Surgery Madam? It’s Art!

A custom thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years old. Adorning the human body with decoration, improving on its natural gifts has been the norm in many cultures. From tribal rituals in Africa and Asia, to tribal rituals in London and Fargo North Dakota, today the decoration of the human body continues to fascinate and yet horrify some people.

“Awaiting Inspiration” Photo by: Simrax 3, Flickr Photo

A recent event in the news highlighted an important part of human psyche. Our need to be different to those around us, to stand out and be recognised, perhaps as superior to others is, it appears, built into our nature. Perception of what “Looks Good” is of course an individual thing. On a larger scale, cultural norms define what is generally good looking or attractive in our lives.

Tattoos have been around a long time, that Iron Age man’s body found in the Italian Alps was tattooed, I seem to vaguely remember that my Grandmother may have had a small one. Tattoos’ are everywhere and I don’t just mean in the world, I can’t think of any part of the body that I haven’t heard of being tattooed. Is pain part of the ritual?

If we are not part of a group that admires a person’s skin décor we wonder what the attraction is. The obvious answer in some cultures, is that the more decorated you are, the greater your community standing due to your dedication to your culture and commitment in getting ink, or piercings or scarification. The amount and style saying, I am, I exist, or even, don’t mess with me.

But all that’s old hat today, along with the small dolphin on the left butt cheek you can have dimples added to your face cheeks. In fact you can have the cheeks moved if you like. A few inches off the waist and thighs are nothing these days. You know, I’m sure I heard of augmentation, not of breasts but of the penis. These days, body sculpting is an art form.

There isn’t any doubt that body art is in fact “Art” there are shows, magazines, contests all relating to the decoration of the body. Never heard of one? Sure you have, fashion parades, beauty contests, bodies everywhere, paint them, dress them, and change them. Anything to do with personal vanity or status, temporary or permanent; decoration can be considered an art form. The new Art frontier, Beauty enhancement, or, say it quietly, Plastic Surgery has truly arrived. That’s what the news was about earlier this month, bodies being enhanced, customised, and offered new improved thingies.

The Miss Plastic Hungary pageant. Ladies showing their enhanced bodies with pride of ownership, exhibiting the work of dedicated artists who create in the hardest medium of all, human flesh. I wonder how much the canvas for this creative endeavour truly influences the artist in his creation. The desire for larger bumps may result in delicate graceful curves or a more forcefully executed Picasso-esque augmentation suitable for framing in leather. Faces sculpted with the care Alexandros took with the Venus de Milo, although somewhat more lifelike, now available from your nearest studio. Show me yours and I’ll show you mine.

There will be much more than the present Cosmetic Surgery Contests, or Beauty Enhancement Awards, soon the magazines will flood the market. CS Life, A guide to Beauty Enhancement for beginners, A Cut Above, Augmentation Review and many others. Surely a review of Cosmetic and Enhancement Artists will be an annual event.

The critics considering his work studied the subject with care, analysing tone and definition, balance and proportion. After long deliberation they announced, “A rendition surpassing his previous best, he is truly a master of his art.”

In reading of the recent contests, one web page asked if I wanted to view the image “Full Size” yea, well of course, that's what they’re for aren’t they?

JAWhite                                              Return To Main Page
October 2009