IT IS MORE OF A BLESSING TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE – Munich-based photographer Rosi Offenbach visualizes an image of women beyond a binary gender concept in an exclusive story for THE METALHEAD.
“In our photography, we aspire to visualize an image of women beyond a binary gender concept. A binary gender model aims at the assumption of gender identity which is restricted to opposite poles, male and female, and is not shifting on an infinitely diverse spectrum scale. Moreover, within such a concept, certain established qualities are attributed to the two rigid poles, e.g. strength, superiority and power are described as typically male, whereas beauty, softness and care are regarded as typically female.
In a subtle way, those stereotypical attributions promote and entrench the structural, unequal treatment of women by conveying an image of women which is aimed at subjugation. For centuries, this cultural narrative has enabled a distribution of gender roles in which women are subordinate to men. And even today, it affects society. In spite of legal equality (in theory), this idea touches upon several areas of life, for example pay, financial recognition for raising children and private care work or even the amount of pension paid.
We want to show an image of women who are, at the same time, relentless, hard, superior and strong fighters, but nonetheless graceful, beautiful and soft. We point out the fact that rigid attributions of qualities on the basis of biological sex cannot be sustained and cannot be applied to individuals. They are in fact instruments of a perpetuation of systemic discrimination against women. Presenting Amalia Mazarello, a successful athlete and boxer, allowed us to visually illustrate our artistic concept. We show Amalia as a person who embodies a fighting spirit, strength, superiority, power, visual appeal and gentleness all at the same time.”
Rosi Offenbach fotografiert Model Amalia Azzarello für das METALHEAD Magazin im Boxwerk München - Styling und Art Direction Norbert SÜTÖ und Hair & Makeup Tamara KRANER, beide Artists c/o LES ARTISTS by Josef Stockinger. GoSee : metalhead-mag.com/rosi-offenbach
About – The Metalhead is an online platform created by German photographers Anastasia & Sasha Laukart. The visual platform is made for photographers and creators who want to explore the world of modern photography, young culture, subcultures and serve as a source of inspiration. If you have hungry eyes that want to explore, see, and you want to grow as an artist – welcome to this blend of photography, art and fashion.