Victim of Beauty or Victim of the Fashion Industry?
The following picture (one of a set of six, http://12mag.net/beauty/victim-beauty/) recently displayed online by a Bulgarian magazine 12. The spread “Victim of Beauty” photographed by Vasil Germanov includes models individually depicting a burn, slashed throat and jaw, ripped ears, ect. Obviously this is not the first time the fashion industry has used violence in their ads (Duncan Quinn displayed models being tortured and choked by mobsters, Benetton feautured an ad using an actual photo from a mafia killing in Italy, etc.) Looking at this from an artistic perspective, it’s shocking, and isn’t that what art is all about? Violent ads are a successful business tactic; proven to shock the masses and bring attention to the cause. But, as an individual aware of how impressionable the male and female ideology of my age group can be, can these photos be deemed irresponsible? Especially when self-injury as well as dating violence are on the rise. How far is too far, where is the line in the sand? Is it artistic or twisted? The fashion industry and media are constantly churning out highly exaggerated and sexualized ideas; weight and age just being the tip of the iceberg. Are these models victim of beauty or victim of the fashion industry?
