BODY POSITIVE
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
25 NOVEMBER 2021
Millions of women around the world face, every day, the judgement of time, society, their friends, relatives, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers, both in real life and - increasingly - on social networks. On the occasion of the ‘International Day Against Violence Against Women’, we address the topic of ‘body shaming’, one of the most fraudulent forms of abuse, most prevalent in the age of digital communication. ‘Body Positive’ is the name of the movement born in 2010 to break down the standards of beauty imposed by the media to make every body recognise its own value in its natural diversity. The theme is tackled with multiple approaches, from different points of view and analysing its impact in the various spheres of social life: from politics to art, passing through sport, work, fashion and much more, thanks to the testimonies of the speakers who shed light on the widespread impact of a growing phenomenon. Together with radio broadcaster Fabiana Sera, many different female figures, to analyse the issue from different angles: city councillor and former deputy mayor of Naples Alessandra Clemente, singer Monica Sarnelli, Dr. Iolanda Agliata, actress Anna Capasso, lawyers Paola Del Giudice and Mariagrazia Santosuosso, artist Annalaura di Luggo, Trussardi chief brand officer Antonella di Pietro, influencer Marica Ferrillo, entrepreneurs Marika Franco and Antonella La Porta, LGBT+ rights activist Chiara Piccoli and psychologist Valeria Vittorini.
Life is certainly made up of judgments made and received, yet for women it is different. Women, whatever the topic, punctually pay an unbearable extra: to be judged again and again, even for their own bodies. For women there is always an unwanted ‘extra’, be it for beauty, especially when the judgement becomes an unwelcome and unsolicited appreciation, or for shapes or features that do not conform to socially accepted standards. The Body Positive Movement is the antidote. A lot of work needs to be done both socially and culturally to accept, value, love and respect one's own body and that of others. This process also passes through the mass media, through the models they disseminate widely in the collective imagination and consciousness. Body Positive works to ensure that every type of body is adequately represented, so that there is no longer any discrimination.
In collaboration with the Jus Museum, emblematic works by contemporary artists who have used photography and the body to interpret different identities or stereotypes are exhibited: Nobuyoshi Araki, Annalaura di Luggo, Dorothea Lange, Yasumasa Morimura, Shirin Neshat, Stefania Romano, Cindy Sherman, Francesca Woodman.
