SCAD ATLANTA’S STUDENT MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 | VOL. 9 NO. 2
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MEET THE STAFF
SIDNEY PARKS editor-in-chief
ANYA HABER fashion editor
TORI HURLBURT
EMMA DAKIN
creative director
news editor
AZARYA MUKHI
MOLLY MORRIS
art director
arts and entertainment editor
KATIE MILLER
CATHERINE MUNSEY
copy editor
illustration editor
TYLER MCCLELLAND
MAYA ANDERS
photo editor
features editor
KIKI JOHNSON
JARROD FOUTS
pr director
opinions editor
02 HOW DO YOU KEEP THE FLAME BURNING What keeps us motivated? 03 HOT WHEELS A little sneek peak at Atlanta’s best food trucks 05 STUDENT SHOWCASE Creative talents of Simone Adams and Tashasa Vaughn 08 BURNING RUBBER
10 GETTING BURNT
All editorial content is determined by the student editors. Opinions expressed in SCAN are not
Turning failure into success
14 EXOTICA
Fiery fashion
20 BURNING PASSION FOR NATURE How the natural world influences sculpture 24 FUELING THE FIRE
SCAN is the quarterly student magazine of the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.
An inside track for SCAD Atlanta’s cycling teams
Preventing creative burnout
26 COMICS CORNER What lights a fire under your feet
necesssarily those of the college. ©2017 SCAN Magazine. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Cover illustration by ALEXANDRA BADIU Staff photograph by TYLER MCCLELLAND
31
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
HOW DO YOU KEEP THE
FLAME BURNING
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ARTISTS WHO CONTRIBUTED COVER DESIGNS
interviewed and photographed by KIKI JOHNSON IMAN KHOURY, INTERIOR DESIGN “I get motivated when I look back to where I started and everything that has happened to me … mostly looking at the bad things that have happened and where I am now … I just think, “Oh all those times I was under the world I actually wasn’t.’ So it’s weirdly a hopeful feeling and kind of motivating like, you’ve been through that, you can get through this.” ELIZABETH KEELER
TRUDI-ANN HEMANS
ENNIS PRICE, UNDECLARED “I want to make my family happy, it’s the most stereotypical answer I know, but my parents are entrepreneurs, and they’ve set this precedent of what a role model is in life, and I’m not sure if I can beat it, but just to get close is something I want to do. I have my own ideas, but it’s about making them back at home happy.” NINGNING GU BRYER ROSSI, INTERACTIVE DESIGN AND GAME DEVELOPMENT “I love the major I chose, so the work given to me is awesome because I get to work on stuff I love and just enjoy doing it every day.”
MADISON RUIZ
See all the submissions at scadconnector.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Fittingly, the start of this year felt like a trial-by-fire for me. It wasn’t necessarily welcome, mind you, with the last year being such a disaster, but it was what it was.
CIA ROSHINAMBA, FASHION MARKETING
I’m certain that many others felt the same way and with much stronger conviction,
“The people, when you see everyone around and the diversity
and possibly still feel that way today. The more I think about the hardships we all face
and sense of inclusion, so that keeps me motivated and gives
at this time, the more passionately I want to fly in the face of it — the more my own
me hope, that as a creative leader I can go and implement
conviction burns brighter.
what I’ve learned from other people.”
That’s really what I wanted to convey with this issue of SCAN — a burning theme to highlight the passion we all have about what we do and how we want to shape the world. The past year was disheartening and horribly depressing, but I’ve seen in ALEXIS MANN, FASHION
these early months of this new year people, as if risen from the ashes, passionately
“Graduating and being able to start up and own a
fighting for what they believe in, and it makes me so happy. I don’t want that burning
fashion house.”
feeling of progress and change to ever stop, especially in the face of such significant adversary. It’s a good thing this fire doesn’t show any signs of stopping. SIDNEY PARKS editor-in-chief
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
SECTION HEADER
HOT WHEELS: ATLANTA’S BEST FOOD TRUCKS written by MOLLY MORRIS illustrated by ALSON CHUI
Blaxican: Two words — mexican soulfood. While the name has some shock value, it represents the culture of the creator and the culinary style fueling the tasty food they serve. Aside from cooking, the crew at Blaxican are passionate for serving those less fortunate and work to feed those in need around Atlanta as much as possible. Support this incredible business by grabbing a Collard Greens Quesadilla with a side of Jalepeno Mac and Cheese. Viet-Nomies: Everyone needs their fix of the ultimate Vietnamese comfort food, and Viet-Nomies brings everyone their favorite bowl of Pho and Banh Mi streetside! This is some of the best Vietnamese food in Atlanta — make sure to stalk their schedule so you can find some authentic asian food without the drive to Buford Highway. Cattywampus Grill: New to the streets of Atlanta, Cattywampus Grill brings some of the most mouth-
W
hat better way to explore Atlanta and simultaneously satisfy your tastebuds than to enjoy the plethora of food trucks camping out around the city? We’ve set up a list of the best delights on wheels for you to hunt down and savor between classes.
watering southern food we’ve ever tasted. They also pride themselves in making sure their food is prepared with the freshest ingredients possible. We guarantee that you won’t be able to decide which is your favorite between the Bless Your Heart (grilled cheese) or the Cluckin’ Waffle (chicken sandwich served a la waffle). The Fry Guy: In need of some french fries? The Fry Guy has you covered. Whether you’re craving a basic cone of salty fries with ketchup or a fancier serving of Poutine,
Yumbii: Yumbii has been a long-time staple in Atlanta,
this truck will serve up a hefty dose of everyone’s favorite
founded in 2010 as the city’s first and finest food truck.
guilty pleasure.
Offering a fusion of mexican and asian flavors with a street food twist, Yumbii can be found parked all over
Most food truck schedules can be found on twitter and
town or at their new storefront on Peachtree. Not sure
facebook pages, so take our lead and fill your google
what to try first? We suggest their Fish Tacos and Sesame
calendar with a list of Atlanta’s best trucks and where to
Fries, or if you’re looking for something a little more filling,
find them! You’ll balance out the freshman 15 with all the
try the Yumbii Philly.
walking between trucks you’ll be doing (ha!).
5
SHOWCASE
SIMONE ADAMS I WRITING
written by ALISON BOLT photographed by REBECCA GERHARD
vy Hall is an elusive name whispered around campus. It’s the place where, supposedly, writing majors attend classes, yet meeting a writing major or going to Ivy Hall seems mythical. Writing majors do exist at SCAD Atlanta. We are a close-knit group of creative writers, sitting among intelligent and published professors in a haven decorated by President Paula S. Wallace herself. One of our esteemed peers is Simone Adams, a graduate writing student and the editor of the “Ivy Hall Review.”
Upon meeting Adams, I’m greeted with a smile and a calm voice. At a school where the majority of students scramble around in a chaotic manner, this is surprising.
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
SHOWCASE
Despite the worries of getting home to her son, the work
journal around in her bag every day and jots down
Tent” by Anita Diamant because of its strong theme of
she must catch up on for her job, her homework, classes
creative ideas as they strike her. “Those come randomly
women’s empowerment, a theme present in her own
and the responsibility of being the editor of the “Ivy Hall
throughout my day,” she says. Finally, she ends her day
work. When asked about her plans for the future, she
Review,” Adams has a naturally peaceful personality. We
by writing in her journal. Upon hearing about her writing
references writing fiction that empowers women once
talk about our favorite writing classes and she tells me of
routine, her dedication and passion for writing
again before sitting up a little straighter in her seat and,
her upcoming thesis.
reveals itself.
with a laugh saying, “As a child, I wanted to be a hobo
Adams graduated from Kennesaw State University with an
Although she can remember growing up with a book
explains, “I wanted to take a backpack, hop trains and
undergraduate degree in communications. While on a trip
always in her hand, the memory of the exact moment
travel the world.” These aspirations have remained almost
to Savannah, she happened upon the SCAD Sidewalk Arts
Adams decided to pursue writing is long forgotten. In
unchanged over the course of her life so far, except for
Festival. She was immediately enthralled. “It reminded
high school, she created her first work of fiction titled
the fact that she now knows you can travel without being
when I grew up.” As a response to my confusion, she
me of Mary Poppins, a story I have always been inspired by,” she tells me, sweeping her hand across the air like she’s showing me the
“IT WAS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE OUTPOURING OF CREATIVITY AND ALL THE CREATIVE FREEDOM THESE STUDENTS WERE GIVEN.”
“Dreamland.” The piece was a series of
a hobo. Adams’ future plans now include becoming a
stories based on her friends and their high
college professor, writing and publishing her fiction and
school crushes. Though she recalls these
traveling as much as possible.
while shaking her head and slightly laughing, the creation of these first stories is important. After graduating with her undergraduate
sidewalk chalk creations as if they are spread out right in
degree in communications, she found herself writing
front of us. “It was just something about the outpouring of
non-fiction constantly. Most of her writing was published
creativity and all the creative freedom these students were
for organizations or from working as a ghost writer. “All
given.” Adams immediately applied to SCAD Atlanta and
I wanted was to see ‘Written by Simone Adams’ at the
began her endeavors in creative writing.
top of something I had written,” she explains. With a more creative approach to writing, SCAD held potential
It is not uncommon for people to have trouble
for fiction and her name on a published work. “I was
determining exactly what they want to pursue in life. In
comfortable writing non-fiction, but I wanted to write
Adams’ case, writing seemed to be a natural choice from
fiction,” she says. With one brave jump out of her comfort
the very beginning. “When I was little, I would write letters
zone, she began writing fiction and quickly adjusted. Her
to my parents if I was upset with them,” she explains with
favorite part of the process was having the opportunity
a laugh. “It was easier for me to get my thoughts out by
to participate in workshop critiques, especially after
writing them down. If I tried to talk to them I would just
receiving little feedback writing for the corporate world. “I
end up crying.” The process of writing down her thoughts
don’t want to hear just, ‘it’s great’ because I know there’s
remained an important ritual throughout her life. She
something that can always be better.” With a motivated
writes in a journal every night before going to sleep. “I love writing because it combines passion and logic,” she explains. Her stories
“I LOVE WRITING BECAUSE IT COMBINES PASSION AND LOGIC.”
mindset like that, she soon found “Written by Simone Adams” above multiple
are filled with emotion, yet there’s something sensible about forming all of her thoughts perfectly on the
published works, including a piece in “Chicken Soup for
page. In an equally logical way, writing in her personal
the Soul.”
journal every night helps her “download my day,” as she puts it.
Adams’ motivation in her life and writing is driven by being a mother and role model to her son. “I realized I
It is common for writers to develop a ritual. For Adams,
want to do what I want and do it the way I want,” she
she prefers to write for her classes or job in the morning
tells me. She wants her son to know that he can do
when everything is fresh on her mind. She carries a
whatever he wants in life. Her favorite book is “The Red
5
SHOWCASE
TASHASA VAUGHN T ILLUSTRATION
written by EMMA DAKIN illustrations courtesy of TASHASA VAUGHN
here’s no doubt about it — Tashasa Vaughn, a fourth-year illustration student, is a creative force to be reckoned with. Between a major in illustration, a minor in graphic design, part-time modeling and freelance work creating book covers, portraits, album art and paintings, there seems to be very little that this 22-year-old can’t do. But her biggest accomplishment is what lies ahead: graduation. From a young age, Vaughn was drawn to making art. At first it was just for fun, but when Vaughn reached high school, she started to take it more seriously. She took AP classes in art as a senior in high school, and from there she decided to pursue a degree in graphic design.
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
SHOWCASE
“I started as a graphic design student first, then I made
Her primary inspirations are the people around her and
Looking ahead, Vaughn has an idea of where she wants to
my way into illustration because I discovered I liked
their different lifestyles and environments. Given that she
go and what she wants for her future, but she knows that
to draw more,” said Vaughn. “Ultimately, I ended up
likes illustrating portraits, one of her major influences is
it won’t always be easy.
deciding to do both.”
Adam Cruft, a London-based illustrator.
Vaughn’s collegiate journey began at Jacksonville State
“His techniques and the way he sketches out his portraits
what I see as my biggest challenge, just getting my foot
University, though Vaughn said she had wanted to go to
have been a big impact on my life,” said Vaughn.
in the door,” said Vaughn. “In ten years, I’d like to own
“Just getting myself exposed to different opportunities is
my own business, maybe somewhere like New York or
SCAD since high school. “SCAD has always been my number-one
“AT SCAD ATLANTA, VAUGHN FOUND A SENSE OF BELONGING.”
choice,” said Vaughn. “Financially, I couldn’t come at first, but it’s always been
As much as Vaughn has enjoyed her
California, somewhere creative. I think I eventually want to
academic experience, she admits she
get into fashion illustration for magazines or editorial work.”
struggled along the way because as any student can attest, SCAD does not come
without challenges.
From her work within SCAD Atlanta to her extracurricular work in modeling and freelancing, Vaughn already has plenty of achievements to brag about. And while for her,
my dream, so I finally made my way here.” “The biggest challenge in the program is balancing
graduation is her next big accomplishment, it’s obvious
At SCAD Atlanta, Vaughn found a sense of belonging. She
classes and work because it does get overwhelming,” said
that the creative world can expect more great things from
said that her previous school simply didn’t have the same
Vaughn. “I think if you just have good time management
her as she takes the next step towards her career.
level of events and opportunities. Her favorite memory
you can overcome it.”
from her time at SCAD has been aTVfest, though she also said she’s highly enjoyed her coursework.
Vaughn also recommended that students fully utilize all the different resources available through SCAD Atlanta.
“My favorite class was illustration self-promotion,” said Vaughn. “It’s been my favorite class because it talked
“Take advantage of every resource you possibly can.
about getting published and putting yourself out there,
You have so much access to everything here — your
preparing for the workplace, getting clients to come see
professors, the library, your peers,” said Vaughn. “Take
you, getting companies to notice you and hire you and
advantage of all of it while you’re here.”
pretty much preparing you for success in your field.” When it comes to incorporating her major in illustration and her minor in graphic design, Vaughn said it’s actually very harmonious.
“TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY RESOURCE YOU POSSIBLY CAN. YOU HAVE SO MUCH ACCESS TO EVERYTHING HERE.”
“Sometimes I might have a project that’s strictly graphic design, sometimes I might have one that’s strictly
Through everything that Vaughn has accomplished, now
illustration, but for the most part they tend to go hand in
that she’s nearing the end of her time at SCAD Atlanta,
hand,” said Vaughn. She describes her style as a blend of
she’s looking forward to the reward of graduating.
modern and traditional, and that her work is a reflection of her own personality.
“I’m about to graduate and that’s the biggest accomplishment for me,” said Vaughn. “Starting off, it
“My personal style is a little quirky and bubbly, a little
was really a lot of work, but once I got over that hump,
playful — that’s the kind of person I am and it reflects in
and once I started getting into my hands-on illustration
everything I do,” said Vaughn.
classes and the things I was more passionate about, it started getting smoother. Now I’m getting to the end and graduating just feels like the biggest accomplishment ever.”
7
FEATURE
BURNING RUBBER
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
FEATURE
written and photographed by EMMA DAKIN
T
he SCAD Atlanta cycling teams may be some of the newest additions to the campus’s athletics program, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance. Both men’s and women’s Division I varsity teams have racked up an impressive number of wins, including a national championship, that’s demanded notice from other collegiate cycling teams across the country. What’s just as impressive is the close-knit bond between the team members and their shared love of the sport of cycling, along with all its challenges and rewards. Cycling at SCAD Atlanta was first given life just over a year ago when the college hired Namrita Kumar as the head cycling coach and tasked her with putting together a team. “I’m fortunate that I have a pretty big network of contacts through cycling, from racing myself and being involved with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association,” said Kumar. “I also did a lot of work trying to find schools with cycling programs and reaching out to art and design instructors at those schools to see if they had any students who would be interested in such
“Everyone was super friendly and supportive,” said Myatt.
Myatt said the key to balancing classes with athletic
“It definitely made a huge difference coming here and
commitments comes down to effective time management.
already having friends.” Hickey agreed and said everyone
“You just have to set the time aside for each thing,” said
on the teams instantly clicked with one another. “We’ve
Myatt. “It’s pretty manageable.”
just gotten to know each other really well, and we’ve gotten really close,” said Hickey. “We’ve become a family.” Beyond friendship and camaraderie, Kumar said that
managing to recruit talented athletes from around the world. For Dillon Hickey, a freshman and
efforts were instrumental in his decision to attend SCAD Atlanta. “I was already thinking about SCAD, but Namrita reaching out to me about the cycling program really sealed the deal for me,” said Hickey. For many members of the cycling teams, the program offered immediate friendship. Mackenzie Myatt, a first-year writing student, said that the presence of the
balancing school and athletics, cycling team members are in agreement that the rewards are worth the work. “It’s a really hard
sport, it takes a lot of dedication and training, but it pays
benefits for students. “Cycling is a form of endurance
off,” said Scarano. “I think it’s the most beautiful sport
exercise where there’s been research that shows how it
that I’ve ever been a part of.”
improves focus, creativity and concentration and even reduces stress,” said Kumar. “Especially at a school like
Sean Fincham, a first-year advertising student, said that
this where there’s a lot of stress, a lot of deadlines. That
he thinks a lot of people don’t understand cycling as a
sort of environment can maybe influence unhealthy
sport or its degree of difficulty. “I think it’s the hardest
behaviors like lack of sleep and poor eating habits.”
sport out there,” said Fincham. “It’s mental, it’s physical — you have to constantly be thinking, not just physically
Andy Scarano, a second-year advertising and
fit. You can win a race just by being smart, instead of
photography student, credits cycling as his motivation
being the fittest person out there.”
to stay healthy. He also said that his time spent cycling transfers over to the classroom, sometimes giving him his
Kumar encourages the SCAD Atlanta community to come
best inspiration. “A lot of ideas and creativity come to light
watch cycling events whenever possible and to learn more
while I’m on a bike, it’s a big thing in regards to creativity,”
about the sport of cycling. She also hopes to get even
said Scarano.
more people involved in the program. “SCAD encourages developing interests in lifelong sports and cycling is
“WE’VE JUST GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER REALLY WELL AND WE’VE GOTTEN REALLY CLOSE. WE’VE BECOME A FAMILY.”
graphic design student, Kumar’s
Regardless of the challenges of
cycling also offers a variety of physical and physiological
an opportunity.” Kumar was highly successful,
“IT’S A REALLY HARD SPORT, IT TAKES A LOT OF DEDICATION AND TRAINING.”
The cycling teams certainly have
definitely one of the sports you could do until you’re a
their days full between the heavy
hundred years old, whether it’s competitive or not,” said
demands of SCAD coursework,
Kumar. “Cycling is something very special and there’s
training and meetings and
such joy in it. It’s just about being healthy and pushing
events that often take up entire
yourself and the camaraderie of doing those things with
weekends. The teams participate
like-minded people.”
in four different kinds of cycling: mountain biking, road cycling, cyclocross and track cycling — that each
The friendship and chemistry between the members of
encompass a variety of terrain and challenges in their own
SCAD Atlanta’s cycling teams have certainly been paying
right. Events take place all over the country, sometimes
off as they continue to make a name for themselves in
requiring the teams to leave immediately following the
the athletics program and the collegiate cycling circles.
end of classes on a Thursday and not return until Sunday
With this level of success, it’s still hard to believe they’re
evening, making finding time for homework and
only in their first year, but easy to believe they’ll continue
projects challenging.
achieving excellence as they ride onwards.
teams made adjusting to SCAD Atlanta much easier.
9
OPINIONS
GETTING BURNT written by JARROD FOUTS illustrated by LYDIA HANCOCK
I
t’s my last quarter, so I’ll leave you all with this: you will get burned here. It’s inevitable, but don’t fret. Think of searing pain and monstrous insecurity as a rite of passage into the wondrous world of art. When you get those first little singes from a tough critique, when you find that your hard drive has pulled a Houdini and all of your files have disappeared, and when you look at that one bad line on your paper and have it screaming of its, and also your, imperfections, just remind yourself that you’ve made it. All the artists you look up to went through the same things, minus the hard drive (generally speaking). When it all comes crashing down, remember that it has nowhere to go but up.
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING FALL 2016 2017
OPINIONS
You can try to do that, anyways. You can try to adopt
there’s a way out. I promise you there is. I know from
also ablaze with anxiety. I didn’t have a solid foundation to
some silly, alliterative slogan to repeat to yourself. You can
experience. I came to SCAD in a kind of desperation. My
stand on, but I did have something that I couldn’t deny:
read a million quotes by those who came before you and
learning disability with math made it near to impossible
an urge to write. With that, I mended my foundation,
pretend that it makes you feel better. You can grin and
to pursue what was then my dream:
bare it until your face splits into a Chelsea Smile. It’s all an
astrophysics. There came a point
act. I know that on the inside, there’s a little fire burning. I
when I realized no matter how much
know it hurts. It should.
I wanted to, I just wasn’t going to be able to digest board long equations
extinguished the flames, swept
“GETTING BURNT IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME.”
away the ashes and rebuilt myself. Now I feel ready to write more than ever. This isn’t just what I’m good at or a
That tiny little campfire that now sits deep in your belly,
and understand complex formulae about our universe.
substitution for an impossible math-oriented career. I’ve
the one that gives you indigestion and nausea when it
Something is off in my mind that will always prevent that.
realized through a nebulous and violent reworking with
turns the soda you just drank into lemon-lime magma,
What I was good at was English and writing, so I applied
fire, of myself, that writing is who I am. Getting burned is
will grow. It will become a small blaze. It will reach up and
to SCAD’s writing program a few months after I graduated
the best thing that has ever happened to me.
burn your chest, your lungs and your throat, making it
high school. This, my dear SCAD comrades, is what must happen to
hard for you to breathe or speak. Eventually, what started as a gentle fire because of a not-sogreat critique will become a
“IT’S ALL AN ACT. I KNOW THAT ON THE INSIDE, THERE’S A LITTLE FIRE BURNING.”
I took my first major writing class sophomore year.
you. You must get burned. You must get hurt. You will feel
Everything was going smoothly for the first half
lost. You will be scared. Everything you thought you knew,
of it. The exercises I turned in were decent and I
the things you built yourself upon, will be dissolved. Think
could dissect a story and point out the fundamental
of it as a controlled burn, like the purposeful fires set in
elements of conflict, character and arc with relative
Yellowstone that cleanse and cause seed pods to burst,
tornado of flame and it will engulf you. As you wander the
ease. Then workshop came. We all submitted stories for
bringing new life. You need that pushing, that pulling, that
halls with your head ablaze with doubts, the pieces of you
a group critique and mine was horrendous. It was full
inner turmoil, that burning to remove the impurities, false
that you held so close, that you built yourself on, will melt
of cliches and tropes and tons of errors that drew the
notions and fake foundations, that prevent the creative
and fall away in heaps onto the floor. After the burning is
attention of everyone in the room. With my entire future,
seed from blossoming into what it is truly meant to be. It’s
done, there will be nothing but ash.
I felt, riding on what would be proven by my workshop
the only way you will truly grow.
piece, I was horrified by what was going on: unanimous You will then sit and writhe in the smolder, still wincing
disapproval.
from the pain of melting away bit by bit. You will feel empty. You will be so nervous and unsure that it will be
After that, it felt like the floor fell out from under me. I
hilarious. You may look upon your old works, the ones
remember getting the piece back and looking at it, trying
that delivered those harsh words or bad grades and laugh
to hold back tears while the workshops went smoothly
to yourself, wondering why you ever thought you could do
for everyone else in the room. I felt like I had made the
this. You’ll then think about the loans, the scholarships
biggest mistake of my life, spending all this money and
riding on those grades or the out-of-pocket funds you’ve
going through all this work, just to be proven to not even
sunk into this. Then, you’ll want to cry.
be good at the one thing I thought I was good at. To be
shown to be a fraud amongst the real writers. I almost There will come a point where you’ll want to give up on this. You’ll want to pack up and go home and resign your art to being merely a hobby — you must never give into that temptation. Even if you are covered
“I DIDN’T HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION TO STAND ON, BUT I DID HAVE SOMETHING THAT I COULDN’T DENY.”
in third degree burns and are so lost
left the writing program that day. My later workshops compounded that effect. I wanted to abandon writing, but it wouldn’t abandon me. It came through in all
that you can’t fathom the possibility of there being a way
of my work, even in the way that I talked. My mind was
out of this mess, you must convince yourself somehow
swarming with story and essay ideas, even though it was
11
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SECTION ART & ENTERTAINMENT HEADER
BURNING PASSION
FOR N A T U R E
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
written by MIKAEL TRENCH photographs courtesy of JEFFRY LOY
L
ike many other arts, the sculpture industry in Atlanta has only been getting bigger and better. Advances in technology have led to endless possibilities that are allowing sculptors to do what they never thought possible. From manipulating details with laser scanners and 3-D printers, to controlling fire using music, sculptors today are living in a time where technology is helping them create whatever they put their minds to.
ART & ENTERTAINMENT
Some sculptors have found ways to combine the
came about originally working for undergrad at Atlanta
especially back then, was that it was a smaller school
technological world with traditional inspirations. Atlanta-
College of Art, learning all the different other processes
with a lot of personal attention and also a unique kind of
based sculptor, metalsmith and photographer Jeffry Loy
there. During that time, I apprenticed under two different
teaching style. Also, I wanted a big city. I think you do a
graduated Atlanta College of Art in 1996, before it merged
artists, Paul Frank and Chris Gundersen. Gundersen did
lot of growing and learning in a larger environment and by
with SCAD, with a B.F.A. in sculpture and photography.
more of a blacksmith-style of work. I took off from there
meeting a lot of new people.”
Loy has gone quite the distance, exhibiting his work all
because I really loved the how metal, heated up enough,
over the United States from New York to San Francisco
becomes like clay and can be manipulated into many
nature seems to be a big inspiration to your work.
and collaborating with other artists. Whether it’s fire
different forms. I love working with different materials,
why is that?
sculpture, solar sculpture or home accents, the one thing
even though primarily I work in metal. I enjoy all different
“Generally, the work I show is in an outdoor environment.
Loy certainly takes advantage of is the world around
types of materials to work in. I like to do a little wood stuff,
I’ve shown the fire sculptures in deserts, forests and
us. His biggest inspirations come from nature itself, but
too, if I’m doing some kind of furniture-related product or
in those types of settings. I like having work seen in an
he still uses the best of technology to further enhance
project, blending materials together to add to the works,
outdoor environment rather than a gallery. You’re walking
whatever he creates. This combination of old-style
but also with the fire sculptures that I make. I think that
up to something in nature and just going, ‘Woah, that is
inspirations and techniques and advanced technology
fire is a material, too. It’s a real visceral experience to
very different.’ It also just blends in with the surroundings,
has helped Loy and his work stand out over the years as a
be able to get colors and sound from some of the other
but it’s also all of a sudden. You know what you’re
force in the industry to be reckoned with.
sculptural work.”
looking at.”
what got you into this profession?
why did you choose to attend art school in atlanta?
what has been your favorite project
“Well, I always liked working with my hands, even in high
“Originally I’m from Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Atlanta was
work with so far?
school, and working in 3-D really was nice to do. It really
somewhat nearby. One thing I liked about Atlanta, ACA
“I think it’s definitely been the LED work that I’ve been
/ experience to
21
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
doing mainly because I’m working with, or used to work
for any scad students who want to pursue
with, my electrical engineer who now is in San Francisco.
metalsmithing or sculpture as a career in atlanta,
He would create all our circuit boards by hand, put our
what would you say is the biggest piece of advice you
logos on and things like that. Also I think people really
have for them?
enjoy those, that type of work, a whole lot. The fire
“One of the things is finding out who’s in town doing
sculptures — I really love those pieces and putting them
it and try to get internships. When I was in school and
out to the public. I think that’s really important for when
worked with these other different artists, I learned so
you’re creating work, figuring out just where the audience
much through them. When you’re learning in the field
is going to see it and things like that. I don’t think I have
sometimes you learn more than you can learn in a school,
a favorite piece, but every time I go back to my figurative
for practical things. Just looking at different artists here,
work, it’s a little bit more personally satisfying. It was very
looking at their work and seeing how their shops and
different work when I went to grad school at SCAD as
studio is set up, especially in Atlanta where spaces are
an older adult, specifically working on things I normally
getting more difficult to find, and to also understand
wouldn’t do in my shop. And just playing around with
that, you have to mix in your artistic endeavors with your
some old ideas and seeing how they turn out and just
business endeavors to keep everything up and going.”
focusing in on new styles and a different kind of work.” For Loy, as well as sculptors everywhere, the passion to what plans do you have for your work in the future?
breath life into his work and create memorable pieces that
“I think right now what’s kind of interesting and I’m
will stand the test of time is clearly evident. Whether he is
having fun with is the fire pieces. I have two prototypes
creating a fascinating display of LED lights or a collection
of work where the flame goes to music, so the beat of
of beautiful exterior pieces, Loy shows us how far one can
the music actually alters the flame. It’s not like I invented
go with nothing but a burning passion for their craft and a
it. It’s a scientific thing about showing sound waves, but
desire to make their mark on the industry. As best said by
with music. Oh my God, it’s amazing! Just to see what it
Loy himself, “When I’m working, I am always mindful of
can do, but also, if you put your voice on a microphone
the history and techniques of blacksmithing, while at the
and you put it through there, how it ungulates with your
same time preserving and adding to its history.”
voice, kind of like the equalizing bar on Spotify, that’s almost exactly what the flame does. So it’s really kind of interesting to see, but funnily enough, it does love Atlanta trap music, so it fits right in. But for me, I’m trying to figure out how to make this object look different, add another experience to it, so I’m working with that. Also, I’m getting back into my “American Flag” series. I’ve been staying away for a bit since completing grad school, focusing in on a couple other projects. I want to help manage other artists with their public art projects. I’d love to lecture about public art and the act of making it accessible to artists. I’ve been into art since a very young age and haven’t done much outside the art world, especially being in Atlanta for the last 26 years, seeing things change and grow, I still do find it exciting to be here and trying to be part of that change, and it’s just nice to see other people be successful.”
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
photographs courtesy of JEFFRY LOY
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FEATURE
FUELING THE FIRE written by ANYA HABER illustrated by BLANCA CHEN and SHISHUANG TU
C
reative burnout can hit you like a tidal wave, crashing down and engulfing you without warning until you feel like you can’t breathe. It can also be a slow burning candle, a long time coming. Finally, when the last traces of wax have evaporated and the fire is extinguished, you feel the effects of creative burnout. Artists can succumb to creative burnout both in school and on the job. This occurrence is all too common in the fashion industry. When fast fashion became the norm, the upper crust of the industry followed, giving into the constant drive to produce newer things at a more rapid rate. Take fashion week for example. It’s a month-long affair in which editors, models, buyers and designers shuffle between the four fashion capitals of the world: New York City, London, Paris and Milan. Since fashion week became a global phenomenon, the number of collections design houses are expected to produce has skyrocketed. Designers are now counted on to produce spring/summer, fall/winter, two haute couture shows and two resort collections a year. If the brand does menswear as well, the number of collections per year rises even higher. Due to this, many celebrated creative directors who succeeded in reinvigorating the brands they were hired to design for have been resigning after only a few years on the job due to the excessive workload. This could not be seen clearer than in the case of Raf Simons and Dior. Simons renewed Dior during his three and a half
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
years at the helm of the revered Parisian fashion house, boosting the brand’s financial value while producing fresh designs that perfectly blended the iconic Dior look with a contemporary twist. As a result, his decision to step down from one of the most coveted jobs in the fashion industry shocked many, with Simons citing personal reasons for leaving. In what was a culmination of many conversations over a period of months with famed fashion critic Cathy Horyn, Simons spoke of the difficulties of the fastpaced nature of fashion. During their last conversation, which came only days before Simon’s resignation was announced, he told Horyn, “Everything is done in three weeks, maximum five. You have no incubation time for ideas, and incubation time is very important. When you do six shows a year, there’s not enough time for the
in relation to an individual’s thought process. Two current
whole process.”
theories that relate to how one’s perception of intelligence, creativity or otherwise, affect an individual’s motivation
Creative burnout is certainly not an issue reserved solely
and ability to cope with failure are the entity theory and
for the fashion industry. In an article titled, “Does Fashion
the incremental theory. Entity theorists believe that one’s
Have a Mental Health Problem?” published on the
intelligence is a fixed genetic favor that can’t be improved
popular website Business of Fashion, Emma Mammo,
upon, while those who subscribe to incremental theory
head of workplace wellbeing at Mind, a mental health
believe that intelligence and creativity can be improved
charity, states, “The number of people saying that they
upon and learned with practice. Research has shown
have experienced mental health problems while in employment has climbed from a quarter to a third.”
“EVERYTHING IS DONE IN THREE WEEKS, MAXIMUM FIVE. YOU HAVE NO INCUBATION TIME FOR IDEAS.”
that entity theorists attribute their failures to their internet lack of ability, and therefore become more depressed and powerless when faced with failure. These personality types believe that failure comes as a result of not being good enough, rather than not trying hard enough. This detrimental point of
view leads to holding oneself back because the feeling of Due to this rise in stress and depression in the workplace,
failure doesn’t come with learning moments. On the other
there has been much research on the subject of burnout
hand, incremental theorists care more about learning and
FEATURE
“In my opinion, creative burnout begins with initially being passionate and sensitive about one’s work, then the deep desire to be perfect, the best and better than the competition,” said Davis. “That leads to significant anxiety. I believe when students get in their own head and cannot get out they experience burnout.”
When asked whether creative burnout differs when it comes to school versus the workplace, Anne Velez said, “School is an artificial environment where we are constantly being compared with others and our work picked apart and we are striving for the ‘A’ at the end of every ten weeks. It can be difficult to be amongst so many talented individuals and not feel you fall short at times. The thing is, though, that art is subjective and your art is entirely and uniquely your own.” In reference to the workplace, Velez also said, “It’s about finding the best fit between what you have to offer and what the employer has to give. When you find a good fit, everyone wins. If you find yourself feeling burned out from work, the same things will help, but hopefully, you will learn now how to make your lifestyle such that you are taking care to keep the things in your life that keep you physically and emotionally healthy.” self-improvement. They are less afraid of failure because
“It could be something that you have done for so long,
they believe that, with enough devotion and time, they
and one day realize that you no longer want to do it,”
can become better. Incremental theorists see creative
said Morris. “What was once
intelligence as a muscle that, with enough exercise, will
fun and challenging, now feels
become bigger and stronger. However, like a muscle,
empty and pointless. Perhaps
creative intelligence must rest itself before it becomes too
the things that used to motivate
strained, leading to a metaphorical injury in the form of
or move you don’t resonate
creative burnout.
at all. This could also be one
However, there are ways to get out of the feared slump,
“CREATIVE BURNOUT BEGINS WITH INITIALLY BEING PASSIONATE AND SENSITIVE ABOUT ONE’S WORK.”
as well as preventative measures students, artists and human beings, in general, can take so they can avoid the paralyzing experience of creative burnout completely. Successful SCAD graduates, having
project that has taken you ages to complete, and because
experienced creative burnout and come out on the other
Kayeeshia Morris, Mycala Cherry, Caresse Davis, Anne
things didn’t turn out how you imagined it, now you
side even stronger, are excellent sources for words of
Velez and Peeper McDonald are part of the team of
are becoming frustrated, ready to give up and possibly
wisdom. Having been where we are, they understand the
professionals that form SCAD Atlanta’s Counseling and
questioning why you even started to begin with.”
pressure placed upon art students and how that creative pressure from school translates into the workplace.
Student Support Services, also known as CS3. They have seen creative burnout become a common occurrence
CS3 also cites overly-booked, hectic schedules as another
and when asked how creative burnout starts, each team
source of burnout. When people don’t schedule in time
Andrew Robinson, a 1993 SCAD graduate with a B.F.A. in
member gave their input.
for relaxation to balance out their other responsibilities,
illustration, has had an illustrious career since graduating.
even activities that initially intended to be fun become a
Robinson illustrated for the New York Time’s Best Seller
source of anxiety.
“The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story,” for which
25
FEATURE
he was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2014 for “Best
things, such as listings for real estate companies, executive
own success. And I did, in the end, find that inspiration,
Painter/Multimedia Artist.” The graphic novel itself won
biographies and copyright for advertising agencies.
but I found it in the most unlikely and unexpected place. I found it in lessons that I had learned earlier in life about
an Eisner award for “Best Reality-Based Work.” In an
how creativity can survive its own failure.”
interview with Robinson on the topic of creative burnout,
Reflecting back on this monumental career shift, Sun
he said, “I get burnt out quite a lot. As artists, we should
realized that, as uninspiring as some of the jobs were, the
have some knowledge of our limitations. Even when
decision to move to freelancing helped to free her from
She went on to describe her early career as a struggling
you’re in a good rhythm and routine, there is only so
her creative slump. “I thought it was selling out because I
writer, getting rejection after rejection letter. While she
long you can work each day. Take breaks when needed
was a journalist, but it was a good way to earn money. By
wanted to give up, she knew that she couldn’t because
and try taking a walk to clear your head. When I really
doing all this writing I thought I hated, it actually cleared
her love for writing was so consuming that it outweighed
need to push on to finish a project, but my mind is telling
out my creative burnout because doing different types of
her love for anything else. After she was catapulted into
me to stop, I entertain it by listening to new music on
writing I didn’t like renewed my love for journalism.” Sun
the limelight of fame and success with “Eat, Pray, Love,”
Spotify or escaping with shows like “Cheers,” “Frazier” or
currently works as an editor at a consulting firm while
she described feeling just as scared as the broke waitress
“The Twilight Zone” that I can listen to while I continue
freelancing on the side. She explained her return to a full-
with an endless stream of rejection letters she once was.
working. It distracts my tired mind from wanting to leave
time job was partly due to missing the sense of corporate
That’s when she realized something that never occurred
my drawing table.”
community, saying, “[When I was freelancing full-time]
to her, or most people. Society labels success as good
I missed being part of a company, collaborating with
and failure as bad, yet the raw, visceral experience of
Fei Fei Sun, a SCAD 2008 advertising graduate, is another success story whose experience has given her a wealth of knowledge on how to deal with creative burnout and not let it stand in her way.
“I HAD TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT MY CREATIVITY SURVIVED IT’S OWN SUCCESS”
and learning from my
emotions between the two are actually quite similar, at
coworkers and boss.”
least for Gilbert.
In the case of Fei Fei
She goes on to say, “So after the weird, disorienting
Sun, pursuing her
success that I went through with ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ I
Sun’s impressive resume includes previous positions such
passion full-time led her down the rabbit hole and
realized that all I had to do was exactly the same thing
as editorial assistant at Vanity Fair, style editor at TIME
exhausted her to the point of creative burnout. Since
that I used to have to do all the time when I was an
Magazine and managing editor at World. Inc. Her articles
then, she’s learned that what works best for her is to
equally disoriented failure. I had to get my ass back
have also graced the pages of Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan.
follow her journalistic passion on the side as a hobby,
to work, and that’s what I did.” The follow-up book,
com, Dwell, Web MD and more.
rather than let it consume her life, trying to make every
“Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage,”
word perfect 24/7.
was disastrous in comparison to her previous. However, at that point, it didn’t matter. Gilbert just kept writing,
During a phone interview, Sun discussed the ups and downs of her career. Upon graduation, she moved to NYC
Accomplished novelist Elizabeth Gilbert, who famously
releasing another book that received much praise. Gilbert
to fulfill her passion of being a journalist. However, her
authored “Eat, Pray, Love,” brings up the catch-22 of how
honestly and eloquently explains why her failures didn’t
career path was filled with doses of reality, permeating the
to flourish creatively when the main component holding
matter, “My point is that I’m writing another one now, and
typical idealistic dream many students have upon leaving
you back is your previous successes during a 2014 Ted
I’ll write another book after that and another and another
school and entering the workforce. When touching on the
Talk entitled, “Elizabeth Gilbert: Success, failure and the
and another and many of them will fail, and some of them
subject of creative burnout, she referenced her time as
drive to keep creating.” During the talk, she described
might succeed, but I will always be safe from the random
style editor of Time Magazine.
the complexities of her situation. While she was incredibly
hurricanes of outcome as long as I never forget where I
grateful for the success the book had brought her, she
rightfully live.”
“I was writing all the time,” she said. “I started working
feared anything else she wrote would be a disappointment
there around the time the blogging industry took off, so it
to both her fans and critics. This led her to the thought
went from writing a few pieces a week for the magazine
of early retirement. However, Gilbert said, “If I had given
When broached with the topic of preventing creative
to writing a few pieces a week as well as blogging daily. It
up writing, I would have lost my beloved vocation, so I
burnout, SCAD Atlanta’s CS3 team had plenty of advice
was such a hustle.” After a period she moved to Atlanta,
knew that the task was that I had to find some way to
to give:
still working for TIME. However, six months after her move
gin up the inspiration to write the next book, regardless
she quit her job as style editor to start a less glamorous,
of its inevitable negative outcome. In other words, I had
“It is important to take care of one’s physical and mental
yet more lucrative, career in freelancing. She wrote menial
to find a way to make sure that my creativity survived its
health first and foremost,” said Velez. Diminished brain
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
FEATURE
function coupled with negative self-talk becomes a vicious
of the obligation to focus on the needs of the client or
self-fulfilling prophecy. Fearing failure, students may
company they work for. Creating solely for the benefit of
resist putting pen to paper or brush to canvas, or they
someone else can exhaust a person. Taking time to create
may refuse to try new or different approaches that might
something simply for the love of the process connects
have the potential to open up a window of creative opportunity for them. A simple rule of thumb is that we must identify
“A HEALTHY BODY IS KEY TO A HEALTHY MIND”
the individual to why they wanted to be an artist in the first place. Art therapy, a form of psychological treatment intended to relieve stress,
the things, people, activities that fill us up emotionally and
anxiety and other conditions through free expression,
be sure to include these as a necessary ingredient in our
uses this exact technique for therapeutic benefits.
daily lives. The creative well will always fill again. Keep a file of ideas, pictures etc. that speak to you or inspire you.” The drive for perfection and a fear of failure are the A healthy body is key to a healthy mind. Setting a regular
most common contributing factors of creative burnout.
sleep schedule, eating nutrient-rich meals and getting
However, perfection is unattainable, due to the fact that
out of your workspace into the natural environment are all
it simply does not exist. It’s an illusion. The goal ought
great suggestions that work across the board. These are
to be to get things done as well as they can be in the
not magic cures. To stave off creative burnout indefinitely,
time constraints given. Once a person lets go of the
these need to be worked into one’s way of life, indicative
idea of perfection, creative burnout will be much less
of a marathon rather than a sprint. However, these aren’t
burdensome. Failure is also an incredibly important part
always feasible. The key here is progress rather than
of success and avoiding creative burnout. Success and
perfection. Long sleepless nights are going to occur
failure can’t exist without one another. Learning how to
throughout your education and career. The important note
bounce back from failure, how to learn from failure and
is to make these nights an exception to the rule, rather
how to use that as a strength is key to living a successful
than a regular cycle due to procrastination.
life free of creative burnout. These two ideas boil down to one thing: thought process. Having a positive, healthy
“First, take some time to identify which parts of your
thought process, though difficult to obtain in today’s
wellness have been neglected,” said Cherry. “If it’s
competitive society, is at the root of everything. A healthy
physical, get in a good workout or go for a walk. If
thought process, balanced life and free time to relax. If
it’s intellectual, pick up a book - reread your favorite
you have these three things going for you, you’re already
childhood story or learn something new. If it’s social,
well on your way to a life void of creative burnout.
make some time to sit and talk with a friend or mentor. If it’s spiritual, go into nature or to your preferred religious worship center. Pray or meditate. If it’s emotional, take some time to identify the feelings you are experiencing. Then let them out. Write an angry letter and throw it away. Put on a sad playlist and have a good cry. Above all, don’t forget to breathe.” Another way to get out of a creative slump, or avoid one altogether, is to create without a purpose. That may sound counterintuitive, but for some, it provides exactly that. When artists enter the workplace, there instantly becomes less time to create what they want and love because
27
COMICS CORNER:
WHAT LIGHTS YOUR FIRE?
COMICS CORNER
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2017
ALEXANDRA BADIU, Illustration
CONNIE HERNANDEZ, Sequential Art
MASHA ZHDANOVA, Sequential Art
AHMARA SMITH, Sequential Art
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