Group 2C
Carley Bartlett, Ryan Powell, Antoniya Petkova, Jordan Muckley, Bashir Yusuf, Katherine Tysoe and Sarah Myers.
The seminar began with the group discussing what people picked for their individual task. One member of the group brought up the issue of the beauty and fashion industry and how ideologies of beauty can instil issues within society such as weight and body shape, e.g. only size 6/8 models could be considered suitable for fashion. Spencer posed the question as to whether the individual discussing this matter read beauty/gossip/fashion magazines, she answered yes, he asked why we as a society read these sort of magazines although we all agree the industry contributes toward warped opinions of beauty, which proved difficult for us to answer.
This discussion in turn went towards companies such as Primark, the question was brought up as to why Primark clothes are so affordable and we as a group agreed it was due to the garments being made in underdeveloped countries for a minimal price, stirring sympathy for the poor working conditions people may be exposed and exploited with as a result of low-priced fashion. (H&M was also mentioned, along side Topshop and other high street names, more famously accused GAP which led to national outrage against the company – a full article on this matter can be found at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/gap-draws-up-a-map-of-unfair-working-practices-563186.html) “The Gap clothing company admitted yesterday that many of the 3,000 factories in 50 different countries around the world fail to comply with minimum labor conditions outlawing such practices as using under-aged employees and exercising coercion on workers”As a society issues such as companies with factors across the globe exploiting underdeveloped countries for a minimal price but collectively we agree to dismiss this information because we still buy into the brands. Spencer roused the point that as a society and as a culture we are all very active with our internet and access to different forms of media information yet we seem the more passive generation, we are aware of these appalling matters but don’t feel compelled to act against it.“We have an active audience with a very passive attitude who feel they can’t act”A member of the group brought up an article by Satchi and Satchi (I’m uncertain of the correct spelling…) regarding human slavery called “Read this, you piece of shit” that contained matters such as domestic violence and underage workers in factories. The topic it self wasn’t a far cry from the difficult working conditions that can be found in foreign factories under the brands of some of our most popular stores.
The conversation then turned to how we have a capitalist way of thinking, everything is run with money and we accept the way our economy works, except when things go wrong such as the collapse of the banks. Capitalism is so deep rooted into us all we can’t see beyond it anymore. This in turn brought up a brief discussion on communism, turning to a debate about the pros and cons of communism, capitalism, etc, in truth there is no easy answer or quick solution to the issues within our economy and we all have differing ideas on how things should be run, sparking some arguments throughout the group.A debate was brought up about what was considered “ordinary” and Spencer defined “ordinary” as social ideologies – what’s socially accepted can be considered “ordinary”. As an individual we thrive to be different but we adhere to ideologies such as women have long hair and men have short hair etc. But the choice is always there.
Walter Benjamin was brought up into conversation, he was a theorist who believed in authenticity and how we will seek it and appreciate it, (for example the feeling you get when you view the Mona Lisa painting for the first time as opposed to see a photograph of it), posing the issue of whether the development of the digital age with cause the demise of traditional art. A member of the group commented on how he believes eventually we will all function like machines ourselves, with everything we own being mass produced, but my argument was that like most types of art movements there will be a rebellion against mass production and audiences will seek tailored products, vintage and individual one offs as a rebellion result of mass production. Industries all change with time, being versatile and open minded is essential of a media student, for example, male cosmetics weren’t considered a potential as a market until recent developments who are trying to home in on masculine insecurities to encourage more male grooming, moisturizing and straighten their hair, the male cosmetic market is untouched gold for advertisers.
“If you’re told something enough times, it’ll have an impact on you”
Conclusions:‘Ordinary’ ‘Normal’ ‘Common’ are all social ideologies’
‘We are an active audience with a passive attitude who feel they can’t act’
‘We all have deep rooted ideologies, and the acceptance of that is hard to admit to’Labels: tasks |
