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| Sports Illustrated photo |
The latest
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is getting a lot of heat, and for good reason. The magazine's attempt at making an international issue instead turned out to be a slew of photos using human beings as exotic props.
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Sports Illustrated Photo
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The two above photos were both taken in Guangxi, China. The contrast between white and color, East and West is clear. The models are not part of the surroundings and the native peoples are only part of the scenery.
Jezebel has done an excellent job breaking down the photos and the way they objectify the people in them.
However, I was bothered by
Jezebel lumping the
Sports Illustrated photos with
these images from a J. Crew catalog that came out last summer.
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| J. Crew catalog cover from June 2012 |
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| Inside shot of J. Crew catalog, June 2012 |
The J. Crew photos actually remind me a lot of photos I have taken over the years since I started living in China.
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| Me with students |
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| Seth with Students |
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| Me with Karen hill tribe girl in Thailand |
I actually really like the J. Crew photos. The pictures look like the couple is actually on vacation in casual clothes as opposed to skimpy bikinis. The couple are behind the local people and interact with them. The woman has her hand on a child's shoulder in both pictures. All the people in the pictures are close together and share the stage with the temple serving as background. The J. Crew photo team obviously spent more time making the clothes and models become part of the location instead of standing in contrast to it like the Sports Illustrated issue.
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| "Texas Maiden" - National Geographic |
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| Ethiopian Woman - National Geographic |
But what about the photos I (and the thousands of other teachers and tourists) have taken in other countries of local people? What about
National Geographic magazine? It has built an empire on publishing photos of exotic peoples like the ones above. When does the genuine desire to share our world with each other become exploitation? Undoubtedly, the photographers for
Sports Illustrated didn't intend to publish a highly racist issue, but why are those photos unacceptable but the photos for J. Crew,
National Geographic, and the photos of tourists OK? I don't think I have a clear answer to that. There are certainly
aspects of the
Sports Illustrated pictures that are offensive, but not the intent. Some people also find the J. Crew images offensive, though I don't. And I know there are some people who refuse to visit the Karen hill tribes of Thailand because they believe the camps are exploitative, but I found it hugely educational and am proud of the pictures I took there. Where does the line of exploitation begin and end? Unfortunately for
Sports Illustrated, sometimes we can only know if we have crossed that line after we have done it.
I recognize the area and fisherman in the Guangzi photo -It is on the small pond in Yangshou - I also had my photo taken with him - I had to pay 5 yuan for the privilege so he was probably exploiting the tourists. I do understand you post - the difference in dress & poses makes it feel disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look for him the next time I go to Yangshuo.I hope he charged SI more than 5 kuai!
DeleteI think the difference is that we know that how the swimsuit model is dressed is taboo in China. A chinese woman would never appear so naked in front of an old uncle. It would be improper and disrespectful. His feelings about the situation are totally disregarded. Therefore it is correct to say he is being exploited even if he does charge to have his picture taken with touists. Sports Illustrated will rake in millions more due to that picture. I see nothing wrong with the J. Crew pictures. The swimsuit however is not overtly skimpy, and on an American beach would be quite acceptable. Your pictures from China are wonderful Amanda. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete"A Chinese woman would never appear so naked in front of an old uncle. It would be improper and disrespectful. His feelings about the situation are totally disregarded."
DeleteThat is a really good point. While there are bikini models in China, they are usually at car shows and you wouldn't see anyone on the beach or river dressed that way, especially if she was there with older people.
to me the bikini models look grossly out of place... both the pictures would be great but for the models.
ReplyDelete