Letter from the Editor

Hey,

You know those images floating around the Internet that show what various people think you do versus what you actually do? Maybe you’ve noticed that this meme reads better when someone of your profession designs it. Like, you get it man. That’s exactly how it is. And that accuracy makes it funnier or (sometimes) way, way sadder. I’m thinking specifically of the one titled “Contemporary Artist,” composed of weed, crayons, urinals, crazies, and grant proposals. Like, damn you get it man.

It got me thinking, you know? Grub is just generally more satisfying when the chef knows what he’s doing in the kitchen. And who better to tell you about what’s cooking at CalArts than your fellow students?

The idea for this paper formed after a trip I took recently. When I got back I wanted to share my experiences, and I realized: there is no forum here for me to talk to you. And for you to respond, share your own thoughts, and make your own connections. So that’s what this paper is here to do. It’s here to give you a voice, and (we hope) around 1,400 listeners.

If you’d like to say something to your fellow students or the administration, here’s the place. We are an uncensored publication; you can rant and rave, criticize, praise, or play in any form or style, anonymously or not. But we expect our contributors to respect this forum and its readers by submitting thoughtful and respectful work—not as a restriction, but as a professional courtesy.

Not all of the views published in this issue represent the voices of our editorial staff, but they have every right to be published. Full-disclosure: I’ve got my own goals and intentions, politics, and philosophy. I’m not trying to force them on anyone. I get to write this letter, and create this space, but I don’t get to decide the future of this paper. You do.

That actually brings me back to the “Contemporary Artist.” However much weed you want to smoke while you’re here, or how many coloring books you want to fill, urinals you want to sign, naked swims you want to take, here’s the reality: you will one day also have to write. Especially if you want to get something—like money. Why not take this chance to find your voice before that day comes? When it does, I promise you’ll be glad you did.

If you have ideas, but don’t want to write, we have writers. If you’d like to write, but don’t know what about, we have ideas. We’ll take photos, comics, drawings, and columns. We’ll advertise your creative needs in our collaboration ClassifEyeds.

We are excited to share this with you. If   you want to get involved, email calarts.eye@gmail.com. You can also tweet us @calartseye. Anonymous submissions accepted.

Hope to hear you soon,
Lianna Kissinger-Virizlay