About Rattus

Now that I'm finally writing something in this box, I'm realizing I'm not quite sure what to say.

Part of my desire to establish a little corner of my own on the Interwebs stems from the simultaneous lack of boundaries and, at the same time, perceptions of rigid delineations between me and not me. As in, I'm not really sure what I am, though at moments it seems clear everything that I am not. (e.g: a tomato fan 🚫 🍅)

Right now my name is August, but I am also Sol, Ari, and (in lesser degrees) Aven and Nyx. He/they; I oscillate between putting the he or the they first. I also will always respond to Rattus : ) (I have complicated thoughts on my relationship with therianthropy and alterhumanity, but know that spiritually and in my heart I am a rat!!)

I am an undergraduate Computer Science and Studio Art student in the Midwestern USA. Originally from Russia, but have no desire to come back. I like to joke I chose compsci for the money and art for the soul, but I've realized in the last year that unfortunately I may like the science part of Computer Science, and, even worse, I think I may like math. Not really good at either though.

I'm graduating next May (scary), so studying takes up most of my days as of late. I also work at the college IT Helpdesk and I do odd jobs for my advisor-turned-mentor, which for the last 4 months has included being their research assistant and working on their upcoming art installation (of proportions that are a little silly to think about -- big stuff is coming!)

When I do have some time to myself I like to make art, read both great and shitty books, engage in various crafts, and walk the same route around the city/town I've perfected for deep meditative leg shuffling.

Favorite topics to have thoughts on:

• 20th Century, Contemporary, and New Media art (especially: Dada, Kandinsky, textile and fiber art, web art of all forms, video games as art)
  • Art that explicitly engages with the conventions of its own medium (e.g. a video game exploring what it means to be a video game) has a special place in my heart; e.g. The Beginner's Guide, Sol Lewitt, Malevich
• Rattus norvegicus particularly and muroid rodents generally
• The thing that people usually call math rock (I have no idea what the proper language to refer to that is, but picture melodic instrumental fun-time-signature jazzy fusion type thing......)