WHAT IS BEAUTY? AIMEE JOUGHIN NO439441 MODULE: COMMUNICATION & MESSAGE MODULE LEADER: SARAH LEWINGTON REFERENCE NUMBER: FASH20031 WORD COUNT: 1167
1
3 5
NOTIONS OF BEAUTY
THE BEAUTY OF SYMMETRY
9 11
MY UNDERSTANDING
INSPIRATION
INTEREPRETATION 2
15 16 17
PUBLICATION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
JESPER PETERSSON
7
The fashion industry is highly saturated with images of ‘beautiful’ men and women but what does it mean to be beautiful? And how do we measure beauty? Throughout history experts have examined what constitutes as a beautiful face. Some theories include the ‘Golden Ratio’, this was discovered by a Greek philosopher ‘Pythagoras of Samos’ who believed he understood the code of beauty, hence we have the Pythagoras theory. He deliberated the notion that everything grows to mathematical laws; a geometrical ratio. The key to beauty is the Golden Ratio of 1:1.618. An example of this is the width of the mouth that in theory should be 1.618 times the width of the nose for the individual to be beautiful. This ratio proportion applies all over the body and is repeated over and over again in the face (Fig: 1). This links to the theory of beauty focussing on symmetry. According to (Hedlund, 2012) we tend to ‘prefer faces that are symmetrical over asymmetrical. It is believed that our reaction is based upon the hunt for a partner that can provide a good offspring’. Any sign of asymmetry within the face can be a sign of defective genes and signals illness.
NOTIONS OF BEAUTY
Fig 1: The Golden Ratio. (Soompi, 2008) Online Image 3
4
THE BEAUTY OF SYMMETRY When it comes to beauty, is a symmetrical face is more beautiful than a crooked one? Subconsciously we make an instant judgement of people according to the symmetry or asymmetry of their face to determine physical and genetic health. Humans are built to process symmetric stimuli considerably easier and the face is the best observational indicator of having good genes. According to (Discovery, 2013) the symmetry or asymmetry of our faces is determined by events that took place before we were born. We are designed to grow around a central axis in the womb however poor nutrition and minor infection can cause subtle effects. Asymmetrical features can also develop due to a parasitic infection or congenital malfunction (DocumentaryWorId, 2013). So is having symmetrical features what we mean when we say someone is attractive? Having symmetrical features unknowingly portrays the ability to survive development. This is because we are programmed to believe that a symmetrical
Fig 2: Series of Symmetrical Images. (2013) Own Photograph
5
face is that of a healthy human being and one who is a fertile choice for mating. Evolutionary biologist Randy Thornhill stated that “If you choose a perfectly symmetrical partner and reproduce with them, your offspring will have a better chance of being symmetric, because you both have good, symmetrical genes.� (Welsh J, 2012). Subconsciously we avoid mating with individuals that have asymmetric faces as we are repelled by deformed or distorted features as we see it as dangerous (DocumentaryWorId, 2013). Studies also show how symmetry vs. sex appeal holds a strong correlation. Both men and women rated members of the opposite sex with symmetrical faces and bodies as more attractive and in better health than their less symmetrical counterparts (Welsh, J, 2012). Studies done by Dr. Lisa Debrine from the University of Aberdeen show of 8/10 men and women she asked preferred the symmetrical face (Discovery, 2013). As shown in Fig 2 we have tested the theory of symmetry by creating our own series of photographs displaying each of our faces with our left sides and right sides together consecutively.
6
When asked myself, ‘what is beauty?’ I would most likely begin to reel off a long list of beautiful celebrities that have been forced upon me through the media. A selection of those who I would perceive as having idealistic features. But what has made me consider these people over others? Considering the media is under so much scrutiny for severely modifying print images during post production, why should I believe these people are truly beautiful. Consumers are then led to begin benchmarking beauty standards and believe that they must always strive for the unrealistic. Photo editors spend hours doctoring images through post production to inevitably make the human a superficial beauty. The obscure body image adopted in young viewers after observing photoshopped print advertisements could potentially have originated as ‘The media have chosen to reproduce images that do not necessarily reflect reality’ (Hedlund, 2012) glorifying the impractical ‘look’. However in an industry filled with modified ideals of what beauty is I must begin to appreciate uniqueness. The obscurities that set us apart from the standard. That is beauty.
MY UNDERSTANDING 7
8
Fig 3 Somebody or Nobody. (Petersson, J. 2008) Online Image 9
INSPIRATION Jesper Petersson We began looking at artists who have used symmetry within their work. This is where we discovered Jesper Petersson. This photographer explored the concept of beauty in relation to symmetry when he created the series of images entitled ‘Somebody or Nobody’. This project entailed photographing portraits of people and later manipulating the face by splitting the image into two halves and joining two of the same half together (Fig: 3). The outcome of these photographs showed how in some cases having a completely symmetrical face is not what is most beautiful. The imperfections and asymmetries within people are what make them unique. 10
INTERPRETATION Our Images (Fig 4-7) Through our theory that the media is glorifying the unrealistic ideal we felt that the photo-shoot should represent a perfectly symmetrical face with wild untamed hair. Our wild hair was used to draw attention to the symmetry of our faces and to emphasise that these images are in fact a bizarre and unnatural ideal. The images signify the truth that is how even our skewed asymmetric features makes us unique and separates us from the uniformity of the bland. Ridiculing the ‘beautiful’ images that the media portrays to viewers. We wanted to challenge the ideal and prove that this is a surreal expectation as natural asymmetry is what makes us all unique. 11
12
Fig: 4 Exhibition Image - Anna. (2013) Own Photograph
13
Fig: 5 Exhibition Image - Grace. (2013) Own Photograph
Fig: 6 Exhibition Image - Brain. (2013) Own Photograph
14
Fig: 7 Exhibition Image - Aimee. (2013) Own Photograph
PUBLICATION The publication we have used to feature our images within is AnOther magazine. This is due to its content comprising of fashion, the arts and politics. Our images aim to provoke the audience and cause a reaction concerning todays current views on beauty. As AnOther magazine are dedicated to ‘communicating information in a thought-provoking, stimulating, engaging way’ (Another Mag, 2009) we feel that our images would suit the content as they have been created to communicate a message but have also been styled in a way in which will appeal to fashion readers (Fig 8).
Fig 8 AnOther Magazine Cover. (2013) Own Photographs
15
CONCLUSION The fashion industry is highly saturated with images of ‘beautiful’ men and women but ‘Beauty is comprised of both inward characteristics and outward appearance’ (Johnson and Lennon, 1999, p. 160). So why do we accept the fact that most images of ‘beautiful’ men and women today in the media are false representations of the ideal however we strive to look like them? Through our photo-shoot I believe that we have captured the notion of how surreal a perfectly symmetrical face looks. By having the juxtaposition of the wild hairstyles emphasises the fact that it is ridiculous to strive for this ideal. Although studies show that we will instinctively opt for the more symmetrical mate, we are being fed too unrealistic standards through the media of what constitutes as a beautiful face. Inevitably each individual has their own understanding of what beauty is but I now understand it to be celebrating the natural imperfections that we possess. 16
REFERENCES
Welsh, J. 2012. Samantha Brick’s Claim Reveals Science of Beauty. [online] Available at: http://www. foxnews.com/scitech/2012/04/06/samanthaAnother Mag. 2009. About Us. [online] Available at: brick-claim-reveals-science-beauty/ [Accessed: 19 http://www.anothermag.com/about-us [Accessed: Nov 2013]. 30 Nov 2013]. Discovery. 2013. The Beauty of Symmetry. [video online] Available at: http://dsc.discovery.com/ tv-shows/other-shows/videos/science-of-sexappeal-the-beauty-of-symmetry.htm [Accessed: 19 Nov 2013]. DocumentaryWorId. 2013. The Human Face: 3/4 - Beauty (Documentary Series - BBC). [video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HJpqoAkWgXI [Accessed: 20 Nov 2013]. Hedlund, C. 2012. Somebody or Nobody. [online] Available at: http://www.iamjesper.com/fineart_2. aspx [Accessed: 19 Nov 2013] Johnson, P. and Lennon, S. 1999. Appearance and Power. New York: Berg. Page 160
17
ILLUSTRATION REFERENCES
Fig 8: AnOther Magazine Cover. (2013) Own Photographs
Fig 1 Soompi. 2008. Does Your Face Fit The Golden Ratio?. [image online] Available at: http://forums. soompi.com/discussion/220166/does-your-facefit-the-golden-ratio [Accessed: 23 Nov 2013]. Fig 2 Series of Symmetrical Images (2013) Own Photographs Fig 3: Petersson, J. 2008. Somebody or Nobody. [image online] Available at: http://www.iamjesper. com/fineart_2.aspx [Accessed: 19 Nov 2013] Fig 4: Anna. (2013) Exhibition Image. [Own Photographs] Fig 5: Grace. (2013) Exhibition Image. [Own Photographs] Fig 6: Brian. (2013) Exhibition Image. [Own Photographs] Fig 7: Aimee. (2013) Exhibition Image. [Own Photographs] 18