-like.

“I love bright colors,” Gonzalez said. “Especially working with clay, getting colors really bright doesn’t work out. But I’m also not a purist, so I’ll use paint and other things.”

For the sculptor, inspiration can come from all over.

“Sometimes I’m inspired by a nursery rhyme or something that I heard a lot growing up and that makes me make a ton of work,” they said. “Everything is an inspiration.”

Gonzalez said they described everything they do, including their artistic process, as a mess.

“My ideas are kind of like fragments and pieces and things that I find interesting and then I kind of just hodgepodge it all together, and hope for the best,” they said.

But, this isn’t to say that Gonzalez’s work lacks meaning or thought.

Multiple pieces of Gonzalez’s include materials like fabric in addition to ceramic.

“I come from a working class background, and I’m also fighting with gender norms and gender identity,” they said. “Things like fabric are very gendered. And paper mache and stuff like that, it’s v e r y like, ‘Oh, this is a craft. This isn’t art.’ So I poke at academia and I poke at the scholarly people or readings and theories I’ve run into by making things out of fabric and carpeting and Cy nt hi other things” a Go nz Gonzalez said their use ale z of non-traditional materials

28 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023

is their way of saying, “Screw you, authority.”

Currently Gonzalez has work in Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana’s (MACLA) Queer-ennial: A Story of Armor, which runs until Nov. 12.

“Growing up a really weird bisexual person in the late ’90s, I was always othered,” they said. “When I got into MACLA, it was very welcoming, and it’s really nice to see that there’s more people in, especially in my culture, that have had very similar experiences.”

Find Gonzalez on Instagram at @cyanhit.

Z. Zandbergen

Cynthia Gonzalez

CLAYING AROUND

Z. Zandbergen makes sculptures, “Clayfellows,” that would be at home in a story book or film by Studio Ghibli.

Their art takes influences from nature, houses and whimsical fairy tale elements along with the question “what if there was a little guy in your pocket?” Another large influence is the mechanical constraints of the medium.

“A lot of my stuff has little reversible faces,” Zandbergen said. “And then you have the constraint of how do you get the face to stay on if you’re not bringing in hinges or magnets or whatever … So a lot of just messing around with the mechanical constraints of what I want to be doing and what looks good on the medium.”

The uncertain way ceramics will turn out after firing has also affected their art.

“I did a lot of 2D art, I feel

Z. Zandbergen

Z. Zandbergen

like that encouraged a lot of perfectionism in me,” they said.

“With ceramics the final step is you put it in a kiln at 2,400 degrees and you melt glass on it. Whatever happens, happens.

That really encourages a live and let live attitude with the process versus I’m going to micromanage it.”

Zandbergen first tried ceramics in elementary school and majored in engineering and minored in studio art at Smith College before graduating in 2018.

“I graduated college after an emotionally rough last semester,” they said. “And I was like, ‘I should try to, like, have hobbies that I like doing.’ Ceramics was one of those and people online also liked it. I kind of lucked into it paying for itself.”

Zandbergen said they are popular on the blogging platform Tumblr and the mailing list for their website currently has over 3,000 subscribers.

“I don’t know how many people, when I send out the next thing . . . a month

from now, two months from now, will be like, ‘Oh my god, I forgot this person existed. I hate that I’m on this list, I’ll unsubscribe.’ or, ‘I forgot this existed, I’m excited to buy something.’ ” Zandbergen said.

Their popularity also translates to their sales.

“But, for the last two years, which is like five different online drops,” they said. “Stuff has sold out in (under) 10 minutes. For at least 80 items in a drop. Which is pretty wild. Not something I feel totally secure, assuming will always be happening, but it does encourage me doing a big drop all

Kentro-Donutsaurus | Kurt Salinas

at once instead of spacing it out.”

Find Zandbergen’s work on Instagram at @Z.Zandber or on Tumblr @sleepnoises.

Big Macasaurus vs Friceratops | Kurt Salinas

A of

Kurt Salinas

six piece family chicken nugget Liopleurodons, a feuding burger Tyrannosaurus rex and french fry Triceratops and a donut K e n t r o s au r u s.

All examples of San José State University graduate Kurt Salinas’s ceramics

work.

Salinas, who graduated from SJSU in 2014, said one of his influences is pop culture.

“I’m an elder millennial.

There’s this huge, huge trend in the last like seven, eight years of [. . .] nostalgia,” he said “I’m kind of riding that bandwagon.”

Another influence of Salinas’ is food.

“It’s like, ‘What brings people together?’ Food,” he said. “And, ‘How do you exchange cultures and exchange ideas?’ It’s over a plate of food or over a dinner table. And so I kind of marry the two together.”

Salinas has art in the Ăn Choi / Eat & Play exhibition at Chopstick Alley, which runs until Jan. 14, 2024.

Salinas said he was inspired by the sculptor Brett Kern and Salinas started drawing own dinosaurs.

“Around that time, I was really into slip casting donuts,” he said. “And I was thinking, I like donuts and I like dinosaurs. It’d be kind of interesting to see what it looks like if I just kind of put them together.”

Slip casting is where an artist pours liquid clay into a plaster mold in order to create a hollow cast.

Some of the campus community may recognize Salinas’s donut dinosaurs from the tent sale hosted by the SJSU Ceramics Guild each semester.

“I was like, ‘I don’t think anyone’s gonna buy this. I think they’re great, I love them. But I don’t think anyone’s gonna really enjoy it,’ ” he said. “And I put them out and [they] just flew off the shelves on the first day.”

Editor’s note: sculptures pictured are not to scale.

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 29

sjsuaccess Stay connected and up to date with our magazine by following us on social media.

@SJSUACCESS From Left: Journalism junior Julia Chie, Communications junior Vanessa Real, Engineering graduate student Chandrahas Paidi

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Photos by Ulises Gonzalez

Executive Editor Joanna Chavez Managing Editor Tracy Escobedo Creative Director Carolyn Brown Social Media Manager & Co-Creative Director Alicia Alvarez Content Editor Irene Adeline Milanez Staff Writers Analyn Do, Erin Gott, Fabiana Palacios, Hennah Emran, Jovanna Olivares, Marie Aquino, Maya Pettiford, Quetzali Topete, Richy Zajic,

Siobhan Robinson

Contributing Photographers Ulises Gonzalez, Victor Lam Advisor Nisha Garud Patkar

Cover photo: criminology junior Destiny Chau, marketing senior Blaire Chua Photo by Joanna Chavez

Fall 2023 | Access Magazine | 31

Justice studies freshman River Chavez Photo by Analyn Do

32 | Access Magazine | Fall 2023