Exploring the Cold War and its effects now, Meiya Rollins PO ’29 reflects on the exhibition “Atomic Dragons” at the Pitzer Art Galleries. From her previous readings in her curation class, she was instantly tethered to Judtih Dancoff’s work. Judith Dancoff narrates her own experiences of her father working on the Manhattan Project with Oppenheimer. Rollins describes the letters between Dancoff’s father and Oppenheimer in the piece, “The Dancoff Factor,” where they are a “window into their relationship with each other and their work. It was work that slowly killed them, but quickly destroyed the lives of so many.”
Columns
Animated Film Features: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ not the smoothest launch
In a departure from the usual anime movie fare, Columnist Joon Kim PO ’26 blasts off into the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond as he takes a look at Illumination and Nintendo’s newest endeavor: the long-awaited sequel to the original “Super Mario Bros Movie” from 2023. He appreciates the creative set pieces and various homages to the video games in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” yet finds that the cavalcade of references ultimately distract from the otherwise barebones plot.
Stories Retold: Can Artificial Intelligence create authentic translations?
How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) being implemented into literary translation? Ava Chambers ’28 discusses the recent implementation of AI in the translation process, impacting affordability and efficiency, but also raising questions about quality and valuation of translation jobs. Nevertheless, translation is an invaluable part of sharing stories that cannot be entirely supplanted.
5Cs After Dark: Hot, horny, and hesitant
Does your “situationship” have a fear of commitment? Arianna Kaplan SC ’27 and Siena Giacoma PZ ’27 have definitely been in your shoes, so they’re tackling everything from dating labels to casual flings this week in their column, “5Cs After Dark.”
Noise from the Underground: Kim Gordon turns to trap with new album ‘PLAY ME’
Since the beginning of her music career with Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon has been an influential figure for the alternative rock scene. At 72, she refuses to give into the forces of mainstream music and releases her third solo industrial trap record ‘PLAY ME’. Andrea Miloshevska PO’28 explores the album’s unexpected highs and lows.
Rooted and Restless: Who gets to choose their name?
Rochelle Lu SC ‘28 describes her journey of changing her name from the original Chinese, to a romanized rendition, to a fully anglicized version. She explains her relationship to her multiple names and the social pressures surrounding these names.
The poem of ecstasy: Nagai Kafuu, virginity and desire
Leslie Tong ‘29 discusses the japanese novel “Jigoku no Hana” and its exploration of concepts such as virginity and desire. She weaves a complex tapestry describing how societal constructs can restrict one’s sexual expression.
Anime Film Features: ‘Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era’ is not horsing around
“Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era” follows one such girl named Jungle Pocket, whose goal to become one of the strongest racers becomes more difficult when a rival named Agnes Tachyon acts as her biggest hurdle. This rivalry then grows more uncomplicated when Tachyon chooses to retire only after a few races.
The feminine mystique: Call Her Daddy did irreparable damage to my brain
Arianna Kaplan SC ’27 writes about the mixed legacy of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. She talks about how the podcast promoted the pursuit of female pleasure while also reinforcing certain patriarchal ideas.
MULTIMEDIA: Claremont Drag Club celebrates queer joy and chosen family in ‘Bad Romance’
Friday, Feb. 20, the Claremont Drag Club’s Bad Romance: Kiki & Tea event transformed The Motley into a night of unapologetic queer joy as drag performers danced to Lady Gaga hits, cheered on by students waving dollar bills. TSL’s Multimedia team captured the various performances.