Medicine+Technology+Art

This week's topic is the correlation between medicine, technology and art. Professor Vesna helped me gain new insights about how artists use medical technology in order to influence art. I learned that human dissection is truly the at the intersection of medicine and art. We've been cutting open bodies since almost the beginning of recorded human history with ancient Egyptians mummifying dead bodies. Ancient Greeks also used dissection but in a scientific way. Andreas Vesalius was the author of one of the most influential books in the medical history, on human anatomy called "De Humani Corporis Fabrica." Also, in lecture, we learned about Orlan, an artist who uses herself as a work of art by undergoing many operations. I believe that the artist goes too far to use technology and medicine. I personally don't see it as a work of art. 

In this week's lecture, plastic surgery intrigued me the most. This field is a big controversy because some think it's wrong to modify what you were born with, but some argue they can do whatever they want to their body. Plastic surgery is common in South Korea. Many teens wish to get plastic surgery as a "sweet 16" gift from their parents. Plastic surgery has been ingrained into the culture. I believe that plastic surgery has gone crazy compared to the old times. 

There is a Korean show that is about plastic surgery, called “Let Me In.” In the show, people from different cities in Korea come to tell their story of how their appearance had ruined their lives. The judges then, get to choose one lucky contestant to get free plastic surgery. In the end, they provide plastic surgery to the person and make them “beautiful.”

I’ve watched a couple episodes of this show, I was utterly appalled. I was very embarrassed to call myself Korean because this show advertised plastic surgery. It encouraged many people to modify their bodies because they didn’t feel “beautiful.”

After -> Before (Plastic Surgery gone wrong)

This is Hang Mioku. She was a model who was addicted to plastic surgery. She injected cooking oil into her face. Unfortunately, she has been left permanently disfigured-leaving her face swollen and scarred. She admitted that she was obsessed with having smoother and softer skin.  

In my opinion, I don’t believe that artists like Orlan, who undergoes plastic surgery portray the beauty of art. Many people strive for perfection in today’s society to look and feel beautiful. Even though we have the technology to fix it, I don't believe that it's right for people to undergo surgery just because they are not happy with their appearances. Everyone is beautiful in their own skins and I wish for people to embrace their flaws.

Sources:

"Carnal Art / Art Charnel." Orlan-Carnal Art. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Evans, Becky. "Woman Who Injected Cooking Oil" Mail Online. Associated   Newspapers, 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

Idhospitalkorea. "Korea Plastic Surgery before and After, Let Me in Season 4." YouTube,. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2016. 

Orlan–Carnal Art (2001) Documentary. Dir. Stéphan Oriach. Perf. Orlan. N.d. Film. YouTube. Web. 23 April 2016. 

Vesna, Victoria. Uconlineprogram. "Medicine Pt. 1-3." YouTube. Lecture, 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.