Commentary by Lindsey Mawhiney and Jacey Fortin
In the Spring of 2008, sixteen Seniors at Northeastern University entered the cramped classroom of Dodge Hall to yield themselves to the tutelage of Professor Sullivan. We were all there to fulfill an English graduation requirement, the Junior/Senior Capstone Seminar: Rhetoric and Poetics. Yet, what began as a class devoted to the dissection of language itself, unbelievably spun slightly out of control the second week of March. After Socrates and Aristotle, King and Bush, Burke and Walker, we moved on to the realms of public art: Jenny Holzer and the soon-to-be-class-obsession, MBTA Orange Line "Boston Contemporary Writers" project.
What really sparked our interest in the MBTA project was how volatile it was at the time of its conception, and how obscured it has become. How did we not know about this? How did other Bostonians not know about it?! From these exclamations developed the impetuous idea of a class project to bring this historical aspect of Boston back into the limelight.
How does a Rhetoric and Poetics class justify such a project? As Professor Sullivan has taught us, the great poet Horace identified three main functions of rhetoric: to Inform, Engage and Entertain. Within these pages we hope to bring to light the rollercoaster of events that led to these monuments' dusty presence near our T stops. Through images and text we hope to instigate the same passion in you for these neighborhoods and pieces of art, as we serendipitously found. And through it all, we hope that you find this topic interesting, the text intriguing and the voices worthy of an A.
If you look below you will discover our individual biographies where we establish our ethos, as Aristotle would call it. The variety in these blurbs-joking or serious, first-person or third-hints at the composite effort which this website has been. We have all worked together to give you a glimpse of the histories, curiosities and controversies surrounding these specific pieces of public art in the city of Boston. In the same sense, we've also offered insight into our own idiosyncrasies! So, please, as in the realm of art, recall: there's no accounting for taste.
Biographies
Professor Patricia Suzanne Sullivan is an Assistant Professor of English and Director of First-Year Writing at Northeastern University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in writing and rhetoric. She's almost done with her book, Avant-Garde Composition: Pedagogies and Aesthetics of Experimental Writing and ready to move onto her next research project, Aesthetics and Rhetorics: A Genealogy of Common Sense in Rhetorical Education. When she's not working, she likes to get lost in Boston, look at public art, listen to some good live jazz, and search out tasty vegetarian food.
Sara Begin: I was born in Southington, CT. I moved to Boston three years ago to attend Northeastern University in my junior year of college. After taking a course at the University of Hartford called Environmental Literature, I decided to become and English major and also an avid environmentalist. Creative writing, painting, and drawing are three passions of mine.
William Benjamin: Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, I grew up in a town where TV and video games were frowned upon and I was always encouraged to be outdoors and indulge in athletics. Having developed a keen interest in the intellectual aspects of the law and economy along with my passion for the outdoors, I chose to study English Literature and Political Science at Northeastern University and wish to continue my education in one of the two fields. I am the current Captain for the Men's Varsity Rowing Team at Northeastern and aspire to make the US National Team for the 2012 Olympics in England.
Lauren Chrystal: I was born in Northeast Ohio, but grew up near Portland, Oregon, which I consider to be my true hometown, much to my family's chagrin. I've spent the last four years in Boston, attending Northeastern, and falling in love with the city that has become my new home. I'll graduate in May, but will return to school in the fall to student teach in order to obtain my Massachusetts Educator License. In the meantime, I spend my time watching Jeopardy with my roommates, feeding an undying and perhaps irrational love of the Boston Red Sox, and avoiding acknowledgment of the fact that soon I have to enter the "real world".
Elise De Voe: I grew up in New Jersey and no matter what anyone says, it is a beautiful state. Horses have been and always will be an essential part of my life. Even before I could walk, I had sat on my first horse and by the time I was 3 years old I had my first pony, Skeeter. In 2003, after many years competing at horse shows all over the East Coast, riding took a backseat to higher education. This May, much to my parents' delight, I will be graduating from Northeastern University with a B.A. in Journalism.
Caleb Farrell: I grew up in upstate New York in a small town known as Burnt Hills. My family is great and you would love them if you met them. My superficial interests are fairly normal for a person of my demographic. You know like, videogames, movies, beer, etc. I also enjoy reading, although I'm not sure if anyone besides English majors do that anymore. My genuine interests are more geared toward like, what the heck is the purpose of life? Why are some people mean? Things like that. Creating or being part of situations where positive things happen is something else I like. In general, I am laid back and well intentioned.
Jacey Fortin: I study English at Northeastern. I also waitress, read lots of short stories, and eat peanut butter (smooth, not chunky) in giant spoonfuls. I'm a cat person, and I like dogs too. But I think gerbils and goldfish are useless as pets. (Sorry, guys.) I have a younger brother who is cooler than I am. My dream in life is to own a really huge plot of land. With rolling hills. That may require me to settle in some faraway place, like Montana. I've never been to Montana, but I'd give it a shot.
Erika Keith: After attending two other universities, Erika somehow ended up at Northeastern. Her first childhood crush was Bob Dylan, and she enjoys summertime, Volkswagen buses with flowers painted on them, writing papers, organizing things, flip-flops, and the clicking noise produced by her car's turn signal. She does not enjoy dirty floors, odd numbers, really cold drinking water, fast food, or scary movies, as well as many other things. She is kind of ambivalent about keeping food fresh. She is a Gemini.
Lindsey Mawhiney: I'm one of five girls and still truly believe that if my parents had had a son he wouldn't have been half as cool as any one of my sisters. (Read: Feminist.) My deep connection to my family led me to look at schools in Boston, (what if I needed to quickly return home for an ice cream or karaoke party? Or both?!), and Northeastern's co-op program cemented my matriculation. After graduation I plan to pursue a career in Publishing, and while I do not believe the pen is mightier than the sword, fortunately I was a Ninja in a past life.
Jess McCann: I grew up in West Roxbury and Medfield, MA. I'll be graduating this May (scary) as an English major/International Affairs minor, and I'd eventually like to go back to school to become a professor. I'll be taking a break first though... no need to rush, right? I like traveling to out-of-the-way places, I like running outside, and I like old Bob Dylan songs. I hate movies with animals that talk. I've become lazy in my college years and my daily activities include mostly just drinking coffee and people watching... but I try to have intelligent conversations while I do these things, at least.
Cassandra Nicolson: Cassandra's fingers are double-jointed. She doesn't eat animals, mistrust her intuition or neglect to actively promulgate healthy social, intellectual, emotional and ecological environments. Her Polish and Spartan ancestors passed down a hard-working, warrior-like spirit that needs constant challenge and expression. Sometimes she rides a sexy blue bike around Boston without hands. Her life's great obsession is the knowledge and practice of various mind-body health methods. She works and plays with the best and the brightest to keep getting better and brighter. She'll always love cartwheels, warm rain, smiling faces, forests, cats and unstoppable laughter.Alexandra O'Hara: Born in Pennsylvania in August 28, 1984, I am a Virgo. I am a senior and an English major at NU. I went to Arizona State University for 2 years before moving to Boston. I enjoy hot yoga, house/triphop music, and traveling. Paris is one of my favorite cities, but above all, I cannot wait to graduate from college.
Maxim Olivier: I guess a bio is supposed to answer the question, who am I? Well that's a damn good question. If someone thinks they can answer that, please let me know. So far all I've been able to figure out is that I'm something like two sides of the same coin flipping through the air, trying to cause a glare, but please...don't stare.
Jocelyn Vara:After being born in New Jersey, my mother named me after a character on the show Family Ties (one of Alex's girlfriends). While living in Pennsylvania, I spent my childhood playing Polly Pockets and writing short stories modeled after R.L. Stine's Fear Street books. During high school, I fell in love with Boston and chose Northeastern for college. I will remain in Boston after graduation to fundraise for a non-profit. My interests are tap dancing, reading, writing, Disney shows, Lifetime movies, volunteering, beaches, musicals, museums, baking, and visiting family (including my two dogs, Rocky and Royce and my cat, Elton).
Nicole Vetere: When jogging around Memorial Drive one sunny spring day, I looked down and saw the words "Who Are You?" These three simple words written with chalk on the cement under my Nikes, made me start to think. I am a senior. As end of my college career rapidly approaches, I have been constantly asking myself that very same question. I do not know who wrote that simple message or - I never will. What I do know is that it spoke to me. Words, no matter where they are or what they say, affect everyone who reads them.
Brooke Vilim: Brooke Vilim: Born in Princeton, New Jersey, I re-located to New York City for just a few years and then moved to Long Island thereafter. I opted to come to Northeastern three years ago when I was seventeen, which is a decision that I still consider to be one of the top two of my life. Last summer, after my eleven-year old sister underwent a kidney transplant, I became the head fundraiser for the National Kidney Registry and am currently organizing a Boston event to be held on April 24th where I hope to raise fifty thousand dollars for the cause. I currently spend my time writing, fundraising for NKR and anticipating what to do next year upon graduating at the end of the summer.
Eric Weber: Eric Weber is a senior English Literature and Cinema Studies dual major. His favorite popsicle flavor might be blue raspberry, but it is probably root beer. His plans after graduation include alcohol-infused periods of self-doubt and an early mid-life crisis. Also, he wants a cat and a job, in that order.
