If you missed Heather Niven and Rosalind Walker in Langwith College’s Norman Rea Gallery earlier this year, you may well be pleased to know that the pair will continue to exhibit in York. They have recently left their beautiful hamlet of Kirkham Abbey in North Yorkshire to exhibit at King’s Manor in Exhibition Square.

Having previously been inspired by the natural environment and stained glass, the pair are currently experimenting with acrylic, oils and pastels for a multi-layered effect. Niven’s upbringing in the Scottish highlands is reflected in the spiritual quality of her work, while the fiery colour of Walker’s artwork exudes an explosive energy conveying the late stages of autumn. Niven’s subjective figurative work explores textures and layers through more elemental forms. Her underlying layers of paint, glue and wood heighten the contours of each figure.

If you enjoy abstract expressionism, both artists celebrate the diversity of humanity through their use of rich surface texture and vibrant colours. Walker’s impression of space and the physical world actually embellishes nature. Instead of attempting to imitate nature, Niven conveys a subjective impression of her conception of space, often achieved through vertical forms. Together, the diverse compositions displayed by both artists allow you to immerse yourself in an immeasurable, timeless world.

This summer, York Art Gallery has obtained loans from the National Gallery, the Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum for its new exhibition, ‘Painting the Summer: Henri Fantin-Latour’.

Fantin-Latour was born in the French Alps and studied at l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work was based on the Old Dutch Masters before he adapted his subject matter to juxtapose realism and fantasy. In the shadow of Courbet, he began to experiment with light and delicate modelling to produce an atmosphere with the limpidity and vibration of real air. His traditional approach to depicting flowers was in contrast to the Impressionist style of his contemporaries Manet and Renoir.

The discreet intimacy and warmth of tone in works such as The Two Sisters creates a sense of solitude. Set against dark backgrounds, his subjects are tranquil and sincere.

Caroline Worthington, Curator of Art, explained: “To many, Fantin-Latour is regarded as one of the most important Realist painters of his generation with a particular skill for capturing the beauty of flowers. This exhibition will include some of these brilliant flower pictures but it will also take a look at his portraits and more whimsical, narrative works.”

Written from the viewpoint of a neglected adolescent, Way’s blunt use of description is striking. Think Anita and Me by Meera Syal, but much less hopeful. Anita’s mother dies of a “well kept secret” and her reaction is vividly realistic; “they found me kneeling, screaming still, trying to shake her awake.” Astoundingly upfront about the complex dejection and melancholy of each character, it is certainly not an idealistic story, set in the gloomy boatyards and scrap heaps of South London in 1986.

Way has an original voice, but is far too grim and vacant. Anita recounts a tragic childhood, full of murder and mystery among the abandoned chalk and sand mines of Greenwich. Way reports this via police interviews in the future, with constant flashbacks to keep the reader speculating.

Despite Anita’s blatant despondency, the story is compelling. Way offers a new perspective on her protagonist, a quiet girl who avoids relationships at all costs until she meets the rebellious Kyle.
I am not convinced that this was ‘a modern classic in the making’. Its linguistic simplicity belies the bleak nature of its content. Interesting, if not exactly uplifting.

Unfortunately, it has been sitting under a pile of books for a year but leafing through it idly, I noticed some categorical imperatives. ‘Take a seat when you eat,’ was enough to produce a wry smile and ‘Listening isn’t the same as hearing.’

While making your bed every morning is something you went to University to get away from, there are tips that are indispensable. These include ‘Damage Control: Mom’s best stain removal tips,’ ‘Proper Chicken Protocol’, and vital tips to stop you burning down your kitchen.

From ‘Servicing your Toenails’ to the ‘Anatomy of the Kitchen’, this effortless read has the potential either to reaffirm your decision to leave home or to cause you to run a mile from your new found independence.

£8.99
Quirk Books

This book is an enjoyable read if you are looking for the weirdest places to study in the UK, perhaps to take the edge off the hoards of ducks following you around campus.

It is an extremely easy read, broken up with many graphics and hilarious anecdotes. There are also plenty of games to toy with, if you are particularly bored with drinking your Freshers’ Fortnight away.

The book makes a simple gift for a fresher, or perhaps for just reminiscing about your earlier student days. It has been labeled the Bible for students! An ideal book to pass around the kitchen table amongst the layers of mould growing off plates.

£8.95
Cheeky Chops

Yes, this is your chance to be creative. An ideal way to bond with fellow housemates while blending to your heart’s content. There is a huge range of cocktails to choose from, and there are non-alcoholic options too. You may even find you quite like using your kitchen.
The index of ingredients is especially useful for when you want to make use of your old alcohol at the back of the cupboard. Any combination is possible! A warning, though: the rating system for each cocktail is persuasive, but do not be swayed by other peoples tastebuds.

The book has been praised for being user-friendly, if you actually get round to using it. More likely, though, it will end up sitting on the shelf all year, looking attractive amongst stained student cook books.

The purchase of this book may lead to the impulse buying of alcohol on a grand scale, so do be careful. I recommend the book be enjoyed in moderation.

£5.22
Foulsham

As exciting events unfold around us, such as the scrapping of the Barbican pool, the new pedestrian crossing point on Fishergate and the Old York Garden Club giving a little back this year by decorating miniature Christmas trees, I feel it my duty to inform you there are even more exhilarating things York students can do to make a difference in the local area.

Reasons to get involved: The Green Party are committed to education. They are willing to advocate an independent source of finance – from the day students turn 16. This would give every student a grant and entitlement to benefits during the vacations. We believe students should be able to drop in and out of learning as fits their needs. A citizen’s income scheme would ensure that adults could afford to do this and you could afford to stop worrying about how much a masters degree will cost.

Furthermore, The Greens oppose the ‘Heslington East’ expansion to York University. Despite City Council backing, there is no Local Plan or agreed Green Belt, so we are calling for a public enquiry. We want to reduce traffic in the area and encourage the University to offer more residence places on campus, at lower rent. ‘Studentification’ is not damaging to Heslington so long as the Green Party has provision to save our local shops. We will be launching a local food campaign on campus this term and hope to motion against Nestle advertising on campus. Last year, with support, we managed to boycott the advertising of Coca-Cola.

If that’s not enough, the Greens are the only party standing in York that advocates the return of the railways to public ownership, saving billions of pounds that are going on bureaucracy and private shareholders. Surely, you would prefer a better rail service with cheaper fares? In 1997 John Prescott said: “I will have failed if in five years time there are not many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car.” Bearing in mind these forgotten promises, as a student, you can easily invest in public transport, including the nationalisation of the Railtrack.

Green voters are growing steadily each year, and now there a higher percentage of Green than Tory voters in York. The more votes we have, the more impact we can make locally and nationally. What would you rather facilitate decorating miniature Christmas trees or building political change? It’s your choice.

York City is packed with endless sights and attractions; it is possible to spend a week, never mind a day, browsing the galleries and not to see everything. In a search to find some unique cultural attractions, we came across a distinct number of mediocre showrooms desperately trying to sell typically ornamental-clad paintings.

The first of these was York Fine Arts, on Low Petergate, which held a disorganised assortment of Pre-Raphaelite prints, with shots of the Minster and surrounding countryside. The landscape and architecture of York is presented in intricately decorated gold frames – endless appeal for tourists wanting a cheap reminder of their visit to the City. Even though the low ceilings and cosy wooden beams make the setting comfortable and add to York’s array of listed buildings, it is incredibly cramped and makes it almost impossible to distinguish the skilful from the painfully detrimental works of art.

The ceramics and metalwork are alternative presents that you will not find in the consistently plastic tourist shops.

Along with this, our advice is to stay away from The Coppergate Gallery, which sported numerous World Cup prints and flags. However, if you stumble across it, fear not because free access to valuable art is close by. York St. Mary’s Church is the city’s leading contemporary art venue. Currently, it displays ‘Echo,’ an installation by Susie MacMurray, who has taken the beautiful medieval church as a basis for her emotive, contemplative art. She has used hairnets and horsehair from violin bows to construct a vessel of interpellation for the surveyor. Do not be put off by the seamless exterior façade of the Church and instead of being lured in by the misleading bargains of TopShop, take a free perusal around this cherished art space.

There is a tendency to assume that York Art Gallery is the only reputable place for exhibitions in the city, given its freshly decorated new learning facilities and a continental-style café. Despite its permanent collection of art works, the gallery alternates its exhibitions every couple of months to provide York City with up-to-date shows, many from London’s National Gallery, such as ‘Icons and Idols’ running from 1 July to 24 September. This exhibition is linked to ‘The Year of the Portrait’, encouraging more people to gain access to works of art that would normally only be displayed in stately homes, such as Harewood House and Beningborough Hall.

Next on your agenda, another reputable place we recommend is The Braithwaite Gallery in Low Petergate, which was quirky and original. The artist, Mark Braithwaite, can be regularly seen painting in Minster Yard, and if you’re into detailed landscapes of York, executed in a different light, it would be worth visiting. The classic red phone boxes scattered around Yorkshire caught our attention, painted to preserve their lost connections. ‘The fire from Minstergates’ which was Braithwaite’s dramatic ten year commemoration of the 1994 misfortune is a shocking portrayal of the reality of York’s attractions. It provided a refreshing contrast to York Fine Arts which preferred to sugar-coat the Minster with blue skies and tweeting birds guaranteed.

Close by, Image on High Petergate is a very homely and welcoming craft shop – an ideal place for original gifts ranging from cheap prints, photo frames, carefully decorated glass bowls and an assortment of triptych canvas transfer prints. The contemporary minimalistic ‘gallery’ is almost hidden away, but is certainly not elitist and is right next door to the Porta Dextra Gallery, another contemporary craft shop selling unique handmade crafts.

Many of Image’s designers are scattered around Britain, displaying York’s network of connections, bringing in stained glass bowls, colourful jewellery, and comical bird feeders with grotesque facial expressions. Do have an open mind before entering the Porta Dextra Gallery, as it is a very unusual shop, yet has gifts suitable for all. It is certainly not high art, but the ceramics and metalwork are alternative presents that you will not find anywhere in the consistently plastic tourist shops.

Last but not least, the Pyramid Gallery in Stonegate was difficult to find, but definitely worth a quick visit because of its calm atmosphere and well presented display of silver jewellery, ceramics and contemporary embroidery. Its minimalism is inviting and despite its modest size it has a spacious and relaxed ambience.

If you are worried about the expenses of indulging in fresh new art, the Arts Council England, operating through ‘Own Art,’ offers interest free loans ranging from £100 to £2,000, ideal for the student looking to invest in various modern arts and crafts. The art market in Yorkshire shows several opportunities for everyone to own inventive high quality art in their homes, such as Open Air Exhibitions.

If by chance, summer returns, and you prefer to spend the day outside, take advantage of the sunshine and appreciate art through the one particular Open Air Art Exhibition on the 1st and 2nd of July on Parliament Street in the city centre. Local artists have the leisure to exhibit and sell their paintings, drawings and ceramics. 10% of the sales will be donated to the Lord Mayor’s Charity – a perfect way to make art more accessible.

Browsing the art galleries and craft shops will certainly tire out the credit cards, so when a cheap refreshment is essential, El Piano, on Grape Lane is a great way to finish the day with its vibrant avid gallery space and cosy intimate décor. As a restaurant, café and bazaar, it is packed with books, ceramics, textiles, recycled fibre rugs and hand-made bags, just in case you still have a desire to spend your overdraft. As well as a mosaic table, they have a peculiar wooden table that allows you to carve your name into it when you donate a pound to Amnesty International. Unquestionably a friendly, ethical alternative to the many Starbucks littering our streets with manufactured muffins.

El piano is an uncommonly personal South American/Spanish themed place. Offering wholefood vegetarian and gluten-free specialities, it is suitable day and evening. Many of their crafts are imported from Collage International in Granada, Spain, presenting a multi-cultural experience that would complement any day out in York.

If you have a few spare days over the summer holiday, take advantage of York’s diverse cultural collections, because it is important to support our local artists. Do not be discouraged by the sheer quantity of ‘galleries,’ all you need is to be selective and careful, and remember, just because it says ‘gallery’, doesn’t mean that it’s going to sell exemplary art.

In the character of Ammu we see the beautiful, gentle mother who has tried to run away from the strictures of her middle class Syrian Christian upbringing. Meanwhile, the injustice of the story is often led by the embittered Baby Kochamma, the twins’ great aunt, who casts a spiteful eye on all happenings in the family, seeking to take advantage of Ammu’s “mistakes” to ingratiate herself to the matriarch. The dilemmas of post-colonial India play a key role in the book with an emphasis on the caste system and how it touches their lives.

Roy makes a point about the suffocating nature of family and environment, making the book incredibly dense. The past is weaved into the present with startling revelations, and Roy’s use of language is effortless yet thick. This prose reaches out to all the senses portraying graphic images while alluring to the ‘sicksweet scent of the warm jellyandjam-laden breezes.’ A very stimulating novel.

Student life is synonymous, some say, with opinionated rambling. You should be studying for your degree, but exercising your hidden creativity and proving your intellectual prowess in print seems so much more attractive. At university you suddenly feel passionate about things that meant nothing to you before, you are questioning material instead of repetitive rote learning. All this suppressed verbosity must find an outlet, particularly if your course has minimal hours. A student newspaper perhaps? A web blog? Student publications are certainly one way to encourage and nurture talent, and York University is currently overflowing with new literary journals.

The University literary journal Point Shirley once showed the early talent of Susan Fletcher, winner of the Whitbread First Novel award, but is no longer published. Looking to fill its place, there are a number of arts journals currently being established at York: Zahir, Word Salad and Art Chips, The York Journal. The fact that journals are being set up at all shows vision on the part of the editors: masterminding and funding such a concept takes some time and effort. However, one must consider if there is a substantial niche for all three publications? And what sets them apart?

Editors of the York Journal aim to establish an ‘informal literary magazine’, incorporating poetry, prose, short stories, and even political essays by students of York. Last year, the University of York withdrew the creative writing newspaper and the editor of the York Journal, Rachel Marsh, felt there was a gap in the creative niche of the University’s media alliances.

They aim to publish the York Journal once a year, so that it can circulate and become a symbol of each year’s literary and creative achievements. As an MA student studying English Literature, Rachel feels this is her opportunity to increase awareness of the creative side of as many students as possible. Her ambition for the Journal is to create an established forum for the publication of serious student writing. There are significant differences between the Journal and other publications that exist at the University, most notably the range of genres represented, including non-fiction alongside creative writing.

Formerly at Cambridge University, she assisted with the production of a creative magazine Mays and interviewed established writers such as Zadie Smith. With plenty of experience behind her, Rachel aims to create a platform for all forms of writer at the University of York. The York Journal looks to attract people hoping to pursue a career in writing, offering a way for them to practise presenting to publishers. Rachel is keen for the Journal to be open to all, and is hoping for a wide readership, extending beyond the university. This is surely an ambitious initiative but one that should be applauded.

David Hopkins of The Zahir, is aiming for an essay orientated journal but wants to have one or two creative pieces each issue. He sees The Zahir as providing “a forum for students’ considered opinions on books, the arts, music and politics, and to be a launch pad for York’s aspiring writers and critics.” Despite calling itself “the University of York’s literary magazine”, its first edition included essays on music and propaganda in the post-war era, and what modern British democracy has to learn from Lord Salisbury. The Zahir has certainly been successful in creating a professional looking publication.

Word Salad and Art Chips is designed to showcase purely the creative output of York students, through the publication of short stories, poetry and art. This publication takes perhaps a lighter approach than the York Journal or The Zahir, and “is intended to be an enjoyable, fun magazine, without pretension” according to Marie Prior, the secretary of Word Salad and Arts Chips. She also claims that “student journals are useful because they provide some measure of recognition for students’ non academic work.” I feel this has uncovered the genuine necessity for journals. Although, technically, we’re at university to obtain a degree, we all know that’s not just why we’re here. Amongst other things, we’re here to try things that we wouldn’t be able to try anywhere else. We want to discover where our passions and convictions really lie and writing for these student publications may help us with this discovery.
If you feel inspired to contribute to any of these publications, contact the following editors:

Word Salad and Art Chips: sh548
York Journal: mfpl102
The Zahir: dckh500

Nuclear power is being repackaged and wheeled out as a solution to our climate woes. Those in favour of a new generation of nuclear power plants claim that it can deliver reliable, safe and clean energy – this is not the case. There is a general consensus that global air pollution is seriously impacting our changing climate on a colossal scale. Growth in emissions is affecting our environment through the everyday energy that we use – the energy used to heat buildings alone is currently responsible for 50% of UK emissions. We cannot blindly accept the logic of nuclear power, even as a last resort or stop gap measure.

The by-products of the fission process can and have been used to produce nuclear weapons, hence concern about Iran’s current nuclear power programme. Nor is this nuclear material secure; research shows that in 2003 19.1 kg of it went missing at the Sellafield plant – this would be enough to produce five nuclear bombs. Even the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant requires serious risk management and there are very few private organisations willing to undertake something so dangerous. To clean up after existing nuclear power plants, the government has had to give the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority £56 billion.

There is pollution in the form of radiation. The incidence of childhood leukaemia around Sellafield is ten times the national average and there is a considerable increase in cases of leukaemia around every plant in Europe.

The amount of radioactive waste in Britain is continually increasing. There is the equivalent of 384 swimming pools of waste, too radioactive for human contact. At the moment it is kept in concrete casing, while we decide how to deal with it.

Even though nuclear reactors do not produce carbon dioxide, mining their fuel and dismantling them certainly does. Nuclear power often uses high quality uranium ore which produces as much CO2 over our life cycles as a small gas plant. Uranium ore is also running out and we have no natural source in the UK – there is no security of supply. The UK will thus be as dependent on other countries to supply and import the fuel for nuclear power as it currently is with oil. We need to cut down on carbon dioxide pollution but this does not mean nuclear power stations will reduce our energy demand. For example, fuel-efficient cars could almost halve energy demand.
Other energy options such as solar panels on houses must be explored. Instead of spending billions on supply, the government should be spending it on reducing demand. Recently the German government announced that it would spend money on improving energy efficiency in housing. This policy is estimated not only to save enough energy so as to be able to make Germany nuclear free, but also to reduce people’s energy bills.

We can deal with climate change without nuclear power; we do not need it and do not want it. A recent survey showed only 34% of people actually support building more nuclear reactors. We need to campaign for better waste management and renewables. Solar and wind technology work with our environment instead of against it.

By Kirran Shah, Young Green

In this volume, Vonnegut, a committed humanist, appears to give up on the human race. Pacifism is the only solution he proposes to what he sees as a potentially very frightening future. He feels betrayed by the USA and is brutal in his pessimism, stating that the world’s problems are due to people simply not caring.

Reading this book was like having a conversation with Vonnegut. He reacts to critics, and defends and explains his body of work and how he came to be a writer. Now past 80, he reflects on a long and rich career.

There are consolations in the book’s humour and Vonnegut’s characteristically brilliant prose, but it is a clear warning. Vonnegut is continuously negative about Bush and also about our outrageous abuse of natural resources. He foresees an epitaph for ‘the good earth – we could have saved it, but we were too damn cheap and lazy’. A powerful read.

£14.99, Bloomsbury

Daniel’s interest in the volume verges on obsessive. When it emerges that a menacing individual is steadily seeking out and burning all the copies and is now after Daniel too, he turns to the biography of Julián Carax, the writer, to help solve the mystery. Events in Daniel’s life odly echo those in Carax’s, deepening the intrigue.

The Shadow of the Wind tries very hard to be thrilling, but sometimes seems to be trying too hard. The coincidences (a staple of all thrillers) sometimes just happen too often.

In addition, female readers may not be too comfortable with the ‘male gaze’ which objectifies the female characters. The descriptions of women border on something from a Barbara Cartland novel, remeniscient of romantic, slushy literature.

A gripping read, set in a beautiful city, but perhaps a little condescending.

£7.99, Phoenix

The ArtSpace opened three weeks ago, opposite Clifford’s Tower. Owners Greg McGee and Ails Denholm wished to create a space dedicated to Yorkshire art in all its forms. A small independent gallery, they hope it will help people reconsider the stereotype of art as an elitist activity.

It has been established locally in an attempt to give Yorkshire artists the opportunity to display their work and gain some exposure. The use of exclusively Yorkshire artists is intended to help local practitioners become more established within the artistic community. This fills a hole in York, which has a great range of aspiring artists who deserve to be recognised for their individuality. Despite York being a such small city, it houses a wide and varied art scene. The ArtSpace also aims to be accessible, to ‘break down barriers’ such as the ‘pomposity’ regularly associated with art galleries.

On visiting The Artspace, the stark white walls and simple lighting highlight the countless interesting items on display. There is handmade jewellery, ceramics and unusual bags to command your attention. Carla Ballantine’s work particularly stands out. She imports vintage cigar boxes and transforms them into bags. Great if you’re looking for something different for Christmas.

The minimalist decoration allows for great diversity in the art, which is displayed strategically around the two-roomed gallery. There is a diverse mixture, ranging from abstract expressionism to urban landscapes. The thoughtful arrangement creates a blend of colours and ensures that nothing looks out of place.

David Baumforth’s seascapes portray an uncommon blend of the abstract with a natural landscape in blazing blue adventurous strokes. Of his work, Baumforth said, “My pictures are not necessarily pretty; they are the truth.” Blue Wilson expands on this trend for hybridism with a techno-impressionist urban landscape. Jim Stafford focuses on graphic design and personal illustrations. You can view his Warholesque work at www.bran-man.com.

McGee describes his critera for selecting work: “I want [it] to be edgy, I’ve realised that darker, even paranoid paintings actually sell better.” He wants to show that York is more than tea-rooms and the Minster and is supported in his ambition by artistic collective Return Of The Artists (ROTA). This group was established by Milladdio, another local artist. McGee has been encouraged by ROTA to incorporate a wide range of artistic styles in his displays, including mixtures of textural and abstract techniques.

The gallery is also running workshops which include a Christmas Card Craft Workshop and a Saturday Sketchbook Club. McGee likes to see these workshops as creative therapy sessions with a chilled out atmosphere. The workshops are not just for students; he wants to encourage retired people and young professionals to work together as a community. However, you don’t have to be working in physical media to be represented in the gallery; McGee also sells local bands’ CDs, who receive all of the revenue.

McGee’s main aim in founding the ArtSpace is to encourage the local community to come together to express themselves artistically in a range of materials. People of all abilities are welcome to take part as well as to appreciate. He states, “I want to give all artists a chance”. This include students – just drop in to chat to McGee or Denholm.

In the same vein, the prices for workshops are fairly low in an attempt to attract a wide range of people and, if you are looking for ‘unique, quirky Christmas gifts’, students get 10% off!