Review News // Events // Student Life
Vol. 28 #27 5.28.13
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BANDS PERFORM AT WESTERN’S LAWN FESTIVAL By Isabelle Hoonan ODESZA Odesza, an electronic dance music duo, blends freeflowing, synthesized dance beats with a daze of dreamy, ambient electro bass lines. Harrison Mills, also known as Catacombkid, and Clayton Knight, also known as BeachesBeaches, create a realm of original artistry in the electronic music scene, where DJs often sample other artists, and create a predictable formula of electronicbased exploding synths. Not only do they create all of their own music from scratch, the ebb and flow of their artistic influences glitter in its diversity to create an upbeat, chillwave of atmospheric tropical sounds. Odesza self-released their debut album “Summer’s Gone” on Sept. 5, 2012, and it gained so much speed within the Pacific Northwest that they sealed a coveted spot on the this year’s Sasquatch and Capitol Hill Block Party music festival lineups. The duo is riding the wave of PNW superstardom with tracks like their remixed version of “Saola,” to their epic track of “Don’t Stop,” which makes a listener feel as if they are embarking on an excursion through a jungle filled with heightened, sweeping synthesized tempos. The newly minted Western graduates are only destined to position themselves as music magazine prodigies, or “the next big thing,” in representing Seattle’s historically surging experimental music scene. THE LONELY FOREST The Lonely Forest has indulgent songwriting ability, spinning repeating refrains, occasional percussions
reminiscent of indie pop bands like Phoenix, and wistful lyrics with sporadic, cheerful upturns. After the release of their album “Arrows” in 2011, The Lonely Forest has frequented the festival circuit since their 2009 Bumbershoot appearance. The band also opened for Two Door Cinema Club and was the first to sign with Trans Records, a label started by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie fame. Hailing from Anacortes, Wash., band members include John Van Deusen on guitar, vocals and keyboard, Braydn Krueger on drums, Tony Ruland on guitar, and Eric Sturgeon on bass. Weaving progressive rock influences with pop sensibilities, keyboard melodies and spiritual lyrics intertwine to create an indie rock band accessible to the masses. SOL SOL wants a soul clap, and he’s getting one with his eclectic 206 hip-hop beats. The 24-year-old wunderkind joins the likes of Macklemore and Blue Scholars in the Seattle hip-hop scene, yet he is no longer of an underground variety; his LP “Yours Truly” reached No. 1 on the iTunes hip-hop charts, No. 4 worldwide, after its Jan. 20, 2012 release. Tapping into the ascending trend of soulful lyrics, hip-hop riffs and subdued indie electronics, SOL blends the sensitivity of a poet with hard-edged vocal delivery. He claims he’s a “simple man” in his title track “Yours Truly,” but he’s anything but. In “Need Your Love” SOL raps about getting high, but also about making love. He’s a multifaceted jack of trades in the hip-hop
industry. He blends in with the inevitable hip-hop influences of being a spoken-word artist, but is also chameleon-like in his ability to perform a provocative flash freestyle on foreign policy, quickly followed by eliciting jazz beats in a soul-searching serenade. Through an infusion of hip-hop, blues, R&B, soul and synthy modern influences, SOL waxes about the peaks and pits of making it in the music industry and translates the urgency of his ascending career into poetic jams everyone’s ears will be magnetized to. THEESATISFACTION Based in Seattle, Stasia Irons and Catherine HarrisWhite make up THEESatisfaction, the self-proclaimed “lo-fi rebel hip-hop” two-woman duo who signed with Sub Pop for the release of their album “awE naturalE” on March 27, 2012. Mixing vocals reminiscent of Erykah Badu meets Q-Tip in funk-psychedelic fusion, the badass feministas lend soulful pastiche to songs about bisexuality, what “bad bitches” are, and morphing into change. After meeting at the University of Washington, THEESatisfaction hasn’t stopped creating their painterly, West Coast soulful spoken-word. They’ve appeared everywhere from Seattle radio station KEXP to NPR live-sessions and Bumbershoot music festival. Up until signing with Sub Pop Records, they produced all of their self-released mixtapes, the first being “That’s Weird” in 2008. Self-financing their tours is only one segment of the unstoppable nature of these eclectically grooving goddesses.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK Monday May 27 Memorial Day
Give thanks to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Tuesday May 28
Real Solutions to Climate Change 7 - 9:30 p.m. in Academic West 203 Free
Experienced environmental activist Bill Hopwood will be speaking on socialism and climate change. He will explore the evidence of climate change, the proposed coal terminal north of Bellingham and the socialist perspective on solutions to end climate change.
Wednesday May 29
Shelby Earl with Kevin Long 8 p.m. at the Underground Coffee House Free
The Spring Wednesday Concert Series wraps up with a performance by Shelby Earl with Kevin Long at the Underground Coffee House.
Thursday May 30
Green Energy Fee Awards Expo 4 - 5:30 p.m. at the Academic West Skybride Free
Learn about the Green Energy Fee projects funded in 2013 and how you can get more involved in future projects and the grant program. President Bruce Shepard will also be in attendance.
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Friday May 31
Documentary: “Code of the West” 7:45 - 10 p.m. in Viking Union 552 Free
Western Students for Sensible Drug Policy is showing the new, critically-acclaimed documentary “Code of West.” The film is centered around the medical marijuana community in Montana and their run-ins with the federal government.
Saturday June 1
Fundraising Sculpture Run, Walk 10 a.m. to noon on Westerns campus $3
This is a fundraising event taking place around Western’s outdoor sculpture collection to raise money for Interfaith Community Health Center.
INVESTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
How to plan for retirement, invest in companies and more By Nick Markman
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instein once said that compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. This financial phenomenon is a double-edged sword. Learn how to use it to your advantage, and you will prosper down the road. Have it work against you, and you will suffer the consequences. Financial advisor, educator and Western alumnus lPaul Merriman presented at Western on Monday, May 20 as a part of the College of Business and Economics Professional Readiness series. The topic of Merriman’s presentation was “Investing for Young People.” Merriman spoke to a group of soon-be-graduates about the advantages of investing early in life and some long-term ninvestment strategies. Merriman founded Merriman LLC, a Seattle-based wealth management firm, in 1983. He is an avid financial educator and his talks on investment strategies have been featured on radio and television shows. He is also an author of several books on investing, three of which -can be downloaded for free at paulmerriman.com. One key point of the presentation was that an individual does not need to have a large income in order to start investing. Merriman recommends that you get started with whatever you can spare in order to take advantage of investing during the early years of your tlife, and reap the benefits that compound interest will provide. Professor of Finance Pamela LaBorde said while she does not think it is necessary for a college student to
start saving for retirement or long-term financial goals while in college, she does recommend that a person has a financial plan, including plans for their retirement, by their mid-20s. LaBorde suggested investing at least 10 percent of your income into retirement accounts, either a company 401K or an individual retirement account (IRA). By forsaking unnecessary expenses and reallocating them into long-term investments, an individual stands to make a lot of money. Let’s say you buy a $6 Starbucks beverage three times a week; that means you spend about $78 on coffee each month. If you decide to give up your Starbucks habit for one school quarter and invest the $235 you would have otherwise spent on coffee into an IRA earning 12 percent annually (a return that Merriman says is completely possible if invested in the right asset classes), it will grow to $21,867 in 40 years. Merriman recommends that young investors take on a more significant amount of risk by having a greater percent of their portfolio in equities, which earn a higher return than bonds, but carry more risk. “There are a whole bunch of young people here tonight that when they look [at the losses of equities], that’s going to be uncomfortable, and so, they go to the fixed income – bonds – thinking that they’re not taking high risk,” Merriman said. “In fact, they’re taking the biggest risk of all because inflation is likely going to eat up most everything they make.” Merriman also recommended that students invest
their money in mutual or index funds, rather than trying to pick individual stocks or bonds. Mutual and index funds contain large assortments of stocks and or bonds and are thus less risky because they are diversified – a characteristic that is very important in financial planning. “I think the most common mistake I see people make is failing to diversify,” LaBorde said. “People view certain investments as surefire wins; however, I know of no risky investment that has never experienced a loss at some point.” “Most people think that you can become a finance major and learn how to pick stocks,” said Eric Gillson, financial management association president. “You learn in the finance major that the best way to handle yourself is to diversify.” LaBorde said that people are often confused about when and where to start investing. She recommends that anyone interested in the topic take either Finance 215, personal finance, or Finance 216, personal investing, to learn the basics about these two topics. “Taking one or both of these courses will help alleviate the confusion and mystery that many people experience when it comes to investing,” LaBorde said. “For example, you’ll get hands-on experience in budgeting, evaluating investment risks and returns, forming portfolios and learning about the different types of investments.”
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By C Hayley Halstead estern is well known as an ecofriendly campus. While Western urges students to recycle, ride bikes and ditch plastic water bottles, another aspect of showing respect to the environment is steadily developing under the bed sheets: an eco-sexual lifestyle. The Associated Students Sexual Awareness Center and AS Environmental Center are working together to address eco-friendly sex. They will host Intimately Green on May 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Outback Farm. This event is intended to inform the community about incorporating environmentally-friendly products into one’s personal care and sex life. Set up like a health fair, students will be welcome to come and go as they please, enter to win door prizes and listen to music while learning about green-friendly products. “A lot of people have been expressing concern about some of the products they use for sexual health, anything from condoms not being biodegradable, to lube, to even just personal care items,” said Marya Kampmann, AS Sexual Awareness Center coordinator. When searching for greener condoms, first consider its ingredients and understand what they actually mean. For example, condoms made from polyurethane will not break down. In addition, be conscious about condom disposal. Discarding them behind a bush or flushing them down a toilet is not environmentally friendly. Despite the fact most condoms are latex, they cannot biodegrade in water, due to the fact they are often made with other additives. Latex alone is biodegradable, as it comes from the sap of trees that make rubber. When searching for biodegradable condoms, Sir Richard’s Condoms Company offers all-natural rubber condoms that are both vegan-certified and PETA approved. In addition, it contributes one condom to a developing
country for every purchased condom, which according to its website, “makes even bad sex, good sex.” A fairly new condom company that started in 2011, Love Begins with L, says it is “not just dropping off condoms and hoping for the best.” The company incorporates education and peer outreach. All condoms are triple tested, and made from natural latex and veganfriendly. Packaging is designed to be green. Another condom company is Glyde, which emphasized its certified ethical, vegan and fair trade condoms. They are free from animal by-products and animal testing. In terms of having a condom that is known for being the most natural feeling, lambskin condoms are made from the intestines from lambs or sheep. While they canprevent pregnancy, they will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and do have a strong scent. Nonoxynol-9 is in many spermicidal products, and is designed to immobilize sperm. It can even be found on condoms in the event a condom breaks. It will not protect users against STDs. Though N-9 does target and kill the microorganisms that cause some sexually transmitted diseases, it also will irritate cells, which will erode cell membranes that help protect the body from the diseases. There are not many well-known spermicides that pass eco-sexual standards, but one of the natural spermicides is called ContraGel Green, which is made from all natural ingredients, does not use animal testing and is effective. In the U.K., Honey Caps are used as a form of contraceptive, which is a diaphragm that substitutes honey for spermicide. One of the categories the event will cover regards do-it-yourself projects. Lubricants may be filled with chemicals that mirror the same fluids found in car brakes and antifreeze. As an alternative, a homemade lubricant can be created with water and flax seeds. Simply boil
two cups of water, simmer two-and-a-half tablespoons of flax seeds until the water is half as full as it was before, which will take approximately 20 minutes. Filter the remaining content and let it cool. Storing it in the fridge is advised for a longer lasting product. Another topic that will be covered at Intimately Green regards approaching different types of birth control on a level that evaluates how it can be used in a more environmentally-friendly way. For example, users of birth control pills could request reusable bottles, rather than a plastic tray. When it comes to sex toys, not all packaging will reveal the truth about the materials. While not necessarily environmentally friendly, but much better for humans, a safe toy can have medical-grade silicone and plastics that include acrylic materials. Ingredients with a trademark symbol beside them should be avoided. Energy-wise, look for hand-cranked toys, such as Earth Angel toys. Earth Angel creates vibrators that are made from recycled materials and suggests eight minutes of cranking can give the vibrator one hour of operation. Other toys that are deemed to be environmentally friendly and can be purchased from a different supplier, Babeland, include glass dildos, super cuffs –vegan hand cuffs—stainless steel G-spotters and a solar-powered vibrator. Babeland has a website and storefront in Seattle. Intimately Green will also cover general ways to incorporate eco-friendly products into personal care. At the event, vegetable-based soaps and scents will be given out as well as chocolates, which serve as aphrodisiacs. For those who menstruate, a Diva Cup will be given away, which can be inserted into a vagina and will collect contents during a menstrual cycle. It needs to be emptied twice a day, but contrary to other menstral products, it can be washed and reinserted, which reduces waste.
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Alex Brown Church, of the band Sea Wolf, kicks into the festival’s first show at the Honda Bigfoot stage at the Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheater.
NEWS
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review
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©2013. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. We are a student-produced, alternative campus weekly covering news and events that are of interest to the Western community. We support all programs, offices and clubs affiliated with the AS. We have a direct connection to the AS board of directors, and although we report on board actions objectively, our relationship should be made clear. Submissions: We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions, or send them to the mailing address above. They will be returned as long as you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Letters: We also welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words and include your name and phone number. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar, if necessary. Calendar/Ads: We don’t sell ad space. Sorry. Email as.review@ wwu.edu to have an event listed in the calendar.
Staff
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Copy Editor Contributing Designer Writers
Megan Thompson Spencer Pederson Cade Schmidt Serena Imani Korn Bradley O’Neal C Hayley Halstead Isabelle Hoonan Nick Markman Lauren Prater Lauren Simmons Kylie Wade
Adviser Jeff Bates
Corrections: The Black Student Union Hair Night article, featured in the May 20 issue, referred to club historian Alex Bain with an improper pronoun. It read “Bain and his sister,” but it should be “Bain and her sister.” For the same article, the AS Review used photos from a 2009 Hair Night. The photos misrepresented the focus and tone of the 2013 event. We apologize for these mistakes. The AS Review is dedicated to publishing the most correct information.
EQUALITY University adopted changes to equalize opportunity and be more inclusive
EVENTS
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JEOPARDY RELEASE 49th annual literary journal holds event on May 30
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STUDENT LIFE
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PINKIES UP Students gather to brew tea and coffee in Brewing Club
FEATURES
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ARTIST Q&A Interview with Jarod Faw, whose art will be shown in gallery May 30
Attendees admire former winning designs of the Diversity Poster Contest in the VU Gallery on May 18. Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
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TOLKIEN CLASS Languages in “Lord of The Rings,”are examined in summer course GREEN SEX Intimately Green event educates students on environmentally friendly sex INVESTMENTS Investing in the market and planning for retirement explained
LAWNSTOCK Previewing the bands that will perform on June 2
May 28, 2013 • 3
RIDING LOW IN THE 360
MEChA’s annual car show attracted hundreds of viewers
Captain Freeze of Seattle
decided to attend 13th Annual Low Rider Show
MEChA's 13th Annual Low Rider show attracted hundreds on May 19,
thanks to sunny weather and more than fifty cars registered in the event.
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UNIVERSITY MAKES CHANGES TO BE MORE ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE By C Hayley Halstead
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estern’s Equal Opportunity Office is designed to make sure the campus experience for students, staff and faculty is free of any discrimination or harassment. The office works with federal and state laws, as well as university policies, to ensure everyone’s rights. When changes are made to laws or policies, the EOO works to implement change. Recently, Western made three major modifications within the school: a Title IX reform, which allows sexual assault and bullied survivors the option to fill out a complaint to seek administrative action; a change within the Registrar’s Office allowing students to change their preferred name on both a class roster and student identification card; and Western President Bruce Shepard’s Taskforce on Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Title IX historically refers to an amendment made in 1972 that prevents a person on the basis of sex to be discriminated against in an educational program receiving federal funding. It is most famously known as an opportunity for women to participate in school athletics. Already, those who have experienced violence in any form, including stalking, have the option of calling Western’s Consultation and Sexual Assault Support confidential 24-hour hotline, receiving victim support and resources. Other resources students can seek include the Student Health Center, Counseling Center, University Police, Dean of Students, University Residence staff members and Western’s Title IX Coordinator, Sue Guenter-Schlesinger. With this new change, the Western community now has the option to file a complaint directly with the Equal Opportunity Office, which is seeking an administrative remedy. Those who have been bullied may also file a complaint because it is something not tolerated at Western. “Students have rights to feel free of discrimination and harassment,” said Guenter-Schlesinger. The next major change is the President’s Taskforce on Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, which includes student, staff and faculty representitives. This team is responsible for monitoring the campus community, hiring, retention, outreach and curriculum and uses their observations. Other responsibilities for the taskforce include the process of inventory and reviewing the various efforts, programs and initiatives at Western. In January 2013, Shepard sent out a letter to colleagues sharing the three recommendations he approved, which the taskforce suggested. One of the
recommendations was that the “University should reimburse employees in same-sex couples for federal taxation on same sex partners’ health and wellness benefits.” He said that prior to Washington legalizing same-sex, those who work for Western in a same-sex relationship were required to pay for health benefits that straight couples didn’t have to pay for. The reimbursement began in February. Another recommendation was that “the University should take steps to facilitate the ability for faculty, staff and students to change their gender marker and preferred name without going through the time and expense of legally changing their name and/or gender with other governing bodies.” One of the reasons it was difficult for immediate implementation was because Western’s information system does not have the modification option for an alteration in a preferred name. There are over 1,400 uses for names in the informational system, according to Shepard’s letter. After Western’s Information Technology department and Registrar’s Office put time into the change, Western students, staff and faculty may now change their name to their preferred names within the Western system. This includes the option for students to have their instructors see their preferred name on a class roster and call them by that name, rather than their legal name. In the future, Western hopes to recode its data base to also allow students, staff and faculty to change their preferred pronouns. Another future plan is to allow those wanting to change their name or preferred pronoun to do so online, rather than having to physically visit an office and fill out a slip, which gives them more privacy. Western hosts mandatory training sessions regarding harassment and inclusion for all employees. It also gives training to students, organizations and departments, upon request, regarding topics such as disabilities, sexual orientation and religion. “There is an atmosphere on campus moving forward in diversity in new and different ways to have a more inclusive campus for everybody,” said Guenter-Schlesinger. However, Western is not where it would like to be in terms of these issues, she said. Students seeking to change their preferred name may speak with David Brunnemer in the Registrar’s Office, Old Main Room 230, or Laura Langley, the equal opportunity and employment diversity associate in the Equal Opportunity Office, Old Main Room 345.
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Designed by Eric Cancino // AS Publicity Center
“Renovations: Building Our Future” theme for TED talks on June 1
By Isabelle Hoonan On June 1, Western’s Student Outreach Services will host an independently organized TEDx event, which is based around the idea of “Renovations: Building Our Future.” The event was organized around the purpose of inspiring and empowering first-generation, underrepresented and low-income students. The theme aims to help students explore their potential, while keeping their identities. Inspired by Richard Saul Wurman’s Technology Entertainment Design Talks, known as “TED Talks,” TEDx events are independently organized TED events that are designed to give communities, individuals and organizations a platform for discussion through TED-inspired experiences on a local scale. Marli Williams, academic support coordinator for Student Outreach Services, is heading the team responsible for the TEDxWWU event. Williams teaches Education 108, a class for students the outreach office serves, which is where the idea started.
“It came about from brainstorm sessions with the team, asking ‘What do our students need to be hearing? What messages do we want to put forth to empower them?’” Williams said. “We talked a lot about identity, especially for minority students being the first to come to college and having to define or redefine who they are.” The event features 12 people who will speak about their diverse experiences. They range from filmmakers to Western students leading inspirational lives. Tay Siang Hui and Val Tan Xin Hui are award-winning filmmakers from Singapore. They cycled around the world for their project “I Believe That Dreams Can Come True,” where they filmed locals in various locations discussing their dreams and livelihoods. Jasmine Wilhelm, a junior at Western, is set to speak about how her experiences as an artist, lover of nature, and resident advisor have transformed her Western experience and rooted her in new ideas of cultivating community. TED is a nonprofit organization committed to “Ideas worth Spreading,” holding global conferences where
speakers give talks on what fuels their existence in 18 minutes or less. Past TED speakers include Bill Gates, Elizabeth Gilbert, Vandana Shiva, Isabel Allende and Eve Ensler. TED Talks are broadcast on TED.com, where the world can watch these speakers share their ideas from their respective fields for free. TED’s mission is to bring people together through the sharing of ideas from live speakers, fueling discussion on what it means to live in this modern world. The event which is sold out, but a live stream available for anyone interested in experiencing the TEDxWWU event. The live streaming will be available at this website: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wwu-liveevents1. Streaming parties will be available to students, held in the residence halls and Miller Hall Room 138 from noon to 6 p.m. the day of the event. For more information about TEDxWWU, visit their blog at http://tedxwwu.blogspot.com; their Facebook page (just search TedxWWU); and follow them on Twitter @TEDxWWU.
JEOPARDY TO RELEASE 49TH ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL
By Lauren Prater For the 49th year in a row, Jeopardy Magazine is about to release its annual issue filled to the brim with creative writing from students, staff, faculty and alumni. “The publication was originally open to the general public,” said Alison Cooper, editor-in-chief of the magazine. “But a few years ago it became only Western affiliated, and in my opinion it has created a greater community connection.” Every year, the magazine starts with a vigorous submission and selection process, beginning with two submission deadlines, one in fall and one in winter. During winter quarter, the Jeopardy staff, consisting of three editor staff members and 20 volunteers, reads through every submitted piece of work. After thoroughly reading through all submissions, the
staff selects the ones they believe are the strongest. The process is done entirely blind, meaning the volunteers don’t know who wrote each piece, making the process more fair. The staff then works with two graphic designers to compile the works into the journal. The last month before release is spent with the printer to turn the journal into a reality. This year’s journal is approximately 140 to150 pages long, consisting of over 30 submissions. The variety this year is vast, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and, this year, even a script. “I feel like [ Jeopardy] is another class, because of the work load,” Cooper said. “It’s fun. Being surrounded with creativity is really rewarding as a writer.” Students, staff, faculty and alumni are welcome to
submit their works for future years. The only guideline is a 4,000-word maximum. The magazine receives a wide variety of works each year. Toward the beginning of the year, the staff hosts of a three-series workshop, featuring a brainstorming session, a revising session and concluding with a session on how to submit work to Jeopardy. “Community is so important in any creative atmosphere,” Cooper said, “Making connections with others is really important to me.” The Jeopardy release party is Thursday, May 30 at 4 p.m. in Wilson Library. There will be free copies of the journal, light refreshments and readings of over a dozen works featured in the magazine. The event is entirely free and open to anyone.
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May 28, 2013 • 7
Man of bronze
Western art student Jarod Faw created bronze sculptures of himself. His art will be featured on May 30 in Lucia Douglas Gallery in Fairhaven.
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I’ve used the metal foundry we have on campus to create bronze sculptures and I’ve taken casts from my own body and have obstructed my identity. - Jarod Faw
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Photos by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
By Kylie Wade Jarod Faw is a 23-year-old artist from Hillsboro, Ore. pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Western. He will show his work on May 30 at the Lucia Douglas Gallery in Fairhaven. The exhibit is called Con-Structures and will feature the best of Faw’s work from the past year. Faw loves to integrate found objects into his art, and finds many of his materials at the RE Store, Goodwill and local antique shops. The show will feature art made with a variety of mediums and materials and will include a series of drawings and collages, bronze sculptures, assemblages made from photography and painted wood and possibly a large-scale wall structure. It will also feature musical guest DJ Soffos, who plays locally at the Wild Buffalo. The AS Review sat down with Faw to talk about his art, his inspirations and his future. AS Review: What are some of your earliest memories involving art? Jarod Faw: When I was in daycare, I would go off by myself and color these Batman coloring books. Growing up, I was always doodling all the time and coming up with different army men or dragons. I was really into drawing eagles in these really cheesy forest landscapes with mountains and sunsets, and sometimes I’d make them bite a rose. I knew how to draw roses really well. So there’d be, like, an eagle with a rose in its beak and a fish in its talons. It was super, super cheesy. ASR: What role does art play in your life now? JF: It’s been this continuing passion and it still is. It’s going to be something I pursue for the rest of my life as a career. It’s not the only thing in my life, my personal faith is probably the main thing I
identify with, but in my art, making, kind of comes out from that as a form of worship. I feel like my art is definitely what I’ve been made to do, so I just want to do it the best I can for the rest of my life. ASR: How would you describe the art you make? JF: It’s very formally driven, so, focusing on color and composition. I have an emphasis on found material. I use a lot of found and recycled wood. Conceptually, I kind of vary from things but lately I’ve been working with concealment or obstruction. Through hiding something or covering something, it abstracts that thing. I’m interested in that abstraction and then I’m also interested in contrasting materials, contrasting colors and creating these juxtapositions. I had this theme I was doing. It started with collage work, where I would use figures and I would take them from magazines or books and I would want to disassociate them from their sources. That theme’s been carrying on for a while and I’ve incorporated that into sculpture. I’ve used the metal foundry we have on campus to create bronze sculptures, and I’ve taken casts from my own body and have obstructed my identity. ASR: Is there any material in particular that you really like to work with? JF: I think all my work kind of stems from collage. You can take a look at my desk – it’s just piles of random stuff. I think the most I have are two dimensional things, photographs, images from magazines, colors, textures. I think that’s kind of like the springboard from where I go into these larger works. ASR: Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
JF: I would just say basically my personal faith. That’s probably the main thing. There are artists and other things, but that’s the main thing. ASR: What are some of the artists that inspire you? JF: Robert Rauschenberg, Erwin Wurm, Kurt Schwitters, John Baldessari, Cy Twombly—especially Cy Twombly; he’s been pretty big for me lately—Mario Wagner, Richard Diebenkorn—he’s a big one especially of lately too. Cy Twombly, Diebenkorn and Rauschenberg are probably the big ones. ASR: Art can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. How would you define art? What does art mean to you? JF: Art is just something that some people need to do. It varies for everybody. For me, it’s just something that I feel like I am meant to do, and so I need to do it. It can be work at times, but it’s good work. Art has a lot of power to it. For me, it’s more that I just want to express thoughts. I think it’s a lot about creation—I need to create. I think this is where my faith ties in, believing in a God who creates. Since he is a creator, he’s made me to be a creator, not on the same level of course, but I feel like I’m made in that image, and so I just feel like I need to make stuff. ASR: What are three things that you want people to know about you that have nothing to do with art? JF: Faith is a big one. I’m a musician as well. I was playing in a band called Lamppost Revival, we played around town, a few times at the Wild Buffalo, and we played on campus a few times. I was the drummer for that. So music is definitely a part of my life, both listening and playing. I like playing
soccer and doing outdoor things. I really like soccer; the Timbers are my team and they’re doing really well this season. It makes me feel good that I can throw that in my roommates’ faces, who are all Sounders fans. [The Sounders] are doing really poorly this season, and the Timbers are making me really proud right now. I like rice too; food is good. [I like] hanging out with friends, just normal people things I guess. ASR: What’s one thing you hope people understand, either about your work or about you as an artist? JF: About my work, whatever comes to their minds and whatever they get from it, that’s great. I think they should be asking themselves questions and figuring out stuff. It may not be the same questions as I’m asking myself. I probably struggle with that, too—what I want my audience to feel. I think [my work is] very visual, so I just want them to go, “Whoa, that stands out!” or “Why is that like that?” They don’t even have to like it. As long as they see it, that’s cool. Some people will like it, some people won’t. After his upcoming show, Faw’s plans include completing an internship with Campus Christian Fellowship next year at Western that focuses on leadership, interacting with people and building community. After next year, Faw said he plans to focus on moving into the art world. He said he is particularly interested in missionary programs that will allow him to incorporate art, specifically artist residency opportunities around the world. To learn more about Faw or his art, visit jarodfaw.tumblr.com, or attend his show on May 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Lucia Douglas Gallery.
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YOU SHALL NOT PASS (THIS CLASS) Summer linguistic course offered on ‘Lord of the Rings’ languages
By Lauren Simmons J. R. R. Tolkien, an English philologist and University of Oxford professor, began writing “The Lord of the Rings” in 1937 and published the notable work of literature in London on July 29, 1954. The tale beginning in the Shire has intrigued readers around the world for 60 years. Being translated into 38 different languages, the battle for middle earth includes languages Tolkien created himself – most notably the Elvish language. “The Lord of the Rings’” use of Elvish immerses the reader into an imaginary world of hobbits, wizards and kings, but the language is unintelligible by most readers. But Western professor Edward Vajda is looking to give a deeper perspective on Tolkien’s languages by teaching a course about them during Western’s summer quarter. Eurasian Studies 450, Tolkien’s imaginary languages, is being offered for the first time at Western. The threecredit course, created by Vajda, a Tolkien enthusiast, is sure to draw the interest of students who are fans of “The Lord of the Rings” books, as well as the movies. With that said, Vajda is hoping to attract a diverse group of students. “The whole point of teaching [this] course is to try to connect language structure with folklore studies, with literary analysis, and also with just the fantasy of Tolkien’s books that people are really interested in,” Vajda said. “What I want to do in this course [is] give a deeper layer to people who already are interested in Tolkien. I want to [find] a deeper layer of their understanding [and] appreciation for the language, the folklore [and the] literary levels that have gone into his work.” Vajda is teaching the course this summer because he does not have room in his regular teaching schedule to incorporate it. The Tolkien class gives students the op-
portunity to take a class that peaks their interest, while allowed Vajda to gain a deeper appreciation for the whole also being an upper-division course, he said. Tolkien genre. Students interested in linguistics orTolkien should Vajda has set up the course to being with Tolkien’s life take the course, Vajda said. Creating a class that caters to and the big picture of his work, and then plans to start students for different reasons requires Vajda to intertwine going through said works while adding in linguistics, different elements of language and fandom. folklore and literature. Along the way, students will be“You might have Tolkien gin to recognize and understand lovers who think language “The Lord of the Rings’” use of Tolkien’s life, the languages and study is boring, but they are he used, as well as better Elvish immerses the reader into folklore really interested in it without understanding of the story lines knowing it, because that’s an imaginary world of hobbits, and the evolution of his art. This part of why they like Tolkien, wizards and kings, but the lanwill be a multi-disciplinary course, because of the way he used guage is unintelligible by most Vajda said. language,” Vajda said. “I want Lord of the Rings” films readers. But Western professor have“The to open their eyes to that.” increased the interest and Vajda got the idea for Edward Vajda is looking to give a fandom of the series, so students teaching the course after he deeper perspective on Tolkien’s enrolling in the class may be atwas asked to give a lecture just because of that. Vajda languages by teaching a course tracted about Tolkien and the lansaid part of what is attractive about guages of his novels for West- about them during Western’s Tolkien is the deep understanding ern’s Linguistics Club. After summer quarter. of how ancient human culture and, giving the lecture twice and to some degree, pre-history is inseeing the interest of students, he thought the subject corporated into fantasy. matter needed to be more than a lecture. “[The course is] piggy backing on the very big popuAs a kid, Vajda read Tolkien’s books and found that larity of a book, [trying to] show people that their interwhat interested him most was the ancient, make-believe ests are broader than they even suspected they are,” Vajda elements. As he got older and started studying languages, said. “I think the whole purpose of GURs at Western – he began to notice different elements of Tolkien’s works, general university requirements – is to unite different dishe said. Through what he was learning in Russian and ciplines to be interdisciplinary, [even] if you have a GUR Mongolian, he found connections to Tolkien’s languages that’s supposed to just be humanities or supposed to just and books. be the hard sciences.” Incorporating his studies into he interest in Tolkien
Lip dub: Western strives to go viral on June 2
By Nick Markman Lip-syncing is one of music’s most concealed acts— just ask Britney Spears or Ashlee Simpson. Lip dub, however, is an increasingly trendy form of lip-syncing where a large group of people participates in a choreographed music video to popular songs. Universities around the world have created lip dub videos of their own throughout the years, but none in Washington. On Sunday June 2, the Associated Students Communications Office and KVIK will film a lip dub music video throughout campus. From noon to 2 p.m., a crowd of students will gather in Red Square for a portion of the filming. All students are welcome to participate. “We would like everyone from the school to come out and be in the video. We’ve been trying to spread the work as much as possible,” said Robert Bojorquez, KVIK coordinator. “If you’re affiliated with Western, or even an alumnus, we’re asking you to come be in the video if you want. This is a really cool way to show your Western pride.”
The approximately four-minute music video will be dubbed to “On Top of the World” by Las Vegas indie rock band Imagine Dragons. Parts of the video will be sequenced and choreographed by Robel Paguio. The Red Square sequence will not be choreographed. “It’s different from a flash mob in the sense that it is very, very coordinated,” Paguio said. “We have to coordinate what sort of clubs on campus are playing what role in the video and who is dancing in what sequences and who is going to pop up at what location.” The video will showcase Western students, clubs, alumni, faculty members and administrators in several locations throughout campus, including the Viking Union, Performing Arts Center plaza, Fairhaven and the Old Main courtyard. “It’s not necessarily important to have something specific you’re doing, but the more people we have, the better we can showcase everything that Western has to offer,” Bojorquez said. “That’s what we’re really excited
about: seeing how many people we can get to come out of the cracks and be a part of this really exciting music video shoot.” The video will be released on YouTube and publicized through Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. Bojorquez said he hopes Western’s administration will adopt the final product as a marketing tool for the university. Other universities, such as the University of British Columbia, have adopted their studentmade lip dub videos in a similar fashion. “It would be really exciting if the university does decide to use this as a marketing tool, but we’re just doing it to have something to showcase the diversity of students and activities and everything we’ve got going on at Western,” Bojorquez. If you are interested in showcasing a club or group you belong to in the lip dub video, contact the Communications Office at 360-650-4648 or KVIK at 360-6502343.
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BREWING CLUB: FOR TEA AND COFFEE LOVERS By Kylie Wade Every Wednesday in the Viking Union, members of Western’s Brewing Club come together to socialize and share drinks with each other. The group explores different drinks and brewing techniques, primarily focusing on tea and coffee. Contrary to popular misconception, Brewing Club does not brew any form of alcohol. Ryan Sarhan founded Brewing Club last spring. Sarhan grew up with a love for tea, which began as a child when his mother would take him to stores with exotic tea selections and let him sample all the teas. By the time Sarhan was in high school, he discovered an international market with an incredible tea selection, and he soon began buying up to five new teas a day, passionately exploring his interest. When he arrived at Western, Sarhan started sharing his passion for tea with his suitemates, then other members of his dorm. Brewing Club grew out of Sarhan’s dorm room in Edens Hall and began as a group of people interested in learning more about tea and different ways to brew it. As more people joined the club and began to share their own favorite drinks and brewing techniques, the club grew and moved out of a dorm room and into the Viking Union. Now, the Brewing Club meets every week on Wednesdays at 3:15 p.m. in VU Room 567. “We generally just hang out and talk a little bit beforehand,” Sarhan said. “Once the meeting’s started we just go over some sort of drink that no one’s heard of before.” The group tried many different drinks over the past year, including many different chai and Chinese teas. Some of Sarhan’s favorites included sun tea, which involves leaving water with a tea bag in the sun and let-
ting solar power brew the tea and dandelion syrup, a tea made from boiling hundreds of dandelion flower heads and adding water and sugar to the mixture. Another member of the club, Brad Fenbert, said one of his favorite drinks was barley tea, which is made by steeping barley and water and adding a subtle touch of lemon, lime and sugar. The group also frequently experiments with coffee. “We’ve had a bunch of coffee meetings where we talk about grinding, like how you would grind coffee,”Sarhan said. “We’ve done cold brew coffee, just different ways to brew coffee without making it hot.” The group also tried Mexican hot chocolate and even a popular drink from Paraguay called yerba mate. Sarhan said he really enjoyed the Mexican hot chocolate, which Fenbert presented. “It’s like hot chocolate that’s got chili in it,” Sarhan said. “It was really sweet and delicious.” Another group member, Aisha Leapley presented yerba mate to the group after learning about it on a trip to Paraguay. “It was kind of cool because I knew more of the actual traditions behind it,” Leapley said. “It’s a tea, and it’s used in a tradition in a similar way that some cultures would use passing a smoking pipe.” To wrap up the end of this school year, the club is making kombucha, which Sarhan explained as a sweet tea that is fermented with a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, or a SCOBY. “It basically makes like a sparkling, vinegary drink,” Sarhan said. “I really like it. I haven’t drank it that much yet, but it’s good.” During their meeting on May 22, the Brewing Club
made their own kombucha and it will be ready to drink by their next meeting on May 29. “We’re planning on making a lot of extras, and that’s a drink that a lot of people kind of have heard of and want to learn more about,” Leapley said. “Not many of us have tried it before, so we’re really encouraging people to come try it and then if they like it, hopefully they’ll remember us for next quarter.” Sarhan has big dreams for his club, and said next year their primary focus will be on expanding, and possibly fundraising, to allow them to host bigger events. Some of the events Sarhan would like to see happen include a “cupping,” where people can sample different kinds of high-end coffee, an English tea party featuring English snacks and Earl Grey tea, and even a trip to visit a tea house in Victoria, British Columbia. Above all else, Sarhan says what he enjoys most about Brewing Club is the unique group and sense of community he created. “We’re really lighthearted and really casual; we like to just chit chat and tell jokes and have fun,” Sarhan said. “I’d say that the community is my favorite part about it. Everyone comes at 3:15 every Wednesday and it’s not like, oh I don’t have time for Brew Club—it’s just your hangout time.” Leapley said the social aspect of the club is by far her favorite part as well. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people who are really interesting, really laid back and I wouldn’t have met them otherwise beyond Brew Club,” Leapley said. “It’s nice that not everyone really has to be a coffee person or have their favorite tea, it’s kind of just the title and we stick with it but we also do a lot beyond just brewing.”