The press tour for 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' addressed the sexism surrounding the industry in a way that was much more enlightening than every before and these gender-bending superheroes hope to continue the conversation. Created by Agnes of Disimilis, a young artist based in Hungary, the artworks essentially recast the main characters in Avengers. For instance, Jennifer Lawrence takes over Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mila Kunis is The Hulk in Mark Ruffulo's stead.
It is in fact, the latter actor's activism that inspired these gender-bending superheroes. His call for Black Window action figures as well as taking more of the same questions directed at female cast members spurred the awareness of sexism surrounding this particular franchise. That said, the images are stunning even without such important context behind them.
Gender-Bending Superheroes
A Hungarian Teenager Reimagines the Avengers to Address Sexism
Trend Themes
1. Gender-bending Heroes - Exploring diversification of popular cult characters can offer new opportunities for brands in industries relying on character licensing.
2. Activism-inspired Artwork - Addressing social issues through art can lead to increased brand visibility and market interest, opening up channels for advocacy-focused business models.
3. Addressing Industry Misogyny - Challenging systemic sexism in creative industries can be leveraged to create new business standards and opportunities for companies striving for equality and diversity.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment Industry - Reimagining popular franchises with diverse casts can cater to audiences looking for wider representation in mainstream media, pushing the industry towards more inclusive storytelling techniques and more inclusive audiences.
2. Artistic Community - Inspiring art movements that address contemporary social and political issues can fuel an emerging market for socially-conscious art investors, potentially opening up new opportunities for curators and gallery owners who can broker sales focused on CSR values.
3. Activism and Advocacy Sector - Taking an inclusive stance when advocating for social issues can help create a wider audience for advocacy-focused organizations, pushing other sectors to follow suit and increasing awareness of cultural hegemony in business.