‘18 APR 1
Vol. 36 / Issue 6 / April 2018
COVER ART: Iris Of Hope Jessica Sellke Iris of Hope brings awareness to sex trafficking and those who have been forcefully subjected to this evil. Iris of Hope is a visual stimulation illuminating the intensity of this humanistic enemy through the intense color situation. Not only is this a moral taboo, but it is a personal invasion of the human condition. The lingering presence of the physicals, emotional and mental damage forced onto the men, women, and children involved is visually represented by the darkness that looms over the figure. The Iris is symbolic for the hope that blossoms and overcomes the darkness when someone is liberated from sex trafficking and provided the resources to
Five Points Sp
rB
lvd
Buffalo Exchange
Sp
City O’ City 51 Broadway
Arts Building
MSU Denver
North Captiol Hill
Denver
Tivoli Station, 300 Level
Tattered Cover Book Store Tattered Cover Book Store 1628 1628 16th16th St. St.
The Bardo Coffee House
The Bardo Coffee House
The Market at Larimer Square
The Market at Larimer The Molecule Effect Square The Molecule Racine’s Effect Racine’s
E Colfax Ave E Colfax
Ave
Santa Fe Dr
Tivoli Brewing Co.
Sp
ee
rB
lvd
E Colfax Ave
E Colfax Ave
York St
Emmanuel Gallery
Tivoli Station, 300 Level
North Captiol Hill
l
E Colfax Ave
Tivoli Brewing Co.
E Colfax Ave. 2526 2526 E Colfax Ave.
al
Broadway Blvd
King Center Emmanuel Gallery
ve
M
Sp
ee Cherry Creek r Bl
vd
Cherry Creek
E Alameda Ave
2
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
E Alameda Ave
York St
King Center Auraria Library
Denver
St
MP al ark l A
Av e
Broadway Blvd
Auraria ArtsLibrary Building
th
Auraria CampusE Colfax Ave
Center For Fluid Coffee BarVisual Art Fluid Coffee Bar
16
St
Downing St
Auraria Campus
Center For Visual Art 226 E. 13th Ave.
City O’ City MSU Denver
rB
lvd
51 Broadway
Buffalo Exchange
rk
th
ee
226 E. 13th Ave.
Five Points P a
16
Downing St
ee
Santa Fe Dr
WHERE WE AT?
reclaim their freedom.
R REC EC L LAM AM A AT I T I O O N T
his issue is near and dear to our hearts here at
cannot be solved overnight, as shown by the current gun and opioid crisis our
Metrosphere, as it will be the last one for many
nation faces, it is important for people to become aware and be involved. In 2018
of us on staff. We crafted April with the idea
that momentum has carried over as people are using social media and other
of “reclamation,” showcasing people who are
platforms to spread ideas, their agendas and opinions. While a lot of people, on
claiming their lives back as their own, most of them
either side of these heated debates may mean well, it isn’t always a good thing,
through art mediums. You’ll meet two artists sharing
as Derek points out in his Tech Talk, discussing online toxicity in today’s society.
the same medium, but living two very different lives, and two inspiring humans who are solidifying a spot for
Going forward, start thinking about what the word “authenticity” means to you
themselves in the fashion and music industries. Avery
and how you perceive yourself. If you’re not happy, what can you do to help
Anderson shines light on this year’s Rising Stars in the
reclaim your identity? April is about empowerment, but it’s also about reflection.
MSU Denver Theatre Department.
We hope that you can find some inspiration in our stories this April to help you get motivation to reclaim your life, or help others reclaim something that have lost.
Reclamation is more than just a word to us.. We have seen so many people reclaiming their rights in the past
With that being said, we offer you a look at the carefree fashion of the ‘80s, the
year, through the MeToo and Times Up movements, and
advancement of Apple tech through the years and all the wonderful stories of
so many people speaking up for their rights that they
musicians, artists creatives and gender benders on Auraria Campus reclaiming
feel have been taken from them. Last year’s events have
their lives, or at least their work. It’s been an honor for us to bring you entertaining
opened a new dialogue on assault, consent, marriage,
and timely content, and in the future we hope you keep picking up Metrosphere
representation, equality and race, among a slew of other
in its next incarnation to see what the next generation of Metrosphere has to offer.
topics being discussed. Although these heated issues
Peace, love and chicken grease. -Teresa and Lauren
‘18 APR 1
TERESA DIAZ SORIANO Editor in Chief Imbue Editor Layout Contributor
LAUREN CORDOVA Managing Editor Layout Contributor
MADDI WANEKA Creative Director Layout Contributor
Background Illustrations by Maddi Waneka
2
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
JESSICA HOLMAN Photo Editor
PR ASSOCIATE JAMES BURKY Metro Editor
ADAM BARNHARDT Intersection Editor
Caitlin Monaghan
No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
WORDS
photocopying, recording, or otherwise
James Burky Mimi Madrid Sabrina Laratta Avery Anderson Khaleel Herbert Adam Barnhardt Derek Gregory Janet Dallas Bianey Bermudez Teresa Diaz Soriano STAFF PORTRAITS Ivy Lindstrom Teresa Diaz Soriano
DEREK GREGORY Technosphere Editor
Printed by Fredric Printing.
MET MEDIA
without prior permission of Met Media, except in the context of reviews.
PHOTOS Carl Glenn Payne Jessica Holman Kaileigh Lyons Joel Matthew Lisa Hall Teresa Diaz Soriano Lauren Cordova Amani Newell Met Media P.O. Box 173362, CB57 Denver, CO 80217-3362
Steve Haigh: Director Ronan O’Shea: Assistant Director Kathleen Jewby: Production Manager Elizabeth Norberg: Office Manager The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the University and/or members of the University.
BIANEY BERMUDEZ Threads Editor
‘18 APR 3
WHAT’S IN HERE?
METRO 8
Burking Questions: Football, Ooh ha ha
10
Success in the Right Place
16
Local Talent, Denver Beats
IMBUE 22
Teresa Speaks: Home Stretch
24
Rising Star
32
The Etisan Artist
34
Detour
INTERSECTION 38
The Gay’s Gaze: A Very Gay Goodbye
40
James
SUBMISSIONS
4
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
52
Cedric Chambers
54
Ariella Asher
56
Erin Regan
58
Hans Wendlandt
SUBMISSIONS 59
Jessica Sellke
60
Mikaela Nunnally
62
Kwa Obi
63
Johan Ramirez
64
John Zeman
66
Kelsey Casado
67
Francheska Martinez
68
Ace Hardly
71
Nikolai Puc’
TECHNOSPHERE 72
Tech Talk: Savior Selfie
74
Flashback: Apple Inc.
THREADS 78
Heels & Feels: Collage Shabby to Business Chic
80
Not Just Pretty in Pink
88
Metrosphere Goes ‘80s
90
Aaron Rodriguez
96
Athleisurewear ‘18 APR 5
MUSIC at
MSU DENVER 04.02
Visiting Artist Series Shawn Copeland, clarinet
04.06
Immediate Music Festival Matt Wilson, drums & Sone
04.09
Faculty Artist Series Phillip Stevens, viola & the Ivy Street Ensemble
04.13
Visiting Artist Series Ben Goldberg’s Orphic Machine
04.14
Visiting Artist Series Colorado Composers Concert XII
04.23
Faculty Artist Series Alex Komodore, guitar
Kenneth King Performing Arts Center 855 Lawrence Way, Denver Box Office: 303-556-2296
6
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
FEATURED CONCERTS APRIL
All concerts at 7:30 pm Ticket prices vary msudenver.edu/music
WE WILL BE TAKING
SUBMISSIONS ALL SUMMER LONG!
Send submissions to: submission.metrosphere@gmail.com
www.Facebook.com/Metrosphere
@Metrosphere
‘18 APR 7
Burking Questions
Football, ooh ha ha
A
s an avid football fan, I’ve seen a number of classic films based on America’s most popular sport. Quintessentials like “Rudy,” a movie that sets the bar for underdog stories, or “Remember The Titans,” an honest, optimistic piece of cinema that tells the story of an integrated high school football team in Virginia, are staples for any
football fan. But, in terms of movies featuring the sport being played, they’re in the minority. As a whole, these movies seem to have one, if not all, of the following qualities. They’re derivative. Meaning, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. There’s always a clear protagonist and antagonist. The morals are black and white. We know what is good and what isn’t and the main character may have some faults, but usually represent the ideal person. Also, they’re usually white. “The Blind Side” follows the formula all too well, to the point of being egregious. The 2009 biopic about former NFL lineman Michael Oher is a feel-good, family-friendly flick that stars Quinton Aaron as Oher and Sandra Bullock as his adoptive mother. As Oher learns to play football for a private christian high school – a questionable creative liberty taken, as Oher knew how to play the game by this point in his life – he’s taken off the streets by his shining white knight, Sandra Bullock. Another quality in this movie is the overwhelming christian overtones which can be seen in most of these films. 2014’s “When The Game Stands Tall” is the most blatant offender. Touting a gawdy 17 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 41/100 on Metacritic, this movie
8
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
METRO
was marketed to be a feature length sports film, but turns into an overt sermon delivered over two hours. Even the son of God would think this film is a bit much. The problem isn’t that there are movies that lack football action, it’s just that for the better part of 20 years, the ones that do, suck. “Big Fan,” a film starring comedian Patton Oswalt as Paul, a New York Giants superfan and 40-year-old loser who still lives with his mom, was critically acclaimed as a sports drama, yet features little to no playing of the game. Same goes for the well-beloved “Jerry Maguire,” starring Tom Cruise as the titular sports agent. These films are the antithesis of the football formula films have been following. In “Jerry Maguire,” Jerry is a deeply flawed character caught in glitz and glamor of being a sports agent. His friend and client Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., is a money driven showboat. These aren’t characters the demographic that “Rudy,” “Blind Side” and “Stands Tall” would deem acceptable. They aren’t always model citizens, they’re human and until movie companies acknowledge this and quit pandering to the white, christian family demographic, don’t hold your breath on getting an objectively well made football film. -Angry White Boi
Metro is where news and larger issues are scaled down to relate to those in the Auraria-Denver community. ‘18 APR 9
SUCCESS IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Mimi Madrid
S
even years ago, typical high school pressures
Four years ago her determination led her from
almost pulled Chloe Tang from what makes her
her home state of Arizona to the songwriting
happiest in life, music. Since then, the CU Denver
program at CU Denver. She has been the
senior and songwriter has reclaimed a lifelong
feature artist at the university’s award winning
practice and passion for her music.
student-run record label, CAM Records, for the past academic year. The label’s mission is
“In high school I was trying to be like everyone else.
to promote and help independent Colorado
I didn’t do music a lot because I wanted to be on the
artists grow while giving students hands-on
dance team,” Tang said.
experience in the business management side. The program is run more like a lab and
She describes herself as shy and afraid at that age, but
less like a lecture, which has allowed over 50
that’s not her now. Although small in stature, her presence
music business students to collaborate with
is sweeping. Tang rocks burgundy scuffed up boots with
Tang. Members selected Tang based off her
light-wash jeans, rolled up to her shins and torn at the
previous work and have since helped her
thighs. A gray distressed Led Zeppelin graphic tee peeks
promote her music and recruit a fanbase for
out from beneath her black jacket and a septum piercing
her shows.
practice room on campus, Tang proclaims her personality
Emily Hendrick, product manager at CAM
is loud and you believe her because of her confident
Records, said that Tang’s hard work and
laugh. Tang has learned to embraced herself and the
willingness to partner with others has made
musical roots she grew up with which has helped her
their collaborations even stronger.
reconnect with her passion. “Right off the bat, we were able to start that “Girl, you do you and quit worrying about what everyone
relationship and coordinate what she needs,”
else is thinking,” Tang said about the advice she would
Hendrick said.
give her 12-year-old self.
10
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Illustration by Teresa Diaz Soriano
sits atop her giant smile. As she sits next to a piano in a
METRO
CU Denver senior reclaims her happiness through music ‘18 APR 11
Tang’s music is the opposite of one-dimensional. She blends pop, R&B and alternative sounds with lyrics laced with emotion and storytelling. Her music process starts either with chords or melodies. While she keeps a running list of words and phrases for inspiration, it’s usually about the sound first. Most of her lyrics come from a deep place within her. She doesn’t write a lot of happy songs. “Lyrics usually come from a place of ‘fuck you,’” she said, laughing. “Actually that’s pretty much it, just different forms of that.” Her song “Blood,” is an exception, it was written to honor her family. Just like most teenagers, Tang couldn’t wait to leave home, and her journey led her far from the people that raised her. It’s only recently that she began to understand the importance of their support. “When I get to go back home to Phoenix it’s really special because I never realized how much I liked them, until I moved,” she said. Tang’s childhood revolved around music. Her mom enrolled her in piano lessons at the age of six and her father taught her how to play the guitar by the time she turned seven. It was around this time she became aware
“SHE’S ROCKED OVER 25 VENUES ACROSS COLORADO, ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA. SHE ALSO MADE TOP 10 FOR CHANNEL 93.3’S HOMETOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS COMPETITION.”
of her own musical talent. She vividly recalls singing along to Ewan McGregor’s rendition of “Your Song” from “Moulin Rouge!,” one of her parent’s favorites. “I was like, ‘oh, I can actually sing,’” Tang said. “Me at six years old, I was having fun.” Tang praises her parents for their support throughout her journey. Her connection with her mother is rather cosmic. Midway through the interview a faint voice filled the room. Tang paused bewildered, picked up her phone and said, “Hello?” “Did you call?” asks a woman. “No...” “You rang my phone.” “Oh, sorry I’m in an interview right now, can I call you back?”
12
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
METRO The voice softened and said, “oh yeah, yeah, yeah.”
2013 Grammy Camp in Los Angeles. She was one of 103
“That was my mom,” Tang said, with a huge smile as she hangs up.
national and international high school students accepted in the prestigious residential summer music program.
She grew up in Phoenix, a Chinese-American child in a predominately
This pivotal move as a junior in high school motivated her
white environment. In kindergarten, she looked around and felt she
to continue music.
was different from her peers. But, that gave her a different point of view and open mindedness about cultural diversity.
“There’s nothing that made me happier than doing music,” she said.
“I appreciate that my parents and grandparents always tried to keep our Chinese heritage alive in our family,” Tang said. “It does influence
Since then, her dedication to her craft has paid off.
my music on an underlying level but not really on the surface level.”
Her latest EP, Passion//Aggression, released a year ago, landed her in 303 Magazine lists “Denver’s Best
The level of support her family has offered her in becoming a musician
Pop,” “Fresh Music from Local Musicians” and “Denver
is paramount. With their support, she was selected to attend the
Photo by Carl Glenn Payne
‘18 APR 13
METRO
“ LYRICS USUALLY
COME FROM A PLACE OF ‘FUCK YOU’
”
-CHLOE TANG
chloetangmusic
Chloe Tang
Chloe Tang
14
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photo by Carl Glenn Payne
Underground.” She’s rocked over 25 venues
memorable shows was last winter when she and her band
across Colorado, Arizona and California. She
reached a higher level of energy and synchronicity. Some
also made the Top 10 for Channel 93.3’s
fans even ran up on stage to dance with them.
“Hometown for the Holidays” competition in December 2017. Tang’s musical talent has
“It was a special moment because I felt really bonded with
highlighted her as one of few woman of color
my band and we were just having so much fun,” she said.
in a male-dominated industry. Tang takes time to charge her power, focus and presence Regardless of her success, Tang stays
before a show.
grounded thanks to her mentors. One of the best nuggets of wisdom she’s received
“I always usually have to have a moment before the show
has been from a particularly blunt professor,
where I’m either with just my band or by myself,” she
Andy Guerrero. He’s a CU Denver alumni and
said. “It has to be fairly quiet and I have to breathe for
played guitar for the Denver-based band
a second.”
Flobots in the early 2000s. Tang and her band, guitarist Evan Lei, bassist Alex Bailey “One thing that I will always remember he
and drummer Mike Tritsch, opened for Hunter Burnette’s
told me was, ‘Don’t be afraid to tell yourself
EP release at Lost Lake on March 15. They rocked a set
that you can do better,’” Tang said. “It’s really
of nine songs that included the first ever performance of
harsh, but he’s really guided me in making
“Blood.”
real-world decisions.” She makes space to connect with her fans and socialize Guerrero has witnessed Tang grow as a
after shows, but she’s not a big partier and is home within
musician for the last four years. He describes
hours, ready for her third favorite thing after music and
her as a driven, warm and fearless individual.
her dog, sleep.
“It’s really all her,” Guerrero said. “She’s
Tang graduates May 2018 and the pressure of what comes
working every day to accomplish her dream.
next would fold anyone else, but she’s reclaimed the
She’s really open to advice, critique and
peace that comes with not needing to know what exactly
criticism while at the same time trying to
she will do right now or even the next 10 years. Afterall,
forge her path as an artist.”
Tang is young and just celebrated her golden birthday in February. There’s a sense of liberation and peace when
Tang is serious about improvement and
she talks about her life lessons. Her advice for artists
dedicates time to her lyricism and live-
and young women is to focus on not being fake,
performances. Live shows leave the self-
center respectful relationships and breathe through
identified introvert hyped. One of her most
the process.
‘18 APR 15
LOCAL TALENT DENVER BEATS Denver is home to many art creatives and the music scene is no different. 2018 is a breakout year for many talents in the Mile High and we are seizing that momentum to introduce to you some fresh faces in the music scene as well as some seasoned veterans. Like most of the world, these artists started as listeners and turned into musicians. Some, like Maria Kohler A.k.A Kitty Crimes and Nick Miller, better known as Illenium have been in the game for a hot minute. Others like the baby face Marcellus Mershon are still honing their creative sound and propelling side projects. Vic and the Narwhals are creating their own Denver music scene yet each of these beat makers are pursuing their passions
All interviews and Q + A conducted by Sabrina Laratta (unless otherwise stated) and edited and condensed by the editorial staff.
16
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Background photo by Teresa Diaz Soriano
in search of enlightenment and to enlighten.
RED ROCKS AUG. 29, 2018
UPCOMING SHOW
METRO
A
lthough Nick Miller was born in Chicago, he’s
overarching message in every song or album.
been a Denverite since 2013. He has since made
My goal is to just create music that people
his name, releasing music, starting a record label,
connect with and sometimes it's as simple as
Kasaya Recordings and enjoying the outdoors.
hitting the right emotion at the right time and
Illenium’s electronic dance music exhibits emotional and
letting the listener fill in the blanks.
relatable lyrics to get fans in their feels and we caught up with him to chat about his music.
What do you love the most about your fans, music, and the journey you have been on the
What was the most exciting/nerve racking part about getting
last six years? What motivates you since that
started? Where did you envision yourself in the future?
first Red Rocks show?
In the beginning it was the constant pressure of asking myself
Music pulled me out of a really dark place
"is this good enough?" It took a while for me to get my
in my life and it's something I'll always be
music to a point that I was consistently happy with. Making
thankful for. I've had fans share with me how
the leap to producing full-time was also nerve racking. Not
my music has had that effect for them and
knowing where the next paycheck would come from and
it motivates me to keep going because I
trying to have faith that everything will work out.
understand it. I've been there. Music is a way for me to process my emotions and make
What makes your music unique and what message are
sense of the world so I think it's something I'll
you trying to get across in each song and album?
always do. I've met some of my best friends
I think the best way to make music that is unique is to stay
and been able to travel all over the world
true to yourself and let the song come from an authentic
because of it. I'm incredibly grateful to have
place. Producing is a very personal thing for me. A lot
this opportunity and to have a community of
of inspiration comes from past experiences, emotions
fans that act as a family to each other.
Photo courtesy of Nick Miller
ILLENIUM
Illeniummusic
Illenium
and events I've been through. I wouldn't say there's an
‘18 APR 17
METRO
Y T T KI
Photo courtesy of Maria Kholer
M
S E M CRI
aria Kohler is no newbie musician, and Kitty Crimes is the
What do you want fans to learn from you and your music, and
latest project-incarnate of this lovely lady. Kohler started Kitty
how do you want to inspire others?
Crimes as a purely hip-hop endeavour, but it eventually grew
I want to give people permission to go as hard as they feel deep down
to incorporate a wider soundscape. The openly queer lyricist
inside. I want to piss off men who try to disempower you when you talk
is hardly coy about her feelings on sex and gender, among many
about liking yourself. I want to be transparent about my insecurities
things. Kitty Crimes released “I Need to Get My Taxes Done” last
and my grandeur at the same time.
year, it’s a cheeky ode to getting some action from the person doing her taxes. She opened up for Lizzo Beats earlier this year and has new
What have been the most difficult challenges you have faced and
music coming out later this year.
how did you overcome them? I have felt at many points in my life, oppressed by people who
How long have you been writing and producing music? When did
wanted in some way to dominate me. I have become a valiant knight
you realize it was your passion?
for myself who will defend my own honor, and I’ve always wanted to
I have been producing since I was 13, when I found this corny software
know what true true confidence felt like. Like not the egoic version of
for windows called HipHop Ejay. My first album was called “Country
“I’m great,” but I think true confidence is deeply spiritual.
Clubbin,” making fun of the fact that I lived in a neighborhood called Country Club Hills. My brothers were the singers and basically
How has music impacted you? What have you learned about
repeated some variation of the phrase “freaky deaky” the entire
yourself through music?
album. I have been playing instruments since I could remember,
It reminds me to follow a bread crumb trail back to being in love.
maybe 5, and always have known this was my path. What do you love the most when you perform live? How do your What do you love most about the music you produce?
fans make you happy?
Well, I think my shit is nasty! And I also get hit with waves of pride
I love how my shows are about everyone being in it together and how
sometimes when I’m performing and I realize I made the beat I’m
everyone gets so committed to having a good time.
rapping on. I always wanted to find people who wanted to be like “my producer” until I realized that I knew exactly what I wanted, and male
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you, and what
contributors sometimes have a tendency to take credit for “making” you.
advice would you give to others who have dreams and goals? Kill your gods.
Where do you want to see yourself 10 years from now?
Kill your gods.
Doing things only because I want to do them. I think in a house bus on a piece of land in woods near LA.
18
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
crimesofthekitty
kittycrimes
Photo by Sabrina Laratta
METRO
What does your name mean? It’s literally my name translated in Japanese with the honorific of “lord.” How long have you been producing music ? How would you describe your style? I’ve been producing music for about a year and a half, almost two years. My style would be more like experimental hip-hop and jazz. Your sound and style remind me of Flying Lotus and his ilk, how do you approach
MARCELLUS MERSHON Colorado native MSU Denver May 2018 Grad Technical Communications Major Saint Liam Collections Affiliate
creating multimedia pieces? I usually try to find the theme of my videos, graphics, then find the beat that fits. I make
they could actually become something better
all my music first the same way Shinichiro
than the state they are in now when they are
Watanabe directs most of his anime.
listening to my music. And with me using anime samples, I want them to feel like they
What is your connection to anime? It has
are a part of my crowd.
obviously suffused your art. Anime has been at my reach ever since I was
What are your future goals with your
born in ‘94. I’ve always admired the art. I’ve
career and music after your graduate?
watched “Dragon Ball Z, “ “Sailor Moon,”
After I graduate I hope for my music to
“Cowboy Bebop,” “Yu Yu Hakusho” and all
progress in a way where people listen to it
the greats growing up. I’ve devoted my life
- but mainly I want to become an animator,
to anime because one day I want to be like
so I want to be able to make music and
Shinichiro Watanabe. By the way, Flying Lotus
soundtracks for my animation.
Artwork courtesy of Marcellus Mershon
did the music score for Shinichiro Watanabe’s Blade Runner 2022. I met Watanabe during
What does making music help you reclaim?
[Nan Desu Kan] two years ago with Dai Sato.
My youth.
Music has a way of moving people and deeply affecting their lives: how do you want people to feel when they listen to your music? What do you hope they will learn from you? I like people that feel happy and hopeful when they listen to my music and vibe and feel like
lordmaserasu Mars345 ‘18 APR 19
VIC Interview conducted by Teresa Diaz Soriano with Victor Hernandez
Who are Vic and the Narwhals? “Los Narwhals” as we like to call it is composed of four latin Narwhals from the great state of Colorado. One of the Narwhals is from Colombia and the other from Mexico, whose families migrated from the Arctic and settle in much warmer weather. The lineup
AND THE
consists of Sergio Castorena: Guitar and Vocals, Mateo Lozano: Bass and Vocals,
in Denver.” We have so much hype, so many
Emanuel Montoya: Drums and Productions,
good bands on the rise, and we are all really
and Victor Hernandez: Keys, Guitar, Vocals
building a sense of community. I Love going
and hypeman.
to shows and seeing my best friends play awesome music. But ultimately the DIY scene
How did Vic and the Narwhals start?
is definitely back for revenge, ever since The
Three of the band members met at a Growlers
Rhinoceropolis closed, DIYers have been left
concert in Boulder back in 2015 and began
to seek out other places. Never been to so
jamming right away. We played our first show
many house shows hitherto, and lots of other
at The Mutiny four months later.
Vic met
DIYs popping up inspired by the Rhino gives
Mateo at his probation officer’s place, small
it a sense of how much of an impact that
world.
place left and how eager the scene is to keep the DIY scene to ourselves. Los Narwhals
Describe your sound.
practice at Ursa Minor, a warehouse whose
Our sound is what we call, Latin Psych/Surf.
secret location has made for some awesome
It’s a combination of garage rock, cumbia,
shows. We wanna keep this DIY life since
latin rhythms, psych, old school licks and
it’s the roots of so many bands here in town.
bilingual lyrics. It’s like if Ray Manzarek played
Definitely wanna keep the spirit.
in a cumbia band led by a punk rocker. Our music is sure to get you moving, dancing,
What puts you in your most creative state
crying and kissing the person next to you.
of mind? Have there been moments in your life, good or bad, that have influenced
20
Describe the scene you’re a part of here in
your music?
Denver and how that influences the type
I think really emotional events make me
of music you make?
want to write music so bad. When my ex
Like I heard someone say just earlier this
left me, all I had to cope with was my piano
week, “The scene has never been this good
and friends. I felt like life itself had left me,
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photo by Teresa Diaz Soriano
METRO
COLORADO
NATIVES
NARWHALS but when I wrote a song of what I felt I no longer owned that feeling, it was extrinsic to who I was because it has manifested into something that used to be me. Playing those songs now brings really hard memories back but I love it. Also just hearing a really good song live, or the radio, or from a friend, like wow what was he/she thinking they they wrote this. What are your future goals with your career and music after your graduate? I’m a Bio major getting ready to apply to Nursing school. I want to be a nurse so I can have a career that gives me a sense of giving back to the community, is interesting, pays well and also gives me time to do music. I love health, science and the opportunity. What’s next for los Narwhals? We just got nominated for the Westword Music Awards 2018 for best Rock band, Please go vote.
We are
playing FoCo Mx for the first time this year, UMS, and a festival out in Wichita, Kansas called ICT Fest. Maybe even play Westword Music Showcase this year.
We ‘re
gonna play the Bluebird May 19, for Rock de Mayo along with Grammy nominated, The Chamanas featuring local favorites SYCDVK and iZCALLi. We are getting our album out this year, July 14 at 3 Kings Tavern and going on tour Photo courtesy of Vic and the Narwhals
this summer to the West Coast for nine days. We are also going to do a live set at radio 1190-AM in Boulder and a live TV Set for a local channel named Denver Open Media. Also doing a private event for Jack Daniels at Club Vinyl this month and have some other things in mind for this year, so follow us on Instagram and Faceworld at Vic N the Narwhals.
vicnthenarwhals
vicnthenarwhals ‘18 APR 21
Teresa Speaks
HOME STRETCH
I
f you’ve been with us since the beginning of the semester, you’ve learned about some amazing and inspiring individuals and groups making a difference in our beautiful state of Colorado.
Imbue fell in my lap early on and I wasn’t sure what this section was going to be, but I did know that the people we featured would be uplifters in the community. It’s important that we open up and talk about problems in our society, so that we can be better prepared to tackle them, or the very least, know about them. It was inspiring to chat with people approaching health care from a holistic approach in our October 2017 issue. I loved learning about professor Rebecca Gorman O’Neill’s experiences on campus with students in November 2017. In the new year, I shifted focus to those artists who are making beats, paintings, or clothes to empower others as well as themselves. Travis Egedy and Jesse Van Horne are legit OG Colorado artists, and it was important to chat about the difficulties and rewards of doing what you love. That’s a trend we continued on with, getting to know Detour and The Etisian Artist.
22
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
IMBUE
Left to right: Teresa Diaz Soriano, Carl Glenn Payne, Amani Newell, Maddi Waneka, James Burky, Adam Barnhardt, Lauren Cordova, Derek Gregory, Lisa Hall, Kylie Hensen
Photo courtesy of Teresa Diaz Soriano
We live in a nation that keeps cutting arts programs in schools, but they are such an important creative outlet and will no doubt continue to be. That’s why we not only feature art in this magazine, but artists as well. I hope you’re inspired by what myself and other students have offered to you this year. It’s been a long year and I’m excited that I am finally able to calm down and look at this last issue, the last of six beautiful magazines. I can reflect on all of the people and experiences I’ve had. It’s been amazing and fruitful. Shoutout to my parents, who are awesome. A special thanks to my family and friends for dealing with me and being real with me, even when I was on the DL. Thanks for tuning in. -Teresa
Imbue focuses on the people and places that are inspirational in our community. ‘18 APR 23
IMBUE
WILL HUNTER Avery Anderson
A
t the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, Will Hunter walked onto campus to start his final year as a student at MSU Denver. Soon after that he would audition and be cast in his final MSU Denver Theatre Department production starting the
end of his four-year star-studded journey at school. Hunter is not unlike other students who work on shows at MSU Denver, but what gives him the distinction of Rising Star is his ability to enhance any line, scene or production he is in, simply by putting his heart into it. In the fall of 2015 Hunter was cast in his first play with the university, “God’s Country,” in which he played the character Parmenter. Just like Parmenter makes a name for himself in the show by standing out and being different, Hunter did the same in real life. His acting experiences in several theater department productions, including “Tempest,” “She Kills Monsters” and “The American Clock” helped him hone his theatrical skills. In the Summer of 2017 his determination led him to his first professional production with The Upstart Crow Theatre company. The Upstart Crow is a local theater company that has been producing mainly Shakespearean works in Colorado.
24
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
The Rising Star Award is an honor given to two graduating students in the MSU Denver Theatre Department. One male and one female have been selected as the Rising Star for their performances, skill and professionalism. The awards have been curated by Avery Anderson, arts journalist for Met Media, and are his selection alone. The awards are in no way connected with the Theater Department.
Rising Star
Photo by Lauren Cordova
‘18 APR 25
IMBUE
“His level of maturity and dedication to mastering every aspect of the art of stagecraft is admirable in an actor of any age.” -Avery Anderson
Photo Courtesy of MSU Denver Theatre Department Photo Courtesy of The Upstart Crow
26
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photo courtesy: MSU Denver Theatre Department
for 38 years. While many actors, especially young actors,
actor that understands his characters. He is able to dig
shy away from the Bard’s work, Hunter rushed right into it.
deep into them and find their inner feelings. Even more
He took on the role of Edmund in “King Lear” and began to
important though, he is able to show those desires.
make a name for himself in the Colorado theater community. Although his performance in “The Country Wife” was “He’s the kind of actor, and the kind of person, that any
Hunter’s last acting role in the theater department – one
theater company would be lucky to work with,” Joe
that distinguished him as the department’s leading man –
Illingworth, president of The Upstart Crow Theatre Company
his involvement didn’t end there.
and fellow cast member in “King Lear” said. “His level of maturity and dedication to mastering every aspect of the art
In the spring of 2018, Alpha Psi Omega, the theater
of stagecraft is admirable in an actor of any age.”
honor fraternity, staged a reading of “Opium,” which was written by Hunter. This new work is an engaging show
After taking his final bow in “King Lear,” Hunter started his
that follows a detective as he investigates a murder trial.
senior year by leading “The Country Wife,” at MSU Denver,
Although he was not a part of the production due to
where he played the seductive bachelor, Master Horner.
his work on StageDoor Theatre’s production of “The 39 Steps,” “Opium” is still a unique and original piece of
“The Country Wife” is not a Shakespeare piece but uses
theater. Hunter plays with both dark comedy and realism
the same old English dialect that Hunter had mastered
creating something that does not fit in either category,
over the summer, making him the perfect person to lead
but instead creates its own in the best way.
the comedy. He is a gifted and talented actor that has made his mark When I first saw “The Country Wife” I deemed it one
here at MSU Denver as well as in the Colorado theater
of the best plays that MSU had done recently. That was
scene. His dedication, hard work, love for Shakespeare
largely due to Hunters acting. He was devilish and sexy
and raw ability has propelled him to where he is and will
as Horner and was able to connect with the audience and
continue to make him a rising star.
create a role that was so sublime to watch. Hunter is an
‘18 APR 27
IMBUE
ABIGAIL KOCHEVAR Avery Anderson
W
hen deciding which of the many talented women from the MSU Denver Theatre Department should be named Rising Star, the decision was clear and simple. Abigail Kochevar is a force of nature who shines in any role
she is put in and has already carved out a name for herself in the Colorado theater community. Kochevar is a Colorado girl who started working on local stages long before she came to MSU Denver. Prominent shows “Once On This Island,” “South Pacific” and “Carousel” are some production names on her impressive resume. It is no surprise Kochevar made an impression at MSU Denver. She landed her first role as Mayzie in “Seussical” and went on to perform in several other shows, including “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” and “Spring Awakening” as a student. Kochevar has also worked extensively with local theater companies Performance Now, Miners Alley Playhouse and Inspire Creative. She tends to gravitate toward dramatic roles that are complex and have layers to them. A character that the audience can really sink their teeth into.
28
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Rising Star
Photo by Lauren Cordova
‘18 APR 29
“Spring Awakening” Photo Courtesy of MSU Denver Theatre Department
“Side by Side by Sondheim” Photo Courtesy of Brooke Trexler
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Photo Courtesy of MSU Denver Theatre Department
“Fun Home” Photo Courtesy of Sarah Roshan
30
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
IMBUE
“Kochevar is a force of nature who shines in any role.”
-Avery Anderson “Abby is a beating heart on two legs,” local actress
content. Kochevar lept with full force into the role and
Heather Lacy said. “Sharing the stage with her is a
garnered rave reviews for it.
privilege because she shows up in the moment and meets you.” Lacy performed alongside Kochevar in “Fun
“Middle Allison, played by Abigail Kochevar, gives
Home” as the family matriarch Helen.
exuberant life to one of the show’s best songs, ‘Changing My Major (to Joan)’,” Westword's Juliet Wittman said.
She has proved over and over that she is clearly a double threat. Kochevar can not only sing but act as well.
Local music director Mitch Samu describes her as consistent. “Show after show, rehearsal after rehearsal,
Her shining moment came just a couple of months ago
she is constant,” he said. “Once she has got it down and
in the regional premiere of “Fun Home” at Miners Alley
finds the sweet spot you can count on her to deliver time
Playhouse. She took on the role of Middle Alison in this
after time. On the stage, she is a solid, dependable rock.”
coming of age and coming out story. Based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel, Middle Alison explores her
Kochevar is swimming into the role of Ariel’s understudy
sexuality while in college and is a role that many actors
and Mersister in “Little Mermaid” at BDT Stage and if her
would shy away from not only because it is a challenging
incredible performances are any indicator, she is sure to
role to sing and act but because it deals with mature
make a splash.
‘18 APR 31
IMBUE IMBUE
THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST THE ETISAN ARTIST
All photos courtesy of Elijah Trujillo
ELIJAH TRUJILLO
B
orn and raised in Denver, Elijah Trujillo is a self-taught muralist and painter. Under the moniker, The Etisan Artist, and being only 19 years old, Trujillo is a powerhouse in the art world. He has murals displayed in Greeley, Loveland, Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver. He even has art displayed at
the MAM Couture Boutique clothing store in Denver. Trujillo started his own clothing line, “The Conserved Extroverts.”
The line
includes hats, hoodies, jackets and shirts and, as Trujillo states, is for introverts to grow and become extroverts through process, time and chemistry. The artist took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Metrosphere about his craft and dedication to art.
32
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
ACRYLIC BRUSHWORK | UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
ACRYLIC BUTTERFLY ON CANVAS | STREET WEAR
How has your environment and surroundings influenced your art? My experiences can influence my paintings through many ways I don’t always make public and sometimes they don’t at all. I’ve done paintings on past experiences. Ones including a picture of a fond memory and paintings of representation. Things I feel I can express and grab the attention of the viewer well. What goals do you have for 2018 in the art world? My goal for 2018 would be to just keep growing as an artist. I’m pushing for my work to be seen and heard in more places. How do you define success? My definition of success is my happiness. Whether I’m wealthy or poor, If I’m happy, I’m OK. What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for as an artist and as a person?
What inspired you to get into art and become a freelance artist?
As an artist, I would want to be remembered by my color
I got into art because of growing up in hip-hop culture. My
schemes, abstract placement and originality. As a person,
dad put us on [to the scene] because he was a DJ, producer
I would want people to say, ‘That boy was real, genuine
and rapper for a local group called DenCo back in the day.
and just did his thing.’
He introduced us to it all. Graffiti, music, break-dancing. Curiosity took over and now these things have a big impact on my life. I adopted graffiti at a very young age, tagging up people’s
theetisanartist
theetisanartist.com
binders since middle school and hitting up walls when I could. I got into the freelance world because people would see the work I was doing through social media and started offering money. So I pursued it. My first freelance piece was a landscape for a friend for $20. I was 18 at the time.
2017 JEFFERSON JR. HIGH MURAL | FINE ART
Who are your artistic influences and why? I have a few different influences as far as artists go. Sofles, Telmo Miel, Jose Mertz, Joseph Martinez and Hueman. The list is big, but it’s not as big as the impact my environment has on me. I pull inspirations from my surroundings and experiences.
‘18 APR 33
IMBUE
THOMAS EVANS
DETOUR 34
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
All photos and artwork courtesy of Thomas Evans
W
ith art and obtaining a business degree on his mind, Thomas Evans settled in Denver in 2006, studying at CU Denver. Growing up a “military brat,” Evans has lived in many places including North and South Carolina, Virginia and Germany creating art no matter where he went.
If he wasn’t doodling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in elementary school he was putting his entrepreneurial skills to work creating airbrush t-shirts for money. He eventually earned a bachelor’s and a master’s in business and with his new knowledge, he became a full-time freelance artist. He cites the works of David Garibaldi, Justin Bua and Jordan Castillo as just a few of his artistic influences. Now at 33 years old, under the moniker, Detour, Evans has art displayed in several Denver locations including Meadowlark Kitchen, Natural Remedies dispensary and the Redline Gallery. His art has also showed in New Orleans and Chicago.In March 2018, he did an art residency in France, but before leaving the country, he took some time to talk with Metrosphere about his art.
‘18 APR 35
IMBUE
On your website, I noticed your portraits of famous musicians from
“BETWEEN THE HUES” COLLECTION
Ray Charles to Kendrick Lamar. What inspired you to use these people in your art? All the pop art that I do was really influenced by my love for music. I got into the routine of using references from the musicians that I really gravitated to. So a lot of hip-hop artists, jazz musicians, old school R&B and blues and soul. What kind of dancer were you and how did you become a DJ? I was dancing before I was a DJing. I was learning break dancing and used to put on a lot of break dancing events at the Auraria Campus. But I was getting injured. While I was injured, I couldn’t really dance. I started organizing and DJing all the events we were throwing on campus.
All photos and artwork courtesy of Thomas Evans
iamdetour.com
On your Shopify website, you have prints, posters and “Between the Hues.” What’s “Between the Hues?” “Between the Hues” was a show I did in 2017, which was work from found materials in the studio workshop space. Every piece of the figurative work in “Between the Hues” was done on Amazon cardboard box and scrap wood to create the different shapes and side of the frame. It was good experimentation. When I decided to do that, I put it out there for the world to see. People really gravitated to it, so I created a body of work after doing so many, then did a show. So I may continue that one this year after learning a lot about those materials that I was using.
36
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
IMBUE
Since the theme of our April issue is “reclamation,” how do you as an artist and your artwork align with this theme? “Between the Hues,” was a lot of reclaimed items. I used to do a lot of work where I would reclaim old vinyl records and paint on top of those. But I use a lot of found objects or reclaimed objects, trying to repurpose them for art purposes. In general, I think all artists somehow repurpose items or reclaim items to communicate their message in some way that that object wasn’t really intended to do. How much struggle was involved in getting your
MUHAMMAD ALI | ACRYLIC | BLACK ART | HISTORY | 2016
artwork out to the public? Imagine if you have a bucket and you had your fan-base in that bucket and you poke holes in it. A lot of times, people will leave, and it’s somewhat your job to keep filling that bucket with people that will be able to appreciate your art. So you’re trying to grow that while people sometimes grow up or fall out of interest in your work. You’re always trying to grow in that stagnant because sometimes people will gravitate to other things after a while. You always want to try to reinvent yourself, your work. Try new mediums. Experiment as much as possible.
detour303
“BETWEEN THE HUES” COLLECTION
‘18 APR 37
The Gay’s Gaze
A VERY GAY GOODBYE
W
hen I applied for writing job at this
condone necrophilia, it just so happened films like “The
student magazine, I thought I would
Neon Demon” and “Swiss Army Man,” both dealt with
be covering chess meets and ball
necrophilia that year. It’s fascinating how people of all
games.
walks of life took time to listen to a stranger ramble on
What
actually
happened
was way more valuable. I am a journalism major and a
about banging dead people.
gender and sexualities minor, Metrosphere forged their connection. I found myself writing about the people in
Consider this last column a call to action for all
my community and experiencing their perspective as a
LGBTQ journalists: Do it. It’s arduous, annoying,
witting passenger.
painful, expensive, and time-consuming. But it is also enlightening, thrilling, fulfilling, and satisfying. If you’ve
This column started with a bang when I first wrote about
reached a lull in your career pursuits and just want to be
the Bruce LaBruce film “The Misandrists,” in Vol 35 issue
treated like a professional, go to MetMedia. They want
1.The next month I talked about Netflix original “Sense8”
you, they’ll respect you, and you will be published.
and the budding, diverse community it was affecting. Then things got weird and I found myself talking about
As Hunter S. Thompson put it, “No sympathy for the
BDSM, necrophilia and pornography. Not that I have
devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...and
a problem with it, someone had to point out how 50
if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in
Shades was not real BDSM and I was honored to do it.
mind, well...maybe chalk it up to forced consciousness expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.”
More than anything else I’ve written, “Bedding the Dead” is the piece people ask me about the most. No, I don’t
38
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
-Adam Barnhardt
INTERSECTION
2016. Vol 35 Issue 1
2016. Vol 35 Issue 3
2016. Vol 35 Issue 5
Intersection sheds light on the intersecting values, cultures and lifestyles of people within the LGBTQ community. ‘18 APR 39
Artist and Alumnus James Mullane uses art to cross, bend and blend gender boundaries. He received his bachelor’s in fine arts with a concentration in drawing at MSU Denver and has had his art displayed at CVA. Here is an in-depth look at how an artist explores gender both on and off the canvas.
Photo by Lisa Hall Photo Manipulation by Teresa Diaz Soriano
40
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
INTERSECTION
Photo by Lisa Hall
JAMES
Adam Barnhardt
‘18 APR 41
42
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
INTERSECTION
How does gender intersect art in your life?
How does your artworks’ meanings differ from what you would
Gender and art go hand in hand in my life. I live my art through my
do/say in your normal day-to-day life?
gendered experience. My artwork is inspired and often dictated by
My artwork allows me to explore and discover my truer self. In my
my gendered experiences. I use my art as therapy to play with being
day-to-day it helps to be more normative. My day job allows me the
both masculine and feminine. It allows me a safe space to explore this
funding needed to create my art and so I live within the corporate
unique identity.
guidelines. I push the envelope some…such as wearing eyeliner or painting my nails. I follow the rules only enough to make my art and
What words do you use to describe yourself as it pertains to
keep exploring being non-binary.
gender, sex, ethnicity? Gay, Genderfluid, an effeminate male. I like the term fairy and think it
Do you see drag as a form of art?
fits myself well. Most people never ask my ethnicity but I am white. My
Yes I do. It takes skills to transform the self and create a unique and
mother’s mom was Japanese and so that is where I inherited my dark
new identity. I have thought about incorporating it into future shows.
hair, brown eyes and olive skin.
The idea of this transformation is normally private but to put it on such display would make the self more vulnerable and expose the true
What feelings do you want to evoke through your art?
nature of the transformation itself.
I want my art to be thought provoking even if people don’t like it. I don’t want to make something that is just pretty but has a deeper
Have you yourself experimented with drag?
meaning. I want my art to be shocking but not in a way that limits the
Yes I have. It has been a little bit since I have done so and I am getting
audience I can reach. Shock art has a place but I want my art to help start
the itch to put on some makeup and wig. Time to create a new piece.
conversations about what gender is and how it impacts each individual.
It is such an exhilarating experience to transform in a way that is
All photos and Artwork courtesy of James Mullane
‘18 APR 43
44
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
INTERSECTION
Photo and Artwork courtesy of James Mullane
‘18 APR 45
Photos and Artwork courtesy of James Mullane
unexpected. I actually went to my thesis opening in full
How you you feel about men reclaiming their femininity?
drag. I spent the evening in 6in. platforms. I couldn’t feel
I find this to be so empowering. I think men and women
my toes but it was worth seeing the expressions when
need this commonality to continue developing equal
people made the connection between this persona and
rights for all. By allowing men to reclaim their femininity
the art they were looking at. I went to the closing in
it helps them to understand and empathize with women.
traditional masculine attire and people were so interested
It seems that we all need the ability to get in touch with
to see the transformation. It also allowed them to see the
ourselves without the judgment of those around us.
deeper meaning of my work. That gender is fluid and can ebb and flow at the desire of the individual when given the opportunity to express themselves.
46
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
INTERSECTION
How do you feel about the reverse? (women reclaiming masculinity) I think this is just as important as the question above if not more important. I know the idea exists that Drag Kings aren’t as important but they matter to society as much as any other form of self expression. This idea of reclaiming masculinity is a very interesting concept. It makes me wonder if they are reclaiming or taking what was never theirs – not that they shouldn’t. This seems like such an interesting idea and I love it as a whole. I think this needs to become the next area that we explore when looking at identity politics. What do you think about the melding of identity politics and art? I find the space where these two meet so important. Art allows for anyone to give a voice to their own ideas about identity politics. Identity politics is such an open concept at this point. It has no boundaries and is all grey area, for me. I think this is such a unique time to be able to explore gender within identity politics and give voice to those who may not be able to speak for themselves. Who are your inspirations? Other artists? Gender rebels? There are so many artists that have influenced me. Hans Bellmer is one who I can relate to. His work with dolls was seen as a fight against the body image propaganda of World War II. The work is slightly erotic but the rope represents self restraint for me. I used his work a lot while I was in school to help defend my work. Cassils is another artist who uses the body and will power to develop performance pieces that reflect the ideas of
‘18 APR 47
INTERSECTION
what gender can become. Kris Grey/ Justin Credible is another artist whose work has greatly influenced the pieces I create. The art is performance that shows the constructs of gender and how fleeting they can become. I also reference the theoretical work of Judith Butler. Her examination of gender and the performativity have played a big part in my art. It is allowing me to look for new methods to break down these gender stereotypes and blur the lines even more. Do you think drag has become mainstream? It may be becoming more mainstream, but that is the society we live in. More and more we see things becoming mainstream all the time. From lip-syncing to voguing to being gay more and more being represented as norm‌not a bad thing but used to make profit. Anything that can be commercialized and be used to make profit can and will. It seems to be the nature of any society that revolves around commerce and money. What art mediums, aside from painting and sewing do you dabble in? Makeup, encaustics, collage ( Mixed Media), in drawing I use pastel and colored pencil,
Photos and Artwork courtesy of James Mullane
in painting I am more watercolor than any
48
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
other medium, embroidery, and I knit on occasion…just not as an art medium. I have been wanting to learn how to sew….to make my own costumes for photos as well as to use in my art if I can find ways to incorporate it. I do enjoy setting up my photo shots that I use as reference photos so I dabble in photography. What are you working on now? I have several pieces in progress now. I just started a series of embroidery pieces that combine gay imagery and stitch work. I find this to be an interesting combination of the masculine and feminine. I am using flowers as a means of censorship. I just sent one of these pieces to a juried show in Detroit Michigan. Hopefully it is well received at the Dirty Show. I am also working on another 5 panel piece that will represent the fight for gender and how gender doesn’t actually exist. I took 2017 as a year to explore and find myself after graduating. I am ready to really push the limits with my art and see where it takes me.
What aspects of yourself have you reclaimed through producing art? Through my art I have been able to reconcile the masculine and feminine side. I have been able to play and make myself my own living doll. I am able to play out my childhood fantasies. I have been able to explore my love for shoes and glitz as well as getting in touch with my more sensual side.
jamesmmullane
‘18 APR 49
r A
. ail s: ion gm iss re@ bm he su sp ur tro yo me us on. ail ssi Em bmi su
co
m
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
50
a t
d n
t I L
a r e
u t
e r
Su
bm
iss
ion
s
‘18 APR 51
SUBMISSIONS
Can We Keep It? Cedric Chambers
52
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Rocinante Cedric Chambers A modern artist questions technique; they believe that art should free like a drunk driver on the freeway. A contemporary artist questions an idea; If one were to simply put a urinal into an art gallery, does it become art? A meta-modernist is both. I consider myself a meta-modernist. Unlike modern art, my art requires no explanation as to what the viewer is looking at. Unlike contemporary art my art will never be mistaken for trash. I am an oil painter who focuses on creating realism. I follow the meta-modern philosophy of Stuckism. I give up on shock, novelty, gimmick, and petting my dog Coco. I prefer process over cleverness, realism over abstraction, humour over wittiness and painting over smugness. Most of the time the Stuckist dies alone.
‘18 APR 53
SUBMISSIONS
New Eden Dream Ariella Asher
54
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
(detail)New Eden Dream Ariella Asher Picturesque landscape paintings from the Hudson River School in the mid-19th century illustrated ecological paradise. These unblemished backdrops exemplified formal beauty, and G-d-like majesty, as well as discovery, exploration, ‘manifest destiny’, the ‘American Dream’, and geographic expansion. However, while Hudson River School artists romanticized the seemingly untouched, fertile beauty of North America – the Civil War, Great Sioux War, and FrancoMexican War, plagued North American soil. In addition, the Emancipation Proclamation, assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and various other industrial developments existed during this time. By recontextualizing various events from this era and placing them into Albert Bierstadt’s work, Looking Down Yosemite Valley, California from 1875, I present a more complex, credible, cultural climate. In my work, New Eden Dream, I arranged and gathered nearly one thousand images from this time period to create a larger picture. With so many images to examine and in relationship to the main image, each viewer gravitates to different signs and symbols, making everyone’s perspective distinct and singular. This dialogue speaks to each individual’s diverse mosaic-like perspective. In many ways I am a mosaic; my identity as well as my artistic practice. My interest in exposing ideals of modern progress, post-colonialism, capitalism and diaspora is influenced by my American-Israeli identity and to my father’s experience as a Jewish refugee from Baghdad, Iraq.
‘18 APR 55
SUBMISSIONS
56
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Restoring Balance
Erin Regan
‘18 APR 57
Aretha Hans Wendlandt
For this retro-style poster, I was inspired by 1960's poster artist Victor Moscoso’s use of color theory, collage and hand lettering. I incorporated a U.S. news headline reading “Defiant yet Jubilant Voices Flood U.S. Cities” from an article about the Women’s March in Washington D.C. and combined this headline with a gradient emanating from Aretha Franklin's image.
58
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
SUBMISSIONS
Iris Of Hope Jessica Sellke
‘18 APR 59
60
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
I’m Fine, It’s Fine, Everything’s Fine, Mikaela Nunnally
‘18 APR 61
SUBMISSIONS
Autobiography Kwa Obi
This is my celebration of dreams, dreams that come true,
She gave up her dreams to raise five little devils in
and the dreams that are just that: dreams.
Richmond Virginia, and then Lafayette Colorado I don't know how many times she was yelling my name to
This for my brothers Okera and Ahoto, who apparently
stop acting up or telling me to do my homework
got the tall genes in the family They towered over me as a kid when we would play at
This is for my stupid heart,
Sunset Maple Park, which was always empty
That dreams to love everybody
The other kids would hide from us, and us from them
But my brain tells me to wait,
They always felt like my bodyguards, even though Ahoto
We've been hurt before, remember Lucie?
was a dummy with his huge smile, and Okera was the calm
Don't give your heart to just anybody
one, who always carried the guilt of his accident to me
My brain is smart
I never blamed him for it though; seeing out of one eye is
But now my heart is colder than it was before, waiting,
better than none I tell him
waiting
This is for my friend Miguel, a true athlete
This is for the days of when I was young I would dream
We were always competitive with each other, whether it
of being a professional wrestler, soaring high off of ropes,
came to sports, video games, or girls
feeling the euphoria of having fans who screamed my
I remember the summer nights we’d just stay up playing
name, a legend
zombies and how he always thought he needed to give
I still dream of that occasionally, wanting to live a life
me advice on girls
of excitement
“You just gotta make her feel important,” he'd say. “Yeah,” I’d reply absent-mindedly, never really paying
So this is for dreams, of all types
attention to his words of wisdom
The true dreams The dreams that are just out of reach
This is for my mother Saba
The dreams that fade
With her kind smile and warm eyes that hide her pain
Because without dreams, I would be nothing
well, but not well enough
62
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
La Gran Granada Johan Ramirez
‘18 APR 63
Untitled John Zeman
64
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
SUBMISSIONS
Untitled John Zeman
‘18 APR 65
SUBMISSIONS
DIVE Kelsey Casados
I let myself drown in your kiss. When I get lost in our colliding breaths, I take refuge in fistfuls of your hair; pull me back to your surface, it’s safe there.
Palisade
Until
Kelsey Casados
your hands are swimming in the dip
My favorite photo of you was taken
of my waist,
on a stormy September afternoon
the small
in a small Colorado town,
of my back,
famous for its vineyards and peaches.
the rise
We pedaled green bikes with baskets
of my thigh.
past a sunflower patch along the dirt road,
I pull your chest
our hearts racing with
to my ear
the rolling thunder overhead.
and listen
The air was electric
for the waves.
with lightening and our laughter.
I am diving into
My bare legs were muddy from the rain-
your ocean heart,
soaked path, and your tongue was stained red from the
while you stay
wine.
where your feet
You turned to me, with one hand
can touch the bottom
running through your hair,
of the pool.
your eyes making promises with mine. It was in this moment that I captured you love; your beaming face as vibrant as the flowers surrounding you, your blue shirt wrinkled from the rain. I reached for you across the handlebars, holding your face in my hands as we kissed, getting lost together beneath the storm.
66
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Chaos and the Calm Francheska Martinez "Chaos and the Calm" is based on the misconceptions behind mental illness and the way society perceives it. Trapped in a glass cude fighting inner demons, which is the destorted shadow behind the trapped figure. Society is so consumed by documenting the horrible moments rather then helping, as other watch.
‘18 APR 67
Ode To change Ace Hardly
This poem is in celebration of growth,
as it swayed gently with the wind.
because truth be told, people are like flowers.
That tree felt more like home
We grow and change
than my own room and bed ever did.
And each flower petal and word is a cause for an effect.
This is for Sydney whose entire being screamed “mischief”
Each idea spoken aloud is
from her almost constant smile to her nicknames and laughter.
the flap of a butterfly’s wing
She never let me get away with ignorance
that causes a hurricane
and I’m better for it.
or starts building up a better world,
Because of her my eyes are open to reality
a better person.
and I made the first step to accepting myself.
This poem is a reflection into the past,
This is for the bully with red hair and a snub nose
but instead of a mirror it’s a lens
who thought he was clever when he asked if I was queer.
that adjusts my hindsight to 20/20
Because of the wool that had been pulled over my eyes
so I can see in a new light what shaped me,
I didn’t know the meaning behind the word
and feel a new sense of gratitude.
or the mean grins waiting for me to mess up and give everyone a good laugh.
This is my poem to say out loud
I only had the textbook definition by parents
“I was pretty damn lucky.”
who thought they were protecting me from an
I’m glad to have an artist’s mind,
unspeakable evil.
and parents who cared about me in their own way.
“Queer: strange; odd, unusual.”
I’m glad I had access to a ready supply
The answer “Yes” flew from my mouth, loud and proud.
of books, creativity and make believe
“Yes I’m Queer.”
to escape from the cruelty of the world
The laughter that followed made me feel ashamed.
and eventually my own thoughts.
But today there are no hard feelings. They just saw who I was before I did.
68
This is a nod to the small trailer down the road
I can say that sentence just as proudly, if not more so,
with a friendly sign that read “Hot Sulphur Springs Library”
knowing the true meaning.
whose interior was stacked high with books that smelled like
I can reclaim the slur and turn it into a badge of pride.
dust and paper.
“I am Queer.”
And the giant tree just out back that smelled of pine and sap
This poem is for my theatre kids,
that graced my brother and me with scraped knees and
all of them loud and extroverted and awkward and genuine.
sticky palms
All of whom had welcoming smiles and loud
and gave us the gift of pranks, giggles, and shrieks of laughter
rambunctious personalities
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
SUBMISSIONS
who were the first people to show me
and would whisper theories about the tooth fairy and santa.
through their warm hugs and listening ears and affirmation
The line back to home who keeps me up at night worrying
that “I am in this moment all that I need to be”
because I’m not there to help him through high school.
that a found family was an acceptable replacement
This is for the only blood relative that stood by me
when blood failed to accept me in my entirety.
when the rest of the family couldn’t handle having a lesbian for a daughter.
This is for my parents, who’s hugs and “I love you’s” only reached so far.
This is for the people who were in the right place at the
My mother with her shoulder length brown hair and long nose,
right time
her glasses and rare smile.
Friends of Friends of Friends
My father with his shiny bald head and bushy goatee
who were kind enough to give me a couch to sleep on
with speckles of white amidst the black.
and a place to recoup and get back on my feet
They taught me that I was right to hide myself
despite the fact that they were high school friends
At least for a little while.
of my old roommate because of them I never ended up on the streets.
We stood in the kitchen, my father leaning against the counter, shaking in anger.
This is for the kids I didn’t know personally
With his arms crossed over his broad chest.
but I heard about constantly.
His heavy brows knit together, his lips pursed in a thin line
Kids thrown out of their homes
until the words left his mouth and fell like stones.
kids who were killed by others or their own hand
“You should have told me sooner. Then I could have
because they didn’t fit the gender or sexuality
fixed this.”
that society laid out for them in factory certified plastic wrap.
At the time tears were streaming down my face my throat was too busy holding back sobs
This is my poem to spit back what I was spoon fed,
to give a proper reply. But now I have one.
redefine, reshape and embrace the new meaning.
“I don’t need to be fixed. I’m not broken.”
“You’re lucky to be an American” I’m lucky to be in a first world country
This is for my little brother, the sensitive ‘toe head’ with
I’m also wise enough to see the flaws and want to fix them.
bright blue eyes
“You’re lucky to be born in the only true church,”
and quiet demeanor.
my truth is not the same as yours.
Who now isn’t so little and surpassed me in height.
I’m glad I have the right to stray from your truth
This is for my first rival and playmate
and embrace my own.
The one who would sneak into my room at night
“You’re lucky you have a family that loves you,”
(or vise versa)
‘18 APR 69
SUBMISSIONS
you don’t love me, you love who you want me to be.
the small acts of kindness that still exist.
But that’s ok, people love me for who I am in my entirety.
Even as war rages on
“You take too much for granted.”
even as human rights are challenged
Food, clothes, warmth, a home, an education,
even as inequality reigns amidst denial.
a foot in the door toward true equality.
I will continue on, as will goodness.
I realize I need to stop and appreciate what I have. I will do the simplest thing This is a poem against raised voices and open palms,
go to bed and wake up,
broken chairs and fists through walls.
the task made easier
I will not be afraid to show who I am.
just by being near Sara, the woman I love,
I will not stand for hatred and bigotry.
the simple closeness all made better
I will not lie down without trying to make a positive
by the loving gaze through green eyes and glasses,
change in the world.
And the dumb jokes and silly grins. I will remind her how much she means to me.
I will put one foot in front of the other.
I will give myself grace and take the time
I will fall, inevitably, but everyone does.
to enjoy food and films and art.
But even as I fall, I will pull myself back up.
I will overall be as good and kind as I can
I will let others help me up and I will extend a hand to
because if there seems to be no good in the world,
help those around me.
I’ll just have to help make it better.
I will continue to daydream and escape reality. I will envision a brighter future and give other people inspiration to do the same. I will breathe. I will live. I will look at the beauty and art that people have created the movements against injustice the grand examples of architecture the worlds created from the mind of a single person the stories put together through teamwork
70
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Shadow Play Nikolai Puc’
‘18 APR 71
Tech Talk
SAVIOR SELFIE?
T
he rise of social media on the world wide
Tipper Gore blamed heavy metal music for an imaginary
web has elevated the voiceless, but it has
decline of moral values. In 2018, the president wants
also created a serious D-bag problem in
to scapegoat so-called violent video games for school
the form of online social toxicity. In online
shootings. Few politicians have ever lost a job for blaming
games like Overwatch and PUBG, Nerdist threads on
the youth of today for problems that have very little to do
Facebook, and YouTube comments, trashy talk is king
with them. It’s a perk of being old and in charge.
when you are the emperor of jack diddly. On March 9, 2018, the Overwatch League commission How the hell did we get here?
fined and suspended four of their rising stars for using racial or homophobic emotes and slurs on league streams
In what world does any of this make sense? What is
and in their own social media. The players argue that
intrinsic to the internet that seems to reward toxic
they have the right to do so, but the league believes
behavior? How did cyberbullying, doxing and death
it has an obligation to train the rising stars of the new
threats become a normalized form of online social
competitive pro-gaming landscape to represent the sport
interaction? Is anonymity the root of the problem or is
as professionals. The real world is moving in a completely
there a basic issue with the competitive milieu of the new
different direction and has already signalled it won’t
cyber west that simply brings out the absolute worst in
tolerate toxic behavior from pro-gamers.
some of its digital natives? Maybe it’s time to push back against ourselves and be To be clear: there is nothing more retro than blaming the
unimpeachable? They’ll never see that coming.
youth for society’s problems. Thirty years ago, Al and -Derek Gregory
72
Metrosphere / Vol 37 / Issue 1
TECHNOSPHERE
Photo by Amani Newell
Technosphere covers the convergence of science, technology and learning. ‘18 APR 73
Graphic by Maddi Waneka
TECHNOSPHERE
74
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Janet Dallas
FLASHBACK APPLE INC.
A
pple is the world's largest tech company. Founded in 1976, Apple has released new products each decade that have revolutionized the way many of us use computers, phones and music. Thinking outside the box has paid off big for Apple, and reimagining the box itself has made it the company it i today.
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak wanted to make inexpensive computers for everyone. Wozniak’s first design became the Apple I, a computer with a keyboard that could output to a television set. Today, there are a billion Apple devices in use around the world and many of them are carried in our pockets. Apple has consistently pioneered their product design, software and retail sectors, causing real toothache for their competitors. Apple Insider reported when the London Evening Standard interviewed Jonathan Ive, Apple's leading designer he made this statement. “Our goals are very simple – to design and make better products, If we can’t make something that is better, we won’t do it.” Apple applied that thinking to all its products.
Jobs, saw the capabilities of the Xerox Alto and decided a graphical user interface was the future. The Apple II was released one year after the company opened 1977 and the Apple IIe was released in 1983. Both were popular household computers for decades. Apple became a public company in 1980, and many Apple employees became millionaires overnight. Apple entered the Fortune 500 club in 1983. Today in their 63rd edition Apple is third among the top 10 companies. Apple's competitors have yet to make the list.
‘18 APR 75
1994
1983
1980
1977
1976
TECHNOSPHERE
Steve Jobs visits Xerox and decides that a graphical user interface is the future of home computers
The Apple II is introduced and more than five million are sold over the next 17 years, until 1994 when production is discontinued
Apple becomes a publicly traded company and many employees become instant millionaires
The Apple IIe is introduced with a showstopping 64K ram
The Power Macintosh is introduced and Apple sells more than a million units within the first year
1998
The original iMac computer is introduced in bright “Bondi” blue and is the first of many Apple products to feature the “i” prefix. Within a year, the iMac is available in five “flavors” (colors). The distinctive “gumdrop” case was designed by Apple designer Jonathan Ive who later designed the cases for the iPod, iPhone and iPad product lines
76
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
2015
2017
The first iPod is released with its distinctive wheel-based navigation design with 5GB of storage that holds up to 1000 songs. In the same year, Apple introduces iTunes which is promoted as "World’s Best and Easiest To Use Jukebox Software."
The first iPhone debuts. Two models are available at launch: a 4GB model for $499 and an 8GB model for $599. Both require a two-year contract with AT&T Mobility. AT&T Wireless maintained an exclusive contract to sell iPhones for their network until
2010
2011 as part of a joint development deal with Apple
The iPad is introduced to a hungry market. Apple sells its first million iPads in half the time it took to sell a million iPhones. By the end of 2010, Apple owns
2001
2007
75 percent of the computer tablet market
Apple Smart Watch is introduced, integrating health and fitness apps with the iPhone product line
iPhone 8 and iPhone X are introduced in the same year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone
‘18 APR 77
Heels & Feels
Collage Shabby to Business Chic
M
ay is approaching sooner than I’d like and there’s an ugly truth about graduating that no one likes to talk about. Grades, final exams and tuition payments are merely the cherry on top of the college-graduate sunday, now it’s time to ask the daunting question, “What now?”
If you’re one of the lucky ones you’ve secured a job within your degree before graduation, if you’re not, you’ll be applying and interviewing like a mad-woman/man. Either way the other and even more important question is: “what are you going to wear?” The casual crop tops and ripped jeans are a thing of the past, it’s time to face the business casual train head on. The best gift to give yourself this graduation, is a wardrobe that will land you the job or just keep you within the job dress code. Here are five tips to get your closet business-ready before your first job offer.
78
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
THREADS
1
Staple pieces: These are the things you want to spend a little more money on because
you want quality that will last forever. A black blazer, for example, can turn any outfit into a business formal outfit. It’s smart to have a good pair of heels that you can wear everyday on that obligatory your coffee run and a simple dress that can be styled and worn everyday and look completely different.
2
Business casual or business formal: Before starting a job or before the interview it’s
important to know what the company is like. Some companies say business casual and are OK with jeans every day. The definition of the title of the dress code varies from company to company so its important to scout the place to get a feel for what everyone is wearing. It’s also a great idea to ask before an interview what the dress code is like.
3
Making a dress code your own: Not a fan of dress codes? Neither was I. Although
frustrating, it’s important to create limitations to how people present themselves in a certain workspace. If your free spirit hates limitations remember that you can make any style personal to show your personality. Accessorizing and color can be a great way to add a personal touch. Layering is also another way to put a personal spin on a business casual uniform.
4
Dress code on a budget: As you begin the journey to a new job chances are your college
student budget will stay the same until you land the job of your dreams. Being able to afford an entire closet of business ready clothes might not be realistic as you start out. Places like H&M, Forever 21 and even thrift stores offer an affordable option to business attire.
5
Confidence is key: It’s important to remember that whatever you wear, you should be
comfortable and confident. Never buy something just because it fits in the dress code but makes you feel terrible. Not only will you perform better in your workplace, but you will enjoy being there day after day if you feel confident in what you’re wearing.
Threads is a creative outlet for fashion and beauty lovers looking for deeper insight. ‘18 APR 79
Not Just Pretty THREADS
Photo by Lauren Cordova
In Pink
Teresa Diaz Soriano
A
n ‘80s music video is all one needs to get a sense of
in their fashion choices. The line between mens and womens wear
what the decade’s fashion was about: bold, innovative
blurred and experimentation, even among the upper class, was
and wacky. The ‘80s embraced neon like everyday was
essential. The ‘80s definitely had a variety of “in” fashion choices that
a rave and churned out fashion icons faster than butter
are more than just novelties, and can be seen in fashion today; while
(not literally, but kind-of). Metropolis areas were hubs for fashion
others are better left in the past – I’m looking at you side pony.
creatives to mix and mesh styles, creating hybrids of the decades most noteworthy trends. Fashion icons ranged from Madonna and
The ‘80s made a comeback on the 2018 spring/summer runways.
Cyndi Lauper to Brooke Shields, Princess Diana and Jane Fonda.
From Prada’s bold political and punkier themes, to the countless
Each sporting different iconic ‘80s looks.
sheer outfits from Dolce & Gabbana, the influence of the ‘80s is undeniable. If you’re looking to learn a little about the past and how
This decade showed how fashion choices could individualize people
to incorporate some of these funky styles in your closet, we’ve got
while seemingly defining them as well. People encoded their identity
the guide to recreating your own ‘80s looks using the latest trends in makeup and clothes.
80
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
THREADS
HEAVY METAL Much like punk, hair metal-heads were anti classic rock mainstream. Hair Metal babes Lita Ford and The Vixens proved women could rock the lions mane better than Slash. If you liked hair metal, chances are you rocked a mini leather skirt, fishnet stockings and studded jacket, paired with a vicious and bold colorful smokey eye. Although this style originates from glam rock
trends
oddities
Marc
pioneered Bolan,
by
David
Bowie and many others in the ‘70s, the ‘80s made the trend grittier. Instead of tights and theatrical makeup, men wore guyliner, had big teased hair and sported skin tight ripped black or acid washed jeans. Anyone remember Jordache?
AEROBIC WEAR Although this trend is now seen as a bit tacky due to the overwhelming amount of neon nylon and leotards, it’s a fashion trend that started with military wives in the late ‘60s.
Jacki Sorensen combined jogging and dancing
creating the exercise fad that gained traction throughout the ‘70s and exploded in the 80s. Jane Fonda’s ‘82 workout video inspired many women (and men) to shine their inner flashdance before “Flashdance” was a thing. Although no one would
Photos from google stock
be caught dead wearing a neon leotard over spandex today and the idea of jazzercising is seen by many as “extra,” this amalgamation of athletic wear and leisure wear is continuously dominating fashion sales.
‘18 APR 81
ALTERNATIVE CLOTHING Anyone growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s remembers Madonna’s infamous performance on the first MTV Video Music Awards in ‘84. She seductively rolled on the floor, clad headto-toe in victorian style lace. It was her sultry eyes and erotic attire that helped skyrocket her career as a pop culture icon and usher in a new fashion era. Whether fashion influenced music or vice versa, the VMA’s performance was revolutionary. Millions of viewers watched Madonna parade around on stage in this 80s pop style with the quintessential lace gloves, headband and tutu.
name its roots coincide with the music of the time. Some people define it as “new wave,” while others merely classify it by outfits. This alternative style trend was a reaction to the ‘70’s simplicity and high class fashion, and had an emphasis, appreciation, and conscious incorporation of decades past. The more layers the better, wearing grandma’s floral print shirt? Perfect. And your mothers jewelry? Great. It wasn’t just homegrown acts that inspired this vagabond fashion trend, the ‘80s British invasion suffused America’s culture with their overseas’ spice. The Smiths, The Psychedelic Furs and John Lydon's spunky fashion flowed into the nation’s pop culture consciousness. By the mid ‘80s, this fashion trend was present in some of the decade’s defining movies. John Hughes’ movies “Pretty in Pink” and “The Breakfast Club” have characters showcasing this trend.
82
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photo collage by Teresa Diaz Soriano
Although this style does not have a definitive
FOR THE NO T
THREADS
SO Photos: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2018
ImaxTree Balenciaga Spring Summer 2018
ImaxTree Alexander McQueen Spring Summer 2018
FEEBLE MINDED
This hodgepodge trend has definitely become iconic and can be seen on the runways every year. Dolce & Gabbana and Mui Mui’s spring/ summer collection “classes up” the trend with airy, sheer floral dresses. Also making an appearance is sleek pointy-toed pumps paired with sheer socks. Alexander McQueen is pulling out the red and black Victorian style bracelets and necklaces, heavy (literally) and haunting, while Balenciaga
H and M Trendcoat: $49.99 H and M Floral Dress: $49.99 Dollskill Creepers: $92.00 Forever21 Fishnet Pumps: $24.99
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2018
Photo: Kim Weston Arnold / Indigital.tv Marni Spring Summer 2018
is using bold color and oversized earrings in their line.
‘18 APR 83
THREADS
POWER DRESSING The decade is most commonly known for fishnet fingerless gloves and neon spandex, Party City even has a section dedicated to
YUPPIES
rainbow tutus and brightly colored tights. But some of the pinnacle styles of the decade were not so wacky. Young Urban Professionals or yuppies, were affluent, post-college kids, most of them rich and ambitious, or so they looked. Their regal attire meant strictly business. The onset of this major fashion trend began as the ‘80s economic boom trickled money back into the nation’s hands. The early ‘80s saw two recessions from ‘81-‘82. Under Reagan's second term, the nation flourished with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a steady rise of jobs throughout the decade. Women entered the workforce in this decade with linebacker shoulder pads sewed into oversized blazers, pencil skirts and pointed shoes. Women looked to Joan Collins and Princess Diana along with shows like “Dynasty,” for their fashion quo. Men and women alike wore oversized suits and
H and M Patent Loafers: $24.99
trench coats. On leisure days, a typical outfit consisted of khakis, polos and cashmere sweaters tied around their necks.
H and M Jacket: $79.99
84
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
H and M Jacket with Gathered Sleeves $49.99
Although times have changed and usage of the term “yuppie” is a bit different, women in the workforce has not. A woman still needs to dress for success and feel good while doing it. Much like the ‘80s, today’s working class style can be edgier and bolder – minus the mullet. Although bulky suits were seen as sleek and powerful, today's working class business women are still edgy, wearing more form fitting suits.
Target Women’s Velvet Annora Pumps - Who What Wear $37.99
H and M Wrapover Skirt: $34.99 H and M Draped Dress: $69.99
‘18 APR 85
PUNK
UK Punker
Malcolm McLaren
Punk Rock has a twofold history that defined the fashion. Punk
UK Punker
bands in the U.S. were fighting the ‘70s music scene and cultural stagnation while the Brits were fighting government oppression, both doing it through music and fashion. New York City legends The Ramones pioneered the staple Levi’s 505 jeans and worn out leather jacket, while overseas
RAMONES
the powerhouse duo Vivienne Westwood
and
Malcolm
Vivienne Westwood
McLaren spearheaded a more stylized and bolder version of
Punks
punk. Their fashion boutique, Sex, specialized in leather and other BDSM assortments which they
quickly
incorporated
in
punk fashion along with safety pins and chains. Brits dressed in old ‘50s Teddy Boy suits, sported Dr. Martens, (the official working boot),
and
often
had
colorful hair and crazy cuts. By the mid ‘80s this style, still known Photo collage by Teresa Diaz Soriano
as punk, ruled the decade, even as the music dissipated and evolved into other genres.
86
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Joan Jett siouxsie sioux
class
Punks
THREADS
Photos: Monica Feudi / Indigital.tv Prada Spring Summer 2018
Glam Punk
While there is no recreating hair metal trends in 2018 – goodbye tight jeans and crimped bangs – punk rock remains a thriving fashion scene today. Prada gets militant for its latest spring/summer collection, inspired by the recent political climate
in
America
and
comic
books. The runway was ablaze with black, pops of red and comic book graphics
printed
on
distressed
jackets, jeans and shirts.
FashioNation Demonia Ranger Black Platform Heel Boot $78.95 Forever21 Active Top: $12.99 H and M “Studio Collections” Jacquard-patterned Skirt $79.99 H and M “Studio Collections” Tunic $69.99 Forever21 Fishnet Pumps: $24.99
‘18 APR 87
THREADS Madonna loved her ripped jeans
paired
with
booties,
thrifted for less than 10 bucks. The staple item here is that damn vest and jacket. The vest – a buck, but the jacket is vintage The Limited circa 2013, I frequently pair bold jackets with
before the stores demise.
simple black or white shirts. It turns out my neon yellow and blue blazers are a perfect pair to go with my moms ‘80s mini dress – that she wore to her fifth grade continuation. Shoes were thrifted and eearings are Lauren’s mother – in– laws. Leg warmers are always Photo by Jessica Holman Styled by Teresa Diaz Soriano Makeup by: Sara Jean Almeida Model: Hannah Neace
88
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
in (shhhh, low key they’re not).
Photo by Jessica Holman Styled by Teresa Diaz Soriano Makeup by: Sara Jean Almeida Model: Hannah Neace
Metrosphere goes '80s
Photo by Jessica Holman Photo by Lauren Cordova Styled by Teresa Diaz Soriano Makeup by: Sara Jean Almeida Model: Hannah Neace Photo by Jessica Holman Styled by Teresa Diaz Soriano Makeup by: Sara Jean Almeida Model: Hannah Neace
Pull on your dankest tights and sequined mini skirt and get your pirate boots out because your going hair metal baby! Unfortunately we forgot to tease the hair but bring your pic and Aqua Net on the go and your good.
‘18 APR 89
THREADS
AARON RODRIGUEZ Bianey Bermudez
A
s the Denver fashion scene grows, so does the talent. There's no shortage of fashion savvy creatives with a passion and style edge in the Mile High City. Aaron Rodriguez
or Blank Canvas Fashion as some would know him from his instagram handle, is a local stylist, writer and overall fashion enthusiast. Rodriguez who specializes in editorial and studio styling, is a prominent feature in the Denver fashion scene having styled for magazines like 303 Magazine and Denver Style as well as hairstudios and other local photographers. He credits his fashion obsession to Mandi Line, who worked as a costume designer for six years on the hit teen show,“Pretty Little Liars. “ She created some of character, Aria Montgomery’s fashion staples which sparked Rodriguez’s styling interest. After a stint working at Chase Bank and after taking a much needed vacation, he had a moment of reflection and decided to jump into the fashion industry. We sat down with Aaron to get a feel for what it’s like being a fashion creative in Denver.
90
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photos by Jessica Holman
‘18 APR 91
So what does jumping in look like? Jumping in for me was mentally preparing myself for this journey. I still remember going to my room having this moment of prayer and being this vulnerable and being like ‘OK if I'm going to do this I’m going all in.’ I was going to have to have thick skin, I was going to have to start from scratch, I was going to have to learn what does a stylist do, the tricks of the trade, also starting from scratch for a portfolio. How did you start building your portfolio? It all kind of started at the same time I started my instagram and came up with the name Blank Canvas Fashion. This local blogger Debonair Gent put something on Instagram, a month in from when I had quit and I was living off my savings, but he was looking for contributors, photographers, stylist, etcetera, and I jumped for it. I went over to his house for the shoot and I put together outfits and that was my first time putting together outfits. It was fun and everything he wanted I said yes to and I trusted my instincts. I asked to shred the models jeans and she said yea. And from there, it started where he had me do a different shoot with a Model: Alyssa Good Styled by Aaron Rodiguez Botique: Midnight Rambler Photos by Jessica Holman
different photographer and that photographer used me for something else and then the ball started rolling. Have you always written or is that something that you started with this journey? I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I loved to read and write. I went to college for creative writing at Metropolitan State University. When did you start pulling your own clothes? This amazing local photographer, Noah Berg, I had met him once at a photoshoot, he saw my work, he like it we met up for coffee. By that point I had a little bit of a portfolio going and he wanted me to style for his shoot. I agreed. I took it on as a challenge which has been so much of this journey. That was the first time Ii had to pull clothing, in the past the models would bring clothes or the person who set up the shoot brought clothes.
92
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Model: Alyssa Good Styled by Aaron Rodiguez Botique: Midnight Rambler Photos by Jessica Holman
THREADS
‘18 APR 93
THREADS
What did you learn from that experience? So I had to learn to talk to people saying “hey here is what we're doing will you let us borrow clothes?” [I learned] how to take the rejection if they said no. It allowed me to channel my personality, Im loud, I laugh a lot, I smile a lot which has helped. I’ve had boutique owners tell me I have a very trusting vibe. Also really learning to be professional, sometimes email doesn’t work and I’ve ran into the issue where stylist have ruined clothes which ruins trust. What sets you apart? My edge, learning to stick to my guns and sticking to my edge which really I feel like is going to keep building my career. How long have you been doing this? How many jobs have you had? At this point it's been a little over two years, both paid and just portfolio building shoots I’ve had quite a few, which built my aesthetic along the way. At first it was just me saying this looks good together that's a good outfit and along the way I found my aesthetic. But I'm going to say about 40 styling shoots. And a lot of those where clothes along the way. From learning how to pull clothes, to damaging my first piece of clothing and offering to pay for and learning that boutiques respect that and building those relationships of trust with those boutiques. What are your thoughts on the Denver fashion scene? [I have] a love/hate relationship with Denver. I love when people take risks. I wish Denver took more risks. It’s very Denver Dapper, which I’m down for jeans and a flannel once in a while but I wish Denver felt the freedom to be like ‘you know, what sure we’re in the midwest but why not wear feathers?’
94
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Model: Alyssa Good Styled by Aaron Rodiguez Botique: Midnight Rambler Photos by Jessica Holman
learning how to do things and learning how to take care of
THREADS
Do you think the Denver fashion scene is moving toward a more risky vibe? I think it is slowly getting there, It’s not running but it’s not super behind either but I think with transplants, people are bringing their own styles from other places. What have been your favorite projects so far? What I’ve started doing is taking all the things I love and putting them together. Writing short horror stories for my blog and making a fashion character in those stories, writing about what they are wearing and using photo shoots to bring some of that fashion alive and then putting it in the story so that as your reading you can see what im talking about and so its been a fun little hybrid project that I hope will really turn into something. What is your advice to people who are just getting into fashion and don’t really know how to project the style that they want to achieve? Be honest with yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things. If I tried a trend that didn’t really work out at least I could say I tried instead of, ‘oh I wonder how that would’ve looked.’ Also my number one rule is break all the rules. Don't be afraid to stand out and along the way your going to find your style. Believe it or not I used to wear all colors and prints and I still remember the day I wanted to wear all black and now my closet is all black so listen to yourself. Lastly, wear things for Model: Alyssa Good Styled by Aaron Rodiguez Botique: Midnight Rambler Photos by Jessica Holman
you, wear it for yourself that's all that matters.
‘18 APR 95
THREADS
athleisurewear KENDRA MONTOYA MSU DENVER
ANG SHERPA MSU DENVER
on campus
What are your favorite brands of athletic street clothing? Well right now I’m in all Puma and I also wear a lot of Adidas and Nike.
CRISTIAN MELENDEZ CU DENVER
and athletic wear?
twist on this style?
I feel like it has the most variation
I think I don’t try to put my
out of like the different kinds of
own twist on it, I just wear
clothing. A lot of different styles
what I like personally and it
go into those groups and I feel like
might be different than how
there’s something for everyone.
other people wear the style.
96
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
Photos by Kaileigh Lyons
Why do you like street wear How do you put your own
VISIT US TODAY 900 Auraria Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
‘18 APR 97
photo by Otter J
THREADS
51 BROADWAY - DENVER
98
Metrosphere / Vol 36 / Issue 6
226 E 13TH AVE - DENVER
1813 PEARL ST - BOULDER