Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Aug. 28, 1997, edition 1 / Page 5
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28^ 35 August 28,1997 The Banner Features Page 5 r suicide, neutral: ion. Hci lie hier- etupbyl on. loin the I )p Landi )n with I nsintoal Heflin, I ind elu-i tion lets It really I so gives o show- Crazy for body piercing at UNCA By Trish Parker staff Writer Body piercing dates back to our tribal ancestors, but the practice is not lim ited to the natives of remote wilder ness areas of the world. To observe those who practice this ancient art requires nothing more than a walk through downtown Asheville. Currently, the most popular proce dure is tongue piercing. Sterling Noring, a UNCA junior philosophy major, has pierced his tongue, nipples. and genitals, and plans to get more. “It’s a very enjoyable experience,” said Noring, who does body pierc ing as a hobby. “It’s something to do with my spare money in my spare time.” Noring said he has invested $730 in piercings and one tattoo. That figure includes the high-quality jew elry he uses for sanitation reasons and the actual costs of piercing and tattooing. Personal care after the piercing varies for different body parts. Improperly maintained piercings can fester into painful infections that can need medical care, said Noring. “It hurts really bad if it gets in- fectedi You should go to a doctor if that happens,” said Noring. The art of body piercing is not regulated by the state ofNorth Caro lina. The p l ofeSsionals who do pierc ing as aservice gain clientele through advertising and personal recommen dations. Michelle Helms, a professional body piercer, began her career three years ago. She did piercings for her friends during high school, before moving to San Francisco. “I started doing piercings ai a pro- , several t in the rime is :her mi- s rather I on thf to make if minor charac- ion and detracB i II enjoy--' acksand nts were ist events s action, Junior Stephen Ingram displays his tongue jewelry for all to admire. PHOTO BY MAURIE HILL fession in San Francisco. I met a guy who made his living doing them and I thought it was great,” Helms said. “When I came to Asheville, I opened shop with Sky People on Merrimon Avenue. We thought the piercing and tattooing was a good combina tion for the business.” Helms has tried different piercings for herself She found the general public unreceptive to facial piercings. The typical reactions ranged from starring to expressions of disgust. “All my piercings are in areas that are hidden. I’m more comfortable not dealing with negative reactions to obvious piercings,” Helms said. Helms believes part of the interest in body piercing comes from the neo-tribal movement. The renewed interest in primitive art forms and practices, such as drum ming circles, has a tie to body pierc- “People are searching for some thing spiritual. They feel the need to explore the whole primitive experi ence. They’re getting tattoos of sym bols and spiritual icons as a way to express who they are. They want to reach a graphic state, a connection with their personal totems,” Helms said. “There was one guy that came in for a nipple piercing. He got relaxed, and I did the piercing. When the needle went through, he yelled really loud, I mean loud!” Helms said “Then he said it was great, and it was very spiritual for him.” Helms believes the majority of people getting pierced are interested in achieving a certain look. She cred its popular music and MTV for in spiring the current popularity ofbody piercing. Faculty art exhibit in Owen PHOTO BY ALICE BAIN MARTIN Artwork created by different members of the UNCA Art Department is currently on display in the Univer sity Gallery in Owen Hall and will be up through Sept. 16. The exhibit, which contains painting and sculpture in addition to other mediums, opened Aug. 22. Admis sion is free. For more information, contact the Art Department at 251-6559. Above, Associate Professor of Art Dan Millspaugh discusses his sculpture with an interested observer. FYI academic notices Deadline to apply for December graduation • 8/29 Classes meet on Labor Day - All university offices open — . Undergraduate Research Grant Proposal Workshop, 3:30-4:30pm, LF (X6122) • 9/2 ' 9/1 exhibits L. Gina Canter Paintings: "Cherokee Legends, Folk Life and Celtic Legends," Reception and Slide Presentation, 6-8pm, RL • 8/29 Faculty Exhibition, University Gallery, OH • thru 9/16 Cher Ensley, B.A. Exhibition, 2nd floor Gallery, OH • thru 9/3 P O lie let Your Information august 28 thru September 4 UNCA FYI is a service of the Student Activities and Student Affairs offices. career opportunities/jobs SPS Payment Systems-Phone Call Center, flexible hours Buncombe County After School Program - part-time working with children; contact Career Center, WHC,(x6515) concerts/live entertainmen Comedian Rene Hicks, 9pm, HC Lounge, FREE( x6244) (spon. by UP) • 8/29 Comedian Eric O'Shea, 9pm, HC Lounge, FREE (x6244) (spon. by UP) • 9/3 "The Elastic String Band", old-time string music, 6-7:30pm, DH Plaza,FREE (x6675) * 8/30 films FYI IS published each Thursday Deadline to submit information is ' Ffiday at noon, for the following week s publication Next deadline: August 29 for the Sept 4 issue Send a copy with basic information to The Banner, do Ad Manager CH208A End "no-questions-asked" texbook return, Bookstore-HC • 8/29 Chancellor's Open Meeting, 1pm., PH 253 (x6500) • 9/1 Study Break, 9pm, HC Lounge (spon. by Residence Life) • 9/2 N.C. Zoo, Asheboro, FREE trip with $5 deposit, signups HC 44 (X6244) • 9/6 Movie discount tickets-$4; 10am - 4pm, HC 27 (x6584) Carowinds discount tickets- $18; 10am - 4pm, HC 27 (x6584) Arise and Shine Toastmasters-lmprove Your Speaking Skills, 7:15-8:30am, PDR (x.5169) • Thursdays Escort Service from any area of campus-Call Public Safety or use yellow box at Vance Hall (x6710) Buses for public stop on campus at covered shelter across from Robinson Hall- schedules posted inside shelter volunteer opportunities See Bulletin Board in HC or visit office in HC 48 (x6588) Movie-” Mars Attack!,” 9pm, Founders Hall (spon by Residence Life) (X6700) • 9/1 leadership opportunities Executive positions with Underdog Productions-pickup applications at HC 44 (x6244) lectures/workshops/seminars Computing on Campus, 6pm, KH37 (x6569) • 8/28 Managing the Time, 11am, LF (x6569) • 9/4 Mediation Workshop, pre-register 9:30am-4:30pm, LF (x5120) • 9/6 organizations - special programs Rush sign-ups, outside DH, lunch and dinner (spon. by IFC) • 9/1-9/5 Fall Rush (spon. by Panhellenic)» 9/3-9/7 "7 Secrets of Successful Living" Seminar, 12-5pm, HC, pre-register-258-8323 (spon. by Renaissance Universal Club)* 9/13 outdoor activities/recreation Planning meeting/brainstorming session for activities, 4:30pm, Outdoor Education Office, HC (x6001) • 9/1 Kayak Roll Session, 7-9:45pm, JC Pool • every Wed. Mountain Bike Rides, meet 5pm at DH or 5;30pm at Bent Creek, (bikes available) (x6001) • every Wed. Equipment Rental, Outdoor Ed. Office, HC- backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, mountain bikes (x6001) Health and Fitness Center Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7-8am, 12-11pm; Friday, 7-8am, 12-9pm; Saturday, 12-6pm; Sunday, 3-9pm (x5650)
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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Aug. 28, 1997, edition 1
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