SPACE
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Team EDITOR IN CHI EF Darby Hoffman DEPUTY EDITOR Eva-Delilah Weiland ART DIRECTOR Lauren Chung WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE DIRECTOR L. Malik Anderson WUD PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE ADVISOR Jim Rogers WUD PRESIDENT Iffat Bhuiyan ON THE COVER Zwadi Carroll by Jing Zheng SPECIAL THANKS TO DJay Mando Revel Madison MMoCA
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Channing Smith PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Marissa Haegele ARTS CURATOR Ben Golden CREATIVE DIRECTOR Geordon Wollner FASHION EDITOR Ashley Mackens LIFESTYLE EDITOR Cassie Hurwitz CULTURE EDITOR Haidee Chu ARTS EDITOR Margaret Duffey FINANCIAL MANAGER Margaret Brennan WEB MASTER Leah Leonidas CREATIVE TEAM Alexa McGoey Channing Smith Emily Woodzicka
STAFF WRITERS Clarke Smith Claudia Prevete Elise Andersen Kasey Busiel Madeline Rasmussen Marin Smith Molly Rapozo Naomi Gallagher Tiffany Huang CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Abbey Meyer Brooke Komas Ella Guo Henry Stevens Katie Herrick Maggie Murphy Molly Burki Sam Georgson MODELS Alex Reeve Katie Pape Nikki Erdmann Zwadi Carroll AND FAITH CHAMPA ART Bailey Schneider James Arbaje Mia Boulukos Ryan Prehara PHOTOGRAPHY Amelia Faist Brooke Komas Ella Guo Cynthia Liu James Arbaje Jing Zheng Marissa Haegele Tri Tran
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Table of Contents ARTS 36
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A Space of Potential Jaume Plensa's Talking Continents Exhbition comments on language and the global human experience Swans and Knots A poem on introspection
48 Intergalactic Gallery
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A glimpse into the farthest museum from the Earth's surface UWFW: DJAY Mando An interview with UWFW's finale fashion show deejay
34 Make Space in Your Music Library
A conversation with Issac de Broux
LIFESTYLE 17
Hometown Glory Wanderlust? Try traveling in your local space
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Womanspreading: Reclaim Your Space Stop spreading yourself thin
50 Authentic Aesthetic
Reflecting your personality in your space
31
Lone Territory: Occupying the Space of Being Single How to cope with the space of solitude
33
The Space Between Us The highs and lows of long-distance relationships
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March 2018
49 Planting Comfort in your Space
Four plants to enhance your room
38
Making Space for Mental Health How to keep your mind in check
CULTURE 28
Strong Together How intersectional feminists were catalysts of change
FASHION 32
Futuristic Fashion Trends: Past & Present Rocking the robot look for 60 years and not stopping anytime soon
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The Intersection of Design Capturing depth, improving space, bringing shows to life
FEATURED 40 Mellow Yellow 18
Silver Lining Gleaming in solitude: attitude to outfit.
06 Musings From Milan
A glimpse into Milan Fashion Week
LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY
OUR PLACE IN THE
UNIVERSE ILLUSTRATION BY KAITLIN BANAFSHEHA
Hello dear readers! It is me, Eva, Moda’s Deputy Editor. Though I know we always love and live by Darby Hoffman’s wise words, this month she has encouraged me to write this letter to share my thoughts on the issue and our understanding of – dun dun dun – Space. I’ve realize that each day, we are in a flurry of environments, situations and relationships. Navigating these can be confusing and messy, but the variety gives us the opportunity to establish a unique, individual presence and determine how we define ourselves in these spaces. We may often feel like a product of our circumstances and experiences, but in fact, how we decide to exist in them is in our control. How do I act and how do I identify when being interviewed for internships? When networking during UW Fashion Week? When hanging out with my loved ones? Or in the rare case when I am completely alone? It is often hard to judge how to occupy the space that you are in. And my conclusion… to lead with grace, honesty and compassion, always. I encourage you to find your own mix of qualities that can provide your individual purpose. Choose your words, write them down and lock them in your brain, letting that mantra be the comfort to guide you in your next time of uncertainty.
As a girl and as a woman, I have especially felt this uncertainty balancing my proud feminine identity with a drive for respect. This dichotomy looms over many women, highlighting one of many reasons why I want to wish you all a wonderful Women’s Month. March’s issue not only covers relevant social themes but, as always, was created by the brains of the numerous marvelous women behind our organization. Within these pages are examples of past women claiming their histories and contemporary figures continuing to rock the boat. One example is our lifestyle piece, Womanspreading. Who knew that women could make news just because they chose to physically take up space when they sit? Take up space! And when you do, I ask you to do so with a purpose. Bring forward your distinct energy, leading with your personal words of intention. No matter who you are, everyone has their place. And if we look up to the sky or to the others around us, we may realize that we are each as unique as the stars in the universe. Shine bright, wherever you are. xoxo, Eva
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FASHION
MILAN WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY BROOKE KOMAS CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER
Bold hues, fantastic furs and fierce facades; I reveled among fashion’s elite on the people’s runway, the streets of Milan, during MFW Autumn/Winter 2018. Regardless of personal station or opportunity, we can all enter spaces of inspiration and creativity through digital endeavors — whether that means scrolling through social media or perusing the pages of online magazines to see news-worthy street style.
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LIFESTYLE
WOMANSPREAD RECLAIM YOUR SPACE BY SAM GEORGSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAMES ARBAJE
For centuries, girls have been raised to be ladylike. They are subjected to strict messages and constantly reprimanded with jabs such as “cross your legs” and “keep to yourself.” Everyone from grandmothers to elementary school teachers chastise young girls, repeatedly telling them to “sit like a lady.” The direct translation being that all little girls should be posing like the Duchess of Cambridge, knees and
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ankles pressed tightly together, taking up as little space as possible. Not only is it uncomfortable to sit in a position with your legs cocked awkwardly to the side, but it is also completely unfair that men are never expected to do the same. Boys are raised without the same boundaries. As they become men, their seated stance only widens, legs spread
as far as they please without any consideration to the people pressed for space on either side. This signature stance is so pervasive that it even has its own slang: manspreading. The term was coined in reference to men who seem to think it is their right to take up as much space as possible on public transportation. While it may seem modern, this trend has been an
“ Women have long felt pressured to take up as little space as possible, even crossing their legs in an effort to minimize their presence. ” Subway system. These messages urge temperance with quotes such as “Dude… Stop the spread, please. It’s a space issue,” accompanied by images of stick figures with their legs sprawled wide open, forcing other commuters to stand.2
DING: issue for decades. The earliest notable protest dates back to a pamphlet published in 1918 that asks men to “sit a little closer, please.”1 In recent years, the spreading has, well… spread so badly that notices are scattered through New York City’s Ellen Scott, “A pamphlet from 1918 proves manspreading has been around for almost 100 years,” Metro, February 10. 1
The term “manspreading” was even added to the online version of the Oxford Dictionary in 2015, marking its official acceptance into the English language.3 In contrast, women are barely permitted to sit comfortably in the confines of their own homes. Traditionally, they are much less likely to institute such a trend, spreading themselves out on the Subway only to be rewarded with their own moniker and place in the dictionary. Women have long felt pressured to take up as little space as possible, even crossing their legs in an effort to minimize their presence. However, women are now fighting back against these unfair seated standards and “womanspreading” is officially having its moment. Women everywhere are uncrossing their legs and sharing their experiences in the spirit of feminism. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Chrissy Teigen are paving the way, spreading themselves Emma G. Fitzsimmons, “A Scourge Is Spreading. M.T.A.’s Cure? Dude, Close Your Legs,” The New York Times, December 20, 2014, accessed February 25, 2018. 3 CBS/AP. “‘Manspreading’ spreads to Oxfords online dictionary,” CBS News, August 27, 2015. 2
all over Instagram and making headlines in the meantime. The trendsetters are inspiring thousands of women to join them. Although these Instagram-able acts of defiance may seem small at a time where sexual assault and harassment allegations are popping up everywhere, these social media movements and feminist hashtags are important. After decades of being hushed up and ignored, women’s frustrations are just starting to be heard. They are fighting back, spreading the word and spreading their legs for the sake of their integrity. Many of the protests today are vocal, with thousands of women speaking out about shared experiences of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination. With womanspreading, protests are starting to get physical. Women are freeing themselves of the societal restrictions on their bodies by taking up space. After years of being told to smile, putting up with catcalls and unwelcome remarks on their appearance and being pushed to the side by manspreading, women are choosing to stand up for themselves. With campaigns like #womanspreading, women are fighting back and making room for themselves and their stories. Finally, they taking up the space they deserve.
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ARTS
UWFW PROFILE:
DJAY M A N DO WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELLA GUO, CONTRIBUTING WRITER 14 MODA
To end UW Fashion Week on a high note, DJ Mando, a Madison deejay who has captivated both local and international audiences, provided the beats for the finale fashion show. Now, a UW-Madison alumni, he attributes much of his success to his time as a Sellery Residence Hall house fellow. Through the position, he gained a young following and was able to land a residency position at Liquid Madison. From Freakfest and Summerfest to Amsterdam and Peru, Mando is making a name for himself as an energetic talent in the music industry. Moda Magazine sat down with Mando to talk about what inspires him, how he connects with an audience and his plans for the future. MODA MAGAZINE: Can you start by telling us a little bit about your background? DJ MANDO: I am from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. I started [deejaying] probably my sophomore year of high school... at a family party. I really had nothing to do, so I just hung out at the DJ booth and watched what [he] was doing. He noticed that I was taking an interest in what he was doing. He started talking with my mom [and] they worked out a way for him to start teaching me [to] deejay. [Markus Harshaw] would come over every Sunday. He would teach me fundamentals, and back then, there wasn’t a bunch of super complicated DJ equipment. I just downloaded a whole bunch of CDs from Limewire. I took that and did a couple of house parties here and there [in] high school but when I got to UW, that’s really when I started. I deejayed at the student radio station WSUM every week. MM: Did your parents play any role in your DJ development? MANDO: Yeah. I’d say it’s more the setting. My mom is a dancer, my dad is in a West-African percussionist. He was a program director of a dance company called Ko-Thi. My dad was the music man. My mom, when she was a college student, took a dance class and he was teaching. That’s how they met. Music has always been my background since I was a young young kid.
MM: How did your experience at UW play into your deejaying? MANDO: I would say classes didn’t really help me as much as the environment of college. I didn’t know I wanted to be a DJ until about my junior year... For me, it was just something that I would do for fun. As time went on, people started noticing my deejaying...and then I started to take it more seriously. The biggest thing for me [during] my school experience would be becoming an R.A. at the dorm Sellery...There was a club down the street from Sellery called Liquid. I’d deejayed there maybe once or twice before that for Chi Sigma Tau, which is an Asian multicultural fraternity, so I had contact with Liquid and Liquid brought me in to DJ one time because they were looking for DJ. I used my connection as an R.A. to run through the whole dorm. Because everybody knew who I was, I just sold them tickets to the club. It was 18+ so everyone [could] go... I brought in like 150-200 college freshman into the club. At the time, the club wasn’t really super popping, so when they saw some local kid just bringing in all these people...they [were] impressed... I started deejaying there every Saturday after that. Being an R.A. and meeting so many people at one time really helped me become a DJ. It would have taken a lot longer for me to get popular in the city if I wasn’t in the school. MM: You recently were named the DJ of the Year in Madison. What did it take for you to get to that point? MANDO: It definitely takes a lot of coordination from a lot of different people. First, it was my effort. As a self-employed person, you’ve gotta do something everyday, because if you don’t, then nothing is done. Another thing that’s important is the team of people around you. The two people I’ve worked with the most have been my manager, Brandon Haelig, who is the owner of Strange Oasis Entertainment, and the rapper that I deejay for, Lucien Parker. They are both so good at what they are doing. Brandon is all
administrative stuff — typing up emails and negotiating contracts. He just knows everything about it. Lucien kills everything on the studio side, like making music and show performance on stage. Effort, [the] team around you, being able to connect with your fans and having a strong brand. MM: Do you have a favorite local venue to play? MANDO: Here in Madison, it’s definitely Liquid. That’s one of the first places that I’ve consistently deejayed besides WSUM here in the city. They really took a chance on me and allowed me to build myself up and build them up at the same time. Everybody that knows me in the city knows me from Liquid or from school. Also… I’ve deejayed at the Orpheum one time and it was a much bigger stage and bigger capacity. The energy was the exact same. MM: What has been the coolest thing you have done so far in your career? MANDO: Being able to give my residents a good impression. I became an R.A. because my R.A. wasn’t really present. My first year here as a freshman wasn’t that great as far as a home living in a dorm, because I didn’t really have anybody to connect to. So my biggest thing as an R.A. would be to connect to everybody that I came in contact with. And that translated over to me as a DJ. I just want to connect with people. Two, I deejayed at Summerfest on the main stage. As a kid, I would always go to Summerfest and watch all my favorite artists. I told myself when I was 16 (when I first started), “Man, I could do so much better than that person up there!” And I did it last summer, it was the craziest experience. 12,000 people in my own city and everybody loved the show. That was definitely something to check it off my list. When I was a kid, I was thinking “If I can make it on that stage, I’ll know I’ve made it.” It took so much more to just get there… The fact that I was able to do it just made me step back and realize that I’ve really accomplished a lot so now, onto the next thing.
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Third, I’ve been able to travel overseas and perform. I’ve been able to go [to] countries that I’ve never been to or planned on going to because of my deejaying. MM: Tell us a little bit more about your artistic process. What inspires you? Do you have any favorite artist right now? MANDO: Lots of people ask me who my favorite DJs are or DJ influences, but I don’t really look up to DJs for my influences. The only DJ has been Markus… I’ve paid attention to artists like Future, Migos, Drake, and people I listened to when I was a kid like Biggie, Nars, Eminem. What I’ve taken away from those artists [is] the feelings that they give you from their music and from their shows. I listened to their songs and
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looked at their shows to see what [they] add to their songs… During the show when I’m playing the song, I want to give people a full picture. The most important part of the song for me is the hook, which is the thing that you hear over and over again. That’s the first thing people remember. If you can make a song with the catchy hook, by the time people are done listening to it, they just [have] it in their head. MM: What is your ultimate goal? How do you want to impact the industry? MANDO: On the level that I’ve done so far, my biggest goal was bringing together as many people as I can through music. In a way, I’ve accomplished that. At Liquid, it used to be only like 50-100 people on a busy night, and it was all white people.
After deejaying there and being persistent, it turned into like 300-500 people every weekend. It was White, Black, Latino, Asian… No matter where are you from, how you are, what you are…you can go to my show and have fun. For me, it’s just doing that on larger and larger scales. I just want to bring [together] as many people as I possibly can through music, ideally through hip-hop. Mando’s strength as a performer is evident in his ability to bring people together from diverse backgrounds to enjoy a variety of music. His desire to create a connection with the crowd distinguishes him from other DJs. Moda Magazine thanks Mando for bringing his energy and talent to the runway for the UWFW finale fashion show.
LIFESTYLE
H OM ETOW N G LO RY BY TIFFANY HUANG, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER PHOTOGRAPHED BY CYNTHIA LIU
Many of us have the desire to travel around the world and see everything outside of our comfortable bubble. To me, the culture, the people and the exoticness always drive the urge to travel. However, with countless constraints like budgets and time limits, sometimes it is too much trouble to travel far away. Yet, you can still quench your thirst for travel by exploring your own hometown. During our regular schedule, we are so caught up with getting to the next place that we often miss out on many of the small, wonderful parts of our surroundings. When was the last time
“Even though it is the place we are most familiar with, there are still a lot of local things that are waiting to be explored in your hometown.�
you sat quietly at the park near your house and enjoyed the beauty of your hometown? Have you been to all the landmarks in your city? Personally, I have not. Even though it is the place we are most familiar with, there are still a lot of local things that are waiting to be explored in your hometown. We set time aside for deep exploration in a new place, so why not get just as much out of travelling within a place we think we know so well. There are many local places Madison residents can visit. Henry Vilas Zoo is right around the corner and offers seasonal events, like the end-of-year Christmas lights, that feel like traveling without the exorbitant price tag. Even without the holiday lights, the zoo is a fun place to go year-round. Closer to campus, Lake Mendota and the Memorial Union Terrace are excellent hangout spots. The area is open all year, so you can stop by anytime to enjoy great food and an awesome view of the lake. Otherwise, it is always nice to take a break from the rush of campus by heading out to Willy Street for a quiet cup of coffee or some of the best food from around the world. Madison and its surrounding area provide plenty in the local travel department.
If you have already explored most areas of your hometown, a more exciting way to stimulate your senses is to bring along a friend who is unfamiliar with the location. It is even better to bring friends who live in completely different towns, states or even countries. The distinctive perspectives from these friends will provide a new angle to see your hometown. Over winter break, I took my boyfriend back to my hometown, Taipei City, and the experience was fantastic. We visited all the tourist attractions that I had never been to and all the places that were significant to my childhood. He was in awe of the culture and food. His fascination of my hometown made me fall in love with the city all over again. Not only was it a brandnew experience, but by showing him around, it brought back so many childhood memories. The entire trip was refreshing and amazing. If you are worried about money or struggling with selecting your next destination, consider something a little different. This time, sit back and wear a different pair of glasses. Create a new relationship with your hometown.
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SILVER LINING ZWADI CARROLL PHOTOGRAPHED BY JING ZHENG DIRECTED BY CLARKE SMITH, FASHION EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE FASHION TEAM
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silver coat | H&M metallic skirt | Urban Outfitters see-through shirt | Brandy Melville
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glitter crop top | Stylists' own leather skirt | Express boots | BooHo
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FASHION
T HE I NTER S EC T SONLINE
@MACHU
BY HENRY STEVENS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Innovations in architectural engineering, material mediums and a new wave of spatial-oriented set designs has allowed designers to warp their projects into auras never before seen. The space and setting a model has is in the power to change the look of the outfit itself. The depth of the background or foreground of a shoot or a runway show can add a necessary layer to contrast or complement a designers work.
the element of space separates and improves ideas for the garments themselves into something more than just the clothes.
Kanye West has placed a huge emphasis on spatial awareness with his Yeezy furniture and set designs. The space in Daniela Gregis’s SS18 shoot paints a bleak, white sky against deeply weathered rock, helping to make the contrast of the background to the sun hat and layered skirt look natural.
“The idea is to teach my demographic — the younger generation who’s immersed in fashion — about architecture through these sites,” he told Architectural Digest. “I’m trying to teach the younger generation about architecture through buildings that have inspired my way of thinking.”
Space is cryptic in nature because so it is unique, no area is the same. The clothes a designer shows — whether it be runway or ready-to-wear — can usually be defined by the person wearing it or designing it. However,
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Perhaps the best example of someone who utilizes space in their design is Off-White designer Virgil Abloh. For one of his most recent books, the former engineer and architectural student placed models in his clothes at famous buildings around the world.
Abloh articulates that buildings and spaces have the ability to inspire the inception of a collection itself, not just spin the look of a design placed in a new space. Although artist like Abloh and West have allowed for the widespread popularization of this
aspect of design, designers have been drawing inspiration from aspects of space and depth for a while. A.P.Cs latest drop featured a visual book that featured spaces and structures built and created between 2000 and 2015 by A.P.C Founder Jean Touitou. Although he might not be as hyped as Abloh, his understanding of space has helped him to build over 50 buildings and launch the A.P.C clothing brand into the mainstream. The development and the production of everyday structures and items has become increasingly artistically influenced. Fashion designers also feel more pressure to make something that they think people will feel is different. This has led to the meshing of various forms of of art and design- fashion designers drawing inspiration from the architectural relm is just one example. The blossoming in the intersection of designs has helped push every form of creation to a new level.
T IO N O F DES IG N BY KASEY BUSIEL, FASHION STAFF WRITER The hectic and fast-paced environment of 2018’s London Fashion Week can be blinding to those unacquainted with the madness, making it easy to miss important details that make the week so iconic. One crucially important aspect that gets overlooked is the venue of each runway show. Although the significance might not be obvious at first, venues bring a designer’s vision to life. Each venue tells a different story that affects how the public perceives the latest designs. The Burberry’s 2018 runway show was a monumental occasion during London Fashion Week. This collection marks Christopher Bailey’s last as creative director of the iconic brand, and — of course — it did not disappoint. For his farewell, he created youthful, optimistic and beautifully-colored apparel to support the LGBTQ+ community. A combination of the famous Burberry checkered print with colors of the pride flag was seen
on oversized sweaters, floor-length skirts, handbags and more. As the show-stopping finale, Cara Delevingne made a rare runway appearance, displaying a triumphant cloak covered in all the colors of the rainbow. The venue — a massive, empty warehouse — played a significant role in helping the audience stay absorbed in the powerful and heartfelt symbolism of the collection. Anna Wintour noted, “Showing it in a warehouse, nothing pretentious, nothing grand, was so much in Christopher’s spirit.”1 Christopher Bailey wanted the clothing to speak for itself. The bare backdrop eliminated any distractions that would take away from his celebratory message and let the crowd become fully submerged in his one-of-a-kind vision. As for Simone Rocha’s 2018 runway show, one word came to mind: “Vogue’s Anna Wintour Shares Her London Fashion Week Highlights,” Vogue, February 20, 2018 1
ERDEM
feminine. Pinned to her studio wall was an 1809 John Constable portrait of Mary Freer, a young girl in a simple cotton dress. Rocha took this inspiration and created a beautiful collection of 19th-century puffed sleeves, soft tulle and lace dresses and flowing ribbons. Anna Wintour praised the designer by gushing, “She grows every season. Her sense of color, her sense of fabric, her sense of femininity becomes more and more powerful.”1 This season, Rocha stuck to the color scheme of whites, blacks and vibrant reds, which matched the venue aesthetic perfectly. To play up the theme of femininity, the runway was an artistically patterned carpet of all three colors with a soft, wood-paneled backdrop. The runway itself seemed to almost become part of every garment paraded down the runway. With both the venue and the apparel matching the theme entirely, it was impossible for the audience to miss Simone Rocha’s creative direction.
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FASHION
BURBERRY
Erdem, an award-winning British designer, beautifully blended his latest collection and the venue of his runway show to tell a story of his muse, Adele Astaire. This year, his show was held at the elegant National Portrait Gallery. Backstage, the designer admitted, “Adele married the son of the Duke of Devonshire and he died very early on in the marriage. Every year after that, she would visit Lismore, the Irish castle where she’d lived with her husband. I was obsessed with the idea of this woman who keeps coming back year after year.”2 2
Samantha Conti, “Erdem RTW Fall 2018,”
WWD, February 19, 2018
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To make this story come to life, Erdem created a glamorous yet dark new season of apparel to represent Astaire’s mourning. Models stormed down the runway wearing black and white sheer-face veils, dark, floral silk dresses and long capes. The National Portrait Gallery helped transport the audience back into the 1940s. Although the gallery is no Irish castle, the exquisite venue portrayed the theme of royalty. The darkness of the clothing clashed with the light, regal venue which made an eyecatching statement. The creative use of design and set for Erdem’s 2018 runway show perfectly portrayed Adele Astaire’s inspiring life story.
SIMONE ROCHA
The importance of space for every fashion show venue is critical. Not only does it help physically frame the designer’s apparel, but the atmosphere affects how the audience perceives the latest collections. The empty warehouse for Burberry, the Feminine carpet for Simone Rocha, and the elegant gallery for Erdem all constructed unique emotions that affected how the audiences viewed the designs. Each venue portrayed a different mood, whether it be pride, femininity, or darkness, that helped transport the audience into the designer’s mind and understand their creative vision.
ARTS
SWANS & KNOTS WRITTEN BY MADELINE RASMUSSEN, ARTS STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY RYAN PREHARA POST PRODUCTION BY CHANNING SMITH, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
The remedial stirring of knots inside the very large space in my mind A million intricate knots of a million counterfeit thoughts conglomerating like swans With beautiful long necks that swallow everything that I am told I dress myself each morning with a head as heavy as feathers so I can feel my way into fabric A space all my own My beak opens and I speak I squawk “I am a beautiful disgusting bird.” They tell me no, “You are an unhatched egg, tapping at your shell.” So I retreat back into the cotton of my white shirt Back into the very large space in my mind To stir with my thoughts and fly with the swans.
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CULTURE
ST RON GER TOGE THER
HOW INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISTS WERE A HISTORICAL CATALYST F BY MOLLY BURKI, CONTRIBUTING WRITER As National Women’s History Month, March is a time dedicated to remembering contributions that are too often forgotten. We must memorialize the women who fought for where we are today and celebrate the future that lies ahead of us because of them. However, in remembering these milestones, women of color are often forgotten by many. Still, their energy propelled the feminist movement. They are the roots of the movement, from which their power and determination empowered growth. This National Women’s History Month, we focus on the importance of intersectionality. Shirley Chisholm, Flo Kennedy, Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes have revolutionized the feminist movement, while supporting all women and each other. We have to thank these four women for the world we not only live in, but thrive in.
“Fighting Shirley.” She introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation to fight for many causes, including racial and gender equality. By 1972, Chisholm sought out the Democratic Party presidential nomination but faced discrimination, being prohibited from appearing in TV debates and only being allowed to make one speech after taking legal action. Regardless, as Chisholm had hoped, she still became a “catalyst
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm
Chisholm was encouraged to consider a political career after graduating from Brooklyn College cum laude; but, as a black woman, she was already aware of the limitations society imposed on her. Recognizing social issues pertaining to race and gender, Chisholm became a member of the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Urban League and the Democratic Party in Brooklyn In 1964, she became the second African American in the New York State Legislature; and in 1968, she won a seat in Congress. There, she was recognized for her motto “unbossed and unbought” and became known as
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of change” for women in Brooklyn, America and worldwide.1
Florynce “Flo” Rae Kennedy “Shirley Chisholm.” National Women’s History Museum. Accessed February 20, 2018. 1
After graduating high school in Kansas City, Kennedy opened a hat shop that, which –– within a few years –– became a part of her political protest against a company that refused to hire black workers. She was denied in her initial THE PLUM GALLERY application to Columbia Law School
THE PLUM GALLERY
FOR CHANGE
WIKIPEDIA
because she was a woman, but was later admitted after threatening a lawsuit. She set up an organization called the Media Workshop in 1966 to fight racism in journalism and advertising and fought a multitude of cases involving racial and gender equality. Her work included representing 21 Black Panthers on trial and suing the Roman Catholic Church for interference of abortion. In 1971 she founded the Feminist Party; with a point that “you have to fight on all the fronts, all the time.” It was a point that she stuck to and succeeded at.2
Gloria Marie Steinem
Steinem is a feminist icon and strong ally for feminists of color. She graduated from Smith College in 1956 and received many awards: Doctorate of Human Justice, Bill of Rights Award, the National Gay Rights Advocates Award, the Liberty award of the Lambada Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Ceres Medal from the United Nations. She cofounded Ms. Magazine with Dorothy Pitman-Hughes and was an editor for 15 years, covering feminist issues such as police brutality, child abuse and other social issues.3
relationships prove her role as a strong ally. She recognized her own privilege and supported the voices of women who were too often unheard. Allyship of this kind is fundamental to promoting intersectional feminism.5
She claimed she learned her feminist views “disproportionately from Black women,” and that they were the inventors of the movement.4 These
She furthered her activist efforts by organizing the first shelter for battered women and co-founding the Women’s Action Alliance. She spoke out and about gender, class and race,
“About.” Gloria Steinem. Accessed February 20, 2018. 4 “Gloria Steinem: Black Women Created the Feminist Movement.” GOOD BLACK NEWS. August 09, 2015. Accessed February 20, 2018.
Dorothy Pitman-Hughes
When Pitman-Hughes was ten, her father was beaten and left for dead by the Ku Klux Klan, an experience that motivated her to use activism and advocacy to improving the lives of others throughout her lifetime.6 Alongside Steinem, Pitman-Hughes co-founded feminist publication Ms. Magazine.
3
Martin, Douglas. “Flo Kennedy, Feminist, Civil Rights Advocate and Flamboyant Gadfly, Is Dead at 84.” The New York Times. December 22, 2000. Accessed February 20, 2018. 2
Ibid Wilson, Cristin. “Q&A with author and activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes.” The Florida Times. January 27, 2011. Accessed February 20, 2018. 5
6
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
THE PLUM GALLERY
with a focus on gentrification. Her role as a business owner for three child-care centers also served to empower African American women.7 Her devotion to activism was a large success; her work championed along icons such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. 8 Devotion and connection empower the possibility for change; and the legacy of these women showcases “Dorothy Pitman Hughes.” Facebook - Log In or Sign Up. Accessed February 20, 2018. 8 Ibid 7
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that we are stronger when we support each other. Kennedy supported Chisholm, Steinem had close ties with Kennedy, and Pitman-Hughes inspired Steinem. These women stood handin-hand for what they believed in. By using each the work and words of others as motivation and support, they built a community of activists and fighters together. They continued on ceaselessly, despite hardship and setbacks — a lesson anyone can learn from in this trying time.
Listening to experiences that differ from our own is equally as important in strengthening progression of intersectionality in movements. It serves not only to recognize underexplored experiences, but also to empower people to fight alongside those whose experiences differ from their own. If we use our differences to understand each other and connect, we can only grow stronger. The future can only get brighter.
LIFESTYLE
LONE T E R R I TORY OCCUPYING THE SPACE OF BEING SINGLE
BY MOLLY RAPOZO, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY RYAN PREHARA When we live our lives together, handin-hand with our partners, the vast space of human existence shrinks just that much, by the size of their being. The absence of someone by our side creates a new world, one with just that much more breathing room. It’s disorienting, worrisome and not always a happy place to be. There’s a certain space to singleness: a vast space, accompanied by a lot of feelings, emotions, worries and freedom. It’s hard to be alone. Navigating the world with all the emotions and freedoms that fill single spaces takes an incredible amount of effort. Learning how to occupy the space and grow until you take up every inch of your world for yourself, can expose beautiful things about the world around you and how you fit into it. One place to start is getting to know yourself. Most people will tell you to take the time to learn who you are when you first become single, so that when someone comes along, you know yourself enough to move on to getting to know them better.
It can take time, but with each question you answer for yourself, your feet sink further into the ground and you become more stable in the world. A great set of first questions would be, “Who am I?”, “What do I like?”, “What do I dislike?” and “What do I firmly believe in?” Defining these for yourself allows you to be certain on what place you hold in the world. As you begin to define where you stand, you can also focus on the importance of taking responsibility for yourself. You are the only person in this single space, meaning that your universe essentially falls on your shoulders alone. Whether you are making plans for yourself, or make a mistake or act poorly, you are responsible for all the consequences in that. Understanding this responsibility not only in terms of consequences but as a means of freedom is crucial. Yes, you must own up to your actions and every decision you make. But, each decision you make is entirely your own, which gives you the opportunity to make different choices, try new
things and explore, without the worry of affecting a significant other. Even when you take responsibility and realize who you are and what matters, you are bound to come across periods of loneliness. This empty feeling often widens the expanse of “single space” and it is hard to fill up. Focusing in on what is important to you, and what will bring you comfort and happiness is essential to getting through the rough patches of solitude. Leaning on friends and family, taking time to spend alone in nature, getting deep into your favorite hobby and working hard on projects that need your attention are all ways to take the knowledge of being alone and apply it to riding out a wave of solitude. Being single is nothing to fear. In fact, it helps us grow and shape ourselves for being in a relationship. On the other hand, being in a relationship is nothing to fear either and has many benefits of its own. Any way you cut it, you are the one person in the world who knows yourself the best.
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FASHION
FUTURISTIC FASHION: PAST & P R E SE N T BY CLAUDIA PREVETE, FASHION STAFF WRITER
W MAGAZINE
Through fashion, designers exercise their creativity and exploration of their innermost artistic sensations in order to materialize a product or garment. That creativity, however, is not untouched by a designer’s surroundings that they are a part of. As a result, their creations are a reflection of their self and their cultural contexts. It is for that reason precisely, that the trend of futuristic fashion can be traced as existing during a period in which society was fascinated with the space race and the idea of a robotic or otherworldly future. This fascination still exists today, a time at which phones unlock by scanning your face and the idea of a self-driving car isn’t necessarily nuanced. Fashion trends of the past and present perpetuate the obsession with a sci-fi reality and make it tangible to forward-thinking fashionistas. 1960s London is attributed as the birthplace of what is now a normalized trend: plastic shoes. Designer, Mary Quant, revolutionized her field by making plastic booties and shoes, which not only became coveted at the moment, but eventually came to be emblematic of sixties fashion.
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BRAVOTV
That same time period saw the conception of robotic-looking, metallic dresses by Paco Rabanne, who quite literally dressed women in attire resembling a piece of artificial intelligence. It is perhaps the beginning of the Space Age in the late fifties/early sixties that is to account for it. But inarguably, fashion in the sixties represented the cultural fascination and a collective looking to the future with a sense of optimism. Similar reflections of the world and society are no less prevalent in what is sent down the runway today. The integral being of technology in the twenty first century has resulted in trends similar to that which dominated the sixties. Kanye West’s Yeezy collections have sent plastic shoe after plastic shoe down the runway, and Karl Lagerfeld’s 2018 Chanel Ready-toWear collection included clear plastic capes and coats galore. As far as street-style is concerned, it appears as though these trends are here to stay, at least for a while. Paris Hilton infamously wore a glittering chainmail Julien MacDonald
mini-dress on her 21st birthday in 2002, and Kendall Jenner consulted Lebanese designer Antoine Salameh to customize a similar look for her coming of age as well. These dresses — both much more modern creations — were the spitting image of Paco Rabanne’s creations of the sixties, looking simultaneously robotic and disco-ready. The Met Gala in 2016 stands as a true testament to the fact that fashion and our tech-culture are inevitably enmeshed. The theme “Manus X Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology” asked those in attendance to draw their inspiration from tech itself, resulting in a multitude of studs, metallic embellishments and sleek, edgy hairstyles. The notion that fashion draws on ideas about the future just as much as it draws upon and captures the present moment is incredibly pervasive. These elements are representative of a larger sort of cultural optimism and belief that perhaps the great unknown (like outer space) or that which has not yet occurred (like artificial intelligence) is worthy enough to bring to life in one of our most intimate forms of expression: fashion.
LIFESTYLE
THE SPAC E THE SPACE B E T W E EN US BY KATIE HERRICK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY MIA BOULUKOS Often, the biggest space in life is the space between your loved ones and yourself. Whether it be miles, hours or years, the space between partners creates a divide that can often impact other areas of life. Longdistance relationships, like all other relationships, either end horribly or allow love to break barriers and bloom. Seven partners of all ages and circumstances opened up about the highs and lows of long-distance partnerships, whether they had amicable endings or ones that stung. The most common answer to the worst part of long distance was the space created by being so far apart. Often, the negative side effects of this space came up as well. In some cases, the inability to share the smallest and most unimportant parts of the day with your partner and do activities with them regularly caused issues. Additionally, the trust that is necessary to exist miles apart and stay true to only one person, whom you rarely see, is one of the worst parts. This trust, or lack of, can cause anxiety and deprivation to one’s view of themself. As one long-distance partner puts it, “While he was very good to me and was outwardly loving, I think the endless amount of anxiety that I felt when we were apart really put a downer on my mental health and how I viewed my self-worth.” Relationship anxiety can cause more problems and arguments, creating a vicious cycle. Additionally, time differences and busy daily schedules affect when you can actually talk to and see your significant other. The knowledge and understanding of a partner relies on small and large interactions, effectively creating more distance in a relationship when these cannot be communicated.
Yet, with all negatives come positives. Reuniting after being apart creates a feeling of connection that is unlike any other. To see the one you love the most in real life, face-to-face, breathing and speaking creates an unparalleled feeling of joy. The weeks, days and hours leading up to this moment are filled with a sense of excited urgency. These moments allow expression of the feelings that you both have felt for months while apart. Another benefit of distance is the independence each partner gains. Being unable to see your partner each day allows you both to grow as individuals, helping yourself and the relationship. You learn to mature and deal with situations without getting in petty fights. You are able to grow not just with a person, but separately and individually in ways you cannot when living two feet apart. Long-distance relationships teach you about yourself, your love, your wants and needs. You also learn how to best communicate these needs to another person. The skills that maintain a romantic relationship that is miles apart become second nature after a while, making planning lunch in a group chat feel easy. It teaches you the independence of doing what you want, while still experiencing love for your partner; you can eat sushi alone in bed on a Saturday night with no shame. As you age, you will pursue a career — most likely not the same as your partner — and you will not be able to see your partner while you are working. Long-distance prepares you for this shift in attention and time spent together. As one happy long-distancer puts it, “Being able to be different people
while also being in a relationship is something that I think is actually pretty cool and allows you to learn about yourself while also cultivating a relationship with your significant other. You both get to grow individually, while simultaneously growing together.” If you are considering a long-distance relationship or are already in one, the most frequently-offered advice was to have an endpoint for your relationship’s distance and to make sure it is something both parties want and will work for. If it is not worth it for both of you, neither should put in all their effort and attention. If you start to see the feelings fade, communicate and be honest. Make sure that you both know when and if your long-distance relationship will end — it simply cannot go on forever — and knowing when it will end makes the pain more manageable. Whether days, months or years apart, having a set end date makes all the work seem worth it and feasible. As another partner put it, “ebbs and flows” will come when you feel that nothing can tear you apart and when it feels like more than miles in between. Know and remember this advice. With all bad comes good, and all good comes bad. As in any relationship, everything cannot be perfect and happy all the time. In the end, if both of you are willing to work hard and put in a lot of effort and time, you can make it work. “Long distance opened my life to some incredible opportunities and places I would have never gone or done without it.”
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ARTS
M A KE SPAC E I N YO U R M U SIC LI B RA RY BY NAOMI GALLAGHER, ARTS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHED BY AMELIA FAIST Moda recently sat down with Isaac de Broux-Slone (18), frontman and co-leader of Madison indie-poprock band Disq to discuss the band, its influences and what the group plans to take on next. de Broux-Slone and Raina Bock (17), the group’s primary members, are a young, but sophisticated ensemble that have blessed Madison venues with their catchy rock songs and upbeat energy. MODA MAGAZINE: How long have you been making music? ISAAC DE BROUX-SLONE: I have been making music ever since I can remember. I got my first guitar when I was four or five — my neighbors gave it to me. Then from there, I started taking guitar lessons when I was in kindergarten and a friend gave me a
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drumset. So, that was kind of the start of it all. MM: When did Disq formally get together? ISAAC: Disq formed in the summer of 2014. Raina and I had been in a band with each other before… We were working on some music together one summer and decided to take it off as its own thing. We played in Launchpad together also. MM: How do you think you have evolved as a band since then? ISAAC: Our first iteration of the band was very different. It was keyboards, drums, guitar and bass. Then our keyboard player also played saxophone and we just had a totally
different attitude… After that, we started heading — in my opinion — a more tasteful direction. I think the way that me and Raina make music has evolved because different things are happening to me in my life, and that is what the songs are all about… Last March, we went out to a studio in Detroit to record, and it seemed like a really good deal… It ended up that they wanted a little more control over what we were doing than we really wanted...so we ended up pulling out of that and lost a lot of progress we had. But through that, our standards got a lot higher for sound, and I’ve been buying a lot nicer gear so we are shifting to a more hi-fi
direction, while our last album... wasn’t as consistent.
recording group projects from these days are super inspiring as well.
Now we are working towards something more consistent…that isn’t just angst songs. As the subject matter is changing, we are also trying to make the music a little more diverse and complex, because it is really easy for rock to be super boring. We are trying to take a new spin on it and do something that hasn’t been done before.
MM: How would you personally describe your sound or genre?
MM: Who are your biggest musical influences? ISAAC: My biggest musical influences are probably The Beatles, Stevie Wonder... I’ve been listening to a lot of Elton John recently, because his recordings are kind of the peak of really good ‘70s recordings. He is a big influence on my own recordings and what I’m doing right now. Todd Rundgren is also a huge influence for me because he was a big “do it yourselfer” and a recording engineer back in the day, so I feel like I relate to him too. Then there’s Neon Indian, Tame Impala — all those classic, cool
ISAAC: Pop, rock, art, indie, post. MM: Disq has opened for several big names such as Whitney, Jay Som, Twin Peaks and Hippocampus. How were these bigger show experiences for you? Do you prefer smaller venues to large gigs? ISAAC: I really like playing the bigger shows, because if you are an opening band and you’re good enough, there are tons of people there that like you… We get a bunch of Facebook likes afterwards, which is cool. But then... small shows are [also] really good when it’s more in specific situations, like a really fun house show or a show where you have a lot of good friends show up or with a really good band line-up. I always enjoy the big shows for the publicity and because you get to hang out with the cool band.
MM: What is next for Disq? There have been whisperings about an upcoming tour. Can you tell me anything about that? ISAAC: Well, we are trying to book a tour for sometime this spring or summer. If not a tour, there will probably be a bunch of shows here with some Chicago and Milwaukee shows. We are kind of always recording. We are working on album number two right now. We are about five or six songs in, so we are in the home stretch with getting the songs written. Then it is a matter [of] finishing all of them. We will probably have some sort of song release soon and then follow it up with a video.
You can find Disq’s music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Tidal, Google Play, iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube. Additionally, de Broux-Slone says you can can message him on Facebook to purchase a CD.
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ARTS
A S PACE OF POT E N T I A L : JAUME PLENSA’S TALKING CONTINENTS EXHIBITION COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN EXPERIENCE WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIN SMITH, ARTS STAFF WRITER large, sculptural materials like bronze, steel and granite. His works are often found in public, outdoor spaces, like his Milwaukee piece that I am particularly familiar with and his Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The fountain displays the faces of more than 1,000 Chicago residents.2 He is one of the world’s most prolific modern sculptors and continually demonstrates his talent by creating dynamic pieces that are interactive and intriguing, yet accessible. Talking Continents aptly demonstrates all of these qualities. The fact that it is visible from outside of the museum fits his trend toward public art, but in this case, it really works to draw people from the openness of the outdoors into the more intimate spaces of the museum.
A trophy of Milwaukee’s east side is Jaume Plensa’s Spillover II sculpture, which overlooks Atwater Park’s sandy beachfront. This figure of a person sitting with their knees tucked in toward their chest, watching the waves, is a popular feature in sunrise and sunset photo-ops. Its openwork, metallic lettering allows the sun to seep through the sculpture itself. Being from Milwaukee, I drove past this sculpture at least three times each week, so when I saw similar figures floating in the front window of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA), I felt compelled to check it out. Sitting behind a couple of the MMoCA’s first floor windows, Plensa’s exhibition, Talking Continents, is visible from State
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Street. A collection of figures and pods of varied sizes and shapes appears to float in the air, enticing passerbys to come in and get a closer look.
Once inside, viewers are often cautious of the spatial layout, as the room is relatively filled with the sculptures. However, the intention is to gently encourage interaction with the pieces — not through touch but movement.
As a sculptor from Barcelona, Plensa is known around the world for his compelling installations. Over the course of his 63 years of life, Plensa has actively pursued the art of sculpture. From Llotja School of Art and Design to Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts, he has studied the art extensively and the schooling has shaped his career.1
Through moving around them, you may feel like you are floating among them too. Their varying sizes, positionality and proximity to the ground or ceiling make the entire experience rather consuming. The lights are also positioned to create clear shadows across the floor, so that while looking up or side to side, there will always seem to be more pieces available in one’s peripheral vision.
Over time, the size of his works grew exponentially, and by the 1990s, he specialized in larger-than-life creations. Though a lot of his work is mixed media, he works primarily with
Each sculpture is made of die-cut steel letters, symbols and numbers from languages across the globe. These symbols bend smoothly to create subtle curvatures and to outline human
As discussed within his biography on his webpage.
2
1
With accordance to the City of Chicago’s report.
forms, all without ever combining to create any concrete words or phrases. The smoothness of the sculptures, combined with their spatial positioning and arbitrary letters, mirrors the fluidity of human spirituality and interconnectedness, a message that Plensa prides himself in conveying. With each cloud-like figure being made solely of the tools for communication without actually saying anything, Plensa demonstrates that humans are connected by more than just our abilities to speak and read; we are bound together by the global nature of the human experience, despite spatial separation. The ability to say nothing, yet reflect the breadth of the human experience demonstrates Plensa’s poetic nature, as well as his ability to efficiently use art as a form of communication in and of itself. This exhibition is one of my favorites that I’ve seen in Madison, and I truly believe that the spirituality of the entire experience offers a calming and introspective break from the chaos of everyday life in the city. I highly recommend stopping by and spending time at Plensa’s Talking Continents exhibit in the State Street Gallery at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibition runs until April 17.
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LIFESTYLE
MA K IN G SPACE F O R M E N TAL HEALTH BY ABBEY MEYER, CONTRIBUTING WRITER; KATIE PAPE PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARISSA HAEGELE With a new year comes the possibility of new beginnings. This often includes a list of resolutions aimed at creating a better life, which may or may not pan out. Although physical goals are important to well-being, mental health and wellness are all too often ignored in the pursuit of material assets. A body under stress due to inflammation can increase feelings of anxiety and depression, which
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often manifest themselves as physical symptoms and lead to poor immune function. A study by health psychologists and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University reported that “feelings of social isolation and loneliness each independently weakened first-year [college] students’ immunity.”
By taking time out of your week to implement the following tips and slow down your mind, you can vastly change both your mindset and your physical well-being for the better. 1
Begin with the body. Detox is an extremely popular way to decrease “Stress Weakens the Immune System,” American Psychological Association, February 23, 2006. 1
stress and inflammation but can be a fairly unrealistic goal when working or attending school fulltime. Instead, implement some simple stress-relieving practices into your routine to provide time to relax as well as practice and enjoy the benefits of self-care.
you. These goals can be physical, mental and emotional. For example, make a goal to write yourself a compliment every single day. Keep the sheet of compliments somewhere safe and read them on a day when you are feeling sad or discouraged.
Essential oils are fairly inexpensive and can be applied topically or added to a warm-water bath as a form of aromatherapy. Scents like lavender are calming, while peppermint and lemongrass are invigorating.
Aside from physical changes, consider who you surround yourself with. The phrase “your vibe attracts your tribe,” really does apply in regard to
Yoga and general exercise are also a powerful way to detox the mind and body, as the endorphins released increase feelings of positivity. In addition, yoga relaxes the muscles of the body and helps you focus on breathing. When your body feels good, your mind will follow suit.
pass on plans for the weekend if you are not feeling social or skip helping others if you know you are already too busy to keep up with your own schedule. Creating ties with those who will help you work toward your goals is another way to lift the weight of obligation off of your shoulders. Stay close to those who are positive and optimistic. Once all these other elements are fixed, focus on the mind. Emphasizing your mental health by making space to practice mindfulness is one of the most important aspects of improving your overall well-being. It is simple, effective and can be accomplished in as little as five minutes each day.
“ EMPHASIZING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH BY MAKING SPACE TO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF IMPROVING YOUR OVERALL WELL-BEING. "
To complement your body’s health, reform your speech to be more positive. Many college students feel constant pressure to perform well in school while working, socializing and maintaining solid relationships with family. During stressful times, it is important to focus on the things that are in your control, rather than those which are not. Learning to say no to others and being comfortable with giving up stressful commitments are two of the biggest game changers when it comes to improving your well-being. Daily rituals, like beginning each day with positive affirmations about the things you offer to the world and those around you, will build positive feelings. Additionally, setting healthy and positive goals on a weekly or monthly basis can aid in feeling organized and provide motivation to build a better
mental health. It is extremely difficult to maintain toxic relationships with those who are not supportive of your goals and future interests. However, removing yourself completely from those who are not looking out for your best interests may be challenging, especially if those people live with you or are family. Combat this struggle by being upfront about your duties and obligations to those around you. Do not be afraid to
For this time period, simply find an empty spot around your house and sit in silence. Focus on breathing and appreciate the time when you are not expected to be thinking about any deadlines, drama or grades. If you find yourself struggling with this, guided meditation apps such as Calm can assist in your focus and breathing and even provide sounds to drain out the white noise of an empty room.
The mind, though extremely powerful, is sensitive. It can easily become overstressed if not properly cared for. Mental health implies much more than just self care; it is influenced by a number of internal and external factors. By making time and space to relax, decompress and reaffirm yourself, you will find yourself feeling more empowered, confident and much less stressed in the long run. In the end, remember to just breathe. You are human and will make mistakes. It is how you choose to overcome those mistakes that defines you.
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MELL
LOW NIKKI ERDMANN & ALEX REEVE PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRI TRAN MAKEUP: ASHLEY TRONDSON CREATIVE DIRECTION: GEORDON WOLLNER MARCH 2018 41 CREATIVE TEAM: ALEXA MCGOEY, CHANNING SMITH, & EMILY WOODZICKA
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ARTS
I NTERGAL AC T I C G A L L E RY A GLIMPSE INTO THE FARTHEST MUSEUM FROM THE EARTH’S SURFACE BY MAGGIE MURPHY, ARTS CONTRIBUTING WRITER PHOTOGRAPH FROM MOMA.COM Looking up at the distant moon at night, it’s hard to imagine that human footsteps litter its surface. It’s even more difficult to believe that there is a miniature museum situated among those iconic footsteps. The 1969 Apollo 12 mission aimed to deliver three astronauts to the moon to collect scientific data. Little did they know, science wasn’t the only subject making revolutionary strides from this landing. American sculptor Forrest “Frosty” Myers came up with the idea to insert art in space. He wanted “to get six great artists together and make a tiny little museum that would be on the moon.”1 Frosty reached out to Robert Rauschenberg, John Chamberlin, Andy Warhol, David Novros and Claes Oldenburg, all prominent artists of the time. Each of the artists, including Frosty, created normal-sized pieces of art to shrink and compile onto a small ceramic tile. Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), a non-profit organization which used to link artists and scientists in creative projects, funded the final project. The tile’s art is organized into two rows and three columns. Pictured on the top left of the tile is Andy Warhol’s design. He used his initials to create a sketch resembling a rocket or a penis, depending on the observer’s perspective. To the right of Warhol’s piece is a straight, minimalistic line drawn by Robert Rauschenberg. On the right side of the tile, Novros and Chamberlin contributed drawings that look like electrical circuitry. Oldenburg’s drawing in the 1
History Detectives. “Moon Museum.” PBS. Nar-
rated by Gwen Wright.
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bottom of the second column is a distorted version of Mickey Mouse, a common symbol often seen in his art. Frosty added his piece called “Interconnection” in the lower left. Once the ceramic tile was crafted, Frosty worked to convince NASA to carry out his vision. After approaching NASA several times and not receiving a definite answer, he said “at first it seemed promising, and then we realized we were just getting the runaround.”1 Instead of trying to persuade the administration, he connected with Fred Waldhauer, a member of E.A.T. who knew an engineer working on the lunar landing. The engineer agreed to put the miniature museum on the spacecraft. Before the launch, Frosty received a telegram that read, “YOUR
ON ‘A.O.K. ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO,” signed, “JOHN F,”1 a name that is not recognized by NASA as being a part of Apollo 12. The world of art spans across the globe, but many aren’t aware that it extends even farther. The New York Times published an article about Myers’ aspirations to put art on the moon eight days after the launch of Apollo 12. The article published the efforts of Frosty, the other artists, and the unknown engineer, calling the ceramic tile the “Moon Museum.”2 Apollo 12 was a large step for astronomers in familiarizing us with our corner of space, but the Moon Museum was a giant leap for artists everywhere. Glueck, Grace. “New York Sculptor Says Intrepid Put Art on Moon.” The New York Times, November 22, 1969. 2
LIFESTYLE
P L AN T ING COMF OR T IN YO UR S PAC E BY ELISE ANDERSEN, LIFESTYLE STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY BAILEY SCHNEIDER Living in a small space can be mentally, physically and aesthetically challenging. Growing up, we decorated our bedrooms with bits and pieces accumulated throughout the years to create an environment that reflected our personalities and interests. Many of us may have had the luxury of our own bedroom, even our own bathroom, and taken for granted the family dog snoozing at the end of our bed. Coming to college and moving into a shoebox-sized, shared dorm room or an apartment with multiple roommates changes everything. It can be difficult to feel at-home and comfortable in a new environment, especially when sharing this space with a stranger. Coming to a mutual agreement with living partners about the set-up and decor of the room often forces us to push our preferences to the side. Although many of us try to imitate that Pinterest-perfect dorm room, it is nearly impossible with size and monetary constraints. Adding plants to your dorm or apartment is the perfect way to enhance your living quarters without taking up too much space or spending a fortune. Not only do plants liven up and add color to a small area, but many of them can also increase productivity, improve your mood and act as a natural sleep aid. Although it would be wonderful to have pets at college, plants require much less time and effort than any dog or cat.
Some of the most common and easyto-care for plants are succulents and cacti. These plants come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and only need watering once or twice a month. To imitate the desert environments in which they are found, these plants thrive when kept in a sunny, dry area, such as a windowsill. Succulents and cacti freshen the air around them by emitting oxygen, plus they add natural beauty and vibrancy to any small space.
receive a lot of direct sunlight, so keeping them atop your desk is the perfect spot. Bamboo is one of the best natural air purifiers and will keep your dorm room or apartment free of airborne invaders. Not only will it filter out unwanted chemicals and germs, but bamboo is also found to increase productivity and promote clear thinking. Keeping a potted bamboo plant next to you while you study might just earn you an A on your next exam.
With the flu in full swing this winter, living in a shared environment can increase our odds of catching the illness. While it is important to up our Vitamin C intake and wash our hands regularly, purchasing an orchid may reduce the chances of falling sick.
Getting a good night’s rest in college can be difficult due to stress or noisy neighbors. Jasmine is a natural sleep promoter, found to reduce anxiety levels and keep you in a deep sleep. Jasmine also increases oxygen in the air, leaving you feeling well-rested when you wake up for your 8:00 a.m. class. Additionally, jasmine will fill your room with a soothing, sweet scent all day long — no need for a candle or room freshener. Jasmine requires a tad bit more watering and care than the other plants, but it is well worth the given benefits.
Orchids have been found to stop the spread of flu and other viruses. They naturally increase air humidity, which can lessen a virus’ ability to spread, as well as combat seasonal allergies. On top of their health benefits, orchids are pleasing to look at and range in color from rich, deep purple to bright white. While these flowers require a little more care than succulents, placing them in a sunny spot with moist soil will keep them blooming and beautiful. If you are looking for a study partner while sitting at your desk, a bamboo plant is your new best friend. These plants prefer dim areas that do not
Creating the perfect sleep-and-study sanctuary while living in a college dorm or apartment can be hard. We do not always have ample space or money to decorate our rooms to our liking, but by adding a few plants to your place, you will feel more at home in an instant.
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LIFESTYLE
AU TH E NT I C AEST HET IC: WHAT YOUR SPACE SAYS ABOUT YOU
BY SAM GEORGSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER ILLUSTRATED BY JAMES ARBAJE POST PRODUCTION BY CHANNING SMITH, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Your personal space is a direct reflection of your personality. From the wall colors and furniture to the scattered tchotchkes and knickknacks, your space speaks to your identity. The spaces you spend the most time in should represent who you are; they should be detailed with the things you love and filled with your best memories. Sure, your decor, color choices and personal aesthetic all reflect your personality to some extent, but do the spaces you occupy really represent who you are? Instead of following strict interior design rules or making your space look like a Crate and Barrel catalogue, try adding personal touches that accentuate your personality. Your space can tell your story and speak to your interests with accents that detail your tastes and preferences, while
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successfully portraying your character to all those that inhabit it. The art you choose to have in your home or office space is reflective of your personal aesthetic and can be a reminder of goals, dreams and desires. Some people frame posters of their favorite old movies, while others display signed artifacts from concerts or even jerseys of their favorite sports player. People use art to represents their travels, displaying maps or paintings of places they have been or would like to go. Some people proudly display their own pieces or drawings their children scribbled. The centerpiece on your dining room table could have been passed down through generations. The things we cherish the most help us tell our story through our spaces.
The different kinds of art you use to dot your walls or liven up your cubicle say a lot about you, so be creative and let yourself shine through your space. On the subject of art, photographs represent your life as you have lived it. They call to mind old memories and tell your story in a way that no other medium can. Pictures are a wonderful addition to any room, whether it be a frame of you and your significant other propped up on your bedside table or a few photos of friends tacked up on your bulletin board at work. Pictures bring life to all spaces. Photographs spark conversation; coworkers might prompt you about a recent vacation photo you have added to your desk, or family members might recall the memories of your wedding day because of the beautiful
bridal pictures you have hanging in your hallway. Pictures themselves are a way to put your personal life on display, and they serve as a timeline that highlights all of your favorite moments and memories. Once your walls are covered, consider another personal item: books. Although people often give little thought to the books they keep on display, the titles you have read say quite a bit about you and what sparks your interest. A professor’s collection of books will likely be academic. Someone who is passionate about music might have biographies of their favorite artists or volumes dedicated to composing music of their own. A fashion editor is expected to have a neat stack of coffee table books, typically lookbooks with avant-garde trends or accounts of famous designers and models. Bookshelves are a novel display; they hold your favorite pastimes, your academic references and even your intellectual property. The charming rows of a bookshelf are a window into your mind. Last but not least, your space should be properly lit to bring each personalized item to the viewer’s eye. The lighting
in your living room or at your desk may seem like an understated way to reflect your disposition, but it is all in the ambiance. Lighting is a great way to take a room from average to amazing. Mood lighting is a concept in which specific lighting is designed
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THE THINGS WE CHERISH THE MOST HELP US TELL OUR STORY THROUGH OUR SPACES
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to create a temporary state of mind or feeling. Your lamps and lighting should fit your personality as well as the visual demands of the space and what you hope to achieve in it.
In the workplace, lighting can alter your levels of comfort and productivity. At home and in personal spaces, your lighting preferences are likely to vary. You might want to maintain low lighting in your bedroom to set the mood, keep a fire crackling in your TV room for a cozy vibe in winter and have fairy lights hanging over your patio for when you host BBQs in the summertime. Lighting is key for determining the mood of your personal spaces and helps create an ambiance that suits your personality. Our spaces hold all of our most valuable memories. The places we inhabit share our stories and narrate our lives for those visiting. We can personalize our spaces with artwork and lighting that display our own personal aesthetic, books that tell the stories we relate to most and pictures that detail our past. The things we choose to display in our spaces say quite a bit about us, including what we value and what aspects of our personalities we want to show off. Personalize your space in ways that speak to your identity and reveal your charm and character instead of following a catalogue style. It’s all in the details.
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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
THEMED PARTIES OPEN W ED - S UN
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