Stephen J. Shanabrook Deforms Once Beautiful Models Into Hideous Creatures
Shelby Lee Walsh — July 8, 2009 — Art & Design
References: stephenshanabrook
Stephen J. Shanabrook has deformed once beautiful models into hideous creatures for his "Paper Surgery" photograph collection. By twisting and crumpling images of models in magazines, Shanabrook alters our perception of them.
Many of his works play with the concept of beauty and ugliness and this collection is surely no exception. Take a look at how to perform surgery without a knife above.
Implications - There's a certain aspect of imperfection that many find intriguing. With so many clean-cut images in ads, consumers are aware of the superficiality that hides behind what's being sold. Some brands can overly sell their products with too much flashiness, so toning down their idea of perfection will allow shoppers to appreciate the honesty behind the good being sold.
Many of his works play with the concept of beauty and ugliness and this collection is surely no exception. Take a look at how to perform surgery without a knife above.
Implications - There's a certain aspect of imperfection that many find intriguing. With so many clean-cut images in ads, consumers are aware of the superficiality that hides behind what's being sold. Some brands can overly sell their products with too much flashiness, so toning down their idea of perfection will allow shoppers to appreciate the honesty behind the good being sold.
Trend Themes
1. Deformation Photography - Stephen J. Shanabrook's Paper Surgery series explores the manipulation of beauty ideals through distortion photography.
2. Anti-perfectionism Aesthetic - Embracing imperfection and flaws is emerging as millennial consumers seek authenticity in a world that has been inundated with unrealistic beauty standards.
3. Shifting Beauty Standards - As attitudes towards beauty continue to evolve, brands must adapt to changing consumer preferences by celebrating diversity and challenging traditional beauty ideals.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Photography - By experimenting with new techniques, fashion photographers can deconstruct traditional beauty ideals and promote diversity in the industry.
2. Beauty and Skincare - As consumers grow tired of unrealistic beauty ideals, skincare and makeup companies have an opportunity to rebrand themselves as proponents of a more natural, authentic beauty.
3. Advertising and Marketing - As consumer preferences shift towards authenticity and imperfection, marketing campaigns must shift their focus from portraying impossible beauty ideals to promoting products in a more genuine, relatable way.
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