NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 36
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015
nyunews.com
REVIEW
UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
IRHC Town Hall addresses housing
Tisch New Theatre’s ‘Catch’ delights By TAYLOR TURNER Contributing Writer
Eric Stromberg, CEO and co-founder of Oyster, speaks with students during the CEO Exclusive of Tech@NYU’s Startup Week. Stromberg was featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30.
STORY ON PAGE 3
SPORTS
Softball shuts out, baseball strikes out
Despite cloudy skies, the impending rain held off long enough for NYU’s softball and baseball teams to compete on Tuesday. After losing their last two games to Stevens Institute of Technology, the softball team returned to the diamond for the first time since March, dominating The College at Old Westbury twice in one day. Outscoring the Panthers by a combined score of 20-2, the Violets’ bats were hot from the first pitch. Junior infielder Kahala Bonsignore put the Violets up in the first inning with a groundout to first base that brought home freshman leadoff hitter Colby Tarsitano, who had 3 of the Violets’ 17 total hits in the game. It was a lead the Violets would not relinquish. In the third inning, sophomore Molly Webber tripled down the left field line, extending the lead to 3-1. The Violets put the game away in the fifth with a big
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
four-run inning, including a clutch two RBI double by junior Lauren Parnaby. With two more runs over the final two innings, the Violets accumulated 10 runs for the second time this season. Sophomore pitcher Jacqueline Tremblay pitched a complete game, just the beginning of a busy day, striking out six and only giving up two earned runs in seven innings. “We had some time off because of the weather so it was great we were able to come out and take two,” Tremblay said. “Everything fell into place on offense and defense, and it really showed.” Building off their stellar first game, the Violets only needed five innings in the second game to put away the Panthers 10-0. Tremblay, pitching the second game as well, was nearly untouchable, only giving up one hit and walking one. The bats got hot again in the fourth and fifth innings, as the
BASEBALL continued on PG. 8
COURTESY OF CAROLINE CUNFER
By MICHAEL THOMPSON Staff Writer
Interview with Ben Scheuer The star of the oneman musical “The Lion” talks about his passion for clothes. STORY on PG. 4
The Inter-Residence Hall Council addressed students’ concerns regarding housing priority, transportation and other elements of campus living in a meeting open to students on Tuesday. The panel included administrators involved in student affairs, housing services, public safety, information technology, dining, transportation and resident advising, all of whom fielded questions from the organizers and attendees. Vice President of Global Student Affairs Marc Wais an-
IRHC continued on PG. 3 BEAUTY & STYLE
Bookstore onesie sparks controversy By MADISON REIS Contributing Writer
Last Thursday, NYU employee Jason Y. Evans snapped a photo in the NYU Bookstore of an “I hate my thighs” onesie right next to an “I’m super” onesie, for girls and boys respectively. He promptly posted it to Facebook with the caption “I had a very difficult time not raging out about this in the college store. These are onesies...for infants...guess which one is for girls and which one is for boys. THIS is the problem.” Within minutes of the post, the NYU community, including several student and alumni groups, took to social media to express their outrage over the onesies. Steinhardt junior Cassie Wuest tweeted, “why would anyone, let alone NYU, ever think it was okay to sell an ‘I hate my thighs’ onesie aimed at baby girls? I’m actually livid.” Twitter user @LaXicanista said, “I will give you side eye for years if I see
you put your baby in a onesie that says, ‘I hate my thighs,’” and user @middleclasstool said, “If you’ve made anything like an ‘I hate my thighs’ onesie for a baby, may I suggest the wintry freshness of confronting your self-loathing?” Social media users across various platforms repeatedly complained to the bookstore, and in fewer than eight hours, the store had removed the onesie from its shelves. To many, it is shocking that a university bookstore had stocked the item in the first place, especially a university so renowned for its acceptance and diversity. After all, this is the same Wry Baby onesie that made international headlines two weeks ago for body-shaming baby girls. The company responded to that original controversy in a seemingly ignorant way, claiming the onesie is “ironic,” which only further angered body-positive advocates. Evan’s photograph has prompted
Designers that care A list of the fashion companies that partner with charities to support communities. STORY on PG. 5
another round of attention for the already highly-controversial brand because of the contrast between the girls’ body-shaming onesie and the boys’ “I’m super” onesie. Having the two side-by-side only furthered the message that girls, even babies, need to be conscious of their appearance while young boys are being praised. This is a particularly extreme example, but it is clear that body-shaming is starting to become an issue for young girls. It is a positive sign that the NYU community clearly demonstrated their disgust and had the clothes removed from the bookstore, and a good reminder that students have the power to influence aspects of NYU when we see something we do not agree with. Hopefully this will be the last time this particular onesie sees the shelves and also the last time we see our own bookstore exhibit such poor judgement. Email Madison Reis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
CATCH continued on PG. 4
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Tisch New Theatre recently mounted their spring main stage musical: “Catch Me If You Can,” which details the life of famous con-artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Framed as a ’60s musical variety show, Frank takes the audience through the years of his life as a con artist with the help of an impeccable dance ensemble and a lively score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman. Director and choreographer Philip Colgan, a senior in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, has created a spectacle unparalleled by most of NYU’s theater scene. In
By NED HARRELL Contributing Writer
Opinion: STEM discrimination After the Ellen Pao verdict, tech companies still need to look at gender and race discrimination. STORY on PG. 7
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
As spring is often a busy time for the arts world with new exhibitions and shows opening, the WSN staff recommends art exhibitions for spring 2015.
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief
VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI Managing Editor
THOMAS DEVLIN Assistant Managing Editor
JOHN AMBROSIO Digital Director
HANNAH TREASURE Creative Director, Special Editions
“HIP HOP REVOLUTION” The Museum of the City of New York is currently hosting the “Hip Hop Revolution” exhibit, featuring over 80 photographs documenting New York’s old school hip-hop culture. The exhibit, curated by Sean Corcoran, shows photographs that were captured between 1977 and 1990 by Martha Cooper, Joe Conzo and Janette Beckman. It offers insight into the genre’s transformation and evolution, from reveling in the underground scene in Harlem to becoming accepted in mainstream culture. Its depiction of hip-hop culture incorporates the genre’s prevalent elements including DJing, rapping and breakdancing, most of which began in New York City in the 1970s. The photographers’ works depict early hip-hop figures including Run DMC, the Beastie Boys and the Cold Crush Brothers, intending to show hip-hop’s New York roots and its evolution. — ALEXA SPIELER, Arts Editor
“FABIO MAURI: ‘I WAS NOT NEW’” Hauser & Wirth present the first major solo exhibition dedicated to the avant-garde Italian artist Fabio Mauri in New York with “Fabio Mauri: ‘I was not new.” In the exhibition, Mauri’s artwork, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installation art and writing, displays his expressions and explorations into the ideologies associated with the Holocaust, World War II and the rise of Fascism. Consistently displayed throughout the exhibit is Mauri’s dedication to creating artwork that is frequently associated with language and meaning. “Fabio Mauri: ‘I was not new’” was organized with the assistance of Olivier Renaud-Clément and will be on display at Hauser & Wirth’s East 69th Street until May. — ALEXA SPIELER, Arts Editor
“FATAL ATTRACTION: PIOTR UKLAŃSKI SELECTS FROM THE MET COLLECTION” New York-based photographer Piotr Uklański’s picks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, on view concurrently with his much-deserved first survey, are based around the connection between sex and death in art. Rather than being pretentious, this show is unabashedly kinky and, weirdly enough, illuminating. See a 16th-century beaded ivory rosary with a couple carved into it next to a 20th-century, pop-inflected photograph of a nude woman by Robert Heinecken. Compare a Laurie Simmons photograph of a gun with a Weegee photograph of a crime scene. Uklański’s combinations of images are strange, uncomfortable and, most of all, rewarding. — ALEX GREENBERGER, Editor-At-Large
OLIVIA MARTIN Creative Director
TEERIN JULSAWAD deputy ALEXA WONG Copy Chief
MADELINE PAZZANI deputy RICHARD SHU Multimedia
SHAWN PAIK photo SAM BEARZI video CALVIN FALK deputy photo SANG BAE, MATHILDE VAN TULDER deputy video CHRISTIAN FORTE
“KEITH HARING: HEAVEN AND HELL” Located in Chelsea, the “Keith Haring: Heaven and Hell” exhibition presents five major works on canvas from the American artist. The exhibition is on display at Skarstedt Gallery until April 18 and presents artwork with a variety of paradoxical themes, including life and death; religion and sexuality; innocence and experience; good and evil; and heaven and hell. Though Haring is frequently recognized for his artwork with cartoonish figures, “Heaven and Hell” portrays a darker, more aggressive side of him, creating visual contrasts between heavy and light subjects. Haring also has a background in social activism, which “Heaven and Hell” supports through its canvases that stand to make political statements regarding street culture. — ALEXA SPIELER, Arts Editor
SENIOR STAFF
news ALANNA BAYARIN, MARITA VLACHOU features MARINA ZHENG arts ALEXA SPIELER sports BOBBY WAGNER senior editors LARSON BINZER, CHRISTINA
COLEBURN, FELIPE DE LA HOZ, FRANCISCO NAVAS, IFE OLUJOBI
DEPUTY STAFF
news ALEX BAZELEY features NINA JANG beauty & style SOPHIE LEWIS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment AUDREY DENG music E.R. PULGAR theater/books CAROLINE CUNFER sports KYLE LUTHER
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
TESS WOOSLEY deputy opinion editors
ANNIE COHEN, TOMMY COLLISON, MATTHEW TESSLER
BLOGS
editor EMILY BELL exposure HANNAH LUU violet vision GABRIELLA BOWER the highlighter MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE under the arch EMMA SCOBLE global DANA RESZUTEK
ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY SALES RELATIONS
CLAIRE MAHANY
SNAPSHOT
TODAY ON CAMPUS
SALES MANAGER
EMMA HOWCROFT SALES REPRESENTATIVES
AMY LU, BEN SWINEHART
Botany, Biodiversity & Bitters The co-founder of Shoots and Roots Bitters is coming to the Leslie eLab to talk about her entrepreneurial experience in a scientific company. The event will be at 6 p.m.
SALES ASSOCIATES
MIKE GROTT, LUXI PENG GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
KALEEL MUNROE CIRCULATION MANAGER
JESSICA TIEN
Stop Street Harassment Author and founder of Stop Street Harassment Holly Kearl will be hosting a lecture and question-and-answer about catcalling at 5:30 p.m. in room 101 at 19 W. Fourth St.
CIRCULATION ASSISTANTS
ALEX HANSON, FIONA GORRY-HINES
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
Stranger in a Strange Land
With the changing of the seasons, humans are not the only ones sporting spring styles.
SNAPSHOT BY SANG BAE
Jodi Cobb is the next featured photographer in the National Geographic Live series and will be talking about her coverage of cultural and political events over the past four decades. The event will be in the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at 3:30 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS.
RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH EDITORS-AT-LARGE
TATIANA BAEZ, NICOLE BROWN, ALEX GREENBERGER, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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Startup Week highlights technology, design at NYU
By AMANDA MORRIS Contributing Writer
Tech@NYU’s Startup Week, a program that focuses on design, entrepreneurship and startups, launched on Monday with a workshop at Buzzfeed’s New York City headquarters. The conference, which is supported by Google, Microsoft and Spotify, will educate students through workshops, speakers and panels relevant to the tech industry. CAS freshman Dana Lee said many events lined up for Startup Week feature important speakers from the technology and design industries. “You get to hear from incredibly intelligent people,” Lee said. “You get to pick their brain and get solid advice. It is inspiring to
know that you can get far if you work hard enough.” CAS junior Abhi Ashutosh, the marketing lead at Tech@NYU, said one of the highlights of the week is the keynote speech by Edward Tufte, who The New York Times has dubbed the “Leonardo Da Vinci of Data.” “Startup Week is a week packed with our ‘best-of’ events,” Ashutosh said. “This year, we’re lucky enough to host Edward Tufte, the father of data visualization for a full master class of design seminar.” The BuzzFeed event focused on User Interface Design and User Experience. CAS junior Katy Herrick said the workshop broadened her knowledge of online writing and operations. “The event was a really great experience for designers because the speaker walked us through the
entire design process — from wireframing to production — of a cool new BuzzFeed feature,” Herrick said. Poly freshman Timothy Welman disagreed, saying the event did not contribute to his understanding of how design works. “I personally was not impressed,” Welman said. “I personally don’t like BuzzFeed, which probably contributed to that, but I just found the presentation to be really unprofessional and lacking in actual substance. As someone who already does a lot of design work, it felt like the presenter was barely even scratching the surface of the subject.” Lee said Startup Week events are helpful even for people who are unfamiliar with technology. “I think startup week is great for anyone who wants an intro to
CAS sophomore Freia Lobo, who works for Tech@NYU, said Startup Week serves as a platform for social change, too. “Now we’re also using Startup Week to highlight something we think is critical — discrimination in the tech industry and constructive ways to better the situation,” Lobo said. Herrick said she thinks the event is a great way to open up conversation about both technology and social issues. “I think it’s beautiful that they’re applying NYU’s focus on social justice to the technology industry, since there is a definite hole in technological services produced for people of certain class backgrounds,” Herrick said. Email Amanda Morris at news@nyunews.com.
Talk discusses South African apartheid
IRHC continued from PG. 1
Questions on dining, safety answered
swered questions regarding contingency plans for events normally held in the to-beredeveloped Coles Sports Center. NYU plans to relocate such events to nearby venues until the new sports facility is complete. Senior Director of Residential Life Kate Baier mainly addressed concerns related to prioritization in housing assignments. Asked about the feasibility of basing prioritization on GPA, Baier responded that the operation would be too difficult. “The logistics of that would be kind of burdensome, to match GPAs within a system that serves 12,000 students,” Baier said. “It’s an interesting proposal, but not one we’re considering.” On the issue of public safety, Assistant Vice President of Campus Security James Pisaniello defended the policy that has students sign out visitors each time they leave their dorm, noting that while some visitors are friends or family, many are not. “The policy is really put in place as a safety issue for students,” Pisaniello said. “Sometimes you think you know somebody and it winds up you really don’t.” Director of Dining Services Ann Marie Powell took questions on inaccuracies in dining descriptions; vegan and vegetarian dining options; and the potential for expanding the Dining Dollar system. When a student related an anecdote about dining workers mixing recycling and normal
some parts of the tech industry,” Lee said. “Many people, especially the Tech@NYU E-Board, are willing to help beginners out.” Ashutosh added that Startup Week tries to encourage students to develop their own ideas through the DemoDays event, which will take place on April 12. “This event has traditionally been our most popular as students from around the city demo their ideas, projects and sometimes companies,” Ashutosh said. “It’s a great aggregation of the best of student creation and is easily one of my favorite events of the year.” Many students are also looking forward to the “Discrimination in Tech: Some Constructive Criticism” event on April 9 that will address issues of race, gender and class discrimination within the technology industries.
By JUSTINE MORRIS Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
Josh Bender asks a question to the panel at the Inter-Residence Hall Council’s Town Hall on Tuesday. trash, Powell affirmed that such actions contravened the NYU Dining Services’ sustainability policy, emphasizing that NYU is trying to move toward zero waste. Director of Academic Technology Services Peggy McCready conveyed new information about the installation of printers in the dorms. McCready said six dorms now have printers, with further plans to bring printers to every dorm. Transportation Manager Gregory Rivas responded to questions regarding inconsistencies in the bus schedule and bus loading policy, as well as the possibility of an airport shuttle for students who travel frequently. In response to this last question, Rivas responded that NYU is seeking a relationship with SuperShuttle for
discounted rides to JFK and LaGuardia airports. CAS sophomore Murielle Hsieh said the panel left some issues unresolved. “The main ones were [discussed], though there are still small ones that weren’t addressed,” Hsieh said. “There are certain issues that can’t be solved. I wish they can, but I understand that they have limited resources.” Event organizer Nate Faust, a CAS sophomore, praised the panelists’ candor and their eagerness to allay student concerns. “They really are here to serve our best interests, they want to help.” Faust said. “They don’t have to come to this, and they really do like hearing from students.” Email Ned Harrell at news@nyunews.com.
Vincent Maphei experienced apartheid firsthand as a black man born in South Africa. Born in 1952, he was a member of the first generation to be born under apartheid and one of the integral players in its demise. Maphei was even good friends with former president Nelson Mandela, and worked alongside him in politics and business in South Africa. Tuesday night, in 20 Cooper Square, Maphei opened the floor for discussion about how apartheid was abolished and the challenges that South Africa still faces. Maphei explained that there were four main tools used to overthrow the government: international isolation, underground work, domestic mobilization and military struggle. Over the course of the discussion, Maphei emphasized the relationship between the revolutionary strategies and the challenges the government is currently facing. “The tools you need to overthrow a government are not the tools you need to build your own government,” Maphei said. The first tool, international isolation, hurt the government not only economically, but also culturally. “White South Africans always wanted to see themselves as part of the Western world,” Maphei said. “The strategy of international isolation kind of cut them off from the kind of value system they admired. They wanted to be seen to be part of the civilized West.” Maphei said this strategy hurt the new government because it left the economy in shambles. The second part was a kind of underground resistance or terrorism. The problem with an underground resistance is it necessitates working with only close associates that are trusted. Once they were in power, it led to cronyism.
“In underground, you can only work with people you know and trust,” Maphei said. “The consequence of that mentality of underground work is that people who get plump jobs in government are those that are known to the ANC. If they don’t know you, if you have never been part of the network, there’s no room for merit.” The third part of the campaign was domestic mobilization and it was the most effective, which Maphei explained was the most effective. “The main strategy of domestic mobilization was that you make the country ungovernable,” Maphei said. “We removed the names of the streets, and we brushed off our street addresses, so if the police sent your address, they couldn’t find the street.” The fourth part was a traditional military struggle, which was the least successful. “The South African army was so strong that with the military struggle we did not even scratch the South African defense force,” Maphei said. When trying to construct a stable government, however, a strong army means security against violent coups. CAS freshman Jackie Mazariego said she was fascinated by the close connection Maphei had with Mandela. “When he was talking about Mandela, that was really interesting,” Mazariego said. “I didn’t know he had a personal relationship with him.” CAS freshman Kayla Matteo said Maphei’s willingness to examine the role he played in the struggle against apartheid was refreshing. “The way he was able to look at himself more objectively was really interesting,” Matteo said. Email Justine Morris at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
ARTS
EDITED BY ALEXA SPIELER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
CATCH continued from PG. 1
Catch ‘Catch Me If You Can’ if you can
an educational forum defined by strict minimalism, Colgan and his team, headed by producer Jason Arnold, a sophomore in Tisch, created a rich aesthetic through their mesmerizing production. His choreography, created with junior Tisch film student Marc Anthony Ferre, breathed life into certain numbers. Sharp, stylized movements and a constantly moving background reenergize the material for the hectic pace of modern life. The cast is led by Steinhardt senior Jarrad Biron Green — fresh off playing Tony in the national tour of “West Side Story” — whose voice soars above the score’s demands with ease.
Green’s quirky stage persona gives a relatability to Frank, particularly in his most tragic moments, which keeps the audience rooting for him while he is pursued by Carl Hanratty, who is played by Tisch senior Danté Jeanfelix. Jeanfelix nails an impressive balancing act between the awkward discomfort his FBI agent character feels in his career and the confident movement of his musical numbers, particularly “Don’t Break the Rules” — a thumping, jazzy dance number. Sophomore Kylie Cipolla plays Frank’s love interest Brenda Strong with an honest, wide-eyed sweetness. Although she is not given as much material as the
leading men — she only appears in Act Two and sings twice — Cipolla brings herself to what she has been given. Her rendition of “Fly, Fly Away” is belted with impressive strength. The supporting cast is just as colorful. Damian Quinn as Frank Abagnale Sr. grounds himself in a persona far beyond his years with his baritone voice and an emotional connection that speaks to a commitment to character transformation. Ashley Coia finds a rewarding, sensual humanity as Paula, Frank’s mother, and Mallory Minerson and Emilio Madrid keep the crowd in stitches as Brenda’s parents, a picture-perfect Southern couple. Overall, the cast perfectly exe-
COURTESY OF TRIS BUCARO
‘Catch Me If You Can’ stars Mulhern, Cook, Johnson, Powers, Green, Pinto, Fish, Callahan and Lu, left to right. cutes this enormous show. A group of students from varying performance backgrounds and fields of study, ranging from Tisch actors to Poly engineers, put on a show
of this massive scale with passion and dedication. Email Taylor Turner at theater@nyunews.com.
One-man star talks clothes, play
By WILLA TELLEKSON-FLASH Contributing Writer
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Bill Plympton’s “Cheatin’” has been nominated for three Annie Awards.
Animated film beautiful but flawed By ZACH MARTIN Staff Writer
Animation is typically directed toward children and produced by major studios, so it is understandably difficult for an independent animator making films for an adult audience to find much success in appealing to a wider audience. Bill Plympton, a prominent figure in indie animation, has been working under the radar for almost 40 years, occasionally producing shorts for “The Simpsons” gags and a Weird Al music video but primarily crafting distinctive shorts and feature films. His new film “Cheatin’,” a surreal, dialoguefree love story funded through Kickstarter, keeps with his tradition of hand-drawn animation dealing with mature themes by using an absurdist sense of humor. The story begins with protagonists Jake and Ella meeting and falling in love at a bumper car track. They settle down for a life together, but soon a jealous woman fools Jake into believing that Ella is unfaithful. A comedy of errors ensues and
Ella concocts a plan involving a magician and his soul machine to save the relationship. The plotline is not particularly revelatory, and the misunderstandings that drive the main arc feel too much like clichés. Additionally, the gender roles depicted in “Cheatin’” are somewhat outdated. Multiple sequences show Jake rescuing a helpless Ella, essentially forcing her into the archetype of the submissive housewife who is willing to forgive Jake for his wrongdoings. One can attribute this to the exaggerated and absurdist plot and cinematic style, but they lead to eye-rollingly trite characterization all the same. However, it is the beautiful imagery, not the plot, that makes “Cheatin’” a captivating experience. Plympton’s commitment to surrealism makes for breathtaking images — cacti erupting out of the floor to represent loneliness, and kitchen objects dancing to celebrate the ferocity of the couple’s love. The exquisitely detailed, dreamline sequence could only come from an imagination as rich as Plympton’s. His characteristic
drawing style of elastic figures with exaggerated body proportions that contort and stretch into any shape he pleases adds to the emotional impact of the visual imagery. Animation allows for the creation of fantasies that are very difficult to depict in live-action film, and he utilizes the medium’s full range. “Cheatin’” could possibly appeal far beyond Plympton’s relatively niche fanbase. It has already generated some buzz, from its nomination for Best Feature at last year’s Annie Awards where it lost to “How to Train Your Dragon 2” in what must have been an especially devastating defeat for Plympton. Nevertheless, Plympton has crafted his unique vision into a distinct work that could not have been made by a major studio. As “Cheatin’” exemplifies, there is no mistaking his style of animation for any other creator’s work, proving that the possibilities are endless when an animator has extensive creative freedom. Email Zach Martin at film@nyunews.com.
Ben Scheuer’s one-man musical “The Lion” is heading on its national tour. The show takes audiences on Scheuer’s journey from childhood to the present, exploring his relationships with loved ones and his battle with cancer. The minimalism of “The Lion” draws attention to Scheuer’s clothing, which features asymmetrically cut jackets and differently cut trousers. The clothing plays a key role in paralleling the experience of being vulnerable on stage. In an interview with WSN, Scheuer discussed his battle with cancer, the importance of his impeccable attire and its relationship with his work. WSN: Were you always comfortable dressing as nicely as you do? BS: When I was doing a show in London in 2010, called “Jihad! The Musical,” I was a young guy to be in charge of a production. Everyday I went to a rehearsal, I’d wear a jacket and tie because people took me more seriously. I’d see the photos from rehearsal and I’d think “Oh, I look nice,” like the classic American songbook guys — Frank Loesser, Cole Porter and George Gershwin. WSN: How does the way you think about clothing change when on stage? BS: The clothes that I perform in are cut very specifically for performance. The jackets are cut asymmetrically because when I’m playing guitar, my right arm is in a different position than my left arm. The trousers are cut differently as well. Often times the pockets are sewn shut because I don’t need to put anything in my pockets while I’m performing. The trousers look better if they
aren’t open. Also, because I perform sitting down, my trouser legs are longer because when you’re sitting, your trousers come up a bit. My right leg doesn’t move when I’m playing because my guitar sits on my right leg—my left leg is moving around all by itself—and so there’s more room for movement in the left leg of my trousers than in the right leg. These are a few of the tricks of the stage clothes. WSN: Clothing became even more important to you when you were fighting cancer. Why so? BS: When I was ill, I was photographed once a week throughout my chemotherapy by Riya Lerner. One of the only things that I could control while I was sick was what I wore. Picking between two pairs of shoes was the only control I had over my day and essentially over my life. There’s a picture of me in Kirk Miller’s shop picking buttons, the simplest little act, and the joy of saying, “Which button would look nice with this?” It’s such a simple thing to do. Presentation and image took on a whole different meaning. WSN: Why do you think you love clothing so much? BS: It’s fun to put beautiful things into the world. Beautiful clothes take a long time to make and they’re made by artists, by artisans, who think about every detail. In that way, making an article of clothing and making a song are very similar. I really relate to making clothing because I’m a songwriter. I appreciate the detail and the thought in the crafting of a piece of art that we get to wear every day. We walk around with art. Email Willa Tellekson-Flash at theater@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY SOPHIE LEWIS BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Fair trade fashions hit the runway By CRISTINA FRAGA Contributing Writer
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Housing Works has 13 locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Designers give back to those in need
By FRANCESCA NELLA CONLIN Contributing Writer
Designer collaborations with department store brands are more popular than ever: Isabel Marant for H&M, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Kanye West for APC, the list goes on. However, many do not know about some even more important collaborations: those between designers and charities. For some designers, a charitable collaboration means starting their own foundation, such as Angela Ahrendts and the Burberry Foundation. For others it is about creating an entire collection or line that donates the profits to a cause, like Urban Zen by Donna Karan. Most recently, Suno, Tory Burch, Giambattista Valli for Moncler and others have donated exclusive pieces to the First Annual Fashion for Tibet auction, taking place on April 9. The proceeds benefit the Trace Foundation, which provides education and healthcare in Tibet. We often forget to be conscious of our purchases. It is important to remember to give back, and fashion is a great way to do that. You will not have to feel guilty if the next time you buy something, it is from one of the brands below who contributes to charities in a variety of ways.
Warby Parker Beloved eyewear startup Warby Parker operates via a “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” method. Purchase a pair of any of their glasses and another one is donated to someone in need. There are other companies that donate in this way, such as TOMS shoes, providing an easy way to give back through your purchases. Warby Parker’s latest venture, Warby x 826, supports the 826 initiative, which promotes youth literacy. A limited edition line of glasses is available to buy online and in Warby Parker stores. You will also have the option of purchasing two original publications written by the program’s students when checking out.
Lemlem
Started by supermodel Liya Kebede, former World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Lemlem sells garments weaved by women in Ethiopia. Purchasing an item from this line means you are not only helping to preserve an ancient art but also giving jobs back to weavers so they can regain their economic independence.
Fashion Project Fashion Project helps you score designer duds at a fraction of the price while also contributing to a charity of your choice. You can shop for items from brands like Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenburg, and 55 percent of the net proceeds from every item will go toward one of their dozens of charity partners. The company supports both national and international charities, from Chicago Pet Rescue to the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, which helps women in Uganda. You also have the option of donating your own clothes and indicating which organization you want the proceeds to go toward.
Housing Works If you are looking to give back locally, in a way that does not require any purchasing but rather giving on your part, Housing Works is the place to go. Now that it is spring, empty out your closets and take your gently used clothes, books, and even housewares to your nearest Housing Works, an organization that sells items donated from locals of New York City at their 13 thrift store locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. All proceeds go towards providing housing, medical and support services for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in New York. Email Francesca Nella Conlin at bstyle@nyunews.com.
The Wagner Graduate School of Public Service showcased the work of fair trade designers and manufacturers during the IPSA Fourth Annual Fair Trade Fashion Show on April 3. This industry advocates for livable wages, good working conditions and environmentally friendly practices. The Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is dedicated to the stufy of social and public issues. This is one of the reasons that they put the Fair Trade and Fashion Show together. Bringing these designers and vendors together was a way to show the community that the fashion industry can collaborate in new and exciting ways. A. Bernadette, Accompany, Canopy Verde, Dekan Clothing, Eco Lustre, Marquet, Mayarii, Norlha, NYR Organic US, Threads 4 Thought and UNITY participated in the show. Lorna Byfield, an attendee of the event, was one of the many people present with no affiliation to NYU. Byfield, who frequently attends United Nations meetings relating to trade laws, was curious to see how NYU Wagner was making an effort toward fair trade fashion. “I’m interested in seeing these laws being applied to fashion background,” she added. A. Bernadette is a fair trade
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
NYU Wagner hosted the IPSA Fourth Annual Fair Trade Fashion Show. producer from Uganda that displayed different kinds of prints as well as fringe blouses and dresses. Mayarii showed its summer line, which contained work clothes finished with beautiful handmade artisanal fabrics from Mexico. Norlha’s collection included products that used textiles from the Tibetan Plateau, while Marquet featured handmade accessories from Thailand and Vietnam. Other brands focused their lines on the empowering of youth, such as UNITY. Others, like Accompany, looked at the
combination of human fashion impact in the world. On the other hand, some brands focused more on fashion’s involvement with the earth and its preservation. Canopy Verde used organic cotton and ecofriendly leather to reflect their ecological philosophy. All of the designers featured clothes that supported a sustainable yet fashionable lifestyle, and the show overall promoted environmentally friendly, fair trade practices. Email Cristina Fraga at bstyle@nyunews.com.
e t a -d ew o t p- ur n u y o Stawith
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
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Crossword ACROSS
Edited by Will Shortz
34 Walrus mustache feature 36 Lay to rest 39 River of Orléans 6 Piano exercise 11 Cold and blustery 41 Scrape (out) 42 Tiny type size 14 Turn topsy-turvy 43 Poplar variety 15 John Lennon’s 44 European finch tribute to Yoko Ono 46 Competed in the last leg of a 16 In vitro needs triathlon 17 Connery and 47 After the whistle Lazenby, 49 Foreign film between 1967 feature and 1971? 51 Where to take a 19 Tesla, for one dive 20 Prefix with 54 Twin or matter quadruplet, for 21 Neighbor of a short Yemeni 55 Cy Young 22 Record problem candidates’ stats 56 ___-watch 23 Hood’s piece 59 The same, in 25 Poetic feet footnotes 27 Study of whales 63 “Empire” network 32 Beginning of a 64 What Harrison conclusion Ford was doing 33 Boston Garden in 1977, 1980 legend and 1983?
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29 Eddie Murphy, 40 Swings a sickle, say after 1984, 1987 and 1994? 45 “The Wild Duck” dramatist 30 Says, in 48 All together teenspeak 31 Symbols of servitude 35 Land bordering Lake Titicaca 37 Citation abbr. 38 President Coty of France
50 Once-sacred birds 51 Author who wrote on Friday? 52 Chip away at 53 Title woman of a 1957 #1 Paul Anka hit
57 Russian refusal 58 Skedaddles 60 Boat with oars 61 Dresden’s river 62 Guinness Book adjective 64 Cameron and Blair, for short 65 Govt. property org.
26 Wine traditionally Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past sold in a fiasco puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). 27 Bar mixer Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/studentcrosswords. 28 Counterpart of 1-Across
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MUSIC INDUSTRY STAFF EDITORIAL
Tidal’s wave could hurt artists
By MATTHEW TESSLER Deputy Opinion Editor
Artists joining Tidal, a new music streaming service, are playing a dangerous game. While megastars can afford to join because of their loyal fans and financial security, the concept of restricting some, or all, of their content to a single platform may end up doing them more harm than good. Musicians have been hemorrhaging profits due to the paltry payouts of freemium models like Spotify while customers have been enjoying a renaissance of free music. Artists and their record labels are desperately looking for solutions to rebalance the industry so that artists will get paid fairly, but making listeners choose a group of artists on a single platform is not the answer. Listeners will be forced to choose between finding free routes — YouTube, free streaming services or torrenting — or limiting their music choices based on the platform they choose. Such a scenario would not be good for anyone.
If an artist’s music becomes too exclusive, they might lose fans and also music sales, merchandise sales and other forms of revenue — much more than they would lose by staying on Spotify. Only top musicians will be able to afford this course of action. Indie artists and huge stars alike cannot survive on a Spotify paycheck, but the stars can afford to experiment with different models at the risk of their sales. Indie artists cannot. The music industry runs the risk of creating a rift between those who can afford to be experimental with new platforms and those who cannot. If an indie artist tries Tidal and the service is unpopular, they will make much less money than they would have if they were on Spo-
tify. It is clear that free streaming does not compensate artists properly. The answer is not to divide artists between multiple platforms and make people choose. It would be great for the huge artists who will have Apple, Tidal and Spotify bidding for the rights to their music, but unsustainable for most other musicians. Artists have to be united. The most profitable path for the music industry would be to negotiate collectively. Customers may have to start paying for music again, but the streaming model does not have to end. There is a sweet spot in price that is estimated to be around $6, a price affordable for customers and profitable for artists. It would be better to have artists negotiate together than bidding for larger contracts and ultimately ruining the landscape. The answer is not a licensing war. If one breaks out, everybody will lose. Email Matthew Tessler at mtessler@nyunews.com.
BODY IMAGE
French law must attack root of problem By ANNIE COHEN Deputy Opinion Editor
France passed a controversial law last Friday prohibiting modeling agents and fashion houses from hiring models with a body mass index under 18. Under this new law, models are required to have a medical certificate ensuring that they have what the government deems a healthy BMI. Any person or company that continues to hire models under the legal minimum could be fined up to 75,000 euros and face six months in prison. In addition, the law requires any retouched photo used for commercial purposes to carry a message stating that the model’s body has been altered. The measure also makes it illegal for any website to encourage users to “seek excessive thinness.” While it cannot be denied that models and edited photos promote a harmful, unrealistic standard of beauty, France’s new law fails to get to root of the issue, opting instead for a simpler, potentially unfair fix. It will hopefully make some progress in improving unreasonable beauty standards, but in a different sense it serves as another way for bodies to be policed.
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Putting restrictions on fashion models sounds fine in theory, but ultimately it will fail to make a dent in the widespread, toxic culture which emphasizes thinness as a goal to achieve above all else. In fact, the ban could result in some models being unfairly targeted — it is possible to be below the normal BMI range while leading a healthy lifestyle, as well as it being possible to be within the range while maintaining a disordered lifestyle. Isabelle Saint-Felix, the head of France’s National Union of Modelling Agencies, pointed out the law’s potential ineffectiveness, saying, “It’s a little simplistic to think that there won’t be any more anorexics if we get rid of very thin models.” It is estimated that in France 30,00040,000 people suffer from anorexia, and in the United States, a staggering 30 million people will suffer from a
clinically significant eating disorder at some point in their lives. Many factors are to blame for these high rates, chief among them cultural pressures that exalt the the notion of a perfect body. Along with constantly being bombarded with damaging images from the mainstream media, recent years have given rise to pro-ana websites, which glorify eating disorders as an acceptable lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible for impressionable young people to be sheltered from every dangerous pressure. Placing new rules on fashion models will only go some of the way toward preventing vulnerable people from falling prey to eating disorders, since there is still so many negative messages ingrained in society outside the realm of fashion that promotes them. The warning label on retouched images is a far more sensible and effective plan, but outlawing certain models does little to correct the unattainable beauty standards that have permeated the mainstream. If change is to truly happen, a cultural overhaul is necessary, not more limits on bodies. Email Annie Cohen at acohen@nyunews.com.
Entrepreneurial spirit must be inclusive one
This week, the design and entrepreneurial club Tech@NYU is hosting Startup Week, featuring a series of talks, workshops and events geared toward fostering Silicon Valley-esque entrepreneurial spirit on campus. Colleges are excellent places to learn new skills and collaborate with other entrepreneurs, and it is imperative that these clubs combat the twin issues of discrimination and lack of diversity in the technology sector. Last month, interim Reddit CEO Ellen Pao lost her gender discrimination suit against venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins. Even so, the case incited a much-needed conversation on women in technology. It is the responsibility of small-scale entrepreneurial clubs in universities around the country to work toward eliminating problems of racism and sexism in tech circles. Tech companies often blame the lack of diversity on the shortage of minorities with technical degrees. However, research shows that black and Hispanic students graduate with degrees in computer science and engineering at twice the rate that they are hired, suggesting that tech companies themselves are not committed to diversity. It is clear that addressing the gap in STEM education is not enough, as the problem extends into the workplace as well. Women in the tech industry are far less likely than men to receive venture capital, which is vital for funding startups. Accordingly, it is critical that NYU and other universities encourage female entrepreneurship. There is a bottleneck preventing women and minorities from entering the tech industry, even after they achieve the necessary education. Groups such as HacKid and GirlsWhoCode prove that many young girls are interested in technology, the problems only develop later on in inherently sexist attitudes and workplace dynamics. More must be done to ensure women feel comfortable entering the tech sector, but the situation for women already working at startups must also be improved. Startup Week is tackling some of these issues by hosting a panel discussion this Thursday titled “Discrimination in Tech: Some Constructive Criticism.” It will address the underrepresentation of females and minorities in the tech industry, as well as the creation of products with diverse appeal. These talks are critical for increasing awareness, but this type of discussion also must be integrated into other events in tech. Discrimination is a systemic problem in the tech industry — it will only decline with an increase in diversity. Tech@NYU clearly recognizes the problem, but as a college group it is uniquely poised to combat it. Tech@NYU’s anti-harassment policy — banning language or actions that are sexist, racist or otherwise exclusive — is a step in the right direction for mitigating these problems. But more can be done. The stereotype of the young, Zuckerbergian white male entrepreneur is not only outdated, it is toxic. College is a time of growth, and this growth must come with an improvement in attitudes towards diversity.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Volleyball strong with 10-man team
CATCH continued from PG. 1
Baseball continues to struggle at 7-15
Violets put up nine combined runs in the two innings. Base hits by Bonsignore, Webber, junior outfielder Marissa Bella, and freshman infielder Sage Scheiwiller and Natalie Evans contributed to the mid-game onslaught that ended things early. With a busy upcoming schedule, NYU will look to keep up the good work. “We have a lot of games coming up in a short period of a time, and this helped get the energy up going into the rest of the season,” Tremblay said. NYU’s baseball team once again found itself in a closely contested game, but faltered in the late innings, losing 10-5 to The College of Mount Saint Vincent. The Violets, whose resilience has become a recurring theme this season, came back from a 5-1 deficit. After scoring two runs in the third inning, CJ
By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
Tremblay started both contests, striking out six in each. Picerni evened up the score with a two RBI single in the fourth. However, the Dolphins jumped ahead once again in the eighth inning and kept the lead for good. The baseball team, now 7-15 on the season, is disappointed by the results, but hopeful to clean up their game down the stretch. “Everyone knows we’re a young team,” freshman shortstop Jonathan Iaione said. “But we definitely have a lot of talent, we’re always in a close game and we give ourselves chances to win. With our talent, we will definitely get our fair share of wins, especially in the upcoming years.” The baseball team meets Mount Saint Vernon again Wednesday in a doubleheader. Email Michael Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.
The NYU volleyball team is defying conventions as their season wears on. Most volleyball teams run with six strong, subbing a middle hitter for a libero when they are on defense. But this year, in the wake of some disappointing matches at the beginning of the year, the Violets are rolling with 10 strong in some matches. Their 10-man platoon system garnered them another victory on Tuesday, as they dispatched Ramapo College 3-2, taking the fifth set by a comfortable 15-9 margin. Junior opposite Colin LaPorte, who’s been having a stellar season, led the team with 16 kills. “Volleyball is a core game and when a group of six on the court is comfortable with each other on the court you usually stick with it,” LaPorte said. “But a theme we have had this season is that if one of our core guys is struggling, that we have a deep bench that can come in and play well and bring energy.” One of those players from the bench that has stepped up in recent games is freshman outside
hitter Andrew Zhu. Zhu, who did not play in the Violets’ last game against Stevens Institute of Technology, capitalized on his opportunity with 10 kills on Tuesday night. That matches his season high, which he set just two games earlier against New Jersey City College. “As a freshman, any opportunity to see the court and get any kind of experience is always great to have,” Zhu said. “It’s been a long season so it’s always nice to have opportunities to rest guys who have been playing hard all year.” Zhu credited his teammatesfor why he has been able to fit in so easily. “The support from my teammates has definitely been huge in giving me confidence to play aggressively,” Zhu said. “They’re always super encouraging and they push me to play as hard as I can.” The Violets are looking to keep their season on track as it rounds out. With just one game left before the UVC championships, and four games left before a potential NCAA tournament berth, they will have to be at their best if they want to make the most of their season.
“I think we are all optimistic, especially because we are returning so many key players,” LaPorte said. “We are all a little disappointed in our season as of now but we are going into the game Thursday and the UVC tournament this weekend with confidence hoping to win it and go to NCAAs.” NYU will finish their regular season on Thursday at home when they take on Springfield College. They will need another strong performance from the entire squad if they want to get enough momentum to make some noise in the UVC tournament. “We just have to play as well as we know we can play,” Zhu said. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com.
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LaPorte led No. 9 NYU with a season-best 16 kills.