The Body as a Political Site - Web Sources

Body politics, or issues to do with the body are a strong theme in today’s society. This is shown through almost every medium we come across.  Oliviero Toscani, an Italian photographer has been known to create controversy by exploiting a wide range of body politics.  For example, when working for the company “United Colours of Benneton” in the 80’s and 90’s, he designed many different Ad campaigns, some of which contained racial undertones.  He used racism and the taboo’s associated with the subject to create images that one would certainly not associate with buying a jumper. This tactic, although shocking, turned the clothing company into a household name.

Toscani delved into body politcs once again in 2007 when he creating the following image of Isabelle Caro.

This image sparked outrage and was part of a global campaign entitled: “No Anorexia”. The fashion industry had been in the spotlight over anorexia since the 2006 death of a 21 year old Brazilian model who had died from the eating disorder. Contrary to what one might expect, the fashion industry largely praised the work. The outrage however came from groups who were working with anorexic women. They claimed that the image did a disservice to those afflicted with the disorder. ABA, the Italian association against anorexia, bulimia and obesity, said the "devastating" image risked making women want to emulate Caro to get publicity and visibility.  Subsequently, the Ad was banned in Italy.

"There isn't such a thing as a shocking picture," he continues, "there is shocking reality that is being reproduced through photography to the people who aren't there.”    -Oliviero Toscani