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..::Beauty::..

Body modification is not only symbolic, yet sexual also. It is easy to observe the length people would go for beauty, through the large market in cosmetics, fashion and more surprisingly, body modification. Plastic surgery, altering physical attributes of one, through surgery, in hope to increase splendor. The upper-class society is the ones who could afford cosmetic surgery, since it is acceptable for the rich to pay to improve body image, why cannot the rest of the society? However, plastic surgery can still somewhat look normal, body mutilation, such as piercing, bone insertion and tattoo is a different story. Body modification was evident in Western society since the early 1800’s, where women wore tremendously tight corsets in order to create the illusion of a perfect hour glass shaped body. This also preordained that the rib cage to be shrunken due to this practice. In many cases, the females’ bottom two ribs were removed, sequentially for the corsets to fit tighter. This stopped a century later, when larger, more voluptuous women were considered attractive. In modern Western society, where globalization and rationalization is prevalent, dehumanization intensified threefold. Body modification, became important for average workers to regain individuality. Almost everyone with body modifications claims feel more unique than they’ve ever felt in their lives. Over 35% of people who has body modifications say that they feel sexier after they got their body modification. “Art does not limit to a canvas or a sculpture, but to every aspect of life.” (Monet) In this new century, “modern art is living,” (Arts & Pop, pg.68) where you can find art on anyone, not just how they move, but what they wear and what they are. Body modification satisfies just that. The body can be used as a canvas; every piece expresses an opinion, an emotion, and tells a story. Finally, how can we ignore the people who suffered horrible accidents with everlasting scars? Tattooing can not only cover up the scars, but as well beautify them. Tattoos give them a chance to remember the experience and be proud of the chance to relive again.

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