Formal Protest (2011) by The Prattler

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The Prattler

YOU'VE GOT THE POWER

3 Letter from the Editor 4 Lisa’s Verdict 6 Fresh Direct THE STATE OF PRATT

22 MWP, WTF? 24 Cheap Thrills 26 Food Review 30 The Back Page

Editor Colleen Stufflebeem Art Director/Graphic Design Crissy Fetcher Contributors Lisa Champ, Emily Vislocky, Jennifer Tripp, Mike Cook, Lauren Dakai, Gerardo Madera, Justin Oon, Anna Fuentes, Michael Banom, Samantha Weyant, Angela Higgins, Emily Yolleck, Katy Filarski, Chia-Lin Hsu, Harris Hine, Sarah Ratinetz Special Thanks Michael Kelly, Sean Kelly Printing by Nasco Printing Have something you think should go in The Prattler? Send ideas, photographs, pictures, drawings, illustrations, and opinions to theprattler@gmail.com

February 2011

Front and Back Cover illustration by Drew Felker (The Prattler, March 1986), edited by Crissy Fetcher

8 Changes: Turn and Face the Strange 10 Pratt’s Face Lift 14 Communication Break Down 16 A Studio of One’s Own 20 Pratt Circus

I know I don’t need to ask if you all watched President Obama’s State of the Union address back in January, because of course you did. If you didn’t you need to know why you should have. America is a Democratic country, with a “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” as stated by one of my favorite presidents, Mr. Abe Lincoln. What that means for you is that it is your civic duty to understand the state of your country so you can work towards bettering it. This empowering sentiment inspired the Prattler staff to look at the state of Pratt and address its successes, its changes, its problems and offer solutions. Pratt Institute may not be a Democracy per se, but it is ours in many ways. With this ownership comes responsibility and much like Mr. President acknowledging the faults of his country, our magazine has acknowledged the faults of our Institute. Much like Mr. President we’re saying, “Yes we can!” and only looking forward as we attempt to augment the things we’re sick of complaining about. We can’t fix everything for you, in fact we didn’t really try. Rather, and with better effect, we’re giving you the power to change the things you don’t like about this school— your school. But the change you will hopefully make isn’t the only change we’re facing—you may have noticed, Pratt is a little different these days. Adverse to the unfamiliar, many of us are stumbling around with bills in our hands and no sense of direction in the place we call home. Look at this like mom getting a face lift—different, but for the best; you’ll understand her new features in no time. Let us make it easier for you by offering you a guide for the new state of Pratt. Whether you’re a citizen of this country or not, you’re a citizen of this institute and by golly you should be proud of it! So, let’s turn a new leaf, turn a page and turn and face the strange.

- Colleen Stufflebeem, Editor

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The Prattler

YOU'VE GOT THE POWER

3 Letter from the Editor 4 Lisa’s Verdict 6 Fresh Direct THE STATE OF PRATT

22 MWP, WTF? 24 Cheap Thrills 26 Food Review 30 The Back Page

February 2011

Front and Back Cover illustration by Drew Felker (The Prattler, March 1986), edited by Crissy Fetcher

8 Changes: Turn and Face the Strange 10 Pratt’s Face Lift 14 Communication Break Down 16 A Studio of One’s Own 20 Pratt Circus

- Colleen Stufflebeem, Editor

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LISA’S VERDICT:

panini machines are not a good idea An exploration in food convenience

The plan was to meet in Steuben in front of the Panini machine at 2 PM sharp on Saturday to once and for all get to the bottom of the Panini machine mystery. I got there a little early to prepare myself, but sadly found the machine empty. I was discouraged before remembering that Higgins has the same seemingly disgusting, but still intriguing machine. ComD majors must have started a new diet. Luckily, I found the machine in Higgins full, so I rerouted my test group to meet there instead. When they arrived we had the pleasant decision of what to try first. Our choices consisted of: a hot dog ($2.50), a Sesame Chicken Panini ($4.50), a gyro ($4.50), or a Pastrami Panini ($4.50). After some debate between the Sesame Chicken Panini and the gyro, we went with the Sesame Chicken. The machine ate some of our money, so we had to add an extra quarter, bringing us to a total of $4.75. We assumed the food would come out instantly. Instead, the machine started and the screen flashed “preparing.” Wait 187 seconds. When the countdown reached approximately 150 seconds some odd mechanical noises could be heard followed by a burnt toaster smell about thirty seconds later. We waited anxiously, and about a minute later a flat object about 9 inches in length thudded out. Slowly removing it from the machine we examined it. It was wrapped in 4 | T H E P R AT T L E R

paper, and clearly burned on one side with a sell by date of 1/31/11. We made our way over to one of the tables outside of the café, set it down and stared at it. We began the unwrap. Some of the paper was stuck to the sandwich so we did our best to get it off. We then broke it up into equal pieces and braced ourselves. All at once we went for it. Everyone looked around the table at each other chewing. The sparse conversation went something like this: “It’s not that good.” “I have braces. This hurts.” “It’s just like overcooked leftovers…” “Yeah” “…yeah” “Okay I’m gonna go get real food like mac and cheese. I’m going to Choice.” The most accurate way to describe the Panini would be to imagine how it was made. It would start off as a frozen food quality Panini similar to a HotPocket. It would then be heated in a microwave, and then placed in a refrigerator, and forgotten about for three days or so. On the third day the Panini would be reheated in a toaster oven to achieve the burned, stale characteristics. It was decided that we were not going to try anything else out of the machine. One of the test subjects (who would rather remain anonymous) stated: “The moral of the Panini machine is unless you’re extremely desperate, avoid it at all costs.” P Article and illustration by Lisa Champ | 5

LISA’S VERDICT:

panini machines are not a good idea An exploration in food convenience

The food comes from farms mostly located in upstate New York and is then shipped to the Fresh Direct Warehouse in Long Island City, after which it is delivered to your door!

FRESH DIRECT-

a viable option for students? A look into the ultimate home delivery system Living in the Pratt neighborhood, we don’t have a lot of grocery options. We can sacrifice our time and convenience by buying groceries from somewhere like Trader Joe’s, or we sacrifice our food quality by eating food from places like Associated. Fortunately, there is another option, however, which I have decided to investigate: Fresh Direct.

bought it from a typical supermarket.” Having your groceries delivered means that your meats, produce and other items are coming almost directly from the source, without going through many distributors and other middlemen. They come to you fresher, with fewer preservatives, and without sitting on under-refrigerated shelves for days. Although this will cost you a small fee, a $50 membership will get you unlimited deliveries for a year, otherwise it’s $5 per delivery.

THE COST OF QUALITY AND CONVENIENCE

WHAT IS FRESH DIRECT?

Fresh Direct is a grocery service that promises convenient delivery of fresh, high-quality items to the New York City area. Delivery might sound like a luxury, but with Fresh Direct it is an essential way to provide food that is—according to the website—“fresher, and significantly less expensive, than if you 6 | T H E P R AT T L E R

In comparing Fresh Direct’s costs to those at Associated on Myrtle, Fresh Direct is, indeed, a bit more expensive. I compared the prices of brand-name items sold both at Fresh Direct and at Associated, like Tropicana orange juice, Silk Soymilk and Boar’s Head deli products. The deli items at Fresh Direct were marked up about $.50 per pound, while the orange juice and soymilk were about the same. In comparing the prices of produce, Fresh Direct comes out more expensive on the whole. The produce, however, like the basil, plum tomatoes, and avocados will not disappoint. They even have a ready-to-eat avocado guarantee! Fresh Direct also allows the customer to choose between regular and organic products—the regular costing a bit more than Associated, and the organic ones costing even more.

MY EXPERIENCE

One of my favorite features is that on the Fresh Direct website, you can browse through recipes. If you find one that you think you’ll like, Fresh Direct can add all the ingredients into your basket. It’s a great way to find inspiration to cook, and to know that you’ll have all the necessary ingredients handy. I also like that items have customer ratings, so you can see what other users like. I find this especially helpful when picking bread and cheese, since Fresh Direct has so many different items in both these categories. Another cool thing— Fresh Direct sent me three free grapefruits this week!

DRAWBACKS

Since you’re not in a store seeing the food, you really have to look at the sizes and weights of the products so you know if you’re getting your money’s worth. I felt a little gypped by the Fresh Direct brand chicken broth, which I didn’t realize was going to be quite so small. Also, you have to wait a day or so for the groceries to arrive from Fresh Direct, so regular grocery shopping can be better in that respect.

two months. When you use this offer, the groceries, are fresh, convenient, AND cheap. So if you’re curious about alternative ways of getting food, I think that using this offer is a great way to try it out. Just keep tabs on your account—make sure that you don’t start getting charged after the two months. Or participate in another Fresh Direct offer—they seem to run promotions for free delivery and discounts all the time. I started this semester with the goal of spending less money on food, and eating healthier. Making time to buy groceries and to cook can be difficult, and eating out isn’t a very healthy or cost-effective option. That’s why I think Fresh Direct can be a great way for busy students like us to have the time to eat well. P

SPECIAL OFFER! (I’M NOT TRYING TO SCAM YOU)

Currently, Fresh Direct has a promotion that gives 25% off the first two orders for new customers, as well as free delivery for Article and illustration by Emily Vislocky | 7

The food comes from farms mostly located in upstate New York and is then shipped to the Fresh Direct Warehouse in Long Island City, after which it is delivered to your door!

FRESH DIRECT-

THE COST OF QUALITY AND CONVENIENCE

WHAT IS FRESH DIRECT?

MY EXPERIENCE

DRAWBACKS

SPECIAL OFFER! (I’M NOT TRYING TO SCAM YOU)

Currently, Fresh Direct has a promotion that gives 25% off the first two orders for new customers, as well as free delivery for Article and illustration by Emily Vislocky | 7

Pratt never ceases to be on the up and up, and we never cease to be confused by it—don’t get us wrong, we appreciate the improvements—so let the Prattler serve as your guide so the next time you turn everything is a little less ...strange.

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the mail trucks more conveniently. The hours of operation have not changed in the location and remain the same 11 AM - 5 PM for package pick ups. Lastly, Steuben Hall has a new addition that should excite and please every person who has ever pulled long studio hours in the building. A new cafe has opened up, similar to the Pie Shop, in the first floor of the hall, to the right behind the security desk. It offers coffee and small food products (muffins, cereal, etc.) Su Roshinee, a Junior Interior Design Major stated, “It is really convenient if

HOW TO MAKE A MYRTLE HALL:

you’re going to be stuck in the studio forever, instead of running across to the Pie Shop or Cafeteria, I can just go down and grab something and go back up. I love it.” The new cafe is open from 8 AM - 11 PM. Though many students may be frustrated and a little confused with the new changes on campus, one cannot help feeling excited as Pratt Institute continues to change and move forward. We will only have to wait and see what’s going to happen next. By Jennifer Tripp

Take: 1 part ARC 1 part Thrift Hall Combine with 3 parts Dekalb Hall Add a dash of Community Development and International Affairs Build for over a year and enjoy! Served best with patience

Words by Crissy Fetcher, Illustration by Mike Cook

CHANGES: TURN AND FACE THE STRANGE

As New Years Resolutions were being made around the globe in hopes of change, Pratt was already making progress. The Institute began to move offices and locations of resources early in January with the completion of its new building Myrtle Hall. Along with the building addition, Pratt created a cafe in Steuben Hall, so that food is closer to the students who spend countless hours in the studio. Also, the mail room moved from its old site in Steuben Hall to a new home in Thrift Hall. While these changes have been made with care and consideration, many students are left confused and running around, trying to find their desired destination. Below is a guide to let you know all about the new changes, where to find things, and the benefits of each new change. The new building on Myrtle eponymously named “Myrtle Hall”, is a six-story, 120,000 -square-foot energy saving building that houses the college’s Department of Digital Arts and several administrative offices. It is located right next to the Pratt Store and can be accessed by walking across the Willoughby Residence Hall’s parking lot. When approaching this new addition, be sure to have your I.D.—it is required to both enter and leave the building. The first floor of Dekalb Hall has been completely removed and relocated in Myrtle Hall, and the former Bursar Clerkís area has now become a beautiful gallery. The top floors of Dekalb Hall remain unchanged for now. The mail room, once located on the first floor of Steuben Hall, has been relocated to Thrift Hall (first building on the right coming in the Dekalb Gate). This change seems unnecessary, but I found the new location to not only be brighter, but also more organized and easily accessed to students. It also allows the mail room workers to access the street and

Looking for Something? Myrtle Hall is a one-stop-shop for: PRATT CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, ADMISSIONS, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS, BURSAR, FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRAR, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND DIGITAL ARTS

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HOW TO MAKE A MYRTLE HALL:

Take: 1 part ARC 1 part Thrift Hall Combine with 3 parts Dekalb Hall Add a dash of Community Development and International Affairs Build for over a year and enjoy! Served best with patience

Words by Crissy Fetcher, Illustration by Mike Cook

CHANGES: TURN AND FACE THE STRANGE

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PRATT’S FACE LIFT BY L AUREN DAKAI DRAWINGS BY GERARDO MADERA

Lovingly nicknamed “The Death Star,” Myrtle Hall has seemingly always been unfinished and looming in the distance. But now that it’s finally open, it’s time to weigh in on the pros and cons of our new building. In one corner, we have the praises, ready to entice and enthrall you to love the new beautiful building. In the other corner, we have the doubts and complaints ready to uppercut all of that time and money spent on our fancy green building. During my research (lurking in hallways, wandering into offices, even Facebook stalking to speak to specific majors) I found that the comments can be grouped into certain categories. 1 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R

LET’S START WITH AESTHETICS

Because, who doesn’t care about looks? There are architects that I’m sure can offer a better critique of the building other than “it looks nice” (I had one offer to write me a paragraph on the elevators alone) but in the end, most agree that the building is visually appealing and the views are great. Student workers in Admissions love the fact that we now have a great looking, large office to present to perspective students. “It’s a better face for the Institute,” says one student. It definitely is about looks in the new building; workers can’t put things up on the wall unless they have had it framed and even then facilities has to hang it for them. Also, on a minor and

somewhat funny/sad note, the admissions waiting room does not currently have a clock, as the one from the last office was “deemed too ugly.”

PRATT SECURITY: LOVE 'EM, OR HATE 'EM

How does the new building’s uniformed guards rate against Pratt students’ expectations? Most people I spoke to seem to think that having security is an improvement, especially since most of the students are used to what was several times referred to as “the cave of the ARC” (the Undergraduate and Graduate Digital Arts classrooms used to be located underneath the ARC) which did not have constant security.

The biggest security related topic is the new system of swiping your ID to get in to the building and also having to swipe your ID to get out. “Security yells at you to swipe out, and they act like it is the end of the world when someone doesn’t,” says one junior Digital Animation student. He also went on to explain that it is possible to bypass security all together when leaving the building just by continuing to the bottom of the smaller stairwells. Going out the door at the very end leads directly to the outside—not the first floor—as long as you don’t mind ignoring a little foam core mounted sign which reads “EMERGENCY EGRESS ONLY, ALARM WILL SOUND.” (Egress verb \ē-gres\ To go | 11

PRATT’S FACE LIFT BY L AUREN DAKAI DRAWINGS BY GERARDO MADERA

LET’S START WITH AESTHETICS

somewhat funny/sad note, the admissions waiting room does not currently have a clock, as the one from the last office was “deemed too ugly.”

PRATT SECURITY: LOVE 'EM, OR HATE 'EM

or come out.) Apparently some students have taken to exiting in this way “just to defy security.” I asked a security guard why I was being asked to swipe in and out and he explained “the firehouse needs to know how many people are inside since it’s a green building.” Students had similar theories as to why the fire marshal needs to know this information. They usually revolved around making sure no one is hiding while the building is closed (between 3 AM and 7 AM). The official answer to the swiping comes from William Schmitz, Director of Institute Safety and Security. Mr. Schmitz explains, “Myrtle Hall is a Class E Building by NYFD Fire Code. This classification comes with some Fire Control Systems and personnel that depend on what the building occupancy is. So swiping as you enter the building not only provides us with security information but a person’s swipe counts them into the building. We therefore need people to swipe out as they exit to subtract them from the count.” So it is not Pratt security adding more for us to do for the fun of it, it’s a law they are complying with. Perhaps this information will stop the rebels exiting though the emergency egress exits, perhaps not.

“IT’S A BETTER FACE FOR THE INSTITUTE”

major had nothing but praise and said that the classrooms are “Way better, better light, bigger, better view, just all over much better.” Another student of the same major, had several complaints (echoed by several other students). First, he explained that the largest disappointment is that the building has a closing time, “As an animator, we really need 24 hour access to the computers and tools; we aren’t allowed to sleep.” His second complaint is that there are no shades on the large windows, and between the morning and around 3 PM, “there is no way to work; all of the monitors become mirrors and in some studios, it becomes unbearably hot.” This seems to have been fixed in some of the rooms on certain floors by installing shades, but this is not the case on the 4th floor.

GIGANTIC CREATURE

The largest beast to tackle, is the 6th floor bursar/financial aid/ student employment office. “Putting the most used area by students on the sixth floor was a bad design MAJOR CHANGES Speaking of those majors who were once choice” says a 3rd year architecture major, located in the depths of the ARC, most “It’s not easily accessible. 12:30s on a payday agree, students and professors alike, that it are horrible; over crowded and everyone is is “several thousand times” better than what overwhelmed.” It’s not just on a Friday that they had, though there are several kinks still things seem to be over crowded. The biggest to be worked out. A Graduate Digital Arts complaint of students whose major isn’t located in the building would be that floor. “We are being forced to take the elevator. That isn’t very green!” says one student. Most feel that for a green building, people should be able to walk up to the offices. The reason that you can’t walk up is that the stairwells lead up to the secure area on the 6th floor, and therefore the doors are exit only. Mr. Schmitz

“THE LARGEST BEAST TO TACKLE IS THE 6TH FLOOR BURSAR/FINANCIAL AID/ STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICE”

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assures that the doors “are on a Fail Safe, complaint that “there is no where to sit to fill which means when the alarm is activated out paperwork, no pens, nothing to write on everything that is locked unlocks for egress. and no privacy.” These systems are engineered in this manner per fire codes.” PROGRESS BEING MADE Despite the confusion, many students do like LOCKED VAULTS the convenience of being able to get many “The offices used to be more student oriented, things done in the same area. One student now, they [Pratt employees] are all in locked said she “loved the fact that so many offices vaults. It’s not personable and feels corpo- were in one area.” When I asked if she had rate,” says one student. The students feel that been a part of a situation that required her to it’s harder for them to quickly pop in and talk use multiple offices in the same visit, she said to their financial advisors, they now have she hadn’t, but liked the comfort of knowing to wait in a small, confusing area and when that it was a possibility. they get a chance, approach the “hot tub” Though there are definitely some issues to (a circular desk area named by the workers resolve in the building, the feedback isn’t all of the office themselves) take a number and negative. Most are impressed with the buildwait to be called. “This isn’t a whole foods,” ing as a whole, but do acknowledge that there complains one student, referencing the gro- are things that will be worked out in time. cery store’s number system used at checkouts Hopefully the Admissions office will get a to keep everyone in order. Also, there is the pretty clock soon. P | 13

“IT’S A BETTER FACE FOR THE INSTITUTE”

GIGANTIC CREATURE

“THE LARGEST BEAST TO TACKLE IS THE 6TH FLOOR BURSAR/FINANCIAL AID/ STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICE”

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“HEADS OF ANY DEPARTMENT ARE HERE TO HELP US”

THE ISSUES

COMMUNICATION BREAK DOWN by Gerardo Madera and Justin Oon

Illustration by Justin Oon

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In fall 2010, the head technician, Sal, relinquished his position as the head technician of the Pratt silkscreen studio. Appointed to replace him was Sarah Shebaro, who was courageous enough to take on the task of cleaning up the printmaking facilities– not the easiest of tasks to handle working only on a limited budget and a fair amount of neglect from the powers that be of Pratt. In the frenzied efforts to patch up the system, Sarah felt it necessary to enforce a two-class policy to be eligible to use their facilities. She did this to ensure the current semester of students taking silkscreen classes had a full opportunity to learn to silkscreen in such a limited lab space. From this came a backlash from outside majors. Many students felt that one silkscreen class was enough to be able to use the studios, and that a two class requirement would put too much stress onto their current class load. Currently, this two class criteria isn’t working with many students, specifically ComD students, who have a heavy enough class load and plan to apply their skills in silk-screening in their other classes.

In the wake of last semester’s regime change in the print making studios, ComD students who had taken one silkscreen class were being shut out of the facilities. With the sudden change, many assumptions were made between the students as well as the departmental faculty. Essentially, no one really knew what was going on. According to Cecilia Almeida, assistant chairperson of the ComD department, “ComD students with one silk screening class must write a proposal that outlines the nature of the project, and have that proposal approved by Sarah.” This was not widely known by the students, nor did it actually come from Sarah, but one of her lab techs instead. This is just one of many examples of miscommunications between departments. A lot of the reasons that contributed to Sarah’s lockdown of the studios was because of the abuse of the facilities. Students would come in and use the facilities without prior knowledge of the rules of conduct in the lab, consistently leaving the lab in disarray. Many of these students, according to Sarah, were ComD majors who had not properly adhered to lab procedures or hadn’t taken a silkscreen class at all and were given the go-ahead by individual members of the ComD faculty. With ComD students getting the boot students lashed out and continued to use the labs anyway. Instead of approaching the heads of the ComD department, who are there to help us, students reluctantly complained and pointed fingers at the printmaking department without actually voicing their problem.

THE SOLUTIONS

The ComD department heads, or any department head for that matter, are here to help us. Cecilia was more then helpful in discussing the matter for our expose. Furthermore, she was very receptive to the student concerns we presented and has since been working towards a solution by opening a dialogue with Sarah and trying to solve the issues. There has already been some ideas brewing in the printmaking department to create lab fees not unlike that of the ARC photo lab. This is a great idea to increase efficiency within the budget allocation in the printmaking department, freeing up money to invest in long term equipment for the labs. Yet this solution still requires two classes worth of silk-screening to be able to even pay for the lab fee. The inherent problem for this solution would be that you’d be charging the students who are in the department now, who currently pay nothing, and there would be less incentive for the students of other departments to support the labs. I think a happy medium has the potential to be reached for this solution between departments. Another solution could be the creation of a ComD lab facility with equipment such as or including an LTU unit for silk-screening among other things. But all this is hearsay until someone at the heads of the department is notified otherwise or that there is a problem with how it is now– so that means it’s up to us to do something about it if we feel it’s not working. It’s your job as students to express how you feel and change the system to work with you. P | 15

“HEADS OF ANY DEPARTMENT ARE HERE TO HELP US”

THE ISSUES

COMMUNICATION BREAK DOWN by Gerardo Madera and Justin Oon

Illustration by Justin Oon

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THE SOLUTIONS

A STUDIO OF ONE’S OWN

(THE FIRST AMENDMENT SAYS WE DESERVE OUR OWN STUDIO SPACE, DAMNIT) by Anna Fuentes Having your own studio space at an art school seems like a no-brainer. Architecture, Interior, Industrial, Fashion Design and Fine Arts all have their own studios, but as the largest department at Pratt, Communications Design does not. While the imaging labs serve as the closest thing we have, the size and hour restrictions can be limiting.

WHAT WE WANT

I remember visiting friends in various departments while at work in their respective studios and a part of me always wished I had, as some of these friends lovingly put it, my own little “home-away-from-home.” Here they were, usually in some sort of makeshift cubicle as peers within their department doled out constructive criticisms, made coffee runs, and kept each other up-to-date on all things (and people) within their major. As if Pratt wasn’t a bubble already, visiting any one of these studios made you feel even more enclosed, but in a way that made me wish ComD had a place that fostered this kind of camaraderie.

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A STUDIO OF ONE’S OWN

WHAT WE WANT

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CAN WE GET IT?

But would such a space be utilized by its students? Perhaps we’ve grown so accustomed to working from our rooms or apartments and fine-tuning and printing our work in the labs that a studio may be obsolete. Speaking with Cecilia Almeida, the assistant to the chair of the department, she reminded me that classes are left open as extra spaces for students to work in. Its all a matter of whether or not they want to take advantage of that opportunity. If an open space designated for homework is all we need, would this suffice? Or do we want an entirely separate facility with COMD STUDIO spelled out for us over the door? As one graphic design senior succinctly put it, “I’d only use the studio if it had the same features as the imaging labs.” With sentiments like these, there would be much to consider in the way of planning. An extension of the imaging labs would mean more equipment, more monitors, and more money. That aside, an area designated purely for the purpose of doing out of class work

does have several ringing endorsements that some ComD students brought to light. As one Junior Graphic Designer pointed out, “I pretty much evaluate which professors I want to take based on the assignments they give and the only real way of getting this information is at survey. If having a studio meant that I could see what students are working on throughout the school year, I’d have a better sense of which classes I’d want to take in the future.”

“IF HAVING A STUDIO MEANT THAT I COULD SEE WHAT STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, I’D HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHICH CLASSES I’D WANT TO TAKE IN THE FUTURE”

WHY IT’S GOOD FOR US

With a studio comes a sense of community as well. Having a shared space to work forces you to rub elbows with people in your department outside of your class schedule. Along with that, you can gauge where your work ranks in comparison to your peers. “In my section we get along really great. Its a really good environment because we also bounce off each other a lot” says one senior Fashion major. “Maybe I forgot how to do something or, ‘What’s your opinion about this?’ We’re pretty open in that way and not as

competitive as you might think.” Then of course, comes the issue of storage and the general divide in location between “work” and “life” (if such a division exists at Pratt). Says one senior: “As an illustration major, it would be nice to have a place to store all of my materials outside of my room. Having my working environment and my living environment in two separate spaces might give me a better piece of mind. You have a place where you’re in work mode with less distractions and then you have your apartment to come home to.”

WELL, SOMETIMES

Photos courtesy of Pratt Archives

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But with a studio that doubles as a storage facility, theft is an ever present predicament. As one interior design major reported, theft was so serious within her department last year that Res Life had got involved and came to the department to address the problem. “I had friends who had site models stolen, computer wires cut. People will just come up to your desk and take something off. You have to be careful, but it comes with the territory.” Overall, most undergrads couldn’t really imagine their Pratt experience without their studios and despite the occasional gripes about them not being as state-of-the-art as they would like them to be, studio space, according to Almeida, is not as common as you’d think for the general undergraduate population. She states: “Most schools outside of Pratt and Pratt included don't have a ton

of studio space dedicated for undergraduate students, so its not really until you start getting to a graduate level that private studio space is allocated. I think fine arts is the only one that allocates that space and its for sculpture students. Its not something we’ve been denied simply because we’re ComD, its an undergraduate issue. If you do find a school with studio space for undergraduates it’s usually exclusively for juniors or seniors”

MAKE IT HAPPEN MAKE IT HAPPEN

That being said, a recent development has included ComD grad student studio space, four blocks north from the Manhattan campus on West 18th St. When I met with the Communications Department Chair, Kathleen Creighton, she told me she had made suggestions to the building planner about creating a space where all four programs within the Design Center (Fashion, Interior, Industrial, and ComD) can convene in the same working environment. With the reconfiguration of the Design Center where new spaces are opening up, she sees a possibility in renewing the effort. “This would create a space where students could get exposure to other disciplines in a very organic way.” According to Creighton, ComD is oftentimes perceived to be a strictly computer-based program, “but development of concept is not, and students working together is an important part of the process.” As far as undergraduate goes, the issue of a ComD studio remains up in the air at this point. In the meantime, Almeida says that a student lounge comprised of some sofas and a coffee machine on the 4th floor is something more likely to occur in the near future. However, Creighton’s suggestions for an interdisciplinary space have never waned. Even if ComD doesn’t have its own studio, this alternative is an exciting prospect still waiting in the wing. P | 19

CAN WE GET IT?

“IF HAVING A STUDIO MEANT THAT I COULD SEE WHAT STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, I’D HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHICH CLASSES I’D WANT TO TAKE IN THE FUTURE”

WHY IT’S GOOD FOR US

WELL, SOMETIMES

Photos courtesy of Pratt Archives

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MAKE IT HAPPEN MAKE IT HAPPEN

THE EVER EXPANDING

PRATT CIRCUS

A review of the upcoming majors popping up at Pratt

How many of you knew that Pratt has over 40 majors? Raise your hands. I thought so. Well, already ranging from Architecture to Writing, Pratt is now in the process of adding more. Media Studies has now been added to the Graduate program. It has classes such as Game, Simulation, and Play, taught by Professor Christopher Vitale that has led to this creation. Media Studies is “expected to officially open our doors to new students for fall 2013.” For many graduating students with an interest in media and its sociopolitical effects, this news comes too late for the game of gradschool planning, but Vitale urges patience: “There’s more paperwork and bureaucracy than you can imagine!” While many graduating students may come to this program later, there are many classes undergrads can take now to ready themselves for Media Studies. One class sought after by many Pratt students is “Big Outdoor Political Circus Spectacle: Theory and Practice”, or as everyone knows it, Circus. If you haven’t heard, this is an awesome class in which you learn all about circus and circus skills such as juggling, unicycling, plate balancing and improvisation, amongst many other things. This semester Jennifer Miller is teaching “Producing a Play,” which as you probably guessed it, leads to an actual production of a play. Classes such as these are leading to yet another field of study at Pratt. The minor 2 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R

Performance Studies has been proposed and is currently in the approval process. Tracie Morris, teacher of another performance c l a s s , “Pe r f o r m a n c e Studies & Spatial” will be “the primary coordinator of this endeavor,” stated Miller. Miller is optimistic about the proposed minor: “We do hope to get the Performance and Performance Studies minor developed sometime this semester and, crossing fingers, it’ll be available sometime next year.” Morris, who received her MA and PhD in Performance Studies wants to “encourage more study and presentation of performance at Pratt,” first introducing a minor to make sure the interest and stability of the new program is ensured. She believes that “for some students it will be quite the contrast. For others, a different slant on what they might already be working on.” Or, as Ian McKenzie, a senior painting major, put it, these classes “put together as a major might really expand expressivity, give us as artists new or at least more accurate ways to get out whatever the hell we’re trying to get out.” P Article and photographs by Michael Banom

Remember if you have any questions, concerns or would like to see a change on campus do something about it! And don’t be afraid to face the change. | 21

THE EVER EXPANDING

PRATT CIRCUS

A review of the upcoming majors popping up at Pratt

Remember if you have any questions, concerns or would like to see a change on campus do something about it! And don’t be afraid to face the change. | 21

As some may know, Pratt has a branch campus located in Utica, NY called Pratt Munson William Proctor. There are 15 buildings on about 10 acres of ground located between Syracuse and Albany. The many old buildings have been restored for student use some include housing, classroom and studio work space. With “night” life not exactly happening in Utica, you are given the opportunity to grow and work as an artist with lots of one on one attention from professors. As senior, Graphic Design major, Angela Higgins points out, “It’s way cheaper, the classes are smaller, the dorms are awesome, and being a two year school, it’s really easy to transfer to other schools if you feel that Pratt is not the school for you.” If Pratt is the school for you, however, you are guaranteed admission to the main campus of Pratt after attending Munson for

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MWP, WTF? Article and photograph by Samantha Weyant

your freshmen and sophomore years. But some students do not enjoy life at Munson. In one case, a student, Victoria Caswell, decided to transfer after her freshman year at the sister school. She was uncomfortable with the small size of Munson. “I felt like it was hard to get away from people, and everyone was in other peoples business.” Higgins also described her experience at Munson as sometimes difficult because she came from a high school with a graduating class much larger than the class size of Munson, which it is less than 100 students. “You can make super tight friends there because chances are they’re in all your classes and you live in the same building, but people are also that much more likely to get on your nerves.” Sometimes the small class size can be beneficial for students like Christine Major, “It

was small but it forced me to open up and not feel scared about sharing my thoughts.” When I asked her if she felt as if she fell behind by going to Munson instead of the main campus, she responded “No, actually I felt like I excelled very fast there. I didn’t feel like I was ever being left behind which was a relief for me, because I don’t always get things as fast as I should.” It was also beneficial for Kate Maggiolino who considers herself a very shy person. “If the classes were bigger and not so one on one I would have been pushed behind. It would have been too intimidating for me to attempt to make friends if the school size was much bigger.” So there are up and down sides to the Munson experience, just like in any other school, but there is no doubt, that the work done at the upstate campus is equal of anything done at the main campus. P

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MWP, WTF? Article and photograph by Samantha Weyant

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GUIDE

cheap thrills written by Angela Higgins and Emily Yolleck, illustration by Angela Higgins

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6. Brooklyn Brewery: Located at 1 Brewers Row in Williamsburg, the Brewery offers free tours on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 6 PM. After you see how beer is made, you can go to Happy Hour, which is Fridays from 6 to 11 PM. You can bring in your own food and get some fresh draft beer; $4 for a 14-ounce cup (which makes five for $20) and the sixth is free. Hour walk, 20 minute bike ride

With MTA rates going up yet again to $2.50, expensive art supplies, groceries, and the many other necessities of a college student living in Brooklyn, it’s hard to find any extra cash lying around to splurge on going out, let alone the transportation costs to get there. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some nearby cheap and free activi6 3 ties you might want to give a try:

7. IHOP: This one’s only one day a year, but worth it! A short stack of pancakes is free at 4 IHOP on March 1st 2011 from 7 AM to 10 PM, for National Pancake Day. The closest IHOP is at 276 Livingston Street. 30 minute walk, 10 minute bike ride.

1. Ikea Water Taxi: The water taxi to Manhattan is free for Ikea shoppers with receipts, even if all you spend is $1. The taxi runs every 40 minutes between Red Hook and South Street Seaport. It’s a fun and free way to get to the city. So go to Ikea, grab a hot dog and head to Manhattan for free. Hour and 15 minute walk, 30 minute bike ride

8. Cobble Hill Cinema: On Tuesdays and Thursdays movies are just $6.50 at Cobble Hill Cinema, located at 265 Court Street. Its pretty small but they’re usually playing good movies and have cheap snacks. 40 minute walk and a 15 minute bike ride

2. Dharma Yoga Brooklyn: Dharma Yoga Brooklyn is located in Park Slope, Brooklyn 9 on the corner of Sixth 2 Avenue and St Marks. There is a wide range of classes ranging from beginner to advanced, all levels 5 of all, every classes welcome. Classes are all week long and run on a fairly frequent basis. Best 1 are donation-based. Give what you can, whether it’s a few dollars or twenty. 30 minute walk, 6 9 13 minute bike ride 10 3. The Cove: Every Saturday night starting at 8 PM, The Cove, located at 106 North 6th St in 7 8 hour Williamsburg, puts on a free comedy show. The stand-up also takes place during happy 3 2 so you can use the money you save on free admission to buy a few discounted drinks. Not5 to 1 mention, the venue is huge, has ample amounts of seating and space, a long full bar, as well as10 Skee-Ball, video games, and a photobooth. 30 minute walk, 12 minute bike ride

9. Brooklyn County Fair at Jalopy Theater: At The Brooklyn County Fair, a variety of country and blue-grass bands come together once a month to put on an incredible venue. The show is held at Jalopy Theater in Red Hook, Brooklyn at 315 Columbia Street. The music starts at 8 PM and there is a $10 cover. However, the show is well worth it and the venue gives out free Sixpoint Craft Ale for the first hour. Whether you’re a fan or not, the event always hosts a group of talented musicians and a wide range of entertaining personalities. You won’t be let down. Hour walk, 30 minute bike ride 10. Brooklyn Botanical Garden: Admission is free to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden with your Pratt ID. It’s a great place to visit all year round! 45 minute walk, 15 minute bike ride

4. The Brooklyn Yarn Café: If you don’t know how to knit, or you’ve started a project but can’t figure out how to finish it, or if you just want to try something new, The Brooklyn Yarn Cafe can help. Located in Bushwick at 6 Porter Ave, they have three free knitting classes each week; Wednesdays from 7-9 PM, Saturdays from 4-7 PM, and Sundays from 2-4 PM. Along with all your knitting supply needs, the café also serves cupcakes, coffee, and snacks. 45 minute walk, 15 minute bike ride 5. Bierkraft: Park Slope’s gourmet grocery and beer emporium located at 191 Fifth Ave is serving up free samples of beer each week on Tuesdays at 7 PM. In addition to some free beer, there is usually a speaker who talks about the different beers. The store houses 1,000-plus brews from around the world, as well as cheeses, chocolates, and other goodies. Stop by and try some free samples for yourself! 40 minute walk, 15 minute bike ride

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GUIDE

cheap thrills written by Angela Higgins and Emily Yolleck, illustration by Angela Higgins

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FOOD REVIEW

“Little Poland Restaurant” has been popping up on the radar as one of the most authentic polish restaurants here in New York City. Upon entering the restaurant I noticed, it was overloaded with customers as the waitresses rushed from table to table. It was a small family owned diner, very homey and comforting. Being my first time ordering Polish food, I asked the waitress for some suggestions, and was directed towards the Pierogi and Kielbasy. Pierogis are dumplings that can be boiled or fried. They are stuffed with your choice of are cheese, meat, potatoes, kasha sauerkraut with mushrooms, spinach, sweet potato. Or you can choose the “Very Special Pierogi” which consists of potato, sauerkraut, and cheese with special sauce. Kielbasy is the famous polish sausage that can be boiled or fried. It has various forms and types, but they only serve one kind, “Wiejska Kielbasa” at the restaurant. The form is very similar to any American sausage, but the color is much redder and richer and stuffed with pork and veal with marjoram and garlic. I was disappointed that they didn’t have my favorite sausage, “Kabanos”, a thin, long, air-dried pork sausage, but Wiejska Kielbasa is very good as well. I ordered boiled Pierogis with sauerkraut and mushrooms and boiled Kielbasy, because that’s how I had them in Poland. The sausage was very huge and juicy and I ate it with a little bit of ketchup, but you can use different sauces you if want to. The boiled Pierogi was 2 6 | T H E P R AT T L E R

It consists of a constantly cooking pot of stew in the center of the table and while the hot pot is kept simmering, ingredients are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. Typical ingredients include thinly sliced meats, vegetable, eggs, and seafood. The Quickly on Grand is a small restaurant with only a few tables, but the dining room is nice and modern with a laid back feel. The staff was friendly and always willing to answer my questions, and while the hot pot was not as good as the stuff my friend makes at home it was good. And for $13, you get more food than you can eat as well as a free milk tea. All in all, while I will still mainly go to Quickly for their tea, it is a good place to know when I am craving some hot soup.

served with sautéed onions and butter; it was very delicious and left me quite full. Unfortunately, the wait was quite a whileit took them around 20 minutes to get the food out, though that could have been due to the fact that there were so many customers waiting, but the food was worth the wait. If you are willing to shell out $15 for some authentic polish food, the Little Poland Restaurant is the place you should go. Reviewed by Chia-Lin Hsu

Little Poland Restaurant

200 2nd Ave #1, New York, NY Phone: (210) 777-9728 Subway: L to 3rd Ave Hours: Sat-Sun, 7 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating:

Quickly

237 Grand St. New York, NY Phone: (212) 431-0998 Subway: B, D to Grand Hours: Sun-Sat, 10 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating:

Quickly

I have been going to the Quickly chain of cafes for some time now. I have always found their Boba Milk Tea to be the best and cheapest in the city. When my friend suggested I go there for dinner, however, I was a bit confused. To be honest, in all the times I have gone there I never even knew they sold food. But with my friends word that they sell some of the best “hot pot” in china town I went there to check it out. For those who are unfamiliar with Hot Pot, it is kind of a Chinese fondue from East Asia.

Illustrations by Harris Hine

Little Poland

Pacificana

When walking around Brooklyn’s China Town it is hard to miss the huge yellow sign for Pacificana. Located on the second floor above a Chase Bank Pacificana is a large Cantonese restaurant that has been decorated in the same style as a fancy boardroom. And

it is not just the wood paneled walls and monogrammed seats that make Pacificana feel like a business meeting. The wait staff is dressed in suits, and treats you as if you are a dignitary. And while it would be easy to find the décor and service a bit creepy, the truth is that it is actually quite fun. I can’t think of another restaurant where I have ordered a ten-dollar entrée and had it hand served to me by no less then four waiters. And what’s more, the food at Pacificana is exceptional. With a large menu that transcends traditional Cantonese cuisine it is easy to find a that dish suits you. I had a beef and onion mini wok that was incredible, as well as a bowl of worming soup and some pan-fried pork dumplings. Everything was delicious, and at the end of the night I was pleased to find out I still had money left in my wallet for some shopping around the area. While it is hard to justify going to the China Town in Brooklyn when Manhattan is closer, I have to say it is worth it. The streets are cleaner, food is cheaper, and it is simply a nice place to walk around. And with restaurants like Pacificana, it is safe to say you will never leave the area feeling hungry or disappointed. Reviewed by Harris Hine

Pacificana Restaurant

812 55th St. Brooklyn, NY Phone: (718) 871-8180 Subway: N to 8th Ave Hours: Sun-Sat, 9 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating: | 27

FOOD REVIEW

Little Poland Restaurant

200 2nd Ave #1, New York, NY Phone: (210) 777-9728 Subway: L to 3rd Ave Hours: Sat-Sun, 7 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating:

Quickly

237 Grand St. New York, NY Phone: (212) 431-0998 Subway: B, D to Grand Hours: Sun-Sat, 10 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating:

Quickly

Illustrations by Harris Hine

Little Poland

Pacificana

Pacificana Restaurant

812 55th St. Brooklyn, NY Phone: (718) 871-8180 Subway: N to 8th Ave Hours: Sun-Sat, 9 AM -11 PM Price: $$ Rating: | 27

FOOD REVIEW

Illustration by Katy Filarski

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FOOD REVIEW

Illustration by Katy Filarski

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THE BACK PAGE In this issue’s THE BACK PAGE we spoke to three seniors about their experience at Pratt over the past four years and their plans for the future by Sarah Ratinetz

SARA BORDELEAU Graphic Design

Is there anything you hope to accomplish during your last semester at Pratt? I’m most excited about having my student portfolio and my website done without having to edit it semester to semester. It will be great to move on to the next stage of my life. Creating that final student book and feeling like it contains what I accomplished at Pratt is probably what I am most looking to accomplish. I’d also like to successfully complete my New York City hamburger crawl without throwing up or hating burgers forever. If you could change one thing about your college experience what would it be? I wish that I took advantage of certain things more like learning HTML in a classroom setting. Socially, I’d like to have gotten to know more people outside of my program. Do you have any tips for freshman on how to survive at Pratt? Take a lot of hard classes early in your Junior year so you have the fundamentals down sooner. With those courses down you’ll have more time to expand on the knowledge you’ve gained in the later and more difficult semesters. Any cool post-grad plans? Ugh, getting a job. I’m going on a long trip to Europe when I graduate because I wasn’t able to go abroad like my friends at other colleges. Italy, definitely! What is your favorite Clinton-Hill spot? I really like my apartment, it’s my favorite spot to be consistently. My favorite restaurant is a tie between Choice (hate the service) and Cornerstone, so underrated. When I’m feeling extra wealthy I like to dine there.

EMILY MOELLER Interior Design

Is there anything you hope to accomplish during your last semester at Pratt? Get a job but mainly focus on my thesis project and make the most out of the resources that Pratt has to offer that I will miss when I graduate, 3 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R

like free a gym membership. If you could change one thing about your college experience what would it be? I don’t have any regrets, I wouldn’t change anything! Do you have any tips for freshman on how to survive Pratt? Stay on top of your work! Procrastination will be the death of you. Any cool post-grad plans? A group of us all graduating from the Interior Design program are heading South for a week long beach vacation! What is your favorite Clinton-Hill Spot? Fort Greene Park, it is so beautiful and there is so much going on there in the warmer months.

RACHEL PUMROY Advertising

Is there anything you hope to accomplish during your last semester at Pratt? I have been dying since my Freshman year to have Bob Handelman, the Pratt website photographer take my picture and have it be on the website. I’m ready for my close up, Bob! If you could change one thing about your college experience what would it be? In some of my more academic classes I utilized my bullshitting skills too much when I should have really put the effort into receiving the grades that I did. Do you have any tips for freshman on how to survive Pratt? Make sure you always exist outside of Pratt. Meet people from outside of the Pratt bubble; not to distance yourself from the school but to make sure you have a good balance of the two. Any cool post-grad plans? I’m currently saving up to go to Barcelona. I have a little jewelry box that I have been putting any extra money I earn into. What is your favorite Clinton-Hill spot? It used to be the circle benches but now it’s St. James between Greene and Gates. I love the houses. My favorite place to eat is Pequena on South Portland. P

Emily Moeller

Sara Bordeleau

Rachel Pumroy

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THE BACK PAGE In this issue’s THE BACK PAGE we spoke to three seniors about their experience at Pratt over the past four years and their plans for the future by Sarah Ratinetz

SARA BORDELEAU Graphic Design

EMILY MOELLER Interior Design

RACHEL PUMROY Advertising

Emily Moeller

Sara Bordeleau

Rachel Pumroy

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