LOOk at me
The Western (European) tradition of clothing intends to shape the body in order to communicate a constructed, extreme image of the body. The japanese tradition of apparel tries to hide the body, building a new cubic one.
The history of women's dress shows that there has always been an objectification of the body in both cultures. In japanese culture it was stigmatized as ugly while the western tradition sexualised it to an irresponsible, entertaining toy of men.
Society treats the body (in particular the female body) like a sculptor, who forms glyphs out of lifeless material. Especially the Fashion industry has become a symbol for this process. The body has been modelled, contracted, padded, et cetera ever and anon.
Pictures: MArlene Haase
Model: Katharina Achterkamp
