2018 SO FAR HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE. I'M NOW LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY WITH A NEW INTERNSHIP AND ONLY A FEW MONTHS BEFORE GRADUATING COLLEGE. I WILL BE FACED WITH MANY CHALLENGES AS I FIGURE OUT THE NEXT STEPS IN MY LIFE POST GRADUATION, BUT I'VE DEVELOPED A THOUGHTFUL LIST OF "NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS" TO HELP ME EASE THROUGH THEM:
BE A BETTER LISTENER.
SOMETIMES I'M GUILTY OF TEXTING WHILE SOMEONE IS TALKING TO ME, OR I'LL BE SCROLLING THROUGH INSTAGRAM DURING A MOVIE WITH MY FAMILY. THOSE DISTRACTIONS INTERRUPT CONVERSATIONS, VALUABLE FAMILY TIME AND OVERALL HUMAN INTERACTION. I'M WORKING ON INVESTING MY UNDIVIDED ATTENTION IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER AND EVEN THE ONES THAT DON'T, AND THAT WAY I CAN TRULY LEARN, ENGAGE AND BECOME INSPIRED THROUGH THE REAL WORLD.
BE MORE CURIOUS.
ALWAYS ASK "WHY," GET LOST (WHICH WILL INEVITABLY HAPPEN IN NEW YORK DUE TO MY INADEQUATE NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS), MEET STRANGERS AND DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. CRAVE EXCITEMENT!
EMBRACE "LA DOLCE FAR NIENTE".
TRANSLATED TO "THE SWEETNESS OF DOING NOTHING," WHICH SIMPLY MEANS TO EMBRACE THE SLOW LIFE. AS A PERSON WHO ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE DOING SOMETHING "PRODUCTIVE", I'M TRYING TO DIGEST THE THOUGHT THAT DOING NOTHING IS IN FACT DOING SOMETHING. FREEING MYSELF FROM A BUSY ROUTINE ONCE IN A WHILE WILL HELP ME ACHIEVE A LOW-STRESS AND BALANCED LIFESTYLE.
ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY.
IN HOPES OF MOVING PERMANENTLY TO NEW YORK AFTER GRADUATING, THAT MEANS LESS TIME TO SPEND WITH FAMILY. STAYING CONNECTED TO THEM EVEN FROM THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. I TREASURE OUR WEEKLY FACETIMES AND ONGOING GROUP CHATS, ESPECIALLY THE OCCASIONAL TRIPS BACK HOME.
SNACK LESS.
IT MIGHT SEEM INSIGNIFICANT, BUT IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM...
THIS YEAR I EXPERIENCED MY VERY FIRST FRIENDSGIVING AWAY FROM HOME IN A NEW CITY. I VISITED A FRIEND WHO GOES TO NOTRE DAME, SO WE SPENT THE FIRST FEW DAYS IN SOUTH BEND WHERE WE CELEBRATED THANKSGIVING. THEN WE VENTURED DOWN TO CHI-TOWN. MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE CITY WAS THAT IT WAS INCREDIBLY CLEAN, THE PEOPLE WERE GENUINE AND CHICAGO HAD A FOOD SCENE THAT WAS HARD TO BEAT.
WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 48 HOURS IN CHICAGO AND HERE IS WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED:
A VISIT TO THE BEAN (PICTURED AT THE TOP) MAY HAVE BEEN A TYPICAL TOURIST MOVE, BUT WE WENT AT 8:00 A.M. ON A SUNDAY MORNING TO AVOID THE CROWDS. THE CURVED SURFACE OF THE OVERSIZED SCULPTURE REFLECTED THE SUN PEEKING THROUGH THE SKYLINE OF THE CITY.
THE SUMMER HEAT DECIDED TO LINGER A WHILE LONGER THIS YEAR, BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO MIND. NOW THAT THE TEMPERATURES ARE COOLING DOWN AND THE LEAVES ARE BEGINNING TO PAINT THE HUDSON VALLEY WITH HUES OF RED, ORANGE AND YELLOW, IT'S EVIDENT THAT FALL IS FINALLY HERE. A FEW AUTUMNAL RITUALS THAT I'VE ADOPTED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS INCLUDES APPLE PICKING AND INDULGING IN WARM APPLE CIDER DONUTS. THIS YEAR I'VE ADDED A MAPLE BOURBON APPLE CIDER COCKTAIL TO CELEBRATE FALL. THE AMALGAMATION INCLUDES:
10 OZ APPLE CIDER
4 OZ BOURBON
1 APPLE (SLICE INTO THICK CHUNKS)
2 TSP MAPLE SYRUP
1/4 TSP CINNAMON
SIMMER THE CIDER, APPLE CHUNKS, MAPLE SYRUP AND CINNAMON FOR 5 MINUTES. STRAIN AND ADD BOURBON. POUR INTO SERVING GLASSES AND ENJOY.
THIS YEAR I WENT APPLE PICKING AT WRIGHT'S FARM IN GARDINER, NY. IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND DOG FOR A PICNIC AND TO STOCK UP ON SOME OF THE MOST DELICIOUS LOCAL FRUIT.
BEING VEGAN IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET. -JENNA KOBATA
THERE ARE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VEGANISM: VEGANS ARE PROTEIN DEFICIENT OR IT'S EXPENSIVE TO BE A VEGAN, BUT THE MOST COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING IS THAT VEGANISM IS A DIET. COLLOQUIALLY, A DIET REFERS TO A CHANGE IN ONE'S EATING HABITS FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO ACHIEVE A SPECIFIC GOAL. IN ACTUALITY, A DIET REFERS TO THE SUM OF FOOD THAT ONE CONSUMES. VEGANISM EXTENDS FAR BEYOND SIMPLY WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR BODIES—IT CAN CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.
PRIOR TO OUR CONVERSATION I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MY TWIN SISTER, JENNA, HAD ESSENTIALLY CHANGED OUR FAMILY DYNAMIC WHEN SHE BECAME VEGAN. JENNA'S TRANSITION DIRECTLY AFFECTED ME, BUT I ACCEPTED AND ACTUALLY CAME TO LIKE THIS HEALTHFUL LIFESTYLE INTRINSIC TO VEGANISM. WE GOT GYM MEMBERSHIPS, ATTENDED OCCASIONAL YOGA CLASSES AND PLANNED FAMILY DINNERS AT RESTAURANTS THAT WERE VEGAN FRIENDLY. ALL THE WHILE, JENNA CONSTANTLY PRACTICED BY THE MOTTO: "BEING VEGAN IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET." WE DISCUSSED THIS MOTTO OVER VEGAN BLT'S AT DOWNBEAT DINER IN DOWNTOWN HONOLULU.
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR MOTTO TO ME.
IT PLAYS INTO HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. SOME VEGANS CONSIDER ALL THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF VEGANISM LIKE MANY OF THE PUBLIC FIGURES WHO VOUCH FOR THE ANIMALS, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE VEGAN-FRIENDLY CLOTHING. OTHERS MAY ONLY BE CONCERNED WITH ONLY ONE OR A FEW ASPECTS. THE DEGREE OF VEGANISM APPLIED TO ONE'S LIFESTYLE VARIES.
AREN'T THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TOO, LIKE MONETARY FACTORS?
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT IT'S NOT. REGARDING FOOD, IF YOU STICK TO YOUR BASICS—STARCHES LIKE RICE AND POTATOES, BEANS AND VEGGIES—IT'S VERY AFFORDABLE.
I'M SURE YOU'RE ASKED THIS A LOT, BUT WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CONVERT TO VEGANISM?
AT FIRST, I DID IT FOR HEALTH REASONS, BUT I DON'T LIKE TELLING PEOPLE THAT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SELFISH REASON. IT HAS NOW BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I BECAME VEGAN.
WHY IS IT SELFISH?
BECAUSE IT'S ONLY BENEFITING ME. BUT I REALIZED THAT BECOMING VEGAN WAS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MY HEALTH. I BEGAN TO GENERATE AWARENESS OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND I HAVE INFLUENCED OTHERS TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S SELFISH, RATHER I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT YOU ARE MAKING THE EFFORT TO CARE FOR YOUR HEALTH.
YEAH. I STARTED DOING MORE RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW I CAN REAP THE BENEFITS OF THIS CHANGE. I ALSO WATCHED VIDEOS OF VEGAN INFLUENCERS AND LEARNED ABOUT THEIR REASONS FOR BECOMING VEGAN AND IT WAS VERY INSPIRING.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY CRAVINGS FOR NON-VEGAN FOOD?
I CAN'T REALLY REMEMBER WHAT THOSE FOODS—LIKE CHEESE, MEAT AND MILK—TASTE LIKE...
YOU USED TO LOVE POKE (RAW FISH) BOWLS!
I DO MISS THAT OCCASIONALLY. MOST TIMES WHEN I'M WITH FRIENDS, EATING DESSERT FOR EXAMPLE, I DON'T REALLY CRAVE WHAT THEY'RE EATING BUT I USUALLY WISH THAT THERE WAS AN OPTION FOR ME.
WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOUR CHOICE TO BECOME VEGAN WAS WORTH IT?
THE SMALL INSTANCES WHERE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TEACH AND INSPIRE OTHERS THROUGH MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS A VEGAN HAVE BEEN PROUD MOMENTS FOR ME.
THE FACT THAT YOU MADE IT TWO YEARS AS A VEGAN IS A HUGE TRIUMPH.
IT WENT BY QUICKLY, BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS A LOT EASIER NOW.
WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL GROCERY LIST INCLUDE?
ALWAYS A PLANT-BASED MILK, FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, FROZEN FRUITS, GRAINS, POTATOES, BEANS, CHICKPEAS, DATES AND OATS. WHEN I GO GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY FRIENDS, THEY'RE ALWAYS SO SURPRISED AT HOW CHEAP EVERYTHING IS. THEY USUALLY BUY A LOT LESS AND END UP PAYING MORE THAN ME.
WHEN YOU GO OUT TO EAT WHAT DO YOU DO IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NOTHING FOR YOU TO EAT ASIDE FROM A SLICE OF BREAD OR PLAIN LETTUCE?
I'VE LEARNED TO NOT ALWAYS ASSUME THOSE ARE MY ONLY OPTIONS AND ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING VEGAN FRIENDLY. USUALLY I'LL BRING MY OWN FOOD IF I THINK I'LL RUN INTO A SITUATION LIKE THAT. I ALWAYS COME PREPARED.
OVERALL, HOW HAS BECOMING VEGAN AFFECTED YOUR LIFE AND HOW WILL YOU MAKE OTHERS SEE VEGANISM AS A LIFESTYLE AND NOT A DIET?
I DEFINITELY HAVE MORE ENERGY AND I CAN READ MY BODY BETTER. I FEEL MORE EDUCATED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND NUTRITION, TOO. I WANT TO PASS ON THAT KNOWLEDGE AND SHOW PEOPLE THE BIGGER PICTURE AND EFFECTS THAT VEGANISM HAS ON THEMSELVES, OTHERS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.
THERE ARE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VEGANISM: VEGANS ARE PROTEIN DEFICIENT OR IT'S EXPENSIVE TO BE A VEGAN, BUT THE MOST COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING IS THAT VEGANISM IS A DIET. COLLOQUIALLY, A DIET REFERS TO A CHANGE IN ONE'S EATING HABITS FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO ACHIEVE A SPECIFIC GOAL. IN ACTUALITY, A DIET REFERS TO THE SUM OF FOOD THAT ONE CONSUMES. VEGANISM EXTENDS FAR BEYOND SIMPLY WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR BODIES—IT CAN CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.
PRIOR TO OUR CONVERSATION I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MY TWIN SISTER, JENNA, HAD ESSENTIALLY CHANGED OUR FAMILY DYNAMIC WHEN SHE BECAME VEGAN. JENNA'S TRANSITION DIRECTLY AFFECTED ME, BUT I ACCEPTED AND ACTUALLY CAME TO LIKE THIS HEALTHFUL LIFESTYLE INTRINSIC TO VEGANISM. WE GOT GYM MEMBERSHIPS, ATTENDED OCCASIONAL YOGA CLASSES AND PLANNED FAMILY DINNERS AT RESTAURANTS THAT WERE VEGAN FRIENDLY. ALL THE WHILE, JENNA CONSTANTLY PRACTICED BY THE MOTTO: "BEING VEGAN IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A DIET." WE DISCUSSED THIS MOTTO OVER VEGAN BLT'S AT DOWNBEAT DINER IN DOWNTOWN HONOLULU.
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR MOTTO TO ME.
IT PLAYS INTO HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ISSUES. SOME VEGANS CONSIDER ALL THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF VEGANISM LIKE MANY OF THE PUBLIC FIGURES WHO VOUCH FOR THE ANIMALS, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE VEGAN-FRIENDLY CLOTHING. OTHERS MAY ONLY BE CONCERNED WITH ONLY ONE OR A FEW ASPECTS. THE DEGREE OF VEGANISM APPLIED TO ONE'S LIFESTYLE VARIES.
AREN'T THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TOO, LIKE MONETARY FACTORS?
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT IT'S NOT. REGARDING FOOD, IF YOU STICK TO YOUR BASICS—STARCHES LIKE RICE AND POTATOES, BEANS AND VEGGIES—IT'S VERY AFFORDABLE.
I'M SURE YOU'RE ASKED THIS A LOT, BUT WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CONVERT TO VEGANISM?
AT FIRST, I DID IT FOR HEALTH REASONS, BUT I DON'T LIKE TELLING PEOPLE THAT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SELFISH REASON. IT HAS NOW BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I BECAME VEGAN.
WHY IS IT SELFISH?
BECAUSE IT'S ONLY BENEFITING ME. BUT I REALIZED THAT BECOMING VEGAN WAS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MY HEALTH. I BEGAN TO GENERATE AWARENESS OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND I HAVE INFLUENCED OTHERS TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S SELFISH, RATHER I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT YOU ARE MAKING THE EFFORT TO CARE FOR YOUR HEALTH.
YEAH. I STARTED DOING MORE RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW I CAN REAP THE BENEFITS OF THIS CHANGE. I ALSO WATCHED VIDEOS OF VEGAN INFLUENCERS AND LEARNED ABOUT THEIR REASONS FOR BECOMING VEGAN AND IT WAS VERY INSPIRING.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY CRAVINGS FOR NON-VEGAN FOOD?
I CAN'T REALLY REMEMBER WHAT THOSE FOODS—LIKE CHEESE, MEAT AND MILK—TASTE LIKE...
YOU USED TO LOVE POKE (RAW FISH) BOWLS!
I DO MISS THAT OCCASIONALLY. MOST TIMES WHEN I'M WITH FRIENDS, EATING DESSERT FOR EXAMPLE, I DON'T REALLY CRAVE WHAT THEY'RE EATING BUT I USUALLY WISH THAT THERE WAS AN OPTION FOR ME.
WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOUR CHOICE TO BECOME VEGAN WAS WORTH IT?
THE SMALL INSTANCES WHERE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TEACH AND INSPIRE OTHERS THROUGH MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS A VEGAN HAVE BEEN PROUD MOMENTS FOR ME.
THE FACT THAT YOU MADE IT TWO YEARS AS A VEGAN IS A HUGE TRIUMPH.
IT WENT BY QUICKLY, BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS A LOT EASIER NOW.
WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL GROCERY LIST INCLUDE?
ALWAYS A PLANT-BASED MILK, FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, FROZEN FRUITS, GRAINS, POTATOES, BEANS, CHICKPEAS, DATES AND OATS. WHEN I GO GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY FRIENDS, THEY'RE ALWAYS SO SURPRISED AT HOW CHEAP EVERYTHING IS. THEY USUALLY BUY A LOT LESS AND END UP PAYING MORE THAN ME.
WHEN YOU GO OUT TO EAT WHAT DO YOU DO IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NOTHING FOR YOU TO EAT ASIDE FROM A SLICE OF BREAD OR PLAIN LETTUCE?
I'VE LEARNED TO NOT ALWAYS ASSUME THOSE ARE MY ONLY OPTIONS AND ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING VEGAN FRIENDLY. USUALLY I'LL BRING MY OWN FOOD IF I THINK I'LL RUN INTO A SITUATION LIKE THAT. I ALWAYS COME PREPARED.
OVERALL, HOW HAS BECOMING VEGAN AFFECTED YOUR LIFE AND HOW WILL YOU MAKE OTHERS SEE VEGANISM AS A LIFESTYLE AND NOT A DIET?
I DEFINITELY HAVE MORE ENERGY AND I CAN READ MY BODY BETTER. I FEEL MORE EDUCATED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND NUTRITION, TOO. I WANT TO PASS ON THAT KNOWLEDGE AND SHOW PEOPLE THE BIGGER PICTURE AND EFFECTS THAT VEGANISM HAS ON THEMSELVES, OTHERS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.
MAGAZZINO ITALIAN ART
40 MINUTES SOUTH OF POUGHKEEPSIE, JUST OFF ROUTE 9, IS MAGAZZINO ITALIAN ART IN COLD SPRING, NY. FOUNDED BY SARDINIA NATIVE, GIORGIO SPANU, AND NEW YORK NATIVE NANCY OLNICK, THIS SPACE WAS CREATED TO HOUSE POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN ART. IT ALSO CONTAINS AN EXTENSIVE LIBRARY WITH OVER 5,000 BOOKS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS, SCHOLARS AND VISITORS.
THEIR CURRENT EXHIBITION PAYS HOMAGE TO MARGHERITA STEIN, A TRAILBLAZER IN THE ARTE POVERA ("POOR ART") MOVEMENT—AN ITALIAN AVANT-GARDE MOVEMENT IN THE ART WORLD DURING THE 20TH CENTURY. DURING THIS PERIOD, ARTISTS OF ARTE POVERA WOULD TYPICALLY ASSEMBLE COMMONPLACE MATERIALS SUCH AS ROCKS, CLOTHING OR ROPE INTO THEIR WORK.
ART BY MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO AND LUCIANO FABRO
STEIN CREATED A GALLERY IN TURIN UNDER THE NAME OF HER HUSBAND "CHRISTIAN STEIN" IN ORDER TO GAIN EASIER ACCESS AND ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ART WORLD. SHE WORKED WITH ARTISTS LIKE DOMENICO BIANCHI, MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO AND REMO SALVADORI TO NAME A FEW, AND IT WAS HER GOAL TO BRING HER ARTIST'S WORK TO THE UNITED STATES. IT IS A PART OF MAGAZZINO'S INTENTION TO FULFILL HER DREAM.
MAGAZZINO TRANSLATING IN ITALIAN TO "WAREHOUSE," WAS ORIGINALLY A DAIRY DISTRIBUTION CENTER TURNED COMPUTER FACTORY. ARCHITECT MIGUEL QUISMONDO WHO HAILS FROM MADRID, MAINTAINED THE STRUCTURE'S ORIGINAL L-SHAPE DESIGN AND ENLARGED THE SPACE BY ADDING THE THREE GALLERIES. THE END RESULT IS A 20,000 SQUARE FOOT EXHIBITION SPACE.
EXTERIOR OF MAGAZZINO
THE GLASS CORRIDOR ENTRANCE THAT CONNECTS THE WAREHOUSE AND GALLERIES LOOK OUT INTO THE COURTYARD AND BEYOND INTO THE SURROUNDING FOLIAGE. PISTOLETTO'S REINTERPRETATION OF THE ITALIAN FLAG MADE OF VIBRANT GREEN, WHITE AND RED SHREDDED FABRIC SITS OPPOSITE OF THE FRONT DESK THAT IS LINED WITH PAMPHLETS AND A BOWL OF CUSTOMIZED GREY AND WHITE M&M'S THAT READ "MAGAZZINO."
SINCE THEIR OPENING IN JUNE, MAGAZZINO HAS BECOME A UNIQUE DESTINATION FOR MANY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ALIKE WHO FLOCK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POST-WAR AND CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN ART. WHILE THEY DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER TOURS, THEY HIGHLY ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO FREELY WANDER THE SPACE AND IMMERSE THEMSELVES INTO THE WORLD OF MAGAZZINO.
ART BY GIULIO PAOLINI AND MARIO MERZ
INTRODUCING MILLENNIAL MINDS: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUCCESS AND FAILURE AND THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF ADULTHOOD THROUGH THE LENS OF THE CREATIVE, TECH-SAVVY AND AMBITIOUS GENERATION.
IN THE PEAK OF THE AFTERNOON HEAT EMMA AND I SAT IN A SHADED CORNER OF MY BACK YARD CATCHING UP. IT HAD BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE WE LAST SAW EACH OTHER AND HER CALM AND SPIRITUAL DEMEANOR HAD NOT CHANGED ONE BIT. WE EXCHANGED STORIES ABOUT OUR RECENT TRAVELS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND OUR FEAR OF ANSWERING THE QUESTION "WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO AFTER YOU GRADUATE?" (CONSIDERING THAT WE WILL BE GRADUATING IN SPRING 2018).
EMMA WAS BORN AN ARTIST. FROM A DANCE-FILLED CHILDHOOD TO BECOMING AN ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER, SHE ALWAYS FELT THE NEED TO COLLABORATE AND CREATE. HER AFFINITY FOR THE ARTS IS WHAT LED HER TO NEW YORK CITY WHERE SHE CURRENTLY RESIDES. EVEN IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, EMMA AGREES THAT LIFE CAN BECOME STILL AND LACK FRESHNESS SO SHE SHARES SOME ADVICE ON BREAKING THOSE STALE MOMENTS.
IT HAS BEEN JUST ABOUT A YEAR SINCE I LAST SAW YOU. WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
I'VE BEEN PRIORITIZING SCHOOL, FOCUSING ON MY PHOTOGRAPHY AND BALANCING OTHER ACTIVITIES. I'LL ALSO HAVE AN INTERNSHIP AT A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY IN SOHO WHICH WILL BE A GOOD GROWING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE THIS PATH?
A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I WAS A DANCE MAJOR AND I WANTED TO GRADUATE WITH A BFA MODERN CONCENTRATION AND BE IN A COMPANY. BUT LAST WEEK I JUST TOOK MY FIRST DANCE CLASS IN A YEAR.
HOW WAS THAT?
IT FELT NATURAL, LIKE I WAS RETURNING HOME, BUT NOW I'M FOCUSING MORE ON PHOTOGRAPHY AND YOGA. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I DIDN'T WANT TO DANCE ANYMORE, BUT EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING MY PARENTS TOLD ME I'M GOOD AT IT SO I SHOULD CONTINUE. I STARTED TO REALIZE THAT I WAS DANCING JUST TO PLEASE OTHER PEOPLE. WHEN I LEFT FOR NEW YORK, I STARTED CRYING TO MY MOM TELLING HER I DIDN'T WANT TO DANCE. SHE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OKAY AND THAT IT WAS JUST MY NERVES. WHEN I GOT INJURED, IT WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. IT WAS MY EXIT FROM DANCE AND THAT'S WHEN I TURNED TO PHOTOGRAPHY BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS LOVED.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
MY FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE MOMENT IS RYAN MCGINLEY. HE STARTED OFF AS A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR, THEN HE WANTED TO DO POETRY BUT HE DISCOVERED HE WAS REALLY GOOD AT PHOTOGRAPHY. HE TAKES PEOPLE INTO EXTREME NATURE AND THEY ARE NAKED AND HE SHOOTS THEM AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL. A LOT OF THE TIME WHAT I LOOK FOR IS THE LIGHTING BECAUSE IT CAN AFFECT WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE PHOTO. THE WAY THE LIGHT HITS THE SKIN. FILM PHOTOGRAPHY CAN REALLY CAPTURE THE TEXTURE OF THE SKIN VERSUS DIGITAL.
(ALL PHOTOS BY EMMA SUZUKI-JONES)
WE HAD A CONVERSATION EARLIER ABOUT YOUR LIFE IN NEW YORK AND HOW YOU CRAVE SOMETHING NEW; A CHANGE. HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT CHANGE HAPPEN AND OVERCOME THE DULL MOMENTS WHEN LIFE SEEMS STAGNANT?
EVERY MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP I JOURNAL. THREE PAGES OF MINDLESS WRITING ABOUT THOUGHTS, DREAMS OR GOALS FOR THE DAY. IN THAT WAY I'M ATTRACTING GOOD ENERGY AND PEOPLE. I'VE LEARNED THAT NEGATIVE ATTRACTS NEGATIVE SO THE ENERGY YOU PUT OUT THERE IS ALSO WHAT YOU'LL ATTRACT. YOU ALSO CAN'T TAKE YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK TOO SERIOUSLY. DON'T BE AFRAID OF OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS.
WE BOTH AGREED THAT ANTICIPATING WHAT COMES NEXT FOR US IN OUR CAREER PATHS AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE AFTER COLLEGE MAKES US ANXIOUS, BUT WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO SEE YOURSELF AFTER GRADUATION IN THE SPRING?
I FEEL LIKE IT CHANGES BY THE DAY, HONESTLY. I RAN INTO SOMEONE I KNEW AT THE GROCERY STORE AND SHE ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO DO AND I JUST STOOD THERE AND LAUGHED AND COULD ONLY SAY I HAVE NO IDEA.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF STAYING IN NEW YORK?
YES. MAYBE I COULD WORK IN A GALLERY AND FOCUS ON MY OWN ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY. I WOULD WANT TO STAY IN NEW YORK BECAUSE YOU CAN FIND SO MANY ARTISTS TO CONNECT AND COLLABORATE WITH.
WILL YOU EVER MOVE BACK HOME TO HAWAI'I?
I USED TO NEVER SEE MYSELF MOVING BACK. IT'S HARD BECAUSE I'VE BUILT ANOTHER LIFE FOR MYSELF IN NEW YORK. I FEEL NOW THAT HAWAI'I IS SO CLEANSING. IF I WERE TO MOVE BACK, HAWAI'I WOULD BE HOME BASE, BUT I WOULD WANT TO TRAVEL A LOT.
WHEN WE MOVED AWAY FROM HAWAI'I, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT MOVING AND TRANSITIONING FROM SUCH A SMALL ISLAND TO AN ENORMOUS CITY?
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THING I'VE LEARNED IS TO STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT YOU WANT; DON'T GET LOST IN THE CROWD. YOUR PATH IS GOING TO CHANGE AND THERE IS GOING TO BE STRUGGLE, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL HARD WORK. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN A WAY WHERE I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT HOW SOMETHING WILL AFFECT ME IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. I ONLY FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T LOOK TOO FAR AHEAD AND YOU CAN'T LOOK BACK TO THE PAST AND REGRET YOUR DECISIONS.
 |
| PHOTO OF EMMA BY HILF OLAFSDOTTIR |
IN THE PEAK OF THE AFTERNOON HEAT EMMA AND I SAT IN A SHADED CORNER OF MY BACK YARD CATCHING UP. IT HAD BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE WE LAST SAW EACH OTHER AND HER CALM AND SPIRITUAL DEMEANOR HAD NOT CHANGED ONE BIT. WE EXCHANGED STORIES ABOUT OUR RECENT TRAVELS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND OUR FEAR OF ANSWERING THE QUESTION "WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO AFTER YOU GRADUATE?" (CONSIDERING THAT WE WILL BE GRADUATING IN SPRING 2018).
EMMA WAS BORN AN ARTIST. FROM A DANCE-FILLED CHILDHOOD TO BECOMING AN ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER, SHE ALWAYS FELT THE NEED TO COLLABORATE AND CREATE. HER AFFINITY FOR THE ARTS IS WHAT LED HER TO NEW YORK CITY WHERE SHE CURRENTLY RESIDES. EVEN IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, EMMA AGREES THAT LIFE CAN BECOME STILL AND LACK FRESHNESS SO SHE SHARES SOME ADVICE ON BREAKING THOSE STALE MOMENTS.
IT HAS BEEN JUST ABOUT A YEAR SINCE I LAST SAW YOU. WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
I'VE BEEN PRIORITIZING SCHOOL, FOCUSING ON MY PHOTOGRAPHY AND BALANCING OTHER ACTIVITIES. I'LL ALSO HAVE AN INTERNSHIP AT A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY IN SOHO WHICH WILL BE A GOOD GROWING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE THIS PATH?
A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I WAS A DANCE MAJOR AND I WANTED TO GRADUATE WITH A BFA MODERN CONCENTRATION AND BE IN A COMPANY. BUT LAST WEEK I JUST TOOK MY FIRST DANCE CLASS IN A YEAR.
HOW WAS THAT?
IT FELT NATURAL, LIKE I WAS RETURNING HOME, BUT NOW I'M FOCUSING MORE ON PHOTOGRAPHY AND YOGA. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I DIDN'T WANT TO DANCE ANYMORE, BUT EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING MY PARENTS TOLD ME I'M GOOD AT IT SO I SHOULD CONTINUE. I STARTED TO REALIZE THAT I WAS DANCING JUST TO PLEASE OTHER PEOPLE. WHEN I LEFT FOR NEW YORK, I STARTED CRYING TO MY MOM TELLING HER I DIDN'T WANT TO DANCE. SHE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OKAY AND THAT IT WAS JUST MY NERVES. WHEN I GOT INJURED, IT WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. IT WAS MY EXIT FROM DANCE AND THAT'S WHEN I TURNED TO PHOTOGRAPHY BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS LOVED.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
MY FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE MOMENT IS RYAN MCGINLEY. HE STARTED OFF AS A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR, THEN HE WANTED TO DO POETRY BUT HE DISCOVERED HE WAS REALLY GOOD AT PHOTOGRAPHY. HE TAKES PEOPLE INTO EXTREME NATURE AND THEY ARE NAKED AND HE SHOOTS THEM AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL. A LOT OF THE TIME WHAT I LOOK FOR IS THE LIGHTING BECAUSE IT CAN AFFECT WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE PHOTO. THE WAY THE LIGHT HITS THE SKIN. FILM PHOTOGRAPHY CAN REALLY CAPTURE THE TEXTURE OF THE SKIN VERSUS DIGITAL.
(ALL PHOTOS BY EMMA SUZUKI-JONES)
WE HAD A CONVERSATION EARLIER ABOUT YOUR LIFE IN NEW YORK AND HOW YOU CRAVE SOMETHING NEW; A CHANGE. HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT CHANGE HAPPEN AND OVERCOME THE DULL MOMENTS WHEN LIFE SEEMS STAGNANT?
EVERY MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP I JOURNAL. THREE PAGES OF MINDLESS WRITING ABOUT THOUGHTS, DREAMS OR GOALS FOR THE DAY. IN THAT WAY I'M ATTRACTING GOOD ENERGY AND PEOPLE. I'VE LEARNED THAT NEGATIVE ATTRACTS NEGATIVE SO THE ENERGY YOU PUT OUT THERE IS ALSO WHAT YOU'LL ATTRACT. YOU ALSO CAN'T TAKE YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK TOO SERIOUSLY. DON'T BE AFRAID OF OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS.
WE BOTH AGREED THAT ANTICIPATING WHAT COMES NEXT FOR US IN OUR CAREER PATHS AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE AFTER COLLEGE MAKES US ANXIOUS, BUT WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO SEE YOURSELF AFTER GRADUATION IN THE SPRING?
I FEEL LIKE IT CHANGES BY THE DAY, HONESTLY. I RAN INTO SOMEONE I KNEW AT THE GROCERY STORE AND SHE ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO DO AND I JUST STOOD THERE AND LAUGHED AND COULD ONLY SAY I HAVE NO IDEA.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF STAYING IN NEW YORK?
YES. MAYBE I COULD WORK IN A GALLERY AND FOCUS ON MY OWN ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY. I WOULD WANT TO STAY IN NEW YORK BECAUSE YOU CAN FIND SO MANY ARTISTS TO CONNECT AND COLLABORATE WITH.
WILL YOU EVER MOVE BACK HOME TO HAWAI'I?
I USED TO NEVER SEE MYSELF MOVING BACK. IT'S HARD BECAUSE I'VE BUILT ANOTHER LIFE FOR MYSELF IN NEW YORK. I FEEL NOW THAT HAWAI'I IS SO CLEANSING. IF I WERE TO MOVE BACK, HAWAI'I WOULD BE HOME BASE, BUT I WOULD WANT TO TRAVEL A LOT.
WHEN WE MOVED AWAY FROM HAWAI'I, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT MOVING AND TRANSITIONING FROM SUCH A SMALL ISLAND TO AN ENORMOUS CITY?
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THING I'VE LEARNED IS TO STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT YOU WANT; DON'T GET LOST IN THE CROWD. YOUR PATH IS GOING TO CHANGE AND THERE IS GOING TO BE STRUGGLE, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL HARD WORK. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN A WAY WHERE I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT HOW SOMETHING WILL AFFECT ME IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. I ONLY FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T LOOK TOO FAR AHEAD AND YOU CAN'T LOOK BACK TO THE PAST AND REGRET YOUR DECISIONS.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, HAWAI'I HAS BEEN HEATING UP TO UNBEARABLE TEMPERATURES. AN ESCAPE TO AUSTRALIA FOR A REVERSAL OF SEASONS WAS QUITE A RELIEF. FROM THE BREEZY SHORES OF THE GOLD COAST TO THE BUSTLING CITIES OF BRISBANE AND SYDNEY, THERE IS A UNIQUENESS ABOUT THIS COUNTRY THAT INCLUDES THE LAID BACK BEACH TOWN VIBES OF MALIBU, AMIABLE LOCALS LIKE THOSE OF HAWAI'I AND A MODERN CITYSCAPE. HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS CAPTURED IN THE GOLD COAST, BRISBANE AND SYDNEY:
GOLD COAST:
BRISBANE:
THE VIBRANT PLANT LIFE AND WILD FLOWERS IN BRISBANE'S BOTANICAL GARDEN MADE IT FEEL LIKE SPRING.
THE FIRST PLACE WE VISITED IN BRISBANE WAS THE GOMA WHERE THE POPULAR MARVEL EXHIBITION TOOK PLACE.
WHAT BETTER WAY TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST WITH THIS FRESH JUICE MIXED WITH PASSION FRUIT TOPPED WITH SLICES OF WATERMELON, PINEAPPLE AND STRAWBERRY?
SYDNEY:
THE GLOW FROM THE SUNSET GLIMMERING AGAINST THE OPERA HOUSE MADE FOR A GOLDEN HOUR I'LL NEVER FORGET.
WHILE MORE THAN HALF MY CAMERA ROLL IS FILLED WITH PICTURES OF THE OPERA HOUSE, THIS (COVER PHOTO) WAS MY FAVORITE BECAUSE IT WAS CAPTURED FROM THE HARBOR BRIDGE, MAKING VISIBLE THE GRAND ARCHITECTURE OF THIS ICONIC STRUCTURE IN THE VAST OCEAN.
QUICK TRIP TO BONDI. FELT JUST LIKE HOME.
BECAUSE DOGS AREN'T NORMALLY ALLOWED INSIDE GROCERY STORES OR CAFE'S I'D PATIENTLY WAIT OUTSIDE THE STORES FOR OWNERS TO LEAVE THEIR DOGS SO I COULD PET THEM.
FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE BEST VEGAN BREAKFAST I'VE EVER EATEN. A STACK OF FLUFFY PANCAKES BATHED IN SYRUP AND TOPPED WITH FRESH FRUIT NEXT TO A "CHIA POT:" CHIA PUDDING WITH JAM, VEGAN GRANOLA AND FRESH FRUIT TOPPED WITH COCO WHIP SOFT SERVE AND MORE FRUIT!
FROM THE TOUR OF THE OPERA HOUSE. SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN BY UTZON.
THE MAIN CONCERT HALL IN THE OPERA HOUSE.
MORE BLOOMS FROM THE BOTANICAL GARDENS I WALKED THROUGH EVERY DAY IN SYDNEY.
AN INCREDIBLE INSTALLATION BY KADER ATTIA IN THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AUSTRALIA.
SCENES FROM THE FISH MARKET.
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