Prior to this class, I never once thought the seemingly divergent fields of Art, medicine and technology correspond with one another.  However, as we have learned from previous weeks’ lectures, sciences like mathematics and robotics have in fact made an impact on art in significant ways and medicine technology is no different.  Like Professor mentioned, we often take common technologies like x-rays for granted as it has become an intrinsic part of our society over the last couple decades. From serving as medical initial tests before elaborate diagnosis and treatment to being used for security purposes in institutions like museums, airports and many others, X-ray technology is present in so many aspects of our lives that we sometimes neglect how this technology has not only allowed non invasive way of human anatomy studying, but also could be appreciated from an artistic perspective [1].

Airport Security 

Among the various subjects covered in this week’s lecture, the material I found most intriguing and relatable has ought to be plastic surgery. First of all, I was pleasantly surprised that plastic surgery was not part of the recent technological advancement, but rather surfaced about 400 years ago from the East [2]. Furthermore, plastic surgery has always translated to artificial features in my head and hence, I was unaware of its original reconstructive purpose. Raised in Asia, I was exposed to criticisms and media brainwashing regarding physical appearances on the daily. Contrary to the belief that these standards have become less imperative in our increasingly progressive society, beauty standards in Asia, particularly Korea have in fact remained just as strict if not more. From eyelids, to jaw structure and even head to body height ratio [3], many have resort to plastic surgery in order to meet these ideals.

South Korean beauty pageant contestants criticized for looking almost identical  

During my visit back home last summer, I was taken back when I saw endless advertisements on tourism center billboards promoting travel packages to South Korea. On a closer look, these deals are not your typical sightseeing and shopping trips but rather, they are weekend long trips for plastic surgery procedures! Known as the plastic surgery mecca, it is no surprise that the South Korean government is setting aside as much as $4 million a year to help promote the medical tourism industry [4], which is mainly dominated by plastic surgeons to fuel this latest trend. Although the ever rising popularity of cosmetic surgery demonstrates the powerfulness of incorporating technology and medicine into the realms of art (to “sculpt” oneself to be more aesthetically pleasing), it has also generated heated debates on the issue of going under the knife in order to enhance self image for better confidence [5]. 

Before and After Ads on the streets of South Korea

Citations 

[1]

           Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine Pt2.” UCOnlineProgram. YouTube. 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2015

[2]

            Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine Pt3.” UCOnlineProgram. YouTube. 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2015

[3]

"Which Asian Country Has the Most Unrealistic Beauty Standards? (best, Culture, Cons) - City-Data Forum." Which Asian Country Has the Most Unrealistic Beauty Standards? (best, Culture, Cons) - City-Data Forum. N.p., 5 June 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.city-data.com/forum/asia/2110822-asian-country-has-most-unrealistic-beauty.html>.

[4]

Stevenson, Alexandra. "Plastic Surgery Tourism Brings Chinese to South Korea." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Dec. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/business/international/plastic-surgery-tourism-brings-chinese-to-south-korea.html?_r=0>.

[5]

Schulte, Katherine. "What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?" The Learning Network What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery Comments. The New York Times, 29 Oct. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/what-are-your-opinions-on-cosmetic-surgery/comment-page-3/>.