T H I N G#002 S
EDITOR’S LETTER It was weird asking for “spring themed” submissions in the middle of a blizzard during the coldest months of the year. But it also means something that despite the challenges, our magazine is filled to the brim with amazing work, mainly from local artists. I can’t even tell you how happy it makes me to see people who met through Things Magazine and our events collaborating together. I asked an Massachusetts artist I recently met through Instagram how she would improve the MA art scene and she told me that she wished that it was easier to find the art scene and be able to know where to start as a young artist. And that’s just it: the art scene is here; the creators are here; Things is just a commonplace for everyone to find each other and share their work. As we grow and meet more and more artists, I hope we can connect the entire art scene to each other in this easy to access place. My dad recently told me this quote from Marcel Proust: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” This is the same city, but never before had I looked at it as a place where my art could thrive. And at the very core it’s because of all of you contributing your wonderful work, time, kind words and support. Whether it be through our digital or print issues or our blog we hope that with every issue you see Boston with new eyes and are inspired to create within the city. So thank you for making the second issue with us and supporting us and we can’t wait to show you what else we have planned. But for now, enjoy.
SIENNA KWAMI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TABLE OF CONTENTS Style Kuch & OJ Huis Clos Golden Hour Ella Lovelace East West Edge
Ar t & Lit
Sweep Me Electrick Heartbeat YANG Lena Christakis
Places
Greg Gorodenstev Cinda in a Glasshouse
Music & Culture Blissful Songs That Saved Your Life Halsey (at the Middle East) GIRLS Femisim: What it Actually Is. Spend Your Money Right.
CONTRIBUTORS Local
Tyler Kpakpo Lauren O’neil Ella Snyder Dana Nguyen Yang Lena Christakis Penny Mack Greg Gorodenstev Julia Hedlund
National
Phobymo Meghan Marin Madison Neumann Abby Phillips
International Guilia Gordio
Team
Sienna Kwami - Editor in Chief Mandusu Sidibay - Creative Director
Kuch & OJ B Y : T Y L E R K PA K P O MODEL : MALISA KUCH
Huis Clos
by meghan marin modeled by terra zook
golden hour
by lauren o’neil
Photographed by Sienna Kwami Interviewed by Mandusu Sidibay and Sienna Kwami
Ella Snyder We interviewed local Youtuber, artist and style maven, Ella, on making videos, her amazing attention span, and flatbread pizza.
Sienna: So this is a cliche question, but why did you start youtubing? Ella: I started making YouTube videos because I have always loved film making. I love the process of sitting in front of a camera and then going and editing a video to upload. I also love fashion and beauty and I love to share my opinion. I felt like Youtube was a great platform to showcase myself and I was already obsessed with watching the videos of other girls so I just decided to start making my own and I really fell in love with it.
reason why I came to the school but I have a big place in my heart for graphic design and painting as well. S: How do you balance school work, personal art work, and video making? E: I give myself a lot of free time. I try to limit my use of social media (to the best of my ability!) I avoid a lot of after school activities like clubs and sports and I just go home, get my school work out of the way, and work on art or a new video. It can be hard but I still balance all of it. In the end I can do it all and still have a small social life; it’s amazing what you can do in a day. E: When I say I give myself a lot of free time, I mean that I clear up time in my day to do what I love. I promise I don’t sit around all day watching TV!
S: How long does it take you to record and edit? It seems like a lot of work, haha. E: It usually takes me around an hour to film a whole video depending on what kind of video it is. If it’s a sit down and talk video it will take about thirty minutes to record, if it’s something like a look book it will take a few hours. Editing can last anywhere from an hour for a short video to all day for something more complex. S: That’s so amazing, how did you learn that type of self-discipline? E: I’ve always had pretty good time manageS: How do you focus for that long? Honestly my ment skills and a relatively boring social life but attention span is 2 seconds. when I started making videos I started to see it E: Honestly, I do it because I love it. I get so as a responsibility. Not in a way that it was my involved in what I’m doing that I lose track of responsibility to make videos because it’s simply time. The worst thing that sometimes happens something that I love but to do. But I saw it as is when I edit at night, thats when I am tired and my responsibility to make sure I was uploading I can’t concentrate and I’ll make a mistake. One quality content in a timely manner. I made sure to time I edited a vlog (video blog) in the middle of value it the same way I value my school work. the night and I completely forgot to put in the last part! S: Honestly goals, like I wish I had that skill. So what type of ways do you get inspired to make Mandusu: How old were you when you started videos or create an artwork? YouTube? E: For videos a lot of my inspiration comes from E: I started making videos in 2012 when I was 13. other YouTubers. I love to see what’s popular and what other people want to see! When it comes to art I love looking at websites like Pinterest and S: You also identify as an artist, what medium do Tumblr for inspiration. They’re great recourses you work in? when looking for a good color palette or concept E: I go to an arts high school where I major in for a painting! visual arts so I am forced to work in all media, drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design, photography and mixed media. I’d have to say that M: Do you have a preference? Like, if you had to my true passion lies in photography, it’s the real choose to make videos or art, which would you
choose? Or do you feel a strong connection with both areas? E: I feel a strong connection with both for sure! But if I had to choose I would pick videos just because they make other people happy as well as me and that’s a good feeling. M: Do you have any other loves besides videos and art? E: I love fashion, I really love the creative vibes I get when I put together a really nice outfit and I also really enjoy reading and interior decorating! M: So just random fun questions: Favorite song at the moment? Favorite food? Favorite artist? E: Fave song: right now I’ve been loving the song “sun” by two door cinema club Food: I’ve really been craving a flatbread pizza recently, it’s super random but they’re just so good! Favorite artist: I’m currently working on a self-portrait (painting) inspired by Claude Monet. I love his work especially his use of texture and pastel colors!
lovelace
Photographer: Phobymo Model: Paulina Wine
Kathryn Zahorak of East West Edge photographed by Lauren O’Neil
SWEEP ME The whir of wayward wind Possesses all that hear
Your presence breathes through me And as an eye from above, I see.
And pulls upon the leaves in steady whims: Wonder, wide wonder, wherefore do you whisper?
God bless the ground!
Where is thy steer?
I will fall to thee, And recall with fond names
Oh, but softly, softly do you caress
The patch by the stream, beneath the tree.
And hold and touch and serenade. ‘Tis true, thy gentle grasp is the best
Oh, but softly, softly
Of all Nature ever made.
Do I sense A seeping, a weeping
But trees hold stiff and somber,
Of airs lofty,
Like an icicle deep in thought.
Of seas bleeding.
And I think I will stand here much longer For with thee, all my troubles are naught.
Let it fall! Let it fall upon the leaves of an extinguished life; The rivers of a renewed strife,
Oh, Nature, sweep me up!
And the birds, in their heavy lassitude.
Hold me in thy gentle grasp
The ground pulls and thrusts and longs to Form me like the trees, in their eternal rasp—make thee its wife; Like the stones, and the happy stream they The sky melts overheard, it’s true. clasp!
BY GUILIA GORDIO But fear not, fear not The keeper of dreams,
But do not weep, weep no longer,
For all will see their minds collapse
For I am alive!
And run together as disordered streams.
I will be, always growing stronger!
Oh, Nature, sweep me up!
Me, you will perceive
Take me in thy rivers,
Taken by the seas
Thy sighing, breathing clouds,
And deep above the trees,
Thy murmuring skies,
Taken by Nature’s sweet disease!
And thy ancient sounds! Yes, and in the ground Ah, and the branches do hold me now,
I may be found,
Hold me still.
Whispering life into the very trees
Hold me forever—
That my body now knows and sees!
They always will. And swept among the wind! I observe and am observed:
The great Spirit of wayward intent:
Esse est percipi
It has never worried, but to where it is going
I wonder, do I wonder
It is always sent.
Of all of the things I have learned, And all the things waiting for me.
Oh, Nature, sweep me up!
Infect me with thy personal touch, Release me from my Earthly chains And I will live, live again! Oh rebirth, reform, it gives always enough.
But never forget, never forget My crimson embrace. Us, we play always as a duet, For I live always with thy grace. Oh, but softly now, softly do I call Listen now, heed this, and heed it all!
Do not visit me by my distant stone, Do not visit at all, for I am not home. Instead, appear by these watchful trees Do not visit me by my distant stone, Do not visit at all, for I am not home. Instead, appear by these watchful trees And feel my spirit in the breeze, Or the winter freeze, Or the murmuring stream, set at ease, For I am here, Nature guarantees.
ELECTRICK HEARTBEAT photographed by dana nguyen
YANG
A n i nter v i ew w i th a g raffiti ar ti s t by M a n d usu S id ib ay
Mandusu: When did you first get into graffiti?
Y: When producing large scale pieces I tend to have an outline for reference. Whereas when painting smaller scale, more simplistic pieces, I use muscle memory – or I simply let the can lead my stroke. I have to be cautious of police, time and many other factors, depending on the legality of the place in which I’m painting my art. All this totally contributes to the level of detail, color, and concentration I attribute to my work.
since it had been years since he had last picked up a pen. Nobody in my 5th grade class new anything more than its “not allowed,” and being that I was 9, walking through the freight yards, abandoned warehouses, and live train tracks of my neighborhood wasn’t preferable in my parents’ eyes. But by chance, on an errand, my mother and I stumbled upon a newly opened skateshop and art supply store. We were greeted by (individuals who will remain unnamed) a handful of artists, musicians, dancers, and designers who would become my real pathway into the world of graffiti and continue to remain key figures of guidance in my life until this day. My mom bought me my first marker, a silver metal tipped Krink K-12, and the rest is history (laughing uncontrollably.) Throughout my years painting I’ve received guidance from MerkThose, Werd, Lupo, MT, Wind dragon, and Barnes all people who I hold the utmost respect, gratitude for, and salute.
M: Do you have a formal art education? Did you go to school for Art?
M: Besides visual art do you produce any other works, or use other mediums?
Y: Up until this year I had no formal education in terms of my artwork, I am completely self-taught. As of now, the school I attend provides amazing art facilities, and courses, which I’m taking advantage of as we speak.
Y: I write small poetry, and I’ve been messing around with some production softwares recently.
Yang: I first became interested in graffiti at the age of 9, when my father, who grew up among the likes of Keith Haring, Dondi White, and the 80’s subway graffiti writers of New York City, introduced me to the artists of his time. I was instantly infatuated with the art form. M: Do you work with a sketch in hand? Or do you just let it flow?
M: Where do you get your inspiration from? Y: I wouldn’t say I get inspiration from any individual person, concept, or location. I am a reflection of my mentors, artists ranging from Merk Those to Van Gogh, a large scale of musicians, my family, and friends that have come and gone from my life.
M: Would you care to share your poetry? Y: To most it won’t make sense, never said I knew what I was doing (laughing). “Lipstick lingers, taste her on my bed. Purps whole ora conjointly a thieves golden locket that smells of aluminum. Guess the mantra had him buggin.
M: Can you shine light on your mentors, and influences?
Problems, problems, problems (Lord knows I’m havin’) Problems, problems, problems (Jesus Christ I’m havin’)
Y: When my father first introduced me to graffiti, he had little skill to show, teach and demonstrate
Purple, overplayed debauchery, left me prostrate, garments scented with concrete, bloody
mouth and chipped tooth. Guess the dentist wouldn’t mind making a few green ones of tha bandit.”
so, when was the first time and how did you get out of it?
Y: The first time I got arrested was at the age of M: What are your thoughts about the graffiti 14. I had climbed a 50 foot Billboard mounted on scene where you currently live? a rooftop in the wee hours of one Sunday Morning. This was during a very difficult period of my Y: I would never try to define what Boston graffiti life, where I was painting high risk spots across resembles now or 10 year ago because I know Boston: billboards, 10 story rooftops, tracksides; someone, be it a newly assembled artist, or a you name it, I painted it. I had climbed this billveteran, would find it contrary to their understand- board, and began to paint it, ducking passing ings. Boston has always had an interestingly abcars, and pedestrians for little over 10 minutes. stract Graffiti scene. Artists span from all over the As I finished my final outline (dot my I’s and cross city, some go home to their Back Bay apartments my T’s, so to speak) a cop car pulls to the front overlooking Newbury street, some have to carry of the building. Then another, then another, then a gun to get home safe, and some are right in the another until the entire building was surrounded middle. As of now graffiti by 9 patrol cars, I bolted “By doing this article, I don’t want off the roof, scaling a artists are, all over the spectrum in terms of moto gentrify the idea of graffiti, nor chain link fence, to then tives, some are destroydo I want to promote the violence, climb a fire escape in ing the MBTA, and others which I was met by a hate, addiction, and death that are bringing back styles bright light, handcuffs, comes with it to the average 14 that haven’t touched the and some kind words rooftops, freights trains, year old boy or girl. I can’t tell you courtesy of the ****** and tracksides of Boston police department. I was whether or not to do it, my peers in decades. But sadly, soon after looking at felsure as hell didn’t, but I can tell many artists have fallen ony vandalism charges, you graffiti has ruined, and enlight- along with possible jail this past year. Recently Boston lost a dear time, but I lucked out. ened my life dramatically.” friend and talented artist, I got in touch with an Sense, from the OBS, amazing lawyer who and IBK crews. He left a mark on this city which saw me into a program that not only served as can’t fade, wash away, or be painted over by gal- my community service hours, but left me with no lons of grey paint. Sense lives. criminal record. Getting arrested didn’t give me a sense of justification, or amplify my enthusiasm M: Have you done any commercial work? for graffiti whatsoever, sitting in a dark cell shoeless, cuffed, with 4inx4in window, took away my Y: Commercial work isn’t something I aspire to pride. pursue. For so many years I’ve battled the concept of visual pollution, meaning the media’s M: What message do you want people to take takeover of our TV screens, subways, and public away from your work? spaces. “I’m out here to bomb, period, that’s what I started for. I didn’t start writing to go to Paris, I Y: I don’t look to provoke one specific message didn’t start writing to do canvases. I started writin my work, but I do encourage aspiring artists to ing to bomb” -Skeme TMT consider taking advantage of their public space. When I’ve had the privilege to enter a gallery M: Have you ever been hassled by the police? If space, a benefit most people don’t have the time
or resources to pursue, an intense contrast in socio economics, racism, and ignorance lingered that space, and from other experiences places alike. I felt the odd man out, in reference to the elderly art collectors, who scowled at my presence, as if a lanky teen skateboard in hand, wasn’t allowed in the “pristine” ****** gallery. But there’s not one type of person who takes the train, rides the bus, or walks the city’s streets. People see my art on their way to their office jobs, making their way to a homeless shelter, going to school, it’s endless. My work isn’t for any one type of person, or character, I want people with all types of ideals, and cultural backgrounds to see it. Love it, hate it, or think nothing of it, I simply want my work to be acknowledged by the human race, not an individual class. M: What would you say is your proudest achievement to date? Y: I’ve gotten the chance over these last couple of years to familiarize and befriend artists who I’ve admired since I began painting, and in some cases pursue collaborations with them. As of now, I’m in the process of producing a movie about my artwork for an online spray-paint distributor Oink Art LTD. Really, I’m just happy to know the people I do, and to have the connections I have, I’m truly blessed. M: Should people get interested in graffiti; Any pluses/minuses?
Y: I’ve had some of the most beautiful experiences, and met some of the most amazing people in this art form. Some of the most significantly positive moments of my life were based on graffiti, be it painting on the streets of Mexico, producing a movie, or befriending individuals who I now call family. In contrast graffiti has taken me to some of darkest places imaginable. Be it getting picked up at 5:30am a at the police station on Mother’s day by my mother, dangling by electrical wires 8 stories above the city streets, or sitting in court waiting to find out whether or not I’d sleep in my own bed that night, it’s horrible. By doing this article, I don’t want to gentrify the idea of graffiti, nor do I want to promote the violence, hate, addiction, and death that comes with it to the average 14 year old boy or girl. I can’t tell you whether or not to do it, my peers sure as hell didn’t, but I can tell you graffiti has ruined, and enlightened my life dramatically. M: Where can people stay up to date with your projects? Website, social media, emailing list? Y: Before I say anything else I would like to thank Things Mag for this opportunity, and pay my respects to MerkThose, Aeon, Han, Saer, Os Ley and the rest of my APC family, Cadet, Stick, Reap, Bens and Aten of SIC, Slip, Billy R.I.P, and Elf R.I.P of the Morris Park Crew, Niro, and Zane of CBA, my good friend Palm, my brother “Nadie” from Mexico, Bonita, my beautiful sister, and Eddie, Rao, MT, Mynd, Barnes, Wind Dragon and the rest of my brothers at the Dynasty. Looking out for me before I could bust a handstyle. Keep up to date with my art by walking the streets of New York, Boston, Mexico, and more places to come… Peace, Thank You!
an abstract paintung series
Lena Christakis
by greg
gorodenstev
Revere, MA
Chinatown, MA
Revere, MA
Quincy, MA
BY TYLER KPAKPO MODEL: CINDA THI DANH AT THE UMASS BOSTON’S BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT GREENHOUSE
CINDA IN A GLASSHOUSE
BY GUILIA GORDIO
SONGS THAT SAVED to its listener: “When you’re dancing and laughing and finally living, hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly.” People “Turn off that sad death music.” I was in my are right – The Smiths can be depressing. But Morrissey takes that sadness and uses room on a Saturday morning listening to The Smiths’ album The Queen Is Dead. My it to move you. He doesn’t leave you feeling sister, finally fed up after hearing this album simply sad – “Rubber Ring” leaves the lisfor the fourth time that day, stormed into the tener with a nostalgic longing for the songs room and lifted the needle from the spinning of their past. That’s The Smiths’ strong suit: moving you to complicated, specific feelrecord. The Smiths were a Manchester based rock ings. They know exactly how to connect to band in the 80s. Viewed as one of the most you and expose the deepest of emotions. Johnny Marr (composer, lead guitar) eximportant bands to cross the music scene, pertly mismatches music to lyrics. A prime they enjoyed mild success, more so in the example of this is the classic “Girlfriend In U.K. than in the U.S. A very political band, The Smiths wrote about anti-royalism, veg- A Coma”. One of the first Smiths’ songs I etarianism, and further social injustices; fa- listened to, and a must-listen for any new mously asexual lead singer Morrissey wrote fan, “Girlfriend In A Coma”, as the title imgender-neutral songs and frequently implied plies, has pretty upsetting lyrics. “There were times when I could have murdered homosexual relationships, which sent the press into a frenzy. However, after only four her – but you know, I would hate anything to happen to her.” This girl even dies at albums in five years, the group disbanded. What makes The Smiths are such an amaz- the end of the song – “Let me whisper my last goodbyes…” The lyrics are simple, ing band it is hard to say; is it the black and quite morbid. What takes this song to humor laced into the lyrics? The always ina more complicated level is the cheerful tricate guitar? The ever driving bass lines? musical accompaniment. The song begins The Smiths have so many strong suits, yet what makes them a superbly talented band with a bouncy bass line, and an airy, light guitar riff repeats. Violins come in at the in my eyes it is their ability to illicit multichorus, adding a more dramatic side to faceted emotions with even the simplest of the song, but they disappear as quickly as songs. they appear, returning the song back to its People are quick to classify The Smiths as jovial tune. The contrasting lyrics and melodepressing, whiny; boring. For them I only dy leave us with far deeper questions than have two words: “Rubber Ring”. Morrissey “Why is this song so morbid?” What is the (vocalist, lyricist) writes with impeccable listener supposed to feel? Should we empawit; the song is from the point of view of a thize with the narrator? Or are we supposed song. A study of the passing passions of a teenager, the song within the song calls out to feel some sort of joy in the comatose of Don’t forget the songs that made you cry, and the songs that saved your life.
YOUR LIFE BY PENNY MACK
this poor girl? How does the narrator feel – would he really “hate anything to happen to her”? Did he put her in this coma? As catchy as the song is, I still am moved to a place of deep remorse when Morrissey softly sings, “My, my, my, my, my, my baby – goodbye.” Something about those words pulls at me so deeply I feel as though maybe I am the narrator. Perhaps it’s the pleading way Morrissey sings, or the delicate guitar in the background. Once again, The Smiths manage to access such complicated feelings with such simple composition. Maybe what appeals to me in those complicated feelings is the vivid sense of being alive that comes with them. I hurt, I laugh, I feel. One thing I’ve faced as a teenager is the fear that I’m not doing life right. I often feel I’m missing out on experiences and that I’m not doing enough to my my teen years memorable. I feel like a robot moving through my daily schedule with no risk or excitement in my life. But when I listen to The Smiths, I can live vicariously through their songs. I feel what they feel; and even though that feeling is sometimes (often) one of pain, it reminds me that I am alive and I can experience intense emotion. Other people might not want to feel as deeply as I want to – and that’s normal. Perhaps that’s why The Smiths aren’t everyone’s cup of tea; you have to want to access those emotions. No matter what happens, at the end of the day, I know there’s always someone who is feeling the same things I am: Morrissey. It sounds cheesy, I know! “Morrissey is the only person who gets me, I’m so misun-
derstood!” Cue eye-rolling. But in all honesty, the reason teens all over the world love The Smiths is that Morrissey speaks the truth: life can really suck. He gets what it feels like to feel unloved, not good enough, or an outcast. The challenge for everyone is to find some sort of joy even when things aren’t going well. Morrissey found his in music and expressing himself to the world. I’ve found mine in knowing that other people are experiencing the same things as me, and being able to discover that through music I love listening to. So maybe I love The Smiths because I’m an angsty teen. But at the end of the day, what draws me to them is the deep connection I can make with the music and 25 year-old Morrissey’s beautiful face.
Halsey
Photographed by Julia Hedlund
at the Middle East
We are the new Americana high on legal marijuana raised on Biggie and Nirvana we are the new Americana
GIRLS
BY MADISON NEUMANN
fe m i n i s m : what it actually is. BY ABBY PHILLIPS
Feminism today, according to some aspects of pop culture, has become regarded to as an angry, man-hating, woman cult. However, Feminism should not be about girls carrying coffee mugs saying “boy tears” on them. Feminists should not be proudly addressing their male counterparts as “For women to gain “pigs” and “scum”. And equality, men have to as not be conthey should sidering the well. Equality and feminism genocide of the enare about the unity of the tire male population. This radical sexes, not the battle.” branch of feminism is not rational at all. This ideology will not lead our population anywhere constructive. The social movement is about achieving equality and equal representation. Aggression and anger will not solve any problems if equality is the goal. We have to live on this damn planet with men. Why are we going to start hating and over-generalizing them? Not all men are great, but our aggravation is not making it any better.
Yes, women have been neglected for millennia and yes, we are still oppressed and looked down upon. However, an ultimate solution should not involve vengeance or hatred. I do feel grief and anger for how my gender was treated for so long. I know that we are not treated as completely equal to our male counterparts. But the point is that it is neither justified nor reasonable for us to generalize and hate men. Modern feminism is about leveling the playing field. It’s about getting rid of gender norms; that means for both girls and guys. Boys should be allowed to shave and without judgement. Girls should be allowed to not shave without judgement. For women to gain equality, men have to as well. Equality and feminism are about the unity of the sexes, not the battle.
Spend your money right.
This year’s Boston Calling three day music festival features a full lineup of musical heavyweights who produce music of all genres, making the festival’s 3rd year lineup one of the best thus far. Headliners include Grammy award winner Beck, rock band My Morning Jacket, and Pixies, an alternative rock band founded right here in Boston, each artist headlining their own respective day. Other featured artists include my personal favorite Marina and the Diamonds, who recently debuted her 3rd and best selling album ‘FROOT’, and will be hitting the stage on Saturday, May 23rd, the festival’s second day. Halsey, who appeared live in concert a few weeks ago on April 3rd at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, will return to Boston yet again to perform on the final day of the festival, Sunday, May 24th. ILoveMakonnen, who rose to prominence in 2014 with his hit song, ‘Tuesday’, will be taking the stage with Halsey on Sunday as well. Other notable artists include the ‘Habits (Stay High)’ hitmaker Tove Lo, and My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. Tickets to the festival are still available, and can be purchased through the Boston Calling website. After years of waiting for a music festival we can call our own, Boston Calling emerges and does not disappoint.
by Mandusu Sidibay
#thingsmag