Scott Chasserot's Original/Ideal project blends the worlds of art and science to examine how we respond to western beauty standards and, more importantly, our own faces.
Chasserot began by taking his subject's portrait. He then proceeded to edit each image to either comply, or deviate, from what western standards of beauty. The participants looked at the edited images while connected to a brain-activity monitor. Their preferences were noted by using ectroencephalography, otherwise known as EEG. The Emotiv tool measured the intensity and timing of each neural reaction, indicating the subject's favorite version of their own face.
The series compares the original photo with subject's "ideal" face, and the results are astonishing. Some of the faces only have a few tweaks, while others barely resemble their God-given appearance.
Idealized Facial Comparisons
The Original/Ideal Project Examines
Trend Themes
1. Blended Art-science - Exploring the intersection of art and science to examine societal beauty standards and self-perception.
2. Neural Preference Tracking - Using EEG technology to measure and analyze individuals' preferences for their own facial appearance.
3. Idealized Self-perception - Exploring the concept of individuals striving for an 'ideal' version of their own face.
Industry Implications
1. Beauty and Cosmetics - Opportunity to create personalized beauty products and services that cater to individuals' ideal self-perception.
2. Technology and Wearables - Potential for EEG-based wearable devices to provide real-time feedback on individuals' self-perception and preferences.
3. Market Research and Consumer Insights - Utilizing EEG technology to gain deeper insights into consumer preferences and understand the impact of societal beauty standards on product acceptance.