The Artichoke Vol. 8. No. 5/6

New Year, New who?

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 | VOL. 8 NO. 5/6

WINTERED OVER

2

ARTICHOKE

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor-In-Chief

Lamia Abozaid

Assistant Editor

Katherine Collier

Writers

Anna Wilson Kelly Estomo Laura Bourbonnais Martika McLean Mashiat Altaf Madfish Fisher Isaiah-John Sison Bianca Mazziotti Brooke Dalton Maya Vukov Rachael Henfrey

Design Editor

Sarah Wong

Designers

Bri Coggans Kristina Pura-Cruz Zhen Li Samneet Mann Sarah Manyoki Mars Quave Mirabelle Wang Livia Widjaja Michelle Young

For past issues: issuu.com/artichokemag For Submissions: wintersfreepress@winterscouncil.com Contact Us: Facebook.com/ArtichokeMag

3

WINTERS

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURE

ENTERTAINMENT

04

Running Free like Children: A Day at Pursuit OCR Isaiah-John Sison

20

06

Old Beginning’s Bianca Mazziotti

LIFESTYLE

MadFish’s Guide to Winter 2019 MadFish Fisher

22

Do Not Get Sucked into the Vortex Rachael Henfrey

CREATIVE

08

When We Find Love Mashiat Altaf

24

Late-Bloomers Lament Brooke Dalton

12

A Battle Anna Wilson

26

14

Let my People Go Martika McLean

CINESIEGE 2018: A Reflection on Ceremonial Practices and Community Narratives Maya Vukov

28

Motel Kellyfornia Aaron Kelly

29

Devised Theatre Festival 2019 Aaron Kelly and Gwenyth Dobie

32

playGround Festival 2019 Lamia Abozaid

16

Whoever you might be Kelly Estomo

18

A Sad Season for Heartbreak Laura Bourbonnais

4

ARTICHOKE

RUNNING FREE LIKE CHILDREN A Day at Pursuit OCR BY ISAIAH-JOHN SISON

IT WAS NOT very long ago that I was a first-year, straight out of high school, hungering for new experiences. However, that hunger gave way to nostalgia as all these new experiences that came with adulthood and post-secondary studies overwhelmed me, making me wish I could be as carefree as I once was.

Not knowing what to expect, I took to Google with the query “Chuck E. Cheese for adults”. I was not surprised to be flurried with blog posts about like-minded nostalgic adults and advertisements for Dave & Buster’s among other arcades. The more I revised my search, the less I knew what I was looking for until one result stood out: Pursuit OCR.

Immediately upon discovering Pursuit OCR, I began planning out a day I could spend there with my friends, eventually deciding on my birthday.

The day came and my group of friends and I walked into a small area with tablets for signing liability waivers and a register for questions and payments. After signing and paying, we followed the hallway into an area full of changing rooms and a curved wall of mirrors for pictures. Beyond the changing rooms are small break areas with skee-ball machines, arcade games, and vending machines, across from which are gender-neutral washrooms.

On their website, they describe themselves as “Canada’s largest fully indoor obstacle course training & movement centre,” and a “facility designed specifically so adults can let loose their inner child.”

We walked into the actual obstacle course area past a section of benches and lockers to the parkour playground with obstacles to run around, over, under, and through at one’s own leisure. Beside the parkour playground is a line of people waiting to attempt the famous warped wall at three different heights. However, the real heft of Pursuit is in the obstacle course itself.

Having recently undergone a move and upgrade, Pursuit OCR boasts 30,000 square feet of obstacles, which includes a warped wall, ball pit, playground for parkour, and a tricycle racetrack among other things.

The entrance to the course is a neonaesthetic monkey bar tunnel with pipes for bars at various heights and orientations, perfect for a photo with your crew. The obstacle course is comprised of various challenges, all with safety nets and

FEATURE

shortcuts to bypass, should one so desire.

Many of the obstacles are also obstacles featured on American Ninja Warrior, such as at the beginning with quintuple steps and a jumping spider trampoline and wall with optional support beams to swing from. There is an exercise ball passage room, a bungee-laser passage room (like in the spy movies), a slackline, monkey rings over a foam pit, sandbags to run through, and a huge ball pit to end off.

After going through the course, we decided to try out the warped wall. After breezing up the first level, it took me a couple attempts to reach the second. I did not want to embarrass myself on the highest level after seeing much taller and more fit people try over and over and fail – a fun challenge, nonetheless.

What we agreed was the most exhilarating part of Pursuit OCR was the tricycle racetrack. Pursuit OCR is equipped with seven full-sized tricycles and a couple hundred metres of winding and wavy track. Racing through the track feels like Mario Kart come to life, all drifting and bumping included, minus the Koopa shells and banana peels.

After a couple hours at Pursuit OCR, our depleted energy levels and hungry stomachs begged us to go for dinner, although we could have stayed much longer. Even without a full day to spend there, we decided that there was so much fun to be had at Pursuit OCR that could not be satisfied in one visit and the time we took there was time well-spent.

What is so great about Pursuit OCR is that you go there to have fun, and nothing less.

You can go through the course on your own or with friends, all at your own pace and comfort. It is a place where the point is to freely relive the same energy and activity levels you had as a child – a place to socialize or simply to work out, and to have fun while doing it.

Pursuit OCR is located at 75 Westmore Drive in Etobicoke, Ontario (near Finch and Highway 27).

You can find out more on their website and social media: Web – pursuitocr.com Facebook – facebook.com/PursuitOCR Instagram – @pursuitocr

5

6

ARTICHOKE

BY BIANCA MAZZIOTTI

7

FEATURE

The more new beginnings we have the less scary they feel – they start to feel old, like a familiar friend.

HERE WE ARE again, To the new, that seems old.

We have both been here, But it isn’t as cold.

The beginnings start to feel worn, Like an old sweater or T-shirt.

With time came a better fit, but holes are now where they should not.

They say to leave the old behind But the old is all I know It is where I have fallen And started to grow Gripping onto the time That is flying fast Never deciding to slow Always running past These old beginnings Come faster now Time is speeding And I do not know how To slow it down.

8

Filters A BAD HABIT is putting on those Rose tinted glasses That make everything look so soft And innocent They cover up the destruction And the pain That lie upon the face of that man Who promises you love Those words he whispers And the lies that hide under his breath The lips that taste of sweet chocolate The tongue that slips poison into your mouth You can’t fight these things With your rose tinted glasses on

ARTICHOKE

BY MASHIAT ALTAF

Marijuana The first inhale was painful It burned my lungs inside out And I coughed so much My friends found it entertaining But eventually it hit me And I started to feel funny It was scary It was new And it helped me forget about you So I did it several times after that Kiss

Knight When we first met I was recovering from the broken promises That he had left behind And I was unsure as to what you had to offer That was any different from what I already had I was skeptical I didn’t want to try A flavour that wasn’t him But now I see That you are so much more Than I gave you credit for As you pick me up off the ground And brush away the shards of glass Left over from a love that broke my reflection You build me a new mirror And in it You are at my side

When you kissed me You bit into me like I was The forbidden fruit My lips were swollen when you were done Virgin You should feel honoured If I allow you to Pray at my temple Sip from my fountain Skim the holy pages I write for you As I slip words Sweeter than honey Down your throat So that you can sin

CREATIVE

By touching the skin Of a Goddess And meet me down in that place of fire That we can burn in together Fairytale The night we met Was a night Straight out of a book At a table where we would eat As we took our seats And you opened your mouth to speak Our eyes locked Suddenly we were both glowing And the world stopped moving We were stuck in time The silence of realization Tugged at the edges of our mouths And we smiled

Stay away But everyday you inch closer and closer And my guard is coming down Brain, please don’t screw this one up I don’t want to be so afraid of him That I push him away Surrender Alright Fine I’ll admit it Ya got me You’re kinda perfect And so I told him Thank you For coming into my life I didn’t hesitate Submarine

You inched a little closer Shield Fear for me Is knowing I’ve had bad experiences With bad people And when you showed up When you called me beautiful I immediately drew my shield You can’t be real, I said

Do you have any idea What you’re walking into?

I’m a living submarine Let me submerge with you If you’ll hold my hand And dive in deep I’ll show you treasures Only you can keep

9

10

ARTICHOKE

Love He made me laugh so hard That by the time our 3 hour call Was over My cheeks ached And my eyes were crinkled up In happiness Tears leaking Breathless A warm Butterfly-like Enraging storm In my stomach Hammer If you’re leaving Please Come down on me With as much force As you can provide Shatter me Into a billion pieces So that I have an excuse to hate you Because hate makes the pain Bearable

The presence of him As he held me in his arms Strewn across the couch And laid his head atop mine This flutter in my heart Just after it stopped beating As his fingers drifted gently across my arm A feeling of protection Perfection And holiness I closed my eyes And felt his chest rise and fall And with every breath He became more real to me Translation I don’t understand love But I thought you were perfect I was stupid Because Now I am broken

Angel You God Who I’m not sure exists Was said to have made Angels Out of light Today I felt one

You are beautiful You are perfect No matter what you look like Or sound like Or smell like

CREATIVE

Or feel like Or taste like No matter if that Loser Who broke your heart Never returns You deserve better No matter those demons Who snicker behind your back Are killing you And refuse to leave There are those who would lay out arms for you No matter the sadness The sickness That they tell you you have That sucks on your soul until you are empty You are not sick and you are not alone You will survive Because you have made it this far And even though words And actions And parents And lovers And friends Aren’t helping Just know that they are there for you And want you to be okay Know that you are special to them

Reach out and love Those who deserve your love Because your love Is a golden thing Meow What does a pussy look like?

He knew After he used his hands to feel around Between my legs That I opened for him Like the gates to my heart That I left unlocked He went in to strangle it And once he was caught Those very hands tarnished He tried to run And I knew then too What a pussy looked like Drip At first my heart dripped Caramel When you wrapped your fingers around it And squeezed But now it just drips blood And your fingers aren’t even there

11

12

ARTICHOKE

26/1/2018-6:56PM

BY ANNA WILSON

I was never the one to write poems for her lovers, I was never the one that would stand under your balcony with flowers listing all the reasons why your smile resurrected mine. I never knew how to get acquainted with that side of me. I refuse to believe it exists. However, you made me fall in love with all what scared me.

You made it feel safe… until it didn’t. Until you left me stranded on an island made of all the feelings I have for your smile. You left me alone with everything I am terrified of. You left me to my thoughts. You left me facing my feelings… alone.

13

CREATIVE

28/9/2018-1:10AM

13/6/2018-3:10PM

8/4/2018-11:58AM

Admitting to myself my love to you, is like feeding my vulnerability. The wall shielding what hasn’t yet died of me vanishes the moment I give in to my love to you. But, I feel so shattered and the only thing strong enough to impact me is you.

My love, I gave you power to heal and break me and you seem to do both generously. However, lately you’ve been breaking more than what you’ve fixed, and the pieces of me are too weak to do anything about it.

My love, I am infatuated by how sweet your honey is that I forget how painful you sting when I get close enough.

Overlooking your flaws and only recognizing everything that made me fall in love with you, is the reason why I’m here right now. I don’t blame you, I blame your sweet smile, your loving eyes.

I blame myself for allowing your soul to steal mine.

I defied all my rules, everything I ever knew, for you. I wanted this start to be the last one.

My love, end this plague and come back to me.

My love is so Shakespearean and yours came out out of a Jane Austen’s novel. We are everything we need, but the stubbornness put our fears in charge and refuses any change. Your fears are so scared of my powerful love.

Why are you scared of healing? Why are you not letting me love you? I wonder restlessly how, my love...

How did we get here?

How can you be scared of the thing you deserve the most? A love so powerful that demolishes the existence of your sorrow.

Let me in, my love

14

ARTICHOKE

LET MY PEOPLE GO BY MARTIKA MCLEAN

CREATIVE

OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, they mean nothing my wellbeing our wellbeing we wellbeing they are as meaningful as a slice of pizza

they give feelings they say shit and think that’s enough they say “i wuv u, but not that much” tell me i’m wrong please tell me i’m wrong

let my people go don’t you tell me no

my me my me my i feel so sky high...because they tell me to feel so i can’t have any such thing called depression, but i’m allowed to feel oppressed weaknesses,

but i must submit to your way of thinking praise the Lord, but gossip about your hard earned soul

i can’t even ask for my people when my people don’t even want themselves accept themselves feel themselves love themselves

let my people go don’t you tell me no wherefore art thou soul long gone in the war

let my people go don’t you tell me no don’t you “shoo-shoo” me one more time or else imma cut a hoe oh no no no no we’re right where we began square 1, square 2, square 3, square up

let my people go?

15

16

ARTICHOKE

Let me know when you get here.

Delivered

BY KELLY ESTOMO

WHOEVER YOU ARE, I will love you — No — I will adore you, and my nerves will vibrate in unison when you smile and look down, eyelashes and all.

When you mumble things you think are embarrassing but secretly wish I could hear (and I will hear it), I will know it is you.

I will wear patience like pajamas.

My head will routinely hit the bed, I will make a headcount for how many pillow crashes it takes to meet you.

My pulse will practice it is!!! for when I see your face, or bed-head, from across the room, back against a hallway, a bobbing head at a basement party, wedged in between strangers, or wedged between strangers’ online pictures.

So just let me know where you are, and when you will arrive, and I will run to you.

You will say my name and the simple consonants will sound like an old theme song I have come to love.

That is when I will know.

CREATIVE

17

So Whoever you are, I will adore you — No — I will say your name over and overandoverandover like I need to perfect the syllables.

I will wear your pajamas and drag my fingers through your bed-head.

I will peek from underneath your lashes and ask you, “What was that? Can you repeat that a little louder?”, and my nerves will float away on the blanket of a moving sea until your wave shows up, dammit!

Show up already!

Or y’know, whenever.

Because whoever you are,

I will love you.

So, just let me know! :) Seen 3:41am

18

ARTICHOKE

BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

VALENTINE’S DAY DREAD MY WOEFUL HEART it aches, for love that is oh so great, yearly, hope it fades, they tell me wait and wait.

For one, who’s on his way, if that is true, if I may, do you think he’s astray?

‘Cause I do not want to stay.

Can this love go away?

Come back another day, I need to look away.

They smile to my dismay, I pause before I say, You made him out of clay?

You are kidding, it is a play!

Happiness is a trap, That Valentine’s Day crap, They have your cash and SNAP, You’re on the candy rack.

CREATIVE

BREAKING BONDS TYPICALLY THOROUGH, I, believed bonds to be unbreakable.

And now I, am proven wrong?

As hearts made out of string, Ropes of cotton grow thin, While constant contests tearing at our seams Lead us here.

From happy humans, To dwelling on cool hard floors, Without one to hold.

Snap!

Where, oh where did we vanish to?

That tarnished love broke us apart, None strong enough to restore it.

Loose, the bonds are getting now, Without ends meeting, Because we are coming undone And never tying ourselves back together.

19

20

ARTICHOKE

MADFISH’S GUIDE TO WINTER 2019 BY MADFISH FISHER

DEAR WINTERS, WINTER term is a special time of the year! We are all looking forward to the summer time, the snow is falling, and... THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO! Here is your personal tour for the Winter Term:

best dance pieces you will see all year.

Performers from the dance program bring you abunDance February 13-15. Tickets can be bought at the York Box Office or online through the York Box Office website.

4. MUSIC @ MIDDAY Music students will be performing music midday on February 8th and 14th. Each event is themed differently and happens throughout the year in the ACE. Check out the AMPD’s website where the event is listed to find out more information.

5. WINTERS COLLEGE COUNCIL PRESENTS: LINGERIE PUB NIGHT One of the best events of the year will be happening this Valentine’s Day! Check out the Absinthe Pub on February 14 @ 8 pm-2 am for an amazing night. Come dressed in whatever makes you feel confident. It’s going to be a megaepub, so come prepared to dance and bring cash!

1. VAGINA MONOLOGUES A group of wonderful creators have come together to empower all people to say why we are worried about vaginas. Put on by V-Day@ York, these strong artists are showcasing the annual show February 1-2 here at York University. Buy tickets at the York Box Office or online through the York Box Office website.

6. PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL A student run festival that happens every year with Theatre @ York. Come take a trip with everything but the kitchen sink as students showcase their productions!

Happening from February 11-15 with matinees and night time performances.

Buy your tickets at the York Box Office or online through the York Box Office website.

2. THEATRE @ YORK PRESENTS: METAMORPHOSES The third year conservatory class is performing this classic in studio 139 in the CFT from February 7-9. It is free to attend, swing by the room to sign up for your spot! The times will be listed there.

7. SURPRISE! Stay tuned as WCC presents a once in a lifetime event happening February 21-23 at Winters! But what’s happening you may ask... You will have to wait to find out! We promise you an amazing time.

3. YORK DANCE ENSEMBLE: ABUNDANCE The incredible members of YDE have choreographed one of the

8. RAGE VOLLEYBALL SPOOORRTTSSSS! Come join us as we play volleyball all night on Friday, March 8 at Tait McKenzie. If you would like to submit a team please email

21

ENTERTAINMENT

vpathletics@winterscouncil.com. It’s completely free to join, plus you get free pizza!

9. DEVISED THEATRE FESTIVAL The lovely 4th year devised theatre students are putting on a thrilling and inspiring festival March 11-17 in the ACE studios. Each piece is an original by the companies involved. You don’t want to miss this! Check out the York Box Office for more details.

11. YORK UNIVERSITY JAZZ FESTIVAL So, do you like jazz? Come by the Martin Family Lounge on March 18-21 for some sweet jazz! All for free!

12. THEATRE @ YORK PRESENTS: ORLANDO AND BALCONY From the cast who brought you Rochdale, we present these two phenomenal productions put on by a fantastic crew and cast. Come out and enjoy some theatre March 24-30 in the FFT. Buy tickets at the York Box Office or online through the York Box Office website.

13. SCENES BY DESIGN Come check out the phenomenal work done by the production and design students at York.

Happening from March 27-30 in the JGG. Walk in and take a cruise around the beauty that awaits.

14. YORK UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR Check out this incredible class perform some soulful tunes that will make you move your feet! March 30 at 7:30 pm.

Check out the York Box Office or on online through the York Box Office website.

15. YOGA! Come and take advantage of the free yoga classes offered by Winters College. In room 021 Winters College, you can enjoy some relaxation and exercise on

Mondays 10-11 am and Thursdays 1-2 pm all the way till March 21st. Follow @winterscollege on Instagram for more details as well as all the other wonderful events they offer (Winters Cafe, Nachos Nights, Breakfast with the Dean, Crafting Tuesdays, etc.).

16. FINISHLINE Film students in each year of practice will be showcasing their films in April. It is free to attend and very entertaining. Be sure to keep an eye out for the dates!

17. ART SHOWCASES Check out all the art galleries on campus for different showings.

There are showcases throughout the term in the CFA, ACW and Winters College (EWAG). All for free!

18. THE ABSINTHE PUB AND COFFEE SHOP The Ab has added many more events to their schedule this term. Be sure to check it out! We have poetry nights, trivia nights, themed pub nights, showtime mondays, flashback fridays, band nights, rainbow mondays, karaoke nights, acoustic nights, and so much more! We are open from 3 pm-2 am Mondays-Fridays and 8 pm-2 am Saturdays. Grab our amazing food, or coffee, or any beverage you wish! The Ab is your space!

Thank you reading MadFish’s Guide to Winter 2019. Be sure to follow @ winterscollegecouncil on all social media to stay up to date with our events as well!

You are always welcome here.

Cheers, MadFish xoxo

22

ARTICHOKE

GET SUCKED THE VORTEX

23

LIFESTYLE

BY RACHAEL HENFREY

WELL, JANUARY HAS flown by! Seems fast, but let us be honest it has been a busy four weeks. I have found myself drowning in tea, studying till late in the night, rehearsing and getting work done, while trying to get enough sleep, work out, and hang out with my friends. Remember that self care and taking care of your body is important! Do not forget that! I think the best advice I could give you as readers is to remember to not let yourself get sucked up into the “overwhelming vortex” that York University can become, trust me everyone in an upper year has been there at least once. Feel free to go downtown to shop, visit a museum or art gallery, watch a show, if that includes either a local concert or play. There are many local bands that do a lot of all ages shows or 19 plus shows for a great price. I recommend looking into a local label called Fried Records in

Toronto whose bands put on great shows within the Toronto community. They practice a safe space as a label and have and continue to be a big part of the music scene in the city. Go out and explore, do not feel that you have to stay on campus all the time, enjoy the city, especially for those who are not here during the summer months. April will knock on the door soon and you do not want to feel bad that you have to wait till September to do what you always wanted to do in the city. The higher the year, the more the workload, so to the first years I say take advantage of the opportunity of being a local in Toronto (remember you do not pronounce the second T if you are not from the city and want to seem local “Ta-raw-no”).

Keep up the hard work and the positive attitude, and most of all enjoy your time here at York and in Toronto.

24

LAMENT BY BROOKE DALTON

ARTICHOKE

LIFESTYLE

WHAT IS BETTER than Valentine’s day and chocolate and plush bears that always seems to leak fluff and get old about a week later? Well if you are in love with someone who loves you, there is nothing better. But if you are not in love, or in the awkward position of unrequited love, then this “holiday” maybe as sore as the morning after a spin class, or as unimportant as belly lint. So how do you react? Do you crumble or get on with your life? Is this a self-esteem buster or is it an opportunity to order a heart shaped pizza for yourself?

The thing is, I was a late bloomer - big time. I never really minded Valentine’s day. I would always get chocolate from my mom, and it was awesome! And not sad! But I think no matter how one might feel about the day, it can open up a whole can of worms, I know it did for me. Why am I still single?

I never had a proper boyfriend in high school, then I went to college and it was the same. I always felt like no one really wanted to date me. Normally I would be fine with it, but now and then I would just get so frustrated and really doubt myself. Why am I unlovable?! The thing is: I was not. I had this non-medical affliction called “ugly duck syndrome” remember that story? The one about the ugly duckling who was actually a swan but needed to grow into its beauty? I mean the swan was never ugly, but let us not

get into that, it is just a metaphor. I was so used to being self-conscious I did not even realize that I had it going on! Now that I am older I realize, maybe it was not that no one was interested, I just was not interested in anyone, like seriously, beyond the “crushing on that hot guy level.” And that is a powerful conviction!

Once I realized that I was the one in control I feel like my singledom turned into my greatest super power! I went on dates, casually dated people, including a Scottish snowboarder, and even a magician, but ultimately sometimes it was better to be single, and it was awesome!

Being a late bloomer is actually more common than people think. Real life is not Riverdale, people. And when you are single you do not have to consider anyone else in the choices you make! Want to travel?

DO IT! Want to get ramen tonight? YAS! Want to play Zelda until 3am? Well you do not have a partner who has to be up early whining about the noise! So live!

Go forth, be free in your singledom!

Just do not worry, okay? Make yourself the number one priority. If having a partner of some sort is something you want, it will come, I promise.

I started dating my partner when I was 22, my first serious relationship, and it has been awesome. Good things come to those who wait. And in the words of the Beatles, “It is only love and that is all.”

25

26

ARTICHOKE

CINESIEGE 2018: A REFLECTION ON CEREMONIAL PRACTICES

BY MAYA VUKOV

LIFESTYLE

I have often written about the lack of connection I feel we have to each other today, particularly in larger cities where it is easy to feel lonely staring out at all those other never-ending highrise apartments. The last couple of years I have experienced feelings of alienation that have frustrated me and caused me to ponder if there weren’t any sociological reasons for these feelings and whether or not other people felt like me. I have been looking for something, some sort of belonging for the last while, a community to belong to, to belong to something greater than myself and my own individual pursuits.

Being a part of the film production program, I have definitely been able to have a much more communal experience of growing up in university than other programs, as our program is so small and collaborative. I never truly understood how much I took these bonds for granted than last night at our annual awards ceremony. Being in a room full of people who were passionate about storytelling just as I was, being there with upper and lower years and being able to situate my place within that communal narrative was incredibly powerful.

There is a unique feeling to being a part of a group of people that have the same purpose as you, to sit in a room full of people and know many of them, and to

27

know that even the ones you do not know yet know other people that know you. They are people you would like to know, and they would probably like to know you too. It is communal celebrations and rituals such as these, although many people may find them laborious (and in this case perhaps even pretentious and self-congratulatory), that bind us together in our social identities. The importance of having a social identity beyond ones’ immediate self cannot be understated. As human beings are social creatures, we need other people to define our personalities against to fully understand who we are.

I wonder whether the recent trend of nihilism in our society is not due to our lack of shared communal experiences with others through which to give meaning to our lives. Ceremonies and social rituals such as the awards ceremony for my film program are vital for people to affirm and reaffirm their purpose from. Even if not everyone who participates likes the ceremony, it is crucial that it exists so that they may define themselves in contrast to it. To know and be known is one of the greatest human needs. The sense of shared pride and love one may feel for a community they are part of is unique to other experiences of love, and certainly no less transcendent. It is through community that we feel we are home, that the tragedy of isolation is melted away. I am so thankful for and proud to know all of the people I have met in film, and in the future will take more frequent breaks from moping about structurally-engineered isolation all the time, to fully appreciate the love I have for this community I am so lucky to belong to.

28

ARTICHOKE

TRAVELS WITH MY FAMILY BY AARON KELLY

Pictures by: Ola Mularczyk, Anton Alexiev, and Aaron Kelly

#motelkellyfornia

WINTERS

DEVISED THEATRE FESTIVAL BY AARON KELLY & GWENYTH DOBIE

29

WHAT IS DEVISED Theatre, you wonder? In starting this year’s fourth year Devised Theatre course, we borrowed a definition from one of Professor Ian Garrett’s collaborators Adrienne Mackey defines it as “theatre which develops content and form together”. When you start a devising process, you are creating something new, but in the beginning you do not know exactly how you are going to make it or what it will eventually look like. Will you use interviews to stage a verbatim text? Will improvised movement lead to something more physical? Will you use live music? Projections? Will you find yourself writing a script and rehearsing it like you would an existing play? Devised Theatre is not so much a style or aesthetic but a flexible collaborative process of discovery.

One of the great pleasures of teaching the fourth year Devised Theatre is observing that discovery process. It is amazing to witness how the first conversations in early September evolve to the shows that are presented in the DT Festival. It is a challenge to find one’s voice, one’s aesthetics, one’s process and share that with an audience. We have seen ideas emerge on day one… and we have seen ideas thrown out entirely halfway through. For some it is nerve wracking, but it always means there is no question that you are seeing something wholly original and deeply personal to the creators.

We often hear how those who have come through this Devised Theatre training are flexible, generous collaborators and hungry to make work. That is the highest praise we can imagine for any deviser and is certainly the type of colleagues we’re excited to work with in the future.

We hope you will join us in celebrating these new works at the 2019 DT Festival.

-Gwenyth Dobie and Aaron Kelly

30

ARTICHOKE

01 ATOMIC ODDITY PRODUCTIONS

02 CATAPULSE COLLECTIVE

Atomic Oddity Productions is an emerging Torontobased theatre collective, using various mediums to create and explore theatre that addresses human connection in specific environments. Their goal is to create new work that is simultaneously uplifting and grounding, and inspiring those who participate in their performances (be they audience, production, or performer) on a deep and intimate level.

Catapulse Collective is a devised theatre company dedicated to creating theatrical works through movement and physicality, drawing inspiration from eclectic, diverse, and unconventional sources.

We strive to create genre-defying work where form and content develop organically and simultaneously through our devising process.

Members: Ashley Frederick, Sydney Grieve, Alyssa Parker, Nicholas Sluyk, Jessie Whyte Image description: Company member Ashley taking a selfie with the rest of the company members and the are all smiling enthusiastically.

Members: Maranda Tippins, Brittany Watson, Tiana Kralj, Adam Corrigan-Holowitz Image description: Company members standing next to each other and they are all smiling.

WINTERS

31

03 FOUR EYES COLLECTIVE

04 TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE

Four Eyes Collective is a Toronto based company committed to creating spect-OCULAR experiences through the lens of raw, physical theatre. We offer new and changing perspectives by working together to devise cutting edge encounters for our audiences.

Just wait til you see this!

Transcendence Theatre is a Toronto based company that aims to create performance art through collaboration and collectivity. Our goal is to devise work that is honest, unbiased, interpersonal and relatable across all demographics. The subject matter we explore deals with deconstructing issues relevant to contemporary North American society.

Members: Amber Dagenais, Noah Sisson, Lauren Westbury, Cathy Capizzano Image description: Company members standing next to each other and smiling. Company member Cathy has her arm on her hip.

Members: Madalena Brancatella, Olivia Fisico, Anton Mikhalev, Cassandra Troiano Image description: Anton is sitting in the middle with a serious look on his face. Cassandra and Madalena are sitting on either side of him and Olivia is standing behind them. They all have similar face expressions.

32

ARTICHOKE

RAECHEL KULA Artistic Director

ARACELI FERRARA Assistant Artistic Director

ELEANOR KSCHISCHANG Production Liaison

ILKIZ LIZ GURBUZ Head of Sound

BARBARA MORRONESANCHEZ Head of Lighting

CATHERINE BROWN Technical Director

MEGHAN SPECHT Production Manager

KAYLA THOMAS Assistant Stage Manager

CELESTE LACROIX Assistant Artistic Director

CHELSEA PIEPER Front of House

SHAE-LYNN APPLEGATE Stage Manager

Pictures by: Amanda Caliolo

SAM HACKING Artistic Director

33

WINTERS

PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL 2019 THIS YEAR’S PLAYGROUND is the Kitchen Sink - Everything but the drama! In this festival, students are able to submit a concept and script and then a panel of other students get to choose collectively what should be at the festival!

This year, each show had to have an object and then that object was traded to another show in order to have a cycle of connection; a passion project where the originally created project is touched by another show.

With a total of twelve shows this year, our very own Fringe Festival is is ready for show time!

SHOWS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: SERIES A: Feb 12, 7:30PM Feb 13, 7:30PM Feb 15, 1:00PM A Friend of Dorothy - Created by: Emily Hughes and Chelsea Pieper Concealer - Created by: Megan Legesse Finger Painting - Created by: Russell Blower Post-Pracki - Created by: Jacob Hope Spitting Image - Created by: Robyn Mercanti The Untitled Bread Project - By: Braden Henderson and Amelia Mielke-O’Grady

BY LAMIA ABOZAID

SERIES B Feb 13, 1:00PM Feb 14, 7:30PM Feb 15, 7:30PM A Working Class Child - Created by: Ethan Langlois Dice, Daggers, and Darkness - Created by: Kabeer Breeze Garba Let’s Have an Orgy! - Created by: Dustin Hickey Piccolo’s Pasticcio - Created by: Leo Dragonieri She² & He² - Created by: Felix Hao LIGHT DESIGNERS: Cameron Howey - Post-Pracki Caitlin Brennan - Finger Painting Courtney Binnie - Concealer Ella Theisinger - Spitting Image Nathan Bruce - The Untitled Bread Project Hannah Stevens - A Friend of Dorothy Catherine Brown - A Working Class Child Shae-lynn Applegate - A Working Class Child Julian Iacob - Dice, Daggers, and Darkness Emily Hughes - Let’s Have an Orgy!

Cara Baum - Piccolo’s Pasticcio Jacob Lin - She² & He² TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets are priced at $7.00 and can be found at this link: https://secure1.tixhub.com/ yorku/online/index.asp.

For past issues: ISSUU.COM/ARTICHOKEMAG