Lau Xin Yi
Brave New Me Mixed Media Drawing inspiration from Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”, “Brave New Me” seeks to capture the notion of trespassing the body (representing the natural). With the increasing emphasis on the outward appearance—in part, spurred by the media and celebrities—the act of altering one’s appearance has become a widespread phenomenon, from tattoos to cosmetic surgery. Yet, what often deters people from attempting drastic measures of beautifying themselves can be traced to high monetary barriers and the accompanying risk of failure. In this respect, “Brave New Me” aims to challenge extent to which one would be willing to change one’s appearance if given a low cost method; via a vending machine. New eyes, noses and mouths are commodities packaged for convenience and expedience. If anything is possible, how far will you change your appearance? This artwork reflects how altering one’s appearance has become a part and parcel of everyday life, where people grow accustomed to presenting an outward form that is detached from the natural. The ubiquity of beauty products and treatments further perpetuate the idea of cost, as if attaching a price tag to body parts while the intangible value of the natural seems lost in the process. |
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LAU Xin Yi is a final year student from SMU's School of Economics. With a passion for traveling, reading and meeting new faces, she enjoys translating these new insights and experiences into her artwork --- her third “voice” that goes beyond speech and writing.