The pursuit and appreciation of beauty is an inherent human activity. Though philosophical questions concerning the nature, purpose, and even possibility of beauty in our contemporary world are debatable, the effects of monolithic Western beauty and fashion ideals are not. The documentary film The Illusionists (52 minutes run time) examines the spread of unattainable global standards of beauty, and the idealized, digitized media images that sell the illusion of a better, more beautiful self. The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design is sponsoring the screening of The Illusionists, followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Nancy Rudd, chair of the Body Image Health Task force at the Ohio State University, along with Dr. Jennifer Maher from the Gender Studies department and Dr. Radhika Parameswaran from Journalism at Indiana University. Panel members will explore and are known for their research and pedagogy regarding these unattainable and misleading images found in fashion media, video games, films, television and pornography and their effects on women, and increasingly, men and children as well.
This event is part of Themester 2016, an initiative of the IU College of Arts and Sciences.

Cost: Free

For more information contact:

Tracy Bee
(812) 856-7183
[email protected]