My Idea of Beauty...

We were given a task of giving a mini presentation in one of our seminars, our idea of beauty. I took that literally and found images online of famous men and women I found attractive. This is what I find attractive...

FEMALES: curvy figure=pear or hourglass/long hair/race does not matter to me

MALES: tall/any coloured hair/preferably tanned or black/toned or lots of muscle tone

This shows, and I can honestly admit that I am shallow when it comes to appearance as all the women have beautiful, womanly figures that look healthy and feminine and the men are all rather masculine in their build as they are tall and incredibly toned.

Scratch Wigs...

In this week of practical we did scratch wigs. I really enjoyed this as I love anything to do with hair! It was really simple and effective to create too. You either pin curl or wrap french plaits around the head flat depending on the hair length.You then put a stocking cap on the head and grip it in place. Once the hair is all secured away you can pop any wig on by getting the model to hold their hands by their forehead with bunny ear fingers to help position the hair piece onto the head, once all levelled out you can grip it into the stocking cap to make secure. A quick, easy new identity!

     

 

Meaning of diversity...

OXFORD DICTIONARY MEANING OF DIVERSITY

noun (plural diversities)

[mass noun]

• the state of being diverse:there was considerable diversity in the style of the reports
•  [in singular] a range of different things:newspapers were obliged to allow a diversity of views to be printed

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French diversite, from Latin diversitas, from diversus 'diverse', past participle of divertere 'turn aside' (see divert)

(http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/diversity)

Abstract Painting on the face using portraiture...

In our second practical lesson we did more abstract work on the face but this time using supra colour as it creates a more blended look similar to an oil painting similar to Otto Dix's work, so it was though we were painting portraits of people but on top of their actual faces.

 

Cabaret...

The film Cabaret was based on the book 'Goodbye to Berlin' including the same characters but changing a few of the names. The film portrayed what life was like in Berlin in the 1920's before World War One commenced. The city was full of androgyny  men and women cross dressing, expressing themselves in immense styles and make-up, sex was available everywhere and hospitalized any fantasy. The whole city went turned into fun, free, crazy individuals without a care in the world!
My favourite character was definitely Sally Bowles  I loved her care-free lifestyle and quirky way of dressing and the way she styles her hair and make-up.
I also loved the fact that the particular era was welcoming to anyone of any size, gender, age and race. Nobody cared who you were or what you looked like as long as you were up for having fun you were accepted.

Introducing Modern Diversity...

Dove advert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE

I really loved this commercial, the way individuals describe and rate themselves are far lower than how members of the public and strangers view you. It creates a really wonderful feeling knowing a complete strangers pick out asset which you believe are flaws. The only issue is that it did not show a huge range of different genders, ages, races and aesthetics of people.


Rick Owens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrDycBp3i5w

I thought this catwalk show was fantastic, it grabbed my attention instantly and I was fixated throughout. The music, styles, set, models and their size, races and especially their facial expressions. It was so inspiring and comforting to know that times have moved on, not completely but more so than before. Size 0 is slowly but surely being knocked off the catwalk being replaced with real women.

Advanced Style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWKTfqivbRQ

This trailer to the new film 'Advanced Style' put an ear to ear smile on my face straight away. It made me realise I wish to grow old happily wearing anything and everything I WANT to and not conforming to usual 'OAP' 'retired' ways and proving to younger and equally aged generations that it is acceptable to carry on dressing and styling yourself in an incredibly fashionable manor, and being proud of it, because these women looked amazing!

Abstract painting on the face using strong shapes/colour...

In our first practical lesson, we created abstract looks on the face using aqua colour inspired by artists such as Karl Schmidt and Peter Keil. The style almost looks like pop art when applied to the face, especially when using bright bold colours, shapes and lines. 

Pic of Practise makeup. 

My version of Peter Keil's painting.

Goodbye To Berlin...

This project I have been set is all about the diverse range of beauty. What is classed as beautiful for society and for individuals. It will portray a variety of beauty within different ranges of age, race, shape, size, disability, gender, sexuality and so on.

As a class we were set a task to read the book 'Goodbye To Berlin' written by Christopher Isherwood. It shows the diverse range of styles that existed in Berlin during the 1920's. It was the first time for Germany to experience individuality, originality and everyone expressing their unique style and sexuality. Prostitutes, gays and lesbians were at their peak, fashion was was either incredibly feminine or incredibly masculine, it was all illegal but everywhere. The main characters were Christopher himself, a gay Englishman exploring the streets of Berlin. Sally Bowles a carefree, 'wannabe' actress, English girl and finally Natalia Landauer a 'good little' Jewish, German girl, very intelligent and disciplined. A vast variation of personalities and looks which shows how Berlin broke out in fresh creativity. 

This book is a starting point to prove how times have drastically moved on and there are all sorts of views on what is classed as beautiful which I will produce in 3 final images. 
 I am really excited and intrigued what this project will bring and what I will discover on the way as it is very different to what I have studied before.