W27 The Collage Issue (February/March 2022)

february/march 2022

W27 – SPRING 2022

Editor in Chief & President Prerna Chaudhary Assistant Editor in Chief & Vice President Lonnie Brown Art Director Donna Hellberg Head of Illustration Stephen Campanella Social Media Director Lonnie Brown Writers

Abigail Zwirecki, Alisha Singh, Claire Jung, Dana Flores, Donna Hellberg, Donovan Delgado, Ethan Sawyer, Evan Colacchio, Gabriella Cafarelli, Haneen Elmeswari, Jaya Lockhart, Kaili Woop, Margo Żak, Prerna Chaudhary, Rebecca Yoo, Sara Hamilton, Stephen Campanella, Sydney Forbes

Editors Abigail Zwirecki, Dana Flores, Ethan Sawyer, Evan Colacchio, Rebecca Yoo

Illustrators

Amber Brewer, Chloe Ruiz, Colleen Kornish, Crisella Garcia, Dana Flores, Donna Hellberg, Donovan Delgado, Jessica Lyle, Kaili Woop, Melanie Wong, Nava Saad, Stephen Campanella, Vicki Liu

Graphic Designers Cheyenne Syrek, Claire Jung, Dana Flores, Donna Hellberg, Donovan Delgado, Ethan Sawyer, Stephen Campanella Cover Designer Jessica Lyle Cover Contributors

Abby Park, Ale Yancey, Amanda Jordan, Bonnie Wong, Colleen Kornish, Crisella Garcia, Donna Hellberg, Jacky Chokpaporn, Jacob Frazier, Jessica Lyle, Joshua Guerrero, Kaili Woop, Kayla James, Kelly Ryan, Kristy Butler, Matthew Olfindo, Norberto Perez, Olivia Oppenheim, Sophie Gurwitz, Sydney Forbes, Vicki Liu

Faculty Advisors Ellen Davidson, Alexandra Mann www.issuu.com/w27newspaper | @w27newspaper

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Editor’s Note A collage incorporates various mediums, so we decided to mix different writing mediums to play into FIT students’ strengths.

This issue, we asked students to submit any type of writing: creative nonfiction, personal narratives, poetry, and think pieces, to name a few. We found that submissions became more diverse than previous issues as well as more passionate.

Over the past few semesters, I have been working towards making W27 an inclusive and transparent place for writers, artists, and designers to grow, and I see the fruits of all the contributors’ labor today. If you ever wanted to write for the newspaper, please reach out to me because we want to be as inclusive as possible! I am always happy to talk about it with you.

As always, thank you to Donna Hellberg, Lonnie Brown, Ana Vindas Pastor, Stephen Campanella, and Claire Jung.

Editor in Chief

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

EDITOR’S NOTE

Fashion and Art COLLAGE 101

by Kaili Woop

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FASHION POLITICS

by Rebecca Yoo

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DRESS CODE WHILE TRAVELLING ABROAD: MEXICO CITY EDITION

by Dana Flores

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THE RESURGENCE OF THE LIP

by Abigail Zwirecki

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FIREPLACE 409: HIDDEN GEM OF THE WEST VILLAGE

by Donna Hellberg

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Culture and Entertainment THE APPEAL OF A24, AND WHY OUR GENERATION LOVES TO ROMANTICIZE OUR LIVES

by Evan Colacchio

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COMFORT IN CHAOS

by Claire Jung

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DUMP ACCOUNTS ARE THE NEW FINSTA - AND THEY’RE HERE TO STAY

by Gabriella Cafarelli

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HOW TO READ SAFELY IN A SCIENCE-FICTION UNIVERSE

by Prerna Chaudhary

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CLASSIC LITERATURE TO MOVIE/TV ADAPTATIONS: WHEN THEY WORK AND WHEN THEY DON’T

by Alisha Singh

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STNETNOC FO ELBAT

Student Life in NYC EASY (HEALTHY) RECIPES!

by Kaili Woop

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FIVE CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK THIS SPRING

by Sara Hamilton

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HELLO, THEATERS. WHERE TO CATCH THE SEASON’S OSCAR NOMINATED FILMS IN NYC

by Stephen Campanella

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FOUR BOOKS TO GET YOU EXCITED FOR SUMMER

by Haneen Elmeswari

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TAKE THE STAIRS

by Ethan Sawyer

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NOT FEELING IT...

by Jaya Lockhart

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Creative Writing MOTHER’S HANDS

by Rebecca Yoo

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FLOWER IN BLOOM

by Donovan Delgado

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POEMS

by Sydney Forbes

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REFLEXIÓN PARA MI NIÑA DEL VERANO DEL 2021

by Dana Flores

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AN EXCERPT FROM “CLEMENS”

by Margo Żak

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collage by Lonnie Brown

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Fashion and Art

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by Kaili Woop (Fine Arts, ‘23)

Collage is used in various ways to organize thoughts in a creative manner. At FIT, there are creatives from different majors that can keep adding to their collage, and there is no hesitation in terms of material or composition. Their collage is typically composed of photographs that help portray the “rough draft” of their ideas. This makes their collages more process oriented because of their desire to have resolution in areas that are completely different, such as creating mood boards that lead towards a final product.

In the Junior year of the Fine Arts major, students are encouraged to further their experimentation of collage in both traditional and digital media. Kayla Edmonston (Fine Arts, ‘23) is one of the students who is very passionate about creating collages. To Kayla, collage is how she can navigate that space to arrive at a finished resolution within the collage.

Kayla started to explore collage in her Freshman year drawing course with Adjunct Professor Stephanie Pierce (Chair of the Fine Arts Department). She was assigned to make a collage that began her knowledge of exploring space, depth, color, value and temperature. When it comes to creating a collage, the first aspect that comes to Kayla’s mind is the composition, which determines the overall depth, space and imagery of her work. She then goes on to prepare paint swatches to make a wide value scale chart, or the lights and darks she plans to use in her collage.

In Fine Arts, collage serves as a purpose to quickly collect information in a more formal way. For example, Fine Arts students think about their understanding of composition, color, value and light when working with collage. They also have the option to combine different parts of collages and allow that to be the artwork itself. Artists can think about collage both abstractly and figuratively by reducing the parts of their collage into planes to create forms.

Collage has improved her transition between interior and exterior space. Kayla emphasizes the importance of color and temperature in her process to illuminate the illusion of space.

Kayla’s artwork is influenced by the paintings of Susan Lichtman, who transitions from one neutral color to another creating a “world” through flat geometric planes. When Kayla’s subject matter

“Field Notes - January 2022”

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“Catacombs” changed to landscape, she would constantly return to that subject matter and work on it over a period of time. This idea comes from her admiration of the painter Josephine Halverson, an artist that is on site to create her work and does not leave until she finishes her painting.

Josephine’s idea of working under surveillance translated this action to her own collage making — observing something over an extended period of time. She believes that can be done the best with collage. At FIT, Kayla has been influenced by Professor Stephanie Pierce when it comes to discovering the truth in her work as well as her art process.

Kayla is constantly thinking about the materials that she uses in her everyday life and how she can connect them to her art, making a stronger personal connection to her collages.

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“Terrain”

“Persistence of Being”

She is interested in how the atmosphere influences the environment. In other words, she observes how the figures and objects in the space of her composition interact with one another.

that she can fully commit to give life to the environment she depicts in her collages.

A significant experience that changed her life is her experience at the Mount Gretna Art Residency. It had a major impact on her studio practice, and exploring the collage making process. Immersed in a new environment, Kayla was able to make her first huge collage. She believes that collage is a material choice

In Kayla’s most recent work, she is expanding her experimentation with collage by utilizing collagraphs, which are a type of print in printmaking that uses a variety of objects collaged together that produce textures in her paintings. These prints further enhance the layers of space she desires in her painting. Her use of collagraphs makes her collages even more personal because the objects she choos-

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“Red Envelope” es to create these prints are objects from her everyday life.

Kayla hopes to expand and clarify her combination of printmaking collage with her traditional paintings to enhance her sense of space. She hopes to add variety to her mark making, including marks that she would have difficulty achieving solely with paint.

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Fashion Politics

by Rebecca Yoo (ITM, ‘23)

Did anyone forget that one time Supreme released a brick as part of their collection? Because I haven’t forgotten about it since 2016. How does a block of deco sell for $1000+ upon release and who the hell is acknowledging the value of the brick by actually purchasing it? Or what about the banana taped on the wall for Art Basel in 2019? Well it’s selling for a soft $120,000 each banana and is currently showing at the Guggenheim. Yea, you heard that right. Some Italian artist took someone else’s spot by taping a banana to the wall and titling it “The Comedian.” Did the decaying piece of art deserve what the New York Times describes, “the Mona Lisa-like attention”? It’s like drawing a mustache on the legendary Mona Lisa. Oh wait, someone already did that.

His name is Marcel Duchamp. He’s the one who scribbled the mustache on the Mona Lisa, and challenges work that seemingly has no value and questions the concept of “good art.” Duchamp was also notable for anonymously submitting a rotated urinal for an exhibition. The masses rejected such work. I mean I can’t deny, I probably would have too. How can someone sign “R. Mutt” on a urinal, call it the “Fountain,” and say, “Ah-ha!

This, right here, is a piece of art!” You might as well tape a banana on it and call it “The Comedian Too.” But, whether you believe it or not, Duchamp influenced the sphere in which we acknowledge art.

Duchamp taught a revolution in which we interpret art, not by seeing, but by

conceptually THINKING. Andrew Weinstein, professor of Art History at FIT, hails Duchamp “as the grandfather, the foundational figure for all of modern art.” We can thank the urinal’s spirit of rebellion for some of our greatest artists, Andy Warhol to name one, but also trickling down to inspire the fashion figures we know today.

Raf Simons introduces minimalism in the 90s gaudy world of Versace. Almost a decade later, Supreme introduces high-quality casual skate wear meant to actually last. And, Virgil Abloh (R.I.P. Virgil was here) introduces a longer and looser-fit tailoring in the ‘18 menswear of Louis Vuitton. Abloh told Vox that his, “generation was interested in fashion [but] weren’t supposed to be there.” They never met European standards. Emerging designers break the status quo and rebel with an iconographic sensibility to their work. Steven Pressfield writes in his book, “The War of Art”, that an artist’s “job in this lifetime is not to shape [themselves] into some ideal [they] imagine [they] ought to be, but to find out who [they] already are and become it.”

At a time when European high fashion houses have traditionally dictated style and trend for decades, streetwear brands forged their entry anyway. Not only did they break down the barriers of entry, but expanded the fashion industry into a new competing sector called luxury streetwear. Evidently, Off-White now surpasses notable gatekeeping brands

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such as Gucci and Balenciaga, who now reversely tries to assimilate to OffWhite’s casual, but bold graphic pieces.

But as street wear breaks the status quo, and creates a new one, who then becomes the new “elite” that gets to decide the future’s acknowledgement of “good art”?

As brave as creating a space for this subculture to survive, in disregard of the rejection of hierarchical standards, creates a new elitism. The Fashion industry as we know it already has a lot of inclusivity to work on, whether it’s issues “BUT AS STREET WEAR of racism, body dysmorphia, BREAKS THE STATUS but especially the wealth QUO, AND CREATES A gap. If you’re cool, you might NEW ONE, WHO THEN have one of those chunky BECOMES THE NEW Bottega Veneta puddle boots ‘ELITE’ THAT GETS TO costing you half your rent. If DECIDE THE FUTURE’S not, then it shows with your ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF last season’s shoes. Or even ‘GOOD ART’?” worse, your Bottega knock offs. Hype culture feeds into this “cool or not cool” deciding factor. It’s one of those #IYKYK, but more so if your wallet knows too. Does society still consider you “cool”, even if your deep wallet can’t compensate for a sense of style? As long as you can simply afford the trend, maybe you’ll still fit right in. Supreme knew their customers were willing to buy anything, even a piece of brick for crying out loud. But how does it make sense that the Supreme brand designs and caters for the average New York skateboarder, but the price point creates intangibility for the original demographic? The founder

of Supreme, James Jebbia, knew exactly what he was doing when he designed his lookbooks to drop every Thursday. Jebbia knew to leave his followers with “the feeling that this won’t be here in a month.”

So if you were cool, you better be marking your Thursdays to be the first to cop the box logo tee. Or else, pay $1000+ from a reseller. Supreme’s marketing strategy: Be one of the few to be able to wear our pieces.

So who is that “one of the few,” special someone sitting in the foreground of their exposed-brick interior, where if I squint hard enough I may find that Supreme clay brick? Similarly, if I squint really hard at Duchamp’s urinal piece, would I understand where they see the “Buddha in a fountain”? Both forces have disrupted the status quo and created their own. Weinstein mentions that Duchamp’s work was “flaunted as the most advanced and challenging,” setting a mental unattainability. Whereas, the force of streetwear fashion has set a physical unattainability. What was once a democratization of fashion, became the limited collectible for those who can afford the hype. Instead of escaping the mold, brands have reshaped the mold into their own elitist version. The underdog brand steals the throne, then sets a new high standard and brings us back to the vicious cycle of getting to break, once again, another status quo.

illustrations by Kaili Woop

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DRESS CODE WHILE TRAVELLING ABROAD: MEXICO CITY EDITION A Cross-Cultural Anecdote of Fashion & Feminism between New York & Mexico City

By Dana Flores (AMC, ‘22)

Travel has returned! As members of a global community, it’s imperative to know what to wear and how to wear it when traveling for safety, appropriateness and cultural awareness. I learned this the hard way so you don’t have to: I grew up between Chicago and Mexico City, navigating the stark contrast between the cozy nook of American liberalism and freedom of wardrobe expression, and the watchful gaze of my Catholic conservative family in Mexico. They were always quick to remind me that my midriff was showing, urging me to put on a sweater before heading downtown, always protected by the presence of my male cousins.

Perfect for a trip to the bodega or for a coffee run in the East Village.

When I stepped out of my room, my dad looked at me, “Ay Dana,” he said. “What?” I responded, somewhat defensive. I knew exactly where this was going. “You can’t go like that.

You’re not in New York anymore.

Realize who you are and where you are.”

Translation: Realize that you are a woman living in Mexico City. As a woman, I stood out. I was a target regardless of what I was wearing.

In Mexico, for the most part it’s

Mexico City implemented “Viajemos Seguras” (Let’s Travel Safely), a program assigning three train cars at the front of the train exclusively for women and minors under 12 years old.

“In the women’s car, you enter and get to where you’re going. In the mixed train cars, you feel how you’re being objectified despite what you’re wearing. It’s as if they’re looking at you and thinking ‘Is she fuckable?

Nice to look at?” For safety, as Ortiz says, it’s better to not draw attention to yourself.

However, the rules for dress differ depending where you’re traveling to.

“On the metro line that leads to Ciudad Universitaria, (the main campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico) there are many young women who experiment with fashion.

It’s safer, they feel more free to do so,” says Ortiz.

Needless to say, the codes of dress and behavior of one city are certainly not the rules of another.

My father was quick to remind me of this upon arriving at my family’s In New York, on my home in Mexico City. I was Women and Children’s section of Mexico City metro station commute to my university, getting ready to go to a café Photo by Jaime Emilio O’Hea IG: @jaimemiliohea I probably wouldn’t think around the block: This was my push for independence. Finally, better to go unnoticed, especially twice about how I was dressed that at 23 years old, it felt revolutionary as a woman. “I dress to not be day regarding my safety. Phrases like for me, a woman, to walk down the perceived,” says Lilith Ortiz, a 25 year feminicide and sexual assault are not street on my own without a man to old production designer living in a as top-of-mind on a daily basis. keep me company and provide a veil northern neighborhood of Mexico More than 65% of women who of protection from male onlookers. City. use the Mexico City metro report I wore a black long-sleeve crop top She uses public transportation and having been victims of sexual assault, and black high-waisted cotton pants. experienced the shift in 2008 when although the total number isn’t A seemingly innocuous, casual outfit. the National Institute of Women of accounted for because of the process

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THE COLLAGE ISSUE Women in the Feminist March carrying a sculpture of a vulva wearing the cloak of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico Photo by Lilith Ortiz IG: @lilith_otz

Purple Raised Fist Monument of the Feminist Movement in front of Palacio Bellas Artes Mexico City Photo by Lilith Ortiz IG: @lilith_otz

of filing a report is tedious and often ignored by officials, the womens’ only spaces generally bring safety and peace of mind to the commuters.

that the blasé composition of a New Yorkers outfit was actually highly curated to engage the perception of others.

“This is something we fight for,” says Vanessa Navari, 20, a feminist and Communications major at Ibero American University in Mexico City, “during the feminist marches, many women take off their shirts and wear their bras to open this topic of conversation.”

In Mexico, this social phenomenon varies in its presentation depending on socioeconomic status which goes hand-in-hand with geographic location as well as race.

Displays of wealth and social class through dress are also influential in the way you’re perceived.

In New York, if you observe closely, there is a refined quality to the everyday street style of a New Yorker.

It’s not uncommon to step onto the L Train at 8 a.m. and be surrounded by some well-known names: Telfar, FjällRäven, Nike, Goyard, Lululemon and perhaps some more obscure references like “this vintage shop in Brooklyn.” It may not be obvious but it’s in the subtleties that you notice

Conspicuous consumption in Mexico takes the form of logomania; Gucci, Michael Kors and the infamous Polo jersey with the diagonal stripe across the chest are the logos of choice for many Mexicans wanting to flaunt an air of wealth – regardless if it’s real or a knock-off from the tianguis, a flea-market or open air bazaar.

Certain wealthier, westernized, fashionable and touristy areas like La Roma and La Condesa, are safer and provide leeway for conspicuous consumption and fashion experimentation.

However, “It’s very obvious amongst the social classes. Who gets to wear

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what depending on the areas they visit.

In the neighborhoods with more resources there’s more surveillance” says Ortiz.

Essentially, the more affluent the area, the more safely you can get away with showing more skin, although it’s still not entirely culturally appropriate for Mexico City. As a traveler, you may feel uncomfortable.

In an ideal feminist utopia, we can wear whatever we want, wherever we are. But that’s not the case and it’s important to learn how to navigate different environments safely and comfortably, which often means understanding cultural differences in treatment of gender and how social class allows or inhibits the performance of femininity.

Stay safe and buen viaje!

illustration by Crisella Garcia

W27 – SPRING 2022

By Abigail Zwirecki (AMC, ‘24)

Lipstick has played a pivotal role in my life since the ripe age of 12. For me, applying lipstick was normal, and normalcy is what was taken away from us in March care became huge. Makeup also became of 2020. a creative outlet for people even if they Normalcy is what we’ve been missing, were wearing a mask or staying home. My whatever our “normal” may be. But, after makeup became cream-based and very two long years, mask wearing has become natural”. the norm, but morally, it has been the soBradaric says that she might not change cially conscientious thing to do. her look too much. However, her “lipgloss Due to the recent lifted mandates, will has been in hiding and is waiting to be being maskless feel out of place? Proba- resurfaced”. bly. The question in mind for many makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike, is Sarah McGill (AMC ‘24) shares that she “first thought the pandemic would affect how will makeup aficionados react? [her] makeup routine, but to be honest, it Plenty of people who wear a full-face un- never really did”. der their air-tight mask and don’t mind.

But, many individuals who have adopted “Makeup has always been my medium of their routines to adhere to the current art, so if anything, I was using makeup situation, might choose to settle with more than I was before the pandemic. I only upper-half creations (eyes and eye- would do my face whether or not I left brows) or going for an all-around natural the house. If in the fall we go maskless, my routine will stay relatively the same, but look with a heavy focus on skincare. now people will get to see my lipstick”, I interviewed a few makeup-savvy indi- McGill attests. viduals asking how the pandemic has affected their typical pre-pandemic make- I sent out an anonymous survey around up routine and if they would change campus, asking FIT students similar anything or stick by their adopted rou- questions to get a gist of the overall contine if FIT were to go maskless next Fall sensus over their makeup usage post mask mandates. Of the 28 responses, 82.1% of ‘22. respondents stated they continue to wear Dunja Bradaric (AMC ‘24) expresses makeup, and 71.4% said they don’t wear that “during the pandemic, I think self- the same amount of makeup today as they

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typically did before the pandemic.

Out of 27 respondents, 33.3% said they would still wear their masks if mandates were lifted at FIT next fall, compared to 44.4% who said maybe, and 22.2% who said they wouldn’t.

I also asked respondents what they have adjusted within their face care routines.

Many of them said their routines have become more skincare based, focusing on products that are light enough to wear under a mask and centering towards eye makeup.

Several students mentioned that if they were to go maskless, they would add a lip product or extra face products like blush or highlighter. But, several admit that they have given in to the influences of the pandemic, stating that their new routine, with less product, has changed their skin for the better.

If COVID cases continue to subside and the mask mandate is officially lifted, I’m quite curious to see what’s in store for the many makeup looks returning to campus in the coming fall. Whether it’s a new lip look or highlighter trend, I’m thrilled to see smiling faces gleaming in classrooms and hallways.

FIREPLACE 409

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FIREPLACE 409 Hidden Gem of The West Village

by Donna Hellberg (AMC, ‘22)

Over the summer I stumbled upon this shop called Fireplace 409. Located on 409 Bleecker Street, it is a small boutique that makes a point of selling curated pieces from upcoming designers with diverse vibes and backgrounds.

She expressed that one of the reasons that she’s loved running Fireplace 409 is the freedom to do what she wanted to do, and it all being up to her. Despite running into some issues in fields outside of her comfort zone she always found the challenge of coming up with engaging events as motivating. In fact one of the events she brings up is a fashion show they hosted in the middle of Bleecker St right outside of the storefront. The event involved a diverse group of models, one of which VOGUED down the concrete runway. A true celebration of personality and creativity.

Just two weeks ago, the sad news reached me that Fireplace would be closing their doors in Greenwich Village due to the rent on their store (which they’d initially gotten at COVID pricing back in January 2021) being set to go up beyond their means at the moment. Despite them probably having shut their doors by the time this reaches print, I feel that Fireplace 409 embodies the essence of FIT and will give you all an inside look into it.

I was fortunate to get the opportunity to talk with one of the co-founders of Fireplace 409, Emily Bogner, on a rainy Saturday morning. We sat down at the front of the store as it was business as usual when she’d agreed to meet. The store had good traffic with about 10 or so customers coming in to browse while we were chatting.

Emily told me that, in four words, Fireplace 409 can be summed up as a “Curated Functional Art Hub.” She explained to me that Fireplace 409 was created to bring the community back to the West Village. Indeed, she felt that with big brand names slowly taking over Bleecker St, it was time for small high-end designers to get a space and be sold together

I was intrigued by Emily, and could definitely see how the store was an extension of her personality. She immediately came off as approachable cosied up in a beanie, oversized sweater, and jeans. Bogner comes from a styling background and came up with the idea for Fireplace 409 through the many small designers she met while styling. Her eye for design is also what came in handy when picking designers for the store on a continuous basis. Her focus was finding pieces that would have the same quality as you’d expect from a luxury brand like Chanel but more unique; most designers featured, considered their pieces unique art works.

Emily also kept an eye out for vintage pieces to create a juxtaposition between the old and the new. Interestingly, many of the designers that they brought in were also recommended by consumers who felt

FIREPLACE 409

FIREPLACE 409 FIREPLACE 409 FIREPLACE 409

and for the creatives of the area to have a place to congregate. In her words, “most people come here because they know the store.”

FIREPLACE 409

Since I got blessed with my West Village apartment I’ve made it a point to walk around and discover new places and shops whenever I find the time.

photos curtesty of Fireplace 409

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So far, her favorite find was Mia Vesper.

Fireplace managed to become her only retailer after much effort, and she consistently provided the store with amazing designs that were almost always the top sellers of the month.

I still cannot get over the fact that this design oasis has to close its doors. BTUt we can all continue to support Emily and Alex in their future endeavors by following @Fireplace409 on Instagram, and keeping an eye out for where they pop up next.

photos curtesty of Fireplace 409

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FIREPLACE 409

they knew someone that would be a great fit.

FIREPLACE 409

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Culture and Entertainment

W27 – SPRING 2022

THE APPEAL OF , AND WHY OUR GENERATION LOVES TO ROMANTICIZE OUR LIVES

By Evan Colacchio (FBM, ‘22)

The indie scene has formed the backbone of the film industry since its very inception, but the past few years have spawned a new, previously unseen, branch of this genre. These films tell human stories with a peculiar mix of empathy, fear, sensitivity and rawness. They carry the same spirit of vulnerability from coming-ofage to fantasy to horror. If hearing these prompts brings forth the memory of a particular film, chances are, it was distributed by A24.

aters often without regard to the film it- pany’s other pictures, including 2016’s self. The plot is not what matters: it’s the “Moonlight,” 2018’s “Eighth Grade,” or feeling. even the 2018 psychological horror “HeA24 films, it appears, are ripe with these reditary.” The action and entertainment feelings. 2017 saw the release of standout value of these films is concentrated in film “Lady Bird,” which told the simple their emotional turbulence. To those who story of a strong-willed 17-year-old Cal- can identify with the characters, they tell ifornian who dreamt of attending college stories that are almost startlingly honest; in New York and struggled to relate with even to those who cannot, they prompt her equally strong-willed mother. While an unmatched ease of empathy.

coming-of-age stories focusing on teenage girls are not necessarily a new conFounded in 2012 by a group of three cept, few other films in the genre have friends and film buffs, the New York- told them with such sensitivity, wisdom, based production company targeted the or profoundness. indie circuit from the beginning. Early The title character is not unlike many films like 2013’s “Spring Breakers” and other teenagers; she lives with both of her “Ginger & Rosa” put them on the map, parents, writes the names of her crushes and established the A24 name as one to on her bedroom wall, yearns to be acceptwatch. The next few years, however, gave ed by her more popular peers. Her life is way to an evolution that placed the com- full of tiny earthquakes, but generally free pany firmly in a league of its own. of tragedy. Yet, the film recognizes that, This success cannot necessarily be at- while these stories may not seem momentributed to box office success or huge tous from the outside, they feel largercelebrity features (though, the company than-life to those who have experienced has had its fair share of both). Rather, it them. Where most films may insult the stems from the cult status that has devel- importance of mundane existence, A24 oped. The A24 name carries a message on sees potential.

Currently, the company is in the midst of a foray into television; it should come as no surprise that they have a hand in the most popular show currently airing, which is none other than drama series “Euphoria.” By now, any other company would have likely been accused of pandering to their audiences or feigning their supposed emotional depth, but A24 has far too much respect for its followers to allow such a thing to happen.

All of this is to say, A24 is not like other film production companies, and a significant contributor to its success is its timeliness. A prime factor distinguishing Millennials and Generation Z from their predecessors is their tendency to seek beauty in the simplistic, and to romantiits own, one that draws viewers to the- This sentiment is upheld by the com- cize the most inconsequential aspects of

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their existences, and A24 has exemplified an uncanny talent at capitalizing upon these qualities.

Perhaps this is a response to the turbulent political and social atmosphere of the past few decades, or maybe a consequence of being raised by the Internet.

Either way, young generations are packed full of kids who used to stare out the windows of their school buses and pretend they were in music videos, repost spoken word poetry to their middle school Tumblr accounts, or illegally download Norwegian television shows just to seem cooler, and A24 is well aware of it.

Why exactly do the individuals of these generations promote such romanticism? Why do they swear by the power of manifestation, pursue hidden universal wis-

illustration by Colleen Kornish

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dom in their surroundings, breathe life into the minutiae of every fleeting emotion? There may not be one singular reason, but these films allow us to see these fantasies played out on screen. There is a rebellion occurring amidst these individuals, against all that is prosaic or humdrum. A24 makes a compelling effort for the win, and confirms that there is room for such reveries in the real world.

So what’s next for the company? 2022 holds a strong roster of new releases, including psychological horror “Men”, starring up-and-coming actor to watch Jessie Buckley, slasher flick “Bodies Bodies Bodies”, and Jesse Eisenberg-directed “When You Finish Saving The World.” If the reputation that A24 has built for themselves is any indication, audiences will not be disappointed.

W27 – SPRING 2022

By Claire Jung (Communication Design, ‘24) To write this article, I’m taking a break from rewatching episodes of “Gilmore Girls,” a show that has been my go-to source of comfort since moving into my first apartment this past August. I sat alone in that strange, new environment (my roommate wouldn’t be moving in for another week), and the place was unnervingly quiet. I’m a sophomore so I hadn’t been to classes in person yet, and therefore had no friends nearby. To cope with this big life change and disruption to my routine, I needed to retreat to familiarity. I surrounded myself with a world of heart-warming storylines and snappy dialogue, where I can predict each plot point and happy endings can be found every 43 minutes. I would start and end my day with something that made me feel safe and reminded me of home, and I’ve continued to do this into the school year, which is filled with its own brand of uncertainty and stress.

I’m not alone in this simple desire of escapism, especially during a time that is rife with overwhelming stimuli and unexpected events. I noticed during lockdown in 2020 I was rewatching “New Girl” and shows from my childhood like “iCarly.”

Adi Nimrodi (CD, ‘24) says that she had “rewatched all the seasons of ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘New Girl’ during Covid,” and she continues to watch them now because, “‘New Girl’ reminds me of my sister and ‘Gilmore Girls’ reminds me of my mom since I watched those shows with them.”

Thinking about that time two years later makes it seem almost silly that I, and many other people, were spending that time rewatching things we had already seen instead of trying to seek new experiences.

But we didn’t have the luxury of hindsight in 2020, and many of us were scared and coping with a world turned upside down.

According to Nielsen, a data and market measurement firm, “The Office” had “over 87 million minutes of viewership in the year 2020 alone.” Ceci Acosta (CD, ‘24) is

one of those viewers, and she comments that these types of shows “are something I throw on to watch that I don’t have to pay attention to since I know what happens.”

People often find themselves in need of background noise to focus or relax. In an article from the LA Times, Jonas Braasch states, “listening to background sounds may provide a sense of being safe … On a fundamental level, it gives you the feeling of not being alone.’”

and I don’t know what’s going on in my life [because] they provide comfort that is wrapped up in one day.” Danielle Limmer (CD, ‘24) turns to music, listening to “Box of Rain” by Grateful Dead when she’s sad and misses her parents or needs to relax.

She says, “the Grateful Dead helps me pay attention and it’s soothing to me so I do my homework [while listening to them],” echoing the positive cognitive effects of background noise.

Netflix alone has more than 1,800 television shows available to their subscribers, so why keep watching the same old shows?

If you ask me (a cynic), there’s been a significant decline in the quality of entertainment since the 2010s, so rewatching old media is a must. More practically, it should be taken into account that the world was put on pause for a while at the start of the pandemic, slowing the production of new entertainment and canceling others. Still, the comfort show phenomenon is mostly due to the cognitive load people have been experiencing for the last two years. According to Psychology Today, “cognitive load refers to the amount of stress put on our working memory, and during the pandemic, we had to keep up with more information and make more decisions (and more crucial, potentially risky decisions) than we normally did.” Rewatching a lighthearted show gives us the luxury of predictability, something we lack even more in a world recovering from the aftermath of lockdown. There’s no stress in processing the stimuli we get from these shows and we have the security of knowing how things turn out in the end.

Some people also turn to activities and hobbies to help them escape the stress of everyday life. Lockdown and the popularity of TikTok helped a rise in creative pastimes from whipped coffee to DIY terrariums to paint pouring. According to NPR, creative pursuits can lower stress, and a study showed that, “45 minutes of creating art in a studio setting with an art therapist significantly lowered cortisol levels.” Tiffany Berg (CD, ‘25) finds this to be true, as she uses drawing and painting as sources of comfort and calm. She says, “my mind goes blank and I just completely stop thinking about my life… hours can go by and it doesn’t feel like it.”

This feeling isn’t specific to television shows because familiarity as a form of comfort applies to all forms of media and entertainment. Cheyenne Syrek (CD, ‘24) prefers to watch movies like “The Iron Giant” for quick comfort. She says, “movies are for when I’m having a really rough time

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Whether you’re rewatching an old sitcom for the millionth time or blasting your favorite album on repeat, the choice to seek solace in familiar forms of media is a service to your brain. It helps you feel happy and in control, so while it may make you think you’re stuck, just know there’s no shame in letting your brain turn off for a bit.

As a school of artists and creatives, it’s encouraging to remember that the things we make have the potential to be someone’s comfort. We have the power to disrupt the social norms of society, but more importantly we have the power to make people feel safe and heard.

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illustration by Amber Brewer

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W27 – SPRING 2022

By Gabriella Cafarelli (AMC, ‘23) From planned aesthetically-pleasing Instagram feeds to casual posting, Gen Z Instagram users have changed their posting preferences and Instagram feeds by creating less curated posts, and adopting more casual posting habits: Dump Accounts.

Throughout the pandemic, Instagram users spent countless hours scrolling aimlessly through their feeds and saw large amounts of influencer content and brand deals. Overwhelmed, bored, and disinterested, Instagram users adjusted what they wanted to see on their feed – including muting stories, removing ghost followers, unfollowing users who frequently post ads, and limiting interactions ‒ and altered what they wanted to show the world.

Casual posting has changed the way users interact with each other on social media. Once a world overflowing with finstas and private stories, Gen Z took this content to their main accounts instead.

The late night thoughts, random pictures of inanimate objects, and unflatteringly-angled selfies became acceptable on these accounts. While some have lost followers for this change, that’s expected in order to weed out one’s following, and to only keep “the real ones.”

Following the increase in casual posting, users shifted to TikTok to show off their new feeds and connect with other lovers of the practice. This sparked the idea to create separate accounts, much like a finsta, to connect with this niche group and post with total freedom, no worries of main account followers, brand deals, etc.

The dump account: an account dedicated to posting casual photos that inspire creativity and freedom on social media.

“I made the account because most of my close friends all had their own accounts,” said Blakely Harrison (Photography, ‘23).

“I loved this idea of having a sort of virtual diary that only my closest friends

could see … it’s much more carefree.”

The content on one’s dump account varies per user. Some users enjoy posting random photos from their camera roll, others like to post selfies that they would never post on their main account, and some don’t show their face at all.

“I post camera roll dumps of random pictures I’ve taken throughout the week, memes, screenshots of clothes I want, TikToks I like, photoshoot outtakes and selfies,” said Harrison.

The point is that it is based upon the user and has pure freedom. There’s no worry of like-count or followers – no stress of posting at a “good time,” and no anxiety over a perfected feed or the worthiness of a post.

“I don’t care about the following on my dump account,” said Chloe-Skye Reinhold (FBM, ‘23). “The account is for me to enjoy.”

Many users have chosen to keep their dump accounts discreet. Being anonymous gives the ultimate freedom in posting on social media.

“My dump account is secretive; I don’t have my name anywhere,” said Annie Duffy (AMC, ‘23). “I didn’t want my name on it because I made it for myself, not for friends or family to find it and follow it.”

Dump account users have gotten very creative with their usernames, especially those who have created an alias or anonymous account.

While many that I interviewed did not want to share their dump account usernames for privacy reasons, a common tool in creating the perfect username was to combine things that one likes. Whether it be bunnies, Redbull, nicknames, etc.

Some even just used specific words that they liked to use, or playful adjectives.

Others use wordplay, like Reinhold,

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who’s Instagram dump account is @ theeyeintheskye, “...the eye because it’s what my eye sees and the Skye because Skye is in my name.”

Some users have specialized their dump accounts, tailored to a hobby or talent. “I had all these downloads of the film photos I had taken on my Kodak M35 just scattered all over my camera roll,” said Victoria Panzella (Fabric Styling, ‘23). “I wanted to be able to organize them and also share them with the people in the photos as well. My little digital photo diary was born.”

Panzella’s dump account username (@ citygirlfilm.co) was inspired by her and her friends navigating the city, while documenting life through film.

While Panzella made her dump account just last year, like many other Gen Z users, some have been “dumping” for years.

Jules Falu (AMC, ‘23), has made several dump accounts, starting in 2016.

“When I first created my account I was meeting a bunch of people and I didn’t want them to have so much information on me,” said Falu. “I wasn’t trying to be overly secretive but I’ll admit I enjoyed the mystery of people never knowing what I was thinking or doing.”

With countless ways to personalize one’s dump account, the appeal of having a secret social media page, and the endless forms a dump account may take, it’s evident that they are here to stay. Casual posting has become a “norm” on social media, and the dump account usernames are bound to only get more creative. The only question is, what will your dump account username be?

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Much like adlibs, by combining fun verbs and adjectives, and nouns related to your personality and character, it’s easy and fun to create a dump account username.

Need some guidance? Here’s some questions you can ask yourself when creating a dump account username:

What’s an adjective that best describes your zodiac sign?

Who’s a celebrity that you idolized growing up?

illustration by Jessica Lyle What are your two favorite foods? Do they have anything in common?

What’s a word that starts with the same letter as your first name?

What color best describes your music taste?

If you were undercover, what would your spy name be?

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W27 – SPRING 2022

How to Read Safely in a Science-Fiction Universe

By Prerna Chaudhary (AMC, ‘22) illustrations by Jessica Lyle

“Dune’s” 2021 movie release has made some of us naively turn to it as an introductory novel into the world of science-fiction. This has inevitably scared us away to make us feel like, hey maybe I’m not built for this? The novel is equally impactful as intimidating, but that doesn’t mean sci-fi is worth giving up on.

I like to think of sci-fi as a spectrum where we have “Dune” on one side, which is in a world I can barely recognize (even with its allegories). And on the other side we have shows like “Black Mirror,” falling under the category of

speculative fiction. These stories are set in a world where I can see myself reflected using a new piece of technology or unusual system.

According to MasterClass, “Margaret Atwood defines speculative fiction as literature that deals with possibilities in a society which have not yet been enacted but are latent.” With this broad definition that includes sci-fi under its umbrella, we can get into the first recommendation: “Children of the New World”

by Alexander Weinstein Sci-fi is a genre that lends itself to world building, yet some of my favorite stories begin with a world seemingly similar to ours. “Children of the New World” by Alexander Weinstein falls much closer to the “Black Mirror” style that is easier to understand than “Dune’s” style, but has its peculiarities.

The short story anthology format is scifi beginner friendly while still keeping you engaged, and if you don’t like one of the stories, just skip to a new chapter!

A well known short story from this collection is “Saying Goodbye to Yang,” an exploration of the evolving definition of family. It has been turned into a movie distributed by A24 in North America, so it has that artsy stamp of approval as well as my own. I don’t want to give

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anything away because the shock factor is one of the best parts of sci-fi. If I were you, I’d go in blind. If you find yourself confused at any point, however, just pull up a review article that summarizes the story in the beginning to better understand it.

Getting to know a world you’ve never been to is daring, so internet breakdowns can serve as helpful reading guides – SparkNotes isn’t just for catching up on assignments!

The other stories I recommend from this collection are “The Cartographers” and “Ice Age,” which can be best summarized by this quote from the inside flap of the cover:

“Weinstein is a visionary new voice in speculative fiction for all of us who are fascinated by and terrified of what we might find on the horizon.”

Sci-fi is so powerful because it uses futuristic technology and far off universes, to get varying perspectives on the human condition and reflect back on our own world.

THE COLLAGE ISSUE “The Emissary”/“Last Children of Tokyo” by Yoko Tawada This Akutagawa Prize winning book verges on the subtler side of the sci-fi spectrum. Yoko Tawada created a dystopian post-apocalyptic world where Japan has cut itself off from the rest of the world and shows how adults who are living well into their hundreds are taking care of their physically fragile but mentally wise great grand kids.

The generations in between them have been wiped and we get to grow with the great grandfather, uncovering what he remembers and misses of the old world.

Capitalism and others’ perceptions of you in relation to your social status objectively make the best sci-fi stories.

“Convenience Store Woman”

by Sayaka Murata “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine”

by Girl Honeyman “Exciting Times” by Naoise Dolan While these books are not technically sci-fi, they provide commentary on things many people consider normal that make social interactions frictionless, but when removed from context, they can seem very odd and confusing to people from different cultures or people that don’t consider themselves part of the mainstream.

All three of these books are about women who question the expectations society places on them and how other people react when they do and don’t conform. If you want an introduction to speculative fiction and the deconstruction of “normal” according to sci-fi writers, then these are the books for you.

“Interior Chinatown” by Charles Yu

“1984” by George Orwell

Writer Charles Yu has a line up of books and TV writing credits that range from “oh I get to this” to “hold up I need someone to explain this to me.” But here’s where to start: “Interior Chinatown” is much like the world we live in, but written in a screenplay format. The Concord Insider calls “Interior Chinatown” a work of “metafiction, meaning that it is structured self-consciously, in a way that calls attention to its constructed-ness.”

Take the name: “interior” is what you write for a scene in a screenplay and the location is “Chinatown.” He names people with the roles they play on a Hollywood screen, like generic Asian man, or confused old Asian man or young Asian woman.

Arguably, “1984” has stayed just as relevant as “Dune” in 2022. Orwell’s novel introduces readers to the vocabulary of its world, which is good practice for “Dune” since it has an entire appendix.

Like “Dune,” it also has a social hierarchy which is crucial to keep track of in order to follow the complex storyline. All of this is happening during a revolution! It shares themes with “Dune” about colonialism and allegories about war, so this will certainly prepare you to read high concept sci-fi. It follows a stream of consciousness format that is breaking down the world around the narrator as we get to know it, so while there is a lot going on, it’s approachable.

Blurring the lines between reality and memories or consumed media is a popular trope in speculative fiction and this happens in the “Dune” movie, too. This is also being turned into a Hulu show through A24. I hope my free student Hulu subscription doesn’t end by the time it comes out.

“How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe” by Charles Yu “Safe” is not the word I’d use to describe how I felt when I read this book. This novel is about a father-son relationship, memory mixing and convoluted time jumping. It can make your head spin, and I didn’t get everything, but that’s a part of the reading sci-fi journey. Just take it slow, reread and even take notes to keep track of rules and characters.

The Sci-fi Spectrum

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TBR: “The School for Good Mothers”

By Jessamine Chan “Severance” by Ling Ma “100 Years of Solitude”

By Gabriel García Márquez “Dune” by Frank Herbert Last year, I decided to pick up “Dune” to get a feel of the story before watching the movie. Not having read a sci-fi novel for many years, I was not ready for the extensive characters, phrases and social structure. But soon, I’m going to try again. I am determined to read it because I’d like to see for myself if it is as revolutionary to the sci-fi genre as people say to expand my understanding of the possibilities of our experiences to reflect on them.

W27 – SPRING 2022

Classic Literature to Movie/TV Adaptations: When They Work and When They Don’t

By Alisha Singh (FBM, ‘23) Each year high schoolers from around was published in 1851 and has been adaptthe country are made to watch Baz Luhr- ed for television three times, however, mann’s “The Great Gatsby” in their En- the 2004 BBC adaptation not only beglish classes. As TVs on carts have turned came the most popular, but also brought into Promethean boards, it has become renewed interest in the novel. Margaret easier for teachers to use movies as sup- Hale and her family are forced to relocate plemental materials when teaching clas- to a heavily industrialized city in northsic books. However, not every book-to- ern England from the rural south after her movie/TV adaptation becomes popular father leaves the Church of England. The enough to be paired. Many are shunned novel dedicates several pages to conversaby fans and only ever acknowledged in a tions surrounding class and labor, while Wikipedia footnote for the original book. the love story itself is a minor running So why are some adaptations adored and theme in the characters’ lives. On the othwhat makes them work? Modern litera- er hand, the 2004 adaptation brings the ture’s success is now measured by wheth- love story front and center while making er a book gets picked up by Netflix for a the class and labor aspects a device to cremovie deal, but classic literature ate conflict between has been in the game for a lot “While Gaskell’s novel the main characters. longer. was a social and political This warping of the commentary on the effects story fails to value Book fans love seeing the stories of industrialization and the fact that this they adore come to life – comcapitalism, to make the novel was one of the paring the source material to storyline more compelling first written about the film has become its own ac- for viewers, the love story class conflict during tivity. Moreover, these adapta- was emphasized on BBC.” the Industrial Revotions allow those who don’t read lution. These chang– either due to time constraints or prefer- es present an example of media in difference – the ability to enjoy these stories as ent formats being created for different well. New fan communities tend to grow purposes. While Gaskell’s novel was a soaround them as seen with the success of cial and political commentary on the efNetflix’s “Bridgerton” which reached wid- fects of industrialization and capitalism, er audiences than the book series. On the to make the storyline more compelling business end, writers and producers in for viewers, the love story was emphaHollywood have a treasure trove of ideas sized on BBC. Although both versions of that have been fully developed and al- “North and South” are adored by fans, anready tested for success. With the stakes other piece of classic literature, “Wutherbecoming higher in an oversaturated ing Heights,” hasn’t been as lucky. market, this can allow for a safer bet on the studio’s end. And what’s better than Charlotte Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights’’ classic literature that has been taught and takes place across two generations beadored for generations? tween two families leading isolated lives in the moors of Yorkshire. Despite having Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North and South” about nine English-language adaptations

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in TV and cinema, not one has received the adoration that adaptations such as “Pride and Prejudice” have. There are several reasons as to why they always seem to miss the mark when trying to recreate the much beloved and heavily referenced love story. Many adaptations tend to depict only one generation and thus ignore the importance of the second generation to the overall storyline. The cycle of abuse and revenge can only be explored through a depiction of Heathcliffe’s control over the lives of the second generation. By ending the movie at Catherine’s death, not only is the story left unfinished, but the audience misses out on the consequences of her death and the development of other characters. Additionally, due to the popularity of Jane Austen adaptations, others attempt to undermine the gothic and darker elements of the story which are the essence of the novel. The physical and mental anguish of these characters and their wretched surroundings play an immense role in the overall plot and character development. They make the romance not only tragic but also quite deranged, setting it apart from other rosy and charming love stories of the time.

Ultimately, these adaptations are unsatisfactory because the story in and of itself is difficult to depict. The main heroine dies halfway through the novel, and the two lovers never get to be together except for in their childhood. Many directors have to choose between primarily exploring the pain out of which obsession grows or examining their brief romance. The latter is chosen and is ultimately a failure.

Unlike “Wuthering Heights,” Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” enjoys not one but two successful adaptations. Both

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graphic by Stephen Campanella & Donna Hellberg

serve to be remarkable examples of the fact that there isn’t a right way to bring a story to life; it’s essentially about how the idea is executed. The 2005 version boasts the star power of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden, a breathtaking soundtrack and visually stunning sets and cinematography. However, the lack of accuracy in characterization and the plot are the weaknesses where the 1995 BBC version finds its strength. Its format as a series allows it to include most aspects of the book, which lead to an extremely accurate portrayal of the

characters. Furthermore, the dialogue is taken right from the source material and the piece holds a simple charm that viewers adore. Unlike other adaptations that are shunned for lack of accuracy, the 2005 film does not purely rely on the novel to give it the qualities it needs to be a genuinely good piece of cinema. It instead utilizes the source material as inspiration to become its own work of art. Fans watch it to experience the ambiance of the book rather than a scene for scene reenactment. Despite the lack of a big-budget, state-of-the-art cameras or a

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star cast, the 1995 version does the exact opposite and is just as successful.

The answer isn’t straightforward. Yet, it can be said that a deeper understanding of the novel and the reader’s interpretation of it will lead to a work that will do it justice. The point isn’t to just stick to the dialogue word for word or to throw the whole plot out the window, the point is to capture the essence of the book in a way that makes fans feel engrossed in the experience of seeing it all come alive no matter how it is done.

Student Life in NYC

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Easy (healthy) Recipes!

by Kaili Woop (Fine Arts, ‘23) Is bread your main carb too?

You wake up late for your 9 am class. Your day ends at 9 pm. You are rushing to get ready to go to class.

You did not eat, and you dread the idea of spending money on overpriced snacks in the vending machine.

As we adjust back to in person classes, we as college students need to make time for other aspects of life, including how we eat. There are numerous recipes that are cheap and easy to make that can be brought with you to eat in between classes.

Here are my top three healthy, low carb snack ideas that will help college students eat healthy in a fast and affordable way:

The New Cream Cheese "Bagel"

Granola Balls Ingredients: peanut butter, oats, mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, cranberries Optional: white chocolate chips

Ingredients: cucumber, cream cheese, everything bagel seeds Optional: Replace cucumber with bell peppers or broccoli, chia seeds, replace cream cheese with vegetable cream cheese or hummus

- Mix enough oats with peanut butter until the mixture is somewhat sticky and not dry.

- Add your desired amount of cranberries, chocolate chips and chia seeds.

- Mix all ingredients into a bowl.

- After creating the mixture, scoop small amounts and roll them into balls.

- (Optional) put the granola balls into the fridge to have as a cold snack

Wash and cut vegetable of your choice Apply cream cheese (or hummus) to the surface of each cut vegetable.

Sprinkle everything bagel seeds and chia seeds on top of the cream cheese.

These easy snack recipes will help you eat healthy in a fast and affordable way. They are great because there is no "right" way to make these because you add the ingredients to the amount that you desire. All of these snacks can be adjusted to be gluten free/dairy free!

If you start eating these snacks, you will no longer find yourself getting one of those small bags of popcorn from the vending machine or that $2.50 cookie. This transition in how you eat will help you save money as well as keep your digestion in good shape.

Tuna Salad Boat Ingredients: canned tuna, lettuce, mayonnaise Optional: onions, Frank's Hot Sauce, garlic powder, paprika, chia seeds - Mix one can of tuna fish with your desired amount of mayonnaise - Wash 4-6 pieces of Romaine lettuce (Optional) Add chia seeds, garlic powder, Frank's Hot Sauce and paprika to your desired amount - Add tuna on top of the Romaine lettuce

graphics by Donna Hellberg

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W27 – SPRING 2022

Five Cheap Things to do in New York This Spring

By Sara Hamilton (AMC, ‘24)

The best thing about attending the Fashion Institute of Technology is getting to live in the city that never sleeps. As the days begin to last longer and the weather gets warmer-and a two year stand still begins to revert to semi-normalcy-chances are you’ll want to go out more often.

As we’ve all probably figured out by now-New York is not for the faint of heart when it comes to budgeting. But here’s the good news: not having a lot to spend doesn’t need to stop you from having fun. Here’s five things to do in New York this Spring, that won’t break the bank.

Take a Trip to DUMBO, Brooklyn Only a fifteen-minute train ride from Penn Station, DUMBO- which stands for, “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” is a beautiful neighborhood to visit. It features a stunning view of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park, as well as the infamous Manhattan bridge-located between two red brick buildings. With its lively scene of art galleries, entertainment, and beautiful greenery, DUMBO will keep you entertained for hours without costing a dime.

Looking for a bite to eat? DUMBO’s Time Out Market is the perfect mix of traditional and trendy. With over 20 different restaurants in one building, entrée options range from sushi to southern chicken. The best part? Most meals cost under fifteen dollars!

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Visit The Met Cloisters Often an overlooked branch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Met Cloisters at Fort Tyron Park feature over 5,000 works of art, and the building’s architecture mirrors a medieval European castle.

Several themed galleries and chapels with vibrant stained glass make for a beautiful Spring trip.

Beyond the castle walls, decorative gardens and greenery create a peaceful landscape that looks directly over the Hudson River.

Tickets to the Cloisters are 25 dollars for adult visitors. However, student admission with a valid ID is only 12 dollars-and worth every penny. Only a few blocks away, be sure to stop at the Tryon Public House Pub for a unique selection of craft beers and their world-famous short rib grilled cheese!

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Chill Out in Washington Square Park Washington Square Park is one of the best places for a college student to hang out in New York City, especially on a sunny day. Grab a group of friends and do your schoolwork there, hang around the fountain, or meet new people. It’s close to NYU-so there’s always young people hanging around, especially on a weekday.

If you get hungry, and don’t mind a bit of a line, go visit the Dosa Man! You can’t miss it- a tiny street cart with a line of people wrapped around the sidewalk.

NY Dosas has won several awards and is known for having the best dosas in NYC. Plus, the owner is super friendly and makes it his goal to have a conversation with every one of his customers. The dosas are also 100% vegan and gluten free!

Rush To Broadway

Bike Through Central Park

Yeah- I know what you’re thinking…

Broadway shows are expensive. But there are some great deals if you know where to look! Many theatres offer a “Student Rush,” policy that reduces the cost of Off-Broadway and Broadway tickets to just 20 dollars each.

If you’re like me- and are a little nervous about biking through the city streets, Central Park is a great place to start.

If you don’t bring a bike, you can easily rent one there. Citi Bike daily rental prices run as low as twelve dollars and are a great option if you’re just starting out. Hop on right by Columbous Circle in Midtown and enjoy an over five-mile loop around the park.

The best time to get this deal is on a weekday. Take a trip to the box offices and ask if they have any discount student tickets available. Most of the time Not only is this an affordable Spring acthey will, just don’t forget to bring your tivity, but it’s a great starting block if you want to learn more about NYC’s favorite student ID! green place. And don’t forget to hit the brakes a few times along the way- there’s a million hidden gems that you’ll want to stop and see!

At the end of the day, you can still have tons of fun without facing a hefty price tag. So go out, have a good time, and remind yourselves FIT students, while things may be difficult sometimes (and while I’m a little biased) we really do live in the greatest city on earth.

illustation by Nava Saad

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W27 – SPRING 2022

Where to Catch the Season’s Oscar Nominated Films in NYC. WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY STEPHEN CAMPANELLA (ILLUSTRATION, ‘22)

Film at Lincoln Center

IFC Center

The Paris Theater

70 Lincoln Center Plaza #4, New York, NY

323 Avenue of the Americas (at W 3rd St), New York, NY

4 W 58th St, New York, NY

A relaxed spot for an easy-going screening, Film at Lincoln Center is a tiny theater right underneath the monumental Metropolitan Opera.

Its bright orange exterior stands out from a distance. Offering specific and selective films from around the world, the Lincoln Center’s name is more intimidating than its casual comfortable interior. Signed posters of film’s greatest modern actors line the halls as guests enter, along with its newly reopened cafe, Indie Food & Wine.

Right outside of Washington Square Park, IFC may seem quaint from the outside, yet has remained one of the epicenters of NYC independent cinema for decades. Highlights include IFC’s everchanging film series screenings, themed around directors, genres, and themes, and also its devotion to showcasing the best of the Academy Awards every spring in all categories (Animated Short Films, Documentaries, etc.).

If you want to feel upscale without paying the price - this is the place.

Located right next to The Plaza, with minimal, yet iconic screenings each week, the Paris Theater sets the mood with the current films’ soundtracks as guests take their seats inside its large Broadway-esque movie theater.

Newly operated by Netflix, many of the streaming service’s films are premiered here, holding celebrity Q&A’s before and after select screenings.

Metrograph

Museum of the Moving Image

IMAX at AMC Lincoln Square

7 Ludlow St (at Canal St), New York, NY

36-01 35th Ave, Queens, Located in the depths of the Lower New York, NY East Side, Metrograph provides for Modern and vibrant, film exhibitions a unique late-night theater going filled with props, posters, and behind experience. Complete with an in- the scenes insight on the center’s house restaurant, The Commissary, current screenings, as well as drive-in and bar, Metrograph’s specialty is films in the park each summer and fall. its vintage atmosphere and up-scale Located inside the original Astoria scenery.

Film Studios, the surrounding area filled with restaurants and nightlife proves for a great night out.

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1998 Broadway, New York, NY If you are looking for a surreal movie experience, the IMAX at Lincoln Square is home to the largest movie screen in NYC. The only way to describe this theater is go big, or go home - only for the biggest and loudest of blockbusters.

THE COLLAGE ISSUE Alfred Molina in Academy Award-nominated Film, “Spider-Man: No Way Home”

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W27 – SPRING 2022

Four Books to Get You Excited For Summer

By Haneen Elmeswari (AMC, ‘24) As the weather starts to get warm and the Best Angst leaves start to grow again, get back into Contemporary Novel the reading mood with the right book.

Whether your summer plans include an “Writers and Lovers” adventurous vacation, or just lounging by Lily King around romanticizing life, these books will provide you with the perfect literary King returns to contemporary life with escape.

“Writers and Lovers” after her previous novel “Euphoria,” in which she imagined Best Summer Romance anthropologist Margaret Mead in a romantic triangle during a 1933 field trip “People We Meet on Vacation” to New Guinea. “Writers and Lovers”

by Emily Henry surrounds Casey Peabody, a 31-year-old aspiring writer, who bikes three miles to Following last year’s popular book, “Beach and from work as a waitress in Harvard Read,” “People We Meet On Vacation” Square, trying to pay off over $70,000 in is an absorbing and entertaining read. student debt. Her home is a former potBased on the film “When Harry Met Salting shed that still smells of “loam and ly,” this novel follows your classic ‘friends rotting leaves” attached to a friend of her to lovers’ trope. There’s plenty of romanbrother’s garage. Casey’s opening quotatic tension in this novel, which is offset tion is breezy and potent: “I have a pact by protagonist Poppy’s anxiety about her with myself not to think about money in future (career, location; ennui typical of the morning. I’m like a teenager trying millennials). not to think about sex. But I’m also trying The story is enriched by Henry’s vivid not to think about sex.” depiction of early-30s uncertainty and angst, which adds an interesting personalgrowth dimension. With sassy wordplay, Henry keeps the friends-to-lovers trope from feeling old. Plus, Poppy and love interest Alex’s connection feels genuine, like an old-fashioned romance. We can imagine ourselves in Poppy’s heels or Alex’s khakis, realizing we’re in love with our close friend but wary of the downside of committing.

illustration by Chloe Ruiz

ends meet with an exhausting restaurant job that has horrible hours and no benefits. King has created an irresistible heroine in Cast, equally vulnerable and tenacious, and upon picking up the book, you become immediately invested in her search for comfort, love, and success. photo by Liana Mikah on Unsplash

“Writers and Lovers” shows a funny look at grief, and, worse, it’s dangerously romantic, both bold enough and fearless enough to imagine the possibility of eternal happiness. The novel is a vision showcasing the economic hell that so many young people are living in today: serving extraordinary wealth, but apart from it at the same time. Casey has been writing her novel for six years, barely making photo by Ramon Kagie on Unsplash

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Best Audiobook

Best Classic

“Song of Achilles”

by Madeline Miller

“Atonement”

by Ian McEwan

The last mythical figure you might try to rework as a romantic hero would be Achilles, a one-man genocide whose defining characteristic was unquenchable rage. “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller depicts the lover underneath the bloodshed and fury. This story is told from Patroclus’ perspective, who, exiled by his father to live in the court of Peleus, falls in love with his host’s son, the superhuman Achilles: an Achilles from birth, he is swifter, more beautiful, and more skilled than any other human being.

Ian McEwan’s ‘’Atonement’’ is a story of love, war, and the destructive powers of imagination. The book also takes all the themes the author has developed over the years -- such as the dangers and pitfalls of innocence, the hold time past has over the present day, and the intrusion of evil into society--and orchestrates them in a way that is as affecting as it is gripping. . The first half of the book is set in the English countryside in 1935, and it is this setting that draws in a sense of escapism and the same nostalgia you might feel for a hot, English summer you have never experienced. With a hefty fortune, the Tallises live in a beautiful mansion with servants, a pool, lush gardens, and a very memorable fountain.

Frazer Douglas narrates the audiobook in an appealing British accent and a subdued tone; his transitions between dialogue and narrative are smooth and consistent, emphasizing Miller’s poetic language. Patroclus’ fascination with and love for Achilles is what listeners hear in its fullness; we feel like first-hand witnesses to their growing intimacy and are swept along by the romance surrounding it. Anyone familiar with The Iliad knows the outcome of this epic love story, yet to hear it in the sweet and entrancing words of Madeline Miller is like a whole new story.

The story depicts a 13-year-old girl who tells a horrible lie that sends her older sister’s lover to jail and destroys the upper-middle-class lifestyle of the family.

As in so many early McEwan novels, this shocking event exposes the psychological fault lines that run through his characters’ lives and forces them to make moral decisions. It will also emphasize the class tensions in England during the 1930s and the social changes brought about by World War II.

Now that you have all the right book recommendations, elevate your experience with a corresponding playlist. We’ve created a Spotify code for you to scan that will take you to a playlist specifically made with these books in mind.

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W27 – SPRING 2022

TAKE THE STAIRS

BECOMING MORE COMFORTABLE THROUGH DISCOMFORT

by Ethan Sawyer (AMC, ‘22)

At peak hours before classes, the Dubinsky lobby collects a crowd around the elevators. A gathering of mostly fit, healthy, youthful students shift their feet, minutes passing while faint creaks and dings indicate the erratic vertical oscillation of the elevators. Half of these people are waiting to exit at the 3rd floor.

A recurring issue I’ve noticed among myself and fellow students is our propensity to fall into bubbles of concentrated comfort. As learners within a highly specialized school, it’s an understandable inevitability. Most of us came here seeking specifics, to achieve exceptionalism in an extremely narrow field of study that we’ve already shown a natural talent for. However, the mindset that this environment nurtures has side effects. Many of us stick to what we know, we actively avoid failure, and we do everything in our power to avoid joining the ideological minority again. It drives us to succeed, yes, but it also seems to drive us toward closing ourselves off from the unavoidable complexity of the world. It’s also a mindset that ac-

tively decays our most valuable asset: our creativity.

So how do we accept the chaos of the world and avoid losing our unconventional minds? First, we must increase our cognitive reserve.

Cognitive Reserve, or CR, is a fancy neurology term, but the concept isn’t hard to understand. Imagine two cities. One has a single road running through it, and the other has a million roads. Now imagine a single road getting shut down for construction in both cities.

For the single road city, this shit’s a disaster, where else are cars gonna go, they only have one road?!? In the million road city, it isn’t as much of an issue, there are a million-minus-one roads that can still be taken. Having a low CR means your brain is like the single road city. When your thoughts get overwhelmed, the only option is to sit down and cry. Having a high CR means your brain is like the million roads city. A

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bad grade on an exam doesn’t cause you to hide away and binge Emily in Paris for the fifth time this month, instead it pushes you to find an alternate path toward success. The new neural connections provided by a high CR also expand your creative potential. However, obtaining a high CR comes with a catch.

WANNA INCREASE YOUR CR? MAKE YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE! It sucks, but your ultra-conservative uncle typing to the void of his Facebook page is right about participation trophies. A life without challenge and failure has been scientifically proven to impair your ability to resist chaos and think outside the box. New and difficult experiences are like food to the brain, and just like a stomach, if you don’t feed it, it’ll shrivel. Also similar to a stomach, the types of experiences matter. A chicken breast marinated in a balsamic mint reduction and grilled will be much more beneficial than french fries soaked in a bucket of coke. For the brain, the more uncomfortable the experience, the more streets your mental city builds.

On the luckier side, the challenging experiences you endure don’t have to be life-altering to have an effect. As explained by fear expert Rhonda Britten, when you challenge yourself, you aren’t removing yourself from your comfort zone, you’re actually expanding it, and like all good expansionary methods, it’s best to take things slow. Britten breaks the process of expanding your comfort zone into three steps: Stretch, Risk, and Die. Stretching is for actions you know you can do, but that you find challenging.

Risking is for actions that are new, but build upon things you can already do.

Dying is for actions completely disconnected from who you see yourself as.

As you take on these challenges, your ability to endure the discomfort of newness begins to expand, and soon your comfort zone will be large enough to take on the “Die” category. But remember…go

slow. As discovered by researchers from York University in 1908, new experiences cause initial anxiety that boosts performance ability, but when too much uncertainty is added to the mix, a panic zone is reached and we start ranting about sun people while cuddling a 6-foot teddy bear.

As we enter a new phase of the pandemic, many of you will struggle to readapt to a life of…well, the average in-person college student struggles. Since returning to campus, I repeatedly hear friends and classmates not only struggling to continue their education, but also struggling to remember any previous education that wasn’t contained within their narrowed comfort zones. I myself didn’t understand how addicted I was to a limited form of comfort until I went on a 35-hour video game binge that resulted in a panic attack at work while serving martinis to an old man and his prostitute. Since then, I’ve gotten back to a consistent gym schedule (stretch), I learned a new music production software (risk), and most challenging of all, I’ve been ditching the Dubinsky elevator and taking the stairs, even to the 7th or 8th floor…sometimes.

I explain my struggles not to gain sympathy, but to help you understand that I’ve been in the trenches alongside you, and I’m slowly but successfully making my way back home. Expanding your comfort zone isn’t the only way to help pandemic recovery, but it’s been the most effective thing so far for me, and I can’t wait to have other people join me in bucking the elevator, braving the thigh-pounding exhilaration of feet on stairs, and discovering new branches of creativity you never thought possible.

graphic by Donna Hellberg

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W27 – SPRING 2022

Not feeling it...

It’s okay that you don’t have it all together babe, you never did anyways!

by Jaya Lockhart (FBM, ‘25) There’s moments where we feel like we peak — where we feel like we are at the high point in the current season of our lives — the mountain top. Whether our mountain top is us thriving at work and feeling like we finally mastered the art of self discipline, the art of self love no longer is foreign to us. We’ve really gotten to a space mentally where we finally feel like we can just stride, coasting in bliss.

Ahhhhh. How beautiful is that moment?

So beautiful that we try to hold on to it for dear life.

In our childhood, we spent time daydreaming about how we would be doctors, lawyers, chefs, parents, wives, husbands and damn near anything our heart wanted all by at least the age of 20. Ain’t it funny how big our imaginations were back then? We had no sense of time or work ethic yet but we still saw ourselves standing on the highest pedestal of life.

We didn’t know that over time, our visions would change and what was once a world with the sun colored at the top corner of the page, would now be a world painted by politics, racism, equality issues The very second we start feeling our feet and so on. What was bright in our childslip, we begin to feel imbalanced. Anxiety hood now feels dull in our adulthood. creeps in and the frantic search to find what, where and howTF we are no longer Apologies if I’m being too blunt but coastin’ on automatic bliss! The new focus please read this as if I’m speaking to you is how to catch yourself before you fall [or as my close friend: LIFE CAN FEEL INslip] and keeping your peace starts feeling SANE, DARLING! In fact, life can feel like you’re holding a fistful of water. like you are covered in a 80lb weighted blanket and all you can do is just snuggle Just at the right time — the split second deeper and deeper into your introverted moment in your spiraling, you realize cocoon. But let me offer you a beautiful that it’s okay that you don’t have control rebuttal, it’s only in the chaos you see right now and you never truly did… everything in the picture. Yes, finding yourself, spending time searching for You never had it together and what you what brings you joy, teaching yourself to thought made sense, actually never to- sit still and say thank you to the very fact taled up to be exactly what you needed. that you are alive, breathing and well, can Was it all in your head? Well, at least it feel like you’re playing a game of “Where’s felt like you were all in your head; but Waldo?” But you gotta admit, would you the truth is you’re not crazy and you’re be as strong as you are now if life didn’t not overreacting either. Life happens feel insane? Would you have the courage faster than we can say “life happens” and to love, if you hadn’t been hurt? Would sometimes it feels like life is passing at you have known how to get up, if you the speed of lightning. We look at those hadn’t been pushed down? Would you around us and begin feeling like we are have thought, if you hadn’t been quesfalling short, like we’re not doing enough tioned? … almost as if we are completely “behind schedule” from where we thought we Everything you have ever gone through would be at this age. has aided in you being here, in this mo-

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illustration by Vicki Liu

ment, where you are now. It’s why you appreciate the bliss in the good moments.

It has fueled your reasoning to believe in God, your faith. When you grow through things there’s no denying that it hurts or that it’s crazy and unfair but neither is there denying your inner child of the very dreams you have, whether you’ve tried to bury them or not. We don’t have a say in how things turn out in our lives, but we do have a say in how we respond and proceed. What we do today makes up the foundation of our tomorrow — yes, we are able to start over and start fresh but that only happens when we make a choice. We can’t control how things pan out in the end but we sure do play a huge role in the process of it. We don’t have it all together. We don’t even know if tomorrow is promised. We do know that we are here right now and that’s all that is really needed. Right now.

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Creative Writing

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W27 – SPRING 2022

by Rebecca Yoo (ITM, ‘23) illustrations by Jessica Lyle

Shoved with a xenophobic passion, Elizabeth toppled to all fours like a creature.

She was an object or something to be objectified. He spat at her like she deserved a punishment, like she was a puppy who couldn’t meow for this disgruntled man.

The chalky cement gnawed at her fragile knees, as did her safeguard to leave the house. The bruises on her knees and the scratches on her hands demanded that she shed the yellow undertones of her skin. If she didn’t pull out her silky black hair, the cement might make another abrupt visit. What if another man decides that she’s also worthless and deserves to be reprimanded? Umma pleads to me, “베 키 같이 코스트코 와 줄래? 그 아저씨 Q66 버스 타 거든.”1 Her pride was taken away from her decades ago. She knew the moment she

1 2

stepped foot in the “land of opportunity” that her language, her culture, her entire essence was no longer accepted. She was expected to fully accommodate to the new master’s rules. America gawks at her, “As long as you’re in my house, you follow my rules.” The same power play motive, that shoved Elizabeth to her knees, also lunged a piece of chalk across the room at her. Elizabeth’s first American high school teacher scowls, “Answer me! Why don’t you know English?” The face of a supposed caregiver, a guide to the American dreamer, was staring dead straight through her worth. As a puppy expected to howl like a wolf already, Elizabeth was innocently punished. For as long as she can’t pronounce her W’s and adds an unnecessary syllable to each word, she will always be the victim. If her verbs come grammatically last in a sentence, then so will her acknowledgment in America. English is her crutch; while all at the same time, English is her savior.

English is a capable bird that sweeps the skies and calls out to an open terrain. But like a puppy on a leash, drooping eyes and a tucked tail, so did Elizabeth’s wrinkles on the edges of her lips. The sparse gray in her hair creeps from the thinning of the shadows. She hides away her apple

Translation: “Becky, please come with me to go grocery shopping. That man takes the Q66 bus.”

Translation: “I don’t know English very well.”

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cheekbones, which used to be lifted to the heavens by a set of smiling eyes. The sad crease of her eyelids blankly stares back at the cash register, the bank accountant, the bus driver, anyone and their mothers; she whispers, “영어 잘 못해요”2.

Jae, a malleable teenager, journeyed throughout the globe and finally to the United States. Her father, a brave South Korean ex-marine, would look back towards the sea and reflect, “I don’t trust the Korean government.” To find a better life, America set the stage for a new venture, a new life, and unexpectedly, a new name. Jae’s name was met with ridicule and shame for being a boy’s name. She desperately yearned to be respected highly wherever she went, as did Queen Elizabeth. Thus, Elizabeth prided in her new name. Although she may not have exactly lived out the privileged royal lifestyle, her body labored at physically demanding jobs. For if not the wisdom of the English language, her physicality had to make up for it. Her broken English worked her hands tirelessly until they swelled. Holding her hands was a testament of sixty years worth of sacrifice, of a single mother who only knew the life of survival. Still to this day, Elizabeth continues to stand on her feet to go to work.

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All of this, to nurture a home that provides for her baby girl.

Home is where Umma prepares kimchi stew, the only kimchi stew that I trust.

From time to time, I see in my peripheral vision, Umma peering over at me while she waits for the stew to simmer.

The daylight peers into the dainty condo, along with two bamboo lamps sitting in opposite corners of our living room, altogether radiating a warm hue of security. We name our Wifi “Woori Gip,” a Romanized Korean translation of “Our Home.” If only the Wifi provider allowed “foreign” characters, then Umma wouldn’t be so confused to acknowledge “Our Home”. But regardless, home is the cocoon in which the silky webs nurture. A filled refrigerator, dishes still yet to dry, as the water rumbles in our tea kettle, Woori Gip has a living heart beat.

We made sure to breathe life within each and every crevice. As the pigeons rest right outside our fire escape, the 7 train whizzes by– reminding us that a space of belongingness must be created, despite the pushback of the world that pursues to reject it. It is curated and loved on, a space that invites you in, upon entry of

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that “Welcome Home” mat.

From the opposite corner of the kitchen, I sit crouched over my desk to retain my news article for class presentation.

Umma always preached the importance of an education. Practicing my speech over and over again, until I make sure I reach the 10 minute mark. No less, no more. But then, I get a whiff of the red pepper powder dancing into a sweet and salty tango – Umma’s kimchi stew. The same smell that pervades the hallways of my building to hug me back home. Only this time, I’m already home. My nose perks towards the lead of the smell, and I see my mom already gazing over at me.

She holds her evidently worked hands in front of her stomach. Her pursed lips lifts her rosy cheekbones, as her eyesight blurs and gleams in the light. Umma softly whispers, “영어 잘한다.”3

Translation: “Her English is perfect.”

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W27 – SPRING 2022

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poems by Sydney Forbes (AMC, ‘22)

Talking to the moon I’ve been talking to the moon lately.

And she tells me how much the stars miss you.

How when you go out, You don’t care to look up at them anymore.

I’ve been talking to the moon lately.

And she tells me that she tries to shine, A little brighter every night, In hopes that you’ll notice.

It’s to my assumption, That me and the moon are of the same galaxy, Made up of the same atoms, Her natural satellite yearning for you to orbit Around her for once.

She tells me it is unfair that her rotation is constant, While yours is ephemeral.

That you just stand still.

As you wait on her eager reliability.

I’ve been talking to the moon.

And she wishes you were the ocean.

I agree with her.

I tell her it would be easier if you were the ocean.

Because then you would need her.

You might even need me.

Or at least enjoy our company, You would have no choice.

The moon takes it back.

She doesn’t want an imprisoned sea, She just wants you to look up, Like you did before.

And bask in her lunar glow.

I’ve been talking to the moon. she reveals that she used to be your sun.

How late at night, you’d strip, Laying down to take in her light.

I’ve been talking to the moon.

And she is glad that through this she now has me.

Although I am not you, We both find a sense of security, Knowing that you were real.

That you were for us.

And only us.

How you weren’t just some figment of either of our imaginations.

But built up of bones and flesh, And blood coursing through your perfect body.

She tells me of her fear.

That one day you may return to one of us.

And of how one of us will abandon the other.

The day I spent screaming at the empty sky, I knew you had found your way back to her.

I’ve been talking to the moon lately.

I listen as she confesses how much she envies the sun, That she can never be a star.

No matter how much she wants to. no matter how hard or, How much she tries.

How even though it takes hundreds of days.

You still make it around.

I’ve been talking to the moon.

And she explains how self conscious she is.

How she over compensates at dawn.

Knowing how your face mirroring the sun, Will beam up at its existence.

Ignoring hers.

And how it isn’t fair.

Because at least she can guide the ocean.

At least her gravitational pull, Commands the tide.

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W27 – SPRING 2022

sebroF yendyS yb smeop Swimming lesson

InTechnicolor (LA)

How my love for you, Just like my sorrow, Is as deep as the very thing I was trying to escape.

When my lungs fill, With that marine, I will only be able to taste you.

Floating away before Someone is able to save me.

It’s where I will learn the lesson.

Not even movies could teach me.

It’s with my last breath I will say your name.

Is this what you wanted?

Is this what you wanted?

Because I got exactly what I asked for.

I hope you’re having fun out west, Back at home I run into your mom at the grocery She asks me, how you’ve been.

The old library we used to go to, To read Faulkner and kiss, Feels dark and dank now that you’re gone.

I promised when you drove away, That I would too, But it’s been so hard to think about saying goodbye, Of this old town we grew up in.

So many memories, And so many people, I can’t let go just yet, I can't believe you’re out in the city.

Living the life we thought we would.

Tonight you’re probably, with some five foot nine blonde.

Who doesn’t care how you got that scar above your left eye.

Even though you insist on telling her.

It was from shooting guns.

I think the hardest thing to do now, Is stop. loving.

You, Who I was, And how it felt.

Our little metropolis in color.

Now back to sepia.

I hope you saturate Los Angeles with your tinge, God knows they already have the sun, But I bet that it burns brighter with you.

How could it not?

How could it not.....

Highway When you said you needed an adventure, I laughed with my head thrown back, “We all do”.

We all need to drive down the highway Rid of our cares and worries, With the scent of fast food And greasy fingers on the steering wheel.

Like criminals Straight down route 66 The thought of looking back, going Straight out the window.

When you actually left, I wasn’t surprised, just saddened.

Saddened that you didn’t take me That you didn’t even ask Ask if I wanted to drive down the lovers highway And keep going.

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Reflexión para mi niña del verano del 2021

Reflection for the girl I was the summer of 2021

Mi niña linda, tierna y dulce.

Estoy contigo. Mano en mano, en tu proceso de querer dejar la tierra.

Te adoro. Entiendo tu dolor, entiendo tú sufrir, tú confusión.

My darling girl, tender and sweet, I’m with you. Hand in hand, in your process of wanting to leave the earth.

I adore you. I understand your pain, your suffering, your confusion.

Estoy contigo. Somos una misma.

Por favor lucha. Y sé que lo haces. Con cada célula de tu ser, regresarás.

Radiante como la luna que te acompaña, brillante como los colores que te envuelven.

I’m with you. We’re one in the same.

Please fight. And I know you do. With every cell of your being, you will return.

Radiant like the moon that accompanies you, brilliant like the colors that wrap around you.

Que tu guía sea un faro color rosa bugambilia y que te ilumine por la cueva mas profunda de tu ser.

Let your light be a pink beacon that illuminates you through the deepest caves of your being.

Solo será por un momento.

Por favor date tu tiempo. Puedes confiar en mí.

It will only be for a moment.

Please give yourself your time. You can trust me.

Cuando estés tumbada en el suelo del baño, rogando por la muerte y la inocencia de ser una niña.

Confía en el pecho de tu Madre. Nunca te te dejará desamparada.

When you’re collapsed on the bathroom floor, begging for death and for the innocence of being a child.

Trust in the chest of your Mother. For she will never forsake you.

Mi amor, te entiendo.

Yo también me he arrastrado por el suelo lleno de trozos de vidrio, cadáveres de mis seres pasados y los espíritus que los encarnaban.

My love, I understand.

I too have dragged myself through shards of broken glass, the cadavers of my past selves and the spirits they’ve embodied.

I understand your wanting to leave this earth.

Entiendo tu querer despedirte de la tierra.

Simply remember the pink beacon of light that only you can see.

Just as that light, you will shine again.

Solo recuerda esa luz color rosa bugambilia, que solo tú puedes ver.

Y como esa luz, tú también brillarás de nuevo.

Give yourself time. Give time it’s own time.

One day the springtime will come again and give wind to your breath.

And you will no longer suffer. At least for the moment.

Date tu tiempo. Dale tiempo al tiempo.

Que un día regresará la primavera y le dará aliento a tu viento.

Y ya no sufrirás más. Por lo menos por el momento.

No te prometo que nunca sufrirás jamás. El dolor es inevitable.

I can’t promise you you’ll never suffer again.

Because pain is inevitable.

Solo recuerda tu luz color rosa bugambilia.

Simply hold the pink beacon of light that only you can see.

Y recuerda que te amo.

And remember that I love you.

Written in Spanish and translated to English.

Note: This is a stream of consciousness reflection from my current self, speaking to who I was in the summer of 2021.

Por/By Dana Flores (AMC, ‘22) 43

W27 – SPRING 2022

An Excerpt from

Clemens

by Margo Żak (AMC, ‘22) My father led Noah and I into a ventilated metal freezer before twisting open the handle.

“Welcome to the Nursery.”

I was greeted by the shrill countless cries of babies that echoed against the bland white walls.

Cradles of newborns were lined up into algebraic columns and rows that spanned the never ending corridor. The nursery reeked of chemicals found in cleaning products as flickering laboratory light bulbs hung over us. A tall, thin blonde girl wearing dangling earrings and a peplum lace dress stood over the first cradle. She had her back turned to us as she rocked a sleeping baby in her arms, humming a familiar lullaby.

My father joined my side and placed his hand on my shoulder. We both observed the singing woman. She turned around to the sight of my bewildered face. It was the nosy blonde girl from the club meeting. She didn’t break eye contact with me while she carefully set the baby down in their cradle, kissed their forehead, and tucked them in.

The name tags attached to each cradle read: Brianna from Boston. Alicia from New York. David from Michigan…

I immediately noticed my mother’s handwriting, the way she would dot her I’s and exaggerate her B’s and as the blonde girl brushed past me, I smelled the familiar aroma of her favorite Chloé perfume.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “My precious Rose. It’s been so long.”

My heart sank to the unique low, silky timbre of my mother’s voice. Except she didn’t look like my mother. She looked about my age, with rosy cheeks, shining hair, and glimmering airbrushed porcelain skin. My mother now looked more like the stick figures I used to draw of her in kindergarten—skinnier, younger, more feminine.

She looked at me with the same ice blue eyes as mine and clasped my jittering hands. “Rose, I’m sorry that it had to happen like this. I know this is a lot for you, believe me I do. I endured the same thing during my initiation. You’re going to learn so much about the new power you hold and we will be here to guide you as a family, including Noah—who will be your husband.”

Noah had the audacity to put his arm around me. I winced as if I felt an electric shock. He turned to my parents. “I’ll take good care of her. I’ll teach her all she has to know so we can keep the bloodline alive.”

I batted my eyes at him and caressed his back. It took everything in me to not dig my nails deep into his neck, suffocating him the way he suffocated me.

I tightened the grip of my mother’s hands. “Mom, I apologize for not being excited to see you at first. I want to learn everything I can about my new life.”

My father held us both close to his chest. We were finally a family again. I basked in their body heat, closing my eyes, pretending that I was six years old and they were both sending me off to my first day of school back in New York.

He started pacing up and down the aisle. “Your mother was a mortal when she fell pregnant with you. She didn’t know I belonged to the elite until I decided that she was ready. Since you are now initiated, you are fully one of us.”

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yM

ela

nie

Wo ng

He picked up a baby whose name tag read, Ashley from California. He stared into her innocent eyes as he addressed me.

“You were always such a bright girl. So different from your peers and destined for more. You deserve to control, not to be controlled...humans were only created to be controlled.”

My mother took a syringe out of the cupboard by the cradles, joining my father’s side. My stomach dropped at the sight of the sharp needle. She gazed at baby Ashley.

“We eat them. The nutrients are all in their blood, and the more we consume, the more youthful and beautiful we remain. I started traveling far and wide to capture our livestock and that’s why I had to leave New York.”

Livestock. My stomach turned as I felt vomit gargling up my throat before gulping it back down.

I attempted to mask my shaking voice. “B-but I’m sure there’s a way we could eventually die, right? I want to make sure I can protect myself against anyone who would want to h-harm us.”

My mother injected something into the crying baby and laid her back down. “The only way someone could kill us is by stabbing a spear made of rhodesian teak wood through our hearts, and there’s no need to worry about that because the last one known to man was captured and is now an ancient artifact of the academy, under our supervision.”

My eyes widened with curiosity. “I would love to see the artifacts that belong to our kind.”

Pleased by my receptiveness, my father removed the shackles that constrained my cold, scaly hands. “I knew that you would be mature enough to understand.”

b on i t a str illu

45

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