Semester Project

For my project, I analyzed the aesthetics of the Middle East. I focused primarily on Lebanon. Lebanon is considered the center of plastic surgery. Being Lebanese, I would always go to Lebanon and witness the small noses, big lips, tattooed eyebrows. Yet, this is only but a small example. The society in Lebanon lives in such high standards to the point where they have to look pristine from top to bottom. At the age of twelve, little girls are dressed in heels and full makeup. This essentially stuns their growth and makes them mature even when they are not ready. It is almost as if they are stripped from their carefree childhood due to the high standards of society.

Famous Lebanese Actress Elissa before an after plastic surgery

With this in mind, I will base my work off of Cynthia Ghazali's "Copy. Cut. Paste.," a documentary on the plastic surgery in Lebanon that discusses its affects of the self esteem of others, society as a whole, and even how it affects the economy of Lebanon itself. Ghazali adds how the plastic surgeries are fed by the self esteem of the nation which is why it is a lucrative and prosperous business.

Cynthia Ghazali s Copy. Cut. Paste. Documentary

In addition to this, I will relate this situation to the Male Gaze, and how society is still affected with this issue. Women feel that they are not deemed suitable or good enough in society without the need to surgically alter their physical appearances not only for themselves, but primarily for everyone else especially men. Another subject I tied to this is the subject of patriarchy and how women must appear in a perfect state at all times in the eyes of men. Otherwise, they potentially will not be considered worthy of friendship or even marriage in the Lebanese society. Ghazali discusses how even people with a high education must "compete" with each other to find their groom.

With these in mind, specific artist popped up that i not conform and were quite distinct from the Lebanese society. Huguette Caland and Mona Hatoum both represent Lebanese, feminist, nonconformist artists that became successful. They portray the sexual oppression that is viewed in the Lebanese society standing out from their peers, since they are a result attempting to fit into society.

Huguette Caland

Mona Hatoum

                   




Overall, I related all these ideas in a cohesive online magazine.

Video
Magazine

Works Cited

"Huguette Caland." Please Note. Lombard Fried Gallery, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

Manchester, Elizabeth. "Mona Hatoum, 'Measures of Distance' 1988." Tate. Elizabeth Manchester, Feb. 2000. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

McKay, Hollie. "Real Housewives of Beirut? Filmmaker Says Plastic Surgery an 'epidemic' in Lebanon." Fox 411. Hollie McKay, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

Riggs, Terry. "Mona Hatoum, 'Measures of Distance' 1988." Tate. Terry Riggs, Nov. 1997. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

Vartanian, Hrag. "The Colorful Past of Huguette Caland." Hyperallergic RSS. Hrag Vartanian, 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.

Zeilinger, Julie. "The Disturbing Effect Our Beauty Standards Have on Women Across the World." Mic. Julie Zeilinger, 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.