SPRING 2017
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Without the catalyst, art would cease to exist. In fact, as artists, it is in our temperament to constantly seek inspiration that sparks creativity. But what is it that makes a catalyst? We believe that it is not a single element. In the same way that it takes a specific combination of conditions to form a tornado, the catalyst of inspiration requires a multiplicity of ingredients to come together and combine naturally. Certainly, it never hurts to start with an open and curious mind. As for the rest of the components? Provocation seems to be the crux. By that we mean, the artist is incited by a matter not previously considered. This revelation then combines with other ideas inside the mind, and in turn, new art is produced and published.
This catalyst is the root. Whatever drives us to create, whatever excites our hearts and minds and spurs us towards creation. Without the catalyst, there is no artist. For our third issue, we now focus on the source of inspiration. Our students have exposed what drives them to do what they do. From music to visual art to self-expression, everyone has a different reason for being who they are. Inkblot is important to Cary Academy students who are creative in a context that doesn’t exactly fit into a class. It's an outlet for the outliers, a place for creatives to showcase their work. Art is not tied to mediums, but is rather defined by a mindset- a fluid way of thinking. We welcome all perspectives, and we encourage you to submit whatever you are passionate about. All love, Claire and Cat
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CONTENTS FASHION 8 / Luka Sabbat // George Adanuty 12 / Campus Fashion // Kate Park 14 / Beneath the Surface of Over the Top // Griffin Cece 42 / Cultural Appropriation in Fashion // Emma Glosson X Callie Cece
ART 16 / ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Schwartz // Kate Park 24 / The World of CAM : Interview with Gab Smith // Chloe Capetanos 26 / Jack Davis: One Year Later // M.G. Stephenson
30 / Artists of the Academy // Olivia Sherman X Sasha Kostenko X M.G. Stephenson 34 / Subject Matters // Deming Haines 36 / Architecture of the Triangle // Kate Park X M.G. Stephenson
CULTURE 28 / All Hail the Kale // Katie Desmond 40 / Alphabet Soup // Claire Doyle 48 / Hair Identity // Evie Taylor
MUSIC 6 / COMEUP ARTIST: Young Gunna // Chapman Fitzgerald 20 / Frank Ocean: Blond Album Review // Anjali Velu 44 / Sound Cloud Takeover : Let’s Take it Downcloud // Tiana LePlatte 46 / Music in Theory // Max Nunez 47 / The Art of Fusion // Arman Kassam
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DEDICATED TO STEVEN O’NEILL The video production studio can be an overwhelming space with its bright lights peering down at you from the ceiling and cameras on tripods precisely positioned across the room. But all of the complexity disappears once you meet the man behind it all, Mr. O'Neill. He can transform the most overwhelming situation into a light-hearted yet valuable learning experience. Whether you are in the studio because Mr. Velto assigned a video project, or there to pursue a creative project that you have been itching to try for months, Mr. O'Neill always knows how to help and has an answer for every question you throw at him. Mr. O'Neill's extensive experience in the film industry and his stories never cease to amaze students. Be careful talking about your favorite celebrity because chances are, Mr. O'Neill has worked with him or her and can tell you how nice they REALLY are. When you are finally done with a project, nothing is more eye opening than sitting down with Mr. O'Neill and listening to his feedback. He offers encouraging insight, but most importantly he can explain why elements in your project work and why some don’t. Once you walk out of the studio, you may never look at the visual world in the same way again. Out of all of the places Mr. O'Neill could be, students are grateful that he chooses to share his knowledge at Cary Academy. And with that, we say thank you Mr. O'Neill, for your support and guidance in our artistic endeavors!
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CHAPMAN FITZGERALD
ON THE COMEUP ARTIST Young Gunna, a local rapper from Raleigh, NC has something in the works with his feel good sound filled with light hearted beats and complimenting vocals. Although relatively new to the rap scene, Gunna has already set a name for himself reaching over 60 thousand plays on his first single on Soundcloud. He surely is an artist to watch out for as he’s gaining popularity world wide and has been featured on BBC Radio. A born and raised Raleigh boy, Gunna is proud to always rep the Oak City and help push it into the music scene. We had the chance to ask Young Gunna some questions about himself and his music, he mentioned how North Carolina and Raleigh are truly on the verge of being big in the
music community. He just released his second single “4 the late night” on Soundcloud which reinforces his one of a kind sound. Gunna’s apparel embodies his music through his love for vintage, relaxed clothing. He hopes to have a mixtape out early next year and has more to come, you can keep up with Young Gunna on Soundcloud and Twitter.
@Young Gunna @YunqqGunna
7 Q: What inspired you to become a rapper? A: I grew up in an environment where music was so important and from an early age I took to all sorts of genres from 80s pop to big band swing of the 30s and 40s. I loved it all, particularly Hip-Hop. Millennials and specifically people who primarily grew up in the 2000s like myself were exposed to influential rap music like 50 Cent, Eminem, Kanye, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, and T.I. from such a young age, so I think growing up in that era inspired me to get into music myself.
Q: Which rappers do you think have influenced your sound the most? A: I'd have to say Kanye West and Chance the Rapper no doubt. Just stylistically and what they both are doing/have done for Hip-Hop is crazy. Outside of just rap I would have to say some of my bigger influences are Phil Collins, Freddie Mercury, James Blake, and Frank Ocean just to name a few.
Q: Is there anything special about your sound that makes you stand out as an artist? A: Yes, I feel like my music crosses over multiple genres and each song provides its own vibe and experience, which is something I really want to articulate in what I create. For me, music plays off of feelings and providing a wide-range of emotions/experiences for listeners is something I feel sets me apart.
Q: In what ways has growing up in Raleigh effected your career as an artist? In what ways has it helped and/or set you back? A: I love Raleigh. It truly is my home and I want to rep it in whatever I do. I think growing up in the Raleigh area has made me really hungry for success, particularly with music. Raleigh is so talented and is such a creative city that often gets over looked for bigger markets like New York, LA, and Atlanta. Being from a city that is underrated really inspires you to go even harder, and hopefully my music (along with a lot of other great artists from the area) can bring Raleigh to the forefront of the national music scene.
Q: Do you think Raleigh or even North Carolina as a whole is on the come up for hiphop music and culture? A: I really do think Raleigh is on the come up. I am proud to be a part of this growing music culture and there are a lot of really talented people in Raleigh making a lot of waves right now. And not even just in Raleigh's case, NC as a whole is making a lot of noise in Hip-Hop on a very high level. I can only imagine where we will be in the next 5 years.
Q: What can fans expect from you soon, is there an album or mixtape in the works? I am looking to drop my Opening Credits EP on Soundcloud late December to early January, as well as a video for my song "Colder" in February. Outside of that, I’m going to start doing shows and hopefully an album mid 2017. Really a lot to be excited about.
Q: Where do you take influence from as it pertains to what you wear? A: I have always just loved making crazy fashion statements. I will pursue anything I can do style wise to set myself a part and be different. I think the most important thing with style though is just staying true to yourself while pushing the limit as much as you can. Look to turn people's heads without caring what they think cause you know you're fresh.
Q: What are your favorite brands or designers? A: Favorite brands: Tommy Hilfiger, On the Byas, Saucony, Crocs, Goodwill, anything vintage.
Luka Sabbat
GEORGE ADANUTY
LUKA SABBAT “Being a kid, there are only two ways you can go: You’re either an influencer or you’re influenced. You’re either a leader or a follower.” – Luka Sabbat Luka Sabbat is the internet’s resident influencer. The 19 year old is a stylist, creative director, design director, actor, model, and above all else, a creative. Too old for his age, Luka has already made waves within the fashion industry by featuring in campaigns for Vogue, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Ssense, and most impressively, Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 1 & 2. However, his reach into fashion doesn’t stop at modeling, a quick scroll through his booming Instagram profile (which boasts 289,000 followers) shows that he is the best dressed kid on the internet, sporting brands such as: Off-White, Vetements, Maison Margiela, Supreme, Goyard, Gosha Rubichinsky, Rick Owens, Raf Simmons, Adidas, Yeezy, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Palace, Haider Ackermann, Dior, Tommy Hilfiger, Acne Studios, and many, many more. What makes Luka’s style unique is his ability to mix high-fashion with streetwear; Margiela with Adidas, Vetements with Palace, Gucci with Offwhite. To him, the possibilities are endless. This new genre of style inspired by Luka’s seemingly lackadaisical genius has undoubtedly put him on the map, and as a result, has catapulted him into stardom.
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campus fashion
KATE PARK
What Inspires Us? Cary Academy is known to be one of the most educated and diverse private schools across North Carolina. With a population of about 750 students from 6th- 12th, there is no doubt that each and every one of these students are different in their own way. Whether it be hair color, personality, or even how they dress, Cary Academy has an assortment of different students. Like the students, inspiration comes in many forms. Arbitrary things inspire us to act, dress, and create. First impressions are very important, visitors of all sorts come to Cary Academy and a majority of the student body dress to impress. I interviewed 3 students from the high school, Julian Sodano (11th Grade) , Callie Cece (11th Grade) and Griffin Cece (12th Grade) and asked them some questions about what inspires them to dress the way they do.
What inspires you to dress fashionably? “The person who inspires me to dress fashionably is my brother Griffin.” If you could describe your style in one word, what would it be? “Timeless.” Favorite clothing item? “My favorite item is my Céline purse” Favorite season? “Winter. “
CALLIE CECE (11th) Define your style?
“I’d define my style as original and classic with my own twist. I like to mix street style with an effortless sophisticated look. “ Who is your icon and why? “My style icon would have to be Rosie Huntington Whitely. She goes from edgy looks to more sophisticated put together outfits and always looks amazing. Her style is original.”
@CALLIECECE
13 GRIFFIN CECE (12th)
@JULIANSODANO
Define your style? “My style would probably be at the intersection between wealthy Hamptons architect and slightly washed up LA boy-bander.” Who is your icon and why? “My style icon would be RJ King because he has an air of sophistication even when wearing ripped jeans and a t-shirt.” What inspires you to dress fashionably? “My desire to dress fashionably comes my desire to feel different than the masses.” If you could describe your style in one word, what would it be? “If I had to describe my style in one word it would be opulent.”
JULIAN SODANO (11th)
Favorite clothing item?
Define your style?
“Favorite clothing item is my cigarette suede Saint Laurent boots.”
“Simple, classy and timeless. White never goes out of style”
Favorite season?
Who is your icon and why?
“My favorite season for style winter, but I always feel the most attractive in the summer .”
“This guy I follow on Instagram @magic_fox. Daniel Fox. I like him because he posts a lot of pictures of him looking good and its inspiration for me to dress better.”
@GRIFFINCECE
What inspires you to dress fashionably? “The response people give me. Leaving my house looking more than acceptable starts my day off really well.” If you could describe your style in one word, what would it be? “Simple” Favorite clothing item? “My H&M grey hoodie” Favorite season?
“Winter, you get to wear more.”
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Beneath the Surface of Over the top GRIFFIN CECE In a time when iPhones no longer fit into pockets, people drink their vegetables, and hole-less jeans seem alien, how do we distinguish people living stylish lives from circus performers? Is tying shoelaces around your neck, wearing shirts without shoulders, or having fur line your soles even remotely practical? The answer is a resounding no…..but who wants to be practical anyway? I’d rather be stylish. The truth is that while wearing suspiciously large, oblong coats and metal brand-laden belts might make you unpopular with airport security, you’ll definitely be more popular among the other thousands of teens trying to figure out if it’s excessive to spend over $100 on a Supreme t-shirt (p.s. the answer is yes). I could get Freudian and say that our generation’s ostentatious and impractical dressing habits have to do with our need for approval and attention, or that the shock factor from garish Jordans produces instant gratification from subsequent likes on Instagram, etc., but I don’t want to do that because it would be boring (and Freud is passé anyway). What I’d rather do is investigate the art of excess and show examples of when it is done perfectly right.
1. The Fur Coat Joe Namath, a celebrated retired quarterback for the jets, is the epitome of excess in his white fur coat. Although this photo is a little retro (1971 to be exact), his unapologetically sybaritic example of luxury carries its way to modern day. This traditionally effeminate choice in outerwear seems to make even the “bro”-iest of men to wonder if they’re confident enough in their masculinity to wear chinchilla. Maybe it’s out of touch, maybe it’s peacocking, but whatever it is… it’s working.
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2. Poor Little Rich Girl Edie Sedgewick might go down in his tory as the most iconic example of “poor little rich girl”. The Manhattan socialite became the muse of Andy Warhol and subsequently inspired a
new age of excessive decadence. Never before has the quote “I’d rather cry in a BMW” so better applied.
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The Slouch
There are certain questions that I might never have the answer to. The workings of an iPhone baffle me. How can I be in North Carolina right now and with a few clicks on my screen, have a conversation in with someone residing in Africa?!? It absolutely makes no sense, but it is something that we as people accept and capitalize off of in our daily lives. The same thing applies with “looking effortless”: a contradiction in itself. Picking out, putting on, and styling clothes in a way that seems effortless is kind of ridiculous and confusing, but I will completely admit that I am a sucker for it. There’s something so cool about that oversized sweater that falls on the body as if it doesn’t want to exert any effort either, something impolite yet refined about the strategically unbuttoned, half tucked collared shirt, something chic about wearing a coat over your shoulders (because heaven forbid you waste time putting your arms through it). It seems to be that this is the ultimate rebellion against our quest to appear seamlessly put together at all times. I hope that while perfection is something we strive for, anything short of it would be embraced fully and paired with messy hair and comfortable shoes.
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KATE PARK
CA ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MICHELLE SCHWARTZ Cary Academy is full of different and diverse classes, ranging from a variety of history's to sciences. Of the many courses at Cary Academy, Advanced Art allows students to study drawing, painting and mixed media. Advanced Art at Cary academy falls into two different categories, 2-D and 3-D. 2-D Advanced Art classes usually involve drawing or painting where as 3-D involve ceramics and sculpture. Today I interviewed Michelle Schwartz, a junior in Cary Academy’s 2D Advanced Art class. Schwartz has started art ever since she was a child and excelled in her art class ever since 6th grade. After taking two years of drawing and painting in high school, she is finally taking Advanced Art as a junior. Who inspires you? Who is your icon?
What's your medium? “I love drawing and I usually work with charcoal. Im trying to build that skill up because in the past I have worked with graphite which is a safe medium to use. However charcoal (even though it is messy) can give you so much more depth in a piece. I am really into textured paper that resembles sand paper, but way more soft. It helps the charcoal stick to the paper and makes for easier build up of tones.” How did you develop your specific style? “I developed my specific style from pushing my initial sketches and ideas further, as well as looking at other artists. There are a lot of times when I have an idea in my head but it doesn't translate well onto paper or the work just doesn't communicate the message I wanted the piece to have, so I ask Ms. Parks or friends what I can do to make it more successful. I find that my interpretations of the ideas are often different than what they were thinking, but have the same concept behind them. I also tend to make my pieces reflect what I am feeling emotionally, so I think that makes them very personal and representative of who I am as an artist.”
“My mom has definitely been an inspiration for my art work because she was the one who encouraged me to take art to a more serious level. With out her influence I don't think I would even think about applying for Advanced Art. As for art inspiration from other art, I am always inspired by primitive art, especially African statues or figures. I love the exaggeration of shapes and What is your favorite piece? thinking about how humans in the past under“My favorite piece so far this year has been a porstood and interpreted the world around them.” trait I did of my friend Julie from summer camp. I What is your aesthetic? really liked this piece because I was able to work “My aesthetic would probably be described as with charcoal as well as color pastels to bring in imaginative with a focus on negative space. Being some color which brings the piece together. She in Advanced Art made me realize how important has long curly hair so playing off her free spirit I negative space is in a composition, so that’s been made her hair turn into clouds. I guess I just also love this piece because I love Julie so much and it a focus in all of my pieces so far.” made her so happy to see that I had drawn her.”
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Eggs “Practicing drawing with charcoal. Eggs on cloth.�
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Portrait of Julie “I wanted to capture her free spirit and care free attitude in a portrait, so I turned to the background to help communicate that idea. Her hair is turning into clouds to show how easy going she is.�
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Pigs “This is representative of the meat industry and how livestock farming has turned to factory farms. The conditions are terrible and the animals are basically mass produced. I hope everyone sees this and researches the impact that the meat industry has.�
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ALBUM REVIEW:
FRANK OCEAN Four years after the iconic debut of Channel Orange, Frank Ocean released two of the most conceptually adventurous projects in the music industry. Featuring vocals and lyrical contributions from the likes of Andre 3000, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and others, Blonde and Endless was met with nothing but praise.
Ocean, a California native and creative inspiration, pursued themes of ambiguity and honesty in his latest endeavor. The impact
ANJALI VELU
of Frank’s work can never be measured, however, Blonde's 250+ million downloads on Apple Music are a good indication. Ocean's work often gives the reader an intimate and transparent glimpse into his world - Blonde showcases Frank's perspective and his ability to analyze the crux of any situation, revealing the nuances of modern relationships around us that no one actually talks about.
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With an emphasis on artistic choice, no two songs sound alike. Facebook Story's questionable inclusion on the soundtrack highlights Frank's perspective into today's modes of communication, whilst Ivy pans out as the modern yet reminiscent love song. The songs appear on the album with no apparent reason for their order, yet all possess the characteristic vibe of metropolitan social environments - somewhat disorderly yet soulful and impactful. At one point leading up to the release, followers could watch a cryptic livestream that showed up unannounced on his website. Listeners
could watch Frank build a spiral staircase with his bare hands, as an equally diverse and dynamic soundtrack featuring various artists played in the background. The music essentially equates to a mixtape, transitioning from song to song, demo to demo: a collection of Frank’s unreleased material he accumulated while he was MIA. Alongside Blonde, Ocean released a visual album entitled 'Endless' depicting the livestream's scenes and more experimental tracks. It’s an intriguing peek into his process, and is comprised of some of the rawest vocals he's ever recorded.
23 The campaign’s release and titles bum's release strategy can diminwere changed several times, from Boys Don't Cry to Endless to Blond(e). The uncertainty left viewers and listeners anticipating final products. This anticipation is an aspect of Frank's creative process, which alludes to an implied critique of the music industry. His mundane livestream and Endless visual emphasizes the pressure on artists to deliver a product as fast as possible that they know will appeal to their listeners. Nowadays, an al-
ish or positively impact perception of the art that it builds up to. Ocean abandoned this belief and focused on creating a work of art that followed his vision. As a very rough, experimental work, Endless lacks the clarity and sophistication of Blonde. However, the two pieces together showcase the pinnacle of Frank's ingenuity and act as catalytic components of today's youth culture.
PERSONAL FAVORITES: Blonde
Endless
Nights
Comme des garçons
Pink + White
Slide on me
Futura Free (2:40-4:10)
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THE WORLD OF Exclusive Interview with Gab Smith, Director of the Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum CHLOE CAPETANOS
25 What in art stands out to you?/Do you have a favorite medium? I don’t have a favorite that stands out. I love big outdoor landscapes and sculptures but I also love street art. Are there any current trends in art you enjoy? I love glitter. I love that kids are wearing patches and that artists are experimenting with different mediums. Political art is also I huge trend right now to express ideas. Do you have a favorite artist? Well I would let myself off the hook and say that all the artists that come through CAM are my favorite. I love so many artists for different reasons. That’s what was so great about CAMstellation1. There were so many people that this was their first piece of art in a museum and that made it so incredible and special… Or someone like Thomas Sayer who is in such a different place but still was so excited to have his art be in the exhibit. What do you do as the head of CAM? I’m not a curator. I’m a director. My job is to basically to work with artists and create an environment where the artist can do their best work. What would you say to people thinking about visiting CAM? Come right now! It’s amazing. There’s always something new to do or see. Whether it be an event we had like last night2 or just whatever is on the walls. Other than CAM do you have a favorite museum that you would recommend? Any art museum. There are so many great places : The North Carolina Museum of Art, MoMA, the Nasher, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. Anything contemporary. What inspires you? Our culture in our society and the mood it gives off. The young artists I get to work with are very inspirational. 1. CAMstellation
- an annual event held at CAM where anyone no matter what age can submit art for an exhibit of local artists. Everyone is included. 2. First
Friday - Every first Friday of the month admission to CAM is free and after 6pm there is normally drinks and music or some other event.
26 PAST EDITOR INTERVIEW:
JACK DAVIS M.G. STEPHENSON
What would you say your aesthetic or style is right now? This can be in art, fashion, music, anything. Condensed to a phrase, I would describe my current aesthetic as evocative minimalism: in essence, simple forms in limited
hues that seek to connect both viscerally and intellectually with viewers. How did you develop your specific style? Building my collegiate portfolio demanded that I demonstrate experience in multiple mediums. Under the guidance of Ms. Lee, I spent two years exploring disciplines such as fashion design, drawing, printmaking, animation, industrial design, and digital collage. As I structured my work into a portfolio, I found threads of monochro-
matic forms, volumetric shapes, and organic textures. Currently, I'm studying classical and contemporary design standards, such as the German Bauhaus and Gestalt. I have found my work assuming a clean, linear quality as a result of this instruction. How has iNKBLOT affected you in college? Editing iNKBLOT has proven to be a self-taught crash course in digital graphic design. The magazine forced me to design a logo, choose typography, edit photos, create text-image compositions, and so much more. Now, as I learn the technical Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator mechanisms for these processes, I rely on my iNKBLOTgiven instincts to support me. This experience has definitely advantaged me over my peers who have never worked digitally.
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Who is your current inspiration? I spend so much time at museums and galleries that I can't list them all, but lately I've been enamored with Bruce Conner, Richard Serra, Molly Goddard, and Anthony McCall. What art are you currently working on? I have many projects unfolding at once. In one class, I'm conceptualizing a chair that can fold into a backpack. In another I'm laser cutting and etching Korean sheet mask maps into plexiglass. In still another I'm digitally translating a value painting I created using swatches from Robert Mapplethorpe's male nudes. What advice can you give to aspiring artists? I have observed that the most successful students work well with others, know what's happening in the art world AND the real world, take pride in their work, and have a strong work ethic.
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ALL HAIL THE KALE The Kale FAD Over the past two years the bitter leafy vegetable has become the trendiest food in society, but how did this all evolve? We can all thank Oberon Sinclair for kale’s success. Two years ago, the New York based publicist was hired by the American Kale Association. She is very socially connected, especially in the fields of fashion and music, and because of this she was able to introduce kale to the finest eateries in Manhattan. It took a lot of convincing since most chefs were not used to incorporating the vegetable in such creative ways, but soon enough it began to appear on many restaurant menus. The most popular ones were Balthazar, the Fat Radish, Babbo, and Bar Pitti; this was the birth of the kale fad. Now, kale is not only being steamed and made into salads, but being incorporated into pressed juices and smoothies. Pressed juices and kale smoothies have become the most healthy yet tasty food trend. From a fashion perspective, kale has become so popular that it has earned its own merchandise. The clothing brand Suburban Riot has created a collection of kale sweatshirts and t-shirts, which is now a popular fashion trend. The kale trend has been seen on many celebrities such as Rachel McAdams, Rihanna, Ka-
KATIE DESMOND
ley Cuoco, and Beyoncé. In her music video for her hit “7/11,” Beyoncé was seen wearing the popular kale sweatshirt. After that, countless of individuals were hooked by the trendy pieces. Kale continues to reign the menus of countless restaurants across the globe, and has retained its popular status within pop culture.
Kale, spinach, romaine, parsley, cucumber, celery, and lemon are the healthy ingredients in the famous greens 1 juice at The Pressed
Juicery.
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Kale Chips Preheat oven to 450 degrees, get 1 bag of precut kale and baking pan. Spray the pan with canola oil and spread kale out onto the pan. Drizzle virgin olive oil over the kale, along with a sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper. Cook in oven for 7-10mins.
The Recipes
Tropical Kale Smoothie Start with 1/2 cup of ice, add 1 cup of almond milk or water. Then add 1 frozen banana and either mango or pineapple (fresh or frozen). Lastly, add 2 cups of kale and blend!
The Whole Foods Kale Salad Get 3 to 4 stalks of curly or red kale lettuce. First, chop up leafy ends, leaving the stem parts out. Throw the chopped kale into a salad bowl. To prepare the dressing, mix 1//2 a cup of virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, pinch of kosher salt, and pinch of black pepper. Add the dressing to the bowl of kale along with a handful of craisins and walnuts. Mix it all together and it’s ready to go!
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31 JUSTIN CHEN: Class of 2017 Steve jobs! He is a guy who recognizes that there doesn’t have to be a boundary between science and art. Nature is also a huge source of inspiration for me. I believe that there is a natural pattern in nature and if we can capture and follow the pattern, it can improve our world and society. I believe that finding the pattern and implementing it into things will help everything to work better, also if things are emotionally touching rather than built to satisfy an engineering standard or quota.
What is your aesthetic? I am fascinated by German aesthetic of clean cut lines and simplicity, but I also like the Japanese aesthetic that is more angular and curvy and appreciative of the emotional aspect. My own aesthetic is definitely in development.
What’s your medium? Photography. I always channel emotion into what I make.
How did you develop your specific style? I was initially interested in framing techniques. Through hiking and running in nature, I noticed the natural pattern that I mentioned and I wanted to communicate it.
What is your favorite piece? I shot a lotus in a Chinese imperial garden using a Moto X. I was instantly drawn to the richness of the color, contrast of the yellow and pink, and the depth of field I could get using macro mode with the petals.
@THEJUSTINCHEN
Who inspires you? Who is your icon?
32 Class of 2017
@MATTHEWGLOSSON
Who inspires you? Who is your icon? The Band did it right - they made me want to start making music. They made really honest, great music and did it all by themselves, in a house in the woods.
What is your aesthetic? Basement
What’s your medium? I drum with Yan Kanberu (a band) and make music on my own with drums, guitar, keyboard-anything I can use. It is all produced in a home studio.
How did you develop your specific style? I have had a mix of influences, many genres and artists. I find DIY culture has been especially influential.
What is DIY culture? It's all about making it yourself. I like it because it is fun to build stuff on my own, but also because it is a more personal way to make music, or anything. For me it comes in the form of home recording. I prefer to make my own equipment rather than to buy it all, and to record at home rather than to rent studio time which is expensive anyway.
What is your favorite piece? "Goodbye Sam", a song I wrote and recorded with some friends over the summer about a very bizarre roommate I had at pre-college music program in Philadelphia.
What would you say your aesthetic or style is right now? This can be in art, fashion, music, anything. Definitely intense and focused. Along with that, I’ve developed a “less is more” mentality, very minimalistic.
How did you develop your specific style? When I went to France this summer with the exchange trips, I really connected with French style and culture. So you could say that’s where I base most of my clothing off of.
Who is your current inspiration? Myself, Bing Crosby, Bette Midler, Mimi Staker
Are there any new trends in art you really like? What art stands out to you? Perspective pieces. I love anything that can mesmerize me.
What art are you currently working on? / What do you do? I am a dancer, and currently I am involved in The Nutcracker. I am also dancing as a conquistador for another performance.
What advice can you give to aspiring artists? Work really hard. Find your breaking point, and break it.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? I’m not quite sure. Hopefully Broadway or maybe even starring in a TV show.
BRENT SHELTON :
Class of 2018
@SHELTNN
MATTHEW GLOSSON :
33 LIZ UYS : Class of 2019 Who inspires you? Who is your icon?
What is your aesthetic? My singing is individual, usually classical pieces in front of an audience, or musical theater pieces in a show, but I've recently been working on some contemporary pieces as well. It is through the informal contemporary pieces that I work on discovering my voice.
How did you start out? I was in NYC when I was about 5, and we saw lots of plays and movies and musicals in big glamourous theaters. My mother noticed that the other 5 year olds who were watching either ran around or slept through the whole thing, but I didn't move a muscle from start to finish and I was completely captivated the entire time. I think that's when I decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, when I was 5 years old.
My acting is intimate. When I act, I prefer to be genuine and engage the audience through emotions and presence. I feel that this truly allows me to effect those watching.
What’s your medium?
LUCY DALEY :
Film, acting, singing. I do musicals and theater.
Class of 2018
How did you develop your specific style?
What would you say your aesthetic or style is right now?
I have moved around a lot, even lived in other countries and so I have been exposed to many styles and other artists through that.
What is your favorite piece? My favorite monologue was one that was cut out of the play John Lennon and Me. I first performed it in New York when I was in fifth grade, and I still use it today because it was the first piece I did where I could see I was really effecting the audience in a way they would remember. My favorite song that I have done is "I'm not alone" by Carrie. I was performing in a showcase in front of some Broadway casting
Country chic
How did you develop your specific style? Basically just listening to country music and wearing cowboy boots all the time.
Who is your current inspiration? Carrie Underwood
What art are you currently working on? / what do you do? I’m a songwriter so I write a lot of songs. I sing and play the guitar also. My music is mostly country, but I enjoy doing covers of all artists.
@LUCYGDALEY
@LIZ.UYS
I adore Robin Williams. I love how he moves easily from character to character and portrays people realistically. Also, all of my current and past acting and vocal coaches have definitely shaped me into who I am today, and I aspire to change people's lives like them one day.
directors and previous cast. I remember that I nailed it the first time through and now years later never being able to sing it that well again. Brilliant song, terrible musical.
35
SUBJECT MATTERS Photography Through the Lens of Deming Haines
T
he biggest influence in my photography is
I have heard many people say that you need to find
the subject matter. I always appreciate what I
your own style in art. Does this mean that you only
am photographing whether it be an insect, person,
do projects that you think you are good at? Does
or product. The subject matter is what inspires me
this mean that all your photographs must have
and keeps me going. My goal is to photograph my
some sort of connection to each other? From my
subjects in the best light.
understanding, this comment promotes the limit-
I believe my appreciation of my subject has a direct
ing of creative freedom and clashes against many
impact on the image I create. An example is a
reasons people do art in the first place. I believe
hummingbird I photographed. Seeing the hum-
that it is most rewarding to pursue projects that
mingbird close-up made me realize how intricate
you find compelling, especially if it’s different than
and complex its physical form is. Each iridescent
what you normally do. The hummingbird was tak-
feather in of itself is a piece of art, and the hum-
en in a different “style” compared to my other im-
mingbird has hundreds of them. This appreciation
ages I photographed. In this instance, I used differ-
of feather detail influenced where I put my light
ent techniques to capture an image that I find truly
sources and helped produce a strong focal point in
interesting.
the final image.
36
Architecture of the Triangle KATE PARK X M.G. STEPHENSON Architecture is the process of planning, designing, and building a structure or building. From Florence, Italy to Shanghai, China, architecture plays a crucial role in society. Though North Carolina is not known for its buildings and sculptures, it is known for its unique re-use of them. Durham, North Carolina, re-uses a majority of its old tobacco factories by changing them into modern meets industrial buildings of the 21st century. Hope Ferris states that “Downtown Durham is always interesting for architecture because of both the remaining tobacco warehouses and also the Art Deco buildings – there’s the Luckystrike building and old banks, but now also new buildings such as hotels that have been designed in the Art Deco
or Midcentury Modern style that blend well with the old. There’s more repurposing of older, more architecturally interesting buildings that you don’t see in Cary, for example, because everything has been built in the last 20 years, and I really like Durham because of that.”
NC State is one of the most popular design schools in the country with excellent programs in Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, and Industrial Design.
Durham, NC
Tae Park: TK Planning • Raleigh Tae Park started off his architecture career in 1992 when he attended NC State to get his masters in architecture and land planning. In 1985, Tae Park and his wife moved from Seoul, South Korea to Cary, North Carolina. “I wanted to become a famous ar-
chitect. Architects are creative people and so my goal was to become a creative person because creativity makes life fun and enjoyable,” says Park. After receiving his masters in architecture and land planning, Park began to teach Design Methodology and 3-D
37
ARCHITECTURE
OF THE
TRIANGLE
38 Design at NC State. After receiving his degree at NC State, Park began to work on projects across North Carolina. In 1993, Park was offered an opportunity to design a Hawaiian Resort but because of the economic recession at the time, it could not be built. At the end of 1993, Park opened Rose and Park Associates Company, an architecture and engineering firm. In 1998, Park designed a Methodist church in Greensboro and in 1999 he designed an office and condominium development called West Lake Development in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2002, Park opened up another design company called T+K Planning, intended to join both design and construction. Finally in 2010, Park designed Babylon, a restaurant in downtown Raleigh.
Scott Harmon
Park is still doing design and construction but is currently focused on property development, specifically restaurants, bars, event halls, etc. He is currently working on Wake Field Barn Event Hall which is an upscale wedding venue.
Raleigh, NC
Center Studio Architecture in Downtown Raleigh • www.centerstudioarchitecture.com
All architects have a different design process; what would you say your process is when it comes to designing buildings or structures? We're obsessed with context. Context includes the entire breadth of realities that a project is coming into: an existing building; an existing site; the orientation to the sun; the way water moves across the land; a dream of the client; a list of needs and wants; the economic realities of how a project will be funded; the mission of an organization and what it needs to accomplish. When a project grows out of these diverse realities, rather than just a particular style or design trend, the result is incredibly meaningful for the client and the community.
39 What are your favorite styles of architecture? Are there any recent trends in architecture that you admire? Many styles and trends are like our children, and it's hard not to love them all. We love adaptive reuse of hearty historic buildings (of which Durham has many), where we contrast chunky, industrial structures with crisp, modern interior details. We think old things should look old, and new things should look new. Our residential work is modern and forward looking, rather than replicating the past. We admire the trend in design for shapes and surfaces becoming more fluid, organic, and expressive.
Who are your inspirations? Frank Lloyd Wright in many ways created the modern American aesthetic, and his work is timeless. Scandinavian modernism, especially the work of Alvar Aalto, is an influence. There are a lot architects whose work we admire and take inspiration from: Carlo Scarpa, Toyo Ito, Rem Koolhaas, Peter Zumthor, Peter Bohlin, Herzog & De Meuron. It could be a long list. What are the architectural differences you notice among Cary, Raleigh, Durham?
Our views are completely biased in this regard. With rare exception, Cary is a very new town, and unfortunately it seems to lack diversity (in all the ways one can define diversity). There seems to be greater value placed on conforming to standards than on personal expression. Raleigh is big, with lots of different things going on, and has a very healthy market for office and work spaces. Raleigh always struggles, though, with the tension between its traditional, southern roots, and its attempts to be more progressive and innovative. Durham has a long history of being a gritty, working class, diverse town. Its industrial past lends to a very tangible aesthetic that everyone in the region recognizes as being "Durham". Its cultural and racial diversity are comforting to those who want a real city with real people. This authenticity makes it a particularly exciting place to design and create spaces.
40
ALPHABET SOUP CLAIRE DOYLE
41 What is the purpose of words if not heard? What good is it to expose our thoughts by
your world, so I swallow them wholeAlphabet soup
in your alphabet world,
alphabet songs for
tongue or pen, in the light or dimunless of course, they are nothing more than
the boys and the girls, twenty six letters
background noise,
won’t make you feel better, forty four sounds
the elevator music we have come to ignore,
you traded your tongues for a nihilist
they don’t rock us by the boots or groove us
mentality, in actuality
in the soul, anymore- nevermore, they don’t make em like they used to, don’t make em
you’re afraid of meaning that exceeds
like they should, they aint nothing but some non-
what is fashionable it seems, you fear
sense, no sense- in fact, what’s a letter from
what is deemed deep in a society
a scribble, a word from a gurgle, a
that sponsors ADD, and quantity
dance from a movement- now we utter I love yous, hate yous, why yous and aint yous can’t
over quality, I know you know your
yous, like we can’t choose what to splutter or burp
ABC’s but you won’t sing with me, in
from the tongues we must blurp, so we spit on
fear of being the minority, but
the earth, what we can muster and retort
don’t you see you’re so empty, when all your
it don’t mean nothing no more, I’m afraid-it’s all the same, homogenous and vain
words don’t mean a thing and somehow that song
all the same, insane, no sense, no sane, you
you used to sing, has become a distant
open your mouth but I don’t hear no words
hum, the faulty memory of, a time
come out, the words I know aint nothing like yours, the words I know aint got a place in
that had merit; of a time that had love
42
CULTURAL APPROPIATION IN FASHION
MARC JACOBS The Incident: Throughout history there have been many incidents within fashion shows concerning political or cultural correctness, but recently the issue seems more prominent especially since the Marc Jacobs’ spring 2017 show. The show featured models such as Karli Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid. The focus of the show was primarily on the models’ colorful knotted dreadlocks that took hours to create. The hair is without a doubt beautiful, nevertheless it is still appropriating African-American culture.
The Company Reaction: Marc Jacobs even refused to admit he was wrong when he was receiving a lot of backlash for the hair. Jacobs responded to comments that pointed out his mistake with, “All who cry ‘cultural appropriation’ or whatever nonsense about any race or skin color wearing their hair in any particular style or manner- funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair….I’m sorry to read that so many people are so narrow minded…”. This response makes many people around the world question the fashion industry’s integrity because it is supposed to represent unique and bold style while remaining respectful. When a prominent designer who influences the fashion industry chooses to make a cultural symbol trendy because Caucasian people wear it, it causes people of that culture to feel they’ve been stolen from without any sort of recognition.
43 What Went Wrong? The majority of the models who wear these fake dreads are Caucasian women making the style “chic” or “trendy,” but using an African American hairstyle without crediting the culture or including many African American models in the runway show crosses the line between artistic expression and cultural appropriation.
VICTORIA’S SECRET The Incident: In 2012, Victoria’s Secret held a Fashion show in New York City. During the third segment of the show (titled Calendar Girls) the company decided to feature Karli Kloss as the month of November. She had on leopard printed lingerie and chunky jewelry, but the most noticeable piece was definitely her colorful headdress. While Victoria’s Secret was making what they thought would be a fashion statement, it turned into a complete controversy over cultural appropriation in the media.
The Company Reaction: The company immediately apologized and said that they truly didn’t mean to harm anyone. The model herself, Karli Kloss, tweeted out that she was “deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone." As for the show, Victoria’s Secret decided that due to the backlash it would not be broadcasted on television.
What Went Wrong? Although some may praise Victoria’s Secret for branching out and being artistic, this show is in fact a blatant case of cultural appropriation. Instead of choosing to include the history and true culture of Native Americans, they disregarded the community and decided to emphasize stereotypes of their culture in a derogatory manner. Simply put, they were ignorant towards the real struggles and background of Native Americans and instead just decided to make their culture a trend.
44
SOUNDCLOUD TAKEOVER: Let’s Take It Down-Cloud TIANA LEPLATTE The second dimension of music, the platform for the latest artists and hopeful young producers, the place that allows Willow Smith to be Wilough, SoundCloud is a musical outlet like no other: a starting point for some and a hobby for others. Wikipedia says that SoundCloud is “A global online audio distribution platform based in Berlin, Germany that enables its users to upload, record, promote, and share their originally-created sounds.” The rest are just listeners creating eargasmic playlists and critiquing mixtapes. SoundCloud helps nobodies at least become somebodies. Right now, we’re focusing on the creative producers flooding the airwaves, in a good way like Oshi, Yung Bae, Esta, Jetson, etc. The list goes on, endless like the new radio feature on SoundCloud. Sounds like techno, house, trap, and vaporwave. It’s not only about producers, but the underground artists like Spooky Black, Ugly God, and Yung Lean depending on what sparks your ears. “Underground is a genre in music and other forms of media intended for an elite audience, that is often characterized by its high levels of originality and experimentation, and does not conform to typical standards,
trends, or hypes as set by the popular mainstream media.” SoundCloud was originally founded in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin in August 2007 by Swedish sound designer Ljung and Swedish artist Wahlforss. SoundCloud has more than 175 million monthly listeners compared to competitor, Spotify. Spotify doesn’t compare to SoundCloud because of the differences on what each platform offers. If you want to listen to the latest album (for free) on your web browser, then Spotify is the place to be. If you love music and are curious about others’ talents in music from aspiring musicians to mainstream artists to DJs, then head over to SoundCloud. I mean, it’s possible to have both, but that comes at a small price of $9.99 a month. But it’s not all about the money, money, money. It’s about the art of music in many different forms and accessible almost anywhere—you can easily get your hands on a fire track. Speaking of fire tracks, Childish Gambino’s album, though...
45
CHILDISH GAMBINO
46 KANYE WEST
MUSIC IN THEORY MUSIC IN THEORY MUSICMAX INNUNEZ THEORY Max Nunez Max Nunez
At one point in our lives we all come across that one song. The song that we cannot stop listening to. The one that perhaps gives us chills or causes certain hairs to rise on the back of our necks. Many people might get this feeling from an abundance of factors ranging from the lyrics to the score of the music. Those are two factors that I want to focus on. One song that I would like to bring up is Flashing Lights by Kanye
West. A couple
of my friends and I were talking about how we don't focus on the lyrics, we focus on the score of the song. The long, anticipated strings, combined with the harmonious hits from a synth come together to give us an amazing piece. We also concluded that a song like That Part
(Black Hippy Remix), isn't as much a work from its
score, but rather it's lyrics. When Kendrick Lamar gives us his whopping 24 lines with about 2 breaths, all consisting of astounding lyrics, jaws were dropped. Sometimes one could completely ignore the music, and be entranced by the lyrics. My mother feels that way about Somewhere Over the Rainbow, from the movie Wizard of Oz. Obviously, the score isn't exactly one to go in the books, but the lyrics exude a certain magical essence that my mother is obsessed with. The magnificent score versus the lyrics, or both at the same time, causes a piece of music to be beautiful. As you can see they could come in any genre; you just have to find the right song.
47
THE ART OF FUSION ARMAN KASSAM
I have a theory about rap - that there is a tradeoff between rhyme intricacy and theme poignancy. Flow and content have an inverse relationship. For example, to lay down a solid flow, some of the impact from a rapper's theme must be sacrificed so additional rhymes can fit into their verse. It's difficult - nearly impossible - to compose a piece that is both profound and masterfully woven. A
Tribe Called Quest,
in all of their jazzy intelligence, manages to convey powerful assertions on identity, time, and music in The Low End Theory. But they are only able to do this at the expense of complex rhyme schemes.
The Notorious B.I.G., in all of
his indisputable greatness, boasted some of the most fluid flows of all time in Life After Death, but only managed to break the surface in his thoughts on a "black male misunderstood." The two sets of artists are enshrined in the hip-hop pantheon, but for very different reasons. A recent verse piqued my interest. One specific artist was capable of some of the most solid rhymes I'd ever heard without forgoing the integrity of his message.
Kendrick Lamar's
verse on Black Hippy's remix of "That Part" is a testament to how far Rap has come. Lamar's foremost accomplishment in this piece is the continuation of the "ĂŤ" rhymes throughout the
entire stanza, initially found in words like "stress", "chest", and "desk." He couples these ends with the "Ĺ?" rhymes but gradually branches off into the "i" words ("eye", "qualify"), weaving a complex rhythm fabric. Street violence, Lamar's identity, and systems of power are loosely referenced in the first two-thirds of the verse, but evolve into something so much more nuanced. In the volta of the piece, when Lamar whips up a line as smooth as butter: "The turf I stepped, the church and the earth I blessed," he paints a picture of an intersection between spirituality and material struggle. His hood, a host for cyclical horrors, affecting generations of trapped youth, is a spiritual gateway to something sublime, catalyzed by the death and destruction that afflicted Lamar. Perhaps street violence leaves him closer to God. Or perhaps it is the furthest one can be from morality or purpose or religion. Either way, Lamar is undoubtedly complex, and he's able to harness the philosophical roots of his message through rhymes that stop you in your tracks, and make you listen.
Kendrick Lamar's
greatest accomplish-
ment isn't telling you how it is, or forcing some end-all-be-all down your throat - it's being abstract like Tribe, smooth like Biggie, and then enticing you with his effortless fusion.
EVIE TAYLOR
A young girl sits on her bedside, her mother ripping through her matted curls: cheeks puffing, teeth grinding, blood pressure rising. It’s a nightly occurrence in her nine year old life, squished between choosing which Justice graphic tee to wear to school the next day and the 8/7 central premiere of the new Disney Channel original movie. Unfortunately, that girl was me. Nine years later, in some sense or another, that girl is still me– only now I’ve banned absolutely anyone other than myself from dealing with my hair. Not to mention I’ve also said good riddance to the graphic tees. While I still dread that part of my routine in which I’m forced to face the trauma that is two days worth of knotted curls, I have learned to appreciate the stress, the messiness, the mass upon mass of hair. After submissively okaying everything from bangs, to pin straight bobs, slicked backed buns and awkward braids, my hair has finally found its niche. It is in that niche that I find the greatest sense of who I am, how I want to be perceived, and most importantly where I am comfortable. My hair extends as far in my stream of consciousness from being the biggest source of irritation, to something I hardly notice, to one of my greatest sources of confidence. One of the features of our culture that I love so much is that hair has a such an expansive influence on not just myself, but also my peers. I walk through the halls of my high school and see the way in which hair is transformed daily. The culture of hair in high
school is reminiscent of some of the greatest art museums, in which natural simplicity is valued just as highly as abstract flamboyance. The hair on the heads of my peers encompasses their history and passions and emotions. Trends are followed, abandoned, ignored, and unnoticed, every single day. For some, hair identity is every bit as public as it is personal. For others, it’s a conversation some have yet to have. The beauty of a student’s hair isn’t dependent on whether it blends into the background of their daily routine or asserts its importance in the limelight. Hair is sometimes something or nothing, and yet, it is always unique.
JULIAN SODANO, Junior Describe your hair in one word. A foundation.
How does your hair contribute to who you are? Hair is what separates a dressed man from a well-dressed man; it’s a simple change that means so much. To me, if I want to look good each day, I must have my hair looking good because without it I return to normality. It adds a statement piece that practically always looks good when you put effort into it. Hair can make any outfit look good, and hence is the foundation to any outfit.
Why is your hair important to you? My hair is important to me for personal reasons. Until 7th grade (or 12 years old) my mom cut my hair and so she cut it minimally—out of my eyes and that’s it. So, in 7th grade I visited a salon for the first time to get my hair done nicely, and my whole life changed. I looked 20 times better than I did and I was in love with what had happened. And from that first day at school where all my friends saw me walk in with a stylin new cut, I was hooked on improving myself in all regards. From that moment, I told myself I would look the best I could always. My hair is the beginning of my craze for self -improvement, and the basis of all my desires to look good.
BELLA COLE, Sophomore Describe your hair in one word?. Tamable.
How does your hair contribute to who you are? Your look? My hair contributes to who I am because it encourages me to try new things. My hair keeps my look consistent.
Why is your hair important to you? My hair is important to me because it is another level of who I am.
ZIYANA GREENE, Junior Describe your hair in one word.
How does your hair contribute to who you are? Your look?
I always like to try and switch up my hair - I get bored of the same style rather quickly, so every couple months I change it. I used to have super How does your hair contribute to long and heavy hair that I'd sometimes put in a who you are? bun, but I eventually got tired of it and wanted to just go for a less scrappy look with short hair. I I think I am known at CA for my crazy and unique feel as though as a person I am always changing hairstyles that change every other day. My hair can and my hair is just a representation of that. be as big as Diana Ross’ afro, to long defined wringlets, to straight, to braided or twisted locs all in the same week! I’m fortunate to have healthy Why is your hair important to you? strong hair that I can be flexible and creative with. I see it as just another way to separate yourself In my opinion, fashion can be broken down into from everyone else, in a positive way. thirds. The first third is the outfit. This includes tops, bottoms, and shoes. The second third is accessories. This can include makeup, necklaces, bracelets, or anything that polishes the piece. The final third is hair. My personality is complex and it shows in my fashion. If I feel edgy and I am wearing an edgy outfit, I might do a big curly Mohawk or a slicked back ponytail. If I am feeling feminine, I may do softer curls or pigtails.
Flexible.
Why is your hair important to you? I was told from when I was very young to take care of my hair as it was just as vital as other hygiene routines. A woman’s hair is her crown and I’m Queen Z.
GEORGE ADANUTY, Junior Describe your hair in one word. Simple yet sharp.
2016/2017 CONTRIBUTORS GEORGE ADANUTY
DEMING HAINES
KATE PARK
KATIE DESMOND
GRIFFIN CECE
CLAIRE DOYLE
EMMA GLOSSON
EVIE TAYLOR
CALLIE CECE
CHAPMAN FITZGERALD
CHLOE CAPETANOS
ANJALI VELU
M.G. STEPHENSON
TIANA LEPLATTE
OLIVIA SHERMAN
MAX NUNEZ
SASHA KOSTENKO
ARMAN KASSAM
catalyst photoshoot conceptualized and created by deming haines