MAGAZINE
EDITOR-IN-CHEIF: MATTHEW PARTIDA ART DIRECTION: McCALL HENKE
the intro issue
The honesty you get out of a disposable camera is why I enjoy them. The fact that you have no control except for a push of a button. After you develop the film you get the chance to be inspired again and view the photo from a different perspective. I am constantly wondering who people are and why or how they make decisions. What I hope to achieve is simple, to have an outlet where people can show their creativity and lifestyle to the world. Hope you enjoy
Alex Suarez: “Tell me a little bit about this project you’re working on.” Matthew Partida: “I’m creating a docu-style magazine called Throw Away. The plan is to give people disposable cameras and to have them take pictures of things that inspire them in their daily lives in an attempt to capture something real as opposed to something contrived. The idea is to delve into someone else’s thoughts and look at their personal creative process. What motivated me in doing this was that I wasn’t being inspired by anything...nothing was driving me. I wanted to develop a magazine that was honest and that would push me in my own creative endeavors. “ AS: “So you’re kicking off this whole magazine with an issue that’s dedicated to you; what are you planning on including?” MP: “I gravitate a lot towards textures, so for example I would take pictures of concrete that was drying after they got sprayed down in the early mornings or close-ups of buildings. I prefer muted colors, black and white...but I also love the brightness of graffiti. It’s kind of dualistic.” AS: “They say that necessity is the mother of invention; did you feel like there was something lacking in other publications?” MP: “There’s not a lot out there that summates our generation and that zooms in on how we cultivate certain aspects of ourselves through a creative process or through a singular, experienced event. A lot of magazines only show an artist or celebrity’s bio [from the perspective of the interviewer] and it can feel fabricated, whereas Throw Away will take the reader on a guided tour of another’s creative journey. I want it to be more observational and real.” AS: “There’s this whole sub cultural renaissance that’s occurring and there’s been a huge comeback with the 35mm film and Polaroid’s.
Simplicity seems to be the driving force behind it, but there’s still something ‘picture perfect’ about it. Obviously there’s very little control with the outcome of a disposable camera. Is this what made you choose that as the sole medium?” MP: “I’m not trying to get actual photographers to produce and manipulate a picture to their liking. I wanted the pictures to be something that came out of the need to just document a thing or a place within a moment.” AS: “Tell me a little bit about yourself. What inspires you, visually?” MP: “I grew up in Southern California, so I tend to gravitate towards surf culture, soft lighting, different shades of blue.... I’m fascinated by the clear purity of the ocean, especially now living in San Francisco where everything feels grey.” AS: “What, in your words, is your most positive attribute?” MP: “I’m a good listener and I try hard to understand all types of views, even If I disagree with them. To try and understand someone else’s point of view can help you and can either affirm what you personally believe in, or it can at least help you to gain a different perspective. “ AS: ”A negative attribute?” MP: “I don’t have any of those.” (Laughing) AS: “This is purely for selfish reasons now. I’ve been trying to get in on some new music, what have you been listening to?” MP: “Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of the stuff I listened to in high school, so Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club. It probably has something to do with the fact that lately I’ve been super homesick, and those were bands that I listened to with my friends from back home,
especially during the summer time. “ AS: “What do you think triggered your feelings of home-sickness?” MP: “My sister recently came back from medical school and even though her and I don’t always get along, this has been the first time in about two years where my whole family has been together, so that’s been a large part of the reason.” AS: “What are you doing in your spare time outside of school?”
of it. I’m constantly pushing myself, stepping outside of the box and taking risks, because ultimately, that’s how I learn.” AS: “What’s your biggest goal you wish to accomplish over the next seven years?” MP: “To have Throw Away be an actual, running publication and to have contributors approach me as opposed to the other way around. I don’t ever want it to become stagnant, I want to always be refining it.”
MP: “School has been really demanding this semester, so the main thing I’m enjoying is putting together this magazine. I’m having fun creating a product that I can be truly proud of. “ AS: “If you could assign someone the task of creating one of your issues, who would they be? Name one living and one deceased.” MP: “Andy Warhol. He was the master of observation and letting people do their thing. He was also just a genius when it came to changing people’s perception of pop culture and the world’s understanding of celebrities and mass-produced products. That in turn, has had a huge impact on advertising.” [Which he is studying at Academy of Art]. Someone living would have to be a surfer of some sort. I would want a ‘day in the life’ sort of thing. “ AS: “What are you most looking forward to this summer?” MP: “Going home and finally getting some down time! It’s tough living in a city and being in a class environment every day where you’re in direct competition with people. Of course a lot of it is in my head because I’m a very competitive person, and I tend to beat myself up if I don’t ‘win.’ Still, I think that sort of competitiveness is what makes me stronger; a lot of people can’t handle the stress
THROW AWAY MAGAZI N E
Contribution: Amanda Rathbun
FRESHMAN
Contribution: CARINA CATER
DUSK TO
DAWN
Contribution: Matthew Partida
Thank you to everyone who has contributed through Instagram @ThrowAway_mag
END