As a photographer and as an anorexic woman photographer, I’ve always used expressionists ways, and border-line ways to express myself with

my photographs since 1977.

I didn’t choose the easy way, the aseptic way, the fashion way to tell the implacable illness I had to deal with, and the exceptional gift of anorexia: sharp-eye, acute lucidity, specific search in the Absolute.

At the age of 17, I began my self-portraits, without fear and superficiality, trying to connect with my authentic life.

It was in 1982, my first exhibition in Galerie 666, rue Maître Albert, Paris 4ème, was a time bomb, because nobody told about anorexia, expect Valérie Valère or Sheila MacLeod and Julia Kristeva.

The secret language of anorexia became public and it was the first time, anorexic self-portraits

were showed in a Gallery (Galerie 666 – PARIS ) in the world. (Gallery closed in 1988)

Today many pseudo artists play with the subject which has became a growth niche.

And now the subject is sterilized and covered up with esthetic commercial pictures they’ve been sold in Art fairs.

But the tortured soul of anorexia is still here and stays helpless and uncontrollable.

I tried to enter my work on wikipedia in order to participate to the "community".

I was immediately rejected, because I work on the reasons of anorexia and not on the effects.

In addition of this, I’ve watched a program on TV about Stockholm solution

in a specialized clinic for anorexic daughters of wealthy families, which was the perfect demonstration of a growth business.

That’s only industry, diet clinic industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_zajjRbyEo&feature=related

I’ve seen pictures made by deutsch photographer Yvonne Thein.

[These pictures were "intended as a mocking and satirical take on pro-ana".

But these pictures have been nevertheless used as inspiration by anorexic persons. Wikipedia ]

That means for me, these double edged pictures equivocate deliberately.

Because I think this photographer is in love with anorexic allure.

When I took a close look about these pictures, I realized they were a plagiary of my work

" Series BM1-BM2 and BN" from february 2008.

http://www.aliceodilon.com/Pages/Alice%20Odilon%20Images%202008%20BN.html

http://www.aliceodilon.com/Pages/Alice%20Odilon%20Images%202008%20BM1.html

The obvious plagiary is flagrant.

She just copied my pictures.

She stole ideas, style, form, look and feel, identity of my work, my author’s rights

with her total witting plagiary of my work.

For me the reason of this big mistake is she’s not anorexic and she speaks about something she doesn’t know.

She just used the symbol of extreme sharp thinness and the shield of virginity

and beauty of "blé en herbe" because she deeply, aspired to this buried, concealed estheticism.

There is only a question of myth of inaccesible abstract beauty.

In my opinion, if she wanted to denounce pro-ana websites,

she had to show real body of anorexic persons and not this soft, clean, coquettish "verdict".

Because the reality of anorexic body is:

( Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anorexia_nervosa)

    * Stunted growth

    * Endocrine disorder, leading to cessation of periods in females (amenorrhoea)

    * Decreased libido; impotence in males

     * Abnormalities of mineral and electrolyte levels in the body

    * Thinning of the hair

    * Growth of lanugo hair over the body

    * Constantly feeling cold

    * Constipation

    * Abnormalities of mineral and electrolyte levels

    * Zinc deficiency

    * Potassium deficiency

    * Refeeding syndrome

    * Reduction in white blood cell count

    * Reduced immune system function

    * Pallid complexion and sunken eyes

    * Patulous eustachian tube

    * Creaking joints and bones

    * Osteoporosis

    * Collection of fluid in ankles during the day and around eyes during the night or peripheral oedema

    * Tooth decay

    * Dry skin. Dry or chapped lips

      In cases of extreme weight loss, there can be nerve deterioration, leading to difficulty in moving the feet

    * Headaches

    * Brittle fingernails

    * Bruising easily

    * Fragile appearance

    * Slowing of the growth rate of breasts

    * Clinical depression

    * Social withdraw or being anti-social

    * Self-harm, substance abuse or suicide attempts

       with a constant terrible suffering overwhelming body and soul.       

       Superficiality is not proper.

       Alice ODILON