I was excited by the variety of approaches: Annie's avatars, Milo's street portraits, Cole's portrait with motion, Luke's photo of his grandfather, and Em's "Yassified" self-portrait. Each piece reveals that drama emerges not just from grand gestures, but from the act of reflection itself—whether it's contemplating one's own image, manipulating portraits through technology and composition, or navigating the complex dynamics of portraying others.
I was moved by Borja Del Rio's "Sommermusik für Violinduo," which translates this sense of drama into the auditory realm. It's a powerful reminder of how composition and musical manipulation can evoke dramatic bodily sensations. This is also evident in Alex’s use of language in his poem, reminding me that drama can also be found in simplicity, emptiness, and nothingness.
In curating this issue, I wanted to include elements that might seem unconventional for a traditional art magazine. That's why I decided to include our anonymous "Dear Diary" column, adding a touch of playful gossip that serves, in its way, as an alternative form of portraiture. Lucia's piece stands as a testament to the drama inherent in imagination, using metaphorical language and absurdism to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
I'm particularly excited about including Bella's fan fiction. As one of the most consumed forms of written media today, I believe it's crucial for Basta to engage with this genre. It's part of my vision for the magazine to reflect not only “intellectual” discourse but also the media forms that captivate today's audiences.
Our goal is for Basta to continue evolving, reflecting the diverse content people consume and create across a multitude of mediums.
I hope you enjoy the issue! Thank you to all contributors!