The Finale

When thinking about Mark and I’s final issue, I knew I wanted it to be different and unique. I think a lot of magazines focus on beauty and trends, but there is so much more. I think they can show off weirdness and other aspects of photography not traditionally given a platform. And I knew that's what I wanted this one to be, a showcase of all the weird and beautiful ways we can exist in this world.

Our current political and cultural climate is very anti-weirdness. You can be unique within a mold, and nothing more. I love the camp of burlesque – The unhinged glamour and artistic style arising from political and revolutionary philosophy, the vulnerability of it all is so stunning. 

Much like burlesque, the circus is the exact opposite of this traditionalness we find ourselves trending towards. It embraces different types of art, people, and communities. Queer authenticity is something I think we should always be highlighting, and these two artforms embrace boldness, queerness, and the avant guarde.  

Looking back on over two years of co-running this magazine, I have experienced so many amazing opportunities and learned so much about leading a group of creatives with different visions. Being able to work with friends in a creative way, doing something I love is what makes the New York experience whole. 

We started this journey with just me, Mark, and his camera, and over the years we have gotten to work with some amazing people, some very frustrating people. At the very end, 47 will always be about my love for Mark, New York City, and creativity.  

There’s so much I can say about the existential feeling, the love and heartbreak of putting your all into creating something, working on it day after day, creating a community of people interested in uplifting this effort, the hope and failures, and constant rebuilding, rethinking, and growing. I've learned so much about planning, delegating, knowing when to admit you’re wrong, and sticking to the truth of my efforts. There are always going to be people praying on your downfall, and there will always be people who support and believe in you.  

In a way, 47 is our baby, which we grew out of nothing and made it what we could with what little we had. Just a vision and a camera. 

In this next chapter for 47, I hope the magazine stays true to Mark and I’s vision - simply to provide a space for queer people to make art. While I’m sad to step back from something we put our blood, sweat, brains, and tears into, I am excited to hand off the magazine to people who can direct all their efforts into it while Mark and I move on. In just a few years, I’ve been a model, photographer, actress, salesman, event planner, manager, creative director, choreographer, and more. I’ve taken pictures with cool people in amazing locations, all with my vision in mind. 

Each issue has been a moment in time for me. I can look back on each of our 17 issues and see where I was, what I was inspired by, what I was thinking about, and how I felt. I am truly grateful for that. While 47 started as a fun side project, it has really shaped a lot about who I am and what I want to do in the world. As a law student, creativity is something that feels out of reach a lot of the time. 

I’ve always felt I wasn’t creative, or didn’t have a place to show that I am. This magazine convinced me otherwise and allowed me to see the joy and strength that comes from having an outlet and focusing on how art is everything. 47 forever.  

With all my love, and finally,  

Sophia Querrazzi  

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Photographer: Mark Bluemle @barks.mindd

Director: @sophiamq_14

MUA: Maggie Moland @magzabeth_

Talent:

Jack Oesterle @jackoesterle

Jaden Rittweger @jjadeddjjadenn

TL Smith @swishmontanaa

Aidan F. Dean Dunn @aidan_dunn1

Maggie Moland

Sophia Querrazzi