Let’s Talk: Labia

It’s time to talk about the ‘L’ word.

No, not ‘lips’, the ‘lady V’ or ‘lady bits’ – it is, quite simply, the labia. Say it loud and proud. Do you feel a little bit of cringe entering your body? Maybe. I don’t blame you if you do, because, for some strange reason, it is 2020 and yet we still shiver at the thought of addressing vaginas for what they really are, and the respect they so rightly deserve.

It is about time that we get our terminology straight. So, what is the labia? The labia consist of the labia majora (outer lips) and the labia minora (inner lips), or as some lovely mediums jump to call it, the dear old ‘flaps’. The irony is, it is so much more than just a piece of skin, and, let’s be honest, ‘flaps’ is hardly an appealing adjective. The ‘flaps’ of the labia minora can provide sexual stimulation for sexual partners through friction during penetration, and when aroused, the skin provides a lubricated barrier to protect from irritation and ensures you have pleasurable sex. You would assume, in this case, that bigger is better…right? If only this were the preferred opinion. Overall, the labia are brilliant at their function in the human body.

We’ve all watched porn or have been held witness to a similar depiction of female genital anatomy. We’ve all seen our poor ladyflowers presented as hairless and as plucked as naked mole rats with a symmetry only ever seen in geometry. I bet that we’ve also all pondered, head-angled, ‘why doesn’t mine look like that…am I weird?’ It’s time to give up the joke – the ‘perfect’ vagina is far from real and it will always remain as an artificial facade, because the average and normal vagina will always be found between our legs, not on our screens.

This small and creeping feeling of self-doubt about our own anatomy can be detrimental, and this can often start from a young age. Statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery revealed a distressing truth: in one year alone, 200 girls under 18 went under the knife for labiaplasty. Over 150 of these girls were under 15. This should hardly be surprising, given the feeling of inadequacy that we have all experienced - a mirror wedged between our legs on a cold bathroom floor, examining every nook and cranny, and yet, still wondering why it did not look ‘enough’. At a woman’s most vulnerable, alone and naked with her legs open wide, she is still judged for her most intimate parts. Labiaplasty is often marketed as a way to ‘reduce the size or correct the shape of the labia minora and majora…a designer vagina surgery’ according to medbelle.com. You hear that? Correct. As though there was ever a problem with its shape and size in the first place. Very rarely are these types of surgeries performed for medical reasons, but instead, for aesthetic purposes to give the aspired ‘perfect vagina’. If that weren’t enough, large labia are often fetishized as something alien-like and freakish for the pleasure of porn-watchers. Labia can be stretched or change in shape or size due to the wonderful phenomenon of childbirth – if only people knew that it was more than a piece of flesh to be sexualised. More often than not, it is shown that women either fit the mould, or they don’t; if they deviate from this specific standard then they are subject to dehumanising and fetishizing. When will simple and plain acceptance of the body win and rise above societal expectations?

It is all good to ask the questions, but having an action plan to stop and change this is what will move things forward for future generations of women. The perfect woman with the perfect body is something ingrained deeply within all of us, but it is so important to think about where we got these ideals from. Advertisements, marketing, pornography, surgery – it isn’t real. If you want to see true and honest variation, all you need to do is look at Jamie McCartney’s 2008 masterpiece, ‘The Great Wall of Vagina’. A brilliant title if I do say so myself. It is a nine-metre-long piece consisting of 400 plaster casts of real vulvas across 10 panels. The plaster casts include the vulvas of women age 18-76. The first time I saw this piece, I felt at ease and relief and I hope that it brings comfort to you, too.

Female sexuality is integral and hell, is it powerful. The pivotal moment that we realise our bodies are enough as they are is the moment that all the power from outside sources are lost. We are all that matters, our opinion is all that matters. For your own female sexuality, a certain appearance of your genitals is not necessary.

It’s time to talk about the ‘L’ word, and to be proud of it.

words by: MOLLY GOVUS design by: ESTHER LOI

illustration courtesy of Matilda Welsh (@matildawelsh on Instagram)

“There’s always a price to pay for accepting love, and so there is from stepping away from it too. Either way, you forego your right to innocence. When you walk away from someone you used to love, you step closer to who you really are” Jessie Burton - The Confession

words and design by: ELLY SAVVA

There’s no denying that breakups really suck. You’re either left feeling sad, feeling guilty, or a bit of both. Whether you’re the one that’s been broken up with or the one that’s done the dumping, the fallout isn’t fun for either of you.

Relationships are great for many reasons; there aren’t many things more exciting than the initial honeymoon period when you fall in love with somebody. After that, you have a best friend to share all the mundane parts of your life with. Family gatherings are much more bearable when you have somebody to bring along with you, there’s somebody there to call when you’ve had a bad day and you’ve missed your bus, and there’s somebody there to stroke your hair and lie beside you when you’re hungover and suffering on Sunday mornings. Breaking up with someone isn’t something you ever think about when you get together. However, it’s likely that you’re going to date people who aren’t right for you, and some things won’t work out.

When things come to an end, you enter the mourning period. It’s similar to hibernation, but with much more eating and crying. At this time, daylight is your nemesis and your bed is your best friend. Netflix has probably asked if you’re ‘still there’ too many times to count, and the empty mugs (or wine glasses) build up in your room.

At some point, you’ll get bored of all the moping and sleeping. Whether it’s one week later or four months on, one morning you’ll open your eyes and things won’t feel so bad. When this happens, it’s time for you to pull open the blinds, tidy up the mess, and get yourself ready for your new life. Alexa? Play Juice by Lizzo.

In relationships, a part of your identity was shared. All that time spent with one person leads to often-identical tastes; the music you listened to, the sports you watched together, and the food that you both enjoyed eating. You also take on their bad habits. Smoking all the time? Sleeping in until 4pm? Using terrible puns? Apparently these are all contagious. By the time your relationship ends, you’ve probably ended up to be quite a different person from the one that you were when you went into it.

Now you’re re-entering the world as a singleton, there’s a part of you that you’re going to go out and find again. Did you used to love Kate Bush but your boyfriend didn’t, so you stopped playing her? There’s nobody to complain when you listen to her now. Did your girlfriend hate the smell of mackerel? Pop open the jar, she can’t tell you off anymore. What are the things that you used to enjoy doing before that you lost along the way? If you think back, there are probably a lot of sacrifices you’ve made that are easily forgotten about.

The post-breakup period is also one of the best times to throw yourself into something completely new. A friend of mine who had been devastated by a break-up decided to buy a one-way plane ticket to Portugal and move into a hippy community. During this time, she lived in a van with two other humans and a rodent in the roof that sounded like a Jack Russell. Although I might have questioned her sanity at the time, a couple of months down the line she knocked on my door grinning ear to ear, and I had never been happier to see her looking so well and full of life again.

Obviously, a stint in a commune isn’t something for everybody. However, there are a million other life changes you can make that are a little less drastic. For the first time in a while, you only have yourself to look after and put first. You don’t need to think about the consequences of your actions on anyone else (well, at least not too much). You could do cliché things like dye your hair, buy a ukulele, or even learn how to make your own sourdough. Who knows what you’ll become next.

It is true that there’s a bit of a ‘void’ to fill when you leave a relationship. However, you don’t have to fill this up with romantic love. After my last break up, it really hit home that I have more than enough platonic love in my life to wish for anything more. I realised that I was already surrounded by friends who cared about me, who I could call up regularly, go for ‘date’ nights with, and they’ll even stroke my hair when I’m hungover too. If you look around you, there’s so many other ways of feeling complete.

There’s no arguing with the fact that getting your heart broken is one of the worst feelings. However, it can teach you more about yourself than your relationships ever will. Seek comfort in your friends, try new things, and just enjoy being yourself again. Break ups suck, but if you play your cards right you’re going to have so much fun and love who you are more than ever before.

A Beginner's Guide to Photography:

Defining Your Style

illustration based on a photograph by: TODD HIDO Todd Hido’s website:www.toddhido.com words, illustrations and design by: LUISA DE LA CONCHA MONTES

This article is a continuation of Culture’s series “A Beginner’s Guide to Photography”. Previous articles covered: • What Is Photography? – https://tinyurl.com/rjwc3lc • Brief Glossary of Technical Concepts – https://tinyurl.com/thmv4xn • Budgeting & Being a Good Photographer – https://tinyurl.com/wyyg7qb

In these moments of social distancing, photographs are becoming a visual document of how the situation is constantly shifting and evolving, and for me, this might be our best chance to bridge the gap between the academic and social side of photography. Regardless of what your relationship with photography is, we are all indirectly asking the same questions: What realities are these photographs constructing? What are they saying about our reaction to the crisis? And more importantly, as audiences and photographers ourselves, how can we contribute in a meaningful way?

This article, will answer some of these questions by exploring the way in which you can develop your own photographic style, and create meaningful work that will stand out in this world of overwhelming images.

What makes an artist recognisable?

In the first article of this series, I argued that painting should be acknowledged as the predecessor of photography because ultimately, both mediums are about finding a distinguishable personal style. If you look at the work of any iconic photographer, you will realise that the one thing they have in common is a well-developed obsession.

Take for example the work of Todd Hido. A quick Google search will show you that his most iconic photographs depict American suburban houses with mysterious light effects. Alternatively, if you look up Andreas Gursky, you’ll see that his photographs consist of a conglomeration of objects, from houses to supermarket products, all of his photos ironically imitate the repetitive aesthetic of consumerism. I could go on listing many different artists and exemplifying what makes their style stand out, but you get the idea: their work is iconic and recognisable because it’s consistent. By owning up specific symbols and ideas, they have found their artistic voice.

Now, this might seem like an impossible task, and you are not entirely wrong: finding your own style can take a lifetime. Trust me, I’ve been taking photographs for six years now and I am still not sure whether I have a style or not. However, if you are committed to it, and you keep your goals realistic, you will get there eventually. In this article, I will show you where to start. Why photography?

Photography is so embedded in our daily lives that it can be difficult to start asking yourself why you take photos. However, if you want to start using photography as an artistic medium, it is essential that you start deconstructing your photographic habits by questioning yourself.

Why are you doing it? This is such an obvious thing to start with, but ironically, a lot of people get carried away with the ‘trendiness’ of photography and skip this step entirely. Do not fall for that. You need to know why you’re doing it in order to have realistic, yet ambitious goals. Is it because you want to find a way to tell stories through photography? Is it because someone in your family took photos and you want to follow their path? Or is it because you think it might be a fun way to earn some cash? Any reason is valid! However, the approach that you take should depend on your reason, which is why it’s essential that you know your motives first.

Other helpful questions to ask yourself: • Why do you want to use photography to express yourself and not a different artistic medium? • What can photography offer you that painting, writing etc… can’t? • What do you want to say with your photos? – Remember, it’s all about creating a narrative!

What realities are these photographs constructing? What are they saying about our reaction to the crisis? And more importantly, how can we contribute in a meaning ful way?

all photographs by: LUISA DE LA CONCHA MONTES

Planning your journey

Mind maps are an ideal way of setting goals and visualising how to get there. Once you know your motive for pursuing photography, then you can start exploring your options to get there. Here is an example of what that mind map could look like.

STEP ONE: Finding the right equipment (refer to the article on equipment for this).

STEP three: Decide what skills you need for the type of photography you want to create, and start developing them. For example, if you want to focus on night-time photography, learning how to use long-exposure might be a shout. Use online resources for this step. The subreddit r/photography is extremely helpful for tips and ideas, and there are tons of YouTube channels that specialise in photography and cover everything from selection of equipment to tips on building a portfolio. STEP four: Plan a shoot! This is when it starts getting real. Planning a shoot is not as simple as telling a couple of friends to come over, and improvising. Remember, good planning will allow you to develop your skills effectively.

Planning includes, but is not limited to: developing a concept, finding a location, selecting your models (if you want subjects in it, but you don’t have to), and selecting props (you don’t need to spend a lot of money on this, there are online videos of how to make D-I-Y props). By doing all of this beforehand, the chances that you will be satisfied with the final result are a lot higher. STEP six: improve the next time. STEP two: Research. Find out what other photographers are doing, and ask yourself: What do I like and what do I not like, and why? Write it down so that you can keep track of your interests.

Another pro tip: Go to photography galleries as often as you can! This is a great way to immerse yourself in the world of photography and to familiarise with the current trends. The National Museum in Cardiff has recurrent displays of photography exhibitions, which are often free.

Once you’ve found a couple of photographers you like, it is also a good idea to start following them on Twitter and Instagram, so that you can keep track of their recent work. You can also make your own photography account so that your photography content doesn’t overlap with

STEP five: Post-production. Your job is not done once the photos are taken. After this, you need to select the best ones, or in fancy words, curate them. If you think all of your photos are amazing, you’re not being critical enough. Bear in mind, exhibitions often showcase 20 to 30 photos, so a single project should not consist of hundreds of photos. Quality over quantity. Get feedback. Don’t get your feedback only from your friends and family, as they can often be too nice for your own good. Ideally, you should be getting your feedback from other photographers. Again, subreddits are ideal for this if you don’t personally know any. You should also be developing personal feedback: Ask yourself what went wrong, and what went right, and keep track of it so that you can memes and friend’s selfies. STEP seven: Repeat the cycle. Patience is key, plan as many shoots as you can and keep on exploring your creativity. Only that way you’ll be able to improve.

Here are some helpful websites and books if you don’t know where to start your research.

Essential books: • On Photography by Susan Sontag: This collection of essays is a great way to start understanding the theoretical background of photography. • The Ongoing Moment by Geoff Dyer: In this book, Dyer explores the history of photography through the artistic obsessions of famous photographers. • Ways of Seeing by John Berger: This book is based on the 1972 BBC series, and it’s your key reading not only to understand photography, but to understand visual theory in general.

Websites & Magazines: • Aperture Foundation: Founded by key photographers, such as Dorothea Lange and

Ansel Adams, this magazine is your go-to source for interviews, articles, and essays on photography. • LensCulture: This photography network for contemporary photography is your best source to keep up to date. Plus, you can also take part in their workshops, portfolio reviews, and even contests. • Magnum Photos: Magnum is the key agency in the development of photojournalism, and it provides a wide array of articles to propell your creative knowledge and inspiration. • Ffoton: This is Wales' own photography source and it features interviews with Welsh artists, videos, and more. Moving forward

Once you feel confident enough, you should start considering sending your photographs to magazines, local contests, or even upcoming exhibitions. That way, you’ll grow more confident with your style, while also gaining exposure.

Other things you should consider:

Social media: It’s great that we now have access to amazing apps such as Instagram, which allow photographers to share their work. However, you need to be very aware of the pros and cons that come with relying too much on the app. You should not be taking photos only to have something to post on IG. You should be taking photos. And then, if you want to post them, post them, but Instagram should always be secondary to your work.

Additionally, you should approach photography in the same way as gym-goers approach IG fitness influencers: remember that what is exhibited there is extremely curated. A lot of the most-liked photographs on Instagram are extremely photoshopped, or if they’re not, they depict locations that might be impossible for you to go to. Do not compare your photos to them.

Personally, one of my favourite accounts is @insta_repeat, because it mocks the ‘normative’ narrative that many influencer-photographers have, and it makes you realise that a good photograph is not the same as a meaningful photograph. Besides, you do not want your photos to look like all the other photos on Instagram, do you?

Collaboration: In many occasions, I’ve seen photographers blaming each other for copying or plagiarising their style. Firstly, if your style is unique enough, this should not even be an issue, and secondly, you will lose a lot more by being competitive than by approaching other photographers’ work with an open mind. You should not be against them, everyone is expressing themselves in different ways, and the last thing you want is to make enemies in a world that literally depends on collaboration and mutual support. DM photographers you admire, ask them what tips they have, and when possible, organise collaborative shoots, you will learn so much from that.

I hope this guide helps you on your journey, and remember, your level of expertise and your equipment do not define your talent; your talent can only be defined by your commitment to explore, construct and refine your own artistic voice.

FEMINISM ACROSS CULTURES

Often, feminist discourse mainly focuses around Western cultures, ignoring the specific issues that affect other countries. In this article, to overcome these biases, we will show how the movement has been adapted to cultural perspectives outside the UK.

I will firstly discuss the current feminism wave happening in Spain since it’s the one I’m most familiar with. Feminism in Spain gave a huge jump in the summer of 2016, in consequence of one of the most brutal sexual assaults that have happened in the country. This case, known as “La Manada” which translates to “The Pack” was highly reported in the media and caused a lot of discomfort and rage across Spain. As the name suggests, this case was brutal, leading to most citizens thoroughly disagreeing with the sentence passed. After that, feminism was present everyday, everywhere.

On the 8th of March after the event, the streets were filled with a wave of purple. Millions of women across the country left their jobs and protested against sexism. Television programmes were left unattended, men were left to take care of their children alone, and half of the country stopped. The shock and repercussion this protest had was incredible. It made a tangible difference in the feminism movement. Since then, every 8th of March, the streets are tainted purple, and the country stops enough to give a firm push to the Spanish society. I have been lucky enough to attend two of these protests, one with my mum and one with my friends. These experiences have changed my view on feminism. The feeling of sorority that was palpable across every woman of every age and colour is something I had rarely experienced, and I since then, this feeling has become essential to understand our fight. International Women’s Day is no longer just a day to celebrate women in Spain, it is a day of reflection and visibility in the feminism fight. The mobilisation

and the number of women protesting have positioned Spain as the leader of this movement. The government has also been including some measures that resonate with the force of the movement, including a ministry of equality, or approving the law of consent where only yes means yes. Each year the numbers of attendants in the protest grow, bringing the movement a little bit further.

The last five years have been key to the movement of feminism. Trump’s rise to the presidency seemed to be the push for the movement to regain strength. The day after his Inauguration Speech, millions of women across the US marched the streets with ‘pussyhats’, a clear statement for the feminist fight in the US. Following this iconic protest, the Harvey Weinstein case – in which more than 80 women claimed to be sexually harassed by the film producer – emerged. Many actresses spoke up about

the injustice, giving the case extreme visibility and attention all around the world. Harvey Weinstein was sentenced just in March, with the final verdict being 29 years in prison. This case also brought the #MeToo movement to the front. People all over the world used this hashtag on social media to share their story and raise awareness on sexual harassment and assault.

This movement also echoes in South America. From Chile to Mexico and Argentina, the movement has been a revelation for young women, and the streets have been filled with protests against sexual assault and sexism. The famous song Un violador en tu camino (A Rapist on your Way), created by the feminist collective Lastesis in Chile, quickly became a hymn for the feminist movement in South America, even being translated to different languages and sung in many different cities around the world (Paris, Manhattan, Beirut, Buenos Aires, New Delhi, Barcelona, Mexico City, amonst others). The lyrics describe how the state –including the police and judiciary institutions– are guilty of upholding violations on women’s rights; signifying how these issues are political because by being disregarded by the public institutions, the institutions themselves have become

perpetrators of such assaults. The chant is also accompaigned by the protesters wearing pañuelos verdes (green scarves) that represent the campaign for legal abortion. These issues are more important than ever in countries like Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Women are tired of the violation of their rights, and they are ready to stand up for what they believe, letting the whole world know that they are here to stay.

Learning about the feminist movement across different countries is inspiring and powerful. Understanding the different necessities and barriers women face in each country is necessary for the fight. Feminism will be intersectional, or it will not be. Our fight is not over yet. Girls can, and girls will.

words and design by: NEUS FORNER