Center of Vision

2018·1.1 MB·English

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MAS5ART
Issue #21
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE March 2018
OF ART AND DESIGN
Center of Vision Celebrating Women
MassArt Student Magazine a letter from the team
EDITORIAL & DESIGN We would like to dedicate this special issue of Center of Vision to
all women. As Women’s History Month is celebrated this March,
Editor-in-Chief we are releasing an issue that highlights the accomplishments and
David Gorelik
struggles that women around the world experience every day. It’s
important for us to recognize the contributions of women to both
Secretary
our global society and our local MassArt community as well.
Marlene Cole
In the past few years, women and their allies have finally begun
Lead Designer
breaking a collective and long-held silence. Women’s Marches
Nikki Chan
have arisen as global movements, powered by social media and
Social Media Manager generations of diverse women aiming to dismantle oppressive
Alondra Armijo Morales systems. In addition, the #MeToo campaign recently resurfaced
online as an outlet for survivors of sexual assault and harassment
CONTRIBUTORS
to come together and heal. But it has also demonstrated just how
widespread and severe the issue of sexual harassment is in our
Designer
society and culture. These campaigns are just the beginning, as
Adam Bertrand
people everywhere are working with newfound momentum to
change our sociopolitical climate and finally offer women the
Writers & Editors
respect and equality that they have always deserved.
Emma Sattler
Carley Byers Women are leaders, activists, educators, students, artists,
Jaryd Massaro designers, and every other kind of hardworking professionals
Mikayla Ranson
there are. But above all of those titles, they are human beings.
Rose Flynn
Human beings whose rights and freedoms are irrevocably and
Megan DiTullio
Lisa Lam unequivocally the same as any other’s. This has always been the
truth, whether it was acknowledged or not. But now more than
Faculty Advisor
ever it is time to understand, accept, and enforce that truth.
Maura Smyth
Let’s take this time to celebrate the women of our community,
Publisher and all of their creativity, skills, and unwavering perseverance.
TCI Press Inc.
21 Industrial Ct
Seekonk, MA 02771 Sincerely,
tcipress.com The Center of Vision Team
MASSART
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE
OF APT AND DESIGN
STUDENT
GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATION
FRONT COVER "Me Too,” Georgiana Pagounis, Graphic Design ’20
The Year of Breaking Silence
by Mikayla Ranson
“ME TOO.’ Two words that we shouldn’t have to declare, but
sadly need to. Two words that represent inspiring bravery from
women and men around the world. Two words that call for
profound and long-awaited change.
How did it all start? The movement was created to address
the shame of victims of sexual violence, and the mortification
they felt for even speaking up about their experiences — the fear
of not being believed. In 2006, civil rights activist Tarana Burke
began the campaign as a grass-roots movement to connect
sexual assault survivors in underprivileged communities. Burke
chose the words “me too” to let survivors know that they were
not alone. The movement was brought to light again eleven
years later in 2017, when actress Alyssa Milano sent out a tweet
reading “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write
‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” This social media response
was extraordinary, and those two words soon became an outlet
for survivors everywhere to share their stories and to help one
another heal.
A video clip arises from 2005 Access
Hollywood during Trump's campaign of
him talking about "grabbing [females]
by the p’ssy."
MARCH 2018 / 3
7
1
0
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Susan Fowler, former Uber engineer, Bill O’Reilly, Fox News anchor, faces Taylor Swift wins lawsuit against Actress Ashley Judd is the first to
shares her experience of sexual allegations of sexual misconduct and DJ who inappropriately grabbed her accuse Hollywood director Harvey
assault with the company, resulting is soon fired by the news station on during a photo-op. Weinstein of sexual assault. The New
in the deletion of the app by multiple April 19th after numerous protests. York Times releases multiple accounts
users and the departure of Uber of sexual allegations against Weinstein.
employees.
“Me too” is a wake-up call. Survivors of any too,” there is a growing call for radical change in
degree of sexual violence often have their feelings our culture. The #MeToo movement has helped
ignored and trivialized by society. Were you sexually unite survivors, and their shared voices are finally
assaulted by a celebrity? Then you were definitely beginning to be heard.
doing it for publicity. They’re a celebrity, so obviously And while “me too” has grown into a global
they could never have done something so like that, campaign, similar experiences exist in our own
right? Harassed by a random guy or girl at the club MassArt community as well. After surveying a group
when you’re just trying to dance and have a fun of MassArt students, most of which have experienced
time? You should be honored. They wore this, so it some degree of sexual violence, the results show that
was their fault. They were this drunk, so it was their most students either did not speak up about their
fault. They didn’t fight back, so it was their fault. experience until much later after it occurred, or have
Victims are constantly berated and told to keep quiet, not told anyone at all. Upon being asked why they
and even worse, told that it couldn’t have possibly could not speak up, there were mixed responses.
been anyone’s fault but their own. This vicious cycle These included being afraid that no one would
of shame and self-blame leads many survivors to believe them, or being convinced by their assailant
actually believe it. But with the resurgence of “me that their experience was “normal.”
TIViV£.
Amer
Louis C.K. reveals that sexual Matt Lauer, co-host of The Today Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Time magazine names “The Silence
misconduct accusations are true and Show, is fired by NBC for sexual Jam Recordings, steps down from Breakers" as their Person of the Year.
is fired from HBO and FX. misconduct allegations. positions after rape allegations
surface.
4 / CENTER OF VISION
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Harvey Weinstein is fired from Alyssa Milano reawakens #MeToo McKayla Maroney comes out as victim Kevin Spacey is accused of sexual
his production company amidst movement with a tweet. of Larry IMassar. She later reveals misconduct. He is later fired from I
allegations. Accusations continue to that she was paid by USA Gymnastics Netflix series House of Cards and is
arise. to sign an agreement to not speak replaced in the film All the Money in
out about her abuse. Teammates Aly the World.
Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Simone I
Biles later speak out about their abuse
as well.
I
I
It is time for change. With the “me too” movement and so incredibly unique that no one in this world
inspiring thousands of survivors to be brave and could replace you. They will never win, because *
share their stories, real, tangible ramifications are you are a fighter. Take time to find your strength, *
beginning to take form. A burst of recent accusations and then embrace it. Admire your fierceness. Your
4
against powerful men have caused many to resign perseverance is a vital part of you, and no one can
from their positions, get fired, or even be sent to ever destroy that. This is you.
prison. But in reality, the fight will never stop. Sexual
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violence has always been an issue in all societies,
and it is unfortunately a never-ending battle. But If you or someone you know is dealing with
survivors will never lose. Even after all of the sexual violence, there is help available.
excuses are made and the blame is placed upon the
undeserving, anyone who has experienced something National Sexual Assault Hotline:
I
like this can and will realize their worth; if not 1-800-656-4673
I
immediately, then at some point in their personal MassArt Counseling and Wellness
journey. And if you are reading this and are looking [email protected] / 617-879-7760
for a sign, this is it. You are not alone. You are strong 2nd floor of Kennedy
*
i
*
President Donald Trump is accused of Director Morgan Spurlock admits Larry Nassar is sentenced to 40 to
sexual harassment by three women to sexual harassment and rape 125 years in prison on three counts of
who share their experiences on Megyn accusations. Super Size Me 2 release sexual assault.
Kelly Today. is cancelled and he steps down from
production company.
MARCH 2018 / 5
v.C-' .• ?■' V ’ O-. -
6 Major Concerns
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with the animation and hlm/video departments
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Tby LISA LAM
here has been growing concern among will actually be useful for students. He also points
MassArt animation students about the out that the software that most students will have
curriculum and future of their depart¬ access to after graduation is the Adobe Suite, specifi¬
ment. To help communicate these concerns to the cally After Effects, rather than Toon Boom.
faculty, I sent out an anonymous survey to the entire Furthermore, students were also concerned
animation department asking students about what with their department’s apparent lack of knowledge
changes they hope to see being made. Out of 180 of the commercial animation industry and how to
animation students, 50 responded to the survey, begin a career after graduation. Since MassArt is lo¬
among those being 22 sophomores, 18 juniors, nine cated in New England, there are not a lot of studios
seniors, and one freshman. The majority of respons¬ in the area, explains Steve. Therefore, there are not
es were concerned with the development of digital many local connections to the commercial indus¬
skills and student resources, such as computers and try, which is primarily based on the West Coast. He
shooting stations. I shared this information with understands that this is heartbreaking for students
Steve Gentile, the animation department chair, to to hear, but the animation department was never
see his response and help my peers gain a better designed to focus solely on job training. Instead, it
understanding of how the department is addressing focuses on making students into skilled animators
these issues. and innovators. According to Steve, the best student
Numerous students felt that their classes were success stories are about the students who grow
lacking, and that they were unprepared for working the most. It is about working with what you have
with digital animation. There is not enough of an and a bit of self-education. It takes a very special
introduction or training when it comes to using person that has the right combination of diligence,
digital animation software, especially regarding persistence, and organization to be commercially
the Digital Toolbox 1 course. This appears to stems successful.
from a broader issue of students not understanding Steve mentions that it is always helpful to have
the overall structure of the animation department. written student input for the department to report
Steve believes that asking for more introductory to the administration. And while students may not
classes is “a short term need without seeing the be aware, there have been gradual changes in the
longer term goal of what the whole curriculum is curriculum with more specific course being offered.
doing.” As students move up through the program, He does admits that due to growing class sizes and
the curriculum actually does shift, but it can be stagnant department budgets, the department
difficult for freshmen or sophomores to see these seems to always be playing catch up. But, while he
changes. “You actually start to get more control can’t promise anything, Steve says that many of the
over what you choose to do and how you choose issues mentioned in the survey, such as the lack of
to do it,” explains Steve. workspaces and digital software, are currently being
Many survey responses specifically called for addressed. He hopes that changes will be in place
“industry standard” animation software training for this upcoming fall semester.
to be added to the curriculum, particularly Toon
Boom. Steve states that it is difficult to purchase an
educational license for Toon Boom (costing S10-15K)
for two classrooms without the guarantee that it
6 / CENTER OF VISION
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hen I started MassArt one year ago, it
quickly became clear to me that the film/
video program wasn't everything that stu¬
dents wanted. During the rounds of class introductions
at the start of liberal arts courses, several classmates It is mostly the required major courses that
even went out of their way to warn me about the pro¬ experience these issues. Electives such as cinema¬
gram. Suffice to say, I entered the major this past fall tography and scriptwriting are quite popular, and
with a skeptical eye. for a good reason. These electives differ from other
After completing my first semester and experienc¬ film/video courses because they are led by a profes¬
ing the classes first-hand, these problems become more sor who has a mastery of the subject matter. These
apparent and weren't limited to just a few disgruntled classes are well-structured, and students often feel
students. If you were to ask around the current soph¬ that they gain more knowledge from electives than
omore film class, approximately one-third of the stu¬ the required courses.
dents have actively applied to transfer next semester, or In contrast, all of the required courses suffer
have considered leaving and even dropping out. Many from rampant disorganization. A lot of time gets
others openly complain about this issue, but choose wasted during these classes, which overshadows the
to stay merely to graduate as quickly as possible and to value of the lecture. In turn, this makes students
utilize the equipment available to them. lose faith in the teaching abilities of our professors.
The root of the problem is quite clear. An old and Additionally, assignments are often poorly delivered
tired debate vexes film/video students: experimental in the sense that both the due date and the require¬
vs. Hollywood (or commercial) cinema. Students and ments are unclear. The only exception to this is the
teachers recognize that these two styles are both valid enlightening and well-prepared sound class.
and can coexist, yet the program does not reflect that While these observations are my personal
or offer any balance between them. experiences, they do also speak for the majority of
Experimental filmmaking is preached in our class¬ students in the department. I'm aware that, as a
es and screened relentlessly as if to prove its merits. sophomore, I may not have the full experience or
This type of filmmaking is impressive in its own right, authority to criticize this department before even
and those who wish to pursue this approach should do completing the program. However, waiting to finish
so. But realistically, not all students in our department the program wouldn't help incoming students. We
want this path, and limiting our curriculum to favor need a better curriculum, and we need to begin
this style of filmmaking doesn’t seem like an appropri¬ making changes as soon as possible.
ate method of teaching. My classmate B. Raad and I have written and
Also, there are several arguments over how courses submitted a letter to our department head on March
are taught, and their real objectives are not always 2nd. Dubbed the “Declaration of Codependence,” it
made clear to the students. For instance, it is deceitful outlines the issues that students face in MassArt’s
to use a video class as an excuse for an installation- film/video department. We have also met with the
only course. Instead, we should have video classes department head to discuss the content of the letter,
that teach us how to use the medium and how it con¬ and to help work out some solutions. The Dean of
trasts with film. Likewise, the department should Students is also involved to ensure that there will
have a mandatory film history class. There is also a be oversight and fairness throughout this process.
severe need for relevant skills training. We should be Our goal is to spread awareness of the issues that
learning, in depth, how cameras function and how are hindering our department, and to improve our
industry-level film sets operate, to ensure that when we curriculum for ourselves and future students. The
enter “the real world,” we have an established skill set full original letter can be viewed on the Center of
ready to utilize. Vision Facebook page. C
STUDENT GALLERY
STUDENT GALLERY
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8 / CENTER OF VISION
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a mess of a woman I am,
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linger over my skin
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charting each artery that flowed
with your blood inside 5
through circuits of my
uncertainty, lust
and longing
a mess of a woman I am,
scraping the marrow out
from inside my ribs
so this cage may no longer,
enclose you
a mess of a woman I am,
waiting for reprieve
from a futile search
for answers as to why
I am haphazard pieces
affixed together from,
the whole of you.
— Michaela Mann, Painting ’18
MARCH 2018 / 9
Femme Fatale
That which is tragic is beautiful:
Soft-lit tears and paperback Sylvia Plath,
Pliable and supple, resting on a nightstand.
Hazy golden daydreams of broken hearts
Toss their light upon lacy cream frocks
And peach pearls.
Violets cluster in Peter Pan collars
Which frame blushed cheeks and shy smiles,
Lashes full of snow.
Seafoam thoughts rush across midnight memories of Botticelli;
The Primavera becomes guardian angels.
The fateful minds of the exquisite intellectuals,
The beautiful literary freaks,
The manic pixie dream girls -
We feel the imprisonment of being girls,
But who but god may decide?
We are all dreams,
All dreamers.
But let’s suppose that pleasure derived from flesh as soft as milk
Were to become steel.
Who would bear the tragedy then?
— Emma Sattler, Printmaking ’21
10 / CENTER OF VISION