Friday, 1 May 2015

Lauren Greenfield

"Acclaimed documentary photographer/filmmaker, Lauren Greenfield is considered a preeminent chronicler of youth culture, gender and consumerism, as a result of her monographs “Girl Culture,” “Fast Forward,” “THIN” and other photographic works, which have been widely published, exhibited, and collected by leading museums around the world."

Greenfields work has always been a massive influence of mine, especially when it comes to my work on body image. I studied her documentary film Thin, which focuses on four young, women that struggle with their bodies, have an extreme want to be thin and anorexia. Her documentary follows these women though their process within the center. When watching the documentary it makes you feel for the women, as you witness their frustration and the devastating pain that is inflicted on them.
Lauren Greenfield directed two a short films called Kids & Money and Beauty CuLTure. Both of these documentaries are shot between Los Angeles and New York. Within both she interview numerous of teenagers and children between the ages of 10 and 19.
Kids & Money is about the teenagers and their relationship with money. They explain the materialism that exists within their world. How you look and how expensive your belongings are will set you out for life. It is how you make your friends and how people see your life progressing. Within the documentary we hear from rich to poor children, addressing how they are shaped by this culture of consumerism.
Beauty CuLTure on the other hand is based around the definition of beauty in contemporary society, and the influence that media messages has on the female body image.
I found both documentary’s very interesting, because of the insight you get into these teenagers lives. What I find most interesting is that even though these people live in completely different world to us when it comes to money, the issue of consumerism is the same worldwide. What is produced and pushed in the media is set out to be the next big thing and instantly people want it..


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