Italian Artist Uses Underwear to Fight Violence Against Women
#Briefmessage encourages people to write anti-violence messages on underwear.
— -- In an effort to raise awareness for an issue he cares about, an artist is encouraging women to put their undergarments to good use.
"Gender violence is a serious problem that can only be overcome through cultural and social education," said aleXsandro Palombo of Milan, Italy. "My work poses questions and creates reflections concerning the importance of diversity and human rights."
In his social campaign, #briefmessage, Palombo asks women on Facebook to write messages on underwear addressing potential abusers.
Since starting the movement on March 5, Palombo said he's received hundreds of photos and positive feedback from people all over the world.
"I have also received many negative messages from men who wrote against the campaign," Palombo told ABC News. "This kind of reaction is very revealing and means that the message has reached its destination and shake[n] their soul.
"In most of the campaigns to fight violence against women, I see more and more rigged and posing models -- fake and glossy pictures, as if they were fashion campaigns," he said. "We are seeing, unknowingly, to the glamorization of female violence and, in my opinion, it’s stupid and unacceptable. That's why I wanted this campaign as the exact opposite -- simple, natural, without stage effects and without filters, a simple photo made by people able to communicate a strong thought."
Palombo hopes his art can help educate the public on important social issues.
