The Standpoint

ART ON BODY...BODY AND SOUL

In a structured space full of idealists and individualists (read college goers), one may quite essentially find enough potential for an enriching "GO-STARTER" write-up.

Thus, pertaining to the idea of bringing up yet another interactive column for all our readers who are still trying to figure out the whys' and whats' of university life, The Standpoint brings to you an exclusive column on the new emerging trend of the campus..a.k.a.- BODY ART.

Interestingly, what we call today as body art had perhaps laid its foundation centuries ago with the introduction of the term 'symbolism'. Symbolism could, at a simplistic level, refer to the "use of symbols to represent ideas or emotions". In psycho-analysis, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung envisioned symbols as being not of the mind, but rather the mind's capacity to hold information and using itself to identify with other things.

Keeping the above point in the background, we decided to perform a random survey check on what does OUR YOUTH relate to (so as to say), when they indulge in body art. Is it just "for fun"? Or is it perhaps to create the sense of an identity by relating to things (FREUDIAN concept), or is it (well!) a sort of sadomasochism?

On interviewing a girl of about 20, studying in one of the most sought after courses in a leading south campus college, about the notion of body art, she exclaims in a rather nonchalant way that she got her piercings (about 8 of them on various parts of her body) because she "wanted to look different". On probing her, she said that "almost everyone on the campus looks pretty much the same, so I wanted something that would make me a head-turner".

A certain Sanjukta (flaunts an eyebrow piercing), from 2nd year, B. Com (Hons.) has to offer us her bite saying that she got her piercing in order to "reaffirm her-own-identity for her-own-self", she believes that she relates her own thought pattern and mindset to her outer appearance much more after she got her piercing done.

Another student, Pooja (sports a tattoo) pursuing B.A Journalism (Hons.) puts forth her view which is not again alienated from the ones said above. She too considers her own individuality to be "at the centre her own self-made-universe". She wanted "to delve into the entire experience of getting a tattoo done and feel happy about it".

With the concept of using symbols in mind, it becomes important for us to also consider an anti-discourse of the above stated notions. As an extension to this thought, we interviewed people with NO BODY ART on them and we found out that most of them "chose to remain simple and hassle free" or perhaps "would not want to digress from their own set of norms".

With the above two discourses in full view, one could quite distinctly identify that even though both view points characterise themselves very differently, both the ideas give emphasis on the renaissance notion of (the self being of sole importance) the human mind.

In other words, students have been found either talking of affirming their own self identity or individuality of sorts.

The survey, thus, provides us with a novel notion of the intertwining of body art with the construction of one's own "being". Therefore, body art does not limit itself merely to the realm of outer appearance but also transgresses into the territory of one's socio-psycho existence.

So, with all the other students out there waiting to try out a form of body art, we assume you have had enough insight into the larger framework of the above through this column.

Watch out for this space for more interactive startups. If you wish to tell Bonisha about any similar subjects you wish to read here, write to her at bonisha.good2u@gmail.com.

Your responses will also be encouraged at- thestandpoint@gmail.com