April 2015 - Tony Ward Studio

UPenn: Took Back The Night

Posted on April 27, 2015

On a recent Thursday evening, as the sun started to set on Penn’s college green, students began to gather there in solidarity. The reason: Take Back The Night, a nationwide peaceful protest that focuses on eliminating sexual and domestic violence. A poster making session had been held the night before at the Penn Women’s Center, and numerous brightly colored signs were created for the cause. The signs were distributed to all of the students, faculty, and other protesters who joined the Take Back the Night rally and march. A small speaker series took place at six pm on the stairs of college hall. Despite the vivid neon posters that littered the grass around them, the atmosphere was surprisingly somber and thoughtful, as the partakers listened intently to the shocking statistics and stories of sexual assault.

Immediately following the speakers, the energy suddenly reversed from solemn to lively. Protesters quickly filled in the ranks and began to march behind the Take Back the Night leaders. The massive protest looped throughout the entire campus with the beat of drums, and sounds of shouting and chanting filling the air. It was remarkable to witness the passion of these students, teachers and others alike, standing up and speaking out against sexual violence. But up to this point, I had felt like an outsider to the event, walking on the peripheries and hiding behind the lens of my camera.

It wasn’t until I was forced to put my camera down that realized my true purpose of being there. Photography was not permitted at the final installment of Take Back the Night, so what is not pictured in this article is the beautiful candle light vigil that took place at the end of the walk. The steps of Wynn Commons were filled with supporters and survivors and candles and blankets were passed out to everyone. At the center of the small stage, a single microphone stood surrounded by a semi circle of flickering candles. Anyone was invited to go up and share his or her stories. The ambiance in that mini amphitheater was like nothing I had every experienced before. The stories that were shared evoked diverse emotions; unbelievable sadness for what these individuals had endured but also great inspiration because of the bravery it took to reveal their experiences.

As I sat there on the cold stone steps, listening to the stories, watching the delicate flame of my candle waver in the wind, I understood what a truly exceptional event this was. Not only does Take Back the Night advocate for the abolition of sexual abuse and assault, but it also provides a setting for those seeking solace and support, including myself.

April 13^th, 2012. That was the night I had the opportunity to take back because of this wonderful and empowering event. Although I was not able to find the strength within me to share my story at the vigil, I walked away from the event knowing that I am a survivor and not a victim. For too long I have blamed myself for my rape, for putting myself in a vulnerable position and allowing such an awful experience to happen to me. But after sitting on those steps of Wynne Commons, listening to other survivors break the silence to end the violence, I realized that what happened to me was not my fault and that I am, in no way, responsible for my assault. Attending Take Back The Night was one of the best experiences of my life. I had the chance to take back a night I never wanted to happen and replace it with the amazing memories I made at this peaceful protest.

Editor’s Note: The author elects to remain anonymous.

Nina Zhu: Looking Forward

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Nina Zhu

When I first began attending courses designated for my degree, listening to professors in windowless, dark buildings, my understanding of engineering did not expand beyond general math and science equations. Throughout my four years at the University of Pennsylvania, I have witnessed the construction and opening of a state-of-the-art building with a contemporary design on campus. At the same time, my outlook on the potential impact of engineering has also become brighter and more innovative.

The Singh Center of Nanotechnology is the newest building on the engineering side of campus, with extensive laboratory spaces as well as large conference rooms and ample forum space. The modern architecture of the building and its high ceilings allow for natural light to reflect onto the people and statues inside the building. The orange colored theme of the rooms in the building also brings brilliance to a building where researchers spend much of their time working with tiny nanoparticles. Especially under the sunlight, the orange walls brighten up the hallways for all who are inside.

Similarly, I have felt that as I have taken on more bioengineering related courses, my understanding of what my skills can create has grown. Beyond just mundane problem solving, I am developing skills that in the future can be applied towards building devices and pioneering solutions to address a variety of technical and medical problems. I feel that my understanding of engineering has matured into a more modern and complex realm, alongside the erection of such a grand and open building design. There is a bright potential for what engineering and hopefully my degree can contribute to improving society.

The construction of the building reflects the school’s confidence that nanotechnology will play a meaningful role in the future in science. I hope that with my degree, I too have the confidence to make important contributions to the scientific field.

About The Author: Nina Zhu is a senior bioengineering major at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Angelo Munafo: Just a Rainy Day in New York? Think Again.

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Angelo Munafo

When people think New York City, any number of things may come to mind. For me, New York is synonymous with gray skies and open minds. I’m not sure whether my experience visiting the greatest city on earth has simply been an anomaly, but for whatever reason most of my stays have been marked by overcast or rainy weather… my recent weekend excursion to NYC kept the streak alive!

Clouds of mist welcomed us on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel, immersing us in a city full of damp streets, rain jackets, umbrellas, and disappearing building tops. I emphasize this dreary feel in the four shots which I have depicted in black and white. The grayscale tones also evoke the sense of industrial ubiquity that dominates the skyline, along with the banality of our daily lives. Any pedestrian who dares look up will be confronted with an army of giants looming overhead—enough to make even the biggest ego feel quite insignificant. Visiting New York reminds me how trivial most of life is: it takes a big city to put things in perspective. From the rhythmic pulsations of the subway ride to the geometric steel structures of 21^st century buildings, New York is a city that tests our internal equilibrium and stimulates our visual senses. This kind of environment can certainly become overwhelming. Perhaps the best way to see through all the noise and distill the true essence of the city is to view New York through a black and white lens. Though most would assume that the “bad weather” has impeded my enjoyment, I am thankful for the rainy day experiences in this city precisely because they have afforded me a unique perspective, peeling one more layer of skin off this complex “apple.” A monochromatic New York is a tad more manageable New York, one that allows us to take a deep breath and key in on the minutiae that make this city the feat of nature that it is.

However, a portrayal of this cosmopolitan wonderland would be incomplete without the spectrums of color and emotion that characterize Manhattan’s bustling urban life. New York is a city of neon street signs, illuminated basements, and public servants. Though recently called into question, New York has always prided itself on its world-class police and fire departments, and we must not forget how bravely they have served our nation in taking on everything from horrible crime rates to the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Thus, the other five images in my selection feature vibrant bursts of color reminiscent of the passionate personalities that live and work on this island. Too often do we get lost amidst the concrete jungle and forget that New York City is indeed an island oasis—a different kind of paradise, yes, but a paradise nonetheless. The hope, aspirations, and dreams that characterize this city and its people are embodied within the splashes of color that push onward despite the dreary scene that they find themselves in. New Yorkers do not take no for an answer and certainly aren’t the type to get discouraged by a gloomy sky.

Last but not least, New York is a city of stories. It seems that moreso than any other place in the U.S., every individual in this town has a unique tale to their name. We too walked away with an interesting narrative in the couple short days that we spent traversing the NY grid. After hours of intermittent scheming, we were able to sneak into the dorm at the Manhattan School of Music to surprise our good friend Matt Burkett out of the blue. His subway prowess allowed us to deftly navigate the journey from the upper west side to the lower east side. Our destination: “Lil’ Frankie’s” pizzeria. Though signless, dimly-lit, and cramped, this diamond in the rough was filled with a lively crowd of patrons late on this Saturday night and served up some of the best artisan pizza I’ve ever tasted.

Only one item remained on the trip’s agenda before our meal could be complete: my good buddy Nate Forlini wanted a cannoli. And when Nate has a hankering for a particular something, you better bet that he’s going to find a way to satisfy that hankering! The problem was that Lil’ Frankies was cannoli-less—the lone kink in this place’s pristine Italian armor. After a quick Siri search for nearby Italian bakeries, we decided to try one with the caveat that if things went south we had to turn back in time to catch our show. Just a couple blocks away, it turns out that we unknowingly stumbled upon a famous Italian pastry shop that’s been in business for well over a century, Veniero’s! Needless to say, the place was packed to the gills even at 11 PM, and we were in no position to wait around for the rumored twenty minutes to earn the right to order one of their sacred treats. So Nate was forced to walk away a sad camper, disappointed that a golden opportunity slipped through our fingers on account of a shortage of time. But not to worry, after all New York is a city of second chances. Sure enough, our spirits were all lifted as we stumbled upon yet another New York gem, the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy club. These folks pulled out all the stops for their mock late-night show; little did we know that we had just sauntered into their last ever episode!

The city that never sleeps is littered with gems like the ones I encountered that night; it’s just a matter of keeping an open mind towards the possibilities that may be lying behind every rainy street corner. So next time you’re pleasantly surprised while exploring NYC—you really shouldn’t be…

About the Author: Angelo Munafo is freshman enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2018.

Corey Fader: Peacefulness

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Corey Fader

As I walk along the coast of the opposite side of the Earth from home, I recognize the surreal beauty of the world that we live in. I look out into the distance and see nothing but thousands of miles of bright blue ocean water. All I can hear are the sounds of the waves as they break upon the sun-covered rocks beneath me. It is so hard to believe that all of this peacefulness is only a couple of miles away from one of the biggest and busiest places in the world.

What an amazing way to escape from the rush of a city and spend a day relaxing on your own. As I continue moving on, I begin to approach another beach, this one marked by groups of surfers waiting for the perfect wave to ride in to shore. It is unbelievable to think about how there is so much in the world that I have not seen. I gaze around in amazement of how it has formed the way it has.

How did these huge rocks get all the way up here? I take a seat on the side of the cliff to take in the art of nature, and I begin to realize that right on the other end of this water, everyone lays asleep under the night stars. The Earth is a marvelous place.

About the Author: Corey Fader is a freshman enrolled in the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2018

Allison Denenberg: Focus

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

As a Philadelphia native, sometimes I forget to appreciate the beauty of my hometown. When you walk past something all the time, if you’re too distracted by your own thoughts, or if you’re merely in a hurry, it’s easy to ignore your surroundings. However, by taking a purposeful stroll downtown with no intentions other than taking photographs, I realized just how much I have been missing.

When I walk around my neighborhood lost in thought, I might not pay any mind to the gorgeous Greek Revival style of the Merchants’ Exchange Building.

I may be too distracted to notice the artful arching of tree branches, or the beautiful shadows that they cast on the charming colonial houses.

The millions of thoughts buzzing in my head might drown out the quietude and serenity of the Old Pine Street Cemetery.

I might be in too big of a hurry to admire a cute family as they walk to school, or to chuckle at how the children’s backpacks are almost as big as they are.

In an effort to save time and reach my destination faster, I probably won’t take the scenic route down Elfreth’s Alley, and thus won’t notice the tree-lined passageway leading to a secret courtyard.

I may be too busy checking my phone, watching my step, or trying to avoid a rogue bicyclist to stop and glance up at a pretty church tower.

If it’s cold and I’m wandering around on a weekday, I likely won’t bother walking past Headhouse Square because the farmers’ market won’t be there.

But this time when I walked around downtown with my camera, I had no specific destination in mind, I had no major time constraints, and I forced myself to take a break from thinking about schoolwork and commitments. In focusing my lens, I also focused my attention, and for the first time in a long while, I was able to truly see Philadelphia and appreciate it for what it is.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.