Jem Kamran - Beauty seminar

 I attended the seminar on "Questioning embodied Beauty in the intertwining of Nature and Culture". I really liked Patricia's talk on how the idea of beauty has evolved. Using Aphrodite to address the evolution of feminine beauty is so appropriate. It was interesting to look at the Aphrodite as a temptress. There was one art work that Patricia showed reminded me of Eve in the Garden of Eden; I think it was an art piece of Aphrodite holding an apple. The idea that women are temptress interestingly coincides with the Christian idea of Eve as the epitome of seduction and temptation for men.

  I also really like the Seminar especially how women perceive themselves through the eyes of western culture. I think every women is aware of how the media portrays this perfect image of woman, yet we still by into the idea that that the photoshopped woman in the magazine is beautiful. I think that despite the fact that we know the truth it doesn't change our desire to achieve the impossible image of perfection. So we cling on the idealistic body even though our body type may just naturally be heavy set. The culture of diets and cosmetic surgery may be fueled by our own desires, and may not be linked to what men find attractive. I find that we ourselves are our hardest critics. I know that when I stand in front of a mirror every pore on my face goes through scrutinizing examination, I spend hours covering up blemishes, and making sure my hair looks like. And on those days that I don’t have time to put on make up, I feel miserable because I feel like I am being judged based on how I look, but most of all I am judging myself every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Nevertheless I really enjoyed the two different talks being presented at the conference.

Hutchinson, Dawn, and Lori Underwood. "There Is Nothing Natural about Feminine Beauty." The Intertwining of Nature and Culture: Virginia Humanities Conference. Christopher Newport University, Newport News. 16 Mar. 2013. Speech.

Vorwald, Patricia. "Images of Aphrodite's Sculptures Are Representations of Beauty." The Intertwining of Nature and Culture: Virginia Humanities Conference. Christopher Newport University, Newport News. 16 Mar. 2013. Speech.