GOLDBERG Kleinplatz

solo research into this other being, this plant being. In the group piece, we really didn’t talk about ‘soloness’ at all; we talked about ‘individualness,’ but that feels different from ‘soloness’ to me.

One thing that I’m always curious about with artists is if they have advice for younger people on how to pursue their artistic goals? There’s such an emphasis today on taking the so-called “safe path” in life. Do you have anything you would say to people who are struggling to pick a path in life?

I can tell you what I think, but what I think is not the happiest thing. It’s not unhappy, it’s just maybe more practical than (how) people want to think. I knew two people, one of whom worked in a doctor’s offce or a physiotherapist’s offce, and another who worked in a hospital as an administrator, and they’re two of the most exciting Canadian artists I know. They spent years working nineto-fve jobs, and they worked on their art during nights and the weekendsand they were fnancially stable. They didn’t have to go into debt to work on their art. I think people sometimes think that in order to do art, they have to give everything up and live this precarious life, and what I realized from these people - Dana Michel and Bridget Moser - is that they didn’t have to put themselves in a fnancially precarious position, to my knowledge. And Bridget particularly has talked very openly about that choice she made, and how it made her life stable in a way that actually allowed her to make better art in some ways.

Sasha’s last response especially resonated with me. I have been pursuing flm, music, and writing for years now. However, I’m also approaching a point in my life where I must make some crucial career-defning decisions. While I enjoy business school, and I have a strong passion for marketing and operations management, my two felds of study, I frequently worry that I won’t be able to pursue my artistic goals when I enter the workforce. I absolutely agree with Sasha’s point that one can work and be an artist concurrently. Going into the world of business shouldn’t mean that I have to give up on journalism and music, and hopefully I won’t.

Usually, I prefer to write analytically and in the third person, but this topic is deeply important for each and every one of us to consider. I’m going to include a piece of personal advice: as cliche as this may sound, we only get one chance here on Earth, and you’re selling yourself short if you don’t make some effort to pursue your artistic dreams, or any other dreams for that matter. Like Sasha touched on, working a nine-to-fve job and pursuing one’s passions are not mutually exclusive. They only are if you let them be. I am incredibly lucky to even have the opportunity to pursue my passion for art in the frst place. If I don’t do whatever I can to fulfll this opportunity, will I truly be able to look back and be satisfed?

McGill and the Resurgence of Maximalist Fashion

BY MAREN DUFFIE

Maximalism is back! Across McGill’s campus, from the library to class, McGillians embrace crazy colours, intricate layering, extravagant jewelry and abstract makeup. Maximalism, which can present in an infnite number of aesthetics, found its roots in the years following the Second World War when people were eager to express themselves after years of rationing and restriction. Where our modern version of the aes broadly defnable concept of maximalism, but what does this look like in the day-to-day within McGill’s context? Maximalism is often thought of as bright, eye-catching, and overall impractical; but forms of maximalist style and design are all around us. As students attempt to distinguish themselves while also maintaining the ability to make it up the hill to McMed for their 8:30 a.m. class, moon boots, fur coats and statement jewellery are go-to’s for the maximalist Montreal student. From the icon Dolly Parton herself to that stylistically over the top girl in your econ class, people are adapting forms of pseudo-maximalism to express themself without impeding their ability to move freely. Outside of the classroom, y2k and ‘McBling’ aesthetics embrace velour and glitter in the various themed parties of the McGill ghetto.

In contrast to McGill, if you’ve ever made the pilgrimage to Queen’s or Western for Foco or St. Patty’s, you’ve most likely encountered more Aritzia Melina pants than what the mainstream would consider to be maximalist fashion. Why does maximalism seem to thrive at McGill compared to many other Canadian universities, especially those in smaller towns? McGill’s urban environment places it’s students within walking distance of everything from the eccentric earrings available in Chinatown to the abundance of curated vintage stores in the Plateau.

In a world of overconsumption, maximalism may seem like an irresponsible direction for the future of fashion, but in the search for unique pieces, fashionistas across the world are turning to sec- ond-hand suppliers and DIYs for cheap, one-of-a-kind pieces. Beyond that, shopping at non-chain thrifts, like Le Chainon on St Laurent, support local organizations and allow you to let your maximalist heart run wild. If venturing past Park isn’t your style, McGill also boasts student clubs and pop-ups that encourage artistic expression through minimal consumption. Organizations like circle of fashion (@circleoffashionmcgill) and P(h)assion (@phassionmcgill) inspire students to embrace both maximalist and groovy choices by supporting McGill’s up-andcoming fashion designers and bringing the fashion community together. There are also clothing swaps hosted around campus by great student-run initiatives that will keep your bank balance high and creativity fowing, all while minimizing your carbon footprint. Fashion Revolution McGill (@fashion_revolution_mcgill) and the SSMU have hosted multiple swaps this semester.

If you fnd yourself in search of inspiration off-campus, there are a number of sources that I can personally recommend. In a more traditional sense, you can draw from houses that have reached mainstream success, including Vivienne Westwood or Moschino. Alternatively, lesser known artists like Who De-

GRAPHICS BY VIVIAN CROOKS

cides War embrace graphic-heavy streetwear and Conner Ives’ bright, geographic designs are spearheading a new age of over-the-top design. If going straight to the source doesn’t quite ft into your study schedule, check out magazines like Virtus and Boy.Brother.Friend which curate lookbooks flled to the brim with originality both in their featured looks and overall presentation.

For me, I like to draw from creators that are on the platforms I’m already using, such as Instagram and TikTok. Courtney Covino is a tattoo artist who mostly makes makeup tutorials and shares outft snapshots on her Instagram, with her style embracing grunge and rock infuences. Alternatively, Sarah Campo and Kristen Bateman are major magazine columnists working everywhere from Vogue to the New York Times to Elle, who both share their personally-curated neon-heavy outfts, and the latest from fashion weeks around the world on TikTok. If the fashion world is completely foreign to you, perhaps you can fnd your muse in the non-fashion arts through painters such as Kate Pincus-Whitney or far-out classics like Lisa Frank. In the age of the internet, access to maximalism is right at your fngertips, and all you have to do is click enter.

The modern maximalist story unravels by breathing new life into old pieces.

Maximalists receive double-takes. They question stylistic choices. They reimagine utility and re-dictate what matches or what doesn’t. They exaggerate colour through both variation and repetition. Though their ideology of “more is more” may seem daunting, they are our recycling future. Curating your own personal style allows you to truly feel like you exist outside of the fast-paced trend turnover we have become too familiar with. Whether that means sticking to the basics or completely getting out of your comfort zone, don’t let companies or others tell you how to style your life! Maximalism provides a fresh perspective on the world—overrun with “clean girl” aesthetics and business casual Desautel students. McGill’s culture allows its students to be eccentric, and I encourage each and every one of you to take advantage of this.