SCAD ATLANTA’S STUDENT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018 VOL. 10 NO. 1
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CONTENTS 3 4
BEHIND THE SCENES Get a glimpse of what went into this quarter’s issue. A DECADE OF MUSIC See the winning entry from SCAD Atlanta Radio’s 10th Birthday Album Art Contest.
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BEYOND REALITY Augmented reality apps are the latest trend. Check out our top three picks.
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FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS See what our contributors had to say about life-changing moments.
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PROCLAIM YOUR UNPOPULAR OPINIONS Don’t be afraid of sharing your opinion, even if it goes against the majority.
A SURVIVOR’S PERSPECTIVE One student shares his personal story of finding purpose and meaning from tragedy. THROUGH THE LENS Get your winter fashion fix with colorful details and heavy accents.
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES Find out how, and if, things are changing in a post-Harvey Weinstein era.
REALITY VS. FICTION In a society obsessed with TV, movies and books, how blurred are the lines between reality and fiction?
COVER ILLUSTRATION BY DANA SANMAR
DISCOVER A NEW PERSPECTIVE Need a new book to read? Check out our top selections and get yourself a copy.
What defines art? The age-old question is just as complex as its answer. See what makes the definition of art such a hot topic
POINTS OF VIEW Discover the best views across the city and see Atlanta from a new perspective.
STUDENT SHOWCASES Get to know students Daniel Byrd and Emily Shott as they share their stories and art.
ELEVATING VOICES, CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES Find out what makes the Community Club an integral part of SCAD Atlanta.
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STREET ART: VANDALISM OR FINE ART? Take a look at street art in Atlanta and its subliminal value.
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COMICS CORNER See what SCAD Atlanta students see on their horizon.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY CONRAD MAXWELL-GIROD SCAN is the quarterly student magazine of the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. All editorial content is determined by the student editors. Opinions expressed in SCAN are not necessarily those of the college. ©2018 SCAN Magazine. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
MEET OUR STAFF
Emma Dakin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Anya Haber
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
If you remember back to the first time you ever had to draw a still life in class, you’ll remember learning about volume and proportion, balance and unity, space and form. What you might also remember is that each and every student’s composition looked different, despite drawing the exact same still life. The reason, as we know, is because of perspective.
Cody Delong ART DIRECTOR
Katie Howard ART DIRECTOR
Tyler Spinosa COPY EDITOR
Conrad Maxwell-Girod PHOTO EDITOR
Understanding that everyone sees things differently is one of the most important lessons we’ll learn, both at SCAD and in life. When we understand things from beyond our own point of view, we’re able to empathize with the world around us. We’re able to think more creatively and approach things differently. But understanding that people have their own perspective is only the first part of the lesson. If we truly want to grow, we must not only accept other people’s points of view, we must seek them out. Every story, experience, thought and idea is another perspective from which we can learn, another set of eyes to see the world with.
Alexandra Badiu MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Molly Moran STYLE EDITOR
Arundhati Prasad NEWS EDITOR
Mikael Trench
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
As you flip through the pages of this issue, I hope you enjoy seeing through the eyes of others as they share their own perspectives and experiences, and I hope you find a new way to see yourself. EMMA DAKIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Paulomi Mukherjee FEATURES EDITOR
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
Allison Bolt
OPINIONS EDITOR
Brooke Garnett PR DIRECTOR
BEHIND THE SCENES Reaching out is a sign of strength. Contact CS3 today if you find yourself struggling in any area of your life. Photo Editor Conrad Maxwell-Girod makes adjustments to the placement of the logo for the cover illustration. Photo by Anya Haber.
404-253-3210 atlcounseling@scad.edu
Art Director Cody Delong works on creating a photo illustration for his article (page 26). Photo by Taylor Davis.
Fourth-year advertising student Lex Lauletta, one of the models in this issue's fashion spread (page 30), messes around in between shots. Photo by Conrad Maxwell-Girod.
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A DECADE BEYOND REALITY OF MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
WRITTEN BY MIKAEL TRENCH
INTERVIEWED BY MIKAEL TRENCH
There’s reality, and then there’s augmented reality. Download one of these AR apps and discover a different perspective of the world around you. SKETCHAR
For artists who want to perfect their craft, this free app is a must-have. Featuring a wide variety of beautiful pieces that can be easily traced from screen to paper, this app is a great choice for those looking to get better at sketching more realistic subjects or improve shading skills. The only thing to keep in mind is that, as of now, the app only works with A4 paper sizes.
INGRESS
While games such as Pokemon GO! have been big hits in the AR world, it’s good to go back and see one of the games that started it all in the AR industry — Ingress. This epic game allows players to battle for virtual territories under two factions, the Enlightened and the Resistance. This app was Google’s first foray into the word of AR gaming (even though it is now available for iOS as well) and has since become one of the fastest-growing and creative apps of its kind.
INKHUNTER
Tattoos have long been a form of self-expression and art, but for those skeptical about getting inked up, this is an app that may just change your mind. With a collection of stunning tattoos shared by artists, this app allows users to believably position where they will place their future tattoos. Bringing together a community of artists and beautifully crafted pieces, this app has quickly become a favorite amongst AR users and tattoo lovers alike.
To celebrate its 10-year anniversary this past November, SCAD Atlanta Radio hosted a contest for SCAD students to create original album art that reflected the radio station and its history. The competition’s winner is third-year interactive design and game development student Rebecca Stetina-Sawyer, who spoke about her winning concept and design process. WHAT INSPIRED THE DESIGN?
I actually got to see that a lot of entries coming in looked like alternative SCAD Atlanta Radio logos, and I thought that maybe an illustration would be something fresh to mix it up. When I work and DJ in the station, we have lots of amazing posters and album artwork all around the booth and office, and I just wanted to make something that would look like it belonged on the wall beside them.
HOW DO YOU FEEL IT REPRESENTS THE RADIO STATION?
This illustration is quite literally an image of the station — what you see is the booth that the DJs sit at while performing and hosting their shows. Since the mission statement of SCAD Atlanta Radio is to cater to more indie and underground styles of music, I didn't want the work to look super polished and neat, so my art style tries to emulate that grungy/underground/local-art kind of vibe.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT THE RADIO STATION?
Getting to share music I love. It’s a great feeling. The DJ booth is one of my favorite places at SCAD — it's relaxing, stress free and my show is a great excuse to take a break from projects and get some downtime. SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
INTERVIEWED BY ANYA HABER
FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS
STUDENT LIFE
Our contributors recalled a specific moment or event in their life that changed their perspective on something.
JEANIE LO — B.F.A. WRITING. “WHAT DEFINES ART?”
I was 13 when I compared myself to my talented artistic friends and thought I had zero percent creativity. My self-esteem plummeted. However, I read illustrator Danny Gregory’s book, 'The Creative License’ that gave me hope. He wrote that everyone is capable to be creative. It made me realize I can nurture my own creativity.
MASHA ZHDANOVA — B.F.A. SEQUENTIAL ART. COMICS CORNER
“My hometown and the environment I grew up in were very academically oriented. I didn't know what I wanted to do, except that I hated math and science and the only things I liked to do I didn't think I could be successful at. It wasn't until I met someone who was applying to art school for animation that I realized it was possible to draw, tell stories and make comics for a living. Once I saw that real people had jobs doing things I liked to do, I felt like I had a goal to accomplish. That one interaction with a friend of a friend helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life, by changing my perspective on what counts as an acceptable life choice.
DANA SANMAR — M.F.A. ILLUSTRATION. COVER ARTIST
I think every experience you have changes you and the way you see the world, especially if it involves learning. A big experience that changed my perspective was getting out of my country for the first time. I’m from Colombia and I came to the U.S. as an au pair a couple of years ago. It was an amazing experience that opened my horizons to new things, other new experiences and new cultures but also changed my perspective of my country.
BEATRIZ ESPINOSA — M.F.A. ILLUSTRATION. “REALITY VS. FICTION”
When I started the MFA Illustration program here at SCAD, I knew I had to work really hard to catch up to other students that had been drawing all their lives or had done their undergrad program in art. The first year was the hardest and loneliest. But, during my second year at SCAD I started talking to more of my classmates. By getting to know these wonderful people I started to realize that even the ones I thought were so talented and intimidating were also filled with insecurities and personal struggles. I would say that the moment I started to know my classmates better, was the moment I realized that no matter the work you do or how famous you get, insecurities are a daily part of life. I also learned that getting to know the people around you is what keeps you sane, because they understand the struggle, and they are probably feeling the same way you do.
CHLOE ENOS — B.F.A. PHOTOGRAPHY. “BEHIND THE LENS”
For as long as I can remember I have been a perfectionist. Occasionally, it’s a trait I’m thankful for. But, most of the time it’s something that makes life much harder. Last year or so, I had begun to realize that my extreme perfectionism was doing nothing but making me stressed and miserable. I remember reading something that said ‘perfectionism is the enemy of progress.’ This statement really resonated with me. For the past year, I’ve been working really hard on allowing things to be imperfect. I’ve learned that life is more about progress than perfection. This is something that I still have to intentionally work on every single day. But I have noticed that allowing things to be imperfect relieves so much of my stress. I’m OK with making a few mistakes. I’m okay with not being perfect. This change in perspective has definitely made a big impact in my life.
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POINTS OF VIEW
CULTURE
If you’re interested in seeing Atlanta from a new point of view, check out these five spots around the city. WRITTEN BY MIKAEL TRENCH
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANYA HABER LAKE CLARA MEER
LAKE CLARA MEER IN PIEDMONT PARK
For those in love with Midtown, this hotspot sits perfectly in the middle of Piedmont Park, offering the best view of the Midtown skyline. So grab a picnic basket, get your Instagram ready and enjoy an afternoon at this standout viewpoint.
SKYVIEW ATLANTA
This Atlanta landmark has boasted one of the city’s best views for years and for good reason. Standing 20 stories above Centennial Olympic Park, the massive Ferris Wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas and is a perfect way to get a oneof-a-kind enhanced panoramic view of downtown Atlanta.
JACKSON STREET BRIDGE
JACKSON STREET BRIDGE
One of the city’s premiere spots for photography, this iconic bridge sits above Freedom Parkway at Atlanta's Historic Old Fourth Ward. Whether you’re trying out a new photography technique or just want a perfect profile picture, this free spot with its surprisingly low amount of traffic is bound to remain a quintessential viewpoint for years to come.
STONE MOUNTAIN
An undeniable must-see for all Atlanta residents, Stone Mountain is regarded as one of the state’s most popular attractions. Along with the park’s many attractions, hiking trails and assortment of activities, the top of the mountain contains one of the most breathtaking views of the entire city.
SUN DIAL
SUNDIAL
When it comes to getting the grandest and detailed view of Atlanta, no experience comes close to matching the Sun Dial. Placed 723 feet atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, this luxury restaurant and bar allows visitors a unique opportunity to see the city in a gorgeous, 360 degree view.
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STUDENT LIFE
DANIEL BYRD B.F.A. PAINTING
INTERVIEWED BY TYLER SPINOSA PHOTOGRAPHED BY CONRAD MAXWELL-GIROD
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN PAINTING?
I got into painting through graffiti which grabbed my attention when I was in 6th grade. I really started with illustrating characters and letters. Then, I started to lean more towards the art of a “tag” which has a calligraphy aspect to it. Once I arrived at SCAD and picked up my first painting class, I began translating those calligraphic movements into large abstract paintings.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK? I like to describe my work as innovative and a reflection of our everyday environment — people and/or spaces communicating with one another to collaborate or fight for dominance, usually leading to a pretty active surface, but rather than calling it a surface I like to refer to it as a space. WHO ARE YOUR CREATIVE INFLUENCES? I can never pinpoint a particular artist, but abstract expressionism has always been a go to for me. As for artists in the present, anyone who is pushing the use of materials or just the boundaries on how to create resonates with me deeply. Progression is also very important to me when I look into another artist’s work. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS? My favorite, but also least favorite, aspect of the creative process would be the infinite amount of possibilities. It can be stressful to tie yourself down to one idea while you have hundreds of other ones in your head. Once you get going, a flood of new ideas can come pouring in. It’s very gratifying, but daunting at the same time. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CREATIVE CAREER?
The most rewarding part of my creative career thus far, besides having gotten really amazing opportunities to do what I love, has got to be showing my dad that I can make this work. Having watched him do conference calls relentlessly while I was growing up or seeing him traveling countless miles for business has had a lasting impact on me. At first, the path of going to art school was very questionable for the both of us, but there’s a strong drive for success I’ve inherited from that man, and I’m forever thankful for how it has helped shape my success.
WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE TO ASPIRING PAINTERS?
Never limit yourself. Home Depot has become my sanctuary because it makes you realize how many tools out there you can use to make a mark. Don’t let the rubric limit yourself either. Look at it as just a base and find as many ways you can put your own stamp on it.
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
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STUDENT LIFE
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
STUDENT LIFE
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SCULPTURE AS YOUR MAJOR?
When I first started at SCAD I was in animation — I took one class in it and realized that drawing wasn’t what made me happy. I switched to sculpture the next quarter. I like to have a connection with the materials and the work I create. Sculpture allows me to feel a piece out and gives me freedom to create whatever I want.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE THE KIND OF WORK YOU MAKE?
EMILY SHOTT
B.F.A. SCULPTURE
INTERVIEWED BY PAULOMI MUKHERJEE PHOTOGRAPHED BY CONRAD MAXWELL-GIROD
I like to describe my work as innovative and a reflection of our I’m inspired by nature and where I grew up in the Michigan countryside. The only way I see my work being different from others is that I work directly from my viewpoint on nature. No two people have the same views so that is what makes my work unique.
WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD AT SCAD?
I had a lot of fun at Open Studio Night this year. It was the first time I saw how people outside of the sculpture studio reacted to my work. I had my large, wolf-hand puppet with me and the crowd would either be too nervous to approach or come and interact with it like it was a real animal. Somebody even brought their puppy over to sniff it.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INSPIRATIONS?
Beth Cavener has a really interesting way of sculpting animals out of ceramic. All of her work seems to have a flow and her sculptures have this lightness and windblown look to them. She uses very human ideas and represents them with animals in her art. The interactions between the animals in some of her work is stunning.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A SCULPTOR?
Sculptures get displayed on pedestals which separates the viewer from the artwork. I feel like my work is strongest when people are allowed to interact with my art. Finding a way to effectively use the pedestals has been a big challenge. The conclusion I’ve come to is puppetry. It has a direct response to the viewer and they can interact with my art. Figuring out how to construct puppets is an entirely new challenge that I am still figuring out.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AFTER SCAD?
The dream is to work in a creature shop. I’ve always focused on making animals with my art and I really want to do that professionally. Other than that, I think it would be fun and worthwhile working in and learning different jobs that relate to sculpture. New experiences are essential to artists, it’s what lets them build on pre-existing ideas and grow a new body of work. 11
OPINION
Proclaim Your popular Opinions Everyone holds an unpopular opinion, but our culture of fear shouldn’t stop us from voicing them. WRITTEN BY ALLISON BOLT ILLUSTRATEDBY JULIA YOON It is easy to feel as if your opinion is unpopular because sometimes it is. Sometimes, more than half of America’s population will disagree with you and what you believe will not be supported by the majority of your peers. In this instance, it may feel as if the nation is glaring at you because your opinion is unpopular, but you are not alone. Unpopular opinions are prevalent when discussing the big issues, because answers to these topics are not clean cut, especially when politics are involved.
Presidential elections are known to stir up a multitude of opinions. The 2016 election revealed a plethora of voices; women marched into Washington wearing pink cat ears, riots erupted in the streets and President Donald Trump watched from the White House. According to a Gallup poll in November 2016 immediately following the election, the number of citizens who perceived the nation as “divided” skyrocketed to the highest it’s ever been at 77 percent.
Furthermore, no one holds opinions that are exactly identical. Two people could agree that they are pro-choice when it comes to abortion but disagree on the specifics of organizations such as Planned Parenthood. They could disagree on tax reform but find comfort in each other as they complain while filing their own taxes. Or maybe they agree that there are too many mass shootings happening but disagree on gun control laws.
The 2016 presidential election pulled back the curtains and revealed an indefinitely divided America. The division is one that traces all the way back to the founding of our country through the Civil War. Race equality, gender equality, LGBTQIA equality and religion — this laundry list of monumental issues has led to a wide spectrum of opinions, including the unpopular ones, such as the 23 percent of Americans who currently do not see the nation as “divided.” Either way, it is a fact that our nation is in a state of unrest.
Despite the details, some opinions are simply statistically unpopular. If you’re pro-gun control but currently live in Georgia, a state where 40.3 percent of the population own guns according to ThoughtCo, or if you voted for Jill Stein in the 2016 election instead of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, you technically hold an unpopular opinion. As such, you may feel isolated or that everyone else is narrowing their eyes at you. Yet, no one agrees on everything 100 percent. If everyone agreed 100 percent, it would no longer be an opinion, but a fact. Everyone holds at least one unpopular opinion, but that doesn’t make the opinion wrong.
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We are constantly surrounded by conflict and we are afraid to discuss personal opinions that could lead to more conflict, especially if these opinions are unpopular. There are many possibilities as to why we are so afraid to publically share opinions, and most of them began far before the 2016 election. Maybe it’s because many Wof us belong to the generation that grew up through the post-9/11 panic and paranoia. Or maybe it’s because we grew up with news stories of mass shootings and riots in the streets playing in the background as we built Lego towers or completed homework. We were exposed to horror and tragedy at a young age. We grew up in this nation of peripheral terror and we were raised accordingly. We have become a culture of fear.
FEATURE
Discussing political opinions is no longer dinner party small talk. Rather, it is a conversation that could end relationships or result in strong, and possibly violent, reactions. We leave class and return home to our dorms and apartments, locking ourselves away in cages, cages that do not keep us inside, but keep others out. We avoid topics such as healthcare, the second amendment, political affiliation, climate change, abortion and police brutality between classes. We hide our phones when we get news story notifications amongst friends. We are often too afraid to publically voice our opinions, especially unpopular ones. We fear that our friends will disagree and that all at once we will feel ashamed of our opinion. We fear that an argument will erupt, our friendships will end, we will be looked down upon, everyone will roll their eyes at us or, worst case scenario, someone will become extremely angry and possibly violent. Thus, we avoid the conversationsall together.
It is only natural that we congregate into groups of companions who share our opinions, or similar ones. Surrounding ourselves with agreeable people who hold common views saves us from encountering conflict. It is important to remember that the division in our nation is not new. It’s not as if fifty years ago Americans lived in a utopia where everyone agreed and no one had unpopular opinions. People have always disagreed and will always disagree, we just have more platforms now to express our opinions and Facebook feeds full of arguments. Anonymity on the internet offers an escape from this fear that we feel when voicing our opinions. Social media, while not always anonymous, offers a protective barrier to hide behind. Voicing your opinion, even if it’s considered unpopular, has never been easier. Social media is like driving a car and feeling as if you’re in a protected bubble that enables you to honk the horn and scream, but outside of that car you still need to maintain a polite demeanor due to the fear of the other person’s reaction. Because a car, much like social media, offers a sense of protection for you to safely scream whatever it is that you are opinionated about. It offers comforting distance. 13
OPINION
Each social media platform offers a distinctive way to share opinions. Instagram appeals to a visual audience who want to scroll through images and efficiently double tap the things they like and agree with. Facebook allows users to share friends posts both visual and written, as well as mark angry faces on opinionated posts you disagree with. Twitter is the most relevant platform for sharing opinions. 280 characters are all you have to craft your rant about the line at the grocery store, or a raw confession about your views on abortion or police brutality. Each time a person retweets your post, it reaffirms it and suddenly your opinion doesn’t seem so unpopular anymore. One retweet is all it takes to conquer the fear of putting your voice out there.
hands clean of politics because there is too much conflict involved. This is not only lazy, it is throwing away all of the opportunities we have that would allow us to make a change, to put our opinions and ideas into action.
News broadcasts have even transformed into presidential Twitter updates thanks to the president of the United States choosing to voice his opinions on social media. Following his election into office, the 24/7 coverage of Trump’s Twitter account began with NBC reporting his tweet, “Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!” The president, only minutes into his term, chose to keep his distance and voice his opinion on social media against citizens who were bravely voicing their opinions in public.
Mass shootings, terrorist attacks, media profiting from conflict and tragedy, and fear will always be present in our society. We will continue to be afraid of the world around us and some opinions will always be considered unpopular because we will never live in a perfect world. Yet, we do live in a country that allows us the freedom of being an individual and voicing our unique opinions, protesting, and electing officials that we choose and believe will enact our ideas. With just a little bit of patience and understanding, the fear of discussing our unpopular opinions can slowly dissipate and we can take advantage of the power we hold but often do not pursue.
Social media has affected the way we share our opinions, possibly in a negative way. It has provided a wall to hide behind, a safety blanket, protecting us from face to face interactions. Thus, our generation’s fear of sharing opinions in person has only increased. Yet unpopular opinions, conflict and debate will forever be present in our society because we are a society of humans who have the ability to think for ourselves, be individuals, and form our own opinions however unpopular they may be and luckily we live in a nation that allows us to voice them. Freedom of speech is a privilege that not all humans have and we take it for granted everyday. It’s easy when we grow up in a country with free speech to get frustrated with all of the conflict it can cause. We often choose the simple fix of closing our ears, attempting to ignore politics and taking a break from our social media accounts. This is a nonproductive fear driven act that blatantly ignores the privilege of free speech. We often we sit back and wipe our
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We must take advantage of our freedom by exercising our rights and raising our voices, not only on social media, but also publicly — even though someone is going to stand up and voice an opposing opinion because none of us will agree 100 percent. Depending on the person, they may argue with you or they may agree to disagree but either way it is OK. It is OK because you are an individual, they are an individual and no one shares identical opinions. Just because someone holds an opinion that you do not agree with, doesn’t mean that it is wrong. Keeping an open mind is the key to discussing differing ideas without destructive conflict.
WRITTEN BY TYLER SPINOSA ILLUSTRATED BY BEATRIZ ESPINOSA Modern pop culture is almost entirely media driven. Literature, television, film and now internet content is interwoven into the fabric of the human experience. This is because fiction, or more specifically, stories, are an undeniable part of the way humans perceive reality. Fiction resonates powerfully with people, despite the fact that it is not real. Stories resonate so powerfully with some viewers that it impacts the way they carry themselves in the real world. Tattoos, cosplay and fan art are great examples of exterior expressions of commitment to the spirit of a story. In turn, fans gain a satisfying means of escapism from negative aspects of their own lives as they form vicarious connections with the avatars in the stories they love. Ultra-die-hard obsessive fans of anything ranging from “Harry Potter” to the “Walking Dead”to “Naruto” experience a full range of human emotions right alongside the characters in their favorite series. That mutual experience creates a bond that appeals to the way the viewers wishes they, or the world as a whole, actually were, in some sense or another.
number of people losing themselves to fiction in the last decade, the hostility of the current political climate and the rapidly changing nature of technology and pop-culture is responsible for it. The more complex things become, the more people will want to return to narratives that make them feel comfortable and properly oriented, even if that means sacrificing their progress and position in reality. The benefits of stories are using a fictional scenario to help gain a perspective you might not otherwise have had access to. To use that perspective wisely, however, is to take it and put it into practice, instead of dwelling in a bubble of vicarious comfort. In this way, stories make catharsis reachable through proxy. The vicarious release people achieve through fiction is so significant that it brings the qualitative realness of fiction into question. If Bugs Bunny isn’t real, yet he has influenced more people than you and I will ever even come in contact with and will be around long after we are nothing but worm food, then how can we deny the real world impact of Bugs Bunny?
This propensity to escape into fiction is often in response to the vast complexity of the world and the frequent obstacles people encounter throughout their lives. With fiction, you can live out all the despair and success imaginable, without actually having to risk anything as you sit on the couch. If there has been an increasing 15
STUDENT LIFE
Elevating Voices, Celebrating Differences The Community Club at SCAD Atlanta celebrates the contributions and perspectives of the LGBTQIA+ community with passion and pride. WRITTEN BY ARUNDHATI PRASAD PHOTOGRAPHED BY CONRAD MAXWELL-GIROD
In a creative college environment, it is important ton have the opportunity and right to voice one’s views and opinions. It is also important to surround oneself with people who encourage healthy skepticism and freedom of expression. SCAD Atlanta’s Community Club promotes these values to build a more inclusive student community.
Atlanta. When asked about creating a safe space for students, Landis said,“There is no such thing as a safe space — there is only brave space.”The club is about coming together to celebrate diversity in all its forms and encourages students to come as they are, be challenged to grow and become more accepting of others.
In his sophomore year, Samuel Landis, a fourth–year branded entertainment student, took the club’s helm from alumnus Jason Parrish. “I was nervous,” said Landis, who was told that if he didn’t take it up, the club would likely cease to exist. “I remember thinking, this can’t die. So many students need this space to tell their stories.” Sam reached out to his friends Jasmine Martin, a fourth–year
“We are stronger in our diversity,” said Landis. “It is empowering to hear people’s stories as it gives others the courage to speak up.” According to Landis, we live in a world where people like to label themselves and categorize their interests. It is important to find a nonjudgmental space where diverse views are celebrated.
The club is about coming together to celebrate diversity in all its forms and encourages students to come as they are. branded entertainment student and Mitchell Atwater, a fourth–year visual effects student, who helped him strengthen the club along with Parrish’s continued support. The club has grown to more than 45 members in the past few years and serves students from all over the world regardless of what their faith is, their gender, color, sexuality or belief. Their goal is to establish a sense of community and solidarity, not just among the members, but for all students at SCAD
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Running a student organization and planning events for its members is not an easy task. It requires patience, passion and persistence. When asked about the obstacles one may face as a student leader, Landis mentioned that learning to navigate people’s temperaments, emotions and feelings is the most challenging part of leading a club. “No one is perfect. Hearing people out and letting a difference of opinion add to one’s perspective is the best way to maintain the core belief of the club,” Landis said, adding that hearing stories and recognizing another person’s point of view not only informs one’s own perspective, but also makes one a better listener. Participation is always encouraged and is the key to hosting a successful program. “Let someone else make the poster, design the t-shirt or send out the newsletter,” said Landis. “It’s more authentic if you hear about the club from different members.” The Community Club would certainly not be what it is today without its members and leadership, such as vice president
STUDENT LIFE
Grey Havens, a third–year animation student, Mishi Lee, a first–year animation student and Isabelle Topp, a third–year interior design student. The club aims to connect SCAD Atlanta’s LGBTQIA+ students with the Atlanta community through local events and partnering with organizations such as Lost and Found, an Atlanta non-profit that works towards ending homelessness for the LGBTQ community.“It is important to give back. We stand on the shoulders of those who have paved the way for us and we owe it to the people around us,” said Landis, who also wants mentoring and discussions about self-care and mental health to be one of the club’s immediate goals. Last quarter, the club organized a drag show. “We named it ‘Can’t Drag Us Down’ and the theme was empowerment,” said Landis. The show featured both regular performers and amateurs who had never done a drag show before. “People chose songs that pumped them up and became so much more comfortable and open. They came because they felt a sense of belonging. To me that is the biggest achievement,” said Landis. The club also participated in Atlanta’s Pride parade
in October, celebrating LGBT History Month. “We had nearly 45 people who walked with us, and it was so many people’s first Pride,” said Landis, who considers Pride a remarkable experience as all your people are gathered together in one place. “It was a big party. Everyone got together and made T-shirts, posters, cupcakes and cookies. We got creative with it, and I gave everyone glitter baptisms.” For the winter quarter, the Community CLub is looking to team up with the Black Students Association (BSA) and SCAD Indian Students’ Association (SISA) to organize a diversity week. “We want to do a whole week of events, have speakers and even put up art installations,” said Landis, who thinks it would be a good way to bring everyone together and celebrate diversity at SCAD Atlanta. The club is active all through the quarter with bi-weekly meetings, movie nights and outings, and a featured event that changes every quarter. For Landis, becoming part of the Community Club felt like “finding a herd of rainbow sheep” who celebrate each other’s differences. The LGBT Community club has not only given students the confidence to speak their mind, but also the platform to be heard.
From Left to right: Sam Landis, Mishi Lee, Isabelle Topp, and 17 Grey Havens
Discover a New Perspective
2017 produced a plethora of spectacular novels, each one offering a fresh point of view or unique story to share. Check out our recommendations, grab a copy and discover something new.
WRITTEN BY EMMA DAKIN GRAPHIC CREATED BY CODY DELONG
Turtles All The Way Down By John Green
The Leavers By Lisa Ko
The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas
(Young Adult Fiction)
(Fiction)
(Young Adult Fiction)
Sixteen-year-old Aza, who struggles with anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, teams up with her best friend Daisy to investigate a mystery surrounding a fugitive billionaire. Both heartbreaking and humorous in its storytelling, this novel is a powerful and insightful look into the mind of someone struggling with mental illness.
After the disappearance of his immigrant mother, Deming Guo is adopted into a white family and given a new American name, “Daniel.” Struggling to reconcile his Chinese culture with his new life, “The Leavers” is a moving coming-of-age story as Daniel seeks a sense of belonging.
After her friend is shot by a police officer, 16-year-old Starr Carter struggles with loss, identity and her future in a racially-divided America. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, “The Hate U Give” explores tough and timely issues through Starr’s authentic and emphatic narrative.
Cover by Algonquin Books
Cover by Balzer + Bray
Cover by Dutton Books for Young Readers
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
Sing, Unburied, Sing
The Stranger In The Woods
We Were The Lucky Ones
By Jesmyn Ward
By Michael Finkel
By Georgia Hunter
(Fiction)
(Non-Fiction)
(Historical Fiction)
A character-driven drama. “Sing, Unburied, Sing” centers around several generations of a Mississippi family: cancer-stricken Mam and stoic Pop, their addict daughter Leonie and her children, JoJo and Kayla. The novel tackles both the ugliness and beauty of family and rural 21stcentury America. Cover by Scribner
“The Stranger in the Woods” is a deep and thought-provoking look at the life of Christopher Knight, who lived without human contact for 27 years in the forests of Maine. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this novel offers a detailed account of the man who chose solitude over society.
Cover by Knopf
Based on a true story, “We Were the Lucky Ones” tells the incredible story of a family of Polish Jews during World War II. Separated from one another over the course of the war, the family is determined to survive and reunite against all odds.
Cover by Viking
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FEATURE
SCAN MAGAZINE // FALL 2017
CULTURE
What defines art? An artwork doesn’t become art just because auction houses, museums, critics, theorists and artists say it is — art is beauty, and as such lies in the eyes of the beholder. WRITTEN BY JEANIE LO ILLUSTRATED BY ALEXANDRA BADIU
Rumor has it that Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, giants of the Renaissance and some of the most iconic artists of all time, were actually bitter rivals. Not only did they compete for commissions, they mocked each other’s work and argued over the definition of true art. Da Vinci was an avid painter, and he considered painting as the supreme art. Supposedly, Da Vinci once told Michelangelo he was not a real artist because he could not paint. Rumor also has it that Michelangelo, who had always regarded himself as a sculptor first and painter second, accepted Pope Julius II’s commission to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel just to prove to Da Vinci he could excel in painting too. Michelangelo and Da Vinci’s feud shows us that even the most famous artists disagree with what could and should be considered art, a question that has persisted for centuries. The definition of art changes according to time and social circumstances. Art historians
during the Renaissance made the distinction between an artist versus a craftsman, while 18th-century theorists, critics and educators deemed photography as the lowest form of art, if it could be considered art at all. Duchamp’s 1917 “Fountain” mocked museums and provoked us to ask ourselves, “Is everything in a museum art? Even if it’s just a urinal?” The general public find it difficult to agree on what can be considered art, especially when it comes to ready-made works, found objects and abstract paintings. Most visitors when they see Rothko’s color field paintings think, “My kid can do that,” or send a Snapchat of Robert Rauschenberg’s “White Painting” in the Museum of Modern Art with the caption, “WTF.” So, what is art? As defined in the Oxford Dictionary, art is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form
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CULTURE
The definition of art changes according to time and social circumstances.
such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” But this definition probably doesn’t satisfy those who think Rauschenberg’s painting is trash. Another particularly polarizing piece is Tracey Emin’s “My Bed,” which was shortlisted for a prestigious Turner Prize in 1999. The work provoked a huge divide among both the art world and the public. “My Bed” is a king-size bed with white sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases covered in cigarettes butts, used condoms, menstrual blood and urine. Emin recalled she was always in her messy bed during a deep depression. Trapped by apathy and lethargy, she found hope one morning when she looked at her bed and thought “this bed had saved my life and kept me safe,” she said in an interview with Turner Contemporary. “At that moment I just saw it in a white space, and I realized it was art.” The response, however, questioned that. News outlets published headlines titled, “Is this art?” in response to her work. Art historian and exhibition organizer Richard Dormant called Emin a phony. Many asked, “Where is the beauty associated with classical art? Where is the grace?” Emin didn’t even make the fabrics or materials. However, the interpretation of modern art judges more on intellectual content than criteria of beauty. Some critics saw “My Bed” as a confessional piece that brought forth a sense of intimacy and a visualization of depression and trauma. It revealed tthe human experience. Gyun Hur, a faculty member at Parsons School of Design, said that Emin’s work “is art as a portion of the artist’s past life re-contextualized in the art space,” and that “her approaching this particular work references back to Duchamp’s ready-made works, in which there is no fabrication or ‘artist’s craftsmanship’ visible in the work, but just the conceptual way of thinking about objects, space and concept.” Cheska Inciong, a second-year painting student at SCAD Hong Kong, said she thought it wasn’t up to her to define
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
if Emin’s work is art. “Just the fact that she wanted to preserve a memory and document something important to her seems significant,” said Inciong. When asked how she personally defines art, Inciong said, “Art is another form of communication between people. Whether an institution or auction house considers a work as art doesn’t really define it as art.” What she does consider art is something that connects with people, makes them feel less alone and allows them to see their own experiences and emotions mirrored in the works. Inciong references “Orphan Girl At the Cemetery” by Eugène Delacroix as art, not only because it’s skillfully painted, but meaningful. “It made me feel something,” Inciong said. “I look at it, and I feel a connection to someone else. I like it because it feels vulnerable.” Clay Randle, a second-year writing student at SCAD Atlanta, sees art as a product of self-actualization. “Art is the highest manifestation of one’s imagination,” Randle said. “What drives art is the ability to look at the world and, no matter the circumstance, still see purity. Art is about maintaining a natural point of view and an appreciation of the small things in life which are often overlooked.” Randle added that “all art is perspective-based and opinions will differ.” For Yeliz Motro, a second-year animation student at SCAD Atlanta, effort and sincerity in art are what matter most. “If I see something that has a lot of effort put into it, I tend to appreciate it more,” she said. “After I recognize the effort, my next checkpoint is usually uniqueness and genuineness. For example, a low- budget movie that has a new thing to say, an unusual perspective or a different approach to filmmaking which has a lot of heart and soul will always be better for me than a high-budget, very wellproduced one that follows a standardized method.”
The interpretation of modern art judges more on intellectual content than criteria of beauty.
FEATURE
“Before Sunrise” (1995) is one such film according to Motro. “You can see the effort that was put into making the characters feel real and their relationship even more real. The dialogue and the tiny gestures and expressions of the two characters make up the whole movie. The cinematography or lighting or anything isn’t over the top. All the effort was put into making the story feel genuine and intimate.” Every student has their own definition, yet we can see a pattern: our definition of art is often an emotional one. Art itself already carries and conveys feelings — it’s a vehicle of expression that evokes our emotional responses as well. Think of the look of anguish on Michelangelo’s Mary in the “Pieta” that made visitors sobbed, the horror reflected on the face of the man in Munch’s “The Scream,”
or the heart-warming scene in Pixar’s “Up” that chronicles Carl and Ellie’s relationship and had thousands of people commenting on its YouTube link how it made them cry. Our reactions to art are personal. And when it’s personal, the definition of art becomes subjective. So, we must ask ourselves a question: just because we don’t like a work of art, does it mean it’s not art? In the debate over what defines art, I thought of what novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote in “Anna Karenina” that “there are as many minds as there are heads … there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.” To me, it seems there are as many kinds of definitions of art as there are people, living and dead. According to the High Museum’s public relations specialist Noella Jones, the definition of art “is constantly evolving, thanks to innovative artists who push us to see the world differently.”
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CULTURE
One thing that unites us all though, is no matter how our diverse and different our definition of art is, most of us have at least something to say about it: “This is art!” or, “No, this is not art!” We disagree over what art means, because it means something to us. Art meant the life to Michelangelo and Da Vinci, which is why each artist was so passionate about defending their chosen medium of art as the “true” art. How we define art is a subjective opinion rather than an objective, unbiased truth, yet the experience of art is universal. It tells us something about our individual need to find things like meaning, genuine connection, preservation of memory, documentation and social change. Our personal
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
definitions of art are a reflection of out principles and values. So, it’s okay to express your admiration or distaste for different types of art, and it’s ok to say whether you think a work is art or not. In the end, it’s a reflection of your values and it means something to you, no matter what that something might be.
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A Survivor’s Perspective When dealing with tragedy and trauma, I chose to transform pain into purpose. WRITTEN AND PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION CREATED BY CODY DELONG
I remember looking down at my feet, the red clay caked to my shoes as I waited on the side of the road. In that moment, I was so afraid of the truth, of the future and of being alone. I remember seeing the man walking towards me and my stepfather and seeing his face as he did. I just wanted to focus on the mud on my shoes. Mom was going to be so pissed my new shoes were filthy. I remember the man saying it: the traffic stop, the car accident, the “I’m so sorry for your loss,” while my stepfather sobbed next to me. Growing up, it was always my mom and me. She raised me as a single mother because my dad died when I was a baby and she was always there for me. She was my best friend, my confidant and my biggest supporter. Then, for the first time in my life, she wasn’t there. In the months that followed, I continued to move through my day-to-day life like a ghost of my former self. Much of this time I have blocked out of my
What I learned to understand was that this pain will always be there in the back of my mind, affecting how I think, feel and act, and this can be both negative and positive. mind, but the moments that I do remember are of feeling numb, sad and angry all at once. My grief over my mother’s death was compounded by the loss of a friend to suicide shortly after. I felt utterly alone and didn’t know how to talk to about my pain. My family stigmatised mental health and any attempt to talk about seeing a therapist was met with arguments, telling me to turn to family and faith for help. I started to do risky things such as staying out late, drinking,
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
smoking and driving recklessly, all in the hopes it would numb my pain or even end my life so I wouldn’t have to deal with things anymore. Isolation, a lack of support and inability to deal with my grief overwhelmed me, taking me to a place that I didn’t know how to get out of. It was a long road that ended with me trying to kill myself because the grief was just too much. Looking back, the critical reason I found myself at that point was because I wasn’t dealing with my loss. I was pushing it
PERSONAL ESSAY
down, ignoring it and pretending it wasn’t there. But that is the thing about grief, it’s elusive and waits for those moments of quiet, of peace, when you think we are okay and we have made progress, only to resurface and drag you back down. Following the suicide attempt, which my family and friends helped me recover from, I began to see a therapist and talk about how I was feeling. I finally started working through my pain and pulling myself up from my lowest moment. It’s now been four years now since my mom passed away and there isn’t a single day that goes by that I don’t think about it. It’s usually the simple things people take for granted that remind me that I don’t have her here with me: my friends talking to their mom about their days, the casual lunches or dinners with their families, the tearful calls about how stressful school is and how they just need to hear their mom’s voice to make it all alright — these are the things I miss every day. What I learned to understand was that this pain will always be there in the back of my mind, affecting how I think, feel and act, and this can be both negative and positive, but that is up to me. We all have dark moments where we don’t think we can keep going and when we just want to give up, but that is just what they are — moments. Every day I have to remember I’m not alone, and that I now can help someone in their time of need just like how I needed someone to help me through mine. I chose to channel my trauma into something that could give me purpose and help others that have suffered in the same ways I have. This thought of helping others has become a defining theme in my work as a graphic designer because at the end of the day, we all experience loss and pain. I want to help people learn from these losses and also learn a healthy way to deal with them. Difficult topics such as death, vulnerability and de-stigmatising mental health have been topics of multiple projects in my portfolio and have propelled me into work focused on social and interpersonal issues. For my latest project, we had to develop an app that would help solve a problem that was painful from our past, and nothing else seemed
more important than the loss of my mother. I designed an app to help people deal with the loss of a loved one that would use artificial intelligence to get to know you and your personal loss in order to help you heal through communication, personalized coping mechanisms, mood tracking and geolocation to encourage you to avoid self induced isolation. This project was something that I felt defined me as a person and as a designer. Tragedy is painful and can significantly affect your life if you let it, but you have to remember you are loved and that you can reach out to find the support you need if you just take the time to do so. You have to remember that tragedy can also lead to beautiful things too. I used my pain to grow, to learn and ultimately fuel my drive to help others. I think my mom would be so proud knowing that I have moved beyond the darkest parts of my life and used this darkness to fuel my love to help my this world a more loving, kind, and caring place. Every day I have to remember to put one foot in front of the other, to be brave and move forward into the future, hand in hand with the ones that love me and keep looking forward because it will only get better from here.
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GO BOLD THIS WINTER WITH CONTRASTING COLORS AND HEAVY ACCENTS
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chloe Enos MODELS: Carly Hadaway, Lex Lauletta, Joey Chang STYLING/MAKEUP: Molly Moran, Carly Hadaway LAYOUT: Molly Moran CREATIVE DIRECTION: Molly Moran PRODUCTION: Chloe Enos, Molly Moran CAMERA ASSISTANCE: Samantha Moore, Conrad Maxwell-Girod
MODEL: Carly Hadaway DESIGNER: Alicia Ball
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FASHION
MODEL: Joey Chang DESIGNER: Walter Green
MODEL: Joey Chang, Lex Lauletta DESIGNER: Walter Green
MODEL: Carly Hadaway DESIGNER: Alicia Ball, Walter Green
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
MODEL: Lex Lauletta, Carly Hadaway DESIGNER LEFT: Walter Green DESIGNER RIGHT: Alicia Ball
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FEATURE
Changing Perspectives
Changing Perspectives With the recent focus on holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable, is the tide finally shifting towards a society trying to end the cycle of abuse?
WRITTEN BY ANYA HABER GRAPHIC DESIGNED BY EMMA DAKIN
Since Oct. 5, 2017 when allegations first surfaced against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, more than 80 women, according to the Los Angeles Times, have publicly stepped forward to accuse the film producer of sexual assault and harassment. Since the initial report hit, the proverbial floodgates have burst. The toppling of such a legendary figurehead incited a chain reaction; in the last several months, more than 120 high-profile men have been accused of sexual misconduct and have been subsequently suspended, fired or forced to resign. Among these are comedian Louis C.K., actor Kevin Spacey, fashion photographer Terry Richardson, Senator Al Franken and Congressman John Conyers Jr. But what do these recent scandals mean for sexual assault victims? Is this the long-overdue breakthrough society needs to provoke meaningful reform, or will history remember this as an isolated event that only briefly shook the status-quo? The systematic cycle of abuse, where both women and men are sexually harassed by their superiors yet keep quiet for fear of retaliation, is rampant and extends far beyond the public eye of
Hollywood or politics. We see it happen every day in restaurants, when waitresses and bartenders plaster on forced smiles while patrons holler sexually demeaning phrases, “accidentally” grabbing them or worse, because they both know that the server is at the mercy of the patron for a living wage. In lower-paid occupations where employees can easily be replaced, a victim of sexual abuse can lose their livelihood by speaking up, especially when the perpetrator is in a position of authority. “For decades, women found that this [harassing] behavior often was the price of coming to work, it was entrenched with high performers getting a free pass,” said Noreen Farrell, executive director of Equal Rights Advocates, an organization that offers legal help on matters related to the equal treatment of women. With widespread sexual impropriety across all socioeconomic classes, it’s no surprise that American culture as a whole is flawed when it comes to “rape culture.” Frequently, the blame of sexual assault is turned toward the victim rather than the perpetrator, trivializing the seriousness of sexual violence with all too common claims that “boys will boys” and “she was asking for it.” Statistics
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back this up: according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest organization in the United States dedicated to combating sexual violence, an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds, yet only .6 percent of offenders ever face jail time. Some might say the low arrest rate is a consequence of underreporting, as only 23 percent of sex-related crimes were reported to the police in 2016 according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, but that’s an incredibly narrow view on a complex societal problem. The real question is why don’t victims want to report rapes? The unfortunate truth is that many may feel re-victimized or shamed when reporting, or feel as though going to the authorities won’t make a difference. However, something about this time feels optimistically different. The women who’ve openly accused Weinstein and others of sexual misconduct are not just believed, they are celebrated for their bravery, most notably as the “Silence Breakers” in TIME Magazine’s 2017 Person of The Year. Will this momentum last? Sallie Krawcheck, former CEO of Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a victim of sexual assault, thinks so, thanks to technological and social innovations that have made global interconnection
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Is this the long-overdue breakthrough society needs to provoke meaningful reform, or will history remember this as an isolated event that only briefly shook the status-quo? possible thus far. “Women have a means today to tell these stories and to reinforce each other’s stories and support each other’s stories and support each other in a way that didn’t exist when this happened to me,” said Krawcheck. While working at the now-defunct Wall Street investment bank Salomon Brothers, she would arrive at work, greeted every day by a pile of X-rated images of her male colleague’s genitalia atop her desk. Not just once or twice, but every day. Unsurprisingly, the “old boys club” of high finance was fraught with socially tolerated sexual harassment that women had to endure in order to survive in the male-dominated industry. “I don’t think we [should] underestimate how much of an impact is being made by the way in which women can just speak out about
their experiences,” said journalist and feminist activist Caroline Criado-Perez. “Until the internet came along, we just weren’t having these conversations about what it’s like to be a woman, what it’s like to walk down the street and be harassed and cat-called. We didn’t know about the idea of everyday sexism.” One such example is the the #MeToo hashtag, initially started by social activist Tamara Burke and re-popularized by actress Alyssa Milano in response to the Weinstein scandal. Used by 4.7 million different individuals on Facebook alone within the first 24 hours of it going viral, according to CBS News, the hashtag flooded social media with such fervor that made it depressingly clear that sexual assault did not discriminate, whether it was your best friend’s mother, your wide-eyed colleague or your high school’s star football player. The movement highlighted the number of people who have experienced sexual assault or harassment, and offered an opportunity for connection. Publicly identifying these predators, forcing them off their pedestals and out of their prestigious positions from which they comfortably abused both men and women alike is only the first step. Although legal investigations against Weinstein have commenced, precedent shows that too often perpetrators of sexual misconduct pay for
their actions through private settlements, rather than jail time. For real change to commence, men need to see this as a serious issue and listen to the perspectives of the abused. Not only that, but our legal system needs to actively discourage such behavior, including settlements which effectively sweep the wrongdoings of these powerful individuals under the rug, throwing money at the problem in exchange for silence. However, with the surge of awareness made possible through social media and the 24-hour news cycle, elected officials, some of whom have been exposed themselves as predators as a result of the Weinstein scandal, can’t ignore the issue any longer. As we speak, bills are being written to deter behind-closed-doors sexual harassment from happening. We are certainly at a turning point. Only time will tell if these recent scandals will be just another mark on the seemingly endless cycle of rape culture, or if it will be a catalyst for positive and meaningful reform for our legal system, corporate culture and social understanding.
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PHOTO ESSAY
Street Art: Vandalism or Fine Art? While there’s often debate about the role of street art in our society, these photographs highlight the beauty and expression of each piece. WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CONRAD MAXWELL-GIROD
In many places, especially the city, street art is something you’ll often come across when you’re out and about. Street art comes in many forms, from graffiti in tunnels and murals on buildings, to stickers on poles and full-on installations. For some people, street art is considered destructive vandalism. For others, it’s a means of beautification. There’s a fine line between positive and negative here. Is the art misrepresenting something? Or is it detracting from the architecture? What is it promoting? Is it inappropriate, or disrespectful to anyone directly associated to what it’s placed on? I think all of these things need to be assessed, among other factors, to make proper judgment of a piece. A particular depiction of a koi pond on The Beltline made me think about coexistence and the condiion of my
community, and I think that the overall piece represents unity. Because street art is such a broad form of expression, it’s hard to deem it as vandalism and ignore the many positive impacts on communities that street art has. Sure, people may be defacing someone else’s property, but countless people have actually benefited from these pieces created on their walls. Furthermore, society would be much duller without street art. I don’t feel it would be right to say that all street art is vandalism because it generalizes the overall effect it has. My goal is to show the positivity and creativity that street artwork can bring. Street art can benefit a community and add interest to what would otherwise have been mundane landscapes.
Right page: Top “Mural of a koi pond on the Atlanta Beltline” Bottom Left “A Tiger in the shadows of Ralph McGill Rd” Bottom Right “Under a bridge on Ralph McGill Rd” Left page: Left “Mural on a shop on the Atlanta Beltline” Right “A close up of a mural on Krog Street (handprint)” 39
COMICS CORNER
What’s on Your Horizon?
Beatriz Espinosa, M.F.A Illustration
Reyna Rochin, M.F.A Illustration
Blanca Chen, B.F.A Illustration
SCAN MAGAZINE // WINTER 2018
Jennifer Ober, M.F.A Illustration
Masha Zhdanova, B.F.A Sequential Art
AS FEATURED IN ART IN AMERICA AND THE NEW YORK TIMES | THROUGH MARCH 18 | HIGH.ORG