Monday 2 March 2009

John Stezaker

John Stezaker's 'readymades' he uses postcards and photographs to creat images.




notions of beauty

Our idea of beauty initially came from the greeks - who developed the principles of the golden section. The face is sectioned with a specific amount of space between the eyes, the area between the nose and mouth etc. are indicators of a perfect symmetry of the face. The golden section is also used in landscapes and other representations in art, sculpture and photography.

Later on David Hume, philosophised that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This theory has stuck and most of us view asymmetrical faces as more interesting. Thank you david hume. Interestingly, even tho the asymmetry of face is widely accepted many seek to 'symetricise' the face and/or body. Millions of pounds are spent every year in our pursuit of beauty. Many botch ops are made when people seek cheeper ways to be 'beautiful'.

Perhaps we judge ourselves and others on the basis of the greeks concept of beauty, still; and nothing else will do. Looking at celebrity culture most possess this type of 'beauty'. We aspire to looking good and our role models are spread across mags, papers, tv, billboards.

If we change the way we look - does this make us a different person?

The film 'face off' with John Travolta and Nick Cage is interesting because Nick takes John's face and takes over his whole life. ie his job, marriage etc. Anyway it's to this extreme extent we could reach in plastic surgery. If you could afford it would you go for complete reconstruction or just tweeked here and there.

Ageing is a factor that makes women think about botox and other stuff. If we choose not to opt for surgery nowadays does this mean we will age disgracefully?