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Issue 2

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CONT04Impressum and Editor's Letter06Art vs. Science10Music Day Festival 202118Sandhya Kumari02

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ENTS20Virtual Galleries and Instagram22Community Features54Culturally Asks56About Culturally03

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THE CONTRIBUTORS04Executive DirectorIsabell Sliwinski Magazine DirectorsAlison ChenAparna Prabhakar DesignSyed BukhariJavier Souza JounalistsJaweria BalochhOsama WaheedJuan RomeroFeatured Sandhya KumariYijun Ge AndAll featuredartists and writers from the Culturallycommunity

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MODERN RAISSANCE CREATE ALAND APAREDITORS INA NOTE FROMTHE EDITORS Culturally is a community for arts advocacy;we aim to increase accessibility andinclusivity in the art world. As two youngartists, we are excited to be a part ofCulturally’s monthly art magazine, ModernRenaissance! Being the Art Director for ModernRenaissance has been an exciting prospectthat comes with a lot of responsibilities. I hadso much fun experimenting with differentfonts, colours, and graphics to adequatelysuit Aparna’s editorial team and to create aunified aesthetic. Curating different artpieces and photographs for ModernRenaissance is one of my newresponsibilities, and it has been an enrichinglearning experience as I am able to spend mytime exploring the works of different artists-something that I never had the chance to dobefore. This design opportunity hasexpanded my artistic horizons, helping megain more knowledge Alison ChenArt DirectorAparna PrabhakarEditor in Chiefabout publication and the digital aspect of artand design. I hope that you, the reader, canbroaden your art knowledge as well andenjoy our first issue of Modern Renaissance. My experiences as the editor-in-chief ofModern Renaissance have opened my eyesto the diversity of the art world. Fromconducting interviews with artists basedaround the world to exploring artwork fromdifferent mediums and styles, I have come toappreciate the various perspectives thatmake up our community. In addition, thisopportunity has taught me so much aboutthe publication process and the technicalside of journalism. I am so grateful that I havethe chance to work with the amazing peoplewho comprise the Modern Renaissanceteam, and I’m excited to continue work onour future issues. I hope that our first issue ofModern Renaissance inspires you to exploreand learn more about art and the artcommunity!05

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06ARTSCIENCEVERSUSVERSUSAparna Prabhakar

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"IT IS AN ART AND ASCIENCE." In our society, scientific studies and artisticdisciplines are widely regarded as two vastlydifferent educational circles. Many view science as alogical process, while art is more free-flowing andemotional. While this occasionally does hold true, thetwo may be interconnected more than we realize. 07

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In fact, they have never existed withouteach other. Modern art historians tracethe first painting back to the Stone Ages,when homo sapiens drew on the walls ofcaves. These paintings withstood the testof time; 20,000 years after their creation,they are still discernible and pigmented.The dyes and paints that were used inthese paintings were experimented onnumerous times. The creator evolvedfrom using less reliable plant-based dyesto using longer-lasting pigments thatwere made with crushed iron oxide. Astime went on, the materials used inpigments varied from berries and plantsto charcoal to mummified corpses.Though they did not know it at the time,the artists were actually using chemistryto create their pieces. In addition, art has significantlyimpacted scientific research. Throughdrawings, paintings, and diagrams,educational research is shared with theworld. Over the course of time, scientificinventions have spurred artistic creations.With the development of reliableseafaring and navigational technology,artists were commissioned to make mapsthat would further global exploration. Art has also impacted psychology andneuroscience. Scientists have recentlystarted to research the effect of art on thebrain. They determined that art not onlysolidifies, but also enhances cognitivefunction. They also found that engaging inany type of art activated the rewardpathway in the brain. Making or viewingart releases serotonin, which is alsoknown as the “happiness chemical”. Afterthis discovery, art therapy and artisticinterventions experienced a spike inpopularity. Moreover, scientific events arecommonly depicted in art, and scienceholds a great deal of influence over art.Works like Starry Night and Café TerraceAt Night by Vincent van Gogh depict thenight sky; they are popular for capturingthe twinkling of the stars. These pieceswere heavily influenced by theastronomical events occurring at the timeof creation. As Albert Einstein said, “The greatestscientists are artists as well.” One notableperson who held successful positions inboth the scientific and artistic circles ofhis time was Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinciintegrated science and art into his dailylife; he used art to produce research thatchanged the face of the scientific world.His work later led to the invention ofhelicopters, parachutes, and evenscissors. He cultivated his talent for art bydocumenting nature and the world aroundhim. His love for anatomy began at anearly age, and he sketched the humanbody thoroughly. He later turned thisinterest into physiological research. 08

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The intrinsic connectionsbetween art and science haveproduced the world that weknow today. The tools andobjects that we use on a dailybasis are the results of theoverlap between two differentdisciplines. In order to livebalanced lives, we need toincorporate both art andscience into our lives and findthe common ground betweenthe two disciplines. 09

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MUSIC DAY FESTIVAL 2021A major survey of five million people was conducted by the Department of Studiesand Research of the Ministry of Culture in 1982 analyzing cultural practices of theFrench that demonstrated the lack of interest for playing musical instruments, whereonly one out of two individuals played a musical instrument. It was then that MauriceFleuret discovered the need for more musical appreciation in France. Therefore, thevery first Fête de la Musique was created on June 21st, 1982, symbolizing the longestday of the year during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.“On June 21st, 2021, la Fête de la Musiquehosted their 40th musical event amidst a globalpandemic in France. Due to the easing of theconfinement, Parisians were able to regularlyattend the festival without a curfew in place.” However, the only requirement was the use of masks both in closed places andevents with a high number of attendants. The way the festival was structured was byhaving each region divide musical genres throughout their cities. For instance, Parisheld their classical music event at Le Quatuor de Cévennes, Jazz at Sunset Sunside,and Afro-Caribbean at Hôtel de Ville. The main celebration was televised at theRoland-Garros Stadium, and it featured stars from the 80s and today such asVianney, Clara Luciani, and Louane.The Fête de la Musique has since then become a platform waiting to be vacated forall musicians- both amateurs and professionals- completely for free. The purpose ofthis event is to celebrate the breadth and diversity of different musical genres, aswell as their practices. Having an event like this was essential, especially at a time likethis where there has been so much anger and intolerance that caused a global divide.This event was not only limited to France but spread throughout the world incountries such as Ireland, Germany, Italy, Japan, and even in the U.S. No matterwhere you are in the world, the purpose of this festival has remained the same: tounify both young and old from all walks of life in an appreciation of all musicalexpressions.Each June France hostsits annual Music Day, orFête de la Musique, inParis and all aroundFrance, as well! Thisevent had actually beendecades in the making.More specifically, inOctober of 1981, JackLang, Minister ofCulture, namedMaurice Fleuret as thedirector of music anddance.Juan Romero10

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The date of this event was intentionally chosen to further highlight the importanceand uniqueness of music in our everyday lives. Music has always been one of theforms of art that everyone can appreciate without necessarily having to beknowledgeable of its inner workings or instruments. It can simply be enjoyedbecause it describes our emotions perfectly from that pit of our stomachs after aheartbreak or those countless hours of daydreaming after falling in love. Music isthere to set the mood for every emotion, while serving as the ideal soundtrack to ourown motion pictures. Thus, this event hopefully served as a temporary band-aid asthe world slowly begins to heal and move forward from this traumatic experience,together. Image provided by Toute La CultureImage provided by Icisete11

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SANDHYA KUMARIAparna PrabhakarFeatureby12

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SFrom Madhubani to mandala, Sandhya Kumari does it all. Kumari is avisual artist who is based in India. Her art style includes doodles, acrylics,watercolors, and digital art; all her pieces feature bright colors that popout at the viewers. Kumari is based in India; she has been practicing her art forapproximately six years. Her love for visual art began when sheparticipated in a rangoli competition, where competitors made designson the ground with colored powder. When she won two prizes, her artteacher put her in a program that cultivated her talent. Her passion ledher to attend a footwear design and development institute; shegraduated with a degree in retail and fashion merchandise. She makesart because she believes she can do something with her talent. ToKumari, art has no words. It can be anything; from her perspective, art isthe best way to express oneself. 13

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Everyone’slife iscolorful intheir ownway14

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When Kumari started art, she didn’t have a platform or large following. Asa result, she didn’t post her art. After she created her social mediaaccount, negative comments prompted her to keep creating her art.People told her that she wasn’t a good artist; some viewers failed tocomprehend the true meaning behind her art. Instead of giving up, Kumarisimply explained her art to them and continued to hone her craft. Shecreates art because it inspires her in her daily life. Sandhya’s artistic process begins by envisioning what the completedpiece will look like. She then selects her mediums and lets her creativedesign skills do the rest. At the beginning of Kumari’s artistic journey, herdefinition of art was much narrower than what she knows to be art now.As she kept creating art, she came to realize that anything can be art. Asshe says, “If you decorate your house, or if you… make a delicious food,that can also be art.” Her time as an artist broadened her view about art. Kumari’s favorite personal project is a newspaper dress that she and herteammates entered into a competition. They won second place; Kumariloves the project because it included unique perspectives from everymember of the group. She also loves a Madhubani painting that she titled“Painting is Dancing With Chaos”. Her favorite work of art is the Mona Lisaby Leonardo da Vinci. Kumari’s artistic inspirations include Leonardo daVinci and two Instagram accounts: artify.itt and julianalavoura.15

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If she could give aspiring artists one piece of advice,she would quote her father: “If you [start] something,you will reach somewhere in your life; your reason canbe your success or failure; don’t give up and do yourbest.” Kumari hopes to spread her message through art.She would like to educate her viewers about thewonders of Madhubani painting. She wants to tell theworld that art is limitless; the only factor that goes intomaking art is one’s own passion for it. You can find more of her work at her Instagram page@colorartsgalleryART IS LIMITLESS...16

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FRIDA KAHLO FESTIVAL From July 2 through July 4, 2021, the artand culture lovers of the San FranciscoBay Area came together to celebrate the114th birthday of an artist whorevolutionized the world of visual art. Thethree-day event included musicians, visualartists, dancers, actors, vendors, andmore. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is known forher use of bright colors in her self-portraits and depictions of Mexicanculture. As she said, “I paint self-portraitsbecause I am so often alone, because I amthe person I know best” (Kahlo). Kahloincorporated Mexican history into her art;her pieces greatly influenced the cultureand artistic evolution of the region. Her artdelves into identity, sense of self, death,and other abstract concepts. While many modern art historians categorize her artas surrealism, Kahlo herself rejected thelabel. In fact, she actively discouragedviewers from the notion, stating, “Theythought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn't. Inever painted dreams. I painted my ownreality” (Kahlo). As a bisexual feminist woman with adisability, Frida Kahlo faced intersectionaldiscrimination in every aspect of her life.At the age of six, Kahlo contracted polio.This confined her to her bed for years. Asa teenager, she was in an automotiveaccident that significantly damaged herspine. Instead of letting the voice ofsociety define her identity, she turned toart and created pieces that told a story ontheir own. She often depicted herdisabilities in her paintings such as "I NEVER PAINTED DREAMS. I PAINTED MY OWN REALITY."Aparna Prabhakar18

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The Broken Column. Moreover, her ideals were far beyond her time; she was a staunchfeminist during a time when female voices were often suppressed. Her distaste forconforming to social norms was evident in her unibrow. Though it later became asignature facet of her appearance and identity, it began as an act of defiance against thebeauty norms of the time. Kahlo was also openly bisexual. While she was married topainter Diego Rivera, she had numerous other lovers, including American painter GeorgiaO'Keeffe. The event itself took place near the San Jose BART Station. It was open to people ofdiverse ages and backgrounds; all were welcome, and general admission was free. At theevent, dozens of attendees dressed up as Kahlo and her portraits competed to win thetitle of best lookalike. Food vendors advertised Frida-themed meals. Musicians playedtraditional Mexican music, and dancers took up every open space. Frida Kahlo-inspiredartwork was available for viewing and purchase. This event was a cultural hotspot; theinfluence of Frida Kahlo was evident in every painting, musical instrument, culinary dish,and colorful skirt. 19

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VVirutal Galleries and Instagram Stories“Instagram is more about embracingindividuality...” Instagram was created as a photo and video-sharing social media application in 2010. Morethan a decade later, it is now one the biggestplatforms for advertisers, artists, trends, trolls,and influencers alike. Perhaps the most obviousreason would be the most profitable: exposure.Since its creation, Instagram has become lessconcerned about posting photos of yourSpaghetti alla Carbonara from Olive Garden andmore about embracing individuality throughposting song covers, art pieces, workout regimes,and other special talents. This makes it the idealplace for social networking. Art exhibitions, on the other hand, used to bethe OG for enabling artists to showcase theirtalents and form connections with like-mindedindividuals. 20

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As we all know, the everchanging pandemic hashalted the world completely, prohibiting us fromphysically uniting when we needed it most. Shops,schools, art galleries, airports, restaurants, and somany other social gatherings were practicallyimpossible a year ago. However, given ourtechnological advances, we were able to create a“virtual” environment similar to the ones we wereonce familiar with. Teaching at schools wasconducted entirely online, and visits to the doctorwere done from the comfort of our own homethrough video calls. So, it wouldn’t be long untilour need for creative expression would takecenter stage using social media platforms. Over the past year, museums and galleries havemade good use of these online platforms as ameans to feed our desire for artistry without ushaving to leave our home. Since then, museumssuch as the Centre Pompidou with their Matisseexhibition and the National Gallery with theirArtemisia exhibition have made the transition tofully online in order to keep the artist communityalive! Not to mention, our own Culturally hostedtheir virtual gallery, as well, titled Head andSentiment: Dreams of an Artist. Featuring over125 pieces of art, the gallery showcases thestories of society, the “new normal” of living, andhow our perceptions of self have transformeddue to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, havingaccess to art galleries to see and share yourfavorite artists’ work has become easier thanever before around the globe. Due to theenormous popularity and success virtual gallerieshave obtained, it would not be surprising to see acontinuation of online art shows; it is just thebeginning. Moreover, just imagine how manymore views your stories will get on Instagram themore this trend grows? As the old saying goes, “Ifit is not on Instagram, it didn’t happen”.The Head andSentiment:Dreams of anArtistexhibition isnow availableonCulturally’swebsite untilJuly 30th,2021.21

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COMMUNITYFEATURESAll works are copyrighted and all rights arereserved by the artists and writers. We feature a variety of artists in Modern Renaissance,and we are always looking for more community features.If you are interested in being featured in our next issue,head to Culturally's website or Instagram where you willfind the online submission form. If you are unable to findyour submission, keep an eye out for the next issue!22

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Yijun Ge, July Modern Renaissance CoverFeatured on the front and back cover of Modern Renaissance's July issue, Yijun Ge wasborn in Xiang Yang, in the province of Hubei, China. She received her Bachelor’s fromHubei Institute of Fine Art. During that time, she taught art workshops for oil painting,charcoal drawing and printmaking, as well as assisted instructors at Hubei Institute of FineArt University. Yijun received her MFA in painting from Academy of Art University, SanFrancisco, California. Her work has been included in multiple gallery shows, and she isactively creating commissions for private and public companies. Currently, she is workingon a commission for Motor Master in San Jose, California. Her artwork aims to be a windowinto the transcendent. To see more artworks, head to Yijun's Instagram @Sookiecooki.Seen on the front cover is Enlightment, and Revolution can be found on the back cover. 23Pictured from left to right: 1. Transcend 2. Journey 3. Enlightenment 4. Childhood

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ANDREACASTANEDACASTOWoodbridge, Instagram @andreacastanedacastro, Facebook: AndreaCastanedaArtist Website: andreacastanedacastro.comAndrea likes to paint the deepest emotions of being, she is dedicated to contemplating the soul of those who have lost faith. She often uses colorsand gold leaf on paintings which shine and vibrate with intensity, to illustrate that those who have lost faith still shine, and that energy from theUniverse protects those souls that are merciful. She is especially inspired by senior citizens because of their wisdom, compassion and love.Through their experiences in life, they have managed to establish better priorities. They are people from whom you can ask for advice. They arevery patient, tolerant and merciful. Andrea characterizes herself as being a sensitive person and like any artist her feelings are on the surface. Shereaches out to many others in this world through her thoughtful and beautiful paintings of birds and animals in their natural habitat. She hopesthese paintings will encourage others to appreciate and protect all living beings.24

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Andrea was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and her beginnings as an artist were from avery young age, like any girl she played with dolls and stuffed animals. But, she alsoalways had colored pencils and drawing paper by her side. Her parents alwayssupported her art career from a young age and she made her very first mural at the ageof 13 for the Royal Kids of America San Pedro Sula School and her first job as anillustrator in Calderon Publicidad company. However, there were some bumps along theroad, when she started high school she became the subject of bullying, but she usedthis negative energy to help grow her talent. When her classmates bothered her, shetook refuge in her drawings. She built her world of colors and that helped her to copewith the difficult time she was going through. When she went to high school she wasenrolled in swimming and karate classes. Karate is a discipline in which you learnrespect for yourself and for others, so although she became a good fighter, she did notuse her physical advantage against the bullies to defend herself, on the contrary, herdiscipline taught her to maintain control. Andrea did not have an easy adolescence, herparents divorced and then suddenly her mother received a job opportunity in Mexico,so the whole family moved there. At the age of 15 she remembers her father Piedesignas her mentor from a distance. However, coming to Mexico proved go be a greatchallenge, the bullying increased because of her Honduran accent and the fact she wasa foreigner, but even so she continued painting. Andrea sold her first painting at the ageof 15, then she followed her passion for comics and did some professional ones withher sister. known as MK Joe who is a professional illustrator. Andrea then continued herart career studying at Savannah College of Art & Design where she studied illustrationfor a year. She continued studying graphic design when she returned to Mexico and atthe same time worked as an illustrator for several foreign companies, illustratingchildren’s e-books and participating in comic creation contests with her sister. AfterMexico, Andrea traveled back to Honduras in order to sort out her documents to go andstudy in Italy. She wanted to be a painter there and experience something new in a newcountry. The process became complicated as Honduras had political problems and soshe stayed longer there and she was suggested by her mother to travel to Roatanisland, a short boat ride away from the honduran coast. Here is where she decided tohave a sabbatical year and travel during 2018. Living on this island is something that shewill always remember as her beginnings as a muralist. One day she decided to put hereasel on the street in the West End of the Island and started painting in front of manypeople so they would know who she was. Then, a small restaurant called ‘Off the Hook’hired her to paint murals, signs, artistic paintings on wood, tables and countless things.They gave her the opportunity to transform their restaurant into an art gallery. After theword spread, a lot of places began hiring her, different restaurants, bars, Dive shops andmore to paint them beautiful murals to brighten uptheir place. As her amount of work grew the peoplefrom the island recognized her as an artist and herworks were listed, the population of the islandrecognized me as “Andrea the Artist”. She remembersthat she felt very proud when her mother, father andnana, on different dates, came to visit her to the island.She also worked with a famous artist from Hondurasnamed Brion James and his band The Scallywagz. Shepainted several times live while they played music. Itwas one of the best experiences of her life combiningmusic and art. Since then, she has continued her artcareer as a muralist in Mexico and now, in the UnitedStates. Sharing her success with her boyfriend withwhom she went to the United States with. Being in theUS has allowed her to present her art in galleries inWashington DC, murals, local competitions and she haslearned the art of body painting. She has been studyingpainting techniques on her own and improving herartistic portfolio. Thanks to her dedication and work,she has been able to exhibit her paintings to differentgalleries. This has given her the opportunity to alsopresent her pieces in different countries such as;Argentina, Spain, USA and Honduras. Now she is sponsored as an artist by Eco Workers, aMexican company and she launched two stores whereshe will sell some specific items and prints. She isbuilding an Honduran online art gallery with the famousartist, MC Gallery that will be featuring Honduranartists, selling original and art prints. they will bemarketing their products by social media and soonopening a youtube channel talking about the artists andgiving art tips and more. Now she is part of many artgroups such as Milan art club institute, League ofReston Artist, AHAP Honduran artist Organization andSacred art productions.Renaissance Oil on canvas 48 in x 60 in $ 4800 USDSnow White Oil over plexiglass + Golden leafs 24 in x 24 in $ 1450 USDMermaid Oil on canvas +Golden leafs 12 in x 16 in $ 650 USD25

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Love Oil on canvas 24 in x 36 in $ 2000 USD26

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Immigrant Oil on canvas + Abalone shell leafs36 in x 48 in $ 3800 USD27

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Kayla Elfers is currently a twenty year old college student. She studies both Theatre andCreative Writing with a Minor in Expressive Arts Therapy at SUNY Oswego. When she isnot in Oswego, she resides on Long Island with her family. If she isn't writing or directing,she is spending her day outside with friends.This is how I heal, learn, and grow. It is through my poetry that I get the closure to certainsituations I never got. I am a young woman with many relatable issues. My voice can beheard from the tops of mountains with my poetry, as it serves as wakeup calls andinspiration for other young women.KAYLAELFERSLong Island, Instagram @kaylatheelf, FaceBook and LinkedIn: Kayla Elfers28

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Toys Made for the Girl and Boy that PlayTo tinker tin toys takes time. Building bountiful boundaries. Timeless takes twice time to tinker. How has his, hers come to this? Relationship rebuilt like toys-- Plastic and chincy, wobbling to Craft two tin toys to stand Equidistant and balanced. To think these two toys Stood on their own. Now Their relationship relies relentlessly On their codependence, falling Foolishly to the floor, unable To stand rebuilt because, To tinker tin toys takes time But rebuilding boundaries barricades Improvements that could never last.AnyoneNumbed niceties near negligent nobodies, Invisible individuals, ireful internally Because boisterous beasts barricade And allocate anger around Anyone, That thinks these Negligent nobodies Are Anyone That thinks thoughts Of obsessions, occupations, opulences-- Sometimes steering sights so self Conscious. Capitalism creates concrete Division. Dopes don’t dare To trespass treaties Marketing manufactured, materialistic minds. Absorbed and arrogant as Anyone, Nightmares Known as negligent nobodies Eviscerate every Empath, Dope, Boisterous Beast. But Anyone and all are Everyone.29

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Volatile vomit viciously Eviscerating the organ Of fuel and plentiful food. My Mirror makes me do it. My phone makes me do it. My magazines of models make me Do it. I can’t control the cacophony In my meak mind that Makes me pull the trigger and Lets my guts spew like garbage Into a bowl of hidden secrets. Battling body and mind I’ve strengthened my self-image By knowing my self worth. Wishes and wants worthy Of a body beautiful as is And worthy of a life lived With less pain personally Inflicted. Finally falling in love With who I am and The person I am becoming. Struggling sometimes to stop Myself from purging profusely But less transactions have Been made between me And my demons Once I spotted the light That shines within myself. Confessions ofa Part TimePurgerTrigger Warner: Eating DisorderMalevolent mastermind Makes morals a malignancy. Someone so charming and benign At first changed his consistency. Damaged deceiver dependent On getting what he wants: Cajoling and coaxing independent Individuals and with their hearts he taunts. Calling, crying, characterizing These women with his wounds. Wishing to wash away, empathizing With his terrorizing, tumultuous tunes. Little lies longing A less-lasting love in lives. Used in a malicious manipulating Game where his hurt ego thrives. Naive. Not knowing His heinous intentions Are secretly sewing Women’s insecure interventions. After he finishes using His objects, he gains their constancy And leaves. They see each other and his abusing Ways, wiring feelings of envy and jealousy. Left lonesome and lied to. Still struck by his charm and humor, Unable to understand the utopic man who Is not a man at all, but a tight tumor Around their hearts and minds, Slowly suffocating each of them And sometimes he grinds Against their hearts, killing one of a kind gems.Tumor30

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Confined in a Plastic box, where My vision is impaired By the rose-colored film That hangs in front of My painted eyes. But I’m beautiful. My hollow body: Standard and recognizable Freezes. I don’t move. But I’m still beautiful. He comes around The corner and stares. His gaze has me inaudible. I just stand there. He smiles and comes closer. He looks beautiful through my film. He reaches out his hand To me but I can’t grab it. He picks me up-- Ready to rescue me fromconfinement. He takes me out of my box And holds me. I’ve never been held. Being wrapped in his hands Feels beautiful. He shifts his gaze. His eyes are stuck. But he moves, holding me with one Hand. While his left picks up Another me. Am I still beautiful? Broken BarbieHe shifts his gaze. His eyes are stuck. But he moves, holding me with one Hand. While his left picks up Another me. Am I still beautiful? My smile is her smile. My body is her body. Maybe she’s more blonde than I?Her outfit much more tacky than Mine. He holds her and Looks at her the way he did With me. Am I beautiful? His smile now breaks my smile. He puts me back in my box-- Where the film is tarnished And my eyes melt down The rest of my polished face. He takes her--in her box and all. She is deemed more beautiful. I’m left limp While he walks down the aisle With her. Why her? With all of my numbed pain. My box falls on the tile. My rose-colored film is no longer. My hair is frazzled. My body broken into pieces. My eyes blinded by harsh Fluorescent light and my smile gone. I’m not beautiful.31

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Joe is a poet, playwright, and recent graduate of Piedmont University with a BFA in Arts Administration.Desiring to usher in a "sonnet renaissance", these three sonnets feature my good friend and muse thatconsistently inspired me throughout my creative writing class in college. J.C.DUDLEY32

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Three Lovesick SonnetsI I want to get lost in your ghastly eyes And lose my fingers in your unkempt hair. I watch as you feign all control, a guise I agree to disregard. It’s quite fair. Both of us have lost our true selves right now, It’s all part of the act. We seem to just Expect the best of each other, somehow Forgiving the worst of our past. Our lust Transcends time, reality, any doubts That this bond we share will cease to exist.Lost in your warm embrace, I am allowed To find myself in you, too. We exist To lose, to find, to discard, to build A love truly renowned, a love fulfilled. II I sing my song to you, with eyes of blue, With wispy hair tempting my hand’s delight. I share my treats with you, with smiles I knew Could resurrect my spirits with their might. I walk the streets with you, with thoughts I fear Will expose my innermost desires. I dream to dance with you, to have you near, To dry my tears and to light my fires. “I’d tip my hat to you, I’d do just that. I think you’re swell, I do-“ A fantasy! I waste my time with you, I just sit at The other side of your bed, cautiously Catching, from worlds away, all your beauty And wonder what may but never will be. IIIThe harsh translucent light in the hallwaySomehow complements your cool countenance.I’ll remember your soothing smile, always,And your sincere laugh, and your melting glance.I wish that time would freeze so we can beFree to chit-chat for hours and hours on end,Free to play out this forlorn fantasy.I wish I found the right message to send.I’d like to think I could see you afterI walk across the stage and graduate.To behold a future filled with laughter,That keeps me going while staying up lateTo write you another lovesick sonnet.I hope for a future with you in it. 33

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Helen Denisevich is a visual artist based in New York City, USA. She’s been studying art since childhood, and graduated from theState Academy of Arts in Minsk. Helen started her artistic career at an animation studio, helping with character and scenedevelopment. Since moving to New York City, she has been focused exclusively on watercolor landscapes. Inspired by the city and nature, Helenworks in her private studio using watercolor, acrylic and different mediums to create vibrant, bright and calm landscapes of bothnature and urban worlds.I find my inspiration by exploring simple lines and forms of nature and urban life, discovering how the contrast of natural light andshadows interact with each other and the city structure. I use my own visual language to create urban scenes that capture myperception of the unique expressiveness of the city life. Each piece created by me is a colorful and energetic experiment with aperfect balance of chaos and the contrast movement of urban life. My artworks break down memories and moments of life anddistill them to their strong yet flowing underlying structure. HELENDENISEVICHNew York City, Instagram @helendenisevich.art34889 Broadway, Manhattan - 9"x12" - Watercolor Bleecker Street - 9''x12''- Watercolor Lexington Avenue in Manhattan - 9"x12" - Watercolor

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35River Deli Restaurant, Brooklyn Heights - 9"x12" - Watercolor Bryant Park in May - 12"x16" - Watercolor

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Scientist by profession, writer by heart.Logical mind, that can't desensitizecomplete irrationalism and hypersensitivityof emotions. Born in Poland, lived in the UK,living in France, will live elsewhere - stilllooking for a place to exist freely. Believes ininnately good world filled with love andharmony disrupted by development of evilthroughout life.JEREMIAHSaint Cloud, Instagram @jeremiahpThis work describes the cruelty of the world to the minorities, themarginalized approach to to being different. Enormous paincaused by not being heard, by not even giving a chance to speakup when the only intention there is to love... but no one asked.Eventually seeing ourselves through hate and how a person canstart maintaining it and growing towards the inside. Everyone isseen through filters of social stereotypes, religions, personalfilters and each of those cause pain, when there is no empathy,but the only filter that should exist is love.36

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37I looked at myself today- through a mirror inside beams,in far away and impudently,and stubbornlythrough Your combats, through the eyelids- black from piercing threats,through Your handsthrough religion, the slaughter of the innocence,covered eyes- I always had. I looked today atmy still red lips,flabby thighs,tired fingers,and stubbornlythrough Your screams, through scorched throats- swollen from repressing lettersthrough Your fiststhrough Your God, separating nationsYour interpretation- I always heard. I looked today,with a black eye,a swollen throat,and stubbornly,through colorful irises, sonically sensitive strings- pulled by imaginary scent,through arms wide openthrough My God, redemption of sinsmy truth- I always believed. I looked,with the last breath,You shut down my eyelids,And I haven’t even mentioned love yet.I Looked At Myself Through Your Eyes

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MARIAGULCZYNSKABACIItaly, Facebook: maria.gulczynskaPolish EFL teacher/translator with 20 years experience in facilitating learning English in various contexts. Was a waitress, a sociologist and anactress. Active, publishing writer of dramas and occasional poems or social criticism essays in Polish, English and Italian, also a country line dancerwith a group called Mad Boots.38

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Condition of BeingSister, mother, wife, sweetheart, selfAll under one hood gatherWoman, female, girl and personHow to describe the pattern?Do not change the immersionEmbrace that you matterWhy does one have to be standardWhen the standard is imposedLet’s stop fashion and normLet’s be who we are with our own poseSisterhood in ProgressDear sisters,There’s so much work to do!Hear, hear!The standard and weird wisdom must disappearCos you cannot simply ignore anymoreanother woman just cos you can, it would appearCos you cannot pass her over anymore -that other sister who is here to give you a cheerRamona, Madonna, Lolita, NikitaYou do not need to prostitute yourselves anymoreto be noticed as a person to the coreYou’re all right as you are, with or without a tearAs long as you don’t minimize anymoreThe women in your own way, out of fearCos the consequences always...hurt and you know it happens more and moreIt’s not nice not to respect others in real life in here!PollyannaIf I am straight,Does that make you zigzag?If I am gay,Are you to be against?We care about pronouns-She He Ze have to be accepted.Linguistic inequalities make us frown.Still, humans are neglected.How about deciding to start afresh?Actually go out there and press the flesh?39

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40Dallas, Pinterest @michelley0961, Instagram @michelley3180, Patreon: mypureart, Facebook: Mypureartshop,Tiktok @michelleryoung1MICHELLER. YOUNGMichelle R Young is a professional artist, writer, and social media specialist. When she isn't creating new storiesshe can be found painting, hanging out with her friends, or simply marveling at nature. Texas born and bred, shehas grown up adapting around her two learning disabilities, dysgraphia, and ADHD so she could become a betterstoryteller. Michelle has a positive outlook on life and where God has planned for her next. You can see more ofher creations and stay tuned for her next book by visiting her at www.Mypureart.com/My paintings encompass the idea of humans and their interactions with their environment and their mentalitywhile there. My art also shows our need for the connection to the environment around us, our nature as humansto want to understand and have that feeling of coexistence. Finding a connection to more than just anotherhuman, but within nature itself is to ground oneself in the healing process.Pictured: Lionfish Scars

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41Pictured left to right: Falling Slowly, hidden dream (top), Queen of the Sea (bottom), Monte Verdi Hai

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42Sara Stasi is an artist and poet residing in Santa Cruz,California with her husband and two cats. She findsinspiration in the natural world and enjoys creating nature-based images. Drawing on her background in anthropologyand literature, her writing explores the relationship betweensymbols and meaning. Her work has been featured in thePorter Gulch Review, Gasher Journal, and other variousonline publications. Find more of her work atsarastasiwrites.comMy work centers around the juxtaposition of found text andimages and the way we create meaning from thisrelationship. I am interested in semiotics and how ourunderstanding of a sign or symbol changes over time andcircumstance.SARASTASISanta Cruz, Instagram @sgstasidesigns

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43Animals With...Animals with Backbones Animals with Jointed Legs

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Reputation is what people think you are, personality is what you seem to be, character is what you really are.hey ma!- a nostalgia-evoking poem with imaginary of mother and child's affection. It is juxtaposition of world's cruelness and amother's warmth. 'tis the damn season- a poem about a young man, leaving his hometown, in search of his dream. sinister.- Be religious enough to pray and being a good man but not mad enough to GET offended on God’s behalf because youthink HE is offended and punish someone ON his behalf. long story short- the title says it all.TUSHARMANDHANhttps://theprose.com/Tushar44

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45hey ma, did you hear about the dethroned queen,who gave birth, in her brother’s dungeon, to a prince.i’ve learned about the young boy who lost his head,trying to guard his mother, got executed by a trident.i stand behind glass, watch atoms paint your portrait,just a wrong stroke and it will crumble our fortress.when they were coming after me with burning logs,you stood between like a wounded wall.hey ma, i’m not a messiah but i deserve your love.hey ma, i’m stupid to understand doctor’s words.you might not be perfect but you make me wear my skin proudly,and with you it’s easier to live in a world that only a mother can love. hey ma, didn’t you tell me about god and demon;former doesn’t listen to heathers, the later runs in shadows.i’ve sung every single prayer your mother told me about,but i might as well have blindly skipped some vowels.when did i grew up that a pillow replaced your armbut i can’t sleep until i see you breathe in the dark.standing in hospital queue, listening to pilgrims’ folktales,just a miscommunication and it will become a grave.hey ma, i’m not a messiah but i deserve your love.hey ma, i’m stupid to accept the truth i’ve known.you might not be perfect but you make me feel worthy of affection,and with you it’s sure to experience the security of a mother’s wisdom.hey ma!

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46i'm falling down like tears of wine,grave's under siege like a scene of the crime.alibi, looking for my alibi.did charon drown in a new moon tide,what does his will say about his bribe?calamity, abide by calamity.crown rusted while the king was in exile,bandits broke into the castle in the night.agony, burnt all the alchemists.is it an anthology or the story abide?do we follow the broken road or look for a guide?do we wait for a cure or do we contrive?i'm going ahead like a vine,when the battle's over, what the use of a knight?ink splashed on the scriptures;tainted by blood.heretic brethes— flame of faith flickered,ignited by clubbed.a cave painting of god on the book of narcissist,the brush must be punished.“he is my justice, your honour;if you say a word against him,your neck will rest upon my sword”announced the perpetrator, in the voice of heaven.“he is also also my child, sweet love,i won’t denounce him no matter what!”as the god explained, the crowd gasped,“who is this wolf in our liberator’s skin?”the man amongst men was lynched andthe sinner was set free by society.sinisterlong story short

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you’re a cowboy like me; riding your horse, waiting for sunrise toleave for city.’tis the damn season, you told yourself would be your last in thecottage.even the dive bar has a drink on your name.you look for smirk in every smile that greets you.’tis the damn season, you told yourself would be your last on rodeo.they don’t grow your crops, don’t even play your songs on radio.you’re a cowboy like me; wishing to leave the small village in peace.’tis the damn season, horseshoe rusted just like your blood when youtold your folks about your sun-witnessed visions.the spark in you has become a fire and now it’s burning where yoursoul meets your bones.you wonder if you could be an eagle or would you be knot in tangledthreads.’tis the damn season, you told yourself to embody your intention andnot plan your actions.you’re a cowboy like me; tired of being grass beneath people’s feet.ghosts tell you folktales when you asked them to hear ye.’tis the damn season, you told yourself to use your lasso to cross themarsh of fervent believes.because you’re a cowboy like me; left your place to find somewhereyou could sleep with security.riding your horse, you faded into silhouette.i promise that i’ll meet you down the road because you’re a cowboylike me.47'tis the damn season

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I am a Mexican/American living abroad throughout Europe while being a PhD student studying Psychology. I am living, learning,and loving as I go!This short piece was written about that time when life struggles become overbearing and resorting to past memories helps tobring a sense of hope and comfort.JUANROMEROSaint Cloud, Instagram @jrome1991, Facebook: jay.ro3, Twitter @iamjohnny_ro, Tiktok @jayrome1948

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49COLDI tried to hold on, but the bars were far too cold to sustain with both hands. Asthe freezing cold water began seeping through my body, my mind began towander. My mouth was starting to go numb from the overwhelming saltiness ofthe ocean. I started to feel lightheaded as the freezing cold water began to startpiercing through my thighs, it felt like tiny knife cuts penetrating deeply throughmy skin. As the water began to cut my body, I could feel it moving upwards that'swhen I started to remember the first bike I ever got. It was for my 6th birthdayand I had just gotten off the yellow school bus when I noticed my mom waswaiting for me. As we were walking back home, she pointed to a navy bluebicycle that was right in front of us and she said, "I think someone left their bike?Let's check it out!" As we approached the bicycle, I noticed there was a letterattached to one of the handles, that was when my mom asked me to open it. Idid my best to read it, to which I understood said, "Happy birthday my dear son!"Puzzled, I looked over to my mom hoping she could explain this to me. Eyes wideopen and with a huge smile across her face she said, "Surprise! It's for you!Happy birthday my baby!" Thrillingly, I grabbed the bike handles as if they wereto somehow magically fly away and began walking with them. My momsuggested I'd get on, but I still wasn't fully confident on how to ride a bikewithout falling. I remember I tried to hop onto it and tried swinging my legs toreach for the pedals and began to slowly ride off. Then, I started flying, I flewaway. Off into the sky. I could see the galaxy, all of the stars, and I rememberthere were cows flying too, no, not cows. There was, uh, there was, there were...there was dark. Everything. There was a... cold. It was dark.

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50Jordan Nishkian is an Armenian-Portuguese writer based in California. Her work has been published in OverachieverMagazine, The Kelp Journal, the New Plains Review, The Yellow Arrow Journal, The Plentitudes, and more. She is theEditor-in-Chief of Mythos literary magazine, and has recently published her first novel through Ink and Quill Publications.This poem is inspired by the idea of giving ourselves back to the earth and how gruesome and beautiful that could be. Iwanted it to feel raw and unusual, and I think the shape adds an organic, textural element that words alone might not beable to convey.JORDANNISHKIANCalifornia, Instagram @wordsbyjordan

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51The patter of footfall: brittle leaves crackbeneath me, hard ground spurts reverberationsthrough bone and marrow. Dust picksup with rushing soles until I findthe part that’s mine, a clearing through screens ofbracken where brute sun smothers withered sod.Each dry breeze risks igniting brush. Smoothing away husksand branches, I remove my shoes. Air sucks throughteeth as uncalloused flesh discovers burrs and thistles,wanting for crimson. Arches sink past heels, toes burrowing intosummer-baked soil, digging through planes of droughtand umber. Before closing, my eyes flash witha tan blur—a buck sloughing velvet.I sync abyssal breaths tobuzzing and birdsong.With the splintering ofeach nerve, warm skincontracts, tightening intohard, dark plates. My toesdelve deeper, furcating intotunneling, dendritic networks,seeking pockets of lost moisture.Rind climbs up my legs, formingknots over bruises, constellationsof scars, bulging where joints andvertebrae separate. Fingersreaching, rhytidomes fuseand encapsulate my sapling core,antennae and ungues explore my barkenbody. Ribs collapsing, swelling into concentric rings—ambereyes open for the blackbird perched on my shoulder: turned away, unafraid. From tender placesof my arms, where skin is thin enough to route blue courses of stretchingvein, buds rupture, petals unfurling to bracethe open. Heavy clouds roll over, hushedchills lift hairs into stems of waxen leaves, mist slicksand weighs on mossy locks. Looking up, Iwelcome the patter of rainfall.Bracken

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APARNAPRABHAKARCalifornia52

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if the stage is my canvasif the stage is my canvasthen i am the painter and the paintbrush all rolled up into oneif the stage is my canvasthen every grande jeté is a splatter of colorif the stage is my canvasthen every pirouette traces circles in the groundif the stage is my canvasthen every bourreé forms a pointillistic paintingif the stage is my canvasthen every battement is a line through the pieceif the stage is my canvasthen my audience breathes with meas i reach up, up, upthrough the paintinginto the worldthough no paint adorns the soles of my shoesthough no bristles spread pigment though the art that i create is not tangibleif the stage is my canvas then i am the story.53

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CULTURALLYASKSA forum for public responses. If you are interested,the form can be found on the Culturally website. 54

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How has art shaped your life?Should arts classes be mandatoryin schools? Why or why not?Yes, because it allows students who struggle with more academicclasses to know that there is a class they can succeed in. Itprovides an outlet for students, and should not be too strict. - V.MYes, they should be mandatory because no matter how art lets usconnect with our inner self even if we don’t love it. Art let’s us be. - S.T.Art has shaped my life by letting me express myself each andeveryday, because it has shown me that no matter if it’s on acanvas or a sculpture the beauty of it is that it’s everywhere. - S.T.55

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CULTURALLYOur mission is for individuals to embrace their creativityand ignite their passion, shaping a global platformworking on tangible reform for accessibility andrepresentation in the arts.Our purpose is to advocate that art is for everyone andby everyone. We work to utilize the arts for social justiceefforts, for students to use their passions for globalchange. Our biggest advocacy effort is toward representation inthe arts; we have members, branches, and communitiesin 60 countries on 6 continents. Culturally advocates forthe inclusion of people from every background andcorner of the world, regardless of level of practice orsocioeconomic means. We aim to provide a platform for artists of all ages fromemerging students to established artists to develop theircraft through education. We strive to provide the utmostprofessional development through opportunities withan international impact! Our work is to eliminate and abolish the deeplyingrained elitist and exclusive stigmas around the arts,so we offer an artist directory, social media network,interviews, and more to increase opportunities foraspiring artists.56

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