As the Sochi Olympics have shown us, in spite of technological developments in mass communication, a blank t-shirt still provides one of the most poignant methods of protest. As athletes and celebrities around the world wear a shirt in favour of LGBT rights, the t-shirt is more important than ever.
There are few garments as innocuous as a plain t-shirt. Aside from demonstrating the latest and most superb innovations in washing powder - one really does have to wonder how terrible washing detergent was in days gone by - the blank t-shirt has gone relatively unnoticed in geopolitical epoch that has taken place since 2000. But, as governments and Olympic representatives attempt to discern a suitable method to engineer change and express concern with the Russian state, the humble t-shirt has returned to it's function as a canvas for political slogans.
The resonance with which t-shirts can be used to rally popular movements have not gone unnoticed. Chinese authorities recently attempted to force shoppers to register their purchase of plain T-shirts. This scrupulous monitoring aimed to regulate usage. As demonstrations against a major oil refinery grew, the authorities attempted to restrict the sale of t-shirts, requiring anyone purchasing one to to disclose all their personal details.
T-shirts have long had a place in protest, turning the physique of any man into a political sandwich board. Offering all the chance to express their political disdain, philosophical beliefs or the commemoration of a cultural icon.
From 'Occupy' to 'Free Tibet' the t-shirt has provided an innovative way to openly provide support in some tricky debates.
