Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Ben Atherton-Zeman - Feminist, Actor and Husband" <>]

I received this yesterday and went to the website - warning: I found the 
photos to be very violent and disturbing!  

Then I wrote the staff of the website and my letter is pasted below this 
article from Sam Diener.  - Ben


  posted on the Peacework Blog on 2007-08-11, 
http://www.peaceworkmagazine.org/node/693 ;


  Protest Photos of Mutilated Naked Women to Sell Shoes
  By Peacework Co-Editor Sam Diener


  The images in this photo spread in V Magazine's July 20, 2007 issue have 
been manipulated to portray decapitated and mutilated women stuffed into 
photos of expensive high heel shoes. One characteristic or even definition of 
pornography, as opposed to erotica, as defined by feminist anti-pornography 
activists , is that it sells the idea that violence, especially violence 
against women, is sexy.


  V's web promos for this pornographic cross between editorial content and 
advertising explicitly claim that their depiction of hacked-up women is sexy. 
V called the piece, "Foot Fetish." According to the V website, in this 
layout, "Photographer Bela Borsodi points his lens at the season's hottest 
heels. Shoes have never been this sexy." 
  They further try to joke, "To get into Fall's most exciting shoes, you 
really have to go out on a limb."

  I left a message for one of V's editors who I was told was on vacation and 
has not yet returned my call. An employee who answered the phone at V said 
they have received other complaints about the piece. 

  To protest, contact V Magazine , at 212-274-8959, or the shoe companies 
depicted in the advertorial, asking them to disavow using depictions of 
violence against women to sell their shoes: Diesel, Prada, D&G, Balenciago by 
Nicolas Ghesquière, Tod's, Dior by John Galliano, Calvin Klein, Giuseppe 
Zanotti, and Bally. 

Additional note from Ben: I wrote this to Christopher Bartley on Sunday night 
- he's the Web Editorial contact person from their website - email 
.
  I also CCd it to Print advertising Jorge Garcia: 

 and Web Design and Production Strath Shepard 

  We'll see if and how they respond.  

Dear Mr. Bartley:

I am writing to urge you to change the photo spread entitled "Foot Fetish."  
I'm certain it was not your *intent* to trivilize violence against women, but 
I've been working with victims of violence for years and I was revolted by 
them, especially by the decapitated woman.  I don't think this is a matter of 
artistic preference - I think these photos really do cross a line.

On a positive note - this is a great opportunity for you folks at V to take a 
stand against violence against women.  If you respond to this by changing the 
images, and stating why you did so, you'll be sending a clear message and 
taking leadership that other magazines will be sure to follow.

I look forward to your response.  Thanks!  


Until the violence stops, Ben.  

Ben Atherton-Zeman, Acton MA USA
Actor, Comedian, Feminist and Husband
Presenting a One-Man Play: "Voices of Men," www.voicesofmen.org (video clips 
take a second to load)
Booking information: 978-263-3254

Quotes of the Month, August, 2007:

"Build Bridges, Not Bombs" (a sign my mom made 8/3/07 that is now posted in 
her front yard)

"I refuse to call it sex, or any other word I'm supposed to say, encouraged 
to say on the stand, because to me that's committing perjury.  What happened 
to me was rape, it was not sex." - Tory Bowen, rape survivor, after the 
Lancaster County, Nebraska judge barred the use of the word "rape" in the 
courtroom.  Support Tory - sign the petition at 
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freespeechforsurvivors/