Artist Invites Skaters To ‘Destroy Women’s Faces’ At Photo Exhibition
Yes, you read that correctly. In September 2020, artist Erik Kessels adorned the floor of a skatepark with the faces of womxn who had underwent plastic surgery and invited skaters to skate over them, slowly destroying their image in the name of art.
The exhibition took place at the Breda Photo Festival in The Netherlands and after outcry on social media and an open letter from 15 artists and arts organization challenging the violent misogynistic theme, Kessels apologised and the festival removed the exhibition. But how was this project ever signed off in the first place and most importantly, why?
Images from the exhibition were shared on Instagram by the artist, the festival and the venue hosting it, Pier15. After the first day Kessels posted an image with visible damage to one of the women’s faces entitling it, ‘Status after one day of skating.’ The project is framed as a take on the impact of cosmetic surgery in society, stating on the exhibition page, ‘As easy as they were once made beautiful, as easy they are now destroyed.’ The images, which were created by an algorithm depict womxn who underwent plastic surgery to enhance their face. The exhibition page states that men were also used and Kessel’s claims that through this algorithm that images were democratically chosen, but it seems that it was only the faces of women who were deemed worthy of destroying.
Kessel has faced significant backlash, the open letter penned by 15 artists and arts organisations challenged the violent nature of the piece, stating that, ‘in today’s polarised climate: a climate where violent tendencies against women don’t just stop at being ‘problematic’ or somebody being ‘cancelled’ – but have very real and harmful effects on half of the population of this planet.’ One of the most poignant objections from the open letter was the use of a public space to hold such an exhibition: a space which should be free and open to all, yet which encouraged skaters to destroy women’s faces, hardly sounds inviting to anyone not a cis male. The open letter gained signatures from skateboarding organisations, art curator duo The White Pube and was effective in having the project finally closed on September 15th.
The response from the skateboard park bears no responsibility to the seriousness of this exhibition. Whilst offering an apology, they defended their interpretation of the project stating, ‘We see that the work of Erik Kessels has been interpreted differently than the dialogue that the work was meant to start.’ They still seem unaware of the dangerous message behind their piece and do not consider that many skateboarders who aren’t cis male face rampant discrimination and catcalling when trying to enjoy their sport. It’s therefore unbelievable that a venue would want to further alienate and disrespect them even further. On Instagram people didn’t hold back in the comments with some stating, ‘Like skateparks aren’t misogynistic enough,’ and ‘So entitled and so harmful for you to reinforce the idea that you have some say over what women do with their bodies’.
And they couldn’t be more right, this project was signed off because judging and shaming womxn’s appearances is second nature. Womxn’s bodies are constantly scrutinised, in the media, amongst our peers, and by men who are hellbent on moulding us into their own version of beautiful for the male gaze. Demonising and targeting womxn who have had plastic surgery, implying their beauty won’t last and can be destroyed by others, is dangerous, inciteful and downright vile. I can’t help but question if any womxn were consulted in this process and if it ever occurred to any of these organisations or artists the real lasting damage inciting this violent act would create.
It’s the year 2020, and things like this are still happening, still being justified and still being signed off. I am thankful that due to the power of social media and the open letter, that the voices of reason rang loud and clear into this misogynistic echo chamber. If anything, this has taught us, that although these horrendous things seem to keep on happening, as a community we can unite to ensure it is stopped, but hopefully one day we won’t have to.
Written by Sarah Rose
Sarah Rose is a freelance writer from Belfast who writes about all things pelvic pain. She uses her Instagram platform mypelvicpain to share her journey with endometriosis and raise awareness around this condition and its impact on her life. Sarah’s sole aim is to help others and ensure that no one ever has to suffer in silence again.