Neck rings are worn in Asia to elongate the neck. Unlike those in Africa, these rings push down onto the collar bone creating a longer neck. This look is seen as desirable and is started at a young age to signify womanhood. Therefore this means that many women haven't seen their natural necks. The elongation of the neck attracts tourists from all over the world creating a source of income for the people using the rings. The rings themselves create a longer neck which give the women a persona of grace and femininity. Many of the women decorate the coils with pieces of fabric to match clothing which makes the coils an everyday object. Vilma Jaruseviciute created a series of works that elongated and shaped the features of the face.
The series focuses on the concept of what natural beauty should look like in a world of ever changing ideals. As the idea of natural beauty is forever changing, Jaruseviciute has created these works to experiment with the idea of what can be perceived as natural beauty. The looks alter the face shape, much like the coils alter the neck shape.
Jaruseviciute shows how simple it is to alter the face shape with a simple piece of plastic. Another artist that alters the shape of the face using plastic pieces is Paddy Hartley.
The images here seem quite disturbing by the way how the face can easily be manipulated to create something more sinister. The whole face here has been exaggerated in comparison to Jaruseviciute's work, showing further experimentation of what people could look like if they simply moved the placement of the skin. This kind of work makes me intrigued as the looks can be worked upon with makeup to create a modified concept of beauty.
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