Not Otherwise Specified
an exhibition project on eating disorders
instructor: Tim Durfee
class: Communication Design 2 . summer 2008 . term 3
8 to 10 million people in America are estimated to have an eating disorder. Approximately 90% are female and the other 10-15% are male. The majority of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12–25 years. The prevalence of these eating disorders is difficult to determine because secrecy is a common component of the problem. Even here at Art Center College of Design, eating disorders are an unaddressed or unspoken issue among students and the administration.
Not Otherwise Specified is an exhibition project about eating disorders. Using the affordances of Art Center as a space, statistics, testimonials and definitions were placed around various areas of school. The designated areas were intentionally chosen because of their particular correlation to the subject matter.
The intention of the exhibition was not to define eating disorders, but rather, to make viewers more conscious of the severities of eating disorders, as well as to break down any myths about the disorders and the people who have them. By placing information in the context of a specific space (i.e. in front of the library or on a vending machine full of chips and candy), the information became more relevant to the Art Center community.
In order to inform viewers further about the various eating disorders, I went around school several times and passed out flyers that contained definitions of 5 eating disorders as well as more detailed information on each of the exhibition points. This was a good experience in that I had to present the work to students, staff and visitors and I felt it was another way of enticing people to take part in furthering their understanding of the exhibition points.
The exhibition was only up for about one and a half days, but it seemed to be well-received by the Art Center community. For me, this exhibit was not only a way to present a pressing issue, but was a chance to promote an often unspoken topic often swept under the rug or discounted as a something not relevant to our community.
If I had a chance, I'd like to push an exhibition such as this further by adding more locations as well as by including more information on a macro level (i.e. dispersing other objects, packets or flyers or by producing information that is on a different scale that allows participants to come closer or engage themselves differently). I would also like to create a feedback component or a space for people to share their thoughts or reflections.
On a final note, I'd just like to thank those who inspired this project and for people who have been able to tell me their stories and struggles with eating disorders.
Here are more photos of the exhibition:
