FIRST IDEAS/EXPERIMENTING

For my first piece of work to help experiment with different techniques, I began by typing the words "NIP/TUK" into the google search engine, where I came across the image shown of the relevant advert used for the tv programme.
I liked the shape of the woman in this advert displaying her bent figure.- I think that this is an interesting angle in which the silhouette shape could be used to insert “incision lines” into.

I started by tracing around this figure and then rotating the body at different angles.- I think that this layout is quite clean cut and precise. The plain white background does not detract the eye from the centred female form. The text written clearly identifies what the book would be about, however the silhouette shapes of the woman do not give much away to the viewer. The red blood drips from the scalpel add almost a gruesome twist against these block silhouette shapes.

I think this type of layout would suit a factual based book written about cosmetic surgery. The image on the front is not a real photograph however there is some precision to it and intersecting lines.

CURRENT SELLING BOOKS AVAILABLE ON THE SUBJECT OF "COSMETIC SURGERY" .

I decided to spend some time researching into current selling books which focus on the subject of “Cosmetic Surgery".
My main reason for doing this was to spend time studying the overall compositions of these covers, and to analyse how the images portrayed, typography styles and colour schemes, all help to reflect a specific “tone” and style to the book genre.

I visited www.amazon.co.uk and searched under the words "Cosmetic Surgery". Below shows my analysis of some of the books which were featured-
(All book images were taken from- http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cosmetic+surgery&sprefix=cosmet )









I discovered, of which to no surprise, that many of these book covers portrayed images typically associated with cosmetic surgery and achieving perfection.- These images included, close up head shots of beautiful women displaying flawless complexions & enviable body shapes.

The colour palettes used on the designs for each book also showed reoccurring features- For example, the colour pink was often included in the composition, mainly for the reason for this being a key colour to reflect and attract females. There was also a lot of white used in the composition which helped associate the idea of a crisp and clean, but more importantly an “unmarked” canvas.
If you look at the image of the last book shown –(“ 10 Years Younger- Cosmetic Surgery Bible”). –I noticed that a key colour used in this composition is the light green which conjures up associations of fresh, youthful and natural or organic associations.
The use of the word “Bible” in the title gave the impression that this book should be “followed” or “worshipped” by all, almost creating the idea that we should all obey this and aspire to look like this?

The first two book examples shown contrasted here with regards to colour palettes as these two books showed photographs printed in grayscale;
The first example, “Plastic Fantastic” I found particularly interesting in the slight mockery of the words used in the title incontrast to the serious grayscale image of the woman. This particular book cover revealed more of the female figure which covered half of the available page space.

The second greyscale based cover shown, “Cosmetic Surgery- A Feminist Primer” helped to reflect more of a serious and informative tone to the viewer. More specifically, the cover shows a very clinical looking, cold and uninviting image of an empty chair waiting in a surgery room. There is the suble hint of the colour pink again which has been used within the composition. Again, a key colour to reflect feminity. It is also interesting with this example to note how the centred chair is emphasised by a strip of lighting which runs down the chair, or more specifically highlighting the area where the patient would sit.

The fourth image shown, “Cosmetic Surgery”, displays a realistic/truthful photograph showing what is presumed to be Botox being injected into a pair of lips. The image on this cover fills up nearly all of the available space and uses the additional colours of black and red in the composition. The colour red is interestingly often associated with blood, which is related to surgery, but does not conjure up positive or glamourous associations of these procedures. With the specific cover, it is also interesting to note that the positioning of the surgeons hands completely cover the eyes of the patient almost giving the impression that the identity of this patient wants to remain hidden.- Is this patient ashamed to be seen opting for these injections?

Overall, the examples shown of these current selling books all show connections through specific imagery or colours which help to subconsciously conjure up images relating to cosmetic surgery. For example, flawless complexions, subtle hints at the female audience through the colour choice of pink, surgery markings or surgery related images. The more informative/serious books were depicted by grayscale images and absolutely no use of colour to help reflect natural beauty.

THE MANNEQUIN

I am interested in looking further into the idea of using the human "mannequin" as a source of inspiration.-
There is something about this "perfect-sized", yet often faceless and unidentified figure which I want to explore further into.

I am interested with playing on the idea of a mannequin (which is literally a lifesize plastic doll) owning the body which so many women crave for,yet nothing else. -Is this a reflection of what modern women are aiming for?- To become a person with a perfect figure yet absolutely nothing else? No pesonality, charisma or emotion from within?- Nothing apart from a nice face and figure to look at? It would be a shame to think that vanity really could overide the more important factors which make an individual unique, but unfortunately on many cases, women are opting to go under the knife in order to help become more satisfied with their appearances.

Mannequins are literally a blank, plastic doll, or "canvas", which can be customised/dressed to suit ones needs. This doesn't sound too dissimilar from the idea of women choosing to "change" their body to suit ones needs either.
I feel that this principle could be applied to the idea of cosmetic surgery- For example, we are all born the same with the same body structures, yet some people decide that they want to adapt/customise their body further. The idea of developing an identity or making oneself more individual through drastic surgery. It seems that it is no longer enough to really on semi-permanent transformations to the body in the hope that one will become more unique,(for example through piercings, dress styles, hair styles). Instead, and more drastically, the only acceptable transformation seems to be opting to go under the knife.

The description of the "mannequin" can be found on the following link-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannequin

COSMETIC SURGERY

We are a nation that is becoming obsessed with its looks and altering our bodies to a state which we feel will be considered both attractive and acceptable by others. It seems that nothing else matters as long as we look good. Everyday we are bombared with advertising images showing flawless skin, flat stomachs, toned legs and perfect sized breasts. These idolised figures are always complete with one other crucial factor.- A smile.
It seems these images showing "perfection" are everywhere and constantly haunt our lives with the teasing glimpses of the "perfect body" which so many of us want, and so little of us actually have. But are these women really happy, or are these smiles just an emphasised and fake feature hiding the fact that in reality, true perfection is unachievable?

We are living in a world where it is now possible to walk into a clinic over the short space of a lunch hour, and have injections in our faces to plump up the skin. It's a frightening thought in which money does not seem to matter.-What matters is simply looking good and knowing you own a body which so many others will envy.
With todays advanced technology we are also now able to go under the knife and wake up hours later with a body which is "presumed" to bring happiness. But does this really happen? Does having parts or our body enlarged/reduced or altered make us a different person, or do we simply crave for the attention which we hope it will bring?

Has this obsession with beauty gone too far? In a world where everything constantly changes at a fast pace, what even is the deffinition of "beauty" anymore? And how do we know that what is going to be considered as "beautiful" one year may well change to something completely different the following year. It appears that so many of us are slowly losing the battle to "individuality". What is this fascination with everybody striving to look the same? Are we slowly becoming a cloned nation where in years to come all women will have a body like Barbie? What is it that makes us think that waking up with the perfect body is going to solve all the other problems in our lives?- A world with no more worry, stress or anxiety. -in reality, it's never going to happen but nevertheless, it still doesn't stop us from trying.

It is a frightening thought of how far women are already sacrificing their lives in the returned hope for beauty, popularity and happiness. With the medical technology available in todays world then it really is frightening to think of how far cosmetic surery will be taken in years to come......