mplszine - the resolutions issue (jan 1st, 2013)

R E S O L U T I O N S I S S U E

MPLSzine

MPLSzine // RESOLUTIONS2

Contributors

Andrew Casey is a photographer residing in Minneapolis. He migrates towards shooting stationary objects and street scenes. He has had a long-held passion and appreciation for street art and graffiti, which led to a history of documenting the artwork under the alias Urban Camper.

Kyle Coughlin is a designer and illustrator living in Minneapolis. He enjoys drawing, screen printing, and being awesome. See his work at kylomoonguts.com.

Joe Dammel is a film photographer roaming the streets of Minneapolis with a bag full of antiquated technology. He embraces modern technology, too: Find his work at http://abrandnewminneapolis.tumblr.com/.

Clarissa Hamilton is a graduate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is a designer living and working in Minneapolis and has an obsession with publication design.Website: www.cargocollective.com/chamilton

Eric Hansen is a writer and Northeast Minneapolis resident. Fol-low him on Twitter: @hansenwithane.

Brian Matthew Hart is a Minneapolis-based artist. His eyes are always hungry. He hopes yours are, too. Google: brianmatthewhart.

Colleen Powers is from Rockford, Illinois and lives in Northeast Minneapolis. You can usually find her at dance parties, libraries, or rap shows. Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” is her one weakness.

Letter from the editoriaL direCtor

I make resolutions every day. I tell myself I’ll wake up earlier, get gas before the car starts mewling at me, call my parents more often, eat healthier lunches, read more, stare at Twitter less. Making resolutions at the beginning of the year doesn’t mean the resolutions are any more likely to come true, and maybe that’s why a lot of people disdain them, especially when it means a longer wait for the treadmill for at least the first couple weeks of January. But I still make them every New Year’s. I want to believe that this time around, I’ll follow through. And when I look back at the end of the year, the resolutions I didn’t accomplish pale in comparison to the experiences I wouldn’t even have known, at the time, to plan for--like getting paid to DJ a high school prom, babbling on live radio about my love for Kanye West’s angry blogs, or helping to create this new, bold, original online magazine.

MPLSzine careened into existence with a lot of big ideas, and we’re eager to buckle down and make more of those happen in 2013. Here are a few of our New Year’s resolutions:

1. Reach out to more artists and writers.

2. Collaborate with more publications and organizations we think are doing great work.

3. Continue working to reach out to all communities in Minneapolis, facilitating and encouraging art and storytelling from every part of the city.

4. Create blog content related to each issue.

5. Try a print edition or two.

6. Host events.

7. Keep getting better.

Read the rest of this issue to find out what other Minneapolitans hope to accomplish in the year ahead, and happy New Year to you all.

Sincerely,[email protected]

RESOLUTIONS // MPLSzine 3


resoLutions issue - January 1, 2013

CONTENTS

RETHINKING RESOLUTIONSEric Hansen says resolutions should be creative and asks a few creators for their 2013 goals.

PHOTOS BY JOE DAMMEL

IN 2013, I WILLMinneapolis residents share their resolutions.

COVER BY

LAYOUT BY CLARISSA HAMILTON

6

9

15


resolution |rezeloo SH en|noun1 a firm decision to do or not to do something

It's a very basic premise. The personal declaration of doing or not doing should be a catalyst for great things. Yet the notion of a resolution seems to carry little weight these days. To those who make them, resolutions have become more of a fleeting ideal than a commitment, as evidenced by diminished gym crowds come mid-February. Perhaps if the resolutions themselves were more inspiring people would dig deeper. Sure, we could all drink a little less, exercise more, and use a social media detox. But if assigning yourself a cliche isn’t half-hearted, the desire to continue when friends are abandoning probably will be.

In search of more deep-rooted resolutions, I talked to folks who spend their lives imagining and making. Creativity is about constant reinvention, where trial, failure, and continual learning are the price of entry. Resolve to break habits and explore new paths isn’t optional. So here’s hoping the 2013 missions of several Twin Cities creatives inspires you to rethink what a resolution can be. Or even set one for the first time.

ResolutionsRethinking

ILLUSTR

ATIO

N BY C

HA

NK D

IESEL

ILLUSTR

ATIO

N BY C

HA

NK D

IESEL


“I've lived a pretty dynamic life, one that has enabled me to write hundreds of stories; but the last two years I have been so focused on learning the art of filmmaking, spending all my time on set and in the lab, that I've forgotten how to really live. I'm talking about the kind of living that enables stories to be told. I need to give myself time to be social and enjoy life and find those interesting stories once again.”- Stephen Koontz, Filmmaker

"2012 was a great year for my freelancing business. I worked with many new clients and my income grew. On the other hand, I really want to get back to doing more work for myself, as it not only makes me happy, but there are new avenues I am eager to try. Finding a good balance is my big goal."- Brent Schoonover, Illustrator

“Read more. Paint more. Cook even more. Compute less.”- Peter Skwiot Smith, Designer

“A big goal for me this upcoming year is to focus on building great relationships that foster great creative.”- Jamey Erickson, Creative Director/Founder, Sevnthsin

“It’s easy to be creative, productive and stay motivated when ideas are flowing through your pen, when your day job doesn’t demand thirteen hours days, and your bank account doesn’t read $75.32. The challenge is to stay dedicated when life isn’t perfect. For the past month, I’ve committed myself to a schedule to push my writing and on January 1, I’m recommitting.

For me, creative block is an oversized and looming blimp. It’s my personal obstacle that is most likely to side track my progress. Creative block is inevitable; it is not an excuse. The New Year is a chance to figure out again, how to penetrate those obstacles, those blocking blimps. Create a schedule. Create time. Create art.”- Katrina Wollet, Writer

Written By eric Hansen.


Photos By Joe Dammel

“To do more yoga.” -KIRSTIE

Minneapolis residents share their New Year’s resolutions.


“To quit smoking for the first time in 30 years so I can continue to be able to ride my bike.” -STEVE


“To be able to provide for my two year old daughter.” -LEE


“To make my wife happy.” -TAE


“To make my husband happy.” -YOUN

We asked Minneapolis movers and shakers to share their plans for 2013.

15

We asked Minneapolis movers and shakers to share their plans for 2013.

LINEART BY CLARISSA HAMILTON


“I suppose our New Year’s Resolution is to go crazy in 2013. We’re

prepared to go totally insane. We want to get lost in that kind of feeling that keeps us busy and creative.”

Strange Names


“This may sound hippy-dippy, but I want to spend 2013 thinking about what kind of energy I put out into the world. We are living

in an emotionally charged time and are bombarded with messages both positive and negative every minute of every day. My resolution is to set aside a little time each day (preferably

away from any devices with a wi-fi connection) to reflect, collect my thoughts, and proceed with compassion. That, and to

finally start going to the gym again. Ha!”

Andrea SwenssonLocal Current music blogger,

89.3 The Current


“I’m interested in extending and cultivating the energy around last November’s

election (particularly the referendum battles) into something more proactive and

forward-looking. For me, that means working to dissolve boundaries between

arts, media, activist and education communities. I think artists and media

people are uniquely positioned to work to keep these conversations moving forward and keep these issues at the forefront of

people’s minds, even though the election is over. I’m really interested in collaborating with other individuals and organizations on multimedia projects that combine arts,

media and education, all within an activist, community-minded framework. I think it’s

going to be a great year.”

GuanteRapper, spoken word performer,

and activist


• Feature more of our literary crushes • Find more unique locations to host events• Get a tattoo (that always seems like a good idea)• Publish more non-fiction• Facebook stalk harder• Eat better

Paper Darts literary magazine staff


"My New Year's resolution is to fully embrace my purpose and express my values of

freedom and personal development."

Imam Makram El-AminMasjid An-Nur mosque


“I have a dining room table in the middle of my living room that needs to be put in the dining room part of my living room (it’s a one bedroom). It has a bunch of junk on it--

magazines, letters, invoices, clothes, probably an empty bottle or two of artisanal soda pop. I need to clear it off and move it to its proper place in the apartment. Knowing me, it’ll take about a year to summon the will to make that happen. Then maybe I’ll

cook more meals at home. This is pretty pathetic, but so it goes.”

Andy SturdevantSpringboard for the Arts

Host of Works Progress’ “live action arts magazine” Salon Saloon


Lou BellamyFounder and Artistic Director, Penumbra Theatre


“A few months ago Books & Bars (Minnesota’s biggest open book club show) moved back to Bryant Lake Bowl’s Cabaret Theater for our Minneapolis meetings. What’s exciting about this for us in 2013 is the increased ability to have author video chats. One of my resolutions is to work harder to schedule these video chats

for our members. We already have three booked for the first quarter including Susan Orlean, Carol Anshaw, and Lauren Groff. Another resolution along those lines is for more live author visits.

We’re planning to have one of the Minnesota Book Award nominees join us in St. Paul at Amsterdam and are trying to bring

in a few more big-name national authors by summer. It’s an exciting time for the lit community in Minneapolis, and Books &

Bars is proud to be a part of it for the last nine years.”

Jeff KaminModerator, Books & Bars

“I have a top secret rock'n roll project that I've been talking about with a few amazing local musicians for a while now--our collective New

Year's resolution is to see it to fruition!”

“I have a top secret rock'n roll project that I've been talking about with a few amazing local musicians for a while now--our collective New

Year's resolution is to see it to fruition!”Claire de LuneSolo artist and member of The Chalice


Band Resolution: To go on tour or travel and play outside of the Twin Cities area more. Lydia: To be as good of a performer/singer as Adele.Gavin: To practice, perform, and write more for the band and to make some big choices as to where he'll be attending school next year.Jonas: To drink less soda.Evan: To practice guitar at least an hour a day.

Bomba de Luz


Make more art. I have a goal of 50 new skateboards for 2013, going back to my roots and creating MORE SKATEBOARDS! I want to be better at time management and relationships this year, try and feed my cat more, that type of stuff. I have

more goals than resolutions and it's mostly business-related and boring to most artists. If I can somehow resolve the ever-annoying

growth of my adult belly, that would be pretty sweet, too...

Mark RivardArtist at Rivard Art Education


“My resolution for this year is to continue building a movement for justice led by

communities who have been marginalized and disenfranchised by a system that

only works for the wealthiest 1% of the population. Along with Occupy Homes MN, I hope to unite homeowners in foreclosure, with tenants, homeless people, and those

who are underwater on their homes to fight for the human right to housing for all.

I hope you'll join me!”

Nick EspinosaActivist with Occupy Homes MNGlitter-bombed Newt Gingrich


“Our resolution at HUGE Theater for 2013 is to find a way to pay the artists and not

just the rent! My personal resolution is to learn to speak Spanish and to perform an improv set in Spanish in

December of 2013.”

Jill BernardEducation Director, HUGE Theater


“Our New Year's resolution is to keep things exciting for our customers. It's pretty simple but always important. And I think

we have some ideas on how to mix it up in 2013 to keep it interesting. :)”

Christina and BirkHola Arepa food truck


(1) Finish the Big Thing. Every artist has to do that first, solo Big Thing that is hard as hell, all-consuming, and comes from no-where but within. High time for mine, I sez.

(2) UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH: Make time to relax/see friends/go to more shows/draw/join a capoeira club...?

(3) Find the perfect balance in life and time and nothing and the universe amen.

Maggie Ryan SandfordFreelance writer and performer


1. Find a healthy balance between life and art.2. Learn to say no to stuff...hopefully.

Biafra Inc.Street artist


Personal resolution: discover new music, outside of the hip-hop realm! Shop resolution: infuse more locally and nationally designed upcycled clothing into our mix!

Allison Bross-WhiteCo-owner, b. (a resale shop)


Pip HansonBartender, Marvel Bar

“Peace on earth and food in Marvel Bar.”


RE$OLUTION$value the questions.

GOALZget sponsored by adderall.take oprah on a date and never call her again.

Jake Heinitz Founder/Blogger, Be Scene MplsCo-creator of Hip Hop Harambee block party

Be part of MPLSzine!We’re looking for interviews, reviews, reported articles, essays, humor

pieces, lists, infographics, comics, photos, and illustrations related to Min-neapolis. (That relation can be loose--if the only connection is that you

live here, that’s cool with us.)

For now, we are not accepting fiction or poetry submissions--we know we can’t compete with the awesome literary magazines this town al-

ready has.

We want to explore overlooked places and subcultures; make new con-nections and observations; share your heartbreaking, guffaw-worthy,

and inspirational personal stories; and champion the people who make Minneapolis what it is. But we can’t do that without creative types send-

ing us their stuff.

[email protected]

To get you started, our themes for the next two issues are

WORK publishes January 22

submissions due January 6

ADVENTUREpublishes February 4

submissions due January 20

If you can’t contribute right away but want to learn more, email us any-way. We’d love to have you join us.

mplszine - the resolutions issue (jan 1st, 2013)

Documents

resolutions issue

streets of minneapolis

new years resolutions

minneapolis college

northeast minneapolis

minneapolisbased artist

happy new year

street art