Supergrass, Blur, Suede and Pulp are all bands of an era gone by. An era in the 1990’s which was marked by the coolness of Britain and an enthralling new music genre called Britpop. To me Britpop signifies a time of childhood innocence, a time where I was liberated from adult responsibilities and a time of enjoying the summer months in denim mini-skirts leisurely watching the cricket. The artists that emerged over a decade ago embodied this ideal of innocence and freedom; singing about distinct issues that concerned the British youth. Britpop celebrated Britishness finely. Yet every good thing must come to an end and Britpop naturally declined.
After a long hiatus, one which seemed like an eternity, I was offered the chance to revive my childhood summers and watch the best Oxfordian band ever (argue with me all you like, but the lady will not be turned), Supergrass on their latest tour. The band, who have been quiet for the past few years, opened their tour of their sixth studio album “Diamond Hoo Ha” at the sold-out Edinburgh Liquid Rooms.
Feeling as giddy as a school girl yet with a pint of cider in hand I was packed into the tiny venue (too tiny for such a huge act) by music fans twice my age. For once in Edinburgh I felt too young to be at a gig rather than having an apparent mid-life crisis at the ripe age of 19 by being surrounded by 15 year old Emos at Klaxons’ gigs. The crowd seemed ennui and world weary in comparison, but when Gaz Coombes entered to take his position on centre stage the youth of the 1990’s was revived and everyone applauded in respect for the musical legacy of Supergrass.
The band plummeted into various tracks from their new album, which is out on the 24th March. The new album set bodies swinging and hands in rapturous applause, as Supergrass have continued to create ear pleasing music. Yet something has changed from the days of Britpop. Supergrass have finally said goodbye to the carefree entertainment of Britpop, and adopted a mature outlook obviously influenced by psychedelia and funk. The band have taken a glamorous rock musical direction highlighted through “Diamond Hoo Ha Man”, their first release from the new album, and their second single “Bad Blood” with embody a dark attitude, mixed with provocative sexiness. Supergrass appeared to have discarded their days of simple guitar chords, clanging keys and pop. Prioritising their sound with heavy power chords, intricate guitar solos and Goffey’s pro-active drumming.
Supergrass made my night when the lyrics “Moving. Just keep Moving” echoed around the room to a greeting of excitement. Supergrass created an intense nostalgia with their most famous track “Moving” in which every lyric was sung back to Gaz Coombes with as much passion and fervour as the song created when it was released back in 1999. The evening reached its climax when the introduction to “Pumping on Your Stereo” began in which all of the under-25’s (including myself) hypnotically swarmed to the front of the venue for a good old bit of light-hearted jumping around and sing-along.
Supergrass made a marvellous come-back, showing that they are a band that has survived Brit-pop unlike their contemporaries such as Blur and Pulp. Supergrass have entered 2008 with a band; reviving the current alternative British music scene, yet still maintaining their Brit-pop legacy by continuing to perform their songs that made the 1990’s a great time to grow up in.
Saturday 29 March 2008
Red Blood Shoes Review published on the University of Edinburgh student radio, Fresh Air, website February 2008.
A buzz of excitement filled the bare stone walls of the Edinburgh vault as the mixed crowd of music lovers gathered in anticipation for the most tipped new band of the year. The energetic, punk band Blood Red Shoes have been the talk of the 2007/08 music scene as their pop lyrics, mixed with the eccentric guitar riffs and ritualistic drumming ensures that even the most unwilling of listeners cannot be help but tap their feet to their tunes.
The Brighton duo which consists of Laura-Mary Carter and Steven Ansell , which has led to conspiracies like those that surrounded the White Stripes with questions like are they going out or are they brother and sister?, have been together since 2005 and have numerous gigs under their belt. There were lots of expectations surrounding their sold out gig at The Hive, Edinburgh, as the band reached the point in their musical career when it was time to prove that they were not just a band that spilled out repetitive punk tracks, but a band with musical variety and live talent.
The evening did not begin smoothly however with support band Make Model’s lead singer bursting open his head, thus leading to the support band having to cancel at the last minute.
When Blood Red Shoes arrived on stage earlier than expected this heightened the atmosphere within the small rectangular room. The band began their set with a comedy cabaret, as Steven Ansell dipped into some stand-up comedy. The distinction between band and fans was merged by inviting a member of the crowd onto the stage to join in with the theatrical farce. However, this introduction led to boos from the audience as Ansell should more than definitely stick to his day job as the drummer because his jokes should be likened to a terrorist attack; lots of explosions, but ultimately disastrous.
After fifteen minutes of ‘comedy’ the band finally jumped into their set opening with their trademark repetitive guitar riffs. The band certainly got the crowd going especially when they played singles, “You Bring Me Down” and “I Wish I Was Someone Better”. The snare drum on “I Wish I Was Someone Better” thudded around the room and made it impossible for the crowd to keep still. So if you like punk/pop of The Subways then you must check out Blood Red Shoes, because they are basically reproducing the same genre yet Laura-Mary can actually sing.
It was only a short set of fifty minutes which shows that the band have yet to find that happy medium of quick, punk tracks that last two minutes thirty-seven seconds, by incorporating more ballads, as there was a distinct lack of slower tracks in this set. The band state on their website that they do not want to produce “cheap-shit predictable music”, yet the lack of variety in their set suggests that this is what they are pumping out, quick and easy punk/pop which everyone loves. But it certainly moves us.
There album is out April 14th.
There European tour begins in the spring and they are due to play Glasgow ABC on 18th April. Buy tickets now to see what all the hype is about.
Unpublished article on Rape in Edinburgh-December 2007.
The law and criminal justice system has been held under intense scrutiny following David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative Women Organisation in November. The Tory leader outlined the shocking statistics for rape convictions in the U.K. compared with other European countries. Cameron addressed the issue of rape, which was becoming a forgotten issue amongst the majority of society.
The U.K. currently holds the worst convictions rates in Europe, with the frighteningly low conviction rate of 5.1%, while Scotland alone convicted only 4.3% of recorded rape cases. At a local level the Lothian and Borders area holds a startlingly low conviction rate of only 1.4%. If these statistics are compared with countries, such as Italy which has a conviction rate of 48.8% in 2003 and Ireland which boasts a conviction rate of 59.3%, the U.K., especially Scotland, has to face the fact that the criminal justice system is failing. The U.K. must realise that something has to be done to give rape victims justice and to increase the protection of women from rape without their loss of freedom.
Women’s right movements will be relieved at Cameron’s openness about rape and his worry for the seemingly increasing number of rape offences, yet the ever rock-bottom conviction rate. Cameron outlined three initiatives during his speech: to improve the conviction rates of rape and increase the sentence of imprisonment; to increase the number of rape crisis centres; and to change the cultural values of the U.K. However, this is something that cannot be changed over night.
The current maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment. Obviously it is in very extreme cases that the defendant is punished this severely. The reality of rape sentences are far from severe with the average jail sentence being only 4 years and many perpetrators are gaining freedom after a matter of months. But it must be questioned as to whether more severe punishments would lead to determent and justice or whether it would be self-defeating, leading to more rapists escaping prison as juries may be reluctant to give defendants a harsh punishment in a case where it is one person’s word against another?
Rape Crisis Centres have undergone recent turmoil under the Labour government, as more centres are forced to close down. In 1985 there were 84 Rape Crisis Centres in the U.K. compared to only 32 today; which is set to decline even further. These cuts to Rape Crisis Centres will most definitely have an adverse effect on victims of rape, with only around 20% of rape victims who seek advice and help from these centres actually reporting the crime to the police. If more confidential support is not offered to victims of rape then rape will become ever more life-destroying for its victims.
Cameron’s attack on the U.K.’s cultural values also holds importance as women continue to be stigmatised for rape. Even though the Sexual Offence Act of 2003 aimed to strengthen the law and the protection of the victim, women continue to feel uncomfortable reporting rape to the police and going through the lengthy and debilitating court procedure. The court room is often described as the “second assault” on rape victims due to the continuation of hostile questioning and public sexism, while women’s sexual history, alcohol intake and clothing continues to be a major aspect of the trial. Those in authority who are supposed to administer justice, regardless of their personal opinions of a crime, must be interrogated into their conduct.
It is not only the sexism in the criminal justice system that has lead to a lack of justice for rape victims; it is the sexism that runs throughout our own society. In 1999 the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust conducted a survey in Glasgow discovering that one in seven young men thought that forcing their long-term partner to have sex with them was acceptable. Amnesty International found that one in four respondents to a poll in 2005 thought that a woman was partly responsible for being raped if she wore sexy or revealing clothing. This cultural apathy towards victims of rape shows how, as a nation, we are taking the wrong attitude towards sexual abuse.
Locally, the University of Edinburgh Amnesty International Society began a ‘Stop Violence Against Women’ campaign following a series of meetings that were held in December. The Society acknowledged that rape was under-reported to the police and that the media creates problems for rape victims, due to the myths of rape that it portrays. It needs to be recognised that the media sensationalises rape and focuses on “stranger danger”, preaching to young women that they are most in danger, especially when they are out at night, in revealing clothing and intoxicated with alcohol. The media demonises women who do not restrict their behaviour and effectually uses rape as a means to control women. What the media ignores however is; the truth. The truth that women are most likely to be raped by someone they know and that the most common perpetrators are husbands and partners. The Rape Crisis website exposed that 97% of rape victims that contact them knew their assailant before the attack. The media continually tells women the opposite; which means that women who are abused by their partners, friends or family feel as though it is not rape and therefore do not report it because it does not conform to the stereotype of rape. In order for this to change the media must reveal the true picture of rape to ensure that women understand what rape is. Women need to be taught that it is not their fault that their “loved” ones are abusing them and the Police need to be more willing to listen to women who are suffering from sexual abuse.
Amnesty International Society have begun to take direct action against rape firstly by advertising the various facilities that are available at the Advise Place on Campus for reporting and counselling, as well as a potential poster campaign that aims to challenge the attitudes of sexism and the myths of rape. At a national level, Cameron’s speech was right to raise the issue of rape and to argue that something must be done about the injustice of rape. However, I think that he does not recognise the extent of the problem, nor does he realise just how dramatic our culture will have to change in order for women to feel safe from rape. Firstly, this means a change of attitude towards women that are raped. The victims of rape need to be decriminalised. It is the perpetrator that is on trial not the victim. Secondly, the myth of “stranger danger” needs to be eliminated to ensure that women feel able to take someone that they are close to, to the police. Rape is rape regardless of who the perpetrator is. If Cameron is able to see his proposals through I think he could win back disillusioned female voters and make the U.K. a safer place for women in general. However, rape is not a crime that will suddenly cease to exist and for now we will have to ensure that the victims of rape receive support and justice.
Klaxons Review published on the University of Edinburgh student radio, Fresh Air, website in December 2007.
Arriving at the Corn Exchange fashionably late, as always, pumped up giggers were greeted with a pavement full of cheap fluorescent glow sticks and a totalitarian sign that bared the ominous message: ‘No Glow sticks allowed. All Glow sticks will be confiscated’. Appalled by this restriction of Nu-rave rights, we reluctantly made our way inside to witness the death of Nu-rave.
Inside, however, was a different story; there was obviously no need to worry. A few Scenesters and wanna-be kids were draped in the heighteth of Nu-rave fashion. The hair was big. The jeans were tight. The colours clashed and were from every shade of the rainbow. It was a Nu-rave spectacular.
The bar was empty as Indie kids packed to the front of the venue in the hope that Simon’s sweat may be flicked onto their face as he kicks in ‘Atlantis to Interzone’ with his electrifying guitar riff.
Only a few moments after I secured my JD and lemonade in hand Klaxons took to the stage; received by a roar of applause and girly screams from the vivacious audience.
The familiar bass line of the Kicks Like A Mule cover ‘The Bouncer’ begun to echo around the room, while the audience anticipated the electronic kick in that would send them into a frenzy. When it finally did the crowd began to jump up and down in hysterics, while a few managed to crowd surf to the front in a bid to get closer to their idols.
Following ‘The Bouncer’, lead vocalist Jamie Reynolds apologised to the crowd for it taking them so long to gig in Edinburgh. The band made up for this blip as they clash through their hits ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’, ‘Golden Skans’ and ‘Atlantis to Interzone’. The sound was amazing. With the drums and bass beating against your chest, as clear as if you were the audience in a seedy underground basement. The electronics lived up to Nu-rave expectation; shooting the crowd into uncontrollable dancing, legal highs and profuse sweating.
With most of the album played, it was unclear what the band would pull out to finish the only 40 minute long set. Klaxons delivered though, by bringing out the clear favourite of the night, the cover ‘Not Over Yet’. The cover finished the evening stunningly, as the crowd sung back to the band during a climax-producing break during the song.
No new songs were played to the disappointment of the fans. Is this the end of Nu-rave? Have Klaxons run out of creative energy as they scrape to fill a short set by throwing in and ever-increasing amount of covers? Klaxons may not be winning a Mercury Music prize next year, however, the Nu-rave kids didn’t seem to mind as the youthful crowd left the venue exhausted yet satisfied.
Unpublished Heath Ledger Obituary.
The premature death of Heath Ledger on the 22nd January 2008 has left an impression upon many people’s minds. It has been a topic that has flared into discussions as to why we feel such empathy towards Ledger and most importantly what this shock has done to put our own mortality into perspective.
On the day that the 2007 Oscar nominations were announced Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the tragic age of 28. Ledger was found by his masseuse laid face down on his bed cold and naked. It is still unsure as to what the cause of death is, as reports from the toxicologists are due back in a matter of days. However, the New York Police Department announced that prescription sleeping pills were found in the vicinity as Ledger was apparently suffering from extreme insomnia prior to his death. Ledger’s family announced his death as “the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment”. Yet there was no indication in Ledger’s apartment as to whether he took his own life, accidentally overdosed or whether he died of natural causes.
Heath Ledger has starred in many distinguished Hollywood films such as teen flick 10 Things I Hate About You and the Oscar-winning Brokeback Mountain. In Brokeback Mountain Ledger starred as a homosexual cowboy who has a secret love affair with Jack Twist, who was played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Ledger performance was unforgettable and innovative. He was one half of the first onscreen gay romance in which his character in the film, Ennis, helped to break down the cultural barriers within Hollywood as a minority continue to feel ambivalent towards homosexuality.
Ledger put not only his acting skills into his roles but also emotion and meaning. His onscreen performances have wrenched the hearts of viewers all across the world and no one can deny that Brokeback Mountain didn’t bring a tear to their eye. Ledger’s death is not just the death of an actor, but the death of a young artist who we identified with not only because of his age but also because of his poignant performances.
People continue to question why Ledger is increasingly gaining heroic status which can be likened to that of James Dean and River Phoenix. Ledger may have kept his personal life private and did not appear to have any obvious narcotic problems or an affinity for fast cars; but is this not a reason to recognise the ordinary, reputable and humble people more when they pass away? One must acknowledge that Ledger was a household name and the big screen allows us to become involved with not only the narrative, but also with the actor. Regardless of how distant a love affair between two American cowboys may seem to us as students in Edinburgh, the inner turmoil and the deep love that Ledger and Gyllenhaal displayed on the big screen penetrated us.
The most central issue, however, that has caused our fixation with Ledger’s untimely death is because it simply has reminded us of our own mortality. Like the students of Edinburgh University, Ledger was in the prime of his life, extremely talented and had a successful career ahead of him. This was unfortunately taken away by a premature death that has led to the consensus that a life has been wasted. It is not only tragic that someone so young and successful has dies, but the daunting reminder that one day we will die too. As the director of Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee stated: Ledgers’ death is “heartbreaking”.
CSS Review published on the University of Edinburgh student radio, Fresh Air, website in January 2008.
Carling Academy Liverpool- Tuesday 18th December 2007.
Ok, so they’re a quirky six-piece band from Brazil who sing about sex, but are they any good live?
Having seen CSS warm up the Radio 1 stage at Leeds Festival 2007 for Klaxons and my memory from the event being rather hazy due to copious amounts of…. Anyway, I decided that I needed to see CSS live again to be able to give my true opinion on whether this Nu-rave band is actually talented. We all know and love, whether admittedly or not, Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from Above, but is that all that CSS have to show for themselves? So I jumped behind the wheel of my car and adventured across the Lancashire hilltops to Scouse land, unassisted by maps, compass or Satnav, to discover the answer to these mystical questions.
We arrived fashionably late, as always, to a hyped up crowd and were greeted by the electronic sounds of support act Metronomy. The London trio took to the stage cladded all in black apart from a decorative bedside touch lamp that was velcroed to their chests; which they pressed on and off intermittently to a dance routine that could be likened to a boy band (insert laughter here-I certainly did). If we put aside the theatrical farce that took place on stage, they actually weren’t that bad. They played mainly mainstream electronic indie, but one track called “Heart Breaker” really stood out for its jazz-like bass line, spontaneous sax solo and melodic love lyrics. This song could really get these guys somewhere, but unfortunately the rest of the set did not live up to this standard and individuality, imitating the likes of Hot Chip and Calvin Harris. So after our chuckle we where fully revved up for Lovefoxxx and her gang of merry men.
CSS arrived on stage even more fantastically dressed then their support. The band entered the stage to the sound of sleigh bells and were dressed as presents while faux snow was pumped onto the audience. It was a magical opening to a Christmas gig, and CSS were determined to begin the set as they meant to go on. The band jumped out of their wrapping and speedily got into the instrumental opening of Off The Hook, when Lovefoxxx made her entrance (or exit from her wrapping paper) to display her vivid green sequined leotard. They played Off The Hook followed by a slower version of Alala which ended with Lovefoxx inviting a Christmas tree on stage (an extra dressed as a Christmas tree that is!) for a Christmas dance to Fuck Off Is Not The Only Thing You Have To Show.
The band showed that they were really tight, with quick changes between songs and intricate chord variations on well-known tunes, which was not expected from a band that only first picked up an instrument in 2003. CSS’s obvious musical talent and Lovefoxxx’s energetic stage antics certainly got the crowd going and this gig definitely one to be remembered. It certainly got me into the Christmas spirit, after two weeks of intense exams, as opposed to all of the loathsome Christmas songs that plague the radio and bars in the running months up to December.
The band also played some new songs which showed a progression in their music, as it portrayed an obvious new direction away from notorious Nu-rave electronics to more heavily guitar based music which were devoid of the sexual denotations that were disseminated throughout their debut album.
After the indefatigable crowd had chanted “CSS Suxxx” and pleads of more, CSS returned to the stage for the encore with their hit Let’s Make Love and Listen To Death From Above, which truly set the evening alive.
If you you’ve heard their music and realised that you just want more and more check out the bands at a local-ish venue near you:
Metronomy- 24th Feb King Tuts Glasgow.
CSS- 24th Feb Barrowlands, Glasgow for the NME Awards Show.
"Andy Warhol: A Celebration of Life… And Death"-Published in the University of Edinburgh student magazine, Hype, in October 2007.
Andy Warhol: A Celebration of Life… And Death.
Warhol is notorious for his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. This compromised of his superstars, speed and general debauchery. But this exhibit at The National Gallery of Scotland shows a deeper side to Warhol, one that is concerned with death, religion and politics.
As a commercial illustrator in the 1950’s and 60’s, Warhol’s work embraced the American consumer culture. This was epitomised by his infamous piece of artwork; the repeated Campbell Soup image. Yet Warhol was not purely concerned with brands. His Death and Disaster series displays Warhol dabbling with death for the first time in his career. Critics may argue that Warhol portrayed sensational deaths, such as suicide and car crashes, with a heartless cool. While fans believe that Warhol is merely reflecting the modern world without judgement, observing how the media’s exposure of horrific events is making society immune to death and violence.
Warhol’s “Pop” portraits are also drenched in death. Iconic images of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley were produced following the idols’ untimely deaths. Warhol’s obsession with celebrities who were touched with death is embodied in his expression: “In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”, reiterating that fame is short lived. Press images of widow, Jackie Kennedy following the murder of JFK, also produced a documentary of emotions; grief, happiness and dignity that surround the concurrent theme; death.
Warhol’s Screen Tests, which were mostly filmed during the 60’s, present an alternative art form to Warhol’s ritual silkscreen prints. Warhol filmed his “superstars” at The Factory and slowed the footage down by a third to create a 4 minute film in which every eye movement, every flutter of the eyelashes appears to be a revelation. His Screen Tests are mesmerising and are the key to the actor’s soul. Edie Sedgwick, socialite and “it” girl of the 1960’s, played a major role in Warhol’s films and was the quintessence of The Factory charisma.
In the 1980’s Warhol became obsessed with the Cold War tension, producing his famous Camouflage prints which undermined Russia’s military threats with the contradictory use of bright colours which simulates the American brand culture.
The most interactive and frivolous aspect of the exhibit is the un-missable Silver Clouds. A room full of helium and air inflated silver balloons which float in the direction which you push them. This is an opportunity to experience Andy Warhol’s avant-garde art, where everyone ranging from children to pensioners is playing like they have never played before!
However, Warhol’s self portraits are unequalled in this exhibit. Warhol hits the very core of his insecurities and fears, particularly in Self Portrait (Strangulation) which portrays him being strangled from behind in a shocked Christ-like position-eyes directed heaven ward.
This exhibition gives a deep insight into the chaotic and nihilistic life of Andy Warhol: where superficiality and enlightenment are one.
Andy Warhol: A Celebration of Life… And Death
The National Gallery of Scotland
4th August-7th October
"Writing the Body Politic"-Published in the University of Edinburgh student newspaper, Student, in January 2008.
Writing the Body Politic:
Sara D’Arcy
Everybody knows that University is a time when your body changes. Your alcohol-filled stomach bulges over your tight fitting jeans. You can no longer wear those skimpy hot pants-because the late night essay writing sessions with your reliable friend, coffee, have left your once smooth and toned legs looking unbearable. So we may have reasons for not feeling too great about our body. But to the point that we think ourselves unattractive generates problems. Everyone has a concept of beauty and their own body image, yet it is extremely rare that these two things ever go hand in hand. Our perception of our appearance often being much more negative in regards to how others see us.
This tendency to be critical towards our body can have serious effects not only upon our health, but also on our mental health and daily life. It is well publicised that having negative perceptions about our body can lead, in extreme circumstances, to anorexia, bulimia and over-eating. However, what is a less known, but a more common phenomenon is traits like skipping lunch, counting calories, debilitating gym sessions and depression. Sound familiar? You are not alone.
It is no wonder that the majority of people have negative feelings towards their body, when images of stick-thin women and athletic men are constantly projected in the media in style publications like Vogue, scrutinising gossip pages like Heat and fitness magazines like Men’s Health. Most people do not conform to this elusive stereotypical body, whether it is the waif-like figures of female models or the muscular build of famous sportsmen. But the media has most definitely contributed to us becoming obsessed with our body image by making us feel inadequate to this seemingly unattainable physique.
The U.K. fashion industry, who has been the main target of protest campaigns against “Size Zero”, declared last year that it would not ban “ultra-thin” models from the cat walks of London Fashion Week. This statement was made even after the untimely deaths of Luisel Ramos who died of heart failure during the annual fashion show in Montevideo, Uruguay in August 2006 and Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston, who died in November 2006; both deaths were diagnosed as being caused by anorexia. The Fashion Industry obviously does not empathise with the issues of body image as they still cast these particular models even when their weight dramatically dropped to below 7 stone. If the industry shows no regard for its models then it definitely does not care about the young women and men who feel imperfect compared to the airbrushed ideal body that it uses to make money. It is no wonder that people find it difficult to love their bodies when they are constantly bombarded with images that are telling them the opposite.
Not only do the media and the fashion industry have to change their priorities, society’s attitude in general needs to be challenged. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not it is a fact that ‘beautiful’ people, who conform to the stereotypes portrayed on every glossy magazine cover, are given preference over those who do not. Recent research conducted by the Social Issues Research Centre, a science based non-profit, NGO with funding from the European Union, discovered that students who are thought to be more attractive were more popular not only with classmates, but also with their teachers. The teachers were found to have higher expectations of attractive students, which led to them gaining higher grades as a result of their physical appearance. Another very damaging consequence of this quest for ‘beauty’ is that it produces the stereotype within our society that beauty goes hand in hand with characteristics such as intelligence, social skills and morals. Whilst the enlightened reading this article may deny that they hold such a conception this is not the issue because many people, even unconsciously, do. What is at stake for those who are not ‘beautiful’ or ‘skinny’ is that they begin to associate their lack of ‘perfection’ with the self-image of worthlessness and thus begin to associate losing weight as a step in becoming a ‘better person.’
A study by the University of Glasgow in 2001, of an unidentified university, showed that the majority of students that were surveyed were self-conscious about their bodies. In particular, female students were 10 times more likely to exhibit anxiety over their weight in comparison to male students even though the men surveyed were on average more likely to be over-weight. However, a significant number of male students also admitted to being insecure over their body image. This anxiety has its root in only one source: the exposition and objectification of the body in the media. The results of this obsession with body image are made clear by a recent report by the charity Mental Health Foundation UK. Their recent study found that on average 1% of women between the ages of 15 and 30 suffer from some form of ‘anorexia nervosa’ and 4% of this age from ‘bulimia nervosa.’ For men the average is much lower but still significant making up 10% of all anorexia or bulimia cases that are reported in the U.K. To put it in perspective: even at a mean estimate this means that around 800 students at Edinburgh University will have some form of eating disorder.
Apart from the very real threat to bodily health this anxiety about body image also impacts on the every day of life of students who do not feel that they fall into such categories. Even a slightly negative body image can cause insecurity, which can affect not only academic performance, but if ignored can develop into depression, while attempts to diet to achieve ‘the perfect body,’ is the precursor to more drastic cases like bulimia and anorexia.
Change in society’s superficial attitude is unlikely to alter anytime soon. Big corporations will continue to make extortionate amounts of money through fashion, beauty products, and our natural inclination to be insecure about our physical appearance. The only way to combat society’s stereotypes and the reception of them is to rise above it and accept ourselves for who we are. As one Edinburgh University student put it, ‘there is so much pressure to conform to what the media shows is beautiful. It doesn’t matter. Ultimately I’d rather go on living my life and eating that chocolate cake instead of worrying about my weight.’ This said if you feel that your body image is affecting your life then there are a number of people that you can contact to talk to confidentially and anonymously about any concerns you may have.
Nightline: The University of Edinburgh trained volunteer phone service can be called between 8pm and 8am on 0131-557-4444.
Breathing Space Scotland: This nation wide advice and counselling service can be contacted between 6pm and 2pm on 0800-838-587. Information and Guidance can also be found at http://www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk/.
Mental Health Foundation UK: This service provides information and contacts for those who know someone with eating disorders and want to find help for them; they can be called on 020 7803 1101. Information can also be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/.
Sara D’Arcy
Everybody knows that University is a time when your body changes. Your alcohol-filled stomach bulges over your tight fitting jeans. You can no longer wear those skimpy hot pants-because the late night essay writing sessions with your reliable friend, coffee, have left your once smooth and toned legs looking unbearable. So we may have reasons for not feeling too great about our body. But to the point that we think ourselves unattractive generates problems. Everyone has a concept of beauty and their own body image, yet it is extremely rare that these two things ever go hand in hand. Our perception of our appearance often being much more negative in regards to how others see us.
This tendency to be critical towards our body can have serious effects not only upon our health, but also on our mental health and daily life. It is well publicised that having negative perceptions about our body can lead, in extreme circumstances, to anorexia, bulimia and over-eating. However, what is a less known, but a more common phenomenon is traits like skipping lunch, counting calories, debilitating gym sessions and depression. Sound familiar? You are not alone.
It is no wonder that the majority of people have negative feelings towards their body, when images of stick-thin women and athletic men are constantly projected in the media in style publications like Vogue, scrutinising gossip pages like Heat and fitness magazines like Men’s Health. Most people do not conform to this elusive stereotypical body, whether it is the waif-like figures of female models or the muscular build of famous sportsmen. But the media has most definitely contributed to us becoming obsessed with our body image by making us feel inadequate to this seemingly unattainable physique.
The U.K. fashion industry, who has been the main target of protest campaigns against “Size Zero”, declared last year that it would not ban “ultra-thin” models from the cat walks of London Fashion Week. This statement was made even after the untimely deaths of Luisel Ramos who died of heart failure during the annual fashion show in Montevideo, Uruguay in August 2006 and Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston, who died in November 2006; both deaths were diagnosed as being caused by anorexia. The Fashion Industry obviously does not empathise with the issues of body image as they still cast these particular models even when their weight dramatically dropped to below 7 stone. If the industry shows no regard for its models then it definitely does not care about the young women and men who feel imperfect compared to the airbrushed ideal body that it uses to make money. It is no wonder that people find it difficult to love their bodies when they are constantly bombarded with images that are telling them the opposite.
Not only do the media and the fashion industry have to change their priorities, society’s attitude in general needs to be challenged. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not it is a fact that ‘beautiful’ people, who conform to the stereotypes portrayed on every glossy magazine cover, are given preference over those who do not. Recent research conducted by the Social Issues Research Centre, a science based non-profit, NGO with funding from the European Union, discovered that students who are thought to be more attractive were more popular not only with classmates, but also with their teachers. The teachers were found to have higher expectations of attractive students, which led to them gaining higher grades as a result of their physical appearance. Another very damaging consequence of this quest for ‘beauty’ is that it produces the stereotype within our society that beauty goes hand in hand with characteristics such as intelligence, social skills and morals. Whilst the enlightened reading this article may deny that they hold such a conception this is not the issue because many people, even unconsciously, do. What is at stake for those who are not ‘beautiful’ or ‘skinny’ is that they begin to associate their lack of ‘perfection’ with the self-image of worthlessness and thus begin to associate losing weight as a step in becoming a ‘better person.’
A study by the University of Glasgow in 2001, of an unidentified university, showed that the majority of students that were surveyed were self-conscious about their bodies. In particular, female students were 10 times more likely to exhibit anxiety over their weight in comparison to male students even though the men surveyed were on average more likely to be over-weight. However, a significant number of male students also admitted to being insecure over their body image. This anxiety has its root in only one source: the exposition and objectification of the body in the media. The results of this obsession with body image are made clear by a recent report by the charity Mental Health Foundation UK. Their recent study found that on average 1% of women between the ages of 15 and 30 suffer from some form of ‘anorexia nervosa’ and 4% of this age from ‘bulimia nervosa.’ For men the average is much lower but still significant making up 10% of all anorexia or bulimia cases that are reported in the U.K. To put it in perspective: even at a mean estimate this means that around 800 students at Edinburgh University will have some form of eating disorder.
Apart from the very real threat to bodily health this anxiety about body image also impacts on the every day of life of students who do not feel that they fall into such categories. Even a slightly negative body image can cause insecurity, which can affect not only academic performance, but if ignored can develop into depression, while attempts to diet to achieve ‘the perfect body,’ is the precursor to more drastic cases like bulimia and anorexia.
Change in society’s superficial attitude is unlikely to alter anytime soon. Big corporations will continue to make extortionate amounts of money through fashion, beauty products, and our natural inclination to be insecure about our physical appearance. The only way to combat society’s stereotypes and the reception of them is to rise above it and accept ourselves for who we are. As one Edinburgh University student put it, ‘there is so much pressure to conform to what the media shows is beautiful. It doesn’t matter. Ultimately I’d rather go on living my life and eating that chocolate cake instead of worrying about my weight.’ This said if you feel that your body image is affecting your life then there are a number of people that you can contact to talk to confidentially and anonymously about any concerns you may have.
Nightline: The University of Edinburgh trained volunteer phone service can be called between 8pm and 8am on 0131-557-4444.
Breathing Space Scotland: This nation wide advice and counselling service can be contacted between 6pm and 2pm on 0800-838-587. Information and Guidance can also be found at http://www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk/.
Mental Health Foundation UK: This service provides information and contacts for those who know someone with eating disorders and want to find help for them; they can be called on 020 7803 1101. Information can also be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/.
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