Community
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sale’s all-school evolution
Haven’t You Wondered...
What are those cardboard duck cutouts hanging on phone wires? By Sally Helm We all have them: those little everyday mysteries that we notice, wonder about, and then leave unsolved. This column, “Haven’t You Wondered?” will provide the answer to one of those questions every issue, so you’ll never have to wonder again. This summer, I became a driver, which led to the startling realization that I had no idea how to direct myself around Los Angeles. So starting in June, I studied the roads. Perhaps it was this new scrutiny of the streets that led me to notice the ducks stenciled duck cutouts, slung over telephone wires in the way that old tennis shoes often are. I saw them on Melrose, Larchmont, Santa Monica, Sunset Junction. I heard that it was an ad campaign (not a very good one, since I couldn’t tell what they were advertising) or a gang symbol for the Windsor skateboard gang (although I doubted those prepubescent boys were hard-core enough to have a gang symbol, even something as lame as a duck). By the time school started, I was fully obsessed with my quest for answers. But where to start? I found a “Wilshire Community Telephone Directory” on the LAPD website and called the Wilshire Area Front Desk, where a boredsounding male receptionist seemed befuddled by my request. He eventually directed me to his Commanding Officer. “Hmmmmm…..Cardboard Duck cutouts?” the Commander said, forming the words slowly and carefully. He sent me on to a cheery receptionist named Autumn, who told me that “thiswas-the-Wilshire-CommunityRelations-Office-could-she-helpme?” She couldn’t. Increasingly desperate, I rescanned the phone list and decided to try the Youth Services Officer. I was a youth, after all, and in need of service. “Ducks?” she said. “That’s news to me. Hold on for a moment while I check on that.” I was on hold for many minutes. Then I was transferred on to the Bureau of Street Maintenance, which had nothing for me, but in turn directed me to “FilmLA,”
Photo by Colleen ‘10
UV Staff
NEW FLOCK ON BLOCK:
Hundreds of these cut-out birds have been hung on phone wires.
where movie producers turn to get permits for unusual ad campaigns. The receptionist actually laughed at me before she connected me with a representative, who told me shortly that his office had nothing to do with it and that it was probably some street art campaign, then hung up. I turned to the Internet. A search for “cardboard ducks on wires in Wilshire and Santa Monica areas” turned up a recipe for duck breast, and inexplicably, a link for “Planning a Special Birth and can’t Deliver at Home?” But when I
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By the time school started, I was fully obsessed with my quest for answers.
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typed in “Los Angeles Street Art,” the results poured in – as long as I was willing to dig. I was, and I got lucky with www.flickr.com/groups/ losangelesstreetart, through which I found a long list of archives that I absentmindedly clicked through. And suddenly… there it was: “The Hanging Birds of Los Angeles.” I knocked my water glass off my desk in my frenzied scramble to click on the link. Here was my artist. He calls himself 4eightyone, Bird Man, and Berd. On MySpace he identifies his location as LOS BERDGELES, CALIFORNIA, and has for his title quote, “The berd is the werd.” I sent him a short message asking for an interview and signed off. I didn’t expect a response. But a mere two hours later, I got a short, direct message from the
bird man: no words, no name, no time to call, just a “310” number. I could hardly think of what to do next. It had all happened so fast and now I had, here, right in front of me, the number to the elusive bird-hanger. I placed the call. The phone rang 1…2…3…4 times. Then it went to the message machine, which contained a few minutes of recorded street noise, and a beep. I didn’t leave a message. I just called back again, and this time he picked up. He wouldn’t tell me his name (“I keep my ID under wraps”) but gave me the code name “Browne” to use for this article. Browne owns a gallery in Echo Park, but hanging “berds” takes up much of his time. Each piece is hand-made out of plywood and hand-painted and stenciled. Browne has been hanging berds for two years, and estimates that the number in Los Angeles is “approaching 1,000… maybe more now.” There are also berds in New York City, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Las Vegas. Browne said he is hoping to bring the berds to Japan at the end of this year, and that he’d “like to do a European Tour.” What the meaning behind the project is, though, he wouldn’t say. “I haven’t told anyone the meaning… people have their own interpretations and their own ideas about it. Why take that away from them?” The one clue he let slip was that the padlocks used to hang the berds serve not only as a counterweight, but have something to do with the meaning behind the project. Browne would not reveal the specific process that goes into hanging his pieces (“I’m not telling”), but said he hasn’t had too many experiences getting caught. “Every time I go out it’s somewhat risky, but I’m generally unseen.” Browne has done an exceptionally good job of making sure he can’t be found - and I would know. To visit Browne’s MySpace, go to www.myspace.com/4eightyone Ever wondered about something but haven’t been able to find an answer? E-mail your own “Haven’t You Wondered’s” to uvarticles@gmail.com and I’ll find out for you.
By Sophie ‘10
Photo by Colleen Loynachan
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UV Staff
Marlborough’s All-School Council President Jordan Sale had the presidency on her radar years before the election. Sale had worked closely with past school presidents, and in September she decided she had to run or she would regret it. “I thought it would be an amazing experience and a chance to change what I thought was wrong with the school system,” Sale said. “By the time elections came around in May, I was ready to go.” Student council met over the summer to discuss themes for the year, such as communication, and to define their goals for the year. “This year, we’ll focus largely on environment - understanding more about it and promoting recycling, as well as bringing these topics to the outside community,” Sale said. Working closely with Upper School Director Laura Hotchkiss, Sale also plans to construct an “expression wall” which will serve as both a place for student flyers, quotes, and overall expression, as well as a student-generated mural of artwork. Students should expect a continuation of “Marvelous Mondays” and “Fabulous Fridays,” which have been reinvented as “Wonderful Weeks.” The first “Wonderful Weeks” event occurred on Sept. 17 and included slushees. Sale is also prepared to tackle the more sensitive issues on campus, such as the separation between grades. “I think there is a definite divide and it’s important to change that,” Sale said. “Marlborough already has a big and little sister program as well as events like family lunches, but more can be done.” Sale has already started doing her part to bridge the gap by reaching out to girls in different grades. With Sale’s position come difficulties. “It’s challenging producing results,” Sale said. “It’s hard because I’m in the public eye at school - people expect me to get things accomplished and be on top of everything. I didn’t realize how hard it would be, but I’m lucky to have such a great council to work with.” After school, Sale plays for the varsity tennis team.
Jordan Sale
She is active in community service, serving as vice chair of Marlborough Student Charitable Fund (MSCF). She is also interested in learning more about the homeless. This summer she interned with the director of homeless policy in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office, where she learned more about government outside of the school community. However, Sale said she does not want to pursue political leadership outside of school. Throughout her years at Marlborough, Sale has kept a high profile on campus, demonstrating the many positive traits which got her elected. “In addition to having a sharp intelligence, an infectious laugh, and an ebullience that is impossible to beat, Jordan is a kind and generous human being, always able to find the best in any situation or person,” said English instructor Dr. Reid Cottingham. “Best of all, she can do the splits like the most seasoned Olympic gymnast.” “[Jordan has] incredible drive and is a natural leader, as well as efficient, creative, and insightful,” said Alison Moser, math instructor and senior grade level leader. Friend and fellow council member Rachel Zipursky said Sale is enthusiastic and dedicated to the job, as well as prepared and organized. Even with such a demanding and hectic job, Sale doesn’t take herself too seriously. “I’m nice, but I’m also quirky, weird, awkward, and outgoing. I think I can be very entertaining because of my awkwardness,” she said. “[Jordan] has such a great attitude. She is so upbeat and excited about what she’s doing, it feels like she could take on the whole world and it wouldn’t be a lot of work,” Hotchkiss said.
Senior prank returns this year with pride By Brooke ‘10 UV Staff
Photo by Colleen ‘10 SENIOR PRIDE: Liz Duval, Luisa Accorsi and Liza Killian show their “Senior Pride” while standing in front of a tank. The class’s prank theme was “seniorism” and their shirts read: “Where we lead, you will follow,” a play off their class song by Carol King.
Volume 38, Issue 1
Three major events occurred at Marlborough School on the first day of school. The senior class had a prank in store for the student body, the council members performed a skit, and speeches were made by Director of Upper School Laura Hotchkiss, all-school President Jordan Sale, and Head of School Barbara Wagner at the all-school assembly. Sale said her senior class “wanted to show the school that
we are the best class ever” with their “seniorism” prank theme. “Seniorism is a take off of the concept of communism and basically means that the seniors rule the school,” Sale said. The class’ prank included faux demerits, faux “Golden Compass” quizzes, a military vehicle in the parking lot, the “Order of ’08” rules, pictures of the senior class in the junior gallery, and the mandatory “re-education” on the field at lunch. Seventh grader Emily ‘13 said she had “expected a normal school day: friends hugging, girls
in uniform, and nervous seventh graders.” Despite the surprise, “the pranks made me feel like Marlborough was a fun school,” Emily ‘13 said. Council also introduced the school to this year’s theme, “Evolution”. It’s meant to correlate with the ongoing construction at school, Hotchkiss said. “[Council] did a good job of setting a tone for the rest of the year,” Hotchkiss said. The prank and assembly provided “fun and stress relieving opportunities for the student body,” she added.