Spring/Summer 2018

The

deaf

community

’s

premier

arts

magazine

REDEFINED $6.00 Spring/Summer 2018 www.feelmagazine.co

WEBSITE:

feelmagazine.co Do you want to submit your artwork?

SUBMISSIONS GO TO: feel.submissions@gmail.com

FOLLOW US! feelthemagazine

feelmagazine

feelmagazine

feelthemagazine

Table of Contents

19

33

Letter from Editor-in-Chief

3

Is “The End” Truly Near?

25

Clin d’Oeil - The Celebration of Deaf Art

Manuel Vazquez

Feng Shui: Let’s Redesign in Red!

41

Sinfully Scarlet

51

Steal This Look

39

3

Letter from the Editor The color red is such a widely interpreted hue, its emotions ranging from anger, rage, to lust and love. Used throughout art history as a symbolic color, red also holds a lot of connotations, including blood, desire, triumph, victory and so forth. Our team was intrigued by the malleability of this color. We wanted to see how far we could stretch the theme across a multitude of talented deaf artists.

The results did not disappoint. We received a myriad of artwork that danced with the color red. Some artists chose to address the color directly, while others teased it, placing it in subtle doses. Some chose to use red to address issues shared by the Deaf community while others chose to use red in more broader, universal applications.

We have had the amazing opportunity to interview David De Keyzer, the founder of the French deaf arts festival Clin d’Oeil, and the talented artist and professor Manuel Vazquez. We also analyze the beautiful film “The End,� produced by Ted Evans, and investigate the role of red in the ancient Japanese art of feng shui.

I urge you to study each work of art and appreciate how red is threaded throughout the pages of our issue. I also want to take the time to thank all the people that have supported us this far. If it was not for them, FEEL Magazine would not be able to continue on in our mission of spotlighting and celebrating Deaf Talent and deaf artists.

A community of passion and pride, we are people who feel. Welcome to our world.

CONTRIBUTORS

5

Lydia was raised in a family of signers, both deaf and hearing. She was born in Ohio and moved to Austin, Texas to attend the Texas School for the Deaf from second grade to high school graduation before being accepted into Gallaudet. She is absolutely loving it here as a freshman in her second semester. She is hoping to declare a major in Art and Media Design as well as a minor in Writing. She enjoys creating art and trying out new techniques. Her favorite animal used to be the horse, but now it is the snake. She also has eaten alligator meat. FYI—tastes just like chicken!

Miranda is a senior from New York and majoring in English with hopes of working in the editorial or publishing field after graduation. Besides studying, she enjoys writing poetry, reading, and traveling America. Southern California with its warm weather is one of her favorite places. Being from an Italian-American family, she is an avid fan of the Italian national football team.

Nayasia was born and raised in Michigan. She has one son (dog) named Scooter, who is 4 years old. He is her first love ever since she adopted him. She is a senior studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Web at The Art Institute of Washington. She hopes to find a good job or career in Graphic Design. After graduation, she is thinking about pursuing a MFA in art, or joining the Peace Corps before she goes back to school. She has not decided. Let’s see how it goes with her future. She loves to cook virtually everything, especially seafood. Her hobbies are painting, listening to music, knitting, and more. Also, she wants to start her own blog about traveling with her dog but she hopes she can make it happen this year.

Alexa grew up integrated in the deaf culture in Frederick, Maryland. She decided to move to Hawaii for college just to explore what lies outside the deaf community. She found that her Deaf identity is deeply rooted in her heart.

She decided to start attending Gallaudet this semester after two and half years in Hawaii. She is still exploring majors. Her interests include fashion and creative writing. She loves to dance like no one is watching with a cup of coffee in her hands, first thing in the morning [almost] every day. It is a great way to kickstart your day! She also loves to explore trendy coffee shops and sitting down there to read, write, or just to people-watch.

Ivy is a senior and her major is Graphic Design. She is from the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. She is Native American, so she has two tribes: Hopi and Tewa. She is the only Deaf-Blind in her hearing family. Her favorite food is Mexican, Hopi Taco, and Hopi Stew, and she cannot live without them. On her own time, she likes running long distances, doing weight lifts, traveling to different places, and taking pictures with her digital camera. Her dream is to help Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults from other countries to change their lives, because they missed their best opportunities. Fun Fact: After 28 years, she finally ate cow’s balls and they tasted like beef!

Leila is from Chicago, Illinois. She is a fifth-year student majoring in Photography and Graphic Design. She has a younger hard-of-hearing sibling and she is proud to be an aunt of fourteen nephews and nieces. She enjoys traveling, socializing with friends, and taking pictures. Her fun fact is that she can’t say no to pizza. Her goals after graduation are one of these: to set up her own photography business, to travel all over the world before she gets a serious job, or to pursue a MFA in something related to her fields of study.

Maguire Academy of Risk Management and Insurance Department of Business B.S. Degree

Gallaudet is only one of about 72 universities in the country to offer a B.S. degree in Risk Management and Insurance.

Graduates of Gallaudet’s Risk Management and Insurance Program may take challenging positions in Insurance Companies, Brokerage Firms, Consulting Firms, Universities, State Insurance Departments. As the Baby Boomers continue to retire there will be a great need for filling thousands of jobs.

Gallaudet students intern in firms such as Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Marsh, USA, D.C. Commissioner of Insurance Office and CHUBB.

For more information, please contact: James H Bruner Executive Director Maguire Academy of Risk Management and Insurance Gallaudet University james.bruner@gallaudet.edu

Seeing Music

Zeinab Sadeghi Kaji

9

DEAF TALENT

split personality pinkundaztood

BACK TO THE WOMB after Debbie Raymond Luczak

Plunging forth into the placenta of my death, I drift through space.

The world of pain is my womb.

My eyes are small as beads.

My icy skin glows. I am an aura.

One day in purgatory I will forget.

I drift through the fallopian tubes of my life, of my history. A thousand women line the curves of my tunnel as I am hurled back into the pumping of my own heart. I am my own mother.

Things turn bright in the dark.

I try to scream rage, but velvet drapes fall around me, cradling the fetus I once was.

How could helplessness feel so beautiful?

I am a baby bird who’s failed her first flight.

In their cloak of warmth, I float in dreams.

I am day waiting to be reborn.

11

DEAF TALENT

Greedy Ear

Laurie Monahan

chaos in the world of silence 13

DEAF TALENT

Zeinab Sadeghi Kaji

mindworlds

Brianna Celeste Keogh yes. I feel deeply. and sometimes I feel nothing at all. I can choose to show certain layers, or I just do it without thinking. human beings are composed of multiple selves and show some or many.

I am me in person, and I am also me on paper, except those two surroundings consist of completely different qualities and ways of thinking though they can be very much so intertwined. I am drawn to rawness, to what we reveal the least, to people’s very core. I must arrive at my own and dig through layers to discover more about the whirlwind and the universes that come and go in my abstract self. what defines who we are is splattered across an array of things. I am a writer of somethings and everythings, nothing in particular, only scrawled efforts of those things I feel, of what I open myself up to. none of you really know me, and that is okay, for none of us will really know you too. even those we hold dear the most do not see us for all we are in every way we are. we move between lines in the sphere of our very essence, of a constant drawl of spectrums and time that we cannot fully fathom. I open myself up to what

emerges within my writing, within my poetry, rooted in what I feel and still do not understand, for it seduces something in me. and it pulls out art that I scribble and spill and thus creates something beautiful--not the words, but the efforts to interpret my mind’s wanderings. everything else disappears, and the poet emerges. the hopeless romantic, the bearer of every emotion I am capable of having, except when I crack open the door to words and wonderlands I have also opened my pandora box. the deeper the tunnel I dig into my core the deeper I feel, the deeper I hurt, and the deeper I rejoice. I am taking notes of my journey, using photography to bring vision into emotion, and I voice my stories aloud.

I don’t care whether they are heard or not. I just want my voice somewhere in the wind, some indication of something different than what I usually see--the physical layer of life. I want to submerge myself into another essential layer of life, of ramblings and captures, of heartbreak and hope. sometimes I don’t like it, and want to leave that layer. I’m learning to master layers--my own and the world’s.

DEAF TALENT

14

Never Mind

Laurie Monahan

15

DEAF TALENT

David de De Keyzer Keyzer David

Clin d’Oeil

The Celebration of Deaf Art

International Deaf artists come to France from all over the world to celebrate, share and recognize their creativity being expressed in various artistic forms. David de Keyzer is the founder of an international deaf arts festival named Clin d’Oeil, which means “wink” in the French language.

After introductions, we began a conversation about David’s festival and the role of Deaf art. Nikolya mentioned that David recently gave a presentation at Gallaudet University about the business aspects of Clin d’Oeil. She asked him to expand on when, why and how he founded the festival. With his background as an actor and a producer, David described that the arts festival was created during 2003 in Reims, France. He noted that support for deaf art was lacking in Europe and said, “I visited America for the Deaf Way II festival in 2002 where international deaf artists gathered together to display and share their artworks. Eventually, I received the opportunity to launch a deaf arts festival in Reims.” With a nod, he believes that Clin d’Oeil is a positive strategy in supporting deaf awareness while celebrating diverse

Invictus

Andrea Zuchegno

17

DEAF TALENT

works by deaf artists in Europe and beyond.

“The most recent festival gathering was during 2017 and it has been almost fifteen years since Clin d’Oeil was established. Is that correct?”

Nikolya asked. A question to which David nodded with affirmation and remarked on how Clin d’Oeil is typically held every two years. The next one will be during the beginning of July in 2019.

Also, we learned of an upcoming collaboration between Clin d’Oeil and the World Federation of the Deaf. David explained how he is looking forward to working with WFD while the city of Paris won their bid to host the World Congress of WFD in July 2019.

David intricately detailed on what festivalgoers expect when they attend Clin d’Oeil. The three-day festival usually includes numerous events such as street theatre with an additional indoor platform, lectures, seminars, public markets, deaf performers in music and dance, workshops for children and adults, film awards, city tours with French Sign Language (LSF) and International Sign interpreters. Tours are included as an event, but with reservations from festivalgoers. Offered tours are focused on museums, wineries, churches, and culinary arts. Business lunches are hosted during the festival with deaf and hearing company partners. Also, Clin d’Oeil consists the organization of ceremonial

dinners, press releases, and interviews. David mentioned that they invite representatives from embassies in Paris, which helps the recognition of Deaf culture and sign language.

Towards the festival’s closing, awards are given to deaf artists and winners are interviewed to discuss their artwork. While describing the events with enthusiasm, David clearly showed pride and love for Clin d’Oeil and its offerings.

Coinciding with FEEL Magazine’s values and mission, Nikolya asked what David’s definition of art. David said, “I grew up in a hearing family and did not immerse in the Deaf community until later in life. My father was in film industry as a director of photography while my mother worked in news editing. When I became thirteen years old, I entered the Deaf world and learned sign language. Since I started participating in the performing arts, I enjoyed going to deaf festivals and events that include interaction with international deaf communities like Deaf Way II.” David eventually joined International Visual Theatre (IVT) in 1977 and the company is based in Paris.

Art has many different mediums and Nikolya asked which medium David preferred.

David answered that he does not have a medium

that he prefers because of art’s complexity: “It’s hard to tell because it depends on a person’s perspective. Based on my experience in acting, I prefer theatre arts, but if I was a director or producer, I would prefer to direct films than plays.

Film is a new artistic medium while performing arts has been present for ages.” He perceptively expressed that art does not have one meaning and art should exist without the necessity of being generalized: “I can’t say that I love the medium of paintings as whole when I don’t love all paintings. In a way, it disregards the fact that paintings or artistic mediums are created from a wide range of styles and techniques.”

Regarding the future of deaf art, Nikolya asked David on what he believes and feels that needs to be done to raise awareness and recognition of deaf art. An interesting explanation was given by David as he pointed out various issues within art communities that should be addressed: “A conflict needs to be resolved in how people think of art. People know that art is important even though they do not provide enough support for artists. Maybe fifty percent of the artists are fully or somewhat supported but where is the support for all artists? Plenty of artists say that society does not give them enough support. Us, artists of a

18

community should adjust and be more accepting of each other because it will not be not enough to hold that group of deaf artists without a positive attitude. For example, one artist loves photography but not film. Theatre artists don’t like film, but love theatre. It is a big challenge to change that perspective within our community because I have worked on that situation for many years to find one standard model. Although, perspectives are gradually changing as artists are becoming more respective and supportive of others within the community. Art is not only for theatre or music, it includes fashion, modeling, ballet – you name it. Even though an artist may not like a specific form of art, the artist should still support all art. Creating negativity will not make one become a good role model in the art world.”

Before concluding our interview, we discussed FEEL Magazine’s current theme of ‘Red Redefined’ as David commented on what the color of red symbolizes to him. He emphasized a few concepts with brief pauses, “Love. Flowers. Blood.

Luxury. Conflict.” David finished and briefly looked out of the window but raised his hands to continue after a thought seemingly came up, “Conflict

can say anything about different sides. Heaven versus hell, and good versus evil. There’s love, but blood is a contrast. Red has many conflicts.

As most people think—” David spelled a word in French and after clarification, it was understood that he meant tomatoes. He continued, “—A tomato is named as a vegetable, but it is actually a fruit. Strawberries also symbolize love, but why is that common while kiwis, pineapples, or any other kind of fruit could also signify love?”

David’s answers support how the dynamics of art and its meanings remain complex and distinct.

Clin d’Oeil is a great example that signifies the value of preserving art, especially by Deaf individuals.

Since 2003, David de Keyzer continues to organize and coordinate Clin d’Oeil.

He continues to travel the world giving presentations and workshops on Deaf art, theatre, event planning, and interculture communications.

- Miranda Petronella

COILS IN A MATTRESS Raymond Luczak

We are reshaped under factory lights and spend the rest of our lives in the dark.

Our padded voices are muffled along.

The first time a person plops on our heads

without a warning in a mattress store is a shock we never recover from.

We are never young and carefree again.

With each groan of weight we overhear grunts of fuck and sighs of dream. The routine grows tiresome as we realize there’s nothing new.

Our minds numb the sensations of forced hurt when owners toss us out for a new bed.

We long for the day when our padding tears, exploding sunlight’s dust and our first rust.

19

DEAF TALENT

Mamata

Sriharsha Sukla

DEAF TALENT

20

Mirror Motif

Ellen Mansfield

11 21

DEAF TALENT

Extremes monique love

there is one person that brings people together but tears them apart she causes people to feel extremes she causes paralyzing pain when she is angry she causes sheer bliss when she smiles grief when she’s away passionate tenderness when she’s around she is entirely beautiful and deceiving she is misunderstood she is a hero and a villain

evermore

she is love

Brianna Celeste Keogh

darling, let me tell you a story of how souls came to be when a girl fell in love with who she was a flame ignited and stayed as it is blown away new blazes appear so, remember this as long as our essence remains, our inner fire roars oh ever so gently and ever so strongly embers burn, and I’ve got stories coming my way as the flame that’s been inside lingers and burns evermore

DEAF TALENT

11 22

Stay Deaf School Open Ellen Mansfield

23

DEAF TALENT

Always Fight With Fire AJPS

They told me

to be careful, to dim the star within, water the fire within,

My whole life, I have lost every battle, without freeing the sword from its sheath, without a single word, without shedding a single tear.

Today

I will mutter, today I will weep, today I will declare a duel for my own light, and to win.

DEAF TALENT

24

Is “The End” Truly Near?

With the rise of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicinal discoveries, the possibility of deafness being cured has risen as well. Amidst these scientific discoveries, a British short film, The End, has emerged commenting on the risk for the Deaf community. Produced by Ted Evans, the film follows stories of four deaf individuals that spanned over sixty years. The End filmed scenes in chronological order with multiple time jumps within the years of 1987 and 2046. Arron, Sophia, Luke and Mohammed are the main characters of story with differing backgrounds. Their paths are gradually altered by society’s pressure on stem cell treatment. The four characters address the audience in a documentary-style and the approach presents a strong artistic interpretation of a potential reality.

The End evoked emotional responses from people who expressed the need to preserve Deaf culture and sign languages. The End’s message still carries critical relevancy and importance in current society.

The End frames a powerful message that concerns the relationship between medical professionals, business corporations and deaf people. Cinematic elements are woven throughout the film to emphasize an artistic value of expression in sharing thoughts and feelings. Such expressions can lead to transformative effects on society or an individual’s life.

25

The film is mostly aligned with Arron’s narrative as he becomes the last Deaf person standing. He communicates through British Sign Language (BSL), expressing concern and anger at the government for their systematic approval of administering treatment. A steady decline in attendance of deaf schools in America and the UK parallels with The End. Some of the characters transferred to mainstream schools while deaf schools began closing after people chose to receive treatment, thus achieving a “hearing” status.

While deafness is declining, a major theme of “choice” shows a disparity between freedom and oppression in advancing stem cell treatments. Medical professionals in The End claim the emerging ethical issues should not be faulted upon the medical field as treatments were exercised within medical ethics. They defend a medical philosophy where doctors or scientists are ethically exercising generosity in offering a cure for deafness. Although, they refuse to discuss how it affects the Deaf community.

Arron opposes treatment and chose not to receive it as he strongly believes in his identity and preserving Deaf culture. As time passed, Sophia marries Arron and during their marriage, she

chooses to receive treatment. Relationship strain is one major effect as Arron worries that Deaf people are being pressured in choosing treatment.

vice president, Will McLean, won an essay award in Science Magazine that pinpoints progenitor regeneration as “a true cure for hearing impairment.”

Luke is overwhelmed with comments and widespread support on the effectiveness on stem cell treatment. A scene shows Luke as a grocery store worker and he informs a customer that he is deaf. The customer walks away without attempting to communicate. Luke admits to the audience that he feels isolated, judged and excluded because of his deafness. Such feelings convinced Luke to get treatment to remove feelings of incompetency.

Medical professionals challenge emotional experiences that Deaf people go through by claiming that deafness is the cause. The customer does not make communication accessible with Luke. It symbolizes frequent misunderstandings between deaf and hearing people. The scene causes a question on how cultural competency can be attained between two different worlds.

“Currently, the only way to treat hearing loss is with palliative devices such as hearing aids. Although these technologies improve hearing performance for many patients, the benefit is limited because only the residual hair cells can be stimulated. Thus, a large unmet need exists for a therapeutic solution to restore hair cells.”

The three characters struggle, but Mohammed is shown as a success. He chooses not to sign and starts speaking to share his story on he feels grateful for restored hearing. During an interview, he does not smile and seems detached. Mohammed’s story represents an important recognition of diverse experiences in a deaf individual’s life.

Experimentation and research on the regeneration of sensory cells is spearheaded by many companies and universities including Frequency Therapeutics, based north of Boston. Frequency’s

Stem cell regeneration is revolutionary in its positive efforts to cure many illnesses.

Deafness is medically labeled as an illness, but with an exception that people with deafness have an available culture and language unlike other illnesses. Medical professionals want to improve people’s lives by providing solutions while allowing them to have a choice. Advancements in curing deafness are challenging a deaf person’s freedom of choice.

With a hearing aid, the deaf person can put it on or remove it. The same applies for cochlear implants. Deafness is a unique situation because it brings cultural and linguistic differences.

Sophia and Arron were driven to the point of divorce by the film’s end. While drawing a portrait of Sophia, Arron reflects on his past with regrets. Happiness was not a mood during the film, but Arron briefly mentions Sophia’s happiness after she gained hearing. He remembers his actions that were fueled by anger and devoted to resistance towards treatment. Interpreting his flash-

backs, Arron overlooked the power of steadfast love.

Regenerative medicine is the future and can end widespread deafness. Concern rests with how much influence lies in audiologists, doctors and speech therapists on treatment options. Should it be required or not for a deaf child to be automatically treated or not? Is it an acceptable exception for people with progressive hearing loss due to aging?

Can a Deaf person receive treatment and still maintain sign language or a cultural identity? If a cure for deafness exists in full form, then what would it mean to be a Deaf person? There are many unanswered questions, but there is hope in preserving everything that defines the true essence of being Deaf.

Deaf culture became an artifact, a long forgotten one and unremembered by many. Stories of Arron, Luke, Sophia and Mohammed reach out to the audience, reminding them that Deaf history is still being lived and should not fade to an exhibit of memory. The End illustrates lost identities of its characters and its cinematic poignancy reminds the viewers of art’s influential role in creating stories, experiences, and dreams.

Art has the power to create and reflect a reality.

- Miranda Petronella

“I am Deaf,” Arron concludes with absolute pride that is mingled with sorrow before the screen pans out to a woman watching him through a visual monitor in a museum-like setting. The remnants of

a sonnet for ohio’s summer girls Kaitlin Smith

imagine: it’s summertime and you’re feeling alright with a girl by your side and a little bourbon in your belly, aching and exhilarating, so you bite the bullet and ask her to dance in an urban utopia of never-ending want and blushing. she says yes with a sly laugh and so your hands intertwine, legs slick with lake water and nothing is so bad as long as she’s swaying in the badlands with you. the sunset casts a shimmering halo around her of golden hair and love so rich you feel like a poppy blooming from ashes in her embrace—everything blurs as she spins you around, and you know abandonment is sloppy but, dear god, if she doesn’t leave stars in your heart, remember this: you’ll have her even as love comes apart.

27

DEAF TALENT

to the change of season Kaitlin Smith

i, the loving in the autumn stands two hearts and a grandeur of holy righteous concealed in a cloak of regret, but—

ii. the leaving the past is a wildflower thriving on our broken mosaic of hope. nothing certain is guaranteed; nothing guaranteed is certain.

iii. the forgetting being whole comes in midnight waves when the bed is cold in your absence. an amber leaf falls into trepid memories and I ask, what is love except the chains we free ourselves from? an amber leaf falls with the answer: love is the light that guides us from indignant want to selfless need. in the autumn stands one heart and a grandeur of revived hope.

DEAF TALENT

28

Juxtaposition of Tears AJPS

It is beautiful to cry

when we laugh together

when we are madly in love

to our own joy,

to happiness. but

It is taboo to cry

when we scrape our knees,

when we get our heart smashed, to our own pain, to vulnerability.

31

DEAF TALENT

Seeing Music

Zeinab Sadeghi Kaji

DEAF TALENT

32

Manuel Vazquez 33

What is Gallaudet’s art department made of?

Located in the Washburn Arts Building, the department contains many courses concerning art history, photography, digital media, and studio art.

There are many provided courses, such as art history, ceramics, typography, web design, and even the occasional graffiti lessons. I decided to interview Manuel Vazquez, an adjunct art professor. After I explained the topic of our interview to him, Manuel was readily willing to elaborate on his profession, his upbringing in art, and what he expects to see in the future of the art department and of fellow Deaf artists, both aspiring and established. In the colorful, intricately decorated office where Vazquez works on his art and checks in with his students and artist network, our interview started with us sitting across from each other at the desk.

I asked for some background information: what type of artist is he? What does he like to do?

Manuel first mentioned that I can call him Mava instead. Then, he started off listing his techniques. He focused on steel welding, embroidery, and assembly art. He likes to do projects with shrinky-dinks—“You draw with ink on pieces of plastic, then bake them in an oven. The plastic will shrink but the design will remain intact,” Mava explained. Another medium Mava enjoys experimenting with is shadow boxes, where he would install 3D art inside a box and top it off with glass so observers could look inside. He would paint sometimes too, “once in a blue moon.”

I wondered about how Mava became interested with art in the first place. After he glanced elsewhere and took some time to recall his roots, he started. “I was born and raised in Germany, so my first language was spoken German. I learned through oralism. I had an uncle and cousin from my mother’s side of the family, and they would help me learn words by using flashcards.” The flashcards had pictures drawn by them, and Mava was intrigued by the art. As soon as he asked them how they drew the pictures, he immersed himself into the world of art. He went to school and took art classes where he learned the basic foundations of art and took up sculpture and painting.

When Mava studied at Gallaudet, he set a

personal art club with his friends. “We would decide on a theme for the week, and then work on our art together,” he mused. There were also art parties where his friends would play games and talk about art.

Later, he wanted to expand his art vocabulary, so Mava attended graduate school at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York. There, his vision about art changed, and he learned a lot about business like maintaining a portfolio, among many other things. He also visited many art studios, galleries, museums, and events. At the end of his second year, Mava finally went from painting to focusing on sculpture, which turned out to be a strength of his. “I’ve been doing art ever since.” He concluded.

I introduced a different topic. I asked Mava what art meant to him. He immediately replied with “Art keeps me alive.” Without art, he explained, we would not have cars, houses, phones, or even education. Everything we can think of, from A to Z, is connected with art in some way or another.

“Many people do not realize how fundamental art is in our lives. As for me, if I had to imagine myself as something other than an artist, I might have been a psychologist. Still, I wouldn’t exchange my art experience for anything else in the world.”

I asked what techniques or mediums were his favorite. With a smile, he mentioned that he loved working with patterns. Patterns were the main points of most of his works, he said. Mava moved on to a different, albeit thought-provoking experience.

“When I did welding,” he began, “it was very dangerous and challenging. You know, when you use the special helmet with the dark visor, you could only see the little sparks from the tool. With hearing people, they are able to hear when the tool hit the metal, so they can work accordingly. However, with me as a deaf person, I relied heavily on the little sparks. They were hard to see at first, but then I was in control, and I managed to finish the project.

That experience introduced me to welding, and now I enjoy it often.” Small installations of welding are seen in some of the works he showcased in his office. One piece, for example, had an outline of a rectangle with steel beams welded together, then was covered in areas with embroideries and fabric.

As for his favorite part of the overall art process, Mava said he loved the feeling when his

34

work is completed. “I love that moment of “phew” of seeing it all come together at last. With art, you can’t predict when you’re done until you are.”

I asked him what he would like to see in the art department in the near future. “I want to have a solid program where students majoring in art will be able to explore many different careers. Many people think you can only be an artist, but that’s not true. You can work as an assistant for another artist, a curator of a museum, or an owner of a gallery. There are many other options,” he explained, “and if I could add a new class, I would introduce steel welding, or soft sculpture.” Stuffing, felting, embroidery, designs, logos, and patches are considered soft sculpture, he added. I could imagine how excited he would be to be able to teach a class in his own style and specialty.

What tips would an artist give another artist? When I asked Mava if he had any advice, he had a list of tips ready, as if he was prepared for the question. “Set your goals. Practice with your art everyday. It can be for just five minutes, or 24 hours. The time doesn’t matter; your dedication will help make you a better artist,” he offered. “That way, you’ll have a future you can predict and control. If you don’t practice, you won’t know where to go.” Among other things, he said artists should be assertive and be involved with the art community.

Suddenly, he sat up straight. “I thought of a good example. Have you heard of the hot water, cold water theory?” I did not, so I prompted him to explain. “Let’s see: if you put your hand in a bucket of hot water, you would feel a little burn, right? At first, it may hurt a little but then you get used to the temperature. The same thing applies to cold water; it’s cold at first, but then you get used to it as well. Now, let’s apply that theory to galleries. If you ever want to showcase your art in a gallery, you should first visit that gallery often.

Go to their opening nights. Get to know the curator, owners, and collectors. Analyze whether your art fits the theme of the gallery. Doing that will give you a sure-fire chance of being able to install your art there, or anywhere else.”

35

I inquired about what colors Mava liked to use in his art. Even though he’s taken a liking to yellow recently, he still uses pink and purple the most. “With purple, I feel connected to it because it represents neutrality, richness, and power.”

Then I asked him what the color red meant to him. How has he incorporated it in his art?

When he looked back on red, he thought about the ancient cave paintings. The earthly ochre shade of red was the first color to be used. After the wars and the historical events, Mava says red also represents blood, war, strength, and love. “What I like about red is that it triggers our minds, our blood pressure, and our moods. It’s a very active color.” After a pause, he added, “I actually have an issue with red. My father was a veteran in the Vietnam War, so my family grew up not wearing the color red because it would trigger his trauma. As a result, I don’t use much of red in my art. Sometimes, I actually reject red, but then I try to implement it at least a little. I usually use it only for portraits, for the lips, on some clothes, or in embroidery.”

To conclude our interview, I asked him if he had anything he wanted to say to FEEL Magazine readers. He gave a quote from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, a favorite of his. “Be just and fear not.”

Mava is currently showcasing his art at the Think1994 Museum in Brooklyn, New York. The work is titled “Celebrities Smoking in the Bathroom of the Met Gala.” He aims to accurately portray the celebrity tradition, and has even asked the owners of the gala for the exact shade that is used in the bathroom, to ensure he had the right color of paint. It will be on display from April 20 to May 7.

- Lydia Kopp

Oralism Oppression Laurie Monahan

36

feel her aura

Brianna Celeste Keogh

the aura of her very being rolling plains and daisies the spilling bubbles of her laughter, a dazzle of her song makes me think of the whole world, a river with endless persistence, the motion of it all the hum beneath the splashes. the deep breath of an ocean kissing the shores, relentless sunshine warmth and faraway dreams lingering. the curve of the mountains, scarlet and golden and ice unconditional, irreplaceable and powerful just as a queen. a beautiful woman is a gasp, a catch of the breath. a flood, something indescribable; a harmony with vigor and fire. a woman, exceptional and glorious.

37

DEAF TALENT

Wind in the Red Hair Nattaly Aranda

DEAF TALENT

38

But what is Feng Shui?

In Chinese, Feng Shui directly translates to “wind-water.” It is an ancient philosophy that can be traced back thousands of years to the early civilizations in China. Initially used to determine which houses and dwellings were safe for families and to plan out fitting burials, Feng Shui has been developed into an method of optimizing specific emotions and energies in a dwelling (be it in houses, gardens, or the workplace).

Feng Shui focuses mainly on the “Five Phases” that balance cosmic energy: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. However, Feng Shui also accommodates theories related to colors, emotions, seasons, musical tones, the four cardinal directions, and many more.

The study used to only be available to the wealthy and royalty, but nowadays Feng Shui is readily available and anyone can read up on various tips and information on how to best decorate their place.

Adding a few Feng Shui elements to a room can easily make it seem like an entirely different room—for the better!

Take these two common decoration elements, for example. At a glance, they may seem simply aesthetically pleasing.

Maybe a person’s favorite color is blue, and they want to apply it as much as possible in their house? What if they love marble and want it in all the other rooms, not just in the kitchen? What about the Night Watch?

39

Since blue is a water element, it can be used to decorate the bathroom or the tile backsplash behind the kitchen sink.

Many people use blue rugs, curtains, or wall decorations in these areas. Blue also creates a sense of calmness, so using it in the bedroom will increase comfort and may even make sleeping a little easier. It is not recommended to use in the office though, for one might fall asleep at the desk before any work could be done!

As for marble or granite, they are mostly seen on kitchen countertops or stepping stones right outside the main entrance of the house. In the kitchen, they are good for keeping one connected with nature while doing chores and cooking, and they also give a feel of security and stability due to their hardness and cool surface. White marble gives light throughout the entire house, especially if the kitchen is in an open space. Black or dark gray marble makes one feel elegant and may even cause an improvement in cooking skills. They also hide dastardly food stains, so they are ideal for someone who has frequent visitors.

So what is the Feng Shui of red?

Firstly, red is the main color of the Fire element. It embodies warmth, excitement, and passion. A house needs some warmth to become welcoming and comfortable for all who live there, so even if one doesn’t like the color, small portions of it will instantly be blended in with the overall energy. However, the more red is used, the more intense the emotions will be. It may be tough to find balance.

The four cardinal directions— north, south, east, west— have their own rules concerning which elements would work best. Red is associated with the eastern direction, because they both represent youthful and adventurous energy. In many homes the main door is usually painted red, for good luck, but if the door is facing east, the luck doubles. Likewise, rooms on the eastern side of the house are recommended to have a lot of red to maintain a strong Feng Shui balance. Red walls? Sure! A large red rug? Awesome.

One exception is the bedroom, which symbolizes sexual energy alongside calming energy. It is not restricted to the eastern side, so even if the bedroom is on the northwestern side, a splash of red would still be excellent for the mood and does no take away from the Feng Shui energy.

Instead of using large applications of red, one can put little accents of it all over a house. Some examples are drawn below: a patterned pillow, a chair, and some plates.

In the garden, there are lots of greenery. A red lawn chair off to the side will give it the pop it needs and create a mysterious energy of Fire and Earth, leaving one feeling adventurous while still wanting to stay and savor the smell of the flowers. It will lead to a lot of inspiration.

In the kitchen, the Fire element is already significant (in the stovetop, oven, microwave, toaster, and other heating equipment). However, using bright shades of red is not ideal because of the glare; they will distract a person from cooking or attract them to the kitchen so that they are more likely to grab snacks more often than they usually would. Instead, one should use plum colors and dark reds such as mahogany, or they could also use shades of orange and pink.

The muted colors will be at the back of a person’s mind while they are cooking or using the kitchen instead, so that they are a quiet energy encouraging one to do their best and make rational decisions.

Additionally, the Wood element gives energy to the Fire element because wood is used to make fires bigger. In that sense, using hints of green, white, and brown will complement with the red tones beautifully and maintain Feng Shui balance.

There are many more ways to use red in a house, therefore restricting it to specific areas would be limiting its full potential.

In general, colors should be played with while decorating a personal living space.

Shapes, smells, and directions should be considered as well. That is the study of Feng Shui, of making the house a home.

-Lydia Kopp 40

Sinfully

41

Scarlet

Concept and Styling: Alexa Paulay-Simmons Makeup: Nikolya Sereda Photography: Leila Colmenero

42

44

35 45

36 46

47

40 48

49

ENVY

1. $21.93 MACY’s Weatherproof Vintage Brushed Flannel Plaid Shirt 2. $27.99 Haggar Cool 16 Pro Short 3. $21.98 Sears Dockers Men’s Tan Leather Belt 4, $23.80 Boohoo Multiface Smart Watch 5. $34.99 Target Goodfellow & Co. Ballistic Briefcase Backpack 6. $49.99 H&M Perforated Derby Shoes

Steal This Look

50

PRIDE

7. $17.99 H&M Mock Turtleneck Sweater 8. $53.00 Stop Exile Burgundy Corduroy Baggy Overalls 9. $6.00 Charlotte Russe Aviator Sunglasses 10. $24.00 Zumiez Dickies Brown Duck Mini Backpack 11. $33.98 Zumiez State Elgin Sand Canvas & Monk Robe Suede Skate Shoes

GREED 12. $11.00 Boohoo Sue Crepe Bandeau Front Split Dress 13. $1.99 Romwe Geometric Gemstone Ring Set 14. $25.00 Charlotte Russe Faux Snakeskin Lace-Up Pointed Toe Pumps 15. $24.99 Bonanza Faux Fur Wrap Shawl 16. $28.00 Loxlux Jewelry Boho Metal Snake Choker 17. $29.69 Bonanza Faux Snakeskin Charming Clutch Purse

51

SLOTH 18. $13.97 Nordstrom Rack Calvin Klein Radiant Racerback Bralette in Un2 Undone 19. $14.99 Soho Girl Burgundy Velor Jogger Pants 20. $19.59 Romwe Striped Detail Lace Up Sneakers 21. $20.49 Zaful Cut Out Drawstring Crop Hoodie 22. $1.59 Romwe Minimalist Metal Hoop Earrings 23. $2.99 Romwe Knot Design Velvet Headband

LUST

24. $14.99 H&M White Easy-Iron Shirt 25. $39.90 Uni Qlo Ultra Stretch Skinny Chino Pants 26. $53.95 Zappos Steve Madden Harpoon 27. $49.95 Onetify Single Button Gray Blazer 28. $18.90 Mens-Ties Maroon Tie With Embroidered Penguins 29. $17.99 H&M Dark Cognac Narrow Leather Belt

52

GLUTTONY 30. $14.41 Dresslily Cami Pure Color Satin Dress 31. $25.00 Charlotte Russe Faux Nubuck Pointed Toe Pumps 32. $4.99 Romwe Full Metal Waist Belt 33. $9.00 Boohoo Zoe Stitch Envelope Clutch 34. $3.99 Icing Gold Tone Chain Fringe Tassel Earrings

WRATH 35. $45.00 Dolls Kill Animal Stripe Lanti Bodice 36. $11.00 Boohoo Ella Matte Leather Look Jersey Mini Skirt 37. $60 Nasty Gal x Jaydee Elma Vegan Leather Moto Jacket 38. $11.50 ASOS Steve Madden Cut Out Collar With Chain Choker 39. $9.00 Boohoo Lucy Semi Circle Saddle Bag 40. $44.99 DSW Madden Girl Written Platform Oxford

53

CONTRIBUTORS Kendall Demonstration Elementary School

Model Secondary School for the Deaf

Kansas School for the Deaf

California School for the Deaf, Riverside

Special Thanks • Ryan Maliszewski and Keith Doane • Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative • Kojo Amissah • Gallaudet University Theatre Department • Mark Johnston • Texas School for the Deaf’s Ranger Press • MacGuire Risk Management and Insurance Department • Max Kazemadeh • Gallaudet University Art Department • Karen Cook • Gallaudet University Career Center • PNC Bank • Brian Gannon • Gallaudet University Technology Services • Gallaudet University President’s Office • Gallaudet University President Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano • William J. Millios

Texas School for the Deaf Student-Run Print Shop

Based on campus of the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas, TSD Ranger Press is a full digital printing and copying center. We have a modern printing facility with the latest Printing and Imaging Technology. Our students learn through hands-on experience from start to finish of the entire printing process.

The only “full-fledged” deaf school-based print shop in USA where Education and Quality counts.

www.rangerpress.org

54

ASD is the first permanent school for the deaf in the U.S. Celebrating 200 years of excellence, ASD is the birthplace of American Sign Language and deaf education in America.

Pre-School — High School Serving students ages 3-21 small student-teacher ratio Diverse learning community utilizing an American Sign Language (ASL) and English Bilingual Approach Dedicated State Certified educators and specialists in the fields of Deafness and Special Education Speech and auditory skill development / Cochlear implant and hearing aid support Approved to serve students nationwide and internationally State-of-the-Art technology in amplification and SMART educational media Vibrant residential life program www.asd-1817.org