Marc Erwin Bebej. Mask of Perfection

In Mask of Perfection, Marc Erwin Babej, along with Maria M. LoTempio, MD, take a look at the complex relationship between the subjective beauty society perceives – as compared to the scientific, geometry-based standard applied by most plastic surgeons. The project examines the rise and influence of a standard of beauty that is influencing many in the general public to alter their own appearance – to more closely match that of celebrities who have already adjusted themselves to this standard. Babej’s images of subjects with pre-operative markings by Dr. LoTempio exemplify this radical challenge to the concept of natural beauty. Click here to see the full artist’s statement and learn more about the project. It will premiere at (e)merge art fair in Washington, D.C. and also be presented in a solo show at Amstel Gallery in Amsterdam

(via the Leica Blog)

Patient: S.G., age 23: Botox injected into the crow’s feet, to minimize wrinkles. Filler injected into the nasolabial folds, to even out depressions. Filler injected into the upper lip and and philtrum, for more symmetry.

Patient: A.A., age 25: Botox injected into the muscles of the forehead and crow’s feet, to minimize wrinkles. Filler injected into nasolabial folds, to smooth out the depressions. Filler injected into the cheekbones
 to create a more symmetrical look.

Patient: Y.Z., age 29: Filler injected into the nasolabial folds, lips and cheeks, to even out asymmetries. Rhinoplasty to be performed, to narrow the nose. Botox injected into the muscles just lateral to the eyes, to minimize wrinkles.

Patient: O.L., age 22: Botox injected into the right forehead, to correct the asymmetric brows. Rhinoplasty to be performed, to straighten out the nasal dorsum. Filler injected into the nasolabial folds, right upper lip and philtrum, to correct asymmetry and depressions.

Patient: D.I., age 25: Filler injected into the nasolabial folds, marionette lines on the left and the philtrum, to even out depressions and asymmetries. Rhinoplasty to be performed, to straighten out the nose and build up the dorsum.