PROTEST 2010

Finally, images from the 2010 Student Demo....a focus on signage as there were some ingenius and well thought out slogans - many humorous but with an inherent sincerity.

Of course, the Browne Proposal went through by a majority of 21. Times are changing. I have already personally felt the effects of cutbacks when one of my university choices (Ravensbourne Fashion Promotion, to be exact) was removed from my UCAS application due to the scrapping of the course because of limited funding. With the obvious surge in university applicants this year caused by the increased fees of 2012, are the government being proactive by reducing funding and consequently causing the abolition of certain courses (and I bet no Science/Politics/Business courses have disappeared). I think not. We must continue to fight.

Keep updated on movements in your area go to www.ukuncut.org.uk or follow UK Uncut on Twitter by finding @UKuncut.

STUDENT PROTEST 24/11/10

There is another student protest regarding university fees and EMA dissolution tomorrow, in Liverpool, at the Guild of Students outside Mountford Hall at midday. Provided I feel somewhat healthier, I will be there. This time the protest is aiming to condemn the Liberal Democrats - which should have been done from the off. Nick Clegg has severely disappointed the country in his lack of backbone and complete U-turn on his original educational manifestos regarding university fees. Without his support, the proposal would not have gone through.

Disgusting.

I will be tweeting throughout. Do pay attention.

WATER AND OIL

Unless you have been holidaying on the Moon for the past three months, you won't have failed to have heard about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has caused untold damage to the environment, animals and the local communities. You also may have heard that recently Vogue Italia has published an editorial featuring model Kristen McMenamy draped over rocks and sand representing the fallen birds and dead fish, cleverly using a variety of feathered garments and dark accessories in a palette of grey and black.
The photographer is none other than Steven Meisel, who frequently champions political and/or social causes through his photography work (most notably in 2006, were he did an editorial exploring terrorism following the 9/11 attacks).
Here are some images of the editorial and of the tarred animals off the Gulf of Mexico....






The editorial has been savaged by most critics and Vogue has been unfairly blamed for using such an economical disaster as a way to sell issues and create a buzz. That may be your opinion but it is not mine. Yes, the fashion world is often accused of exploiting issues such as this, but the film industry and the literary world are no better. I believe that by transforming a human (albeit a model) into the position of vulnerability and sympathy, it enables other people to visualise the oil spill as a true disaster of enormous scale, and perhaps understand properly the effect such a thing can have on the environment. I think the issue has been handled carefully and sincerely, because, in all fairness the clothes are not showcased to the best of their ability, which brings me to consider the fact that that was not the ultimate goal of the editorial. Plus Meisel's input offers me some reassurance.

What do you think?

For updates on how BP are handling the oil spill, please visit www.bp.com and click the 'Gulf of Mexico response' tab at the top of the page.