Women in the United States have more social choices and personal freedoms today than ever, yet for a portion of this population the body is a battleground. My work is an investigation and criticism of cross cultural standards of beauty. I am intrigued by the way these standards affect history, social status and the everyday life. The media plays a key role in bombarding our society with the message that these standards are inherently good in order to shape our wants and desires. As Edward Bernays said, “A thing may be desired, not for its intrinsic worth or usefulness, but because [man] has unconsciously come to see in it a symbol of something else, the desire for which he is ashamed to admit to himself… a symbol of social position… success in his business.” What does achieving beauty fulfill? How does one feel? What does it give you thats lacking and unfulfilling?
In the interest of examining this phenomenon, I explore materials used to create the looks that fit into the ideals of beauty. Lipstick, hair extensions, mirrors, clothing, thread, video, audience participation and the body are used in accompaniment to the academic research aspect of the work. The body itself is an important element of my work; it is used as subject, object and medium. I use my body as a way to think and engage in my creative process and to question the standards. I want the work to confront the viewer, myself, beauty’s ugly side and provoke an emotional reaction. It is an abusive, love/hate relationship between myself and standards of beauty. Most importantly I want to the work to dissect and say “fuck you beauty” and smile.
