WAT is Zine? Issue 5: Diversity

ISSUE 5 — Diversity Editor-in-Chief Matt Comeau

TEAM LEADS

Submissions/Editing Lily Roth Layout Design Clara Xi Art Diana Tran Marketing Grace Benjaminsen Events Jasmeet Chahal Treasurer Irsah Choudhury Secretary Lily Roth

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS Baz Kanold Clara Xi Emilie Stanley Sophie Barber Yuhang Zhang

Cover art Diana Tran @watiszine | watiszine@gmail.com 2

Letter from the editor Diversity is a theme I’ve wanted to explore with the zine probably since the beginning. It’s become a major part of our society for decades and is addressed in pretty much every avenue of thought, area of study, industry and walk of life. Much like every theme we explore, it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It could be the freedom to truly express or present yourself, a way to point out the variety that life has to offer, or quite simply as a term to encompass that no one is ever truly identical to anyone else. I like that. We’re all different by nature.

Even when we all seem to be locked into the same situation—urged to remain indoors, self-isolating and trying to remain functional despite constant large shifts in our lifestyles and day to days—we all process that differently. Some of us will read a lot, some will make incredible art, others will work hard, or relax, spend time with family, or call their friends. Maybe we’ll learn to cook, or beat that game we’ve all been putting off cause we haven’t had the time. Some of us will worry, others will see this as an opportunity. I think there’s something remarkable in just how DIFFERENT we all experience events like this.

At any rate, this issue isn’t just about situations like these. It’s meant to demonstrate how diversity can be interpreted, and what it means to artists and creators here at the University of Waterloo. I hope it serves as something to look forward to during these uncertain times. A bright light to grace your social media feed so to speak. We here at WAT is Zine? feel like this is our best issue yet (as we tend to say with each we release haha) but we certainly hope you’ll take the time to enjoy it too. Let’s embrace the differences we see in everyone, since it’s all we can do.

Take it easy and stay safe,

Matt Comeau Editor-in-Chief

WAT is Zine?

PS: Wash your hands! :)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Self Portrait with Green Carnations

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The (Deviant) Kiss

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Hand Print

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The Final Act

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[untitled sketches]

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They/Them

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Red-Crowned Crane

Self Portrait with Green Carnations by Baz Kanold Oil on canvas 1 x 1m In the late Victorian era, supporters of Oscar Wilde during his trial and imprisonment would wear green carnations, a symbol of the gay community at the time. This piece is a nod to the historic LGBTQIA+ community, while also representing rebirth and identity in bloom.

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The (Deviant) Kiss by Baz Kanold Oil and collage on canvas 1.5 x 1.5m This appropriation of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt is a commentary on homophobia. The two lovers share a tender embrace in a bed surrounded by a void of hatred around them. The collaged pages come from both historical texts about homosexuality being a mental illness, along with headlines – all from 2019.

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Yuhang Zhang Hand Print

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About the poem: As someone who identifies as a non-binary gay individual, I find that our culture puts a lot of pressure on people to have a solid understanding of their identity. That is, if you're going to be different, be proud of who you are! Consequently, figuring out your identity is a huge process, and within that process, you may even experience periods of uncertainty, fluidity and ambiguity.

I wrote the poem "The Final Act" with the intention of expressing the voices within me that strive for perfection and a solid understanding of my identity. The word "denouement" is a term that describes the end of a play when the conflict has been resolved. To me, this reflects how I do not want to want to reveal the uncertainty in my identity, especially because I went through such great extents to reach where I am now.

The photograph was taken through the eye of a mask, and it is to show how, even though at times I appear proud and confident, on the inside, I still have a sense of uncertainty in who I am.

Ultimately, as a culture, I think we need to start embracing fluidity, growth and diversity instead of always labelling people before they are ready.

Photo collaboratively taken by Caitlyn King and Emilie Stanley.

Poem by Emilie Stanley.

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SOPHIE BARBER

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They/Them, 2020 20 digital photographs 4� x 5� each Any time I It happens often find because of reclaiming exhaustion validated.

am in a public space I am misgendered. every day, multiple times a day. I myself unable to correct people, either fear or fatigue. This piece is me my gender, while also expressing the of consistently fighting to be

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Contributors baz kanold @artbybaz

Baz Kanold was born in Waterloo, Ontario. After getting an advertising degree from Sheridan College, they are now pursuing their degree in Fine Arts from UW. Their work generally explores the fluidity of gender and is a celebration of the queer identity.

clara xi

2A Computer Science. Layout designer for WAT is Zine?.

Still a C-tier cryptid. Recently discovered dried beans.

emilie stanley

I am a first-year student studying Psychology and English at the University of Waterloo who is passionate about the arts and social justice. As a gay non-binary identifying individual, the use of writing and visual media has become, not only a very significant means of expressing my gender and sexuality but also a means of spreading awareness on LGBTQ+ related issues.

@emilie_s_04

sophie barber @sophi3art

yuhang zhang

Sophie Barber is a Fine Arts student at the University of Waterloo. With an interest in figurative work as well as soft sculpture, her work encompasses broad themes. In her work there is an exploration into the body and how it can be represented in a new provoking way. Themes of preservation and mortality can be pulled from her most recent work as she narrows down her interests. Her work can be seen as confrontational and unsettling due to the way she pushes her work into different unconventional directions.

Programmer that likes to draw and paint cool things during free time.

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Issue 5 March 2020