starvinbohemian (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starvinbohemian) wrote2010-02-04 12:14 am
starvinbohemian) wrote2010-02-04 12:14 am
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Oh, Annie Leibovitz and Vanity Fair... Really?
Oh, Annie Leibovitz. I know virtually nothing about you, but every time I turn around you're at the center of some controversy. Whether it's because you've done a ridiculously racist photo shoot or an inappropriate Lolitaesque portrait of a fifteen-year-old...
And now THIS. Granted, she did not write the article for Vanity Fair's List of This Year's Up and Coming Young Actresses. But she did shoot the pictures, and all racism issues aside, the picture is literally so white that I cannot see it! I'm not being facetious when I say that the combination of such pale actresses and pale dresses on a white background burns my eyes in a way akin to staring into a light bulb. I had to read the article to realize that I was already familiar with all but one of the featured actresses due to the fact that the actresses have had their (already) white faces whitewashed by Photoshop beyond the point of recognition.
But just in case I was in the mood to feel annoyed at something beyond the fact that I've been robbed of the eyesight necessary to view what I'm sure are lovely photos of my girlcrush, Amanda Seyfried-- HERE, HERE, and HERE are articles addressing the disturbing lack of diversity in the young women spotlighted as "up and coming" this year. My burned retinas stand in agreement that there are certain actresses of a, shall we say, darker pigment than those listed that are notable omissions, such as Zoe Saldana, Freida Pinto, and Gabourey Sidibe.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to blindly locate-- by way of feeling around what I hope is my medicine cabinet-- some eye drops.
And now THIS. Granted, she did not write the article for Vanity Fair's List of This Year's Up and Coming Young Actresses. But she did shoot the pictures, and all racism issues aside, the picture is literally so white that I cannot see it! I'm not being facetious when I say that the combination of such pale actresses and pale dresses on a white background burns my eyes in a way akin to staring into a light bulb. I had to read the article to realize that I was already familiar with all but one of the featured actresses due to the fact that the actresses have had their (already) white faces whitewashed by Photoshop beyond the point of recognition.
But just in case I was in the mood to feel annoyed at something beyond the fact that I've been robbed of the eyesight necessary to view what I'm sure are lovely photos of my girlcrush, Amanda Seyfried-- HERE, HERE, and HERE are articles addressing the disturbing lack of diversity in the young women spotlighted as "up and coming" this year. My burned retinas stand in agreement that there are certain actresses of a, shall we say, darker pigment than those listed that are notable omissions, such as Zoe Saldana, Freida Pinto, and Gabourey Sidibe.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to blindly locate-- by way of feeling around what I hope is my medicine cabinet-- some eye drops.
I'm only saying this because I know way too much about Vanity Fair
And to be fair to Vanity Fair, she got her own photo shoot in the August 2009 issue here: http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/09/zoe-saldana-portfolio200909#slide=1
That doesn't speak to the other omissions, I know, or that Gabourey Sidibe didn't make the cover. They could have tried a little harder. In fact, going over previous up an coming covers is rather like playing "find the minority actress they decided to let in this year". They could have let Cate Blachette sit out a few issues and let some new blood in.
Still, for all of Leibovitz's controversy, she's still a strong photographer.
Oh, and if you like Amanda Seyfried, you might like her recast in My Man Godfrey with Channing Tatum (http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/08/30S-fashion-portfolio200908#slide=11) even though in no universe ever could Channing Tatum replace William Powell. That's just dumb.
Re: I'm only saying this because I know way too much about Vanity Fair
The problem with the argument that Zoe has already been featured is that Evan Rachel Wood, who did get put on the list, has been on the same list at least three times. Not just featured in the magazine, but on the same up and coming list. Kristen Stewart has also made the list previously. Kate Winslet was also listed three times. Plus, Cate Blanchett, etc. So, it's okay to give multiple bumps to white actresses, but the tokens only get to be tokens once? Ick.
Re: I'm only saying this because I know way too much about Vanity Fair
Re: I'm only saying this because I know way too much about Vanity Fair
Re: I'm only saying this because I know way too much about Vanity Fair
http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/08/30S-fashion-portfolio200908#slide=1
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Also the whole whitewashed thing is as old as the fashion industry itself. I think its weird that people are just coming around to this. Its a well known fact that its harder for African American models to grace covers of magazines, Tyra aside.
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Personally, I think an artist should balance their art with a certain sense of responsibility (i.e. taking into consideration if something is going to be racially offensive), but that's just opening us up to a long, college-style ethics argument. ;)
I don't think anyone is just coming around to this criticism, but I like the idea that people are finally getting called on the horrible things they do.
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I mean seriously.
(Unless "The Runaways" kicks some major ass, I still cannot ever unsee KStew as Bella. Not even after "Speak" and "Zathura," which I saw prior to Twilight... D:)
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But I get how you feel. :)
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:/