Holding On to Time: Celebrating Creativity Through Impressions
As the world moves towards a future shaped by artificial intelligence, the club Impressions takes on a slower, more deliberate, and profoundly human approach. Every year, Impressions constructs a printed literary and arts magazine. The magazine counters the fast-paced standards of today by celebrating student work that is reflective, emotional, and human.
The theme for this year’s magazine is “Time,” a very fitting choice for a publication that asks readers to pause. According to Impression’s soon-to-graduate co-leader Monica Yoon, the theme emerged organically: “We mainly chose the theme of time as we noticed that a lot of the work submitted touched on memory or moments passing.” That theme reverberates through the pages, which do not clamor for attention in the way digital media does. Instead, they encourage contemplation by connecting emotionally with each artwork captured in poems, drawings, sculpture, or photography.
Even those outside the club can feel the impact of these artworks. Sophomore Arjun Kothari shared, “I really love it. I feel like nowadays it is very hard to distinguish if art was made by AI….It really makes creativity feel very dystopian…but having a magazine that ensures that it is beautiful, human-made art and work is just amazing and I think its continuation is vital.” What sets Impressions apart is the unmistakable human presence woven into every piece. The works are not just skilled, but carry lived experience and emotion, which can be felt through any reader. Every pairing of visual art and writing is carefully considered. “When pairing artwork and literature,” Monica explained, “it’s important to keep in mind the flow of the book and how the pieces thematically connect to each other. It’s less about technical skill and more about how well you can connect themes, tones, and moods to create a cohesive experience for the reader.”
The editorial process is creative and collaborative in that members scour through a multitude of submissions, communicate in constant discussion, and often debate the most minuscule details of layout and design. And then, when the physical proofs arrive, emotions rise among all members after partaking in such a remarkable project. Everyone gathers around, flips through the pages, points out their favorite parts, and soaks in the moment with pride, relief, and excitement.
As AI continues to reshape how we think about art, creativity, and authorship, Impressions stands as a counterpoint: through its tangible and thoughtful process, Impressions reveals why print still matters. It emphasizes that creativity arises from the connection between the artist and the audience, emotion, and expression. And for students thinking of joining this amazing club next year, Monica advises that you, “Start early and stay organized. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but if you divide tasks and keep communicating, it becomes manageable.”
In this ever-dynamic world, Impressions encourages us to appreciate time. It reminds us that there is still meaning in the slow, the deliberate, and the human. And most importantly, it means remembering that both Impressions and time are worth holding on to.
