MAKE Brings "At Play" to Life in 10th Issue
By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 21, 2010 9:43PM
Cover photo by Sandy Dyas. About the cover, from the Lewis Warsh poem CINQ x CINQ: "Playing is trying. We play for many reasons; to learn, to get stronger, to socialize. We play because it’s in our blood, and as life can’t happen without it, nor can art."
Director Sarah Dodson and her editorial staff chose the “At Play” theme to contrast the previous “Myth, Magic & Ritual” theme of the last issue. “And with this being a particularly stressful time for the world, we thought it a nice reminder to consider how to enjoy the being here, rather than just getting by.” As is always the case, the issue was shaped by the types of submissions that were received. More pieces were playful than sports related, so that’s what you can expect inside this issue.
Dodson said the issue has a lot of stories about kids or about being a kid, though some of them have a darker twist. Some pieces are about sports. One story involves a sex tape. There are poems that play with the visual presentation of poetry. There’s a nonfiction piece about losing your virginity. And, the issue contains a lot of visual artists and illustrators. Needless to say, it’s yet another MAKE issue chock-full of a variety of pieces, some of which are edgy, and some of which are just plain old fun.
Since its birth a little over five years ago, MAKE has evolved with each and every single issue. “Initially, our mission was to print writing from around Chicago, in order to showcase the Chicago writing to more Chicagoans and to those outside of the city,” she said. “The magazine now includes work from Chicagoans, as well as writers and visuals artists from across the nation, as well as overseas.” After 10 issues, the staff pretty has the production process under control for each issue, so that they can read and print more submissions.
You can purchase MAKE: A Chicago Literary Magazine by subscribing or at Chicago-area stores.