I’m Kieran Lyons and I share the head editor position with Nick. I’m a junior at Baker and a cognitive science/studio art double major. Some of my interests are drawing, photography, short stories, design, cocktails, cars, food, and, of course, sex.
When Nick and I agreed to become part of Open earlier this year, I don’t think either of us expected to end up running it. Still, I’m glad we are. I’ve been intrigued by Open since I first took the annual sex survey two years ago. At the time, I didn’t really know what the survey was for or who was administering it, but it didn’t matter: I was glad to have an opportunity to reflect on and share my opinions and experiences, even if all it led to was a hair’s-breadth change on a bar graph. When the magazine itself came out I, like almost everyone else, clamored to open it up and read the results of the survey. Hopefully some of us stuck around for the rest of the content, but the discussions that resulted from survey results were valuable on their own. Honest, revealing discussions about sex, sexuality, or gender aren’t that common. It’s a shame, because no one is indifferent about these topics the way many people are about politics. Our bodies, experiences, and desires are a part of us we can’t be rid of.
We hope we can provide a forum for and a push toward these kinds of open discussions. I’m excited to work on my own stories, photoshoots, articles, and editorials and I’m even more excited to look through yours. Art and writing are ways for me to be open about the things that are important to me. Maybe your methods are different, but Open will be there either way. You can model, draw, take photos, or write columns, opinions, stories, or poems. You can help others express themselves by writing surveys, interviewing friends and strangers, editing, or planning events. If nothing else, you can follow our blog throughout the year and read the magazine next semester. Wherever you start, we hope you end up talking.
I’m Nick Morales and I’m a junior at Will Rice. I’m majoring in English and policy studies and I hope to complete the new EEB minor as well. My interests include marine studies and culture, aquariums, wildlife, music, traveling, movies, and foreign languages. I have always had a passion for reading and the literary arts which why I decided to get involved with Open. Although creative writing is not one of my hobbies, I have had a lot of personal experience in journalism ever since I got involved with the production of my high school’s yearbook.
Like Kieran has already said, I never imagined that I would be co-piloting this project. My previous experience with Open was actually quite shallow; I participated in the annual sex survey but I didn’t really take any interest in the actual publication. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that Open also maintains a blog that is constantly updated with all sorts of interesting stories. I had originally intended to be on staff as a copy or design editor but I became fascinated with everything that Open has to offer and a couple of chance events landed me the head honcho position that I now share with Kieran. I’m very grateful to the friend who encouraged me to get involved and who helped me realize the full potential of this unique publication.
As an English major, most of my work for Open will involve writing and editing but that doesn’t mean that I won’t be involved with any of the visual or design elements. Kieran and I will work together to make sure that there is a perfect balance of visual and written art. We are hitting the ground running so make sure to stay tuned for Open’s weekly updated blog entries as well as our student surveys, which have actually already started (check out our Facebook page for more details), and other events that will take place in the very near future.
The way I see it, Open is a fusion of literature and visual art focusing on sex and sexuality. Through poetry, photography, short stories, paintings and expository essays, Open produces a fertile foundation for the discussion of culture, political and social issues, diversity, and human health and wellness. Our mission parallels Rice’s culture of care, which defines how students, faculty and staff interact symbiotically. We hope that our readers will gain a greater respect for and appreciation of the full spectrum of healthy sexual choices, preferences and lifestyles. There are many ways to get involved and we would love to have your input. In fact, we depend on your input regardless of whether you’d like to model, take pictures, design, plan events, write, paint, edit, participate in our surveys, or simply just read along. We hope to make this year Open’s best (and sexiest) to date and we can’t do it without you.
Yours Sincerely,
Kieran Lyons and Nick Morales
Open Editors-in-Chief
For questions or flattering comments, please email us at riceopen@gmail.com