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| Advertisements in South Korea for Plastic Surgery are now Everywhere |
In the context of cosmetic surgery, I contemplate whether "going under the needle" is a form of art or just an act of conformation to society. When Dr. Vesna brought up Orlan, the artist who used plastic surgery to define herself and engage in the idea of what is beauty, I was fascinated. So I did some research. In an interview for the guardian Orlan answers to the question, "Is it your aim to change the idea of beauty?" :
"I am not sure I can change such a thing, but I can produce images that are different from those we find in comics, video games, magazines and TV shows. There are other ways to think about one's body and one's beauty...."
It's ironic because Orlan is sending a powerful message that we are in control of our beauty and that we don't need to look like the front cover model in order to be beautiful. However, too much control that comes with technology is causing society to do the opposite. If art is a form of expression and people are changing their faces to look the way they want, yet they all want the same big eyes and sharp jaws, is it still art? In this sense, is aesthetic-use technology homogenizing our people and causing unoriginality as mentioned by Walter Benjamin? Genetic cloning can relate to this too.
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| Realisation Orlan |
In the beginning of the 20th century, you weren't really considered a "doctor " if you used technology. Now, we don't even see our doctors during 90% of our appointments because they have been replaced by these tools. Instead of no longer being doctors, I think that technology causes them to be less of artists, since they are engaging in the art of the body less.
This week, a few artists caught my eye. Kevin Warwick studies the direct interaction between software and the human nerves and has self implanted a chip under his skin, enabling him to control lights and heaters. On the other hand, Virgil Wong's artwork was very practical to me and is something I am interested in. He has designed websites and posters, and I feel that artistic skills are critical in the science world. It is important to be able to illustrate and market science to the general public, and art is the perfect tool for that.
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| Phineasmap Web Portal Shows Incredible Interactive Illustrations to Demonstrate Health Issues |
Resources:
"Kevin Warwick - Home Page." Kevin Warwick - Home Page. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.kevinwarwick.org>.
Marx, Patricia. "The World Capital of Plastic Surgery." The New Yorker. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/23/about-face>.
Medicine pt2.mov. Dr. Victoria Vesna. Youtube. Uconlineprogram, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
"Orlan's Art of Sex and Surgery." Theguardian. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jul/01/orlan-performance-artist-carnal-art>.
"Orlan's Philosophy of Carnal Art." Carnal Art. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://oldsite.english.ucsb.edu/faculty/ecook/courses/eng114em/carnal.htm>.
"Phineasmap Web Portal." Virgil Wong. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://virgilwong.com/portfolio/phineasmap-web-portal/>.
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Hello Eunice! As a Korean, I really can tell how people overuse plastic surgeries to meet the standard of "beauty" defined by the social media.
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed out, I never knew that plastic surgery temerged from WW1 to treat the soldiers' wounds and reconstruct their faces. I also found Orlan's video to be fascinating, yet disturbing a little. But, from reading Orlan's quote that you inserted, I could understand the purpose of her documentary film a little more. Moreover, Warwick's cyborg project was just amazing to learn about. By implanting a microchip under his skin, he himself became a mechanic! Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post! (: