German photographer Ivonne Thein’s photo exhibit is a veritable little shop of horrors. The women in this gallery are horribly emaciated, contorted, their bones are jutting out and their ravaged, sick bodies are wrapped in medical bandages.
The good news about Ivonne Thein’s "Thirty-Two Kilos" anorexia awareness exhibit is that these images are digitally manipulated. The bad news is that the disease continues to run rampant in the fashion industry and in society as a whole.
Thein conceived the art exhibit in response to the proliferation of pro-anorexia or pro-ana websites where the disease is promoted as a way of life and a viable alternative to weight loss.
The Washington Post notes, "In a twist that perhaps could have been anticipated, some of the pro-ana sites have embraced Thein’s work. On these sites, images of skeletal women provide ‘thinspiration.’ One pro-ana blogger posted Thein’s photos and received mixed comments:
‘Those pics are so, so beautiful! I want to look like them! They look so fragil [sic] and like an angel.’
‘I still think that some of the models have a big [rear]. How distorted am I?’
By the way, 32 kg is 70.5 lbs.
Anti-Anorexia Art
Ivonne Thein's ‘Thirty-Two Kilos' Exhibit is Scary & Educative
Trend Themes
1. Anti-anorexia Campaigns - The rise of pro-anorexia websites as a result of anorexia awareness campaigns like Ivonne Thein's 'Thirty-Two Kilos' exhibit presents an opportunity to develop anti-anorexia campaigns to provide helpful resources for those suffering from anorexia.
2. Digital Art Manipulation - The use of digital image manipulation, as seen in Ivonne Thein's anorexia awareness exhibit, presents an opportunity for digital artists to create powerful social commentary on important issues like mental health, beauty standards, and body image.
3. Pro-anorexia Website Monitoring - The rise of pro-anorexia websites presents an opportunity for tech entrepreneurs to create tools and services that monitor and limit access to these sites to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease.
Industry Implications
1. Mental Health - The prevalence of anorexia in the fashion industry, and the negative impact it has on mental health, presents an opportunity for mental health professionals, clinics, and support groups to create innovative treatments and services to help those struggling with disordered eating.
2. Fashion - The negative impact of anorexia on the fashion industry presents an opportunity for fashion designers, organizations, and models to promote body positivity and create clothing lines that celebrate all body types.
3. Technology - The rise of pro-anorexia websites presents an opportunity for technology companies to create tools and services that help prevent the spread of this dangerous disease and provide resources for those who are struggling.