MUSE Magazine Issue XIV

muse magazine

ISSUE XIV

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3 The Dirty Reality of Clean Eating 5 Don’t Worry, Be Happy 6 “Boy Problems” 7 Salted Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies – A Recipe from Kimberly of Kmely Shop 9 The Artful Craft 11 Coffee Casual: The InDisposable Cup 12 The World is My MUSE

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15 Kingston’s Secondhand Clothing Industry: Fast Fashion without the Guilt 21 Student Style Stars: Tips for Starting Your Own Clothing Line 22 #Badbeti 23 Haute Ink

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as ENTERTAINMENT 28 Hidden No More 29 The Rocky Road to Fame and Fortune Your Guide to the 31 Grammy’s

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37 EMERGENCE 41 Searching for an Escape in La La Land and Musicals of the past 42 MUSE Interviews: Creatives on Campus 48 Sponsored: Five Questions with the Girls of “437 Swimwear”

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49 Kissing Away the Difference 51 I Envy the Dropout 53 Embrace ‘The End’ 58 Rape Is Not a Curse Word 59 The Life She’d Never Have 61 Spectrum

IN THIS ISSUE...

There’s no questioning that the theme of 2017 thus far has been change. The world, and our society are in a state of flux, and whether personally or globally, positive or negative, we’re inching towards the new “normal.” And the new normal is diversity.

More than ever, in the face of division and exclusivity, a large majority are embracing inclusivity; advocating for the validity and importance of diversity and differing perspectives. We see this in the success of films like Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, and we see it in the day-to-day workings of our own campus—we thrive as a whole when everyone is heard, when every perspective is given its time to shine.

ISSUE XIV feels a little like a microcosm of our current state. Although this issue may, on the outside, appear to be like those before, within its pages there too has been a shift. Inspired by our marching sisters and rising movements, we’ve explored the differing perspectives and experiences of those closest to us, our peers at Queen’s.

We’re following the trend – one we can truly get behind – and exploring the many facets of our community; aiming for diversity in appearance, vision and experiences.

Visually, we’ve taken a leap; trusting the genius of our photography and creative team members, and in doing so, give you something out of this world (literally, check out page 39). But as grimy and galactic as we go, there’s an equal exploration of our own world: the subtlety and intimacy of the human body in all of its variations.

Much like the unique faces and images throughout, the voices and experiences of our writers follow suit, advocating for us to look beyond and break stereotypes, to embrace self-expression, and to reinvent the traditional. Whether it’s the current “in” tattoo trend or the acceptable form of cultural expression, one thing remains true – it’s always evolving.

If the first few months of 2017 have taught us anything, it’s that change is good, diversity is necessary, and differing perspectives are beautiful. MUSE, specifically ISSUE XIV, has embraced this mantra, and we hope you do too.

Here’s to change.

Yours creatively, Katherine Singh, Editor-in-Chief & The MUSE Team

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The Dirty Reality of Clean Eating “Clean eating” is the act of consuming whole foods free from processed and modified ingredients, including, but not limited to: lean meats, authentic yogurts, wholewheat grains, and fresh produce. At its core, “clean eating” is a reiteration of the basic principals of healthy eating that have been advised by medical professionals since the beginning of time. Similar to many trends today, the concept of clean eating is heavily influenced and perpetuated by social media; the ideas of clean eating know no social or geographic borders. With the development of “food porn” (über aesthetically-pleasing food photos), it has never been easier — or more fashionable — to incorporate clean ingredients into your daily life. Bombarded with curated photos of the week’s hottest smoothie bowls and sautéed salmon recipes, during a time of growing concerns regarding climate change and ecosystem devastation, I couldn’t help but wonder: how does clean eating effect the environment?

Given that clean eating roots itself within the importance of natural ingredients found within the earth’s ecosystem, I began wondering if we’d finally done it. Had we finally found a way to meet our health and fitness desires while simultaneously becoming more socially aware about the importance of natural ecosystems? Upon conducting research into clean eating practices, I quickly came to learn this was not the case. Finding endless documentaries, UN reports, and scientific journals on the topics of food production systems, it became apparent that the cleanest thing about clean eating is the curated social media accounts it inspires.

Let me break it down for you. Climate scientists agree that animal agriculture (in the form of animal farming for butchering, fishing, and dairy) remains the largest contributor of green house gas emissions — larger than all of the world’s transportation combined — and is the primary cause of amazon rainforest deforestation.

an article by Madelaine Shales Animal agriculture is also a leading influence in global starvation, due to the percentage of crops grown in developing nations for the purpose of animal agriculture processes, rather than human consumption. I began to further question how the squeaky clean marketing of clean eating was able to overpower the dirty reality of the industries it not only promotes but convinces millions of people to financially support.

How do salmon fillets remain the poster child of clean eating while scientists are simultaneously predicting fishless oceans by 2048? The answer is simple: the concept of clean eating isn’t about the environment — it’s about the human body. Salmon is clean because it provides the body with lean protein. Greek yogurt is clean because the fat content is low. The problem with this approach, however, is that the human body cannot function separately from the environment. For better or worse, human health and environmental health are linked as one.

While food consumption and production practices hide under the veil of private sector choice, in actuality, creating supply and demand through purchasing of goods and services is potentially the most frequent political action taken by individuals. In a capitalistic society structured around the movement of capital, every dollar an individual spends is a vote cast either for or against the continuation of established practices. If you don’t want something to continue happening, stop paying people to do it. Therefore, to separate human food trends from the environmental movement is to ignore the most direct and accessible line of action an individual can take to create a cleaner earth. So, with all this knowledge, what really is clean eating? Is it even possible? How do we merge human desires for clean food with environmental protection? I propose three steps we can all take to move our diets and our earth one step closer to being clean.

“The concept of clean eating is heavily influenced and perpetuated by social media.”

First, strive to lower your meat and animal by-product consumption. Research shows that plant-based diets not only shrink an individual’s environmental footprint by 40% or larger, but also reduce the chance of developing high cholesterol and blood pressure associated with cardiac illnesses. Not to mention, on average, vegans live eight years longer than their meat-eating counterparts. The second element is to take accountability. Every action has a reaction and, subsequently, we must consciously strive to broaden our understanding of the production systems involved with getting dinner onto our plates. We must own up to the reality of the situation and no longer pretend that the private act of eating can be separated from the public search for sustainability. Lastly, reflect upon your dietary biases. There are endless facts and falsities within the food and nutrition sector of life. Like anything in life, it is crucial to question the sources behind information and not merely consume food from a place of influenced habit or tradition, but rather from educated awareness. If we all strive to follow these steps, then we truly have a society that is attempting to eat clean.

photography by Anna Maria Li

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Don’t Worry, Be Happy

an article by Nicole Arai

To put it plainly, 2016 was a draining year for me. The stress of trying to figure out my postgraduate future, dissatisfaction with unfulfilling relationships, and tiredness were constant stressors throughout. I was beginning to feel self-doubt and negativity creep into my daily routine. Through life’s distractions, I wasn’t practicing one key thing: doing more of what makes me happy.

The older I get, the more I realize that sometimes in the pursuit of my own professional and academic goals I put my hobbies and passions on the backburner. “Do more of what makes you happy” may sound like a cliché, but when I feel unmotivated by my daily routine, I realize I’m also putting my own happiness on pause. I believe that happiness is not always guaranteed, but something that we must constantly work towards as agents of our own. No one’s life will ever be an instant utopia, but taking the initiative to make positive actions a priority is important to personal well-being.

My personal philosophy is creating positive action by finding the small moments of happiness in life.

To combat a draining year, I decided to add more of my hobbies and passions into my daily routine. Overtime, reading and painting were activities that I had set aside. As the daughter of a teacher, reading daily was something that I had grown up doing, and art classes were something I explored a lot in high school. Unfortunately, there came a time when I couldn’t remember the last time I leisurely read a book that wasn’t connected to my studies or picked up a paintbrush. As simple as it sounds, I’ve been taking more time to read and paint every week. Immediately, I felt more relaxed and content when I took time to indulge myself in former pastimes.

As a year of uncertainty, 2016 taught me the importance of happy and healthy relationships. I realized that I’m at my happiest when I’m on good terms with the people in my life. Unfortunately, as I get older, I realize that some people only stay in your life briefly, while others are there long term. Surrounding myself with people who are positive and passionate brings me the most happiness and so I should maintain those relationships. Taking the time to contact old friends (and distance myself from fair-weather ones), allowed me to gain happiness through sustaining a sense of connectedness and joy with the people in my life.

Each small action has the potential for a positive reaction. Although my life is not all “sunshine and daisies,” doing more of what makes me happy on a small scale helps me keep perspective and positivity.

photography by Anna Maria Li 5 | LIFESTYLE

So, I challenge you. Are you doing more of what makes you happy?

When was the last time you saw a plus-sized modeling campaign for men? A body positivity campaign for men? Or, even a clothing line that accommodates larger sizes and doesn’t look like it came straight out of the 90s? Let’s face it: living in the social media era can be tough.

With apps like Instagram, which allows everyone to look like they’ve stepped right out of a photoshoot with Mario Testino, it’s easy for individuals to be particularly hard on themselves.

These issues, however, are usually associated with women. Many body positivity campaigns centered on embracing and loving who you are have come out in support of women.

If you’re like me, you probably cry anytime you see a Dove ad. A major shift is happening to empower women to love their bodies, which is amazing, but unfortunately men are being left out of the conversation.

an article by Aidan Tammaro photography by Marshall McCann

“Boy Problems” At Queen’s, we are constantly surrounded by beautiful people. I literally have not seen an unattractive person here. Never. It honestly baffles me. Since I was young, I have always felt uncomfortable in my skin; I have felt like I don’t fit into the

beauty standards of today’s society.

Starting when we’re young, boys are taught manliness is about being macho, strong, and handsome.

Have you ever seen a superhero without a six-pack? Same. Even in Hollywood, male protagonists are built to be beautiful people with unattainable features that set an unrealistic image for beauty ideals.

Magazines constantly remind us that, to be attractive, you have to be slim and toned and that, if you’re not, you need to somehow get there. Online content perpetuates this. There are even Cosmo online forums titled, “My Boyfriend Is Losing his Abs” and “My Boyfriend Used to Be Fit but Now He’s Fat.” These forums have advice such as “hide the ice cream” or “scatter food throughout the house so he has to workout for the food.” Um, what? Articles like these, present across the Internet, are simply offensive and rude. Not to get too political, but if the gender roles were to be reversed, the Internet would be in shambles— but somehow this is OK? The moral of the story is that both men and women have it hard. As a society, we need to embrace all shapes and sizes and empower people to embrace the skin they’re in. None of us are #flawless (OK, maybe Tyra), but everyone should have the opportunity to feel like they are, and more men need to be empowered to feel beautiful.

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A recipe from Kimberly of Kmely Shop!

Salted Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies “This is one of my favourite recipes! The salt really balances out the sweetness from the chocolate chips, but the dough base is amazing on its own (you don’t even need to add chocolate chips). Great snack!!!”

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photography by Kerenza Yuen

Makes: 12-15 decently-sized cookies Ingredients: -1/2 + 1 Tbsp. neutral oil (canola, graspeseed) -1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. warm water -3/4 cup dark brown sugar -1/4 cup white sugar -1/2 tsp. salt (+ a little bit more to top!)

-1.5 tsp. vanilla extract -2 tsp. baking powder -2 cups all purpose flour -1 cup chopped vegan dark chocolate Instructions: 1. In a bowl, combine the oil and warm water.

2. Whisk in the brown and white sugar.

3. Add vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.

4. Slowly add the flour (half cups at a time).

5. When the mixture gets too sticky, take out the whisk and use your hands.

Fold the flour into the mixture until just combined.

6. Add chopped chocolate!!!

7. When everything’s combined, cover up the dough and place it in the fridge for 12-24 hours. (DON’T SKIP. I know it’s tempting, but don’t do it!)

8. After patiently waiting, take out the dough and wait 10 minutes for it to soften.

9. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F 10. Use your hands or a scoop/spoon to make decently sized balls.

11. Line the balls on a baking sheet and flatten them a little.

12. Sprinkle some salt on top of the cookies.

13. For a gooey middle, bake for 7–10 minutes, just when you see the bottoms (or the edge of the bottom) is golden brown. For drier cookies, bake a little longer, about 10-13 minutes.

14. Let them cool for 5 minutes (or not) and consume!

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Did you know hoppy beer should be treated like milk?

Of course, I’m not suggesting that you pour it on your Fruit Loops or add it to the ever-expanding number of products your lactose-intolerant friends can’t digest. Instead, it is a comment on the best way to consume beer: cold and prompt.

This is one of the main reasons why you won’t find Stone City Ales’ beer at the LCBO or the Beer Store. Regardless of what your so-called “beer connoisseur” housemate told you, aging tends to have very negative effects on brews. This is due to the oxidation process that occurs when bottles are left sitting unrefrigerated and exposed to light, damaging the hoppy aroma and flavour. By serving straight from the source, Stone City Ales minimizes the steps between the brewhouse and beer drinker, thereby ensuring every beer tastes exactly like Justin da Silva, the inhouse brewmaster, designed it. That’s not to say you have to drink it on premise; just inside the Princess Street location you’ll find a refrigerator full of tall bottles and growlers, which you can take home.

But, let’s take a step back. At what point did life become so complicated that a Molson Canadian is no longer good enough to satisfy one’s needs for liquid malty goodness? As a Brit, I’d argue since 1959, when it was first introduced (I digress). Getting people to be more adventurous in their beer selection can be tough, since the flavour profile of local brews can be wildly different to the “one-dimensional mass-produced corporate fizzy yellow beers,” as Mallory Jones, the sales/events/marketing manager at Stone City, fondly puts it. “You need to respect that everyone is at a totally different place with their beer experiences. There are literally thousands of styles of beers—

if you haven’t had them all, how can you say you don’t like it?” The vast variety may be one of the reasons for the undeniable reality that craft beer has hit the mainstream. Just look at the concurrent demise of Tumble at Ale and the rise of Mod Club at the Brooklyn on Tuesdays.

To meet demand, the number of craft breweries in Ontario has exploded— 119 of the province’s 203 breweries have opened since just 2014.

There are certainly parallels with the music industry in which access to smaller artists has improved significantly in recent years, largely thanks to playlists such as Spotify’s Discover Weekly, which increases exposure for the lesser known while expanding peoples’ tastes. While young people, particularly young women, are over-indexing in the craft beer market, Stone City Ales has been wise not to pigeon-hole itself.

“Seven days a week you can be sure to find a beautiful mix of regulars, students, out-of-town visitors, families, dates, and beer geeks all hanging out together.

We haven’t gone after any particular “market,” so to speak. All we’re going after is making damn good beer, food, and atmosphere!”

To recap: keep your target market vague, your distribution limited, and your growth controlled. It might be a Commerce student’s deepest fear, but that’s the delight of craft beer— going against the grain is in their DNA and it seems to be paying off. By focusing on the most important things (i.e. the beer), the ever-evolving menu, and the art of conversation, Stone City Ales has carved out an eclectic niche on Princess Street.

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photography by Zoe Zimmerman

Coffee Casual

The In-Disposable Cup an article by Andrew Hum

What is Coffee? It’s a stimulant, a drug, a topping, a flavor, a Mason jar filler, and most of all it’s my teddy bear for when the world seems too big. I am a coffee fiend— or, as many others at Queen’s discover, an average student with 8:30am classes. However, as innocuous as it is, I have begun to notice the power the coffee cup has— or, at the very least, the role it has assumed in my life.

What makes a coffee cup? Ten cents of recycled cardboard, a bit of ink for an interesting design, and a two-cent plastic lid (this is likely inaccurate, but based on the single finance class I’ve taken).

In all seriousness, for something so small and insignificant in the scale of our lives, coffee cups have had a lasting impact on our identities. I’m sure many people notice the Starbucks, CoGro, and Tim Hortons cups that litter the desks in every auditorium.

Yes, this says that everyone likes a pick-me-up every once in a while and, yes, we are all perpetually tired from our naps, but it can also tell a story, or at least a feeling. The presence of the cup signifies more than just a container for your coffee. Simply holding a cup alters your image, making you feel sophisticated, thereby infusing you with confidence. This confidence has the power to combat feelings with which we are all familiar: anonymity, awkwardness, 11 | LIFESTYLE

and anxiety, the feeling of being out of place.

If you look around, these little disposable cups have had the unique power of settling these feelings, a small consolation prize to the emotional story we so often find ourselves in. There is power in a twenty-cent manufactured biodegradable cup. To make us, or maybe just me, feel important, relaxed, and adult. It is the finishing touch to those “I need to take a break” moments, or a way to remind an interviewer of your name (small tip for coffee chats: turn your cup so it faces them).

Inexplicably, this hobbled piece of cardboard printed with logos and overbearing designs of holiday cheer has become its own centerpiece. It feels right in our ever-anxious hands, which sometimes are in need of these adult sippy cups. Anxiety, fear, a need to belong: these are feelings that will never go away. Hopefully, something as small as a cup of coffee will continue to bring us all a little comfort, confidence, and much needed caffeine to our dayto-day lives.

Final coffee pro tip: make sure said coffee cup doesn’t have a smiley face, heart, or (if your friend works there) your embarrassing nickname.

#THEWORLDISMYMUSE For all the dreamers, the explorers, the jetsetters, and those plagued by wanderlust, this is the place for you. Follow along or share your adventures by hashtagging your travel photos with #THEWORLDISMYMUSE. Submit photos and articles to be featured online at www.muse-magazine.com. Be it Kingston Ontario, or Kingston Jamaica, we want to hear from you!

Guanajuato City, Mexico photography by Joe Palubiski

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Lake Louise, Alberta

photography by Justice King

Seljalandsfoss and Seljavallalaug, Iceland photography by Jake Forsythe

Seville, Spain

photography by Dustin Zhang

DunHuang, China

photography by Jessica Chen

Kingston’s Secondhand Clothing Industry: Fast Fashion Without the Guilt

Buried between the vibrant signs of Kingston’s buzzing restaurant scene and the grand window displays of the large-scale retailers lining Princess Street lives a well kept secret: Kingston’s secondhand clothing industry.

But, the unofficial fashion scene of Kingston’s wornbefore clothing is a resource not yet fully tapped.

With clothing spanning the decades (and we all know history repeats itself), fulfilling your commitment to keeping up with trends while guaranteeing your outfit is one of a kind has never been so accessible.

But, how do you know what each store has to offer?

For the practical person in search of that perfect costume, study sweater, or basic tee, Phase Two has all you need and more. If practicality is just a synonym for adulthood, then why not browse the brand name-filled leisure wear, workout gear, and endless accessories lining the walls of Kingston’s Revolving Door? And for all the fashion fierce hipsters out there in search of the latest leopard, silk, or black tie beaded gown, the funky What I’ll Wear located on Princess Street is the place for you. But, if the only labels you like in life are the washing instructions on your favorite North Face fleece, then try scavenging the infamous Value Village and its wide array of clothes for every body and every occasion. Carrying the perfect mix of brand name clothing, including the likes of Lululemon, Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, and Dior, with an equally abundant amount of undiscovered designers, even the old feels new. You can maintain the curated feeling associated with retail therapy while accessing all the advantages that come with reusable fashion— which are as endless as the outfit options.

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Recycled clothing offers an affordable way of sticking to your budget without compromising your selfexpression. With prices ranging anywhere from $2 for a dress upwards to pricey vintage pieces, secondhand clothing enables the shopper to tailor the experience to their own individual budget while still finding quality and unique pieces. Plus, offering extremely low pricing on everyday wear leaves more money to splurge on luxury items you deserve to treat yourself to. There’s nothing quite like the satisfying feeling of finding a piece from a name brand company still with the tag on for a third of the price. If this isn’t reason enough to stop counting quarters and run to your nearest used clothing store, then how about the potential to actually make money? With Kingston’s Revolving Door offering consignment services, not only can you peruse for your own closet, but you can trade in your worn oldies to go toward building someone else’s dream look, making a quick buck in the process.

Broadening the scope beyond personal fashion, Kingston’s secondhand clothing stores are a crucial resource for many low income communities. Kingston is home to one of the largest pay gaps of any Canadian city, with high rates of homelessness and poverty. By purchasing goods at any of the above-mentioned locations, you are contributing to the sustained availability of low price point goods that are essential for many. Clothing stores such as Value Village source their clothing from local charities that are paid per pound for bags of donated clothing. These charities are then able to take the money provided by the retailers and put it towards social programming for communities and families most in need.

Moving beyond finances, the environmental footprint of today’s fashion industry is a growing concern in a time of international climate uncertainty. With the release of harmful chemicals throughout the manufacturing process and a required 5000 gallons of water for a single t-shirt and jeans combo (not to mention controversial disposal methods), skeptics have placed fashion with the likes of the oil industry for environmental devastation levels. By participating in the recycled clothing industry, you reduce your environmental footprint on both ends of the spectrum. By buying used goods, you are lowering the demand for these established manufacturing processes, while donating items to secondhand clothing stores diminishes the environmental footprint associated with landfill based disposal practices. Look good without causing undue harm on Mother Nature— the most fashionable woman of all. As one of Kingston’s avid secondhand clothing supporters put it, “It’s fast fashion without the guilt. You get all the luxury while contributing good.

And if you don’t like it… then exchange it. Or just donate it back to the store.” Create a positive feedback cycle of giving and generosity within an industry designed for taking.

an article by Madelaine Shales

photography by Nodebe Agbapu

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NO LOITERING

photography by Zoe Zimmerman creative direction and styling by Karina Rebellato modeling by Chiara Manchia and Charlotte Mingay

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Student Style Stars:

Tips for Starting Your Own Clothing Line an article by Annie Robinson Whether you’re a bona fide fashionista or a student with a keen entrepreneurial spirit, if you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own line, now is the time to go for it. The power of digital media means it has never been easier to launch a line and share it with the world. Will there be learning curves along the way? Of course! But, the best way to learn is by starting your own business and chasing after your dreams.

Here on the Queen’s campus, creativity runs rampant throughout our student body. One student who has made a lasting impact on the realms of fashion and entrepreneurialism is former MUSE Fashion Editor Rachel Wong of Shop Spenny. Starting in 2014, Rachel launched her line in her fourth year as a way to raise funds for Vogue Charity Fashion Show and since graduating, Shop Spenny has continued to prosper. Rachel’s signature vintage flannels printed with sassy sayings may have been what ignited the success of her boutique’s business, but she hasn’t stopped there. Rachel now has an inventory of trendy pom-pom clad hats, lace-up sweatshirts, tees, and vintage crop tops.

After graduation, Rachel worked in social media at a non-profit, recently leaving to pursue Shop Spenny and her YouTube channel full time.

One major aspect of Rachel’s undergraduate experience that she credits as instrumental for the success of her own line was her involvement with extra-curricular activities on campus. Getting involved may sound cliché, but, according to Rachel, “Taking advantage of opportunities in university that can help you strengthen your craft is absolutely invaluable. I also met a ton of like-minded, super creative people that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t join these clubs!”

Speaking of fellow like-minded creatives, Rachel credits t-shirt designer Nicolette Kabitsis of BeKay Designs as one of her favourite up-andcomers in the Queen’s fashion community. Nicolette says she spent nearly three years contemplating whether or not she would start her line due to nerves, plagued by fears of “what if no one likes it?” But, after deciding to “just go for it,” she says she has never been happier.

Rachel also echoed Nicolette’s sentiments about the incentive behind starting a line, believing that when you can’t find the perfect opportunity the best thing to do is simply make it yourself! According to Rachel, “there are so many ways to express your creativity, especially in the digital sphere.” Don’t be afraid of new ideas and ask for advice when you need it. “Even a quick cup of coffee with a fellow fashion lover can inspire a new venture!”

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So, Queen’s students, if you have a passion for fashion and a mind for business, there is no reason not to put your dreams in motion. It’s time to find your muse and let your vision take flight!

#Badbeti an article by Katherine Singh Coined by GTA based artists Babbu The Painter and Hate Copy, the term “bad beti”— meaning “bad daughter” in Hindi— is used to connote the limitations emplaced on young South Asian women by their parents. Grappling with the struggle between traditional customs and growing up as rebellious and curious teens in Canada, the artists’ use of this term has come to symbolize a shift in the representation of South Asian women in fashion and art in the GTA. One look at the #badbeti hashtag on Instagram produces an edgy take on the traditional: perfectly arched brows dotted with decorative bindis, Desi girls with bold red or black sneered lips, adorned in bridal jewellery and garb, staring defiantly into the camera as if to say, “I’m not your daughter.” And they aren’t. They’re women all of their own.

While much of Babbu and Hate Copy’s art stands as a critique of gender norms and patriarchy, they also advocate for a new emerging form of identity, one that merges the traditional with the contemporary, mingling South Asian roots with their Canadian identity.

This redefining of cultural aesthetic extends directly into the fashion world through designers like Mani Jassal, a Brampton based bridal couture designer. Like Babbu and Hate Copy, Jassal explores and merges her two often opposing cultures. Relentless and unapologetic of what makes her unique, Jassal’s respect for the traditions of her culture is shown through the intricate beading on her lenghas, the attention to detail, and the celebration of colour in every piece— with a twist. Embroidered on her skirts are marijuana leaves— she advocates for the duality of her pieces, promoting her sari tops as club-ready essentials. Not to be forgotten, her pride for Toronto and her Canadian home is relatable in her homages

to the incomparable 6ix God, via captions on Instagram. The pride she has for her roots as well as her hometown are evident in her work.

These women are cool, they’re effortless, they’re cultured, they’re making a mark on the art and fashion worlds, and they’re identifiable; they’re like myself and many at Queen’s— balancing the weight of dual cultural identities. “Caught” between identities, these creatives are rather, exploring and celebrating them, and this is important.

For all its beauty and intrigue, South Asian culture is often overlooked, perhaps for being seen as inaccessible to those unfamiliar with its customs.

Creatives like Babbu the Painter, Hate Copy, and Mani Jassal, in “modernizing” the traditional via art and fashion, make accessible a culture that is often forgotten and thus not properly celebrated. These artists are bringing to the forefront the beauty of traditional South Asian culture specifically by altering and individualizing it. Those who peruse the #badbeti hashtag, or ogle Jassal’s edgy, Drake-curated designs, are unknowingly being introduced to facets of South Asian culture, and appreciating it. In a period where cultural appropriation in fashion is an issue, it’s refreshing to see not only South Asians, but South Asian women celebrating their cultural identities

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Haute Ink

an article by Anna J. Stainsby

photography by Zoe Zimmerman In an industry that thrives on its temporality, the permanence of its latest trend seems, at least at first glance, unexpected.

It’s only in considering the semblance of the innovators that produce both art forms that the recent marriage between high fashion and tattooing is, if anything, an overdue collaboration between artistic forces.

At the peak of both technological innovation uncovered by tattoo artists and their capitalization of social media, the ink community has widened to anyone who can hit “follow” on a phone. And within the millions whose feeds are graced with work from the likes of Dr. Woo, Bang Bang, and JonBoy, many are members of the fashion community.

Scrolling through an artist’s page is the modern version of flipping through flash books in a studio— it’s art that has a way to inspire and to spark creativity.

Although not everyone chooses to get tattooed, ink isn’t always the point for creatives– collaboration is.

Designers are inviting artists to sit front row at their shows and to work behind the scenes, stylists are taking inspiration from tattoo designs for editorials, and models are taking advantage of the fine line technology with which artists can decorate their bodies without hurting their careers.

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While fraternization between designers and tattoo artists may seem novel, it has been one in the making for years. In 1994, avant-garde designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier sent pieces down the runway accessorized with temporary tattoos around the models’ waists.

Reprised a few years later was the idea of decorating clothing and accessories with tattoo designs. In 2008, Gaultier did it with traditional Japanese designs. The next year, Chanel decorated models with temporary pearl garters (later made commercial and insanely successful). In 2011, Marc Jacobs collaborated with the man who inks him, Scott Campbell, for his Spring/Summer line.

With the success and widening of opportunities for tattoo artists in the past few years, it was just a matter of time before the two art communities merged again.

In January, V Magazine released an editorial featuring supermodels Lara Stone, Joan Smalls, and Kendall Jenner, clad in temporary tattoos designed by artist Jenai Chin. The goal was to play with the idea of the permanence of ink and the permanence of the newest line of supermodels.

Months earlier, Gucci’s creative director sent down one of his models in temporary face tattoos featuring prison-style ink and lines from William Blake’s My Pretty Rose Tree. Marrying fashion and high-brow literature with gang and criminal symbolism drew controversy, but also conversation. Did tattooing have its place on the runway of such august houses? Can something so permanent really be in fashion?

But to consider tattooing as permanence is not to say that it is stagnant by any means.

Before 1950, tattoos were symbol-heavy mementos almost exclusively reserved for sailors and criminals who collected simple icons to reference accomplishments and travels. Traditional American tattooing didn’t emphasize artistry, but through flash books of swallows, anchors, and pin-up girls, ignited one of the first modern trends of symbolically marking oneself.

In the decades that followed, old school flash grew to include the more ethereal peace and love symbols that came to characterize the 60s and 70s.

Post-80s, technology had evolved enough for tattoo artists to act as such, and use skin as a canvas for more than pre-designed, overdone flash. Although this did allow for more collaboration between the artist and the client to produce unique work, the 90s and early 2000s subjected thousands of people to the same popular pieces: Chinese symbols, tribal designs, and New School cartoonish pieces, to name only a few.

But, in more recent years, tattooing has become so customizable and less stigmatized (in the U.S. approximately 38% of people from ages 18 to 40 have at least one tattoo) that there’s a possibility for everyone who wants to get inked to find an artist who will be able to give them exactly what they want.

The current trend is minimalistic; fine line, simplistic work unique to the client. The appeal of fine line extends from the level of detail that can be allocated to designs the size of a nickel to the ability to collect dozens of small tattoos that are both delicate and easily concealable. Artists like Dr. Woo or JonBoy are both fine line pioneers whose work on models like Hailey Baldwin and Kendall Jenner has launched them into the fashion arena, and fine line art into the public eye.

With tattooing finally given its place in the artistic realm, and recognition from other prominent artists, marriage between fashion and ink can only flourish from here.

Whether artists will begin to sketch designs for couture or produce capsule collections is yet to be determined.

What is certain is that they will find a place— backstage or front row.

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PRIMARY

photography by Will Cross-Bermingham creative direction by Anisha Sandhu and Amy Yu styling by Anisha Sandhu modeling by Rory McEwen

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Hidden No More Even in 2017, when the focal character of a movie is a woman whose life doesn’t revolve around a man, or a black person who isn’t trying to escape slavery, the entertainment industry still raises their eyebrows and cocks their heads in intrigue. Set in 1960s Virginia, the box office hit Hidden Figures has elicited this type of reaction. The film follows the true stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson: three brilliant African-American women working at NASA in a time when the contributions of women and people of colour were rejected by public institutions. By portraying people of colour and women as the historical losers, the entertainment industry neglects the skills of an entire demographic of people. Katherine Johnson was a gifted mathematician who calculated the launch and landing of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Mary Jackson became the first female aeronautic engineer at NASA. Dorothy Vaughan became the first African-American supervisor of both black and white workers. These women contributed to society without the right to vote. These women endured. These women changed history. However, until now, their stories have been hidden. Sadly, the entertainment industry is just that: an industry. Its goal is revenue, which has been continuously used as a defense for sexism and racism in Hollywood.

However, when the director of Hidden Figures, Theodore Melfi, was asked why he chose to make this film, he answered, “The world has definitely seen a Spiderman before.”As a coloured woman pursuing a science degree, this movie gave me the role

models I never knew I needed. Growing up, I continuously heard the names Mendel, Darwin, and Hawking being praised in classrooms. Although their work is formidable, I could never relate to their circumstances. I knew that, if I lived in their time, I would not have even had the opportunity to gain such a name for myself. When I first watched the film, I felt robbed. I was bewildered that, of my years of education in science, women’s history, and black history, I had never heard of these women. As the movie continued, I found myself welling up with admiration and pride, but mostly disbelief, because I never thought women in this era could be so influential. When a movie stays #1 at the box office for weeks and receives nominations and victories from multiple award shows, the entertainment industry realizes that such material is not only popular, but also valuable. Hopefully Hidden Figures’ success will prompt the revelation of more hidden figures neglected by our curriculums and, believe me, there are millions. We need to spend our money in an effort to show the entertainment industry that we deserve all stories. As an adult already pursuing science, I was inspired by this story— I can only imagine how a 10-year-old black girl building her volcano for the science fair would feel when she sees it.

an article by Tiasha Bhuiyan 28 | ENTERTAINMENT

an article by Megan Glover photography by Harrison Clarke

The Rocky Road to Fame and Fortune Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be famous? Not the “I slapped a horse once and now I’m a Halloween costume” kind of famous— I’m talking big leagues.

The superstars: Beyoncé, Coldplay, Kimmy K… all the other K’s… you get the picture.

We’ve all had those shower daydreams: suddenly the bottles of shampoo are screaming fans and you’re belting out songs like a complete goddess in the showerhead spotlight. *drops the hairbrush* Eventually, you take a bow and get back to reality. But, what if those Herbal Essences bottles stopped being a good enough audience? Where do you even begin?

This was my first question when my sister told us of her plans to graduate from shower to stage. Living with an aspiring musician and witnessing the long nights, endless road trips, and doubtful relatives has revealed to me the extremely unglamorous path one must take to gain celebrity status. I present to you fame-worthy former Kingstonian herself: Devan Glover of Wild Rivers and the truth to the life of a musician before fame.

Dev’s love for music bloomed early on from an elementary school Christmas play as a gospel-singing Mary. I still remember my frustration with the seriously impressive but stentorian Aguilera riffs coming from the bathroom as I tried to learn my times

tables. The amount of determination and passion that Dev emulates now as a member of Wild Rivers only comes from this kind of early dedication.

Though the starry-eyed toddler is given little encouragement to pursue her dreams, sometimes it takes this innocent confidence to clear the pathway of possibility.

Years later, after several amateur high school performances, Dev courageously entered the world of music alone in Kingston. Taking advantage of the opportunities for budding artists available at Queen’s, she made regular appearances at CoGro open-mics and started to gain a top-secret obsessed following. Soon enough, Dev met Khalid Yassesin, a fellow Queen’s student and talented musician also struggling to break into the biz. With Khal’s gift of composition and Dev’s incredible voice, they created duo-group ‘Devan and Khalid.’

For two years, they played out the limited Kingston venues and did their best to gain popularity. After graduation in 2015, the duo teamed up with fellow Queen’s alum Ben Labenski (drummer), and Andrew Oliver (guitarist)— thus, Wild Rivers was born.

Witnessing the lives of these “starving artists” has proved to me that even a colossal amount of talent does not secure a star on the walk of fame. As far as I can tell, the most important things a musician can control to gain recognition are connections, perseverance, and passion. Having connections does not mean your dad needs to manage The Weeknd; building relationships with other musicians and making connections with potential fans is crucial.

While at Queen’s, Wild Rivers created bonds with their fellow musicians and gained a loyal fan base in Kingston. As they graduated, the majority of their fans graduated too, conveniently dispersing all over the world, spreading the admiration.

Perseverance is necessary in the business, but extremely difficult. You need pretty tough skin to maintain your pride after playing a show with an audience consisting mainly of family members.

This circumstance is inevitable at some point in this

career and it can only be blamed on timing, location, or unsuccessful promotion– rarely on lack of talent.

Finally, above all else, to succeed as an artist in the big leagues, you need to be passionate. Passion is what motivates a person to push through any tribulations and focus on their ultimate goal. What else will justify those long car rides, late nights, and frustration? With many hardships existing on the road to stardom, having that drive is essential for success.

Although they still deal with moments of self-doubt, frustration, and discouragement, Wild Rivers has had an immense amount of success in the past year.

They’ve completed a successful tour across the US, hit a whopping 3 million listens on Spotify, and have been invited to the world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, TX in March 2017. Although they may not always stop to recognize how far they’ve come, their evolution– starting from school plays at age 7 to being sought out for shows in different countries– are grounds for applause. Although the dream of fame is scary and unstable, and it may take a few years of convincing your parents you’re not a “failureto-launch” case, it is a possible dream, and a great one. Being so determined, deserving of, and patient for their big break, Wild Rivers is an inspiration to fellow aspiring and perhaps disgruntled artists trying to find their place in the world of music.

Your Guide to the

Grammy’s an article by Jared E. Hines With the many trials and tribulations 2016 threw at us, it’s safe to say that music wasn’t one of them. 2016 brought a slew of new music by top artists of various genres. With the recent 59th annual Grammy Awards just behind us, a review of the year’s top albums only seems necessary. This year’s Grammy award nominees for Album of the Year included Adele, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Drake, and Sturgill Simpson. While their music was certainly excellent, it was the artists’ boldness to delve into their personal experiences, which made for such a dynamic selection of nominees.

I think many can agree that the appeal that sets Adele apart from many other pop vocal artists is her sense of authenticity. Within this album, Adele maintains mainly acoustic instrumentals over the soft yet powerful tone of her voice. 25 brought along the Record of the Year nominee “Hello,” an unarguable hit among fans and musicians alike. “Hello” is the perfect choice to start off the album as it sets the ground 31 | ENTERTAINMENT

work of what’s to come. Throughout “Hello” and the rest of the album, Adele’s vocal strength is mirrored by relatable and powerful lyrics. This incredible combination of lyrics, vocals, and acoustic instruments allows listeners to feel the emotion Adele portrays in each song.

For the fourth time in her career, the one and only “Queen B” found herself upon the list of nominees for Album of the Year. Inspired by the controversial roller coaster of 2016, Lemonade is Beyoncé’s most political album yet. Lemonade may be the most controversial album of all the nominees, due to Beyoncé’s fearlessness to speak about several social issues, including feminism, embracing racial differences, and infidelity. “Formation” serves as the backbone and the rally cry of the album.

This album was politically and socially driven to speak on the issues of the time from a black female perspective, one which is often silenced.

Justin Bieber expanded abroad his primarily teen-

age audience and explored a deeper range in his music. For the first time, on Purpose, Bieber reveals his inner thoughts and feelings through his lyrics, particularly the process of coming to terms with himself. This album clearly marks a transitional point in both Bieber’s life and his musical stylings. Grammy-nominated song of the year “Love Yourself” is featured on Purpose. While it’s still ambiguous if the song is about his renowned past relationship, it is the most intimate song regarding heartbreak we have heard from him to date. Bieber expands his musical expressions to discuss his stance on religion in his song “Purpose.” Religion is always a contentious subject, especially on a platform such as his; nonetheless, Bieber beautifully expresses his faith through lyrics relevant to everyone, spiritually and inspirationally.

Just when it seemed like Drake reached the pinnacle of his career in 2015, receiving five Grammy nominations, he swooped in and brought us Views. Drake was the face of the rap scene last year and he doesn’t show signs of giving up that title anytime soon. Views introduced a new Torontonian sound of rap to the forefront of hip hop. It seemed like so long ago that “Hotline Bling” was the song of the summer. Subsequently, “One Dance,” “Controlla,” and “Too Good” all released off the album using the same formula: hypnotizing dancehall rhythms, light vibes, and his trademark rapping technique.

This combination became dubbed the Toronto sound. The exposure Drake provides by featuring homegrown artists such as PARTYNEXTDOOR and dvsn to the music industry makes this album a cornerstone in Canadian hip hop.

Sturgill Simpson, on only his third studio album, hit this one out of the park. Simpson changes his entire perspective and thematic tone in A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. Simpson strays away from the traditional country feel to develop a truly authentic sound. Within A Sailor’s Guide, Simpson reflects on lessons learned and expresses thoughtful emotions to his audience, specifically his family. It is clear that much of this album is dedicated to those he loves, as he addresses his wife Sarah and newborn son, both explicitly and ambiguously in songs such as “Oh Sarah” and “All Around You.” Simpson draws from his experience in the Navy to produce a sound consisting of appreciation for life and perceptivity.

Notably, this is also Simpson’s first album on a major label, which complements his endearing intimacy with a professional level of production.

All the albums nominated this year seemed to share a common theme of personal expression. Whether about family, growth as an individual, or finding one’s place in society, all the nominees explored an important part of their lives in an effort to bring their experiences and personality to their art.

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BARE

photography by Will Cross-Bermingham creative direction by Amy Yu and Katherine Singh modeling by Olivia Janus

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E M E R G E N C E The story of our universe– from its explosive beginning, to evolution, to a seemingly technology-run future– is a complex and intricately beautiful one. Max Cooper, a London-based electronica producer, has worked over the past three years to capture our universal story through an impressive blend of art, music, and science. Having obtained a PhD in computational biology prior to focusing on music production, Cooper established a deep appreciation for the origins of life and genetics. His scientific background rooted his musical influence, as one can see in his latest project: Emergence.

In Cooper’s own words, “Emergence is the story of natural laws and processes, their inherent beauty, and their action to yield the universe, us, and the world we live in.” Emergence can be followed like a timeline, from pre-Big Bang to the future. Each period along this timeline is broken down into key concepts. Max Cooper collaborated with a variety of visual artists to illustrate these fundamental ideas. The result is a series of captivating and inspiring music videos. The Emergence storyline is as follows:

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1

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The Primes | Dimensionality |

Gravity | Inside the Black Hole |

FUNDAMENTAL NATURAL FORM

THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE

Symmetry | Waves

Planets | Alien Landscapes

Emergence begins with the setting of natural laws: primes, dimensionality, symmetry, and waves. A mathematician would argue that all life could be broken down into a series of numbers.

By creating patterns using the random distribution of prime numbers, Cooper aims to visualize the principle that nothing in the real world is perfect. From numbers emerge three spatial dimensions in which symmetry and waves can be formed.

Using visualizations of these fundamental principles, Cooper shows the imperfection in nature, how repeated simplicity leads to complexity, and the beauty of these overlapping concepts.

Next, Cooper goes on to eloquently describe the physical forces that govern matter and that shaped our universe following the Big Bang. This part of the storyline illustrates how gravity forms galaxies and planets from clouds of dust.

LIFE

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Protolife | Biochemistry | Heredity | Multicellularity | Adaptation | Waterforms | Complex Morphologies | Cycles | The Human Machine Then comes the emergence of life. It begins with cellular building blocks, DNA, and biochemical processes. These cellular forms develop into complex structures and, eventually, living creatures.

Cooper wraps up this section of the timeline by delving into the complexities of the human body and how it ultimately functions as a machine.

CIVILIZATION

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Self-Awareness | Population Growth | The Capitalist Machine The emergence of self is the next step on this timeline.

Here, the mood takes a darker turn to capture the scourge of humans on Earth. The music video for “Numb,” featuring Kathrin deBoer, holds a powerful message. In this video, an animated man is stuck within the capitalist machine. He is surrounded by advertisements, stories of war, consumerism, and cameras, giving an eerie sense that “Big Brother” is always watching. Within this money-driven world, we become imprisoned, and the combined effort of each individual turns the cogs of the capitalist machine.

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THE DIGITAL AGE / FUTURE

The Digital Self | Self-Contained Universe | Altruism | Future Entities | Unbounded The digital age follows civilization.

Society has become increasingly more complicated with the emergence of the Internet and technology. In such a world, where negative words and criticisms can be found with a click, it’s more important than ever to spread kindness and genuine altruism.

Cooper leaves the emergence story open-ended, symbolic of a world which is in constant motion.

an article by Avesta Rastan Max Cooper offers a refreshing outlook on music production. It is clear that Cooper is a true artist, with a desire to share his passion and get people to think. Whether you want to add some fresh tunes to your music library or be inspired by talented artists, you have found the right muse. Sit back and immerse yourself in Emergence.

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CONSPIRACY THEORY

creative direction by Michael Kirreh modeling by Jasmine Modupe

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Searching for an Escape

in La La Land and Musicals of the Past Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star in La La Land, Damien Chazelle’s ode to the Golden Era of musicals past. The musical is filled with oversaturated set designs and retro costumes that allude to a time when Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly were the stars of the Hollywood Musical; offering audiences a chance to escape to a dream world filled with beauty and charm.

The Golden Age of Musicals began in the 1930s with the introduction of sound in The Jazz Singer, affording executives the ability to add musical scenes to their films. The early musical is encapsulated by figures like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who starred in movies such as Top Hat (1935) and Shall We Dance (1937). Their movies became an escape for people during the Great Depression. The creation of the Big White Set, made famous by this pair, accommodated sweeping dance routines. In these bright, glossy sets, Astaire and Rogers moved across the room seamlessly, without a care in the world.

This idealistic world is also found in musicals starring Gene Kelly, most famously, Singin’ In The Rain (1952). The film is set in a world where the characters

an article by Thalia Tavares 41 | EDITORIAL

are actors making a musical in the 1920s. The fantastical realm becomes a musical idealizing musicals of the past, allowing for even grander set designs and costumes. In a famous scene, “The Broadway Melody Ballet,” the audience is transported into Don Lockwood’s imagination. The scene is filled with bright Technicolor signs and exaggerated lights and costumes, creating a surrealistic dreamscape. Like Don, who escapes his own reality, the audience is given the opportunity to dive into this dreamscape and briefly forget their post-war reality.

These musicals offer the audience the opportunity to live in a place that exists in the realm of imagination. Similarly, the climax of La La Land is a surreal dreamscape where Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) live out their dreams together, as they were not given the opportunity to do so in their realities. Conveyed using the oversaturated colours so often found in musicals of the past, this scene makes direct references to iconic scenes of the past, reiterating the idea of escapism.

In this post-modern society, movies are depicting a realism that has become too heavy. Today, we live in a post-Brexit, Donald Trump society; the Syrian Refugee crisis is not getting better and genocide has recently occurred in Aleppo. It’s no wonder that La La Land has become a success, as we once again long for an escape from this unsettling world. In the lyrical words of Fred Astaire, “Shall we give in to despair or shall we dance?”

Musicals like La La Land bring back some of the beauty of the Golden Age, allowing us to choose to dance and escape confrontation with reality.

Creatives on Campus an article by Lauren Backa

Creatives on campus — they’re everywhere. You might pass them on the sidewalk or stand behind them in the line at CoGro without a clue as to the talent that they possess. Luckily, we’re here to expose creative genius on campus and share the inner workings of minds that are far from ordinary. To do so, I sat down with two incredibly artistic and insightful individuals: Fine Art students Danika Baker-Sohn and Habiba Esaad.

Currently completing her third year in the Queen’s Fine Art program, Danika Baker-Sohn is an artist of many talents. Painter, musician, and poet, she is the embodiment of creative passion.

But, her artistic abilities extend

photography by Anna Maria Li

beyond the studio — Danika is also a two-time model for the Vogue Charity Fashion Show, member of the ASUS Video Committee, and videographer and editor for Spoon University Queen’s. When she’s not in the studio, you can catch her at home recording or playing original music. As an artist that attempts to “do it all,” Danika Baker-Sohn serves as inspiration to those around her, as if to say, “anything’s possible.” You can check out her portfolio on her website: www.everythingdani. com (We highly encourage it).

Another student I was lucky enough to meet is the outspoken Habiba Esaad.

Currently finishing her second year in the

Fine Art program, Habiba always strives for individuality. She describes her personal aesthetic as translating into her art, as her fashion sense and artistic style are inseparable. Also a fashion designer for Vogue Charity Fashion Show, Art Director of Queen’s Fashion Photography, and Vice President of the Union Gallery, Habiba’s passion is multi-fold. With her growing interest in film photography, she is working towards a photography certificate from the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU) to accompany her Fine Arts degree.

To learn more about Habiba and her artistic process, read on and discover her undeniable talent and skill.

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Danika Baker-Sohn Does your work reflect a personal aesthetic? If so, how would you describe it?

I think I’m still kind of focusing on getting into the groove of things and learning what my strengths are, both compositionally and technically. I guess I would describe myself as the least organized, organized person.

I feel like my work is this balance between organization and disorder.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your first year self?

I would tell first year me to be comforted by the fact that what you learn by studying art as a practice is less about “here’s how to paint something” and more about learning how to exercise a different way of thinking. It’s this perspective on life and this lifestyle that you can carry into whatever profession you choose later. You really take what you learn in Fine Art and apply it to any creative field. I think it’s really valuable stuff.

Your talents are multifaceted to say the least — you’re musically, artistically, and poetically inclined.

Do you find these different areas overlap in your work? In what ways?

Until this point, I’ve really tried to become the most well-rounded artist that I can, and that for me includes film — hugely. I love the idea of creat ing a completely audio-visual artistic piece that is completely created by me — sound, editing, lighting, filming — from start to finish, every aspect of it is from my own mind. That’s where the name “Everything Dani” came from

“You really take what you learn in Fine Art and apply it to any creative field.” for my website. I really love doing it all. Combining everything I love and everything I’m trying to get better at.

Moving forward, how do you plan to incorporate creativity into your life outside of Queen’s?

What is one principle that you live by?

It comes to a point where you hope that an opportunity will match up with your skill set. I think of it like this: there’s going to be a “learning” period and a “doing” period. I’m really hoping that the opportunities I seek out will align with my passions at that moment in time so that I can create my most genuine work. People always say, “do what you love,” and I’m honestly really going to have to, because I don’t think I would be willing to put in the work for anything else.

Honesty. I think having integrity — both personal integrity and artistic integrity — is the biggest thing for me. That translates into making genuine artwork about your honest feelings. If you’re going to live an honest life and go after the things you genuinely believe in, and live by your own morals, then you’re going to be making your truest, best art — and that’s what I want to live by: “making the most honest stuff for who I am.”

your idea is valid.

How and when did fashion become an important aspect of your life?

Consistently, it’s always been a passion of mine. It wasn’t really until high school that I started making and sewing my own clothes. One of my favourite things is pairing designer clothing with thrifted stuff — I think that’s so interesting. I’ve always had a large interest in that. I think that thrifting itself opened the door to fashion for me. My dad was huge into collecting records — he still is, and we would always do that together. From there, it extended to clothing.

What is one principle that you live by?

Change your palette. Change your life. I feel like all I do is just change sh*t about myself and my art.

Habiba Esaad “Change your palette. Change your life.”

How would you describe your creative process?

I start by painting first, and then I wipe everything off, and then I gesso it again, and then I draw it.

Like, it doesn’t make any sense, but I just need to know that I’ve started in order to actually start. I used to do this thing last year, which was really f**king weird: I used to get blueberries and press them into the canvas, and start after that. So, there would always be blueberries underneath my paintings. It was very weird, but I stopped doing that. Basically, I just have to start.

Do you find that the academic aspects of your program in any way limit your creativity?

How do you balance these two components?

I was doing this one painting last term that was all over the place.

The last 24 hours before it was due, I pulled an all-nighter — I actually worked straight for 24 hours — and it came out looking like how I envisioned it. My prof told me, “This is your best one.”So, it really depends, but for the most part, you kind of have to convince your prof, using your technical skill, that

Moving forward, how do you plan to incorporate creativity into your life outside of Queen’s?

Right now, I’ve kind of been doing a few different things. I’m designing for the Vogue Charity Fashion Show, which is my first experience designing on a larger scale rather than designing for myself or my friends. I made that decision because it’s one of my other options: to enter fashion design. With Queen’s Fashion Photography, it’s more so the photography and film side of fashion.

I’ve been trying to keep my options open in terms of what creative field I want to end up in. I think that in the end, even if I decide that I want to be a practicing artist in the traditional sense of painting and drawing, it’s kind of nice to know that I have the tools and the resources to do other things. Not graphic design. I hate graphic design. I like to touch things.

OVERSLEPT

photography by KerenzaYuen creative direction and styling by Anisha Sandhu modeling by Andrew McColl

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SPONSORED

Five Questions with the Girls of “437 Swimwear” an interview by Samantha Fink

Q: First of all, how did you get started with the swimwear line? What was the inspiration?

Q: What do you strive to put into the design of every bathing suit?

A: We started 437 Swimwear the summer after returning from exchange. Hyla was in Italy and Adrien was in France, but we met up on the weekends.

We’ve talked about starting a business since our second year in Commerce, but were influenced by the time we spent vacationing on the Amalfi coast in Italy. It was such a spectacular experience that it really prompted us to finally make the move and do what we had been talking about for a long time: starting a swimwear business. There was a specific moment – we were on a boat off the coast of Positano – where we promised to start our business when we returned home, and we did!

A: The most important attribute is simplicity. Simplicity comes off as effortlessly sexy and sophisticated, traits that make our bikinis a staple that every girl needs. We’ve also made an effort to ensure that our prices are affordable, making 437 more financially accessible. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we genuinely care about our customers, and want to cultivate a community of loving girls.

Q: What experience did you have with business and/or the fashion industry before, how has it helped you with your business?

A: Hyla has worked in marketing for Nike, learning the importance of brand identity and consistency.

This knowledge has been applied to 437 in our communication with customers, influencers, and through our social media marketing. Adrien has spent a few seasons with German luxury label Hugo Boss, an invaluable experience where she gained insight into the structure and cycle of the fashion industry. She was able to understand the value of passionate and knowledgeable sales staff, as well as the effect that visual merchandising can have on a collection’s overall appeal.

Q: What have you learned from hands-on business experience that you could never learn in a classroom?

Wow, so much! Every day we’re faced with a new opportunity and challenge. One important aspect that we’ve had to learn is how to run a business with a friend – there’s definitely no commerce course for that. Through experience we’ve learned that we need to set aside meeting times where we act as business partners, and also dedicate time to just hang out as best friends.

Q: What are 437’s future plans?

A: We’re really excited about what the next few months have in store. Both of us graduate in April, at which point we’ll be pursuing the business full time (which we do anyway!). We’re headed to Asia this summer; first to China, to meet with suppliers regarding a new collection, and then we’ll be working out of Bali the following month. After that, we’ll see what happens!

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Kissing Away the Difference It would be an understatement to say that it’s hard for a first year at Queen’s to cope with being away from home. But soon enough, the definition of home becomes a person, a dorm, a house, a country, a sense of safety, or even a classroom. As I’ve found all of these spaces in one word, I still feel like a stranger in Canada. As much as I’ve developed an everlasting love for Queen’s culture, my heart belongs somewhere else, the Middle East.

On my plane ride from Jordan to Toronto, I made a list of the things I couldn’t say goodbye to. The white ornamented house, the cold breeze that hit you to the bone, the Arabic language, the view of the thousands of houses on the hillsides, the sound of my brother playing Minecraft at six in the morning before school, the loud music from my sister’s room, the smell of my father’s burning cigars and my mother’s warm touch. It’s an endless list of things that make the “good” in “goodbye” completely pointless. No matter how ready I was to leave, I couldn’t wrap my head around the thought of traveling across the globe to an unknown place full of uncertainties. I came from a sheltered world and made the best of it thanks to the amount of love and comfort I received. There is no other place I would rather call home than Jordan. It gave my family and I something our country of origin, Iraq, couldn’t. I can’t emphasize enough the pain you endure when you realize your 49 | MUSE’INGS

home can no longer be your home. It was beyond our control, and there was nothing anyone could do about the war in Iraq, all we could do was cope with it and pray that our windows wouldn’t be the next to shatter. After the mourning and self-loathing experienced from leaving our country behind, we found peace and everlasting salvation in Jordan.

Through time, Queen’s became a new haven. I found a state of relief from the people around me.

I slowly started regaining my breath after realizing my new home welcomed me with open arms.

However, it was a struggle to keep my pillow dry at night. Although accepted within the community, I couldn’t help but feel like a stranger. I was born and raised in a different world with different values, yet I had several experiences that helped me keep an open mind. From all that I have seen in my life, I still felt like a naïve and scared little girl whenever I walked down University Avenue. It was hard to process everything that I was experiencing all at once, and whenever I looked around, it felt as though I was the only one pacing my steps and counting houses to remain calm and collected.

Soon, I realized that the fear I held was slowly becoming a reality. Even though people accepted my values at Queen’s, I couldn’t help but compare my country’s culture to the Canadian. It’s the little things

that differ between Jordan and Canada. The streets, the traffic, the stores, the people, the weather, I could go on forever from the political status to the way people pronounce my name. I didn’t think any of these aspects would affect the comfort of my stay here.

Before coming to Canada, I’d been told that I’d miss Jordan once I left and I would likely become homesick—which is a given cliché—but the pain wasn’t a cliché, and neither was the loneliness that came with it. Even though people respected my values, I was still torn between both cultures—from the way of living and eating, the politics, the driving, to the values of sex. I couldn’t find a balance between the two cultures. I adopted an open-minded perspective, yet maintained certain Islamic views. So it’s an

an article by Hareer Al-Qaragolie

understatement to say that both cultures affected my identity, but the differences were so drastic I was left feeling completely torn. As much as I wanted to find the best of both worlds, I became aware that it’s going to take a lot more confusion, tears, and pain to find ease. And I finally made peace with that.

Everyone tells you about the homesickness you feel when you leave for college. But no one tells you about the inevitable anxiousness, confusion, and torn feeling you endure, feelings that go beyond the notion of “culture shock.” Coping with this feeling is a choice. You either stick to who you are and who you grew up to be, or try to find the grey area between who you thought you were and who you are becoming. Just take things at ease with grace, one breath at a time.

50 | MUSE’INGS

I Envy the Dropout an article by Lena Gilmour

On a fresh autumn day, we arrived on campus with clean minds, ready to be filled and prepared to face the challenges of the real world. We had packed up our expectations, our uncertainties, and our dreams and come to the place where we would get all the answers we needed to be real adults.

I know I’m not the only one who sees it. I’m not even one of few. The truth is, to varying degrees; we all understand what is happening. But how do we stop it?

For those of us who know that the lives we want to live require degrees, quitting school isn’t an option. So is giving in the only choice we have?

This was exactly what I expected to happen when I came to school first year. I had all these expectations of the four years to come. I imagined all the things I would learn, and hoped that university would prepare me for the real world. I had no idea that two years later I would be on the verge of quitting school altogether.

We are often told that university prepares us for the “real world.” My question is this: how real is that world? The truth is, university is a place that prepares us for the world of the bigger box; university prepares us for the grey, dull cubicle that’s branded as the only option. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but no part of me believes that’s the only world out there. What if it isn’t?

It’s a decision I’ve considered more times than I can count, a thought that has rooted itself in my brain.

For a long time I’ve been ashamed of that part of me that wants to quit. That was until I realized just how amazing the university dropout really is.

I believe in the world of possibility. Why shouldn’t I, when it’s where most of us want to be anyways? I believe in the world where we can do what we want with the lives we’ve been given, where we can exist outside the lines, where we can draw our own damn lines.

I applaud the dropout. The person who entered the world of “higher learning” only to turn around, pack it in, and ditch the scene. To a certain degree, I envy them, the people who saw the lines being drawn around them and escaped.

There are some of us who are able to let go of that world. There are some of us who can accept the grey, and the box, and still be happy. If that’s you, congratulations. But what about the others? What about the ones who are on the outside? The ones who can’t let go of that technicolour world of possible?

I envied them because they saw it—the thing that almost all of us see without seeing—and actually did something about it. They saw the box and realized they didn’t have to stay inside it. The dropouts are the ones who understood the problem in being told to think outside the lines and then being condemned for doing just that.

We are told that we are the great minds of tomorrow, but instead of being encouraged to think with great minds, we are instructed on how best to fit inside the parameters. The professor who tells us to think and dream bigger is the same one who docks marks for taking a different route.

What about the dreamers?

If you’re feeling boxed in by your choice to be here, know you’re not alone. College days don’t have to be the best days of your life. You don’t have to want the model they’ve put in front of you. Doubt the model.

Doubt the whole system if you want to. Don’t believe that’s all there is just because they say so.

I’m not saying everyone should drop out of school.

I’m not even saying that living “outside the box” is the best choice. Being true to who you actually are— not who someone else wants you to be, or what you

photography by Marshall Cole McCann

feel you should be—that’s pretty important.

I’m too stubborn to give up on my degree—too sure that the life I want to live requires a post-secondary education to throw in the towel just yet. I know that to get where I want to be I have to play the game, and just hope I don’t get played along the way.

Maybe I’ll make it here and maybe I won’t. And either way, I think that’s okay.

52 | MUSE’INGS

Em ‘T br he ac En e d’

One of my favourite ice breaker questions when getting to know new people is, “what’s your biggest fear?” I don’t mean to call anybody out, but I think we all lie when answering that question … at least a little bit. We’re all quick to answer “sharks” or “lightning,” but fail to answer what really keeps us up at night. Fears such as failure, never finding love, or being unable to pay back student loans, aren’t usually brought up. I too am a culprit of this, as I can’t say that I have ever answered this question honestly. My go-to answer is “sharks,” when the real fear that keeps me up at night is endings.

I think we can all agree that endings are hard. Whether it’s when the credits roll on the last episode of your favourite television show, or when you drop off your ex’s last box of things, we can probably all agree that we feel a tinge of sadness. It’s hard to accept the end of something, and it’s even harder to move on.

The term “the end” has plagued me for most of my life, as my fear of endings began to manifest itself into a fear of beginnings. This led me to stay within the boundaries of my comfort zone; I didn’t want to end anything, and I therefore never started anything new or different.

I think it’s easy for us to associate endings with sadness. There’s a certain power to the phrase “the end.” There’s an undeniable finality to it. What we often forget however is that endings have the ability to introduce a whole new series of emotions, from scared, to sad, to happy.

Endings are a natural part of life, so why do we feel the need to avoid them? Something I always fail to remember is that with every ending comes a new beginning—a new start. There’s something beautiful about that, about having the opportunity to close one chapter only to find something even more exciting in the next. We get so caught up in our own comfort zones, that when the ending arrives we are unwilling to move on. What we fail to realize is that endings offer us the opportunity to change.

Through a change in our habits and expectations, we can evolve a little more into what we want to and will become.

I don’t think there’ll ever come a time where the phrase “the end” won’t scare me. Despite this realization, I’ve learned to embrace it. Embrace the fear, and channel it into hope. Hope for the future, and hope for new beginnings. Endings give us a unique opportunity—let’s embrace it.

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an article by Sarah Hannford

photography by Nodebe Agbapu

NUNNA AND ALEXA

photography by Harrison Clarke creative direction and styling by Amy Yu and Katherine Singh make up by Alexandra Cook modeling by Alexa Leiningen and Nunna Worku

55 | EDITORIAL

56 | EDITORIAL

57 | EDITORIAL

Rape is not a Curse Word

a poem by Maggie Whitmore

illustration by Maggie Whitmore I will carry my keys in hand while walking to my car because I am afraid of what lurks in the dark But I am afraid of the light as well, because I know that there is a 1 in 5 chance of being raped This truly terrifies me, has kept me up at night We use the word slut all the time but the word rape? That’s considered taboo Why do we dance around the topic?

As though if we ignore it the problem may just go away As though the word is a curse word

Rape Rape Rape It exists, although only 3% of rapists will ever see the inside of a prison cell Growing up I’m told to hide my body because it might distract the boys since my body is so sexual at the ripe age of 11 and now at the age of 18 I still have to watch what I wear because then I would be asking for it I’m told to watch my drink at parties I’m told to carry pepper spray I’m told not to drink too much Told

Told

Told I’m constantly told to do things, while others are handed a pack of condoms and told to have fun They have no rules, no guidelines, nothing to keep them up at night wondering when one of their friends or themselves will be raped Women are sluts if they say yes and prudes when they say no There is no escape from the tipped scales, no hiding, no running Until I no longer feel the need to fake a call or carry my keys between my sweaty fingers to be able to feel safe on the short walk to my car Until I am not constantly bothered by my mother to take a class in self defense because then when someone tries to rape me, I might be able to defend myself Until we teach not to rape instead of teaching to protect there will be no such thing as equality 58 | MUSE’INGS

The Life She’d Never Have My head was pounding harder than my heart. My vision momentarily gone. I collapsed. Half an hour later I was home, hardly understanding how I got there. I was immobile, propping myself over the garbage, filling it up with everything inside me.

Without my willpower, I was lifted into the car and driven to the hospital. Hockey was my biggest passion. In April 2009, I made an exceptionally high-level hockey team, which was my biggest accomplishment at the time. Gone.I completed numerous tests, all far from pleasant, and without my recollection. After conducting an MRI the doctor sighed, There’s something there, but we’re not sure what. More tests; this seemed to become a reoccurring theme in my life. The sun was rising as a verdict was finally declared. Your son has a brain tumor and must go into surgery, the doctor said in fear. In the blink of an eye, my life was flipped upside down. May 21, 2009 was the worst day of my life. I was gassed out, not making a difference to my already unconscious state, as the surgeons got to work. They conducted a successful biopsy of the mass inside my head. To my family’s relief, the tumor was benign, but it made no difference to me: my life was over. I continually asked myself, Why did this have to happen to me, why me? After manufacturing a home in the hospital for over a week, suffering excruciating surgeries, needles, and multiple visits from family, I was finally able to leave my worst nightmare and return home, but 59 | MUSE’INGS

not for long. Play dates, who doesn’t love them? I was a shy kid; meeting friends at a new school was daunting. I joined sports teams, opening opportunities for friendship. I jumped at every play date opportunity I could. I had finally formed friendships that felt as though they would last forever.

Gone. Only 24-hours after leaving, I found myself slouched aside my family, again at the place I dreaded. We spoke with numerous doctors and received recommendations. I remember none of it, I was immersed in my own little world, Why me? After an extensive debate over a decision that would change my life, there was a decision.

I would be put on a 70-week chemotherapy regime. I arrived at a new school, knowing not a person there—this was my ten-year-old definition of a nightmare. It took me a couple months until I finally started settling in. As the clock ticked on, I generated friendships and began to enjoy every second at school. I gained the feeling of finally fitting in, and I loved it. Gone.I was placed on my first round of chemotherapy, and went into the oncology clinic weekly for treatment. I hated it. After 80 weeks, I completed my chemo and it was the most glorious event since long before the night of May 21, 2009. But it was far from over.

The first phase was unsuccessful, the tumor had grown, a second session of 60-weeks on a more intense dosage was required. Sports, social life, and school were only a handful of passions I lost.

It seemed as though everything I once loved was stolen. No longer able to play the sports I loved.

No longer able to play with friends. No longer given the luxury of going to school. My life was turned upside down. Living hell.One morning in the oncology unit, my Mum and I took a seat beside a little girl. At this point, past the half way mark of my initial phase, my hair had visibly thinned out. However, this five-year-old girl had the shiniest head I’d ever seen. After developing casual conversation, we began to talk about our diagnoses. She was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, also known as a death sentence. She was given under a year to live her life, one that she had hardly even started. Tears poured down my cheeks, I was living the life that she would never have. My eyes were finally opened. I learned to see life from a different perspective; the question that initially

lingered in my mind slowly started to dissipate. As I went to SickKids, I realized how many kids were suffering; the more I looked, the more I saw. The hospital filled my heart with sorrow, but no longer for myself. I witnessed child after child living with a premature expiration date. Today, I no longer drag myself to school—I leap out of bed. I prance through doors ready to live a day of my life I’ll never get back, a day many never had the chance to experience. I make the most of every second I am breathing because I know better than anyone else how quickly that freedom can be seized.

an article by Anonymous photography by Arielle Vieira

60 | MUSE’INGS

“Spectrum” a poem by Kate Farrell A slow rotation of a sharp mind Doesn’t mean it is any less.

Modification does not necessarily lead, to a digress in capacities.

We are all modified anyways, in some way or another

61 | MUSE’INGS

photography by Kerenza Yuen

62 | MUSE’INGS

MUSE MAGAZINE AT QUEEN’S DIRECTORS Katherine Singh, Editor-in- Chief Amy Yu, Creative Director Will Cross-Bermingham, Photography Director Hannah Davis, Business Director Bianca Toulany, Business Director Diahanna Rose, Online Director Editorial Team Samantha Fink (Entertainment Editor) Anna J. Stainsby (Fashion Editor) Annie Robinson (Lifestyle Editor) Regina Phalange (Arts Editor) Lauren Backa (MUSE’ings Editor)

Finance: Jen Dorsey

Photography Team Kerenza Yuen Zoe Zimmerman Arielle Vieira Nodebe Agbapu Harrison Clarke Anna Maria Li Marshall McCann

Layout Team Melanie Nelson (Graphics) Avesta Rastan James Hubay Emslie Attisha Julia Holland Hillary Wong Bonnie Wang

Sponsorship Team Maddy Griffith (Internal Head) Orli Levitt (External Head) Victoria Spanton Leora Owsiany

Makeup Team Carrie Wei Melissa Nguyen Alexandra Cook

Marketing Team Tessa Latowsky Aidan Tammaro Matthew Prioste Jane Bradshaw Events Team Madeline Power Katie Glover Anna Pakenham 63 | MUSE TEAM

Creative Team Karina Rebellato Michael Kirreh Anisha Sandhu

Online Team Ryan Johnston (Chief Tech Officer) Maddy Wright Caitlyn McTavish Megan Hunt Emily Battler Rawan Abdelaatty Adrian Caldarola Raquel (Kelly) Simpson Alexander Tran Erez Zobary Jenna Chasse

IMAGE CREDITS Cooper, Max. “Emergence.” Max Cooper - Emergence. Web. Cohen, Abeline . “BEYONCÉ JUST DROPPED A VIDEO FOR HER NEW SINGLE “FORMATION”.” Galore. N.p., 6 Feb. 2016. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.

“DRAKE’S SPOTIFY GAMBLE IS PAYING OFF: VIEWS JUST MADE $8M IN A DAY.” Music Business Worldwide. N.p., 2 May 2016. Web. 11 Mar. 2017.

“SS17 BRIDE COLLECTION.” ManiJassal. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://manijassal.com/pages/ss17-bride-collection>.

DelSol, Roya. “Spilling the Chai with Hatecopy’s Maria Qamar.” Omit Limitation. N.p., 19 Apr. 2016. Web. Hua, Karen. “Behind the Scenes of ‘La La Land’: How The Sets Made The Movie Magical.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 27 Jan. 2017. Web. “SINGING IN THE RAIN | A PRESENT TO AMSTERDAM FASHION WEEK.” Star Studded Studios. N.p., 24 Jan. 2012. Web. <http://www.starstuddedstudios.com/site/singing-in-the-rain-apresent-to-amsterdam-fashion-week/>.

“Posts about The Jazz Singer on Film And New York City.” Film And New York City. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2017. <https://filmnewyorkcity.wordpress.com/tag/the-jazz-singer/>.

“Babbu the Painter – Art.” Babbu the Painter. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.babbuthepainter.com/>.

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