It’s November Already?.. Contents P.4. From The Board - Rory Slater P.5. The Hotlist & Shave the Date P.6. Features- 7 Surprising Facts: WW1 P.7. Features - Vegan-vember P.8. Lifestyle - Cuppaloveyou P.9. Lifestyle - 100 Years of Selfies P.10. Politics - The Lost Generation P.11. Politics - All That Glitters P.12. Culture - Cross-Cultural Differences & 888,246 P.13. Culture - Raysse Retrospective & International Poster Exhibition P.14. Column - Humans of GU & Erasmust P.15. Column - Yes/No - Does it Matter How You Wear a Poppy? P.16. Societies - GUPDC P.17. Music - This Month We Love... P.18. GUSA Update
Our Contributors Rory Slater Ali Cooper Taggy Elliot Lucy Keown Rachel Bean Pritisha Kariappa Harriet Johnston Annabeth Wilson
Chloe Findlay Romain Ricchi Hannah Burgess Kathryn Stevenson Chloe Turner Dan Kelsey Huw Clarke Olivia Collison-Owen
A Word From The Editor Sorry, what? This semester is going incredibly quickly, and the dreaded assignment deadlines (DISSERTATION DISSERTATION) are looming like a humungous black cloud, intent on spoiling your fun. Oh the joys. So that’s pretty shite. However here at G-You we have a bit of light relief for you to get you through the library blues - aren’t we just the best? From Movember to cafe reviews, reflections on 100 years since WW1 to nerve-soothing music, we’ve got it all covered. Like what you see? Fancy getting involved? Check us out on Facebook to see even more articles from our website, as well as info on meeting times and other cool stuff. Don’t say we’re not good to you!
Lucy Keown Editor-In-Chief GUU Convener Of Libraries
The Editorial Team
Editor-In-Chief: Lucy Keown
Culture Editor: Chloe Turner
Features Editor: Harriet Johnston
Column Editor: Hannah Burgess
Politics Editor: Kathryn Stevenson
Design and Cover Editor Rachel Bean
Lifestyle Editor: Annabeth Wilson
Layout and Photography Editor: Romain Ricchi
We love to have new writers, photographers and talented people contributing to G-You. Every week we hold an Open Meeting on Mondays at 5pm in the Bridie Library of GUU - make sure to come along and introduce yourself, getting involved has never been easier! With thanks to GUSA Publicity Convener, Olivia Collison-Owen, for GUSA Update (page 18)
If you’d like to contribute to the magazine in any way (editorially, writing or photography) e-mail: libraries@guu.co.uk The opinions expressed in this publication do not represent those of Glasgow University Union. Find us online:
gyoumagazine.wordpress.com issuu.com/guuimagazine
G-Your Board
From the Board
Rory Slater
Debating Hall and began to sing. By 5pm that day the party was in full swing and the concert went on uninterrupted into the early hours of Saturday morning. The event has since evolved into the black tie ball we know today which sees a huge live act and DJ grace our hallowed stage along with a ceilidh, swing band, casino and so much more spread across all four floors. A team of thirty have begun preparing the 12 foot high boards which transform your Union into a top secret theme and I can assure you that your first step into 32 University Avenue on December 19th will blow your mind. If you haven’t already got your ticket then don’t hold back and buy one NOW as you don’t want to miss out on quite simply the biggest event of the year. Did I mention the free breakfast? For more details on the history of DF, head over to daftfriday. wordpress.com Rory Slater Honorary Secretary Honsec@guu.co.uk
Hello once again and welcome to the November issue of G-You magazine. Believe it or not we’re now over half way through the first semester and racing towards that magical time of year we call the festive season. At GUU this means a roaring fire in the Drawing Room Coffee Shop, mulled wine in the Beer Bar and of course Daft Friday (or DF for short).
Although exams and deadlines may cloud your mind, the reality is that here at GUU we’ve already been working for a whole month on the building work and painting that goes in to the most stunning celebration of the end of term you are ever likely to experience. If you thought Freshers’ Week was good then DF will blow your mind (yes it’s definitely even better than Hot Dub). The event which was awarded UK Student Event of the Year at the Ents Forum Awards in 2014 is now in its 106th year. Its humble origins date back to 1909 when the Honorary Secretary at the time James Bridie dragged a piano into the
4
Hotlist
Annabeth Wilson
Going Up
Going Down
● POTTERMORE MORE MORE. J.K Rowling you tease.
● Mo-bro Mo-NO. Similarly, now we see all the boys with the Mexican stubble. Make it stop.
● Age of Ultron - Idris Elba reveals that both he and Tom Hiddleston will appear! THE BEST NEWS EVER!
● Edible insect products go on sale in Dutch supermarket chain. Please ignore my vomit.
● GRUMPY CAT CHRISTMAS MOVIE?! Blockbuster of the season. ● November=Movember. And the beginning of delightful men with facial hair, raising awareness for men’s health, globally. YOU GO GUYS.
● Mum’s breastfeeding photo deleted by Facebook. Get it together Facebook – IT’S A NATURAL THING. ● Renee Zellweger’s new face. What even!? WHY DID YOU DO IT RENEE?
Shave the Date
Rachel Bean
Autumn is my favourite time of year. The glorious colours, cosy knitted jumpers and even more reason to wear the most sparkly dress I can lay my hands on. Moreover, Autumn sees the beginning of Movember. The power of the moustache truly comes into light this season. Men from all over the world grow their moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, particularly regarding issues of prostate cancer and mental health, and for one whole month I am surrounded by men sporting one of my all-time favourite looks. THE RULES: - You must start the month with a clean shaven face - For the entire month you must continue to grow and groom your moustache - No goaties, beards or stick-ons - Remember the cause and use your tash to stimulate conversation about men’s health. Gents, if you’re looking for inspiration look no further than the international beard and moustache competition that dates as far back as the 1970’s. The contestants are judged on how their facial hair enhances their overall appearance and personality as well as originality and creativity. There are six classifying categories for moustache’s alone. From the English moustache, a long-haired slender moustache that lifts elegantly at the ends, to the Hungarian moustache, a big and bushy affair requiring 1.5cm hair length. This year the competition was held in Portland, Oregon where hundreds of the world’s best beardsmen stood before an audience of three thousand people with the hope of winning an all-expenses paid trip to the next championship in Leogang, Austria. Movember began as a joke between a few friends in Australia in 2003. It is now an international phenomenon, raising $126 million across 14 countries for prostate cancer research last year alone. I would encourage everyone who can to be a part of this cause: 1) To raise awareness about issues of men’s health 2) 'Cause you’ll look super suave 3) That guy/girl you’re into will find you irresistible.
5
G-Your Features
7 Surprising Facts: WW1 Harriet Johnston
1) Journalists faced the death penalty
appearance may be upsetting. These kind of injuries were
As remains to this day, many journalists risked their lives to tell
clearly completely life shattering, and the very idea of plastic
the truth about the war. The government banned journalists
surgery was still incredibly risky.
from going to the front line in an attempt to stem the flow of information being given to the public about the war, as they
4) Germans used flame throwers
believed it was helping the enemy. The state censorship was
They could jet fire up to 130 feet (the equivalent of the height
so extreme that journalists who were caught were given the
of a seven storied house.
death penalty. 2) Sexed tanks
5) World War One
Tanks were grouped together by their gender; female tanks
ships were dazzling
carried machine guns, whereas males had cannons.
To
prevent
enemy
ships
from
recognising
and
attacking
merchant carrying
ships supplies,
they were hidden in plain sight. These ships were painted bright and colourful patterns, to confuse the enemy, in a move called ‘Dazzle Camoflauge’. They were painted as such to break up their form and confuse opposing submarine officers as to which direction they were heading. 6) Dr Dolittle Hugh Lofting refused to write to his children about the horror of war and difficult life in the trenches, so wrote instead about illustrated letters about a doctor who could speak to animals. 3) Damage by shrapnel sparked the invention of plastic
7) Explosion in France heard in London
surgery
450 tons of explosives were set off simultaneously in
The sharp twisted metal shards produced from shrapnel
underground trenches, which apparently could be heard at
could literally rip through skin and irreparably damage the
Downing St.
victims of the attacks. The wounds that millions of British soldiers were left with meant many returned home with permanent disfigurements. Initially, little consideration was given to those with facial injuries yet as the war continued, facial reconstruction became a vital part of the post-war healing process. Harold Gillies, a medical corp in WW1 set up the practice, and was intend on not only restoring function to facial features of his patients, but also the aesthetic appearance. Many of the soldiers would never recover from the horrific extent of their injuries, and mirrors were removed from the hospital to stop the men from seeing themselves. Park benches were also painted blue specifically for those men with facial disfigurements, to warn the public that their
6
Vegan-vember
Harriet Johnston
What do Beyonce, Bill Clinton and Buddha all have in
be sure exactly where this stuff is coming from?
common? If you go onto google right now and type in ‘vegan food I mean, other than being absolutely legendary individuals?
porn’ or even just search buzzfeed for vegan recipes,
You may have guessed it, but they are all vegan (or at
hundreds of incredible recipes WILL pop up in front of your
least have been at some time or other!) Now we all know
eyes. And they are actually pretty healthy. That sweet potato
November is the month of the mo, which is fair enough for
brownie? Probably a hell of a lot better than the muffins you
all the guys out there, but what about other challenges in
can buy in the library. There is a huge array of online blogs
in November?
Movember is world renowned and raises
(Oh She Glows, Deliciously Ella, Minamalist Baker….) to test
money for a fantastic cause, as well as providing plenty of
out and try which all cater to the vegan diet. It also basically
entertainment watching your friends attempting to grow
means you can eat things like chocolate cake in an almost
moustaches. November is World Vegan Month and GU
completely guilt free way – Matildas, on Byers Road? They
Vegan Society are encouraging people to test it out for the
do vegan desserts/puddings sometimes, and I can verify they
month. It’s now believed one in ten people are vegan in the
are absolutely deeeeelicious.
UK, a figure which is only rising as people realise the medical, financial and general benefits of switching your diet up.
So I challenge you to test it out for a day or two, and see how you get on; alternatively, just make a vegan dinner for
So what does it actually mean? And what can you actually
your mates (most curries/stir frys/stews are vegan anyway if
eat if you do chose to go vegan for the month? Veganism is
you don’t put any meat in them!) Here is one of my absolute
defined as a way of seeking lifestyle which excludes, as far as
favourites;
is possible and practicable, forms of expoitation or cruelty to animals for food, clothing or other purposes. So in the case
Sweet Potato Stew
of food, it means cutting out all meat (duh), dairy products, eggs, honey, gelatin….And seeing as we live in the most
Ingredients:
vegan friendly city in the world, why not take advantage
One diced onion,
of that? Soba, Hanoi Bike Shop, Ushas, Mono, The 78, Taco
Three garlic cloves,
Mazuma etc etc all offer vegan options so eating out couldn’t
One red chilli,
be easier either.
Teaspoon of ginger One can of diced tomatos (these are literally 40p in tesco,
You may be thinking “I’m not sure this is for me, I actually
bargain)
really enjoy my cheese toasties and Domino’s meat feasts,
One can of chickpes
but hear me out. Veganism is a massive popular diet and
One large sweet potato (dice that baby up)
lifestyle chosen by dozens of celebs (Leonardo Dicaprio, Ellen
One can of coconut milk
Degeneres, Mike Tyson, Beyonce was vegan for a bit…) It can
Dried spices; ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, turmeric, cumic,
completely open up your eyes to new recipes and ways to
coriander, ground cloves
cook in the kitchen; it saves you massive amounts of money and means you’re cramming yourself through of vegetables.
How to make it:
It’s also good for the environment; the University of Oxford
- Heat some oil, pop the diced onion in along with the garlic
performed a study over summer and discovered a meat-
and chilli and the spices. Stir to let the onions soften and
based diet produces on average more than double the
flavours blend for a few minutes.
emissions of a vegan one. Eating vegan, at least for a little bit,
- Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, coconut milk, the sweet
can mean you’re eating tons cleaner, bringing an awareness
potato
to your diet which you might not have had otherwise. We
- Simmer for 30-50 minutes, keep stirring and adding more
tend to eat blindly so much of the time; without checking
spices as you go if you fancy
what is inside our food, how can we ever actually know what
- Serve! Either with rice or, if you’re hoping to be healthier,
we’re eating or how it was made? People take such aversion
cauliflower rice is pretty tasty too (blend up a cauliflower and
to mcdonalds or processed meat, but surely we can never
fry it in a little oil before serving it).
7
G-Your Lifestyle
Cuppaloveyou
Annabeth Wilson
“Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea!
furnishings – nothing here matches, yet somehow it all fits
How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.”
together so perfectly. Their teapots and tea cups are never
― Sydney Smith, A memoir of the Rev. Sydney Smith
from a set, which is arguably why everyone that enters those doors feels so welcome. Or maybe it’s their tiny family kitchen, or the gritty, lived in feel when you sit down. Whatever it is, it instantly makes you feel at home. This intimate space is delightfully cluttered with books, board games and pillows , a feature that is wholly reassuring and not in the slightest off putting, rather like visiting your grandmother’s house on a Sunday afternoon. A true vintage paradise, offering safe respite from a modern day world. Tchai Ovna has a certain atmosphere to it, one that would not be so far out of place in a Tolkien novel, belonging somewhere fictional and fantastical and allowing us an escape from the trials and tribulations that the real world burdens us with. It is a brilliant spot for contemplation and reflections, somehow making you feel like you are nowhere earthly- and definitely not still in Glasgow! Their selection of teas ( over 60) unites cultures and countries in a way no peace treaty could ever do, and I would particularly recommend their famous Yogi Yogi Chai. Sweet and spicy and warming me from my head to my toes, offering true comfort. The definition of a hug in a mug!
This is my humble quest; travel across the expanse of the West End , sampling coffee and grub as I go , forever keeping my
Tchai Ovna successfully brings together a medley of culture
eyes peeled for the most delicious deal, the sweetest save
and lifestyle, delicious food and sumptuous flavoursome
and the tastiest treasure. It is the unexpected journey for brunch, the quest for the coffee hallows and surviving the hunger games all rolled into one. Care to join me? This month I visited the West End landmark known to us simply as Tchai Ovna. Ahh. What a delightful, relaxing little nook to lose yourself for a few hours! Upon entering the room, the manic stress I had previously felt due to a certain hellish dissertation dissipated at once. I felt instantly at peace. A true establishment, the House of Tea showed me a cosy, intimate atmosphere with a selection of teas so diverse, the Madhatter would simply lose it. Tchai Ovna provides more than just tea, with a menu boasting an impressive array of vegetarian and vegan cuisine (what even is Baba Ganoush!?) , a delicious selection of treats for during tea noms, and alternatives to
teas. It offers live music and you can sit outside and enjoy the
tea if that’s just not your thing! ( Its at this moment that I would
shishas if you so desire. I absolutely loved it. Tchai Ovna was
seriously question your venture into the ‘House of Tea’..)
incredibly hard to leave behind, although it comforts me to know that I will be back very soon to this charming little tea
The eclectic mix of people found here ( I believe there was
shop. Besides, the real world has too much hustle and bustle,
a girl wearing a Viking hat) perfectly reflects the eclectic
and not nearly enough tea.
8
100 Years of Selfies
Annabeth Wilson
Annalisa Hartlaub recreated 100 years of fashion from the 1920s to today with selfies for a school project, making for an amazing glance into the past styles of the century gone by. This just puts a whole new dimension to the #WHATUWEARIN selfie‌
1920
1930
1950
1940
1960
1970
1990
1980
2000
2010
9
G-Your Politics
The Lost Generation
Taggy Elliot
2014 marks the centenary of the beginning of the First World
casualties were young up-and-coming politicians, such
War; for this reason the upcoming Remembrance Day
as William GC Gladstone MP, who had been seen as one
commemorations seem to me to be all the more poignant.
the next big leaders for Britain. Moreover, the loss of young
The poppy sellers from the Royal British Legion will be out on
artists and poets such as Isaac Rosenberg and Wilfred Owen
the streets raising money for a cause that many of us feel is
have led to many reflecting on the waste of such talented
worthwhile supporting, owing to the sacrifice that was made
individuals and the destruction of a generation that had so
by the Armed Forces in the Great War. However, will we ever
much promise.
fully understand why so many young men signed up and
Sadly, the loss wasn’t just felt by the gap left by those who
were willing to give their lives for their country? Or have you
were killed in action; the statistics of those who survived the
considered the impact that this so-called ‘Lost Generation’
conflict and actually made it home are equally shocking. In
has had on society?
Britain there were 65,000 victims of shell shock, 1.5 million men were seriously injured and by 1929, 2.5 million were claiming disability pensions. The sight of blind, limbless and mentallyscarred soldiers was to be seen all over the place, with many feeling as though they had no purpose after giving up everything to fight for their country. This shaped the social and economic landscape that eventually led to World War Two beginning in September 1939. The writer Siegfried Sassoon wrote a trilogy of memoirs following the war to tell the story of his experience; he is also well-known for the poems he wrote whilst in the trenches, as is his contemporary Wilfred Owen’s. The latter’s poem ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ brings to light the horrendous things that occurred on the front line, but also the mentality of those who were fighting. The experiences were used as inspiration
When war was declared in August 1914, many young men
for novels such as ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulkes. In this
were convinced by their parents, peers and teachers that it
book the lead character, Stephen, struggles to return to
was their duty to serve their country. Others believed that it
everyday life after the war, and his inability to grow close to
would be a big adventure in comparison to their ordinary lives
his own daughter emphasises the psychological damage
in villages and small towns, which were much more common
that warfare had on an entire generation of young men.
at the beginning of the twentieth century. Additionally, the
Furthermore, it shows the extent of the effect that it had on
propaganda used to entice these soldiers was great, such
society as a whole, as the families of the soldiers had to learn
as the poster of Lord Kitchener saying ‘Your country needs
to cope with how the war had changed them.
you’, which has become synonymous with World War One. Remember that in this period, the British Empire needed to
As Gertrude Stein stated, ‘lost means not vanished but
be defended, as we had control over two fifths of the world,
disoriented, wandering, directionless’. I feel that this not
meaning that the desire to fight for Britain was great. One
only epitomises the great confusion and aimlessness felt
must also appreciate that the Great War was the first war of
by survivors during the post-war years, but also allows us to
its kind; it began traditionally on horseback, but battles were
reflect on those who died. They did not vanish, their graves
soon being fought with machine guns, aircraft and tanks- as
can be seen all over the world, and their legacy lives on a
the war progressed, so did technology. Nobody could have
century later.
been expecting the kind of warfare that these men were faced with, which is why illnesses such as post-traumatic stress
Trying to gain an understanding of the impact of such a huge
disorder were not recognised at the time. This is what makes
point in history is challenging, but I’ve done my best. I fully
the First World War such a turning point in history.
respect those who gave their lives for the cause, but I also admire those who survived; together they make up this lost
One in 8 of the six million men from the British Isles who
generation, and without their sacrifice the world would not
served in the Great War perished between 1914 and 1918,
be what it is today.
amounting to around 750,000 deaths. Included in these
10
All That Glitters Kathryn Stevenson Funerals. Getting told off by a teacher. When the girl who slips
emancipation. That’s the whole point, feminists of the past
and face-plants half way through her jazz dance. All classic
have changed our world and transformed our day to day
moments when you should never laugh but you always do.
lives. But I’m not sure this new wave of feminism actually
What about when your friend declares she’s a feminist? Just
offers much beyond a gift wrapped presentation of a cause
me?
that still needs further change.
I bellowed. I usually do but not usually in the (now
Take the “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” t-shirt campaign,
disappointed) face of my feminist friend. You see, feminism
headed up by Elle magazine and in partnership with the
never looked like this before. Feminism was for the liberals,
Fawcett Society -- Britain’s largest women’s advocacy group.
the vintage wearing red heads, the average looking yet
I bet you got that warm empowering feeling when you saw
intellectually superior women who knew better than the fools
the likes of Nick Clegg and Benedict Cumberbatch wearing
that aspired to marriage and an average BMI of 16. Feminism
them. Because it is rather challenging to put a tee-shirt over
was never a pretty thing, until now.
ones head. Until a Mail on Sunday newspaper report claims that the tops were manufactured in a sweatshop in Mauritius,
Feminism changed the day it appeared in huge block print
where workers earn 62p an hour and sleep 16 to a room. But
behind Beyonce as she performed ‘Flawless’ at the 2014 VMAs.
I’m sure that £45 you spent on the t-shirt went to good use.
Now Feminism is marching down Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week
It is a movement of feminism that is fuelled by hashtags and
2014 show with Karl Lagerfield leading the pack of ‘freedom’
celebrities. That’s not necessarily a negative thing, in the
protesters disguised as models. Celebrities have even started
words of Lena Dunham ‘If feminism has to become a brand
their own trend by ‘coming out’ and declaring themselves as
to make change, I’m not complaining’. However if the
feminists. I find it all a bit hard to swallow, if I’m honest.
branding is just an empty vessel, then the change we wish to transport is one that carries little impact for the generations
Not because I have a problem with feminism being a pretty
to come.
thing, nor do I want it to be an ugly thing. Clichés are so last season. I find this new wave (as journalists are branding it) slightly hard to accept because I believe that feminism is more than a marketing tool. I believe feminism is a glorious thing. The red lipstick of the Suffragettes is the reason Coco Chanel (even though she thought red lipstick was vulgar) could go to revolutionise women’s fashion. Are these modern day feminist worthy of the title they proclaim? Strong influential woman having the ability to declare to the world that they believe in gender equality is not something to complain about. This new wave of feminism, however, calls into question the intention of these promoters. It is the case that it’s just too easy to use the word but not feel any debt to uphold the sacrifice women have made. Feminists of the past have made ground breaking impact
This new wave of feminism can make a change. However
on history. Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the leading
if we want to be a generation that makes it into the history
Suffragettes who participated in hunger strikes in a bid to
books then we must transcend the trends. We should all be
secure a woman’s right to vote. Grace Green was the first
feminists. We should all stop buying into marketing ploys and
woman on The Times payroll, she also was the first woman
start being passionate about the work still to be done with
to gain access to Congressional Press Galleries. And more
gender equality. We should all stop listening to celebrities and
recently, Hilary Clinton who began her political career as First
start questioning our own motivations. It doesn’t hurt feminism
Lady and is now favourite for the 2016 Presidential election.
to be a pretty thing, but it does hurt if it is an empty thing.
History speaks for itself. These women have gone beyond
Feminism is not a brand nor a marketing tool. Feminism is more
what is expected of them in their bid to pursue emancipation.
than a movement. Feminism is an authentic understanding of
Yet Miley Cyrus hops on a wrecking ball naked and we call
a personal empowerment. So wash off the glitter, and reveal
it feminism? I’m not here to argue the logistics of sexual
the gold.
11
G-Your Culture
Cross-Cultural Differences Raising your middle finger. Wearing a hat indoors. Putting your elbows on the dinner table. Jumping a queue. Spitting. Staring at passing strangers. Bringing up politics or religion in conversation. If you are British, or have knowledge of British culture, you will recognise these habits as being taboo commonly thought to be of an ill-mannered nature. The term encompasses a wide range of acts, from those thought of as rude or inconsiderate to morally reprehensible. Taboo topics of discussion are often skirted around with the age-old veil of euphemism: ‘Would you like to come up and see my etchings?’ is so widely identified as an indirect invitation for sexual intercourse that the cartoonist James Thurber once published a sketch in which the man says to the woman, ‘You wait here – I’ll bring the etchings down.’ Of course, Britain is not the only country to have its cultural do’s and don’t’s. What habits might we possess in innocence that could be cause for great offence in other societies? In the spirit of embracing multiculturalism – and in the interest of avoiding embarrassment – let’s take a look at just a few.
Dan Kelsey the guest of a meal in China, be sure not to finish the meal on your plate. In China this is considered a sign that you were not given enough food, and will greatly offend your host. This is the opposite of what is the case in many Western countries – the UK and the US included – and thus is a common source of misunderstanding. Another: never raise your voice at an Indonesian in public. An American oil rig supervisor once berated a local employee that was underperforming, not in the knowledge that it is forbidden to shout at someone in public in Indonesia, and so the man was chased away by a crowd carrying axes. Axes. It should be clear that these cultural quirks are completely arbitrary, and what is considered rude in one country can have the opposite effect in another (e.g. a woman not wearing a veil in public in Iran; a woman wearing a veil in public in France.) It’s hard to shake off our own cultural perception of what is socially acceptable and what is not, but nonetheless it’s important to realise that it’s all subjective. That said, don’t go shouting in public in Indonesia.
Firstly, a widely known example: If you find yourself
888,246
Chloe Turner
With the 100th anniversary of WW1 happening this year
Crowds to see the poppies have been vast. It even caused
many people wondered how we were ever going to
the Tower Of London to make a statement on their website
commemorate such a significant event in our history. Paul
urging people to stay away from the installation until the end
Cummins response to this was, in my eyes, perfect. He was the
of the half term due to the large crowds. Cummins has caught
designer of the impressive
everyone’s
interest.
888,246 ceramic poppies
However, not everyone
which stretches across the
has been as enthusiastic.
16 acre garden in front of
One
the tower of London and
Jones)
will stay there until the 11th
installation
November.
pretty’ to truly represent
critic
(Jonathan
described as
the ‘too
the loss and horror of Each
poppy
was
World War One. Jones
handcrafted by a team of
went on to state it was
artists and members of the
“deeply
public who each have
prettified
a direct link to someone
war memorial.” Arguably,
in the armed forces. The
the
concept
intended to represent the
is
that
each
aestheticised, and
design
toothless
was
never
poppy will represent each British and colonial soldier that
barbarity of the war. Rather the poppies are there to honour
died during the First World War and Cummins named the
the loss of the soldiers who died. In my opinion, it does so
project “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.”
perfectly.
12
Raysse Retrospective
Huw Clarke
Martial Raysse retrospective 1960-2014- Centre Pompidou, Paris
A Pop Art contemporary of Hockney and Warhol, Martial Raysse struggled to find recognition in his native France. However earlier this year he was the subject of a major retrospective at the postmodernist Parisian art playground that is the Centre Pompidou. Raysse moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s where he became closely connected with the vibrant art scene; particularly the New Realist movement who aimed to appropriate the post-war boom years. Drawing influence from the bright consumerist society of the Sixties, he once said ‘Today’s art is a rocket in space. Prisunic supermarkets are the museums of modern art.’ Bright neon and stereotypical female models cover the first half of the exhibition. The most impressive piece is Raysse Beach (pictured) which is part installation, part theatre; featuring all the hallmarks of an idealised Californian beach (surf guitar, pin-up girls, inflatable toys, sunny lighting) Feeling disaffected with the immensely popular Pop Art scene, he returned to France in 1968 and spent time in hippy communes. His work from this period includes multiple film installations, including the amusing Jesus Cola. More recently he has experimented with large scale crowd scenes
depicting
many
shameful
modern
archetypes, in the most Hogarthian sense. Among these is Ici Plage which functions as a sort of 2012 companion to Raysse Beach. One can see a hellish group of bikini-clad posers, fashion victims and demonic silhouettes. This exhibition functions as an impressive tribute to an artist who was once completely shunned by Parisian art critics.
International Poster Exhibition
Rachel Bean
The Graphic Design Festival Scotland is a four day festival that
Posters offer a universal platform for communication and
aims to inspire young designers through active involvement.
have been utilised for centuries to provoke, promote, celebrate and stimulate.
Talks, workshops and exhibitions were held between October 22nd and 26th to provide a platform for up-and-coming
As an international competition, the concepts and social
designers to exhibit their work as well as the opportunity to
struggles raised by the designers were worldwide and gave
develop new skills and establish networking relationships
a deeply personal insight into issues such as social oppression
within the flourishing graphic design community in Scotland.
in China, human rights and urbanism. German designer Felix
The events took place at In Public gallery, a small gallery in
Kosok’s How To Be A Foreigner, presented the viewer with
the centre of town that offers creative workshops to those
a graphic toolkit of stereotypes attached to foreigners in
who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to develop
western society, showing a blue-print style suitcase of things
their talent.
to pack in order to fulfil the foreigner stereotype, like a gun and a mop. Over sixty posters were exhibited, offering a
As part of the festival, In Public gallery held an international
highly stimulating visual experience and an impressive scope
poster competition from June to August. Designers were not
of cultural and political diversity.
given a specific brief but were encouraged to challenge ways of thinking and contribute to a wider discussion on current
Workshops are held throughout the year to encourage artistic
affairs, offering creative solutions that provoke reflection and
development and make artistic schooling more accessible
self-evaluation.
to the wider community. You can follow them on Twitter or email them at glasgowinpublic@gmail.com.
13
G-Your Columns
Humans of Glasgow Uni
If you could choose to live in any decade from the past century what would it be and why? I’d say 1910s! There were so many new inventions and things. Like the excitement of the Titanic, I would have loved to be on it. Oh actually...
Erasmust
Ali Cooper
Hej hej, jeg hedder Ali Cooper. I’m not going to attempt to say
which can prove slightly problematic when it comes to the
I’m a third year law student at the University of Copenhagen
cycle home...
as my Danish is pretty shaky - thankfully my courses are in English.
I’ve met some fantastic people and explored some pretty cool parts of Scandinavia. Whilst on the subject of travelling,
First things first, the Danes are fit. I mean that in the Scottish
be wary of Australians - they’re travel mad and will drag you
sense as well as in the slave-at-the-gym sense (no doubt the
to all sorts of exotic and expensive destinations - but we’ve
former helps the latter). Almost as soon as I arrived I was guilt
got Erasmus grants and they don’t so ha!
tripped into getting on my bike for some exercise and city exploring. That’s probably the weirdest thing you first notice
Besides
the
travelling
I’ve
also
had
some
fantastic
about Denmark: there are bikes everywhere! Apparently
opportunities in Copenhagen.
there are more bikes than people in the capital.
internship with the Copenhagen Post - Denmark’s only English
In September I started an
speaking newspaper. It’s been a great way to learn about One of the first things you’ll learn about the Danes is that
the culture with the odd restaurant review or two on top!
they’re not friendly - not now, not ever, never - but from my experience that’s not entirely true. Once you’ve got past
Another funny thing about Denmark is the language. In a
their hard shell, they’re all soft and gooey inside. Apparently
country with a similar population to Scotland, they’ve really
the Danes are like coconuts and the rest of the world are
excelled at making an incredibly difficult language where D’s
more like peaches - I’ll leave that to you to work out.
are l’s and the Os have lines through them. Copenhagen isn’t really Copenhagen ... oh no ... its all a trick! It’s København,
Beer is big here but there’s no Student’s Union. I’m still not
and that’s an easy one to pronounce correctly!
over this! Instead, each faculty hosts a popular Friday bar. This is a bit weird. It feels like you’re sipping a pint in the Fraser Building or Boyd Orr, but you soon forget where you are and enjoy yourself. Sometimes you really forget where you are,
14 14
Farvel fra København
Does it Matter How You Wear a Poppy? YES - Lucy
NO - Hannah
Remembrance Day is so
As
the
eleventh
meaningful, and is only a small
the
eleventh
amount of time in which we
ever
closer,
remember the tragedy of the
commemorative
world
appear
wars.
This
year,
it’s
in
day
month we the
of
comes
see
the
poppy lapels
of
particularly important as it’s
newsreaders. The collecting tins
100 years since the outbreak
sit on shop counters, and many
of
wear the red paper poppy, that
the
Great
War,
which
claimed 16 million lives and
we all recognise.
caused a total of 37 million casualties - that’s over half the
However, you cannot fail to
population of modern Britain.
notice that the humble paper poppy with its slightly curled up edges is now joined by
Poppies are a fantastic way of not only remembering these
brooches and lapel pins. Scarves and even umbrellas are
men and women, but also showing continued support to
adorned with this symbol of remembrance. It has become
war veterans and families of war casualties in Britain. Notable
at this time of year almost a fashion statement. Her Majesty
charities include Poppy Scotland, The Royal British Legion
the Queen was seen recently walking amidst the sea of red
and most recently, the Tower of London’s beautiful display
that surrounds the Tower of London, a memorable image
of over 800,000 ceramic poppies, which can be bought and
and a tribute, which few can object to. Did you notice that
be posted to you after the exhibition in London is finished.
she was not wearing her paper poppy? I very much doubt
The money generated by these sales will go to six service
that you would see the Duchess of Cambridge nipping down
charities in the UK.
to the corner shop to buy a new poppy before she goes out as she either can’t find hers or it has curled up at the edges.
Now, that’s all well and good. What really gets my goat
It seems to me that it actually does not matter if you wear a
however, is when people on the TV - be it actors, presenters,
brooch designed by the Earl Haig Foundation or by Poppy
newsmen and women, singers, dancers, etc etc etc - or in
Scotland or a paper one supplied by the same organisations.
day to day life, wear embellished poppies, designed to make
The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, bought it whatever
a fashion statement and fit in with their outfit. Nuh uh. Not
form to support the work done to support ex servicemen and
okay. Saturday night TV shows seem to be the most guilty,
their families. It is not outdated, but is the iconic symbol of
with Strictly taking the top spot. Gyrating dancers in skimpy
the battlefields of the First World war, still relevant in today’s
spandex with glittering, bejewelled and blindingly sparkly
world, instantly recognisable and respected, recognition of
poppies somehow affixed to the barely-there outfit, in my
the sacrifice made by so many, a sacrifice which young men
opinion, is not in fact respectful, but totally undermines the
and women still make today.
spirit of reflection and remembrance a poppy should instill. We therefore cannot question its relevance in the modern Further, for those who wear sparkly poppies or large poppies,
world.
Warfare may have changed, but war still brings
or even at times poppy-pins, please think about why you’ve
injury and loss of life. It is interesting to note that the act of
chosen this form of poppy. Really. Is it for any reason other
remembrance is still observed throughout the country by
than vanity? Could it, in actual fact, be for no other reason
young and old alike, some wearing poppy themed pieces
than that paper poppies don’t really ‘work’ with your outfit/
of jewellery, some a paper poppy, but there with a shared
hair/general attitude? Come on now. That is utterly ridiculous.
purpose – to remember, and to acknowledge sacrifice, and also to support the worthwhile work the annual poppy
So yes, yes it does matter how you wear a poppy. Wear it
appeal supports.
respectfully, donate to an associated charity, and for god’s
So wear what you like. What type of poppy you choose
sake please don’t wear them with your spandex dancing
doesn’t matter at all – the important thing we must never
outfits. Totally unforgivable.
lose sight of is why we wear it in the first place.
-
Lucy Keown
-
Hannah Burgess
15
G-Your Societies
GUPDC
The Glasgow University Pole Dancing Club – or, better known as GUPDC – is known to be the biggest sports club to train on campus. Our diversified club welcomes members from both out and in with the university, all there to share their passion for pole dancing. First established in 2008, the club has now grown to include over 230 members and aims to promote strength, coordination, grace and confidence.
Pritisha Kariappa including one booty shaking trio to Anaconda and the use of a beautiful little paddling pool. Members range from being dedicated members for a few years and also ones that were previously just beginners. It is also where the theme of the annual show is revealed and this year, we’re going… INTO THE WILD!!! The club’s shows are known to be spectacular and have often left members of the audience jaw dropping with their fantastic ability to express themselves on the pole. The 2013’s sold out Fantasy-themed show was a huge success and this year, we aim to make it better than ever! Classes run as follows: Monday 6 to 7:30pm for Level 2 & 7:30 to 9pm for Level 3 Wednesday 6 to 7pm for Conditioning/Level 4, 7 to 8pm for Level 1 (Beginners) & 8 to 9pm for Level 1 (Beginners) So if you’re not already a member, come along and join us in January where we’ll be taking in new members and hosting more taster sessions! You can keep up date with the club’s antics on the pages below:
Back in October, the club hosted its annual inhouse show, which allowed older and more advanced members to show new members what they can aim to achieve in the club in the future. This mini gem featured many amazing dances,
16
E-mail: gupdc@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.gupdc.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/gupdc Twitter: @GlasgowUniPole Tumblr: gupdc.tumblr.com Instagram: @gupdc Hope to see you at our show! It’s gonna be a WILD one...
G-Your Music
This Month We Love...
What albums are we listening to this month? All of us go through phases of listening to different bands or singers, and for some that means having a particular musical flavour of the month. Check our pick of the lot below...
Bruce Springsteen - The River Nearly 50 years in the music industry is pretty great going. The River is my go-to album at any time, and will be forever - when I first heard ‘The Ties That Bind’ live in concert, I knew I’d be in love until the end of time. The title track of the album will go down in history as an inspiration to songwriters everywhere. Enough said.
Lucy Keown John Mayer - Continuum Where soulful blues meets heart-breaking pop, Mayer created a modern day classic. Continuum goes beyond his acoustic pop and embodies Mayer’s now recognisable brooding blues. His ability to mobilizes his sound makes every track distinct yet still maintain the elusive struggle of the entire record. The perfect guide to heart-break.
Kathryn Stevenson
Band of Skulls - Himalayan Third studio album from this British trio and I just can’t stop listening to it! It’s confident, rocky and so fantastically distracting that I’m having trouble doing my dissertation and not singing along. I’d recommend giving ‘Hoochie Coochie’ and ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ a listen !
Annabeth Wilson
Michael jackson - Thriller Love it or hate it, Thriller is pop music’s Everest. It is immovable. Whether you chose to admit it or not, we all know the moves to the title track. Thriller is not alone in its brilliance this album is jam-packed with classics; ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Wanna Be Starting Something’… the list goes on. It’s a cracker!
Hannah Burgess
Kraftwerk-Trans Europe Express Kraftwerk IS the origin of electronic music, they started in 1970 and it aged perfectly. Synths are driving the songs with a usual monotonous voice on top. Some songs might sound too long but that’s one of their strength. The opening song, Europe Endless, reflects the perfect morning song for me with a slow wake up and the beauty of the notes coming one after the other to my ears.
Romain Ricchi
17
GLASGOW UNIVERSITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION #MONSTERDASH2014 150 runners and 30 zombie marshals took over Garscube Sports Complex on Halloween for our annual Monster Dash 5km run. All the runners put in amazing effort tackling a range of obstacles, from the monkey bars to the water slide at the finish line, and also with some amazing costumes to be seen. The event was raising money for the Beatson Pebble Appeal. Well done to all participants and thanks to all our volunteers! (Photo credit – Number 94 photography)
Club Sport Highlights Women’s Volleyball U of G 2nd 3-1 Robert Gordons 1st American Football University of Glasgow 9-0 Newcastle University Women’s Basketball University of Glasgow 52-43 Dundee University Men’s Rugby University of Glasgow 1st XV 20-10 Durham University 3rd XV(BUCS Trophy) Women’s Water polo University of Glasgow 1st XI 11-1 RGU
You can read full match reports on our new club sport blog gusasportify.wordpress.com or search #GUSAResults on twitter to see results from all of our clubs.
Coming up… GUSA Get Active
How many laps of the velodrome can the GUSA council cycle? Make sure to stop by Oakfield Avenue on Friday 14th November where the GUSA council will be taking on an 18 hour cycle in aid of the SAMH get active campaign. There will be giveaways, healthy snacks, cycle challenges and opportunities to get involved in supporting mental wellbeing through sport and recreation, and across campus.
Big GUSA Quiz
The annual Big GUSA Quiz will be held on Fri 21st November. Entry is £4 per person with teams of 8 – get in touch with Brogan (GUSA Fundraising Convenor) at gusa-fundraising@gla.ac.uk to enter your team by Monday 17th Nov!
Save the Date!
GUSA Ball – Saturday 7th February 2015 STARFISH SUPPORT GROUP We provide: Support from people who have recognised and beaten disordered eating/excessive exercise Support from people who have experienced friends or family affected by an eating disorder/excessive exercise Information sources for help Advice from professionals No need to book, just come along! We look forward to seeing you on the day – the next meeting is 21st November in the upstairs committee room at 64 Oakfield Avenue. For more information please contact gusa-welfare@gla.ac.uk