ARRESTED MOVEMENT
DENIZ AKKAYA
In the last decade, ‘body-positivity’ has become an important cultural dialogue. People not only discussed how important it is to be represented, but also how images in the media affect self-image and therefore mental health.
While most dialogues about body positivity focus on female bodies, which are more objectified and undoubtedly much more visible, it is unlikely to see the same dialogues about the male body. The beginning of this dialogue is of great importance especially for queer men.
While it is true that for hundreds or even thousands of years, women have been harshly judged by society about their appearance, today men suffer from exactly the same problem. Over the past few years, men around the world have relentlessly flocked to gyms, and this has gone beyond just worrying about staying fit and healthy.
Men have always had to conform to certain norms of masculinity. The fact that men are put in a kind of “protector” pattern that does not cry, break, and does not ask anyone for help, regardless, is also, of course, a result of patriarchy. Growing up under the yoke of patriarchy, without any emotion, male individuals brought a brand new term to the 21st century: toxic masculinity.
The photographic series Arrested Movement by photographer Anthony Patrick Manieri is of the kind that exudes toxic masculinity. In recent years, the desire to create a dialogue around body positivity has been recognized in the media as a women’s issue, but it is a human issue. Men should be involved in the same dialogue; we should create a holistic dialogue about loving and accepting ourselves, and with it, we should also create a change in our social consciousness.
Fashion and portrait photographer Anthony Patrick Manieri noticed that many of his clients were uncomfortable with their bodies and mentioned parts of them that had to be hidden or photoshopped at the end of the shoots. Patrick eventually realized that these conversations were made by male models and male clients. Television, movies, commercials and social media constantly shows us people with “perfect” bodies and “perfect” images in general. What we see in these channels has negative effects on our self-esteem, telling us that we are not perfect and that we need to change.
Arrested Movement is an inclusive awareness initiative and portrait series celebrating and promoting body positivity for men. On set, Manieri made it his priority to make them feel empowered and express themselves freely on set.
We recommend that you check out this amazing photo series!
