An understanding of the human body is essential for creating
artwork. It is not surprising that
fascination of the human body dates back to the beginning of recorded history,
with the Egyptians’ mummification and the Greek’s human dissection. Human beauty has been and always will be a
large part of art, so the ability to depict the human body accurately is
invaluable.
Fascination the human body dates back to Egyptian
mummification.
Now that we understand the human body quite well, people
have begun to manipulate their bodies to become artwork themselves. Supermodels and body builders have to go
through grueling diets and intense work out plans in order to maintain their
pristine physique. These diet and
workout plans are based on medical research for creating a beautiful result.
Victoria’s secret model, Adriana Lima, uses a liquid diet
and daily work outs to maintain her figure.
While I believe that some minor manipulation of the human
body for purposes of art is okay, I think it can be taken too far. For example, plastic surgery can do
wonders. It can help repair a misshapen
appearance due to injury and can help boost self-esteem in many cases.
However, the desire to manipulate one’s body can become an
obsession. Some psychologists believe
that this obsession may even become a psychological addiction.
Nonetheless, some view continuous body manipulation as a
means of artistic expression. For
example, Orlan underwent nine surgeries from 1990 to 1995, in order to imitate
Botticelli’s Venus and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Although, I personally view this as quite disturbing, some still view
this as art.
One of Orlan’s transformations. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jul/01/orlan-performance-artist-carnal-art
Although it is debatable whether these transformations are
actually beautiful works of art, we must remember that beauty is in the eye of
the beholder and that freedom of expression is a natural right.
Works Cited
Barrow, Mandy.
"Ancient Egypt Mummies and the Afterlife for Kids." Ancient
Egypt Mummies and the Afterlife for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Jeffries, Stuart.
"Orlan's Art of Sex and Surgery." The Guardian. N.p., 1
July 2009. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Rettner, Rachel.
"Heidi Montag's Plastic Surgery: Obsession or Addiction?" LiveScience.com.
N.p., 21 Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
Vesna, Victoria.
"Medicine Part I." Lecture. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEgn-fZQ8po>.
"Victoria's Secret
Supermodel Shares Fitness Secrets: Liquid Diet, Daily Workouts." Examiner.com.
N.p., 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.
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