dissent Beer, Women & Children
My Arm is Yours
An in depth chat with tatt oo artist Jeff Wiet
11
methods of Dissent
What is “Educational Success”?
Are you pessimistic?
We’ve got the survey to let you know.
Pedagogies of Dissent
A look at the student protest from the discourses of dissent
August 2012
dissent
Dear Readers,
Vol. 1. Issue 1. P.O. Box 1527 Kahnawake, QC J0L 1B0 Tel: 514-971-7059 Fax: 514-971-7059 www.jesssicadeer.ca Publisher Fuel Media Editor Jessica Deer Copy Editors Kara Dawne Zemel Vernon Goodleaf
Enjoy the first and only edition of Dissent Magazine. It’s a compilation of some of my favourite Teenage Wasteland columns from The Eastern Door, segments from Mohawk TV’s Exposed, school work over the past few years and life experiences this summer working at Fuel Media.
- Jessica Deer
Contributing Writers Jessica Deer Sales Jessica Deer Advertising Corona Extra.......................................2 Ktown Cupcakes.................................4 Wedges..............................................9 YouTube...........................................10 Tattoo PSA........................................11 Budweiser.........................................12 Desjardins........................................13 PS....................................................14 Baby Town.......................................14 Forever 21........................................15 Expressions......................................24 Pet Adoption PSA..............................27 Famous Stars & Straps.......................28 DISSENT is a one time published magazine by Fuel Media because Jessica Deer had the opportunity to work there during the summer of 2012 through the Kahnawake Summer Student Employment Program (KSSEP). This magazine is free of purchase. However, if you do read it, buying groceries for Jessica is welcomed, as she’s a broke student living in an apartment that’s too expensive and happens to be filled with mold. DISSENT and the DISSENT logo are not trademarks of Jessica Deer. Feel free to dissent from the law and wishes of evil corporations by reproducing or remixing any of the content featured in this magazine. Jessica has no money to sue you anyway. Image Sources: Duct tape<http://pysystems. ca/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2011/06/ducttape. jpg> Barcode<http://newspaper.li/ barcode/> Student Protests<http:// blogs.canoe.ca/lilleyspad/ tag/student-protests/>, <http://www.mcgilldaily. com/2012/03/csu-strikeday-one/> Mercier Bridge flags <http://kahnawakenews. com/aboriginal-uprisingimminent-p664.htm> No Casino banner<http://article. wn.comview/2012/04/28/ Kahnawake_votes_on_ casino_proposal> FBI<http://www.myspace. com/fbispace> KSS Protest <http:// kahnawakenews.com/ kss-students-protest-againstcasino-p1681-1.htm> First Nation Education Rally <http://www.ourkids. net/blog/aboriginalyouth-waiting-for-theirsuperman-8438/> Playground poker<http://
www.teambuy.ca/ laval/28135710> Club Native Poster <http:// www.worldpulse.com/ magazine/arts/films/clubnative> Tattooing hand <http:// www.topnews.in/think-twicegetting-tattoo-2138744> Graffiti <http:// onewatchman.files. wordpress.com/2008/09/ wewontdie.jpg> Beer belly <http://www. daveywaveyfitness.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/05/ beer-belly-pic.jpg> Cupcake <http:// treatsastastytaters.blogspot. ca/2012/04/baby-cutecupcakes-recipe.html> Facebook screenshot <http:// socialnewsdaily.com/2065/ facebook-messaging-iscosting-wireless-carriersmillions-in-lost-revenue/> Jeff Wiet interview screen shots are courtesy of Mohawk TV Vegas photos are courtesy of Brooke Deer & Jade Hannett.
features Beer, Women & Children Page 5 Pedagogies of Dissent Page 6 A look at the student protest from the discourses of dissent.
11 Ways to Dissent Page 8 Jessica’s Vegas Trip Page 18 My Arm is Yours Page 20
In depth chat with tattoo artist Jeff Wiet
Quiz Page 23
How pessimistic are you?
Entertainment Page 24 Machinima Page 26
What is Educational Success? Page 16
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BEER Women &
Children
T
he exploitation of women and their bodies is nothing new to the world of advertising. The beer industry is no exception. The main angle for much of beer advertising decodes to men that if you drink their brand, beautiful women will be attracked to you because of your beaverage choices. When in actuality, the only women flocking to men with giant beer bellies drinking Budweiser are trailer trash and crack whores who cannot afford their own booze. Some beer advertisements go as far as comparing beer to women woman. The best example of this is a recent Stella Artois commercial comparing a woman getting ready to pouring a glass of their beer: Not only does it objectify women as something that can be purchased for less than 10 bucks, the commercials section off the woman’s body into parts that are the most sexualized, such as her legs, breasts, lips, hair etc. The body is then something to be gazed at by the hegemonic man. Despite the portrayal of women in beer advertising, I do enjoy the taste of beer. I had a fun experience at last year’s Beer fest in Montreal, so I decided to head to the annual event again this summer with a group of friends. Beer fest took place from from June 6-10 at Place Bonaventure. I had a great experience again, even though we arrived pretty late and only had an hour or so to try a few beers before it closed at 9:00 p.m. It was kind of hard not to notice how the majority of servers and bar tenders working the front lines at each booth were young and attractive women clad in tight tank tops and dresses. Further more, the comparison between beer and women continued onto the actual labels of beer. One such example was a blonde beer, dubbed “Dirty Blonde.” The label of course, featured a blonde woman in a promiscuous manner. Although I find it deplorable, the relationship between the beer industry and women is no surprise to me – it’s just like many other industries that objectify women. What shocks me the most is how the industry targets children. Both this year and last year, I did not get carded, nor did anyone I see ever get carded while purchasing tickets. Most of the beers visiting were also independent breweries. However, out of all the websites that I visited after the event, there are very few that put warning screens allowing you to enter the website if you’re over the age of 18 years old, and 21 if from the United States. Of course all the major companies do such a thing such as Molson Coors, which even require you to enter your birth date and province. Harpoon Brewery, out of Vermont Brewers Association, as well as Magic Hat, Rolling Rock, Stella Artois’ websites asked a yes or no question if you were 18 years old or not. The remaining 16 breweries’ websites that I visited had no warning popup whatsoever. Viewing information about beer is accessible to minors, just as pornography is, but I do think warning labels help deter younger children online without parental supervision. What shocked me the most is how a brewery actually put an image of toddler shoving a spoonful of cereal into his mouth on the label of one of their beers. It will no doubt be appealing to children who don’t know what it is. All in all, whether it’s the targeting of children or the objectification of women, why do we as a society find this acceptable?
Pedagogies t n e s s i D f o
eer D a ic s s e J : By
Note: this is something I wrote in March 2012 as a reading response for a Communication Studies course at Concordia University. The class was entitled Discourses of Dissent and much of our discussions revolved around the start of the student strikes occurring throughout the province.
g
iroux discusses “public pedagogy.” He argued that even though educators and cultural studies scholars are so different: they occupy different spaces and address different audiences. But, the pedagogical and political nature of their work is similar on multiple levels. For example, both engage in cultural work involving symbolic representations, struggle of power, passive reception of information and attempt to produce critical public spaces. But they rarely speak to each other because of the disciplinary and institutional borders and “prevent diverse cultural workers from collaborating across such boundaries.” In Matanty’s article, she argued that classrooms are not just a site of instruction, they are also political and cultural: Teachers and students create, reinforce, and transform ideas about race, gender, as do workshops for diversity for upper-level administrators. She uses the example of a typical women’s studies classroom
and workshops for diversity for upperlevel administrators in terms of dealing with the differences between hegemonic women in the west to Third World women. She claims that the school system is not just a site for the production of information about Third World women, it can also be raised in relation to the teaching and learning practices in the actual classroom itself and among the discursive and managerial practices at the U.S. college and university level. Finally, she argued that people of color as well as what she calls “white people in the academy” need to create cultures of dissent to create pedagogies of dissent rather than pedagogies of accommodation. Mohanty mentioned a small point about how even though we don’t think we’re personally racist or sexist, we are marked by “tthe burdens and privileges of our histories and locations.” This comment stuck out to me because that’s something I
noticed when I started taking public transit during CEGEP, sometimes we consciously or unconsciously chose whom we’re going to sit next to on the bus or metro. For myself, I found that it was often someone who’s white and female. Boyko’s article focuses on policing dissent and how the increase of it threatens civil liveberties in Canada and its affects on academics. He argues that the measures taken by universities and police against protests and dissent on campus are intended to curb political embarrassment rather than being about safety. I think this article is really timely considering all the recent student protests in opposition of the tuition hikes. I really don’t understand why Concordia decided to close yesterday because of “safety concerns.” Only a small percentage of students have been actually striking and protesting. Perhaps Boyko has a point. Another example is the protest that took place outside of Loto Quebec a few weeks ago, because it
was Loto Quebec there was a heavy presence of riot police and a lot of students were tear gassed. Even on news reports yesterday, it was made a point how surprising the lack of riot police were at the massive student march. Boyko mentions how police presence made him feel like his campus wasn’t a space for free and open debate. With the added security around Concordia over the past week during the strike, I can understand – the riot police make me nervous rather than safe. On the other hand, I’m glad there was at least one hanging around certain areas monitoring the situation because I didn’t want to end up in a situation where I had to confront students blockading entrances to classrooms. On the other hand, it makes students abide by only being able to dissent at a certain time, place, and how one can dissent. It doesn’t really seem like dissent anymore once it’s regulated – it just seems pointless.
“Classrooms are not just a site of instruction, they are also political and cultural: Teachers and stduents create, reinforce and transform ideas about race, gender...”
11 ways
to disse
KAHNAW AKE
nt in
It is no secret that Kahnawakehro:non are proud people with strong opinions. Over the past few years, there have been several manifestations of dissent whether it be internally caused by the different factions in the community or against external influences. So here’s our top 11 methods of non-violent action that Kahnawakehro:non can use.
11 Statements Formal
Such as public speeches, strongly worded letters to public officials, Declarations by organizations and mass petitions.
An example of this method of dissent is the statement issued by the Kahnawake Combined Schools Committee (KCSC) in early June 2012. On May 31, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) issued a press release sating their support of an independent review process into the dismissal of the former Director of Education, Donna Lahache. The KCSC fired back with a statement not recognizing the authority of the MCK when it comes to education.
9 Public Acts Symbolic
Such as hanging Iroquois and Mohawk Warrior flags on the Mercier Bridge.
10
Communication
Using communications to address a dissenting view can be an effective way to address a mass audience. Whether this means utilizing the media, like sending a “Letter to the Editor” to The Eastern Door, mailing pamphlets in post office boxes or hanging a giant “No Casino” banner across the busiest street in town.
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Drama & Music Such as performing plays and skits or writing and playing protest songs. An example of a musical group in Kahnawake that writes protest music, is the hip hop rap group, FBI.
7
Processions
Such as m arches and parades. T when Kah his was se nawake S en urvival Sch marched fr ool stude om their sc nts hool to the of Kahnaw Mohawk Co ake on Apri uncil l 27, 2012 possible ca in protest o sino. f the
s e i l b m e s s A c i Publ
6 5 es embli ass ass ational m r o , eN ting Edut. For th s picke Such a sts or suppor st Nations eful ir c te a F o e r r p p fo a n for anized r 23, of Actio Week the AFN org on Septembe a. A cation, stration held Hill in Ottawarticidemon Parliament students p n ’s 2010 o f Kahnawake o p u . o y r g the rall pated in
Withdrawal and renunciation
Walk outs, silence. For example, how traditionalist chose not to participate in the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Elections as a way to reject the band council’s system of governance.
Broadcast Yourself.
While under the constraints of copyright laws, feel free to spam society with useless low quality videos of a baby biting a toddler’s finger, large black women singing about how they’re sitting on a toilet, and dramatic chipmunks.
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3 Visual Art Using visual art is a popular form of expressing your dissenting views, whether it be through painting, photography or film. The documentary style of film making is predominant among Kahnawake’s filmmakers. In Club Native, filmmaker Tracey Deer uses Kahnawake as a lens to probe deeply into the history and contemporary reality of Aboriginal identity.
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Such as boycotts and strikes. In January 2011, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake issued a statement annoucing the that the MCK will no longer work with TVA and Le Journal de Montreal due to continuous misleading reports, despite information provided by the MCK. The boycott of those media was put in place after they made “inflamatory” stories regarding poker houses in Kahnawake.
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Graffiti Graffiti is prevelant in Kahnawake, especially on the Mercier Bridge. The concrete columns act as blank canvases for many of Kahnawake’s amature graffiti artists.
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Some of those that stand out from standard tags are the images that show our community’s history of militant self-defense and “sticking it to the man” mentality towards colonial oppressors and pride for who we are. Although advertising local businesses doesn’t really seem like expressing a dissenting view, the murals under the bridge advertising businesses like the bakery, pawn shop, taxis and of course the powwow defy Quebec’s French language laws.
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Social Media
Hiding behind a computer screen is in full force these days with the help of social media like Facebook and Twitter. Kahnawakehro:non have been using such tools to express their dissenting views over the Internet to share (and argue) with others in the community. Examples of Facebook groups with dissenting political discussions including the recent “Time for change 2012 Mohawk Elections,” and “No Gaming in Kahnawake” to name a few.
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arlier this month, I took an online survey that asked what the term “Educational Success” means to me. The survey was being conducted by Community Drive for Education Success in Kahnawake (C-Desk) in order to help identify strengths and weaknesses in youth educational services in Kahnawake. After I finished and submitted the survey, I still kept thinking about those questions and how I answered them. What I believe to be “Educational Success” is something difficult for me to describe. The ultimate learning environment that I strive for is
E
Received an “E” in grade six math
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00 at2 taining my Bachelor’s degree and perhaps a Master’s degree in the future. Although I personally have no interest in ever attaining a Doctoral degree, I highly respect anyone who has the drive and motivation to do so. There is a lot of emphasis on school being merely a requirement to prepare people for the workforce, rather than a place to learn. Even my mother was skeptical of the program I chose to enter in CEGEP. The first thing she mentioned was, “What kind of job are you going to get with that?” I’m not quite sure what kind of job I am going to pursue once I attain my degree because my program doesn’t produce workers. Communication Studies produces media thinkers, critics, and professional bullshitters. The program also focuses
When I realized I sucked at playing music
2005 on media related production- essentially it’s more theory disguised as production. The emphasis is more on developing an idea or concept rather than the tools. The tools are secondary otherwise your idea will be confined to only what you can do with those tools. That’s something very important that I learned in the past three years at Concordia, which makes me value striving to attain a university degree. I think it’s important to pursue a discipline that you enjoy and not because it’s what to do to get a type of job with a big salary or because it will be easy to find a job. If you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to succeed - At least not according to me. On the other hand, I know educational success is about more than school. It’s not just considered receiving a piece of paper from an academic institution, or even receiving straight A’s throughout that process. Many people can “float” through school. What I mean by that is it’s possible to pass a course without actually learning anything. The course material just kind of goes in one ear and out the other once the semester is over. For example, in my first year of
2007
s i t Wha l a n o i t a c Edu ? s s e Succ
2009
Graduated with Honors from Dawson College in Cinema, Video & Communication
Graduated with Honors from The Sacred Heart School of Montreal
When I had no career goals
When I got my first fan mail
When I figred out what I wanted do with my life
2008 007
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Communication Studies, I was forced to take two horrible courses called Media Criticism and another one called Communication Theory. I’m not sure how I managed to get a B+ in either class. Because I barely understood the readings, barely understood the professors during lectures and wrote two term papers that I was not even sure what I was writing about. I didn’t learn anything in either class. It was only last semester that I finally “got” some of the theories that were brought up after it was applied to something I was interested in reading about in another course. It took long enough didn’t it? Learning is also not confined to school-like environments. Unless you live in a cave and are dangerously closed
2010
2010 minded, you are constantly going to be learning new things from all aspects of your life. I specifically learn a lot through my jobs, whether it’s for The Eastern Door or Mohawk TV. I have to do a lot of research in order to interview someone or to report on a
specific subject: it’s a constant learning process of the history, current events, people and 201 1 place of our community. I also learn an even
Nick auf der Maur Award Received my first slew of hate mail
Jesse Deer Memorial Media Scholarship
When I realized my grades weren’t good enough for Grad School
Almost failed a first university course
20
12
greater deal when I get information wrong.
Hence to me, “Educational Success” can be measured when we learn something from school or otherwise and are able to successfully apply it to various aspects of your life, whether that is with your career, your family or yourself to make you better as a person. However, that’s just my opinion. What does education success mean to 20 you? 12
First Nations, Inuit & Metis Bursary Got my first A in a Concordia class
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o m a t t e r where you travel, you will end up seeing someone from “town” while you are there. I realized that Las Vegas is no exception. For Kahnawakero:non, Sin City is like the new Plattsburgh: Everyone seems to flock there when they get a chance. And, now I know exactly why. I visited Las Vegas for the first time in May. I didn’t really know what to expect, but after a week long vacation, I am confident in writing that the city is an adult’s Disney World. The city offers endless possibilities to have a good time, whether that means gambling your money away, seeing a show, partying until the sun rises or if you’re into that sort of thing, ordering “hot babes direct to your room in 20 minutes.” Originally, I did not plan on gambling. I do not normally enjoy gambling. It makes me depressed to throw my money away while I’m surrounded by elderly women chain smoking at penny machines. At one casino, I even saw an elderly man sitting at a slot machine slumped over his chair falling asleep with a Redbull in his hand. However, I realized gambling is hard to avoid in Vegas: There were
slot m a chines around every corner, heck, even when we got off the plane at the airport. After two days, I decided I might as well put a little bit of money aside for gambling. It wasn’t much, but I left Vegas $170 richer. During our trip, I saw three shows. The first was Cirque du Soleil’s Viva ELVIS at Aria Resort & Casino. The show is a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley featuring a decent mix of dance, acrobatics and lives musical performances. This show wasn’t as exciting as other Cirque du Soleil shows I’ve seen, but nonetheless gave me anxiety watching a guy climb and do a handstand on a pile of stacked chairs. I’m not a diehard Elvis fan like some of my aunts are, but I did enjoy the music. Overall, it was an okay show. The second show I saw was the Jersey Boys at Paris Las Vegas. The Jersey Boys is a musical that takes you behind the music and history of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The show was very entertaining and full of energy. Whether or not you’re a fan of Frankie Valli, the show is a definite must see if you’re going to be in Las Vegas. I still have the song “December 1963 (Oh What A Night)” stuck in my head. The other show I saw is a little bit more em-
barrassing for me to admit: I had front row seats for the Chippendales show at the Rio with my sister and cousin. I couldn’t help but laugh the entire time because it was just so cheesy. Nonetheless, seeing shirtless chiseled men on stage is nothing to really complain about. Well, there was one Fabio-looking Chippendale with long blonde hair that was not attractive whatsoever. Everyone who gave me advice before I left mentioned to bring good walking shoes. I did bring a pair, but only actually ended up wearing them once. The one pair of sensible shoes that I own did not go with any of the cute dresses or evening attire I
packed. F r o m the heat and all the walking, my feet were constantly sore and I’m positive the blisters that formed had blisters of
Outside of Caesar’s Palace
their own. Nonetheless, I still plenty of exploring during the day. Walking the strip was fun, except for certain parts of the elevated walkways and escalators, which smelled like vomit that had been boiling in the heat. It was also annoying that at every corner there w e r e people c o l -
did
lecting change for the homeless, selling mix tapes or annoying club promoters handing out wrist bands.
As it was Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, there were plenty of celebrities flocking
t o Vegas for the long weekend too. We saw boxer Floyd Mayweather shopping in Prada with his family. My mother was overly excited that she had the opportunity to shake his
the g with Hangin endales Chipp
hand. And, Jennifer Lopez made an appearance at a nightclub in the hotel we stayed at. My aunt was the lucky one to snap a photo of her. By night, we did plenty of club hopping. I’m not normally someone who enjoys clubbing, but I had a fun time thanks to my aunt and Tota, I also was able to cut in front of a very long line at one of the busiest clubs b y being on the guest list. After clubbing, t h e r e w e r e many late night adventures. One included almost getting trapped in a stairwell on the 51st floor of the Rio, a crazy taxi driver, a Lord of the Rings slot machine and about a dozen inside jokes. The rest of the stuff that happened during our adventures, well you know how the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Even though I had a great week, I am glad to be home. During a week long vacation, there is bound to be conflicts with the people you share a hotel room with. I shared a room with my mother and sister and at times, I felt like leaving either of them in the Mojave Desert. I do not doubt they felt the same way about me as well.
lvis Viva E . ria A t a Show
Next to the giant chandelier at the Cosmopolitan
http://www.expressions-tattoos.com/
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Jeff Wiet
Jessica
(yours truely)
Jeff Wiet is the owner of Expressions Body Piercing and Tattoos. He’s been working on my half-sleeve, so I decided to ask him a few questions about being a tattoo artist while I was at my last appointment.
Jessica: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how did you come to own Expressions? Jeff: This place, I only started about two years ago. When I started tattooing, it was always a dream of mine to have my own place and not work for the man. But, 10 years, I worked at another shop. It was just something I had to do, get out on my own and as a tattoo artist that is kind of how we grow… working without people… at other places. Jessica: How did you get into becoming a tattoo artist? Jeff: I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember. My brother in-law
was the owner of the other tattoo shop that I worked at and he kind of introduced me into it, got someone to teach me. It’s not something I really ever thought I would do: As I was growing up, I always wanted to work for Walt Disney or something. But, I always wanted to do something where I was drawing. Jessica: How would you describe your style of tattooing? Jeff: I don’t limit myself very much. I like to do everything, that way I can cater to a lot more customers. But, I really do like to do black and grey, realistic work. I do enjoy some color, but I really like the more black and grey realism.
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Jessica: What do you enjoy most about your job?
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Jeff: Just interacting with so many people… sometimes. And, I get to see my artwork a lot of places where I go. It’s like a living canvas. I think the joys of just making people happy, whether you’re covering up a tattoo or fixing up someone’s tattoo. it’s rewarding to see someone come in who’s upset or doesn’t like their tattoo and then they leave really enjoying what they have.
Angelina Jolie. I get asked that question quite a bit. It was pretty cool. It was different. Im not a very starstrucked person, but she was very cool. It was a great moment. But, other than that, everyday I come to work, it’s a fun moment. It’s not really a job. Jessica: People always ask me about my tattoos, and if they hurt. I imagine you get asked that a lot. Jeff: Everyday.
Jessica: What have been your most exciting experience as an artist?
Jessica: So what do you say to people?
Jeff: Oh boy, this story… I tattooed
Jeff: It really depends on the person
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and where they are getting it. There are some places that hurt more than others. But, just your general tolerance level – how you feel pain is different with everybody. Generally, you can’t really say, “oh I got my tattoo here, it’s going to hurt you.” I have people that cry when they get it on their foot and I have people that fall asleep when they get it on their foot. Jessica: Is falling asleep while getting a tattoo common? Jeff: No, not very often. But, I have had quite a few people – some people out right snoring. It’s quite
entertaining. Jessica: Haha – I was just thinking about the last time I was here.. I was starting to fall asleep and almost started drooling all over the table… haha. So, what would be your worst experience client-wise? Jeff: I don’t have a worst experience per say, but there is that indecisive customer. You know, where you are sitting there for 45 minutes trying to place the design or they just have a bunch of friends in the room with them giving their opinion and it makes the person getting the tattoo change their mind all the time.
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Some people just can’t take the pain- You’re not even touching them and they’re already complaining and moving and stuff like that. I don’t really have a specific moment that was the worst, but you do get some people who are hard to deal with sometimes. Jessica: So what would be a dream customer be like? Jeff: The ones that snore. You do get the people who come in and really give you free reign with what you want to do. You know, they give you a general concept and they say “take it away” to put your artistic and creative ability into it. “My back is yours.” That’s a little more rewarding for a tattoo artist.
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Jessica: What’s your opinion on the growing popularity of the tattoo industry? Jeff: I like it. Its making tattooing a lot more enjoyable. Even with the shows on tv. I don’t personally like the shows, but they have brought a lot of awareness of how tattoos aren’t just for the criminals and the rifraf. It’s more for self expression and even the CEO’s of companies and doctors have tattoos. You’d be surprised, they’re the ones with the most extreme stuff sometimes. Jessica: Or, you get the shy little blonde girls. Finally, do you have any advice you’d like to give. Jeff: Definitely research the shop really well. Research your artist really well. Make sure the work in their portfolio is their work. I cant stress enough to make sure that the shop is a clean shop. There are a lot of potentially bad things that could happen if your shop doesn’t take the necessary precautions. And, just make sure that the piece you want to get is really something that you want for the rest of your life. It is very painful and very expensive to take off. A lot of people come in and grab something off the wall and get it. And then a couple of years later, they walk into the shop to cover it up. It doesn’t always have to be meaningful. I collect tattoos like I collect art on the wall. If I like it, Ill get it. It doesn’t always have to mean something to me.
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x Never wear a crowl neck shirt like this while at an appointment, it looks stupid.
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You’re quite the optimist. You always look at the brighter side of everything, and never lose hope. When faced with a problem, you are confident that you can do it, and are interested in learning new things. Optimistic attitudes can get anyone through difficult and confusing times.
You’re qutite the pessimist. You usually look at things on the darker side and that’s fine. This doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, you just usually assume that you will not like someone when you meet them for the first time, and aren’t very interested in learning new things.
You are neither an optimist or a pessimist. You can be quite undecisive and you could be a little of both at times, depending on the situation. We say, you’re pretty “normal” and balanced when it comes to having positive and negative outlook on the world.
We’re not quite sure if you’re overly pessimistic or are borderline insane. Eitherway, we think you’re a lost cause, so pack up your belongings and head to your bunker to prepare for the zombie Apcalypse!
Fail Moment of the Month
s s e r d d a o t a m i n i h c Using Ma p i h s r e b m e M f o e u s s i e
th
In 2010, after receiving 100 or so complaints regarding non-natives living in Kahnawake, the MCK decided to send eviction notices to 26 non-natives who were allegedly residing in the community. The decision sparked a lot of controversy and media coverage. In response to this, last year, I based my stop motion animation called “The Life of a Fluff” around a piece of fluff that goes by the name of Edwin. Edwin received an eviction letter from the MCK. Instead of leaving like he was suppose to, he’s been laying low in a basement and consequently, faces many burdens. During the fall of 2011, I remediated Edwin’s character in the online virtual world of Second Life. Using Second Life’s aesthetic, I remediated Edwin’s story of being evicted into a machinima. A machinima uses real-time 3D computer graphics rendering to create a cinematic production. The concept of my cinematic production was to feature a fake news pack on Edwin’s story with a virtual reporter, an interview with virtual Edwin and a virtual interview with an MCK representative to comment on the topic. My intentions with the machinima were to portray my views on the evictions. The evictions received a lot of media attention and I do believe it put a black eye on Kahnawake, especially in the “outside” “non-native” media. To the world, we looked really bad. The significance of this project was to examine this issue of membership and eviction. Not only for people from Kahnawake, but to shed light onto important issues in Kahnawake to non-natives like yourselves. There’s so much more than what you’ve probably heard or read from mainstream media.
Want to watc h
the machinm
a? Visit www .jessicadeer.
ca/machinim
a
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