Beyond the Photographs and Print (Magazine Exercise)

    Yesterday in class, we were to bring in magazines to share with people in our groups (I was unable to bring one since I did not have any magazines with me at the time). Two people (out of the four total) brought two different magazines expressing many different things through written articles and photographs. Our group was really interesting due to the fact that Viktoryia brought in the Russian magazined called Snob. Even though Snob is a Russian magazine, it was also very similar to The Rolling Stone magazine that Bobby brought in. Each both having many articles on many topics, many photographs that are both relevant and irrelevant to the magazine (advertisements) and expressing a lot upon art forms. The Rolling Stone magazine focuses a lot of its attention on music and the culture that surrounds it––this issue focusing most on Paul McCartney and the legacy he has brought to the music industry over the years. Through written text and photographs, these different aspects of the magazine touch upon a certain culture––the classic rock era––and reveals the history of classic rock and expresses Paul McCartney's role during this time period.
     In Snob, Viktoryia explained the magazine in a way that is relevant to herself. Not in a way where she grabbed the nearest magazine from her roommate or friend and brought it to class, but because it is a magazine meant for her. Since she is from Russia, Snob creates this magazine to allow people that are traveling overseas, to stay updated with events/issues around the world. This magazine was really interesting as it reminded me a lot of National Geographic in types and quality of photographs. Each article as well looked very informative from what I could see. Even though I do not speak Russian or anything, the magazine was well made, and really gave a background to Viktoryia and even the country itself. Viktoryia said that "It is meant for people that are well-educated." I really found this part of our discussion interesting as it really reveals how different the U.S. is from Russia and many other countries––but that also depends on what perspective you view the world in.
    Both magazines express many similar qualities, but many different as well. It is able to, in a way, tell a story about the reader, but also the writers, photographers, graphic designers and all the people that are involved in creating the magazine. Snob really stressed the importance of education, and what education means to Viktoryia and many other people that travel overseas for their education, or whatever they are pursuing. Then Bobby's Rolling Stones magazine (which I also read on occasion) also tells a lot about our culture in the U.S. and as people. The Rolling Stones is driven towards a musician-based audience and people that appreciate music. For both these magazines, they are directed towards certain aspects of the culture we come from, but they also all intertwine because music and world events involve everyone around the world. It is something that we all look towards for both entertainment and to become more knowledgeable. Beyond all the advertisements, articles, and photographs, magazines are able to tell use more about who we are as people in a world where we all share many aspects of life.