There are emojis in all shapes and colours: for every imaginable mood, every imaginable age, for various activities and nationalities. Yet for something that shapes so many people, indeed something that actually concerns more than half of the entire human population, there is no emoji expression at all! If you search for an emoji with glasses, you will find exactly two: the one in disguise and the “cool” one, with sunglasses who, although quite likable, ultimately still just reminds us of Brainy Smurf.
Due to his glasses, the supposedly super-intelligent nerd, Brainy earns a certain amount of admiration. Yet unlike all the other Smurfs, especially the beautiful Smurfette who would never "disfigure" her pretty face with glasses, he remains inevitably an outsider.
Let's
FACE
This is what lack of representation, and representation like this, teaches us.
Only when sweet Clark Kent, whom women love to mother, throws off his glasses, does he become Superman, capable of protecting the whole world from all evil. Lo and behold with the absence of glasses, no one recognises him anymore!
Countless such examples could be cited – we all know them. Therein lies the problem, these stories shape our consciousness and our self-perception, making so many of us believe that we are not "normal," do not fit the ideals of beauty, conformity, masculinity and coolness.
But this must eventually come to an end!
the new
normal!
It is time to no longer let outdated clichés dictate what is normal and what is not, and instead, finally show the world our true faces!
Concept incl. Slogans: Franziska Korun
Photography and Graphic Design: Natalia Gorsha
* Photo Kristjan Čeh: Proelium Sports Agency
Editing: Natalia Gorsha
With heartfelt thanks to Kristjan Čeh, the true Superman, who has supported the campaign from day one!
With kind support for the collection of data on myopia and hyperopia by Wolfgang Hannbeck
English Translation: Caoimhe Gallagher