Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Theory

David Bowie

When we think of rock music, most of us think drugs, alcohol, dark lyrics and really loud music. Most people think of the likes of David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Kiss and Nirvana. We remember the ones who got caught up in the game of rock music and crashed like Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain who committed suicide at the age of 27.  We remember the intense makeup and wardrobe of Kiss and David Bowie.

The Inspiration

While it is true that rock music is full of loud sounds, dark lyrics, obsessions, and sometimes drugs and destructive behavior, there is more to the music than insanity.

"Escaping Insanity" Drawing by Marie

 To me and to most of the people who listen or sing rock music, whether it’s classic rock or punk- rock, it’s a way for us to express the intense emotions we feel or go through in our daily lives. Most of us do have a couple of demons we are trying to fight. However, singing and writing keep us sane.

The Truth

Kurt Cobain

It’s dangerous for a person to not have a way of dealing with life’s heartaches. It is necessary for a person to have a coping mechanism of one way or another. I do agree there are many rockers who end up greatly under the influence and suicidal.  However, there are still many people like Pink Floyd, Skillet, Green Day, and Evanescence who have been in the world of Rock N Roll and have come out victors over their demons.

A piece showcased in the late Alexander McQueen's fashion exhibition at the Met.

In a world where fashion magazines are widely read and influence many individuals, it is clear fashion plays an intricate part in society. Further, fashion today has transcended into another level where it is now considered as art and the fashion designers as artists. Fashion designers create unique, beautiful and sometimes over the top clothing that redefines what fashion is. Often times pushing the limits of the fashion world. One famous designer that comes to mind is the legendary Alexander McQueen, whose lifetime collection of work was showcased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last summer.

A dress designed by the legendary fashion designer.

The McQueen Exhibition    

According to the official Met website, the exhibition was organized by The Costume Institute, and celebrated the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. The exhibition featured work from McQueen’s’ 1992 Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection to his final runway presentation. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His designs– considered as iconic — showcase the work of an artist who truly cares about the ways in which to express it. The exhibition featured approximately one hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career.

An example of McQueen challenging and expanding the idea of fashion.

  A Fashion Designer and an Artist

     When a fashion’s designer’s collection of almost his life’s work becomes an exhibition at an art museum that proves the level of significance or regard that fashion has on the world, and how fashion has become an art. In addition, I think fashion is an art in the way that both fashion designer and artists share several similarities. Both need to be inspired for them to create their own designs or works of art. Moreover, both fashion designer and artists obtain inspiration from the world around them, and perhaps from each other, such as a fashion designer being inspired by a painting or a photograph.

By Joanne Ganthier

Cluelessness

To declare myself a football fan would be baffling. To evidence myself making an effort in the use of any sports related jargon would simply ensue hilarity – albeit, since two weeks prior, I will gladly look to future Super Bowl events.

Now you may wonder, how did such an unbeliever suddenly become receptive to what once sounded like such babble?

Secret

Completely immersed in the game. Photo: Charm Lee

It wasn’t the Giant’s honed athletic abilities (sorry, fanatics), or the players’ amazing physical attributes (again, sorry), it was simply the sort of fellowship I was able to share with all of my friends under the unity of a common goal.

Sure, it may sound cliché, and even very blasé, but I truly believe I have discovered the secret behind the victimization of those to the utter passion of the Super bowl.

Recap

Giants paraphernalia. Photo: Charm Lee

The atmosphere of the gathering I was a part of screamed conformity from the very start – everyone had on a t-shirt bearing the Giants logo, and for the ignorant, like myself, we at least sported supportive colors to avoid feeling left out.  If that wasn’t enough, there were branded balloons and disposable utensils littering the house, and other such paraphernalia.

As we were seated and, watching the game, those who were most severely victim to the football fever were in front, unaware of anything else but what was on the TV field. If their heat was as a literal flame in that it was quickly spreading, those of us who were once indifferent were like flammable paint.

Super Bowl food. Photo: Charm Lee

Victory

When the Giants won, we all won. Regardless of how false the pride induced in us were, the very presence of an “us” was highly addictive and enjoyable. Not to mention that the food was awesome.

Baruch College

It’s hard not to panic when the first day of the last semester of your college career begins. The emails that pile up from your new professors only add to the knot that has been forming in your stomach since the moment you paid your last ever tuition bill. I don’t know about my fellow Baruchian seniors, but it is safe to say I am officially having anxiety attacks about what happens after Graduation!

Career & Graduation Flyers

In Retrospect
I remember high school graduation like it was yesterday. I haven’t even framed my prom pictures yet and here I am registering for my Bachelor’s Degree graduation. It really does make me wonder: Where does the time go? Even more so, it makes me reevaluate my last four years at Baruch. It is as if I’m running a mental check list on all the things I should’ve done during the last four years to make sure I am prepared for a new title in my “occupation” box.

One Step At a Time

Crossing The Bridge
You know the saying “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it”? Well, this is it. More sooner than later I will be “crossing that bridge” and I guess it’s natural for me to be so anxious about what’s on the other side. As long as I keep my panic attacks in check I think i’ll be just fine..right? It’ll take alot of me reminding myself to breathe and take it one day at a time but I know in my heart and in my mind that great things await me. Because we must learn to crawl before we walk, I think im ready to get on my feet.

All photos were taken by Isamar Batista.

Roses are Red...

Contrary to what you may think by the end of reading this post, I am not bitter, alone, nor live with 37 cats. Actually, Im cupid’s biggest cheerleader. I live for the hopeless romance Hollywood movies sell us, and I will probably get heartbroken many times in my journey to find my knight in shining armor. Yet, I admit that I am against Valentine’s Day and everyone who obsesses over it. Yes, there are girls that actually HATE Valentine’s Day.

Date Night

Who? What? Where?
Call me crazy, but I happen to believe that love and friendship should be celebrated and expressed on a daily basis. Why do we need an assigned day to buy flowers and chocolates when you can do that any given day? There is just too much pressure placed on February 14th. It’s all about who’s your “valentine,” where did he take you, and what did he give you? I’ve seen people get so caught up that they forget the most important thing that day signifies: Love.

Love Ink

Love Money Can’t Buy
Every year Valentine’s Day is less about the love and more about material things. I refuse to give in to the commercialization of yet another American tradition and get in the running to compete with millions of other couples to prove my appreciation for someone. A gift, a date or a card won’t define my love for anyone. If I love you, you’ll know it every day, holiday or not.

All photos were taken by Isamar Batista.

Advertisements constantly surround the lives of New Yorkers that after a while they aren’t even paid attention to. Ads can typically be found on buses, telephone booths, taxi cabs, subway cars and on gigantic billboards scattered around the city, particularly in Times Square where they seem almost blinding. They are everywhere you turn and yet no one ever spends time looking at them, really observing them and their meaning, unless you are watching one being painted on by a sign painter.

Painting in Progress, photo by Karen Horton

Competing with Posters

Concord Painting–a major sign painting corporation that works for the likes of Astroland (Cyclone Roller coaster), Cartier on 5^th Avenue, The Brooklyn Public Library, and the Marriot Marquis, just to name a few—have overcame their struggles from when the popularity of posters increased; “New York sign painting suffered in the seventies and eighties but is making a steady comeback thanks to public appreciation of its artistry and appeal.” It is apparent that major corporations are sticking to the individuality that sign painting offers to their buildings.

It would be hard to tell that this is painted on until you see the painters swing stage underneath.

The Creative Process

Sign painting was the original form of advertising in Manhattan in the 1950’s. Though it is seen as a lost art that has been overpowered by the simplicity and cost efficiency in the mass reproduction of posters, the diligence and attentiveness that is required to perform this tedious artistry is the strength that has kept it alive for so many years. As Concord Painting describes it, “The actual sign painter’s work is still meticulous and hand crafted. Using a grid pattern the painting itself is still done by hand. The color matching is done by eye and hand through experience in working with the paint and different surfaces. A sign painter can be catagorized as a commercial contractor, but in a finer sense, the sign painter is a true artist.”

Painting in progress on 23rd st, photo by Karen Horton

Hope for the Future

A handful of buildings throughout the city still stay committed to the artistry that is sign painting. The ads tend to give a sense of originality, uniqueness and add a beautiful aesthetic to the once common and dull brick building. It is with this maxim that sign painting companies still thrive in business throughout New York City and should continue to prosper for years to come.