This Deadly mountain whale has been devouring tourists, lumberjacks, and miners alike while sweeping through the trees and all other natural life in its’ path for over 100 years, that we know of.
Saoirse Ronan joins Academy history as second-youngest four-time nominee
Also seen in the Denver Clarion
Saoirse Ronan, the 25-year-old actor, earned her fourth Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, playing Director Greta Gerwig’s Jo March in “Little Women” (2019). She is the youngest four-time nominee in history, second to Jennifer Lawrence who was only four months younger when she received her fourth nomination for “Joy.”
KNOCKOUT
Also seen in DARIA Magazine
At the Dairy Block, a few blocks from Union Station, artist Scott Young’s studio/gallery is filled with massive, collaged paintings, a giant hand sculpture, an immersive room, and, of course, Young’s neon art (and more). From every angle in the space, works of art in the group exhibition KNOCKOUT: Pop Art Is the Future of Everything shout out over one another, vying for viewers’ attention, asking us to question the state of the world and the legacy of Pop Art.
I had a dream that you were a fountain.
Ebbing and flowing through PVC piping, sponges and buckets, spilling over the brims of containers, running across rain gutter drain extenders, and up through a hose hung at the ceiling, Morris personifies the sensation of being in a sloppy romance.
Chick-fil-A announces temporary United Kingdom stay amid anti-LGBTQ+ criticism
A second Chick-fil-A location opened outside of the United States on Oct. 10, only to announce eight days later that its doors will close after six months. The fast-food chain has faced criticism from members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years on the grounds of their donations to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the Salvation Army and other organizations against same-sex marriage.
Who gets to write about art?
It is easy to deny yourself validity when speaking about a work of art, but even the simplest of responses should be respected. When I look at art, it is integral for me to understand the context, alongside admiring the aesthetics. I do this by trying to put myself in the artist’s shoes with the information I have.
The hierarchy of a Westerner’s pity in times of tragedy
April 25, the University of Denver hosted “Understanding Islamic State (ISIS): Media and Communication Perspectives”, featuring guest lecturer Nabil Echchaibi, Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder. Deconstructing the brutality of ISIS media, Dr. Echchaibi gave reason for the group’s growing power and influence, all while questioning the lack of attention given to the matters in the Western world.
Immigrants’ rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra fights ICE from sanctuary
Jeanette Vizguerra, immigrant activist living in sanctuary at a Denver, Colo. church basement, continues to organize events for her community in an effort to educate and encourage legislative change. Suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she hopes to avoid deportation to continue to advocate for the rights of individuals in her community.
BlacKkKlansman’s Oscar-Winner Kevin Wilmott Talks Two Selves at the University of Denver
Oscar-holding BlacKkKlansman screenwriter, Kevin Wilmott, visited the University of Denver for a showing of the film produced by Jordan Peele, followed by a Q&A session to share his knowledge regarding race-based writing. Delving into double consciousness and issues still felt today, the writer discussed the significance of perspective in the film industry and what it was like to work on the project.
Northwestern University Sociologist Professor Visits DU
Dr. Gary Alan Fine, professor of Sociology at Northwestern University, shared his leading knowledge on the sociology of fun, outlining his most recent work. Though he says there are two sides of fun, the dark versus cheery, he discussed the latter.
Denver Flea at RiNo Arts: A new way of shopping
The Denver Flea celebrated its’ summer market this past weekend, July 13-15th. Highlighting a new way of shopping, the market attracts vendors from across the country; anywhere from California, Kansas City, and right here in the Rocky Mountain Region, people come to share their craft.
Advice from a photographer: The business of being a creative
Sarah Avitua, a Dallas based photographer, shared her wisdom on working as a creative in the photography field. As a mother and wife, balancing raising two children and running her own personal business, she always has her planner filled.
Avitua never originally thought of making photography into a business. She picked up a camera for the first time at the University of Texas in a photography class. Never before had she thought of taking photos as a career. In the past, photos were always used to capture memories on occasions, but it wasn’t seen as something that could be done regularly as a job.
Avitua focuses mainly on family photography, including group portraits, newborns, children, and maternity.
“You want to make your brand based on the photography you love” Avitua says.
After previously focusing on wedding photography, following her own wedding, she found that wasn’t the way she wanted to take her career. Although she produced quality work, it was not what made her happiest. In order to change her work accordingly, she learned it was necessary to take wedding images down from her site, to change the clients that would come to her.
When in the photography business, people expect what they see. After years in the business, Avitua has found her niche, capturing “the moments you want to preserve forever,” as she explains on her site.
Within the photography world, there are many possible styles and purposes. Some focus on the artistic aspects, and show their work in galleries, such as Oleg Oprisco and George Muncey. Others produce work for publications, promotional material, or personal needs. The list of focuses of photographers is endless, and can be virtually anything.
Travel photographers like Chris Burkard, are contacted to shoot for brands including Apple, Toyota, and Patagonia to name a few. While freelance photographers, like Joe Greer, work through agencies like Social Pictures to be connected to clients.
Each of these photographers have found a unique style that they show in their work. Finding and mastering a specific discourse is vital to the growth of a photographer.
“There are a lot of trends, but I had to stay true to my look. I want my images to be cohesive and I want to get to that consistent spot,” Avitua said.
Having someone to be able to recognize her work without seeing her watermark is the ultimate compliment. Finding a “look” is the starting point for many photographers, especially when their name becomes associated with a style.
“Some want to shoot and edit, but the hard part is speaking with clients”
When running your own business, the final images aren’t the entire job. Getting your name out there, connecting with clients and making transactions take up a large portion of time.
According to Avitua, this is not the most exciting aspect of being a photographer, but it is an extremely important part.
“Clients come to me 95 percent by word of mouth, and some through social media, but when people contact me they usually know a previous client”
Utilizing social media platforms to share her work is a great way to connect, though this is not the avenue she mainly uses to find new clients. At this point, she is not utilizing SEO, but still has a constant stream of business. Previous clients usually connect with others, leading to her.
With regards to the growing world of social media and sharing online, Avitua encourages it with enthusiasm. As someone who initially became interested in photography because of her love to document her life, Avitua is a supporter of social medias such as Facebook and Instagram.
“I don’t consider them [online photographers] a threat to my business. The people that want certain images hanging in their homes still seek photographers. I’m not competing with people using their iPhones.”
Above the business and technicalities, being a photographer is being an artist. To be successful, the number of formal classes or degrees are not as important as the final work you put out.
“People run themselves ragged trying to do it all. You want to make your brand based on the photography you love. Find that you love to shoot and go after that”
Distracted Walkers: New Precautions Due to the Growing Danger
The number of injuries and deaths related to distracted walkers is soaring, and cities are beginning to take notice. New laws restricting the use of mobile phones are being implemented across the world in city limits, changing pedestrian behaviors.
According to the National Safety Council, from 256 injured in 2005 being a distracted walker, to 5987 deaths in 2016, officials are deciding something needs to be done. This represents a six-fold increase, only sure to rise in the future. Within the past year, there has been a 9% increase in fatalities related to pedestrians being preoccupied with their phones.
In cities like Chicago and New York, safety in the streets is known to locals but is not something on the minds of people from suburban areas or small towns. In order to keep these pedestrians safe, it is vital to make people more aware when they are on the streets.
“Everyone knows if you’re on a phone and not paying attention to cars you’re taking a risk. Chicago people will cross if they don’t see cars, even if the light is no walk,” said Kelsey Denvir, a student attending college in downtown Chicago.
Despite the signs, many people will cross if they do not see a car coming. Like Denvir, if there appears to be no car coming, they will take the risk. Trouble arises when these people are trying to multitask and a vehicle suddenly comes. Whether these people are listening to music, texting, or on the phone, even if they look, their attention is divided – creating accidents.
In Chongqing, China, a footpath specifically dedicated to phone users was introduced. Similarly, Washington DC followed in their footsteps, quite literally. In 2012, Philadelphia introduced an “e-lane” for smartphone users. This ended up being an April Fool’s joke by the city, but nonetheless, the act informed citizens of the growing problem. The Utah Transit Authority began to fine people $50 for walking near trains while distracted by a mobile device.
Although cities are taking initiative with regards to the problem, states are not getting involved. The issue is being left to cities because of the variations in dynamics of downtown areas with dense pedestrian populations. There isn’t one law that will work for every city or public transport area.
The issue of distracted walkers is only growing with the growth of mobile devices. Nearly two-thirds of the US population now owns a phone. These people are putting themselves at risk when they decide to use them in heavily-trafficked areas.
It has become more common for cities to implement laws against texting while driving, but walking while talking or texting is not frequently thought of. With the most recent Apple update, 11.0, while Bluetooth is connected to a car, the phone will block notifications from coming in. This update will help drivers to be more focused, but as is, there isn’t anything stopping pedestrians from using their smartphones in city limits.
When people are in familiar areas, people assume nothing will happen, because they know the area so well. As the US National Safety Council states, 52% of accidents involving a distracted pedestrian happen in the walker’s home area. Visitors to a city, being unaware of an area, will be more careful.
Although the first pedestrian crossings have been found in the city of Pompeii, the modern introduction of the crosswalk came in Westminster, London in 1868. While this greatly reduced traffic-related injuries, with new technology and the introduction of cell phones, there have been more issues.
Some crosswalks have flashing lights, others with noises in addition to the lights, and now some speak, telling the pedestrians to “wait.” Despite these advancements of signals, people take their own initiative and cross on their own accord.
Within the University of Denver campus, students and drivers meet every day at the crosswalk on Evans, connecting the north to the south side of the campus. Before the addition of the crosswalk, several injuries occurred.
In addition to this heavily trafficked street, the surrounding boulevards framing the campus see many incidents, resulting in pedestrian injuries. Though not all incidences are related to phone use, an overwhelming majority do.
Speaking with the University of Denver Campus Safety officers enforced how important the issue is. At DU, not only is phone use a problem while crossing streets. Distracted walkers and bikers or boarders have many collisions. When people are preoccupied, they miss the signals, resulting in an accident. In addition to this, walkers who are preoccupied are less aware of their surroundings, affecting their safety, particularly at night.
Recently in Honolulu near the University of Hawaii, a law was placed to reduce the number of pedestrians using a cellular device. People can now be fined up to $50 on occasion or $500 if a repeat offender. Cities like Honolulu are not taking this issue lightly, but making sure something is being done to stop the problem.
Similarly, officers in Chicago and around the US in large cities have begun to fine people, most commonly $50, though there are not many laws prohibiting the act. Though some agree these precautions must be taken, others disagree and say it is unnecessary and a violation of their rights.
“With fining, there are so many variations on what happened, so it wouldn’t always be fair. It seems like fining for this is overdoing it, but I don’t know a way to help prevent it” said Denvir.
Precautions like Utah, Honolulu, and Chongqing have taken will be the answer. Like distracted drivers with steering wheels that vibrate to help them stay in their lane, phones and smartwatches may one day vibrate when near moving vehicles to reduce accidents.
What are colleges really doing about sexual assault?
The red zone. If you have never heard of this, you probably haven’t stepped on a college campus during the first month of the new school year. The commencement of the fall term has been recognized as a period when college students are most at risk of sexual assault, especially first years. From the ‘jungle juice’ and endless kegs, the party scene during the first few weeks of college is more dangerous than people realize.
History Colorado Center: an Evening with Father Patrick Desbois
Father Patrick Desbois, a French Roman Catholic priest, lectured on the contrast between the Holocaust and genocide experienced today by Jews in Europe, with Lara Logan, of CBS.
Remo Drive Performs at Larimer Lounge
At Larimer Lounge, Remo Drive offered a night filled with lively alternative punk rock sounds. Taking the stage by storm, and leaving the crowd amped hours after, Remo Drive created an unforgettable musical experience.