32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 4, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com CULTURE For the last couple of years, Pacific Grove-based photographer Michelle Magdalena Maddox has been putting off her fine arts and commercial projects. She’s been frantically busy, trying to single-handedly launch a magazine project unlike any other— done slowly and with care—that tells the experience of life on the Central Coast of California, and Southern California to some extent. “I’ve been enjoying the process, but it’s a lot of pressure,” Maddox says. “I would love to do it full time,” she adds, gradually opening up to the idea that even if she would like to do everything herself—photos, interviews, writing, environmental and political activism— the magazine is about the community. “My goal is to unite people,” she says of Magdalena magazine. The first issue, titled Bohypsian, was published in 2019 and was all about Big Sur. The initiative was crowdfunded and supported by select planet-friendly sponsors, such as Sacred Sound & Wonder (sound healing events and crystal bowls) or activist Tony Farfalla, who is promoting “community before cops.” For the second issue, Maddox decided to change the name of the magazine to make sure her loving neologism is not fostering further insensitivity toward the Romani people. “Magdalena was suggested to me and sounded like the right option,” Maddox explained at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, where a group gathered for a talk about the second issue on Saturday, Sept. 16. The magazine is physically wonderful, printed on a thick, high-quality paper with a special binding that makes it easy to remove a page. Inside you’ll find interviews with Indian activist Vandana Shiva and fashion guru/actress Nat Kelley, as well as poetry and recipes. Maddox started her adventures in photography as a teen, inspired by the traditions of Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Her female inspiration is fine art photographer Joyce Tenneson. “The picture is worth a thousand words, “ Maddox says, though she doesn’t shy away from writing personal essays, including one on abortion, in the new issue. As a photographer, Maddox is an expert on female forms interacting with nature, using self-portrait as one means to that end. She is already working on the third issue of the magazine. The second issue of Magdalena Magazine, Regeneration, is available now. $40. For more, visit magdalenamag.com. DANIEL DREIFUSS Slow Press Magdalena magazine returns—rebranded—with the second issue and more environmental content. By Agata Pop˛eda Michelle Magdalena Maddox flipping through the second issue of Magdalena magazine. She does everything on her own—and if that means just one issue per year, so be it. TIM BRADY aka Cement Ship Friday 7pm | No cover Voted Best FISH N’CHIPS in Monterey County HAPPY HOUR | 3–6pm WHARF #2 • MONTEREY 831-372-0581 WWW.LBPMONTEREY.COM
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