An Introduction to Brave New World

Have you ever wondered what the human body will look like in 20 years, maybe more? With all that is available in order to change oneself, what will become the next fashionable alteration to the body? For years now, films have used special effects to create abnormal humans, to alter the actors into something that is a far cry from the norm. Films and television series such as 'The Grinch', 'Maleficent' and 'Walking dead' are all examples of how special effects can be used to transform a character into something else less human. Not only can the human body be modified using special effects, it can be altered all together. For example, 'The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe' features humans made into animals. This transformation could be something that we will see in the future becoming the norm. 'Brave New World' is going to test the boundaries (if any) on what can be achieved with body modification. My own understanding on body modification is limited to the western culture. Including plastic surgery, tattoos and body piercings. The research I will conduct for this project will allow me to understand more eastern cultures and their ideals on body modification. Although I am only just starting to look into the idea of modification, many artists have been studying and carrying out experiments since before I was born. Artists such as ORLAN who has been amazing the world for years with how far she is willing to test and reinvent her body. The kind of alterations ORLAN does to herself are often critiqued by those unwilling to change, but also are of inspiration to other artists who want to create more than the ordinary, It's all about being different and creating a clash with society. Being different is something that we all strive for but how different can you be in a society so unwilling of change? Body modification has always been around but what does the future have in store? Truth is body modification is happening all the time, much more than just tattoos and piercings. There's a whole world of artists looking to invent and experiment on ways to modernise and to evolve on what we know as humans. My aim throughout this project is to get a better understanding of the reasoning behind the creation and to be inspired myself to create something as unique; just without the live surgery.