All Images by Clara Giaminardi. Used with Permission.
Clara Giaminardi, always a creative soul, grew up wanting to be a writer but around age 16 discovered photography and it was all over after that. While studying at University in Milan, and later upon moving to London, Giaminardi was fascinated by the idea of fashion photography and its power to shape the narrative of the world in which we live. “In this constant, complex dialogue, I have become obsessed with the body, and how it can be represented and represent itself within contemporary discourses of gender equality and diversity.” Giaminardi says as she begins to explain the ideas behind her Manifesto for a New Objectification project.
“’Manifesto‘ is about embracing the body as equal to the mind, and exploring how that can interact with society’s ideas of gender and diversity.” Giaminardi says of the project, which she hopes to use as a medium to help shift the fashion world from one objectification to one of empowerment. “Fashion is a mirror of our society, and photography can express that, [or] subvert it. It can be an instrument of change.” she notes.
The general public have been more interested than ever before in what is going on with the images and themes they see from the fashion world, leading to regular outcries over extreme use of Photoshop, unrealistic body image, and over sexualization. “The community discussion of body politics, gender, sexuality, diversity, identity is leaking out to make wider society a better place. Manifesto is an exploration of how notions of body and gender can be redefined in fashion media.” Giaminardi states.
Generally a Zenza Bronica medium format film shooter, Giaminardi created her Manifesto project with her Nikon digital gear. “While the choice of digital or film does in fact alter the workflow and relation between the photographer and the subject in many cases, I do not believe in over stressing the importance of what brand or lens or specific digital gear was used for a project.” she noted when asked about how she created the series.
The images in Manifesto for a New Objectification are bold, interesting. You can check out a selection of the images below, and make sure to check out more of Giaminardi’s work on her Behance profile.
