Politics Business Gallery Campus Crit Vis Gender Career Queer COVER
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BACK COVER
WORDS BY PHOTOS BY ALYA ALBERT AARON COHEN
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CONRAD MILSTER HAS BEEN REMOVED from his 58-year post as Pratt’s chief engineer and has been sent to the basement of Higgins Hall. In June, while the campus was quiet, Milster received notice that he would no longer be positioned as chief engineer and would instead be building manager for Higgins Hall. “I was asked by the facilities manager if I could stop into his office,” says Milster. “He handed me an envelope. It was a job description and I said what’s this and he said it’s yours.” This change comes as the newest development in the much publicized and petitioned series of events that have pitted administration against Milster and the battalion of faculty, alumni, students, and cats in his support. In October 2015 Milster, and four other faculty and staff members, were abruptly asked to leave their homes in the campus townhouses on Willoughby Ave to make room for student housing. With the help of a Gothamist article and a petition with more than 3,000 signatures, the situation was quickly becoming a scandal before President Schutte made moves to quiet the uproar. “The New York Times was going to do an article and since I had been here the longest the institute came to me and said that they had thought it over and as long as I was employed at Pratt I could stay in the house.” Milster explains. The four other tenants did not receive the same treatment, and were asked to leave. “They would very much I suspect like me out, “ Milster tells, “I suspect this is tied in with the whole thing.” Administration, however, attributes Milster’s relocation to his refusal to comply with their repeated demands to keep the Pratt cats out of the Engine Room where they were aggravating one of the engineers allergies. “I was told, ‘you didn’t take the cats out of the power plant, therefore we are taking you out of the power plant.’” Milster is now charged with the maintenance of Higgins Hall. “The building has run quite well for something like 25 or 30 years without a building manager. The staff that’s here knows exactly what to do.” says Milster, “I sit hear and I here them talking on the radio about problems that I used to take care of and used to be involved in, and its like a knife in me.” His office, deep in the bowels of the architecture building, is decorated with recognizable pieces from the engine room. As for the cats, they have their small coop in the courtyard near the engine room for now, but winter is coming and it’s not known what will happen to them without the warmth indoors. The Engine Room remains locked., “It’s closed off to me too. I understand that I’m not allowed back in the power plant unless I get permission from the office, ” Milster adds, “I see them [the cats] but I do not go in the courtyard. I do not go in the east building, I don’t go anywhere on that side of the mall because it’s no longer my area.” The Gothamist recently put out another article on Milster and the Pratt community has taken to social media to commiserate. Administration declined to make a statement, citing the institute’s protocol of not commenting on personal subjects. “I gave Pratt 58 years of my life and a quarter million dollars for a scholarship, and this is what they did to me,” says Milster. “So am I hurt? You better believe it. They have destroyed my interest and my will. I feel betrayed, in one sentence, I feel betrayed.”
~BUSINESS~
NOT SO
Starving Artists INTERVIEWS BY SAFAT ARA IMAGES COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS
MILLENNIALS MAY BE CONSIDERED the most entrepreneurial generation according to Fortune Magazine, starting more businesses, going for riskier but more profitable options than the baby boomers. Reports find that millennials are beginning a business at only 27, but baby boomers generally started around 35. Millennials are also launching twice as many businesses. A major reason for this may be that the option of failure is not the deterrent it once was. Many millennials find themselves in unfulfilling positions, especially millennial artists. According to an American Express Forum, starting a new business is easier than it has been in the past and the major reason behind this driving force to be entrepreneurs is linked directly to the economic situations many millennials face. In a recent Deloitte poll, 70 percent of millennials say they'd reject traditional business to work independently and 29% say that the U.S. economy is the driving force behind creating a new business because the job market for recent graduates is not the way it was. They could find a job soon after college. Starting a new company for some millennials becomes a necessity instead of a desire. The average college loan debt for our generation is around $26,000 and the post-recession millennial unemployment rate is double the rate of the baby boomers. Starting a new company becomes the only option especially when working a corporate job no longer has the benefits and support systems it used to. And there is a reason to be optimistic with 76% of millennial business owners saying their their experience of starting their own company has been positive.
Yali Lewis’ earings and bangles
“We are known as the gig generation, and I’m sure there is a point in every artist’s life where holding various gigs to make ends meet gets tiring.”
THE PRATTLER
I spoke with the jewlery designer behind Lewis and Pine, Yali Lewis, 30, who started her business about 2 years ago and the jewelry designer Sophia Ramsey, a Pratt graduate from 2010 who started her business 3 years ago when she was only 25. Lewis went to Yale for painting, then Parsons for painting and found herself carrying her strong eye for geometric, minimalistic shapes into her jewelry designs. I’ve noticed this trend amongst many artists in our generation who find it hard to hold a job with a steady paycheck and not be stuck in the freelance world. We are known as the gig generation, and I’m sure there is a point in every artist's life where holding various gigs to make ends meet gets tiring. I asked Lewis about what got her started on her business and she answered “I used to sell to Bloomingdale's and Barney’s wholesale, and like the fashion world these department stores are able to pay the minimum for large orders while being able to sell the product at double or triple the price that they bought it for. I find running my own business more rewarding and it is much more profitable than selling to a big department store. My business is still in the early stages and so it’s a huge time commitment and a 24/7 job but I like having complete control over my designs and being the creative visionary of my own business.” One of the best things about being a part of the Flea is getting to meet other creatives especially ones that were in my place not too long ago.
“I wish it was just as simple making jewelry all day but that becomes a smaller and smaller percentage as your business gets bigger.”
RAMSEY GRADUATED FROM PRATT in 2010 and studied jewelry design and was working mostly in the same manner as Lewis, mostly freelance. She worked a more corporate job as a jewelry designer for a bigger brand, she said “I found it to be a job very focused on the business aspect of design and unrewarding because I could not follow my own personal designs and the risk of starting a business was worth giving up a corporate job that I didn’t seeing myself in forever”. I asked Ramsey how much creativity is involved in having an art related business and how to go about starting a business. She answered, “With any business even in the art field it becomes more of running the business, handling sales, inventory, buying materials, managing employees and just more of the technical stuff than actually creating jewelry. I wish it was just as simple as making jewelry all day but that becomes a smaller and smaller percentage as your business gets bigger. I think designing jewelry is ten percent of what I do, most of my work is handling sales, producing the pieces I already have designed and paperwork. The first step I’d say is knowing what you want to make, what your staple pieces are going to be, looking at your market, a little bit of your competition and then figuring out some really important questions. It’s an investment and you’ll be putting money in before you start making any. Figure out what the startup costs will be, what are the costs of your materials, where would you like to sell and remember that there are unforeseen costs along the way. Those are a few basic questions before you get started.” I then asked what the riskiest part of owning a business in the art field is and she said “Well you have to think about your financial situation, compare it to how much your business makes and small businesses are generally pretty risky, there’s competition, risk of growing too quickly and not being able to put in more money”. There is a level of recognition we artists crave that is not found in the corporate world and it is something I am noticing of artists of every sort.
Sophia Bronstein with her ring
~HOUSING~
WORDS BY ALICE YESONG KIM ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALISON LEE
UNWELCOMED GUESTS mention that most problem in the Pratt dorm is mice and roaches. “But the dorm is old and there are still cracks ad we are at the point that we try to control as much as we can.” Mr. Vu said, “The flying roaches are coming from Southern area and it is the States-wise issue, and the mice are coming to Winter mostly for finding their warm shelter.” However, though ResLife did extermination during the summer and made achievement, the system of the exterminating in campus seems clean up after, then prevent before. There are no extermination list sign up for students, nor there are no announcement to students that the extermination happened every month, and every week on Friday that the exterminator handle the scheduled claims for each rooms. “Some students are not that welcoming the maintenance to come in for exterminate when the students are not in the appointed time,” said Mr. Vu. Stabile is fairly clean due to its more recent construction in 1999. I didn’t see pests I lived in the first floor. However, there were frequent sightings of house centipedes. The number of legs on the house-centipede (aka silverfish) is frightening. However, its intentions are pleasant, as it preys on roaches, mosquitoes and fly and their eggs. If you kill this, so be it. But know these bugs are in your favor. They hate the unwelcome pests as much as you do and they truly assist the pest presence in dorms. Since Pantas, ELJ and Willoughby dorms were built in building, the pest issues are more severe than Stabile, which was built in 1999. But that’s not to say, each dorm doesn't have its own domestic-insect drama.
“Suite-Life”
The of Kai and Schutte IF YOU’RE A PRATT STUDENT OR GRADUATE, live in the Clinton Hill neighborhood, or have an affinity for mansions, you must have heard of The Caroline Ladd Pratt House. If you’ve walked down Clinton Avenue, you’ve passed it. It was built in 1895, is located at 229 Clinton Avenue, was formerly known as the Frederick B. Pratt House, and was renamed after Frederick’s wife, Caroline. Now, it is widely referred to as simply The Pratt House. It still holds true to its 19th Century flare and Georgian-style architecture. Currently, it houses President Thomas Schutte, his wife Tess, and four Pratt senior student residents. I happen to be one of those residents. This semester is my first experience living in The Pratt House, having embraced dorm-life for the past three years. If you’re interested in living the “suite life.” Take Connections. Connections is a leadership class that grants students the opportunity to apply for positions such as an RA, Orientation Leader, Peer Advisor, Program Board, Pratt House resident and more. Upon the completion of Connections, you gain access to the applications available for these leadership positions. I served as an RA for two years after Connections. As I was approaching my final year, I, like many rising seniors, had to decide where I was going to live. I chose to apply for a spot at the Pratt House, which entailed an application process, followed by an interview with the current Pratt House RA and all of the residents, along with a tour of the house. Though it may sound intimidating, it was all
POINTERS FOR A PEST-FREE LIFE
• Do not leave your food unsealed or uncovered. • Use disinfecting products on dry surfaces. • If you are done with the trashes, throw them away as soon as they collected. • Pick up clutter in your room. The clutters are best place for roaches to hid and rodents to make a nest. (the sink is the best place for roaches because there is water, humid and if it is in kitchen) • Wash dirty dishes before you eat. • The smell of mint repels bugs. You can use sugar-free mouthwash or have spearmint candles. • Turn off faucets completely to eliminate unnecessary puddles of water and to keep the holes of the faucet dry. • Seal any holes that you can see in your room. Use tape or mesh • Hang towels and damp clothes or fabric. • Use a fan or a floor AC unit.
THE PRATTLER
UNPLEASANT ROOMMATES can be annoying and make you want to leave your room. They seem to emerge from nowhere and will surprise you with their dirt and stealth. Residential pests are worse if you have to conquer them alone. The pests are not confined to your room. They creep into the laundry room and leave you questioning the cleanliness of your clothes and the entirety of your living space. Is the problem of unpleasant roommates due to New York City norms or is this simply because the Pratt Community is not aware of the roaches, centipedes and rodents that infest the halls of our Institute? I lived in Pratt dorms for 2 years, and I had no knowledge of prior room extermination. When I emailed Reslife about my encounter in Willoughby, I discovered there is no routine extermination company or job in the halls. This is not acceptable. I believe most of the apartments have a mandatory monthly extermination. If there is no extermination in the halls we are surrounded with a serious problem. Unpleasantly I see dead roaches across the laundry room floors. I constantly worry I will find a cockroach in my ‘clean’ laundry. In light of my constant worry, I interviewed the Associate director of Housing, Mr. T Vu, who answered questions regarding extermination practices on campus. The most massive extermination in Pratt dorms happens during the summer when most of the students are not in the campus. “We actually opened up the drains and pipes and concealed them to prevent pests coming in,” said Mr. Vu. Also Mr. Vu talked about the small roaches that were very problematic last year. “But we removed most of them, and it is mostly gone now.” He
WORDS BY KAI SMITH PHOTO VIA THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM ARCHIVES, LANTERN SLIDE COLLECTION
rather casual and ultimately allowed me to make an informed decision prior to being officially accepted. The house consists of three floors and a spacious basement. President Schutte, Tess and their dog, Nelly, occupy the entire second floor. The four Pratt students—three residents and one RA—occupy the third floor. Each student has their own room and the use of three bathrooms. The rooms all vary in size; the largest is given to the resident who’s been in the house longest. The RA’s room is always the RA’s room, and the other two rooms are chosen at random. Each room has its perks: large closet, shelving, closest to the bathroom, floor space. All of the rooms, however, are cursed with bay windows that cannot hold window air conditioners. In The Pratt House, there is no central A/C. About one month in, I got a standing A/C which I’m convinced saved my life. There are a lot of exciting perks about being a Pratt House resident. Ordering take out to a mansion is one, but when you feel like a home-cooked meal, we have a large kitchen with three refrigerators and endless cabinet space. It’s possible that all four of us could cook at the same time, though that’s never actually happened. We also have access to the gorgeous front and back lawns for picnics, BBQs, sunbathing, you name it. The living room and library are the best places in the house to read, nap or even do yoga without fear of being bothered. The laundry room is never packed and the stairs to the basement give you the best workout of your life. When the Schuttes host parties, residents are always invited. But the best part about living in the house is the amount of privacy we are all given. When we want to be alone, there’s no fear of ever having to be in the same place at the same time with anyone else in the house. Contrary to widespread assumptions, I have not run into President Schutte or his wife since I moved in almost three months ago. We go in and out different entrances, we use different staircases and have separate kitchens. As residents— we did— however, sit down with both of them for a house dinner to break the ice. It wasn’t as awkward as you think. The residents are more like a family. We all cook in the same kitchen, sharing pots and pans and ingredients. We eat together, clean together, and hang out in the living room to talk about our days. Maybe there’s something about being in a physical house that makes us want to be closer to the people you live with. Maybe it’s because we’re all seniors or because most of us have been RAs. Whatever the reason and whoever the four residents are, or will be, they find whatever it is that makes the house a home.
~ARTS~
ANTONIO DEL VALLE: FOURTH YEAR - CRIT-VIZ STUDENT: EO: Where are you from? ADL: San Juan, Puerto Rico. AS FRESHMEN AT PRATT INSTITUTE, THERE WERE TWO QUESTIONS WE ALL ASKED AND ANSWERED. “WHERE ARE YOU FROM?” AND “WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR?” AFTER ONE SEMESTER AS A WRITING MAJOR HERE, I CAME ACROSS THE CRITICAL AND VISUAL STUDIES PROGRAM. I AM NOW A SOPHOMORE IN PURSUIT OF A BA IN CRITICAL AND VISUAL STUDIES. I STILL ANSWER THE TWO UNIVERSAL QUESTIONS. OHIO IS STILL A CHORE TO CONFESS, BUT WHEN I RESPOND WITH “CRITICAL AND VISUAL STUDIES” I FEEL MORE SATISFIED WITH WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS FOR ME AND MY DEGREE. NOW, PEERS AND FACULTY STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND THE ESSENCE OF THE CRITICAL AND VISUAL STUDIES PROGRAM. I SAT DOWN IN EARLY SEPTEMPBER WITH BOTH A FIRST YEAR STUDENT AND A FOURTH YEAR STUDENT, TO TRY AND PAINT A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM MEANS TO STUDENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS. VERONICA HONG: FIRST YEAR - ARCHITECTURE TRANSFER: EO: Why did you enter the Crit-Viz? VH: Architecture was way too ‘set’ for me. Our classes were already decided for us. That’s not how I wanted to study. [Pursuit of the program] came from within myself. After architecture I was like ‘Is it worth it to add more studio or elective classes?’ There were so many philosophical questions I had been challenging. I think Critical and Visual Studies will definitely have those answers for me. I researched the program online and then applied. EO: What classes are you taking right now?
THE PRATTLER
VH: I’m enjoying the Critical and Visual Studies curriculum because I have the liberty to choose my courses: English 110, Philosophy, Theory and Critique, Intermediate French and ceramics. EO: How is ceramics? That’s kind of the outlier! VH: It’s so new to me. I had taken classes as a kid, just toying with clay. But this is much more professional. I’ve wanted to learn ceramics for a while. It’s nice having ceramics outside reading and writing. I love all my classes in different ways. Philosophy and Theory and Critique are very similar because, in both you have to debate on philosophical terms. I’ve always been interested in that. With French, it’s just so important that I stay in contact with that language. Each class is very valuable to my education.
EO: What do you see yourself doing with this degree?
EO: Why did you enter this program? ADL: My case is really complex because I finished my first bachelor’s degree. I came to New York because I wanted to get my Master’s in art and cultural management. I came across some conflict and it turned out I was unable to use my other degree. I looked for other options here, Critical and Visual Studies was my second option here at Pratt; the first being the Masters, which didn’t work out. I began the program because I liked the way it worked. It is very free and you have the liberty to take anything. I saw it as an opportunity to expand my knowledge of art. EO: So what do you see yourself doing with this degree? ADL: I will graduate with a minor in Museum and Gallery Practices. Basically, I will be working on the “behind the scenes” of art. I’ll be working on proposals, grants, scenes. I will also reopen my gallery. Stuff like that. EO: Are you working on a thesis right now? ADL: My thesis is about the curious identity of Puerto Ricans. It’s not yet developed, because this is the first week. I’m basically using the resources of Critical and visual studies to critique and discuss how different works of art speak about the identity of Puerto Rico and the crisis it has right now. EO: What classes are you taking right now? ADL: Multi-media Installations, Controversies in Critical Theory, Performance Studies and Thesis. Thesis is my favorite class right now. It’s already difficult. Every time I go in there with something written, I have to go back to the drawing board and I write things again. But those standards help me get really clear with what I’m writing and thinking. I like that pressure. EO: Do you have any advice for the new members of Critical and Visual Studies?
VH: Well, I have been thinking about minoring in Psychology on top of this BA. I volunteer outside of school at senior centers. I also mentor children after school. Initially, it seemed like I was just helping. But, I realize I gain more than I give. I would love to be a social worker or a psychologist.
ADL: Focus on what you really want to come out of here doing. Having the liberty to choose your own classes is tricky. Think of how beneficial each and every class is to your desired career. Don’t think about “an easy A” or even how fun a class will be.
WORDS BY EMILY OLDENQUIST
EO: You discussed issues with obtaining your first bachelor’s degree and moving to your masters. That is obviously a huge obstacle. Were there any obstacles once you got into the program that have affected you?
PHOTO BY AARON COHEN
ADL: Finding my voice when I was writing was difficult. Previously, I studied in International Relations. When you write for that, you have to be extremely objective. You can’t be subjective. When I began here, Symposium, Artist as a Curator, Theory and Critique, Modernist versus Postmodernist, said my biggest flaw was that I was too objective. So these classes and this program pushed me to find my own voice in what I wanted to say.
PHOTO BY AARON COHEN WORDS BY ZHIYING HU
WHEN YOU NEED ART SUPPLIES, the first places you probably go to are Blick or Apple Art supplies. Blick is on Myrtle Avenue and has tons of art supplies. Apple Art is probably not as familiar to new students, because it is located on Dekalb Ave, which is at the back of Pratt. It is much smaller than Blick, but has almost everything a student would need to accomplish their projects. Mr. Lee is the owner of Apple. From Korea, he moved to the United States with his wife and son almost 28 years ago. He was a doctor of acupuncture and moxibustion and his wife was a teacher. If you’re wondering how Mr. Lee ended up running an art supply store, it was due to his interest in real estate. He loved buying different kinds of properties and sell them at a slightly higher price after renovating them. He bought Apple Art by chance, and decided to run this store as a family business. The store has been operated for 15 years, and both Ms and Mr. Lee have retired from work. Mr. Lee’s son Sam has become the manager of the store, and has been working there since the first day it opened. He was born in Korea, studied in the United State, and graduated with a degree in computer science. While at school he had many part-time jobs, and worked in computer sales after college. However, he prefers a more relaxing lifestyle, which Apple Art provides. As the oldest child, he automatically has the responsibility to work for the family. Therefore, because he runs the store, he has not visited Korea since coming to the United States. His parents, however, travel to Korea once a year without him. According to Sam, he will probably only be able to see Korea again after he retires with a cane in his hand. Sam has heard a lot of gossip from being friends with Pratt kids. “Someone started dating, someone just broke up…” Even though he does not study at Pratt, he knows more little secrets than many students. There have also been some changes during Sam’s time working in the store. For instance, students from China have become the most frequent customers.
WORDS BY VALENTINA VERGARA ART BY FARAH KAFEI
Sunday is always the busiest day of the week. More customers come in during midterms and finals. The hardest product to manage in the store is paper. There are a lot of expensive papers, and sometimes students touch them when their hands are covered in charcoal or paint, which is probably a pain in the neck for most art stores. There are also many small supplies like pencils, erasers that are missing almost every week, but no serious cases of shoplifting have occurred so far.
There are some supplies that Apple Art has and Blick does not. Apple Art has slightly more variety of materials for model making. If Blick runs out of something, you can always go to Apple Art and take a look. According to some students, knives and drafting supplies are slightly cheaper than at Blick and other stuff is either cheaper or is the same as Blick prices. Apple art is a small business, but it has accompanied Pratt institute for 28 years. It is now more than a store, it is a memory that exists in many people’s hearts.
THE PRATTLER
APPLE OF ART’S EYE
~CRITIQUE~
Being Latina & the Origin of MIJITA I REMEMBER HOW SHY I USED TO BE WHEN PRONOUNCING MY NAME because it was too hispanic. I would try really hard to neutralize my accent but the syllables alone would resonate differently from everyone else’s name. It’s difficult to integrate yourself in the States when your native tongue is Spanish. I initially did my best to camouflage my hispanic attributes, but fortunately, time shifted my perspective. I credit this to the shift in perspective of who Latinas are. Ten years ago, latino culture was not as esteemed and mainstream as it has become today. In 2016, this positive outlook of Latinas is enabling it to transform into a progressive medium that has given women a voice, as made evident by the numerous Latina role models of pop culture and the modern world. After two of my Latina friends and I bonded over our cultures, we decided it would be a great idea to create some sort of group for other Latinas to do the same. Being propelled primarily by art and design, we immediately relished in the idea of an art collective promoting to our heritage. We came up with the name MIJITA because of the universality the word has in Latin-American countries. The three of us are all from different countries; Farah is from Ecuador, Elle is from Cuba and I am from Colombia. Despite our progress, latin diversity isn’t a focal point of mainstream culture. The word MIJITA is special to all of us because it is a sweet nickname used throughout Latino-America. It is a conjunction of the words “Mi” meaning “my” and “hijita” meaning “daughter.” It’s a tender reminder of growing up as a Latina. Once we came up with the name, we began to tell our Latina friends about the collective. They then told their friends about it and so on. We aim to be a growing platform where we support each other and represent each other. Showcasing our artwork to generate positive exposure is our first priority as well as connecting Latinas around New York for meet ups and collaborations. We aim to have an impact on how the world will see and respect our diverse cultures. Now we all pronounce our names as they are meant to. We stand Latina and proud. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR LATINA’S TO JOIN US IN OUR MISSION. IF THIS INTERESTS YOU, EMAIL US AT
MIJITAARTCOLLECTIVE@GMAIL.COM
AND THE MEANING OF JOY to them as our dictator. Despite their busy schedule, they do an excellent job of whipping us into shape. Recently, Queer Pratt has undergone major leadership changes. The council, apart from Joy, is full of freshmen. “My push to keep Queer Pratt alive after all my officers left me over the summer was Orlando,” Joy tells me. “We most definitely DO need a space for queer people at Pratt.” It’s no secret that, at this campus, queer people tend to be accepted, for the most part. I’ve heard people refer to Pratt as “homonormative.” Despite this, there are still many people who feel uncomfortable or displaced due to certain aspects of themselves. We’ve instituted several policies in the general meetings in order to create a safer space, including a guarantee of not repeating what is told at meetings and the “oops-ouch” policy, with the goal of facilitating discussion while avoiding hurtful comments. We’re but a fledgling group of queer people. We still make mistakes. We step on each other’s toes. But as we progress together throughout this year, and hopefully into the next, we’ll strive to create a home for all those that are looking for one. And if home means licking a chocolate penis, then I definitely need to be counted in.
‘Sir’
OPINION BY PAIGE HAVENER ILLUSTRATION BY TERESA CHEN
THE PRATTLER
WE SIT IN A CIRCLE IN A DORM ROOM, melting semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave. Hannah, our general meeting coordinator and resident chocolatier, packs the chocolate into plastic molds shaped like penises and vulvas. We’re making chocolate lollipops for the Fall Fest that takes place next week -- “artisanal genitalia,” someone quips. We laugh, and I feel at home. There is a certain feeling of family in the Queer Pratt officer meetings. We only hope to bring that feeling out of the council and to the general meetings, and the campus at large. The goal of the group is simple -- to create a safe space for those in the Queer community and those allied to it. We facilitate discussions with the goal of teaching and spreading awareness and to hold events for the various LGBTQ+ holidays. As we put the lollipops together, we discuss the upcoming Transweek event. This year, it will take place from November 14th through the 18th. This weeklong undertaking, involves a discussion, a movie screening, a trans speaker, and Genderfu*k, an open mic event for students. Joy leads us with a certain fearlessness and a gleam in their eyes. They are especially excited for this event. As the sole upperclassman on the council, and only a junior at that, they are our de facto president. We affectionately refer
IN MIDDLE SCHOOL I would buy fashionable clothes but I would never end up wearing them. Many trips were taken to Aeropostale where I bought dresses and skirts that would never have their tags removed. These purchases were much to the dismay of my parents, who were funding my wardrobe. Every time I would tell myself I would wear them, that I would work up the courage the next day. I can confidently say that 90% of clothes bought with this mindset were never worn. At the time I couldn’t really see myself wearing the clothes in my head. I could see other girls wearing them. Girls more fashionable and put together than me. But these images never included me. Changing the way I dress has been a slow process that has run parallel with my emotional coming of age. Working through insecurity and anxiety is what has allowed me to become more confident in myself, and own up to my abnormal inclinations in fashion. I have slowly come to realize that I don’t feel comfortable in feminine clothing. Shorts season is particularly unpleasant for me. In high school I could get away with not shaving my legs in the winter and I wanted to stop shaving my legs entirely but North Carolina summers often get into the 90’s, so shorts became unavoidable at least one season of the year. Later in high school I finally got up the courage to wear shorts with my unshaven legs. I walked into school and immediately regretted not wearing pants. The whole day I tried to cover my legs up however I could. I felt like everyone was looking at me, that they knew somehow and were judging me.
PROFILE BY TREVOR WHEELER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAMUEL HERRERA
~SEX & GENDER~
Eventually I realized that nobody cared. And that anybody who would judge me already thought I was weird because I was an art kid. This realization was quite liberating and shorts season is becoming gradually less unpleasant. After several months of not shaving my legs, the hair had grown in pretty thick. My mom asked me weekly why I wasn’t shaving my legs which only served to make me more stressed. I am now proud to say that I have not shaved my legs since. Occasionally I still get worried that people will assume things about me because of how I groom myself, but I am working to get over this. I cut my hair short around the same time I stopped shaving my legs. My hair went from a thick ponytail to a very closely cropped pixie cut. It was another step in the direction towards presenting myself as I really wanted to be perceived. Not only did I dress differently, but I started acting differently too. During this same time period I watched a video about the science behind the correlation of body posture and confidence levels. It convinced me that if I could simply appear more confident physically, then I would be more confident emotionally. I started holding my shoulders higher and walking with purpose and I think has helped make me more confident emotionally. The other day, while ordering food at lunch, I got addressed as a ‘sir’. This happens often but doesn’t particularly bother me. I’m actually more comfortable in public if I’m passing as a guy because I feel safer. The threat of violence against males is a lot lower than the threat towards women. It also makes it easier to shop in the guys section--which I do often--if I look like a guy. Usually, for the sake of convenience, I go along with being misgendered. If a cashier perceives me as male I will lower my voice and carry myself more masculinely, so that I continue to pass. It’s easier not to say anything to a cashier because correcting them would cause embarrassment for the both of us, and in all honesty it doesn’t upset me. Even though it’s their mistake, I tend to get more embarrassed than them, and I have a naturally pink complexion... My appearance is a part of my identity. It may not fit into society’s standards or gender categories but I know that. Once my dad asked me if the reason I wouldn’t wear dresses was because I was afraid of getting attention. This was very frustrating and angering to me. I’m not entirely sure why I like dressing the way I do but it’s not because I’m afraid of attention. On the contrary I enjoy attention. Despite the fact that I get misgendered frequently, I don’t regret dressing the way I do. I feel more and more comfortable with myself each month and I am happy knowing that I’m on my way to being happier. I have no interest in experiencing the stress and anxiety of my previous years over again. This is part of the reason I came to art school in New York. I will forever be working towards being more comfortable with myself, and being in a more accepting place like New York has been immensely helpful.
~GENDER & SEX~
344
Female college students (age 18-24) are
63
x3
of which lead to an arrest
13
are reported to the police
more likely to experience sexual violence
are brought to trial
7
women of all ages
x4
Women (age 18-24) not attending college are
more likely to experience sexual violence
are convicted.
STATISTICS FROM RAINN, THE ATLANTIC, AND FORGE
1 in 10
WE STILL THROW AROUND THE PHRASE “boys will be boys”,we still empathize with rapists because “they are young and have so much potential”, and we still blame the victims for the heinous crime committed against them. Judges declining to review sexual assault cases and a presidential candidate who makes lewd comments about women have become the norm for us. Sexual violence has become the norm for us. Recently we saw Brock Turner get away with sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster with only a six month sentence to a county jail where he left three months early. He was charged with three counts of felony sexual assault which should have gotten him at least six years in a federal prison. We watched judge Aaron Persky sympathize with a criminal and claim that a longer sentence would have a “severe impact” him, and we watched as Brock Turner’s dad claimed that he shouldn’t have to go to prison for “twenty minutes of action”. But what about the victim? Unfortunately, like in many other cases of rape and sexual assault, she did not receive justice because the judge saw Brock Turner as a “young man with a lot of potential” instead of what he really is. A rapist. This is unfortunately a very common outcome in these kinds of cases. Earlier this year eighteen-yearold David Becker got away with sexually assaulting two sleeping girls at a pool party even though he admitted to sexually assaulting one of the victims. Despite the district attorney's recommendation that he should serve two years in prison and be registered as a sex offender, the judge ordered a continuance. Rape culture not only affects women, but men as well. Actor and performance artist, Shia LaBeouf, was stripped down, whipped, and then raped by a woman during a performance art project. When he came
rape victims is male
RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE: Pratt Campus Department of Public Safety Brooklyn Campus (Main Guard Booth) – 718.636.3540 Safe Horizon Victims’ Services and Advocacy Rape Crisis/ Sexual Abuse Hotline – 212.277.3000 Woodhull Medical Center Sexual Assault Response Team 760 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11206.718.963.8000
1 in 6 women will be the victims of attempted or completed rape
forward, many people made fun of him, and discredited him because he is a man. This is common reaction. Often times they feel like they can’t come forward about it because men are expected to love sex, and often times they will be made fun of or blamed for not fighting back. We as a country continue to turn a blind eye to the truth and make up excuses, instead of seeing these people as criminals. We are even excusing the acts of presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been accused of tying down and raping a thirteen year old girl, raping his ex wife,and sexually assaulting, eight different women. He has also been caught bragging about being able to be in a dressing room full of young girls, and there is, of course, the bus recording. Yet people still support him and make excuses, primarily by blaming the victims for not coming forward about these attacks sooner, but when is the right time to come forward about a violent and horrifying attack? The victims probably knew that since he had money he would get away with what he did. It doesn’t matter when the attacks happened, it is unacceptable especially for a man that could potentially be running our country. America is no longer a country that provides justice for all. Instead it is a country where countless sexual assaults go ignored, where violence is the norm, and where men are expected to be hyper sexual while women should be innocent virgins. This is a country where people are too afraid to come forward about being raped or assaulted because they know how likely it is that their attacker would go free. It is time that we stop turning a blind eye and take a stand against sexual violence.
9%
of LGBTQ+ students have been victims of penatrative sexual assault
men of all ages
x5
Male college students (age 18-24) are
more likely to become victims of sexual assualt than male non-students of the same age
THE PRATTLER
WORDS BY KELSIE PUSKAS
THE CRIMINAL Injustice SYSTEM
50%
of transgender people have experienced sexual violence
75%
of LGBTQ+ students experience sexual harrasment
~LETTERS, REGARDS & BARS~ Hello Prattlers, I was tempted to quote newsies for this introduction. My attraction to the Newsies dialogue was sparked by a passion for spread of stories. Then I remembered: “Shit, the newsies didn’t care for content of any sorts. They wanted money.” At Pratt, strengths do not lay in the absence of our work or the strength we find in numbers. Our value as a collective lies opposite to those on strike or in the safety of a crowd. I am extremely excited to begin representing a newspaper affiliated with a place full of such mixed passion and drive. Looking Forward, Emily Oldenquist
Hey Kids, We know, we know, you just got one of these. You’re probably bored with us and our long pep-talk style letters by now. We sort of are too, so we won’t do it again. Anyway, hope everyone is aye-okay and we hope that everyone voted. Good job not dying during midterms. Well done. Also, hope you had a lovely halloween - scared some kids and watched some movies and ate a bunch of candy. Now, go take sugar-crash a nap before finals. We had a fun time on this issue. Hope you can tell. Not sure what else to say at the moment. Tata for now.
This, dearly beloved readers, is my final issue as Editor-inChief of the Prattler. It has been an honor serving the Pratt community. Thanking my team Sean Kelly, Michael Kelly, Ali Lee, and Spencer Seligman, in this letter seems a wildly insufficient gesture, but alas. Thank you guys, I love you. I leave you in the talented hands of Emily Oldenquist, who I know will bring you some kickass Prattlers in the years to come. Lastly, thank you to all of the writers that have contributed to the Prattler, your voices make this great little thing possible.
Love, A Bad ‘Ombre and a Nasty Woman (Art Directors)
Talk soon, aa
MMUSEUMM
THE RUBIN
THE DREAM HOUSE
Mmuseumm is a tiny museum in an elevator shaft. But don’t judge a museum by it’s size! It uses object journalism to tell stories about our world. Whether it be a serious collection of corn flake taxonomy, found objects from the border, or a marvelous chunk of a paper city plan made by a 13 yr. old Syrian boy who is hopeful for a better future, mmuseumm will make you stop, think, and examine the world we live in. HOURS: Thurs & Fri 6-9PM, Sat & Sun 12 - 6PM PRICE: Donations!
A small museum that features art from the Himalayan mountains and nearby regions. They have a wonderful permanent display of primarily Tibetan art. They even have a recreation of a temple. It’s a beautiful museum that exposes you to Buddhist ideas and art. HOURS: Closed Tuesday. Open until 9PM Wednesdays &10PM Fridays. PRICE: $10 Student
This is a space created by a composer, La Monte Young, and his artist wife, Marian Zazeela, in 1993. This romantic apartment-turned-permanent-installation is a magical space where you can become engulfed by the environment of sound & light. HOURS: Wed. - Sat. 2PM to 12AM. PRICE: $5 Suggested
WORDS BY FARAH KAFEI
IS THERE SUCH THING AS BAR AESTHETIC? WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE DIVE BAR IN BROOKLYN AND THE SPORTS BAR IN MANHATTAN? WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A BOOZY BRUNCH? THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE DISCUSSED AND DEBATED, BUT WHY NOT LET THE BARS DECIDE FOR YOU? WHAT’S IT COST TO VENTURE OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR DRINKS? OFTEN TIMES, NOTHING MORE THAN A METROCARD SWIPE AND A STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. CHECK OUT WHAT THESE NYC BARS HAVE TO OFFER A COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A VALID ID, ITCH FOR SPIRITS AND A KNACK FOR BAR SNACKS.
BLUE HAVEN, LOWER EAST SIDE, 108 W HOUSTON ST. MOST POPULAR: Delirium Tremens Pale Ale & the buffalo chicken sandwich MUSIC: R&B & Hip Hop ATMOSPHERE: Standard L-shaped bar, tables for dining, space for dancing DEMOGRAPHICS: Early-mid 20s, NYU students, male and female mix DEALS: Weekday happy hour 11AM-7PM, $2 off all drinks PRICES: Cocktails: $11-13; Beer: $5-10; Brunch: average $16; Dinner: average $13 BAR HOPPER’S TIP: Go with a group of friends on a weekday at 6PM for dinner and $2 off drinks. Get a few meals for the table to split. Vibe out to the music, get drunk, migrate to the bar and make friends. Everyone’s super friendly and the energy is positive.
WORDS BY KAI SMITH
BLIND PIG, UNION SQUARE, 233 E. 14TH STREET
ART DIRECTION: ALISON LEE & SPENCER SELIGMAN EDITOR IN CHIEF: ALYA ALBERT & EMILY OLDENQUIST ADVISORS: MICHAEL KELLY & SEAN KELLY
ALL CONTENT GENERATED BY THE AMAZING PRATTLER CLASS AND CLUB STUDENTS!
MOST POPULAR: Guava Margarita & wings MUSIC: Large variety, trendy ATMOSPHERE: Full L-shaped bar, indoor and patio dining, flat screen TVs DEMOGRAPHICS: 20s-30s, sports fans, mostly male DEALS: Weekend bottomless brunch 11-5PM, weekday happy hour 4-8PM, $4 beers, $5 wine and mixed drinks PRICES: Cocktails: $12; Beer: $4-7; Brunch: average $13; Dinner: average $13 BAR HOPPER’S TIP: Go during happy hour and if the weather is nice, hang outside on the patio with friends, share a basket of wings and people-watch down 14th Street. If you’re a sports fan, hang out at the high-top tables inside during the game and keep the beers coming.
SUBMIT TO THE PRATTLER! EMAIL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AT: THEPRATTLER@GMAIL.COM MEETINGS THURSDAY 8:30 PM, WRITING CENTER