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| Photo Credit: NY Daily News |
Barney's New York unveiling of their upcoming holiday installation Electric Holiday has created an outrage in the new depiction of beloved Disney characters. Characters such as Minnie, Daisy and Goofy are depicted as rail-thin so they could look runway ready for the installation.
According to NY Daily News, Barney's changed the image of these Disney characters so they would look more appealing in the model world. "The standard Minnie Mouse will not look so good in a Lanvin dress. There was a moment of silence, because these characters don't change. I said, 'if we're going to make this work, we have to have a 5-foot-11 Minnie,' and they agreed. When you see Goofy, Minnie and Mickey, they are runway models." I can understand how individuals can be upset with these new depictions. Disney films captivate children's hearts and this installation is going to target a large demographic this holiday season in New York City.
From a Foucauldian standpoint, Bartkay (1988) discusses the depiction of the female body image, "Female movement, gesture, and posture must exhibit not only constriction, but grace as well, and a certain eroticism restrained by modesty." Furthermore, women are supposed stay thin throughout their lives. "Under the current tyranny of slenderness women are forbidden to become large or massive; they must take up as little space as possible." (Bartkay, 1988) These images from the latest installation suggest this is what the real Minnie Mouse should look like under fashion standards. The important aspect is that this isn't the first time there has been a distorted depiction of the female body image. The best way to guide young girls to obtain a healthy image and perspective of femininity starts with family interactions and discussion about these issues. The Chicago Tribune discusses how healthy body images start with family interactions. Chicago Tribune suggests that parents can encourage their children to be open minded of the media around them.
From a Foucauldian standpoint, Bartkay (1988) discusses the depiction of the female body image, "Female movement, gesture, and posture must exhibit not only constriction, but grace as well, and a certain eroticism restrained by modesty." Furthermore, women are supposed stay thin throughout their lives. "Under the current tyranny of slenderness women are forbidden to become large or massive; they must take up as little space as possible." (Bartkay, 1988) These images from the latest installation suggest this is what the real Minnie Mouse should look like under fashion standards. The important aspect is that this isn't the first time there has been a distorted depiction of the female body image. The best way to guide young girls to obtain a healthy image and perspective of femininity starts with family interactions and discussion about these issues. The Chicago Tribune discusses how healthy body images start with family interactions. Chicago Tribune suggests that parents can encourage their children to be open minded of the media around them.
- Help your children be conscientious of advertisements that are in the media and create a healthy discussion of how each of you feel about these representations.
- Let your daughter know that beauty is more than skin deep
- Talk to your daughter about the news to help cultivate their moral beliefs.
I can't say I'm surprised by this, and unfortunately it's sad. Why change something that is not broke, and especially the fact that they are encouraging body image to a society that already has issues with expressing this issue. Though I will say it is interesting to see not only the female characters being altered, but the male ones as well. Usually it's just the female characters or females in general being exploited.
ReplyDeleteProvocative post, Krysta! Needs to be shared with wider audience such as that available through Sociological Images or The Sociological Cinema.
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