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Leah Mesquita:
Welcome back to the podcast! The Expression Issue of State Press magazine is now available in newsstands near you.
Natalia Jarrett:
This episode, the authors of 2 featured articles provide insight into the research and process of their articles.
Leah Mesquita:
Reporter Hannah Langley interviews Keyanne Walls about the political history of denim.
Natalia Jarrett:
And Mica Hermida gathers journalist George Headley to gaggle about his galavanting through ASU galleries for the history of Grady Gammage and Gammage Auditorium.
Leah Mesquita:
I’m Leah Mesquita.
Natalia Jarrett:
I'm Natalia Jarrett.
Leah Mesquita:
And this is State Press Play.
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Mica Hermida:
Today, we're exploring one of the stories behind one of ASU's most iconic buildings, Gammage auditorium. The building was created out of a surprising collaboration between ASU President Grady Gammage and world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Joining me is George Headley, the managing editor of the State Press, whose article “An Odd Pairing: The Friendship that Built ASU Gammage” uncovers how this partnership came to be and the legacy it left behind. George, thank you for being here today.
George Headley:
Thank you for having me.
Mica Hermida:
So, George. What pulled you into this story, like what made you want to write the story?
George Headley:
Yeah, absolutely. So I started my reporting journey a couple, I want to say, a couple weeks back, because I really wanted to focus on a story that showed the true expression of myself. And I felt that in my, you know, my past college career as a journalist, I've written a lot of stories that, while they are, you know, very important, very newsworthy narratively, you know, I looked up to authors like David Grant and Hunter S Thompson. You know, these, these authors who had these huge narrative pieces that were journalistically, you know, genius, almost. And I wanted to do that in college, but I never really got the opportunity. So when the expression issue came out, or the idea of the expression issue came out, I really wanted to express myself to the fullest potential, which was, you know, journalistically, what can I do that shows me and my peers my pure self? And I felt like writing a story that is narratively driven, but also has a sense of uncovering something that, you know, we walk past every day on the Tempe campus, right the Gammage auditorium. And I wanted to know like, truly, what was the, what was the background behind that auditorium? Why was it built? Why is Frank Lloyd Wright such an important architect to a lot of people, you know, going into it, I didn't know really much about Frank Lloyd Wright, and leaving that story, I've gained such a, you know, a profound sense of, I guess, knowledge, or just a good idea of who that man was and his architectural prowess, the, you know, the history of him and everything he encompassed. I learned so much more about Grady Gammage, the former president of ASU back in, you know, the 30s to 50s. And, yeah, I think just, just, mainly, it was a great opportunity to express myself journalistically by writing a long-form narrative that is both might not have much journalistic impact, but it's something that I find interesting. And I think a lot of ASU students would find it interesting as well.
To hear more from George, please tune in to State Press Play.
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Hannah Langley:
Welcome to this segment of the State Press Play podcast. My name is Hannah Langley, and today I'm joined by Keyanne Walls, and today we're going to be talking about her article on the history of denim and the influence of denim on today's culture. So hi. I loved your article, by the way. I really, I think it was a really great take on the whole situation between them. First of all, just want to ask, like, what like, really caught your attention about this situation and stuff and what really made you want to write an article about this?
Keyanne Walls:
I think, obviously, first with the whole Sydney Sweeney debacle, I, you know, I spent a lot of time on Twitter and, you know, just like doomscrolling and all, like, I remember it for like, a week. Like, all I was seeing was, like, think pieces on the Sydney Sweeney campaign and all, like, the, I guess, the some little messages behind it. So I thought that was really interesting. And then, like, sort of as August was, like passing you saw the KATSEYE campaign with the GAP and, like, it was just a complete switch on, like, how it was received from audiences. And I thought that was super interesting. So when, like, the expression issue was announced, like, I don't know it was like, just constantly on my mind, just thinking about it. And so it seemed like a good thing to incorporate into the mag this, for this issue.
Hannah Langley:
Yeah, for sure. I think that, you know, the denim, both of the ads were like, kind of like, about, like, self expression, I guess, and like the good genes and stuff. And I think, you know, like, the difference between how Sydney Sweeney's ad was received, which was more, had a negative perception, versus, like, how the KATSEYE was, the KATSEYE's ad was perceived, was very different, obviously. And why do you think that was?
Keyanne Walls:
I think a big thing was what identity the brands were trying to give off. You know, I think I mentioned it in the article, like the Sidney Sweeney campaign. It was like, very sexual and I think it was, there were calls to the old Calvin Klein campaign from, I think with Brooke Shields, that was just like a big inspiration for that one. So I think again, like just very different identities, like with the GAP, I think they've always been a brand that's about just moving like, being free in your like, in who you are, and your, your own identity. And I think that identity translates better today, especially with this generation. And I definitely found that in like, the people I talked to, they definitely received the GAP's campaign a lot better.
To hear more from Keyanne, please tune in to State Press Play.
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Natalia Jarrett:
That’s all for this episode of State Press Play. I’m Natalia Jarrett
Leah Mesquita:
And I’m Leah Mesquita. State Press Play is produced by our podcast desk editor, Connor Greenwall, and our vidpod producer Grace Johnson. Our original music is by Ellie Willard and Jake LaRoux.
Natalia Jarrett:
Special thanks to our managing team, Matthew Marengo and Ava Peguese.
Leah Mesquita:
You can check out all these stories and more on statepress.com. See you next time.
