When I say 'the body in art' what springs to mind? A detailed portrait or the flawless body of Michelangelo's David? A celebration of the human form perhaps or merely outlining the body’s perfection we all aim for. With his perfect six pack and the stance of a male supermodel he is enough to make any man want to join a gym. Possibly he’s the inspiration for many of Bruce Weber’s Abercrombie and Fitch campaigns. The amount of testosterone them adverts give off are enough to drive any women crazy. Not just a statue, he symbolizes that our bodies are worthy to be considered as masterpieces. After all we are just as beautiful as a haute couture dress.
Another way of looking at this is to see how art has/can be incorporated onto our bodies. Take make up for example- used to enhance our facial features or is it something for us to hide under? As Coco Chanel once said “Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” So is it considered a great skill to cover up our imperfections? The art of the brush just how a painter paints a masterpiece? Yes everyone has flaws, even kate Moss. It’s what makes us human and individual after all. I like the quote “Scars are tattoos with better stories” (Toyota advertisement in Sports Illustrated magazine, 3 June 2002)
It speaks to me that we should embrace our bodies- every single part of it. And if we could have it our way then we would all star in a Bruce Weber billboard.
For people who like a little more permanent ink on themselves tattoos are a great appeal. I call it (in some cases) graffiti for the body. Because let’s face it, it really is. Some can be tasteful- even considered beautiful but others are just extreme. A paw print on your breast may be sexy when your in your 20’s but 40 years later are you still going to be rocking that? Maybe not. Taking it to the extreme is like anything really. Calling a dot on a page a piece of art can be considered just that.
Just like doctors who discover cures, artists who find modern ways of presenting the body are exciting. The work of Orlan is pretty fascinating. Her passion for her work is obvious. Who else would go through cosmetic procedures for something they did not believe in? I could not specifically tell you one of her artwork that I favor the most because there are just too many. Her work is more interesting than beautiful. That could be the point of it though. Not just a pretty portrait of someone to look at and forget about but more of a slightly unusual approach to representing the body that is quiet likely to get you thinking – why? And most strangely how?
In the world of art the human body is one of its main inspirations. Both in ways of actual art on the body and art about the body. It can be used to show what we think of as the “ideal” body and how it affects our self esteem. Say for example if Michelangelo's David had not been created, would our thoughts not provoke about wanting perfection and so would there be no need for make up? I guess no one will ever know the answer to that.
Another way of looking at this is to see how art has/can be incorporated onto our bodies. Take make up for example- used to enhance our facial features or is it something for us to hide under? As Coco Chanel once said “Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” So is it considered a great skill to cover up our imperfections? The art of the brush just how a painter paints a masterpiece? Yes everyone has flaws, even kate Moss. It’s what makes us human and individual after all. I like the quote “Scars are tattoos with better stories” (Toyota advertisement in Sports Illustrated magazine, 3 June 2002)
It speaks to me that we should embrace our bodies- every single part of it. And if we could have it our way then we would all star in a Bruce Weber billboard.
For people who like a little more permanent ink on themselves tattoos are a great appeal. I call it (in some cases) graffiti for the body. Because let’s face it, it really is. Some can be tasteful- even considered beautiful but others are just extreme. A paw print on your breast may be sexy when your in your 20’s but 40 years later are you still going to be rocking that? Maybe not. Taking it to the extreme is like anything really. Calling a dot on a page a piece of art can be considered just that.
Just like doctors who discover cures, artists who find modern ways of presenting the body are exciting. The work of Orlan is pretty fascinating. Her passion for her work is obvious. Who else would go through cosmetic procedures for something they did not believe in? I could not specifically tell you one of her artwork that I favor the most because there are just too many. Her work is more interesting than beautiful. That could be the point of it though. Not just a pretty portrait of someone to look at and forget about but more of a slightly unusual approach to representing the body that is quiet likely to get you thinking – why? And most strangely how?
In the world of art the human body is one of its main inspirations. Both in ways of actual art on the body and art about the body. It can be used to show what we think of as the “ideal” body and how it affects our self esteem. Say for example if Michelangelo's David had not been created, would our thoughts not provoke about wanting perfection and so would there be no need for make up? I guess no one will ever know the answer to that.
