Italian Vogue runs controversial Oil Spill inspired editorial

[mod mom]

photo slideshow here:

http://www.refinery29.com/oil-spill-fashion-photoshoot-from-vogue-italia.php/slideshow/1/image/0/

I don't know what to think drawing attention to the horrid effects of lax regulation & corrupt greed or exploitation. What do you think?

[noamnety]

1. If you're into the whole women as subhuman-dead-victim-porn

then these are quite well done.

Personally, I'm tired of that whole genre.

[rocktivity]

8. subhuman dead victim PORN?

I happen to think that a deep-water oil spill is more than obscene enough.

:(
rocktivity

[noamnety]

9. Not porn in an explicit sexual way that would be a centerfold.

but in the same way some photos/movies can be "war porn". Not sure if you've ever heard that phrase.

Italian vogue did a spread a few years back based on trying to make women look attractive as victims of police brutality. One was a takeoff of the abu ghraib photos (classic war porn):



America's next top model does this too - deliberately mixing the erotic with women as victims:



Hope that clears up any confusion about my intent.

[KittyWampus]

12. Just curious, were the women who dressed as oil-covered mermaids

at this year's Coney Island Mermaid Parade also doing "porn"? Several groups did it. One might have been Code Pink, unless I'm mistaken.



A lot of times I dislike what the fashion world comes up with when they try to make a statement but this doesn't count as porn in my world.

And also, what do you think of all the DU'ers who insist on putting hideous photos of dead and dying fish/birds in their signature lines?

[noamnety]

15. Women actively marching portrays a sense of empowerment

whereas women "arranged" to look like passive/dead eroticized victims has a whole other feel.

I'm surprised that you can't see or won't admit a difference between this:


and this:


The second one looks like a crime scene after a rape/homicide - but not a real one, a romanticized one that you'd see in a hollywood movie, designed to make the aftermath look alluring.

[KittyWampus]

19. The BP Oil Spill IS a deadly crime scene. And that doesn't look alluring to me at all.

They obviously aren't trying to sell clothes there.

Amazing how we can see a picture and have two opposite takes. But that's what makes Life interesting!

[Turbineguy]

2. Them's

some snappy duds!x(

[yellerpup]

3. Grotesque.

Fashion has been pandering to necrophiliacs for several seasons now. Who is the target of these ads? Do they mean to inspire the viewer to become an environmental activist? Fail, fail, fail, IMO.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. I think they are using Art to make a powerful statement. Kudos to Vogue.

[Safetykitten]

5. Agree completely.

[Karenina]

7. I concur. n/t

[Hannah Bell]

16. i think they're trying to sell clothes. and magazines. and their "brand".

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. you say that like its a bad thing.

[Hannah Bell]

20. lol.

[rocktivity]

6. It works for me.

If they'd actually done the shoot in the Gulf, that really would have been the crowning touch.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[KittyWampus]

13. It works for me as well. I love fashion but often dislike it when fashion makes political statements

Because they are so often tasteless or out of touch.

This is different. As I posted up thread, it's akin to the groups of women who dressed up as Mermaid Survivors of the BP Oil Spill at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade this year.

[frazzled]

10. Just more exploitation, in my view

If Vogue Italia were truly interested in documenting the oil spill for a photo-essay, they could do that without the fashion intrusion. They might as well have put a baby seal in there, too.

I love fashion, and I am committed to environmental issues. I just think the two kind of mix like ... well ... oil and water.

And finally, yes, these kinds of images are exploitative of women. Let's see a similar spread in Vogue Uomo. Believe me, the men would be portrayed not as victims but as tamers of the spill. All buff and in control, not like death warmed over. At least I think that is how it would go down.

[blogslut]

11. Hmm

In order to bring about awareness of dead and dying animals in the Gulf, they photograph oil-covered women in high-priced clothing items made from the feathers of dead birds...

Clueless. Hypocritical. Sad.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. what should one have done with those feathers?

oil-covered in solidarity with all creatures exposed. Items bought contribute to the world economy. It is sad, I agree but it is aware and in-touch with the surroundings.

[Odin2005]

17. Misogynist BS.

Typical elitist commercialized twaddle faux "activism".