skin deep
Colonized, commodified, and reshaped by market forces, the palimpsestic female body is a site where cultural phenomenology and social perversions have historically been inscribed. America's consumer society is fueled by a market that by nature must constantly develop new consumables and new consumers; as such, the body has increasingly become its terrain over the years. The state of the spectacle empties and nullifies every real identity. In its place, the media offers ideologically infused avenues for identity construction. From the array of media text, gender roles are realized, social norms are cemented and beauty standards are established. Body dysmorphia and plastic surgery are symptoms of a society that propagates beauty as the standard against which all women are measured, hinging a woman’s worth on her waistline and rendering self-hood a shifting experience - inauthentic and skin deep.
Skin Deep delves into the intricate terrain of the female form, one that bears the imprints of colonization, commodification, and the relentless churn of market forces. Throughout history, this palimpsestic body has been a canvas where cultural phenomenology and societal distortions intertwine. Within America's consumer-driven society, the market's insatiable appetite for novelty and consumers has progressively transformed the body into its prime battleground.
The spectacle of contemporary existence erases and nullifies authentic identities, leaving a void that the media eagerly fills with ideologically charged avenues for constructing identity. Amidst this barrage of media narratives, gender roles crystallize, social norms congeal, and beauty ideals take root. Yet, beneath the veneer lies a troubling reality—body dysmorphia and the rise of plastic surgery reveal a society fixated on an ever-elusive standard of beauty. This standard dictates a woman's worth based on waistlines, rendering the concept of selfhood an ever-shifting mirage, superficial and inauthentic.
In a world where the beauty industry generates a staggering $579.20 billion in 2023, the commodification of beauty becomes inescapable. As societal pressures escalate, a disconcerting trend emerges: a new CDC report reveals a stark increase in the percentage of U.S. teen girls seriously contemplating suicide. Nationwide, hospital admissions for potentially suicide-attempting teenage girls have surged by 50%. A chilling fact resonates—suicide ranks as the second-leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 24.
Through the visual narratives of Skin Deep, we navigate this complex landscape, uncovering the layers of meaning etched onto the female body. The series serves as a canvas for unearthing cultural phenomenology and societal reflections, inviting viewers to confront the implications of commodification, beauty standards, and the anguish borne by those navigating the tumultuous waters of contemporary existence.
