guac
Issue 04 Spring 2019 Rich History
Denmark | Egypt | Greece | India | Italy | South Africa | UAE | USA
Letter from the Editor Guac Magazine was founded to celebrate our differences - to break down barriers and facilitate dialogue between people of various cultures and backgrounds. With members from all seven undergraduate colleges at Cornell, Guac embodies its mission. It is a testament to the fact that differences should not drive people apart, but instead bring them together. In the short span of two years, Guac has produced six issues, covering topics from diversity to budget travel to a special issue on Puerto Rico. We have also built a strong presence on Medium with many of our articles recommended by their curators, gaining readership all throughout the world. As my last semester as Editor-in-Chief slowly comes to an end, I am happy to say that Guac will be left in good hands. Over these past two years, I have had the honor and privilege to work and learn from over 100 talented, passionate, and creative individuals. Without their hard work and drive, Guac would not be where it is today. This interdisciplinary and driven team will push Guac to new heights, furthering our mission of being a platform for dialogue among cultures. As my last issue, I am proud to present Rich History. Telling stories of old cities, customs, and local mythology, this issue looks deep into the traditions and legacies of different countries and places, especially those essential to cultural identity and national pride. Here you will learn why the city of Varanasi is significant to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, how hope and progress are embodied by South African culture, and how the design of a chair from Denmark decades ago still has lasting global impacts. Hopefully, this issue will inspire future travel adventures rich in history and stories! Happy travels,
Zeyu Hu Editor-in-Chief
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Table of Contents
Letter from the Editor
A Bomb in Giza Cairo, Egypt
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4
Step by Step: Climbing to the top of Duomo
10
Chinatown
46
Chicago, USA
Florence, Italy
Italy’s Regional Foods Adventures in Greece
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28
Italy
The Danish Chair: A National Icon that “Stol” Our Hearts
50
Copenhagen, Denmark
Greece
Going South in Africa
32
About
58
Special Thanks
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South Africa
Delving Into Dubai Dubai, UAE
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A Bomb in Giza WORDS Dana Slayton PLACE Cairo, Egypt
4
T
hree days before I first catch a glimpse of
trusted my life to a man in a faux leather jacket and
Khufu’s pyramid looming large and monolithic
sunglasses, who drives a dusty sedan like a mad-
over the gray-brown sprawl of eastern Giza from
man to a playlist that alternates between Quran
the dusty window of a sputtering Uber, a bomb ex-
suras and mahraganat, the Egyptianized version of
plodes along the road. Four people in a tour bus
electropop.
die overnight as I wait in my living room for my visa to arrive, as I board a sleek new jet plane bound
As this beat-up car sputters haphazardly towards
for Cairo, as I duck into the musty backseat of this
the last remaining wonders of the ancient world,
beat-up car. The city is full of far too many ancient
the final footprint of a lost and looted generation of
automobiles and far too little space for them to
dead kings, I start looking for potholes.
drive. Life moves at exactly the speed of traffic, a bewildering mania that oscillates ad infinitum be-
The Ring Road in Giza is full of potholes. In a few
tween a standstill and lightspeed. Today, I have en-
places, it is more pothole than road. I don’t know
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“History is both a spine and a sword that runs through Cairo. It is almost stifling, dizzying in its spread and suddenness.� why it is that I start trying to count them. I think
motorbikes, and bumperless taxis of Giza with the
that I’m looking for some kind of divine signage
kind of disinterest only magnificence inspires. And
that certifies the attack here, recognizes it hap-
these seem to materialize out of nowhere, rising
pened, gives it, at the very least, a casual nod of
sharply from the edge of the desert as soon as hab-
acknowledgement. Is there a special pothole? Is
itation stops, a jagged mountain range. One mo-
there a bus-shaped mark in the sand? Is there cau-
ment, I am counting potholes; the next, I am staring
tion tape? Is there a mark anywhere -- aside from
five hundred feet into the sky at a grave which has
the newspapers -- that speaks to the lives stopped
remained standing through earthquakes, wars, and
in their chase after history three days ago along this
robberies for four thousand years. The high-rises
same stretch of cracked asphalt?
and haze of Giza part in an instant to make way for the pyramid, the last stop on this side of the Nile
I lose count after around fifteen potholes. There is
before the road turns east towards the empty des-
no mark here. The only tombs worthy of note along
ert or back west towards Cairo. Beside my Uber at
the Ring Road are the gargantuan limestone pyra-
a stoplight, a woman with wrinkles carved deep in
mids in the sand, keeping watch over the tuk-tuks,
her face peddles vegetables where the asphalt of
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the road bleeds into dust. I lose the shape of her
lence. The echo of my footsteps against the im-
words in the sound of the engine roaring to life as
maculate tile floors of the Egyptian Museum, itself
soon as the light jumps from red to green.
a gilded home for gold-masked mummies, is too quiet to drown out the echo of the activists tor-
History is both a spine and a sword that runs
tured on this same ground less than a decade ago,
through Cairo. It is almost stifling, dizzying in its
after the 2011 protests in Tahrir Square. This now
spread and suddenness. Returning from the pyra-
an ordinary roundabout just outside the museum
mids, I nearly die crossing the street, pass a small
doors, no trace of the demonstrations remaining.
corner store selling macaroni from a single window, then stumble upon a mosque that dates back
Cairo’s enormous Citadel reflects picturesquely
to the ninth century. I nearly die crossing another
in the lens of my camera, but two centuries ago,
street, run into a butcher’s small herd of goats, then
the same ground lay blood-soaked and empty
scramble to remove my shoes and cover my head
when the first Pasha of Egypt, Muhammad Ali,
before entering the tomb of an Ottoman khedive.
slaughtered five hundred Mamluk soldiers here at
If you aren’t careful in Cairo, history will trip you
a banquet. Cairo owes its life to the gathering of its
before you even have the chance to witness it. The
stories. The earth here is a hundred kinds of holy,
past breathes easy here, even when the smog is
and it has no owner, aside from the one that is its
thick, and the traffic is loud and messy.
unofficial moniker -- umm ed-dunya, mother of the world. This ground is populated by pharaohs and
History pierces, though, with unanticipated vio-
vegetable-sellers, soldiers and slaves, this Nile by
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fish and farmers, yachts and Zodiacs, these pyramids by tourists and hecklers, living and dead. When I step down from my Uber at the gate of the Giza pyramids, my eyes turn up towards the sun. Khufu’s pyramid stabs at the sky with daunting placidity. His son and grandson’s monuments mimic his striking indifference, and staring up at them, I start to understand what it means to be somewhere caught between times. To my left, a Pizza Hut glares from a shopping center nearby. To my right, there are only dead kings and desert. The road that separates them is its own kind of cracked asphalt tomb, shattered and sanctified. A bomb goes off on the Ring Road, and four thousand years of history do not bat their eyes, do not turn their heads, do not so much as glance in its direction. I close the car door and leave the loss inside, solemn, a suitcase for the next passenger to carry. The driver cranks his mahraganat and disappears into the beautiful chaos of Giza traffic once more. Life stops, and it goes on.
DANA SLAYTON is originally from Richmond, Virginia. While she proudly agrees with the classification of her hometown as “The Paris of the South,” her heart belongs to Marrakech, Morocco. It is her favorite city in the world because of its constant bustle, exuberant spirit, and rockin’ music scene. Photos credits to Dana Slayton; Pradeep Gopal and Ali Hegazy from Unsplash.com.
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The Value of Varanasi WORDS
Rohan Tyagi PLACE
Varanasi, India
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I
ndia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
still exude and resemble the ancient history of In-
It’s so old that it is incredibly hard to find another
dia. For its entire existence – about 3,000 years – it
place with as much history as this country, but even
has been one of the most important pilgrim centers
as it stands as one of a few in this category, Vara-
for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. It is one of the
nasi is not particularly special in where it started.
seven sacred cities of Hindus, the prominent reli-
As with many ancient civilizations, it started on the
gion of India. Also, it has been home to some of the
bank of a river. Varanasi, also known as Banaras, is
most beautiful silk fabric, ivory work, and sculp-
India’s oldest city and is situated on the Ganges Riv-
tures, making it richer in industry than most expect.
er. As the river gave and took lives, food, and ways of life from its inhabitants, the Varanasi people gave
Varanasi has also been a great center for learning.
it greater meaning, and ever since its inception, it
It is associated with the promotion of spiritualism,
has been the religious capital of India. Thousands
mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and the Hindi language.
of people all over the world take personal journeys
It is also renowned for honoring the ever-famous
to this cultural paradise every year. During his trip
novelists Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous
here, Mark Twain proclaimed, “Banaras is older
saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Also as
than history, older than tradition, and looks twice
the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided
as old as all of them combined.” As many of Va-
the right platform for cultural activities to flourish.
ranasi’s contemporaries – Beijing, Jerusalem, and
Many exponents of dance and music have come
Athens – have moved away from their ancient ways
from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally
of life, the old buildings and traditions of Varanasi
renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan,
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the famous Shehnai player, are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for a major part of their lives. Sarnath, which is only 10 km away from Varanasi, was also where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. All these factors have contributed to the idea that Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Due to its age, tradition, and religious importance, modern-day Varanasi possesses many unique features. One such feature is the hundreds of Ghats that fill the eastern bank of the River Ganges. Now, what are Ghats you ask? They are nothing more than steps or stepped embankments. The city has hundreds of long steps that lead its inhabitants down to the Ganges River. The religious and cultural life in Varanasi mainly stems from the Ganges River itself; therefore, the Ghats allow people to conduct religious ceremonies, take baths, or even wash their clothes directly in this religious body of water. This makes people feel the closest they can to God. Inhabitants wake up as early as 4:30 am to wash themselves in this water and perform rituals. There are also many boats in the water that take people across the 6.5-kilometer-wide river. It is a must-visit for tourists. Another unique part of Varanasi is the quite blatant juxtaposition of life and death that exists on the edge of the river. Throughout the day, the Ghats and the Ganges river are filled with people having fun and enjoying time with friends and family; however, there are also funeral ceremonies that take place reminding everyone of the futility and fragility of life. The ceremonies consist of the cremation and prayers for people’s loved ones. Many spend their last days of life in this city and funerals are really frequent as many Hindus believe that dying in this holy city of Lord Shiva and the Ganges will free them from the cycle of death and rebirth.
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"...Ever since its inception, it has been the religious capital of India." The city is also host to numerous religious festivals.
river. During my own visit two years ago, I went
Mahashivaratri, the great night of the god Shiva,
with my extended family to visit some of the great-
is celebrated by a procession from the Mahamri-
est tourist destinations of India--the Taj Mahal, Am-
tyunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishvanath Temple.
ber Palace, and Hawa Mahal. Out of all these other
The Ganga festival in November or December is
attractions, being in Varanasi and standing on the
dedicated to the goddess of the Ganges River, con-
Ghats was my favorite moment as it made me feel
sidered sacred by all Hindus. Thousands of lamps
like I truly went back in time. The other attractions
are placed on the Ghats and set afloat on the river.
are surrounded by modern cities, while Varanasi of-
The festival of Bharat Milap in October or Novem-
fers a pure historical experience. One of my great-
ber commemorates the reunion of Lord Rama with
est wishes is to revisit the city with my kids when I
his younger brother Bharat after 14 years of exile. A
am older to remind me of my own roots. I hope you
five-day festival of dhrupad, a classical Indian vocal
can find your own way to Varanasi one day.
style, in March attracts renowned artists from all over India to the city’s Tulsi Ghat along the river.
ROHAN TYAGI is from Pleasanton, California and Although the city is rich in culture, religion, and
is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science with a
tradition, the city is poor, demonstrated by a lack
Computer Science major and a Business minor. His favor-
of maintenance in the area. Trash, pollutants, and
ite place to visit is his birth place New Delhi, India.
even human waste can be found inside the river. Despite this, many people still love the area and
Photo credits to Thomas Young, Frank Holleman, Shrey
spend most of their days on the Ghats and in the
Khurana from Unsplash.com.
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Adventures in Greece: Ancient, Rowdy, and Mysterious WORDS Garrett Hastings PLACE Greece
A
s an archaeology major here at Cornell, I searched for a program abroad where I could
learn about a location’s ancient material culture while being on-site, which I found with the College Year in Athens program. So, last spring, I found myself meandering off of a plane and into a new country with a new language. It wouldn’t take long before I found myself loving the country and chindeep in adventure. My weeks in Athens would take me all around the various ruins and museums of the area: Mount Agleo, where Xerxes watched the Battle of Salamis, the Necropolis (ancient cemetery), and Agora (marketplace), where the Athenians, and later Romans, would honor the dead, trade, and mint coins, and the port city of Piraeus, where the ancient Athenians kept their shipyards and had access to the trade market.
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“The sheer depth of history emanating all around me was overwhelming. It was as if my small time on this earth was nothing compared to the weight and life of these structures.” My escapades began that first night
were so clear and bright that it was
when my roommates and I wan-
the most resplendent starry night
dered about the streets of Athens
scene I had ever witnessed. North-
and around the Acropolis. It was
ern Greece and the Peloponnese
awe-inspiring. Only once ever in my
also have some of the most majes-
life have I been surrounded by such
tic mountains I have seen, including
a quantity of massive, ancient struc-
snowy tops and ski slopes. The trip
tures. This was a luxury I could not
to the Peloponnese included more
indulge in within the United States.
beautiful mountains and seaports
The sheer depth of history emanat-
with delicious, fresh seafood. I had
ing all around me was overwhelm-
the opportunity to see the Franchthi
ing. It was as if my small time on this
Cave (where the earliest evidence
earth was nothing compared to the
of seafaring trade was found), My-
weight and life of these structures.
cenae (a famous Mycenaean site), and Olympia (where the Temple of
Later, I went on three separate trips
Zeus and the original Olympic stadi-
outside of Athens, visiting Delphi,
um reside). Our final trip to Thessa-
the Peloponnese, and Thessaloni-
loniki gave us more time to explore
ki. High in the mountains, Delphi is
Greece’s second largest city, one
home to the Oracle, a high priest-
quite modern in comparison.
ess of Apollo who was said to have predicted the future. Delphi not
I also had the chance to experience
only has memorable ruins, such
a few of Greece’s many islands. The
as the massive Temple of Apollo
first island I traveled to was Rhodes.
and the famous circular structure
Between the magnificent environ-
that has no known meaning, but
ment and rich history, it became
also breathtaking scenery, even at
my favorite. Rhodes is home to the
night. Exploring after dark, the stars
most pleasing archaeological
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museum I have ever been to, full of elaborate mosaics and a luscious garden. Next was Aegina, whose true beauty I found in a citadel with sweeping views all around. Following a path of the ruins of Byzantine churches, the wind blows you to the top where you witness the undulating mountains cascading across the landscape and then into the sea. Tinos is a quiet island that is more traditional and less touristy, which was something I rather enjoyed. It was even enjoyable when my friend and I were stuck on the side of a cliff in a car with a dead battery in a rainstorm in the middle of the night. What makes this island unique is the plethora of pigeon and goat houses that appear to be ruins on the hillside. Though touristy, I found places of separation and peace in Santorini, such as a lighthouse on the south side and the sunrise in Kamari. It would have been better, however, if I didn’t step on a sea urchin. It took forever to pull those spines out! I still have a few pieces left in my foot: a souvenir, I guess. Crete is an island I barely scratched the surface of and would definitely go back to. There’s the menacing, yet awe-inspiring, Cave of Zeus and the Palace at Knossos, where King Minos supposedly lived. Greek culture is something that I was fortunate enough to experience and would recommend others to as well. For example, I watched the Easter fireworks and celebrated Carnival in Patras. Carnival originally started as a festival for Dionysus. The celebration is about 180 years old and was first celebrated after liberation from the Turks. The early part of the night was when the parade marched its way down the streets. After that, the partying spilled out of the bars and crowded the streets to a point where you couldn’t walk. The morning after Carnival, I hiked uphill to visit a Medieval castle while my friends slept. It was silent, and I could see the mountains continue for miles while the waters extended until they hit northern Greece and off
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to the northwest. I was entranced by this massive
before disappearing. Needless to say, I darted out
structure, and I meditatively meandered about be-
of there. You might say, “Garrett, that was a cat
fore finding the Roman Odeon, a theatre with ex-
or a middle-aged man on roller blades with night
quisite mosaics adjacent to it.
vision goggles.” But, cats’ eyes reflect, and these were glowing. Also, the spot was on a ledge, so
This lovely land also embodies a creepier tone.
whatever it was had to be at least six feet tall.
Within my first week, I decided to visit the First Athens Cemetery, a cemetery first used in the
Surprisingly enough, this was the scariest thing to
1800s. It was a dark and stormy night, and I skulked
happen, despite the fact that I made it a point to
over around midnight. I had heard that this was
visit some of the other legendary haunted loca-
one of the most haunted places in Greece, but I
tions, including a Sanatorium part-way up Mount
didn’t think much of it. I was meandering about
Parnitha and the Davelis Cave on Mount Penteli.
the cemetery, eyeing the fence for a way inside,
Don’t get me wrong, they were both creepy. The
when I spotted a pair of glowing stark-white eyes
Park of Souls (a sort of cemetery with eerie wood-
from within. They filled me with a sense of dread
en statues staked into the ground to represent the
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souls who were tortured by tuberculosis) next to
try with a fascinating culture, welcoming people,
the Sanatorium, along with the spirit contact the
a beautiful landscape, wonderful food, and a rich
night of Friday the 13th, made it a night not to for-
history. One day I hope to return to experience and
get. The Davelis Cave, with a Byzantine Church
relive all that I missed.
standing out front, a history of Satanic and Pan cults inside, and quite a terrifying reputation that even makes locals shiver, was very intimidating, despite nothing supernatural happening during the adventure. My adventures in Greece were times never to be forgotten. These descriptions only barely scratch the surface of Greece’s wonders. There’s also Meteora, where monasteries were built into rock formations that seem to burst out from the ground into cliffs, and Flisvos Harbor, where the model trireme (an ancient warship of the Classic Greek era), The Olympias, resides. Greece is a unique coun-
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GARRETT HASTINGS is from North Chittenden, Vermont and is a senior at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a double major in Archaeology and Performing and Media Arts. His favorite city is Athens, Greece because of the time he spent there studying abroad. The city is walkable, interesting, and filled with ancient relics and foundations. For videos about the places in this article as well as more awesome content, visit bit.ly/garretthastings. Photo credits to Garrett Hastings; Caroline Christiano from Unsplash.com.
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Step by Step: Climbing to the top of Duomo WORDS
Lauren McBrearty PLACE
Florence, Italy
W
andering the streets of Florence is like trav-
When I visited Florence, Il Duomo was on the top of
eling back in time. Of course, the city buzz-
my list of things to see (and it deserves a top spot
es with the vitality of a modern locale. Its throngs of
on your list too!). At first sight, I was immediate-
tourists, who chat on cell phones and snap photos
ly enamored with the detailed exterior. Decorated
with digital cameras, flock to the city to shop for
in white, green, and reddish-brown and featuring
the newest fashions and eat at the trendiest restau-
ornamental, religious statues, it is something to
rants. But even now, in the 21st century, Florence’s
behold. I could have spent hours just staring at
vibrant past maintains a strong echo. You can slip
the outside, but the line to enter the church was
away from the clamor of contemporary life simply
already stretching around the building. I decided to
by turning a corner onto a cobblestone road and
add myself to the queue, so as not to miss out on
immersing yourself in Florence’s history.
the treasures inside.
Almost everywhere you look you can find old archi-
The interior of the church commands the same rev-
tecture and Renaissance art, but the city’s crown
erence as the outside, for its elegance as well as its
jewel is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, oth-
sacerdotal purpose. Its massive ceilings, intricately
erwise known as “Il Duomo”. Constructed mostly
patterned floors, and the arched columns that sur-
during the 14th century, the Cathedral’s existence
round the pews left me awestruck. But the most
was spurred by competition between the Ital-
beautiful part of the church is the fresco painted on
ian city-states (Italy was not unified until the late
the domed ceiling above the altar, done by Giorgio
1800s). During the Renaissance, Florence was one
Vasari and Frederico Zuccari. Work began in 1572,
of the wealthiest and most powerful of these cit-
after the commission from the Grand Duke Cosimo
ies, and home to one of the most important fami-
I de’Medici. The fresco depicts both Heaven and
lies at the time, the Medici family. The structure of
Hell, as well as scenes of the Last Judgment and
the church reflects Florence’s impressive past, as it
themes taken from Dante’s Divine Comedy. It was
looms above the city in grandiose fashion.
finished in 1579, and yet it remains an absolute
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masterpiece; the ceiling still maintains its vibrant
The tour began with the distribution of headsets,
color. I was able to see this fresco up close, which
so that each person could hear the tour guide, even
is the real adventure...
if they were in the back of the line. Once that was done, we embarked. Very quickly I realized this
When I exited the church, people milled about the
wouldn’t necessarily be a comfortable trek. The
streets, excited to discover something new. In the
stairways we entered were dark and narrow. There
commotion, a group of people with clipboards
were people both behind and in front of me, and
made their way towards tourists, offering them
the only place to go was forward with the flow of
something. What it was I couldn’t tell. I was skepti-
the others. This was not a place for someone who
cal at first, because it seems that in touristy cities
was even remotely claustrophobic. Despite the
everyone is trying to sell you something that’s not
piece of modern technology I had plugged into my
worth buying. But when I heard the voice of one
ears, I could imagine what it was like hundreds of
woman carry over the noise of the crowd, I was
years ago for the people who climbed these same
intrigued with what she said. “…to the top of the
steps, although they were likely there for reasons
Duomo!” To the top? I thought, yes please! I didn’t
other than mine.
know how to get there, but suddenly I knew I needed to. I inquired from a man with a clipboard how I
Eventually we came to a room, which was relatively
could achieve my new goal. He explained that if I
open and offered a good place to stop and breathe.
bought a ticket, I would be taken on a tour through
The room was divided in half by a gate and behind
the stairways which run between the inner and out-
it were statutes of religious figures, who looked
er walls of the church, all the way to the top of the
down at us with sorrowful expressions. What had
cupola, otherwise known as Brunelleschi’s Dome,
these eyes seen over their many years?
where I could stand and look out at the city below
Continuing on, we shuffled through more narrow
me. Although the ticket wasn’t exactly cheap, it
passageways until we arrived inside again. By in-
wasn’t terribly expensive and worth every euro.
side, I mean inside the actual church, near where
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I had been before. I looked down at the visitors
be built without any scaffolding. The herringbone
standing by the altar and they looked so small from
pattern of the inner shell’s bricks, which I had been
where I stood. Because this time, instead of gaz-
walking next to this whole time, was designed as
ing up at the fresco from the church’s floor, I was
a self-supporting structural element. Hundreds of
right next to it, on the walkway that wraps around
years later, Brunelleschi’s idea still holds up, liter-
the base of the ceiling. The fresco was absolute-
ally.
ly beautiful up close. When I was on the ground, I didn’t think it could get better, but being so near to
Although the inside of the passageway was inter-
it allowed me to really appreciate the details of the
esting, it was really quite dark, and I was ready
work. I could see the faces painted on each indi-
to come back to the light. My prayers were soon
vidual figure; I could read the expressions of devils
answered – we had finally reached the top. It is
and angels alike.
difficult to describe how I felt standing on the top of the Duomo. The sight was breathtaking (I prom-
I didn’t want to leave this walkway. I wanted to
ise I hadn’t lost my breath from climbing all those
stand and look at the ceiling for hours, taking in
stairs!). Really, you have to go and see it for your-
everything there was to see. But alas, there was an-
self. Gazing out over Florence, I felt larger than life,
other group behind us and mine had to proceed.
but I could also appreciate how small I was. I could
Back into dark stairways we went. As we climbed
see people milling about the streets, seemingly
higher, our guide explained how the church and the
small as ants, and I could also see how the world
passageways were built. She offered facts about
stretched far beyond each individual. For me, his-
Filippo Brunelleschi, the dome’s architect for whom
tory is like that too. Each day, each moment can
it is named. “The dome”, she explained, “was built
seem so long, but in the grand scheme of things it’s
between 1418 and 1434. It is made of two shells,
only a blip in the timeline. But here, in Florence, I
and we are walking between the two.” Interest-
could peer back into a time that I could have never
ingly enough, Brunelleschi’s idea to use a double
known otherwise and see a world in which others
shell, which was an incredibly innovative approach
lived. At the top of the Duomo, the moments of
to construction at the time, allowed the dome to
others past became my own as well.
LAUREN MCBREARTY
is from Rocky Point, NY. Her favorite city to visit is Florence, Italy because of its great food, beautiful language, and the way in which simply wandering its streets feels timeless and romantic. Photos credits to Ami Kurosaki and Lauren McBrearty
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Italy’s Regional Foods WORDS
Renee Williamson PLACE
Various regions, Italy
28
I
can’t take another bite. After the antipasto, or first course, of prosciutto and melon, the primo
piatto (second course) of tortelloni with ragù, and the secondo piatto (third course) of potatoes and chicken cacciatore and green beans, there is no way I have space left in my stomach. My friend’s nonna (grandma) asks me if I would like dessert, a dolce, and I politely decline with a “no, grazie.” With a look of shock she responds, Come no? (What do you mean by no?) and serves me homemade tiramisu. So I find some more room in my stomach, take a deep breath, and dig in. That was my first traditional Italian meal. For the week prior I had eaten just pasta for lunch, so I eagerly filled up on the nonna’s tortelloni (a larger version of tortellini), not expecting the following secondo piatto and dolce. I am not Italian at all, so I never had a nonna of my own and I was happy to claim Nonna Lidia as my nonna italiana. Spending hour after hour in her kitchen during the summer, the air
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conditioning attempting to overcome the heat of the stove, I went from being a girl who did not like pasta to a girl who now adores tagliatelle a ragù (think fettucine with a meat sauce). Nonna Lidia taught me how to make tagliatelle, although it was rather embarrassing to realize that an 87 year-old nonna had stronger arms than I did when kneading the dough. It’s a fond memory I think about when I make tagliatelle in my own kitchen when I want a taste of “home”. At the table, I learned about the dishes important to Romagna, a part of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. In Romagna, there is a type of bread called piadina that is a mix between a tortilla and pita. It tastes amazing when paired with some Nutella on top for breakfast, meat in between for lunch, or made into a crescione (a crossover between an Italian quesadilla and a calzone) for dinner. Too often I catch myself thinking about a pumpkin, potato, cheese and sausage crescione which makes my mouth water.
“ ‘Italian food’ did not mean only pasta but included a tradition of a variety of foods, depending on the region. ”
How can you digest all this good food without a good cup of coffee? Italians take pride in their delicious espresso and cappuccino, but don’t make the faux pas of ordering a cappuccino after breakfast. Once you experience the rich, dark flavors of Italian coffee, it’s easy to see why they look down on American roasts. I don’t particularly mind American coffee, but Rosa, a friend I
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made during my first summer in Italy, insisted on buying me a moka, a machine to make Italian coffee at home, so I could take it back to America and remember her by it. I was glad for it, as I found that I do prefer Italian coffee. I have also become quite fond of caffè d’orzo, a coffee made of roasted barley rather than coffee beans developed during the embargo on fascist Italy during World War II. During my time in Italy, I discovered every region and every city has its own flavor, and developed an insatiable appetite to try them all. Steak in Tuscany, Spritz in Venice, pesto in Genoa, lasagna in Bologna, cannoli in Sicily, babà and pizza in Naples, pasticiotti in Lecce, and spicy pasta in Calabria. I learned that Italians don’t just eat spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread. I learned that “Italian food” did not mean only pasta but included a tradition of a variety of foods, depending on region. I learned I like mussels when I tried them with spaghetti at my adopted zii’s (aunt and uncle’s) house in Rome for the first time. I have so many friends who have become like family after sitting at the dinner table together, and with them, I found that the best way to get an authentic taste of Italy is to eat (and drink!). There are so many flavors and many more stories behind them. Fresh and rich in history, the food of Italy will always be the highlight of my experience, just like the people I was able to share it with.
RENEE WILLIAMSON is from Statesville, NC and is a senior studying Italian and Psychology. Her favorite city is Palermo in Sicily, Italy, because of its rich history, interesting architecture, vicinity to the beach, and amazing food. Photos credits to Auri Ford and Renee Williamson
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Going South in Africa WORDS
Kaitlin Martin PLACE
South Africa
“W
ait, so the girl who tweeted Weezer to cover Toto’s Afri-
ca goes to our high school?” Yes, she does, and this nostalgic remix is the anthem for my South African adventure. It is one of my last adventures with my friends before heading off to college, making these memories all the more special. After visiting South Africa, I am touched by the hope and vibrancy within the citizens. From archeological to historical, South Africa has a varied and important history which impacts the entire world.
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Cradle of Humankind Our first stop is the Cradle of Humankind. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the Sterkfontein Caves which hold fossils as old as 3.3 million years. After taking in the breathtaking scenery, we are tossed orange hard hats and led into one of the caves. It is surreal being able to walk around lands inhabited by humans for millions of years. We also have the chance to see the visitor’s center, Maropeng, a Setswana word which means ‘returning to the place of our origins.’ The Cradle of Humankind is not only a part of South Africa’s history; it represents the entire world’s point of origin.
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Kruger National Park After traveling five hours along the Panorama Route, we arrive at Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga where we are fortunate enough to go on two eight-hour tours. Kruger, originally known as Sabie Game Reserve, was founded in 1898 establishing itself as the first and largest national park in South Africa. It is also the first game reservation to prohibit hunting and preserve natural wildlife. Along with the spectacular array of animals, the park is home to cultural artifacts from over 30,000 years ago. The park currently focuses on both animal and cultural conservation and has five trademark animals, known as the big five, that are a must-see: African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, and Rhino. Waking up at four in the morning not only allows us to see the park’s sunrise, but we also have the chance to see the animals during their most active part of the day. Watching the sunrise over the Sahara reminds us that everyone starts and ends their day with this same sun. This sense of unity stays with us throughout the remainder of the trip.
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Johannesburg In Johannesburg’s historic town of Soweto, we visit both the Mandela House and the Apartheid Museum. The town is well-known in South Africa for its strong ties to apartheid. The Soweto Uprisings in 1976 sparked the beginnings of the African National Congress, the lead anti-apartheid opposition group. Nelson Mandela is a celebrated member of the group who lived in Soweto both during and after his imprisonment, eventually becoming the president of South Africa. The Mandela house on 8115 Orlando West is now a national monument, displaying awards and accolades earned by the late president over the course of his life. His family donated it so that children would be educated about the struggle South Africa endured in the late twentieth century. We are also fortunate enough to visit the sobering Apartheid Museum. Much like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, visitors are given a card that they are supposed to identify with throughout the museum. My card says white while my friends’ cards say colored which means that we must split up and go through different entryways separated by metal rails, forcing us all to recognize the day-to-day impact of apartheid on South Africans lives. While it is hard to read many of the stories posted in the museum, it is essential for us to understand the country’s past to better understand its current conditions. South Africa has a lot of promise, more than I think most realize. A sense of optimism arises from this country still rebuilding from the structural upheaval which took place less than thirty years ago. Cape Town Once in Cape Town, we head to Robben Island where Mandela spent eighteen years of his life. The tour shows us the small cells and horrific living conditions this now decommissioned prison had for its prisoners. Former prisoners now give tours of the site so that the public can have a face-to-face interaction with survivors. It is moving to hear our guide’s experience while in prison. It seems like a sad juxtaposition to be on such a beautiful island that has seen so many horrors. We then travel to the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest building in all of South Africa. Built in 1679, it is the longest surviving building in South Africa and hopes to become the country’s next UNESCO World Heritage site. Cape Town’s coastal location allows us to taken in lush scenery while also learning more about our host country, making it even harder to say goodbye.
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37
South Africa teaches people the importance of hope and progress. Though this country endured the horrors of apartheid, citizens truly want what is best for their nation. Every South African we encounter has a tenacious sense of optimism, spreading pride for their country wherever they go. I am so moved by the beauty and hope found here that I get the outline of Table Mountain, a natural landmark in Cape Town, tattooed on my abdomen so that I never forget my memories of this spectacular country.
38
KAITLIN MARTIN is from Rocky River, Ohio and is a freshman in the Industrial and Labor Relations School. Her favorite city is Sedona, Arizona due to its blend of Native American, Mexican and American culture as well as its relaxing sunny climate and emphasis on crystals and meditation. Photos credits to Kaitlin Martin
39
Delving Into Dubai WORDS
Zahra Masih PLACE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
40
41
W
hat makes a tourist city a tourist city? Is it the hustle of the locals fleeing to their av-
erage daily lives or the smell of exoticism in the air? Is it a cuisine that dances on the tastebuds or a site that illuminates the retinas? Or is it simply an embodiment of the unknown? A kind of mystery that leaves outsiders in a state of suspense, waiting to discover a secret only achieved at arrival? Every place has a history unique to its own traditions, people, and cuisine, yet this is sometimes overshadowed by the modern attractions. Dubai, a growing city located in the United Arab Emirates, perfectly encapsulates this idea, by brewing a mixture of modern and traditional feats. I am sure I maintained the same thought process as any tourist does in visiting Dubai. I have wanted to go to this thriving city ever since I learned of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. Dubai is central to a variety of different entertainment hubs, displaying everything from a financially vibrant to a culturally rich society. I have the opportunity to stay among Dubai’s city life for a mere three days in transit to a final destination. Despite its shortness, I learn more than I ever expect. A pleasant surprise is the fact that Dubai is much more than a pedestal for the Burj Khalifa. After observing its breathtaking views, I find myself intrigued by the products Dubai had to offer. I walk through Dubai Mall not interested in the sweet smells of cappuccinos or eye-candied international brands, but rather to the small shops that reminisce of a traditional Dubai. Peppered throughout the mall are little stalls selling everything from kaftans to Arab musk. It inspires me to delve deeper. It is what all history classes speak about in at least one lecture: history needs to be remembered in order for we, as a people, to learn and innovate. It inspires new ideas while learning from old ones. The history of an area is intertwined in the roots
42
of a country, yet can be lost in the confines of new
toward the time and people reflected. I read about
technology and forthcoming attractions. This may
the impressive feats of the nomadic Bedouins, peo-
happen in a variety of places, in which history is
ple who maintained lifestyles centered around in-
something that needs to be glorified in order to
dependency, who prospered with the provisions of
remain relevant. Dubai glorifies its history by hon-
animals and tents. I gaze gratefully at the Islamic
oring locations imperative to its growth. What was
artworks while absorbing the importance of pearl
Dubai before its famous architecture or its one-of-
trading for the local merchants. I cannot help but
a-kind tourist attractions? What traditional secrets
think that these are the very roots of Dubai’s flow-
lay paved in the streets of ‘Old Dubai’?
ering enterprise.
Deep in the caverns of the Dubai museum, I find my
An important classification of Dubai is the location-
answers. The museum itself is within Al Fahidi Fort,
al distribution of its attractions. Dubai is a city that
the oldest building in all of Dubai. With a prime lo-
acknowledges both its timely roots and newborn
cation near the water, this fort was once utilized
innovations. However, these two sects are neatly
for the housing of weapons and prisoners. It is also
divided into two portions of the city, directly la-
surrounded by a neighborhood imperative for trade
beled as “New Dubai” and “Old Dubai." What is the
routes, which still maintains its historical integrity
most surprising to me is the fact that I am not even
today. The museum intertwined within this living
aware of this distinction until speaking to some of
history is reminiscent of the late 18th century. It is
my family who are locals to the area. The “New
dimly lit and each exhibition is crafted as a tribute
Dubai” is the Dubai most tourists flock toward. It
43
44
ties together many cultural entities, everything
looks at the new in a transitional state. This piece
from the dazzling coastal views of the Palm-al-Ju-
is particularly sentimental, framing a better, future
meirah (a palm-tree shaped man-made island) to
Dubai with inspirations from a past Dubai. I take a
the international holiday markets celebrating the
picture of the frame as my final commemoration
diffusion of different identities. The architecture of
of staying in this city. No matter how technolog-
New Dubai is sleek in structure and is frontier in its
ically savvy a place may be, or how an anciently
design. This is represented in almost every building
beautiful area may be glorified, there is always a
along Dubai’s streets, and most obviously present
balance between respecting the country’s history
in its gorgeous skyline. Old Dubai, on the other
and its future. Though I leave Dubai not knowing its
hand, represents a more traditional perspective
full history, blissfully unaware of many of their cul-
of Dubai’s people more so than its history. Packed
tural practices and completely unversed in the vast
among small, crowded sidewalks lay street vendors
majority of its attractions, I find myself in a content
selling every cultural food known to man. The air is
state of mind simply because of my unique expe-
filled with laughter, language and a harmony of co-
riences. Sometimes, we just need to look past the
existence. Each segment of Old Dubai is populated
eyes of the tourist, and into the eyes of a local, to
by a cultural group, and such culture seeps into the
understand just a detailed smidge of the previously
very essence of Old Dubai’s streets. I observe a line
unknown.
of restaurants enticing locals with the smells of everything from chicken tandoori to Greek souvlaki.
ZARAH MASIH is from Westchester, New York and is a freshman pursuing Biology in the College of Arts and
After a filling Mediterranean dinner of lamb shank
Sciences. Her favorite city is Dubai because of its breath-
over rice and a browse through the multitude of
taking views and delicious cuisines.
Dubai’s famous gold shops, I look at the darkened skyline of Dubai. Here lies the Dubai Frame, a trib-
Photo credits to: Zarah Masih; Ashim D. Silva and
ute to Old Dubai looking into New Dubai. The old
Zosia Korcz from Unsplash
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Chinatown: Nostalgia, Segregation or Vacuum Space
I
WORDS
t was an extremely windy in February in Chicago.
Kexin Lou PLACE
Wrapping my coat around me, I was walking to the Chinatown in Chicago. I saw a colorful giant dragon lantern right on the sidewalk, even when I was still half a mile away from my destination. “That’s it. We are here.” I whispered to my friend. As an international student from China, every Chinatown in big cities is a must-see tourist spot. From Singapore to the States and from San Francisco to New York, I have been to so many Chinatowns outside China. There are always some essential factors to help you recognize one: adorned with a Dragon gate where two dragons sit, a horizontal inscribed board on the top of the gate which usually has a quote by Confucius, rows of small stores selling Chinese groceries and some billboards written in traditional Chinese characters.
Chicago, United States
46
Since most immigrants settled down in metropoles, only big cities have developed Chinatowns. Some Chinatowns have over a hundred years of history. Last Thanksgiving break, I visited San Francisco. The Chinatown there is famous for being the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America. As a tourist, I can see the cultural sediments accumulate over the years, buried under the streets of Chinatown. It was like a time machine, taking me back to China in the 1980s. Every corner of Chinatown still remained in an old way like a time womb. I see hospitals, grocery stores, post offices and even banks. People are talking to each other with a mixture of Mandarin and Cantonnese. I can feel that some of the elderly still retain traditional cultures and lifestyles, preferring to go to local food markets instead of Target, buying herbal medicines and going to see practitioners of Chinese medicine, and eating dim sum for breakfast. Living in such a supportive and traditional community, the elderly may never have the need to step outside of Chinatown. The values and spirits of Chinatown are deeply rooted in every immigrant’s mind and influence generation by generation.
47
However,
Chinatown
always
presents a sharp contrast with a
taining its traditions, heritage,
Thanksgiving break, I dragged
and classics.
my friends to Chinatown in the
clear boundary from the rest of
city. Stepping inside the Chi-
the city. Compared to those sky-
Do I ever feel nostalgic? Do I ever
natown was like going into a
lines, whether it be in Chicago,
feel a sense of belonging in Chi-
bubble. I immediately sensed
New York or San Francisco, the
natown?
a mixture of familiarity and
layout of Chinatown is always
strangeness. It was probably the
filled with low rise buildings,
These are two very difficult
only place I could see so many
temples, and streets lined with
questions to answer.
Chinese characters and get the
old shophouses. The tone of the
best boba and Chinese cuisine.
neighborhood are always red
Born and raised in China, I’ve
I felt warm and welcomed when
and gold, indicating the wish of
lived in Hangzhou, a beautiful
people in the restaurants spoke
more wealth and good fortune
city an hour away from Shang-
to me in Chinese, recommend-
in Chinese culture. All the in-
hai, for the past eighteen years.
ed the best Sichuan cuisine and
frastructures and architectural
Coming to Ithaca, a place with
added peppers to every dish. But
styles look old-fashioned. How-
limited exposure to Chinese cul-
still, I felt a sense of strangeness.
ever, on the other side of the city,
ture, I missed home quite often
The cities I’ve lived and visited
it’s lined with newly built sky-
throughout freshman year. I still
in China bear no resemblance
scrapers where the heart of the
remember craving authentic Chi-
to the buildings and stores of
city is located. It shows a com-
nese food during my first semes-
Chinatown. In my hometown,
pletely different lifestyle; one
ter. I’d dreamed of visiting NYC
the streets are clean and there
with modernization, efficiency
since the beginning of the school
are numerous high rise build-
and technology while still main-
year and when it was finally
ings which form a skyline near
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the West Lake - a famous tourist
easily adopting some common
spot. There is a laser show every
values and cultures even though
night, lighting up the entire city.
it is quite different from my pre-
Even now when I go back home
vious experiences back home.
twice a year, my city always sur-
The obstinate and unchanged
prises me with newly developed
settings of Chinatown some-
technologies
times make me feel very distant
and
prosperous
economies. It doesn’t share any
from this culture.
similarities with Chinatown in the city.
KEXIN LOU is from Hangzhou, China and is a sophomore studying Information Science. Her favorite city is Kyoto because of its traditional culture and local food.
But it is exactly these distinct characteristics that give China-
Despite these physical differenc-
town its unique existence. Not
es, I still couldn’t find a sense of
able to be defined and not be-
belonging. Partially because the
longing anywhere, it captures
whole setting of Chinatown is
and portrays the most fragile
still in the ‘80s style, I couldn’t
part of traditional culture.
relate to how people lived at that time. The existence of Chinatown is out of place and out of time. Moreover, Chinatown is a very exclusive community for early immigrants. As an international student, I found myself
49
Photo credits to Kexin Lou; Lerone Pieters and Wes Hicks from Unsplash.com
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The Danish Chair: A National Icon that “Stol” Our Hearts WORDS
Stephanie Roh PLACE
Copenhagen, Denmark
T
anned arms and long, lean legs extend towards you at striking angles, almost asking
to be embraced. Arched backs flow like ribbons in the wind yet are as strong as trees. Their elegant bodies beckon you to come closer. I am tempted to touch, but then I remember I am not allowed. I am in a museum after all. And what I am staring at are not Greek sculptures, but Danish chairs. As I stroll through the Danish Design Museum’s exhibition on “The Danish Chair,” I am overwhelmed by the beauty of these masterpieces that have withstood the test of time. Brazil has its Carnaval, the Netherlands has its windmills, Egypt has its pyramids. Denmark, on the other hand, is perhaps the only country in the world that is known for their well-crafted chairs (and maybe Vikings). No matter where you are, you will find a chair, or “stol” in Danish, designed by Danish design legends like Finn Juhl or Arne Jacobsen. Some would argue
My favorite chair, the 45 Chair by Finn Juhl
Hygge: n. (pronounced hoo-guh), a Danish word that roughly translates to a feeling of coziness (imagine a rainy Sunday afternoon with your best friend at home with the fireplace crackling, candles glowing, wool blankets strewn across laps, and a steamy mug of hot cocoa in hand, talking about nothing and everything at the same time.)
51
that these chairs are the pinnacle of design. Even
can take shape in an infinite number of ways.
people who couldn’t care less about furniture
Many skilled designers from the Danish Academy
could recognize an Arne Jacobsen-designed “egg
of Fine Arts took a crack at redesigning the chair
chair” if they saw one. When it comes to the com-
during the modernist Golden Age of Danish furni-
petitive world of design, Denmark is like the short
ture art from the 1920s to the 1970s. Designers ex-
kid in class that secretly has a black belt: small,
perimented with a wide range of materials (met-
yet mighty.
al, cow hide, leather, plastic, wood) and forms (resembling ants, teddy bears, peacocks, shells,
Denmark’s design prowess can be traced back
pelicans) that were radically different from what
to its gloomy weather. As a northern nation sur-
most people were used to, and that is what made
rounded by several seas, Denmark receives about
them so exciting. All around the world, people fell
171 days of rain each year, while famously “rainy”
in love with the chairs. By the end of the Golden
London merely gets 107. Winters are long, cold,
Age, these chairs had propelled humble design-
and dark—in December, the sun sets at an early
ers like Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, Finn Juhl,
3:30pm. During these harsh winters, Danes spend
and Arne Jacobsen to global fame and provided
most of their time inside their homes. As a result,
them with a receptive and eager audience who
they care deeply about design in order to make
supported their other design projects that includ-
their homes as comfortable and “hyggelig” as pos-
ed tables, lighting, cabinets, and entire homes.
sible. And as a wealthy nation, many can afford to invest in long-lasting, high-quality furniture and decor. With their Viking determination and strong spirit, Danes realized that if they were going to live in such a dreary place, they might as well do everything they can to make winters more enjoyable instead of letting nature reign. One element of the home that is taken very seriously is the chair. Chairs demonstrate the perfect intersection between functionality and art, like a sculpture that you can admire and interact with every day. Moreover, chairs are highly regarded because they have the unique power to reflect the identity and status of its owner. For example, what kind of person comes to mind when you think of a leather La-Z-Boy, a plastic time-out chair, a velvet lounge chair, or a wooden rocking chair? To designers, the chair presents a great opportunity to test their creativity because it is such a basic, yet vital object in our daily lives that The chair reinvented in File Under Pop’s showroom.
52
“ When it comes to the competitive world of design, Denmark is like the short kid in class that secretly has a black belt: small, yet mighty.”
The steel-framed Triangolo Chair was designed by Per Holland Bastrup in 1989.
The Danish Chair exhibition at the Danish Design Museum (Grete Jalk’s GJ Chair on the upper left and Hans Wegner’s Shell Chair on the lower left).
53
STEPHANIE ROH is a senior studying Environmental Science from Weehawken, New Jersey, and her favorite city is Copenhagen. She adores their design and architecture scene, fashion brands (Stine Goya!), sourdough bread, elderflower juice, and most of all cycling!
It is truly incredible how a simple object such as the chair can capture the essence of an entire nation and garner appreciation for Scandinavian modern design in faraway places like the United States. Furthermore, the fact that Danish chairs are still popular decades after their conception is a strong testament to their timeless and elegant
Photo credits to Stephanie Roh Illustration credits to Daisy Dai
design. For any country looking to boost their global influence, the success story of the Danish chair proves that you should never underestimate the power of good design.
My Top 3 Favorite chairs: 1. The 45 Chair, Finn Juhl, 1945 A true timeless masterpiece. Has been dubbed “the mother of all modern chairs.� The 45 Chair was one of the first chairs to break tradition by freeing the upholstered part of the chair from the wooden frame. 2. The GJ Chair, Grethe Jalk, 1963 As one of the only female designers to become famous during the Golden Age, Grete Jalk made a name for herself with this curving teakwood chair. Its complex, sculptural quality makes it the perfect eye-catching art piece. 3. The Round Chair, Hans J. Wegner, 1949 Wegner, a master in the trade, placed importance on comfort and ergonomics to support the human, in form and in heart. The Round Chair, with its simple, curving armrests, was his most popular design.
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About
Guac
Guac is an award-winning travel publication run by an interdisciplinary group of students at Cornell University. We aim celebrate cultural diversity and inspire communities to view the world with an open mind. AUG 2017
NOV 2017
Let's start a travel magazine
Hidden Gems, Our First Issue
The headline news story was of President Trump's travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations. As international students, we wanted to value of diversity to be appreciated and known. This is why we started a travel magazine. To celebrate the beauty of the world and inspire people to go out and experience different cultures for themselves.
For our first issue, we wanted to truly show the different level of diversity the world has to offer. This is why we chose the theme Hidden Gems. Written by friends who traveled to various interesting places, this issue exposes some of the world’s best kept secrets that is often overlooked by travelers.
JAN 2018
MARCH 2018
NOW
40 Students, 14 Countries
Perkins Prize
More than a magazine
After a semester, we grew into a publication of 40 students from 14 countries, representing 5 different continents. This is only the start, we are only getting bigger and more diverse!
Only after 8 months, Guac Magazine was awarded an honorary mention for the James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial & Intercultural Peace & Harmony. We believe we are the youngest club at Cornell to have ever been awarded with this honor.
We are embarking on a new and exciting journey to expand our impact beyond delivering high quality print magazines. We are creating a growing community where diverse voices can be heard and barriers will be broken.
Find us on guacmag.com, Medium Guac Magazine, Facebook Guac Magazine, Instagram @guacmag All illustrations of Guac characters were created by Eric Lee
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Directors
Content
Creative
Marketing
Editor-in-Chief
Editors
Issue Designers
Marketing
Hana Aram
Josephene Ginting
Dana Chan
Rhonda Chan
Annabelle Davy
Younghyun Kim
Gabbie Burgos
Jocelyn Pang
Aditi Athavale
Creative Director
Sara Choi
Pete Assakul
Matthew Canabarro
Zoya Mohsin
Lauren McBearty
Muffin Laosirichon
Irene Wu
Staff Writers
Chloe Tsui
Valen Huang
Zeyu Hu Managing Editor
Teresa Liang
Content Director
Zoe Hauser
Daisy Dai
Antina Yeh Marketing Director
Marertu Girma
Zahra Masih
Digital Designers
Angela Chen
Stephanie Roh
Sophia Zhang
Duoer Jia
Director of Operations
Elijah Fox
Ethan Kahm
Mahika Kudlugi
Operations Assistant
Rohan Tyagi
Emily Jacobsson
Hannah Jo
Finance Director
Akhil Mithal
Marketing Analyst
Michelle Park Jimena Fernรกndez Kaysie Yu Sapir Shanskhalil
Justin Sun
Growth Marketing Analysts
Alethia Chan Event Planners
Samantha Sokolsky
Isabela Arocha (Isa)
Grace Han
Paola Rios
Victor Besse
Kaitlyn Zhao Julia Zhu
Social Media Manager
Sabrina Ng
Xiaotong Chen
Dana Slayton Anna Huang Mariana Seibold Isabella Kong Grace Lu Zoe Johnsen Kexin Lou
Special Thanks to International Students Union, SAFC, ALANA
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