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Culture

Elections Commission executive director shows skill in leading, encouraging students

Spenser Willden | July 19

Recently, the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico announced the hires for student service agency executive directors, including rehires and new faces alike. One such new face is Mac Bagwell, executive director of the Elections Commision, who plans to work diligently in the position. As executive director of the Elections Commision, Bagwell’s primary responsibility is overseeing the entire agency in protecting the integrity of all student elections, including senatorial, presidential and homecoming elections. A junior majoring in criminology and political science, Bagwell is also an executive board member of the Pre-Law Society and vice-president of the UNM chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, on top of her ongoing work with Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and ASUNM. To Bagwell, being so widely involved on campus has helped her prepare for her role as executive director.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Hellfire’ burns fast and bright

John Scott | July 19

When black midi first burst onto the music scene with their debut single “bmbmbm” in 2018, it was clear they were a band to watch. Their subsequent albums “Schlagenheim” and “Cavalcade,” released in 2019 and 2021 respectively, were met with universal critical acclaim, further cementing black midi’s place among some of the top bands working today. On July 15, 2022, black midi returned with “Hellfire,” an album that strangely feels like the best introduction to the band with its clear sense of identity and superb musicianship. While black midi typically gets grouped in with the other bands out of England making waves in the post-punk scene like Dry Cleaning and Black Country, New Road, they stand out from the crowd with a heavy progessive rock influence not present in other acts. It makes midi’s music incredibly unique, but also difficult to approach.

Culture

Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ ain’t nothing but a hound dog

Spenser Willden | July 17

Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” with its overwrought style beyond substance, is the cinematic equivalent of eating all of your leftover Halloween candy in one night and waking up sick the next morning. An enjoyable ride with sweet flavorings to boot, it’s too eager in its undertakings and leaves you staggered and slightly sick. With a hubristic two-hour, 39-minute runtime that challenges even the most ardent supporters of the hyper-stylistic director, “Elvis” fails to shine beyond spectacle in its portrayal of the relationship between the iconic rock-and-roller and his infamously manipulative manager.

Culture

ASUNM Community Experience executive director encourages student engagement

Spenser Willden | July 17

The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico recently announced the new executive directors of the various student service agencies. Among them is the newly appointed Community Experience director Sierra Quintana, who brings past senatorial experience, a strong sense for the responsibilities of community and bold ambition to the position. Quintana, an incoming junior, has been involved with ASUNM since she was a freshman: first with the Emerging Lobo Leaders program, then as a senator and vice presidential candidate. As an electrical engineering major, she’s also heavily involved elsewhere on campus as the president of the Society for Women Engineers and a member of a Panhellenic society.

Culture

ASUNM Arts Studio executive director crafts a new path forward

Zara Roy/ @zarazzledazzle/ Daily Lobo | July 14

The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico recently announced their 2022-23 agency directors, including returning ASUNM Arts and Crafts Studio executive director Sara Atencio-Gonzales. She was rehired largely due to her history of dedication and hard work. Atencio-Gonzales first learned about the studio in Fall 2020, when she joined ASUNM’s Emerging Lobo Leaders program. She became interim director in Spring 2022 and applied for the position for this year after she fell in love with the work. In the position, she balances both outward and inward facing jobs, taking care of studio member and employee needs as well as budgeting, working with other ASUNM offices and event planning.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 recommendations for summer reads

Spenser Willden/ @spenserwillden/ Daily Lobo | July 12

Summer break is a good opportunity to enjoy good reads outside of an academic environment. University of New Mexico junior Julia Langeway, a circulation assistant at Zimmerman Library student studying English and art history, sat down with the Daily Lobo to share five of her favorite books.

Culture

REVIEW: Former UNM student’s ‘Natives Don’t Get Haircuts’ bursts with wry introspection

Natalie Jude / @natalaroni / Daily Lobo | July 12

On June 28, Wry Press released “Natives Don’t Get Haircuts,” a chapbook by former University of New Mexico student Hataałiinez Wheeler containing 29 poems and one short story. Fans of Wheeler’s will recognize the disconcerting linework as analogous to what is often scrawled alongside his sketches and photographs, while those new to his work will be brought in by the tension and language — none will be disappointed with the outcome, printed and bound. Wheeler, the definition of an interdisciplinary artist, has already released three albums and an EP under his nickname Hataałii. A personal favorite is the song “Walking on Our Own,” co-written and produced by current UNM student Jakob Jaques. Wheeler is also a model and actor, recently working on the AMC television series “Dark Winds” as Joe Leaphorn Jr. In the past year, he’s even delved into painting and jewelry-making with vigor.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Dawn Breaks Behind the Eyes’ is a visually appealing, ego-boosting slog

John Scott / Daily Lobo / @JohnSnott | July 12

The film industry loves to make movies about the film industry and “Dawn Breaks Behind the Eyes” from Austrian/Sri Lankan director Kevin Kopacka, is one of the newest films to join this long tradition after its release in the U.S. on June 24. The Guild Cinema luckily only had a one-night screening of the film so hopefully no one else — save for the poor unfortunate souls in the movie house on Saturday, July 9 — will have to subject themselves to this bore of a watch. “Dawn” starts out following a couple, Dieter (Fredrick von Lüttichau) and Margot (Luisa Taraz), as they explore a possibly abandoned castle inherited by Margot from some dead family member; I say possibly because, at most points, the film can’t decide if the castle is truly abandoned or not. It would seem so, based on its decrepit and dilapidated state, but the couple spends the night there in a bed with some suspiciously nice white sheets — however, this is only a minor annoyance in a film as annoying as a crying child in a restaurant, although far less forgivable.

Culture

Loboscopes: July general predictions

Zara Roy | July 11

In the heat of the summer, the cosmos promises to light a fire underneath you as Mars, the planet of confrontation and motivation, moves through Taurus, inching closer to the erratic and rebellious Uranus and eventually hitting a perfect conjunction on August 1. The slow-moving energy of Taurus will be especially at odds with the fiery, impassioned energy of Leo as the sun moves into the sign late in the month. How will you fare this foul, fiery weather? Continue on for specific advice for your sign.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ is a thunderous hit

Elizabeth Secor | July 11

“Thor: Love and Thunder” was released on Friday, July 8 and is officially my second favorite Marvel movie with the first being “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (and yes, I have a list of the movies and shows in order of my favorites; it's extensive.) “Love and Thunder” kept my attention the whole time; I was so engrossed the entire time, I forgot to take notes on the movie like I usually do for reviews (Don’t tell my editors).

Culture

UNM professor-led band lights up music scene with new album, ‘Fuego’

Spenser Willden | July 8

Quieto, a band led by University of New Mexico theater professor Alejandro Tomás Rodriguez, released their new album “Fuego” to streaming services on June 10, experimenting with a new sound and brand for the band, which embraces Afro Latin, blues, rock, cumbia, funk and hip-hop inspirations. Their lead single, “Galope Nocturno,” has received over 1,300 streams on Spotify so far.

Culture

Journalists struggle with impartiality amid Dobbs verdict

Elizabeth Secor | July 6

On June 24, the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the legal precedent of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which guaranteed constitutional protection of abortion rights. Due to the highly divisive nature of this decision, journalists across the country are struggling to balance their personal opinions with journalistic neutrality. Rebecca Salinas, a digital journalist for KSAT in San Antonio, believes in neutrality and understands its importance in journalism, but also sees an importance in bringing emotion to a piece while staying on the line of impartiality.

Culture

OPINION: Fourth of July: ‘What is there to celebrate?’

Elizabeth Secor | July 6

Ask a patriot, and they’ll tell you that the United States, like other countries, is built from a complicated web of ideas and values that have shaped the country since its very inception — freedom, equality and independence for all. Even though the “all” has never really included everyone, these values still supposedly take priority. Each year, we even celebrate when the U.S. first established these ideas as the guiding principles of our constitutional republic, on the day we declared our independence from Great Britain: the Fourth of July.

Culture

‘Mad God’ impresses with hopelessness, nauseates with skill

Spenser Willden | July 6

Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” released its final part on June 16 to Shudder, showcasing 30 years of top-tier stop motion work in a confusing, unsettling film not comparable to anything else I’ve ever seen. Though at times the screenplay stutters in the depth it perceives of itself, the skill behind the animation is undeniable and further cements Tippett’s place as the “Mad God” of stop motion. “Mad God'' doesn't have a traditional plot and, as a result, can be difficult to describe to readers. Initially released in three parts (like a Cronenberg-directed Dickens novel), “Mad God'' generally follows distorted, mutated figures as they attempt to carry out their violent goals in a war-torn underworld seemingly intended to mirror our world.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Umbrella Academy’ season 3 highlights an approaching end

Elizabeth Secor | July 1

Season three of “The Umbrella Academy” hit Netflix on June 22; by the end of the day, I had watched all ten episodes. I rather enjoyed this new season, but it left me wondering if it might be time for “The Umbrella Academy” to wrap up and have the series finale it’s earned.

Culture

UNM, Albuquerque community reacts to Roe overturning

Spenser Willden | June 29

On Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court announced their ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, overturning the constitutional right to abortion decided in Roe v. Wade, 1973, and further protected in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 1992. The decision kicked off a weekend of protests from abortion rights activists and allies across the nation. In Albuquerque, hundreds of protesters, University of New Mexico students and other community members gathered in Tiguex Park Friday night to express their anger at the decision. UNM student Joliana Davidson expressed her anger over the decision and how it will affect people with uteruses’ bodily health.

Culture

Community organizations showcase Albuquerque at Expo and Celebration

Spenser Willden | June 27

Over 40 community organizations gathered in the Blacksmith Building at the Albuquerque Rail Yards on Saturday, June 25, for the city’s Community Expo and Celebration prior to Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address. These organizational partners showcased the work they’ve done, the opportunities they afford and the roles they play in the greater Albuquerque community — as well as their opinions on the current state of the city. Joey Wilson, warehouse coordinator for the Albuquerque Public Schools Title I McKinney-Vento Homeless Program, which supports unsheltered youth and their families to help them attend school and get an education, expressed concern with the city’s handling of the unhoused population, specifically the youth.

Culture

Community Expo takes doggy detour

John Scott | June 27

On Saturday, June 25, dozens of community members, politicians and local organizations gathered for the Community Expo and Celebration at the Albuquerque Rail Yards in conjunction with the State of the City address. While their owners were listening to Mayor Tim Keller detail his plans for the city, a select group of canine companions took time to enjoy the newly renovated Rail Yards and the slightly overcast weather. Desiree Cawley, marketing manager for the city’s Animal Welfare Department, welcomed the crowd of furry friends from community members joining in on the celebration as well as animals up for adoption brought by the department.

Culture

Santa Fe gallery showcases emerging UNM artists

Zara Roy | June 24

Anna Rotty and Rosalba Breazeale, two graduate students at the University of New Mexico, are set to be featured as new Emerging Artists at the Santa Fe Strata Gallery’s second annual Group Member Exhibition, running from July 26 to Aug. 20. The Group Member Exhibition will host a collection of works in various mediums from 16 established gallery members and five newly selected emerging artists and will allow visitors to walk through an eclectic mix of ideas.

Culture

UNM students respond to gun violence in their communities

Alizay Chavez | June 22

Gun violence is a growing concern across the nation, as in recent years the number of mass shootings annually has grown considerably, from 417 in 2019, to 700 in 2021, with 2022 on track to match last year’s high, according to the Washington Post. In Albuquerque, there have been 51 deaths related to guns in 2022 alone, according to Gun Violence Archive. Though New Mexico’s government has taken steps toward greater levels of gun control, it’s still not enough, according to Cheryl Haase, social media lead for Moms Demand Action, an organization of mothers devoted to ending gun violence in their communities.