In This Wasteland
Absurdity — The quality of being ridiculous, wildly nonsensical, often occurring simultaneously with feelings of chaos, purposelessness, and irrationality when there is a serious mismatch between one’s intentions and reality.
Despite our constant search for meaning, the world continuously shows us that it is nonsensical, illogical and unexplainable, so how do we find meaning within it? How do you sort through the junk drawer of life, step out of the ordinary, and embrace the chaos? Don’t just think about what’s absurd; create within it. Explore your curiosity, fall down a rabbit hole, and give us your weirdest self.
Written in April through June of 2024
Inspiration
Jungian Psychology
Dreams and the unconscious
Breaking free from norms and routines
Satoshi Kon movies
Albert Camus
The Myth of Sisyphus
Collaborated with an illustrator and designer to produce this spread
Evergreen — A plant that retains green and thrives through every season, even adapting to withstand winter’s ice.
Reflect on what’s old and new —what ideas, pieces of art, or things remain fresh and interesting despite years of mass consumption? Explore the natural, timeless, and continually relevant. What survives and adapts through the times and still feels like a breath of fresh air — and how? What are your constants? Where did they come from, how do you protect them, and how long will they last?
Spread coming June 2025!
The Decaying Beauty
Double Take — Do all things come in two, or are we just seeing double? Lookalike competitions and repetitive sequels flood our screens while dynamic duos and double meanings seep into our lives. The things that capture our attention rarely come alone: guilt and innocence, yin and yang, future and past, reality and playing pretend. We take a second look at twin siblings and twin flames. Dichotomies and dualities leave us conflicted. What poles do you often find yourself strung between?
What paradoxes keep you obsessed and coming back for more? What dyads make you look twice? Align’s Winter 2025 issue “Double Take” invites you to get lost in every catch-22 and explore life’s double entendres that remind us of the surrounding complexities. You decide what deserves a double take.
Written in January through March of 2025
Title TBD…
Inspiration
The Secret History
Good vs. Evil
Fantasy vs. Reality
Guilt vs. Innocence
Perfect Blue
Death Note
Collaborated with an art director, stylists, photographer, models, and designer to produce this spread
