Background
Upon researching about gender inequalities, the artist realised that misogyny is perhaps a large part of the cause of body insecurity among women. As someone who suffers from (and knows many who suffer from) body image issues, the artist felt heavily compelled to create a project revolving around body insecurities and eating disorders.
Body insecurity affects many people. Despite being so widespread, it is still not taken seriously. There is a lack of awareness on the inner turmoil of those who actually suffer from body insecurities, and how it can negatively affect one's mental and physical health via means of depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, etc.
With this project, the artist hopes that those who suffer from body dysmorphia and eating
disorders can feel seen and understood, while hoping that those who do not suffer from
them can more deeply understand how it affects victims and perhaps be more willing
to give a second thought before passing a mindless comment on somebody's body,
or making fun of those who suffer from these debilitating disorders.
The artist chose to use colors and visual effects to represent the feeling of
the main character rather than words, as many people suffering from the
illness find it hard to put their feelings into words as well. Additionally,
it can appeal to a wider audience, as more people would be able to
see what it would feel like to suffer from body dysmorphia.
The Project
is a transmedia project, with 3 main narratives - a short animation, a zine and an interactive role-playing Instagram page. They aim to present to people the struggle and suffering of people with body insecurities and eating disorders, and to tell those who can relate to it that they are not alone.
The narratives follow Liriel, a 15-turning-16 year old girl who strives to be beautiful. She spends her time participating in social media, and has developed a following for herself as a social media influencer. Unfortunately, it only serves to worsen her body insecurities and even led her to develop body dysmorphia and eating disorders.
The animation tells the story of Liriel spiralling down the endless hole that is body insecurity. It uses visual effects to portray her desperation and obsession with becoming beautiful.
The zine explores her childhood and tween years, and also tackles some of the situations she faces in her teenage years but with a different method of expression.
The interactive role-playing Instagram page fills in the gaps of the animation. It shows how Liriel portrays herself online and how easy it is for anorexic/body dysmorphic people to hide their inner turmoil on social media, as if nothing is wrong.
Primary target audience: young girls and women aged 16-30 who are or were ever insecure about their body
Secondary target audience: people who do not know how social media and the patriarchy can cause impressionable young girls to feel insecure about their body and how destructive it can be.
Mood: Manic, bright yet depressing when you think about it
Setting: Liriel's house, bathroom, hospital
Genre: Tragedy, growing up
Body Dysmorphia & Eating Disorders
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder characterized
by the obsessive idea that some aspect of one's own body part or
appearance is severely flawed and therefore warrants exceptional
measures to hide or fix it.
People who suffer from BDD might develop eating disorders,
such as bulimia or anorexia. Eating disorders are defined by
abnormal eating patterns (starving, binge-eating, etc.) that
affects one's mental or physical health.
Many who suffer from these disorders still face much stigma, and
those who do not suffer from them lack awareness and knowledge
of how to help or treat those who do.
96% of women suffer from having bad self-image, many of whom begin
to have such negative thoughts since before they were 12 years of age. 54% say
that they are having/had body dysmorphia before. With such high numbers, it is disappointing to see the lack of coverage and seriousness regarding these subjects.
For more information about body dysmorphia and eating disorders, check out:
- The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation at https://bddfoundation.org/
- AWARE's information on eating disorders at https://www.aware.org.sg/information/eating-disorders/
If you or a loved one are ever feeling any suicidal thoughts due to BDD or eating disorders, or just need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to call a helpline:
- AWARE Women's Helpline: 1800 777 5555
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1800 221 4444