InVisible I 2010

In-Visible I - Visibilizing sexism through language.

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The photographic project IN-VISIBLE is a critique to the sexist way of thinking embedded in Mexican and other Latino societies. I aim to raise awareness about the way language is used as a way of perpetuating Machismo, being rooted in the core of our most common thoughts and sayings. Society is shaped through language; the way in which we use words to name the world is a reflection of the way we perceive it and the language we speak is what molds our thoughts and beliefs. 

In-visible/PHASE 1 portrays Latin American individuals with different phrases tattooed over their bodies. These phrases are ones we use on a regular basis in Mexico, some of them are subtler than others, but they all have the essence of a sexist way of thinking. It is through the repetition of these phrases that Macho concepts are embedded in people’s consciousness, which later on translate into psychological or physical violence. People are raised with a line of thought in which “All men are the same,” “This is not a game for girls,” or doing certain things are considered “gay” because they are thought to be exclusively feminine, consequently feeding misogyny. 
I intend to make the viewer reflect about how this kind of upbringing affects us both men and women and I believe that we need to question our ways in order to reshape society. By playing with the concept of tattooing, In-visible creates a visual metaphor in which the individuals portrayed are psychologically tattooed by the every day phrases they have written on their skin.  
By eliminating certain phrases, rethinking the way we use language and renaming the world in an inclusive, non-misogynistic and more equalitarian way, we can start changing people’s mindset.The photographs are printed in offset, in a rotary printing press on newspaper, there are 8,000 pieces, 2,000 for each of the different four images.  This technique was chosen because the material is something familiar to everyone; spectators will be encouraged to take a free photograph, giving them the opportunity to own an original art work.