Artist showcases humanity’s cruelty

BY BRYN FAWN Opinions Editor & PR Chair

Art is not always paint on a canvas, graphite on paper or clay molded into shape. Art is sometimes a performance, whether a stand-up comedy routine, a ballet recital or even allowing the general public to shoot you with a pistol.

Marina Abramović was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1946. Abramović is known for utilizing her body in her pieces, even when it becomes deadly.

“Rhythm 0” is perhaps one of her most infamous pieces. It was performed in 1974, in Naples, Italy. Abramović set up a table with 72 objects. Some of these objects include cake, a knife, flowers and a gun. Abramović had written instructions on display for all participants, visitors and onlookers.

The instructions read: “Instructions. There are 72 objects on the table that one can use on me as desired. Performance. I am the object. During this period I take full responsibility.”

The performance would last six hours. Visitors were welcome to partake, utiliz- ing one of the 72 objects on Abramović. Exactly how the piece began is unknown, with conflicting and confusing reports from critics and participants. However, it is known that it started relatively tame. Onlookers were hesitant to participate.

Critic Thomas McEvilley wrote: “Someone turned her around. Another person thrust her arm into the air. Someone else touched her somewhat intimately.”

Disaster soon struck.

Abramović was sexually assaulted, her clothes were cut off after only three hours, she was picked up and lofted around like an object and she was cut with the knife on her neck. Supposedly, a participant drank her blood.

Not all actions taken against her were violent. Some wiped away her tears. One individual fed her cake, another placed a rose in her hand and one kissed her.

Near the end of the performance, “end” was written on her forehead.

A tragedy with catastrophic and unseen consequences occurred Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, where a freight train derailed. The train was pulling several cars filled with vinyl chloride and other harmful chemicals and 38 of 141 train cars derailed at 9 p.m. With the crash, a large dark cloud mushroomed up into the sky, looming over East Palestine’s nearly 5,000 citizens.

The chemicals spilled are known to cause cancer and are carcinogens.

The derailment occurred the same time a worker strike was taking place. Rail workers were striking in response to long hours and little to no breaks or days off in between.

Workers complained that they’re understaffed with larger, heavier trains, which is a ticking time-bomb for another disaster. However, the Biden administration made moves to dismantle the union strike. The administration has not sided with the union’s safety concerns.

Governor Mike DeWine has made claims that it is safe to reside in East Palestine, going as far as to drink a glass of tap water in East Palestine, which was recorded by Fox News.

Testing of water and air in the town has determined it safe to return, but officials told those whose homes had not been cleared to refrain from returning.

Officials advised residents to refrain from drinking tap water and to consume bottled water instead.

Residents have shared their experiences on social media. A viral video on TikTok shows a cup of coffee audibly sizzling when a coffee creamer was added. Another shows “flakes” of unknown origin and substance with an oily appearance float atop a pitcher of powdered iced tea.

There is documentation of dead fish and frogs, wildlife and oil in local waterways.

The chemical spill has seeped into the soil, destroying its capability to grow crops.

Farmers are worried for their future harvests, and locals feel they will fall in jeopardy if the farms fail. This is due to the fact that local businesses depend on these farms and the entire economy of East Palestine may crash.

Overall, tensions are at an all time high.

Residents feel that they cannot trust officials and feel the need to perform their own air and water tests through private companies.

They report experiencing symptoms such as smells, eye pain and mouth pain after the derailment even with a safe reading by the Environmental Protection Agency.

It is atrocious that U.S. citizens cannot trust the EPA and must pay for private screenings out of pocket. They feel unheard as they continue to report symptoms and outcomes to deaf ears. Residents have had to turn to social media platforms such as TikTok to create a large enough stir to gain media attention.

It is just as dastardly that DeWine refuses to acknowledge the residents’ fears and feelings, instead insisting that it is safe to return and even arresting a journalist who reported on one of DeWine’s debriefings.

Plattsburgh is 570 miles away from East Palestine. For perspective, New York City is 309 miles from Plattsburgh. The environmental aftermath of this disaster could possibly affect us in New York.

New York State De- or challenged almost every year consecutively from 2008 to 2019 and it was the sixth most banned book in 2016.

Identity is a strong theme within young adult literature, and “Looking for Alaska” is no different. Green uses Alaska as a contrast to Miles, since Alaska has her own distinct identity, while Miles is pining at how he wants himself to be perceived.

As Miles struggles with the loss of Alaska, he must gain peace by finding himself and his “great perhaps.” Although it is up for the reader’s interpretation, looking for what Alaska left behind is the only way he can move forward.

It may be surprising, but Green’s novel is fourth on the American Library Association’s “Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019” list. The book has been banned

The young adult novel has been censored due to sexual explicitness, offensive language, substance use and being unsuited for the intended age group.

The most notable reason why “Looking for Alaska” is censored is due to a scene where Miles and a side character partake in sexual activity. However, it lasts only a page and a half.

Parents have complained about the novel’s language and use of “pornography” for over a decade. The novel has been challenged in Idaho, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and even in New York. Most schools responded to these complaints by sending permission slips home for parental consent.

There are several photographs showcasing her state. Abramović was nude, holding polaroids shot of the performance and flowers, with a blank expression on her face.

A man tried to rape Abramović. Another participant took a loaded gun and pointed it to her head. This caused a fight to break out.

“It was six hours of real horror,” Abramović said in an interview in 1970

“No, I don’t think it’s okay to purchase Hogwarts Legacy, because J. K. Rowling has flat-out said the money from her products she directly funnels into anti-transgender campaigns,” Payro said. “By buying the game you are fully supporting this woman.”

Even though the novel has been subject to censorship, the themes within “Looking for Alaska” allow readers to think about their own identity and what loss can do to an individual. The novel is hilarious at times, but also pulls at your heartstrings as you imagine what life would be like without one of your closest friends.

“Looking for Alaska” is enjoyable to read. Although “Looking for Alaska” was published first, Green’s other novel “Paper Towns” almost follows the same theme: a nerdy teenage boy tries to find his own identity while discovering the true life of a quirky girl who he is not only infatuated by, but attracted to.

In comparison, “Paper Towns” is a more captivating read, while “Looking for Alaska” is full of complexities and existentialist thinking, which may not be as enjoyable for at the Sean Kelly Gallery.

Once the performance was over, participants changed their tune.

“I start being by myself and start walking through the audience naked and with blood, and tears in my eyes, everybody run away, literally run out of the door,” Abramović said.

Once confronted with the fact that these individuals had done unspeakable acts to a person, they fled. The thought was unbearable. Abramović very well could have died that night. Once the six hours were up, visitors could have had a dead body.

The photos of the performance are

Payro was less certain about just playing the game. Payro said pirating the game is OK as it does not support Rowling. Payro is unsure why “anyone would want to play the game” unless they are “critical” of it.

Payro finds it “baffling” that some do not find the game and its plot points antisemitic.

“It could be a neon sign. It could be included in the title of the game and people would partment of Environmental Conservation’s states there is no reason for New Yorkers to worry, however the department is working alongside EPA. readers who want a simpler novel to enjoy. captivating and horrifying at the same time. Throughout them all, Abramović depicts no expression, no feeling. Abramović continues to make art and perform to this day, and still uses her body. She continues to play with death, pain and pleasure as that is the basis of her works. still somehow find a way to [deny it,]” Payro said. Payro shared the difficulty of leaving the Harry Potter world and franchise. He said he was heartbroken from losing a universe he had fallen in love with as a child. He said he felt as if it was “ripped away.” Payro has since found “better” content to consume and enjoy. He said there are other media to consume, especially in the fantasy variety. Indeed, as there are plenty of other fantastical and whimsical worlds out there that include wizards and magic.

Freight Waves wants anyone impacted by the derailment or who works for Norfolk Southern or another Class I railroad to contact them at media@ freightwaves.com.

GoFundMe’s have been made by and for residents of East Palestine. One that currently has $55,000 worth of donations can be found at gofund.me/d8766dbd.

The Way is a local charity that has locations in Columbiana, Ohio; East Liverpool, Ohio; and East Palestine, Ohio. The Way has a webpage on how you can contribute to their organization at thewaystationinc.org/ get-involved.html.

The Bright Side project is another charity, like The Way, local to Ohio and is taking donations to support East Palestine at donorbox.org/east-palestine-crisis-relief.

Support those with friends and family in northeast Ohio. Use your voice to advocate for repayment of residents and for better handling of the ecological crisis and to prevent more in the future.

Vote for legislation and leaders who support your views to ensure that this incident does not occur again, and if it does it will be handled properly.

However, “Looking for Alaska” is a novel meant for contemplation, more than the standard young adult novel. Green seems to want readers to think about their legacies as they start to reach adulthood, which isn’t what may be expected to come from Green’s writing.

The novel seems like an easy read, but makes you think about life and everything that goes along with it. “Looking for Alaska” is the embodiment of a young adult novel, and more young adults should read it to consider what their “great perhaps” is.

“Rhythm 0” may never occur again, as it is one of the most contested pieces by Abramović, yet it shows how sinister humanity can get.

“If people want a Harry Potter game, they should simply grow up and find a better interest,” Payro said.