Now That Everyone's Becoming Perfect Avatars, Maybe Actual Avatars Should Become More Imperfect?

I was struck by this Jezebel post that walks us through the step-by-step process of altering a photo of actress Megan Fox so that she's transformed from a staggeringly beautiful woman into, well, an avatar of herself who's apparently more suitable for appearing in magazines. Gone are the faint acne scars and the slightly bloodshot eyes that might imply she's an actual human being, because who wants to look at that? This Photoshop-powered avatarization isn't limited to celebrities, of course -- it's becoming a popular option for school photos, too. As this trend increases, I wonder if we'll see the popularization of avatar features that strive to be more imperfect, more human: large pores, faint scars, a lock of hair that steadfastly points out in the wrong direction, and so on. Of course we already have dramatic scars and sunburns for Second Life avatars. What beautiful blemish will be embraced in the virtual world as Photoshop tries to scrub it away? Via Jezebel

Comments

[Extropia DaSilva]

It reminds me of the film Surrogates. The premise of the film is that a wheelchair-bound inventor created fully articulate artificial bodies that can be operated mentally. The surrogates evolve into the ultimate fashion accessory: Perfect representations of yourself. People no longer go out and meet people 'face to face' but rather 'surrogate to surrogate'. 'Meatbags', as humans are known, remain alone in their operator chairs, living life vicariously through their idealised 'avatars'.

But these surrogates with their square jaws and perfect muscle tone for the men; all the right curves and flawlessly smooth skin for the girls, are actually not as beautiful as their operators. Their artifiality is slightly creepy. You cannot help but think that the 'real' people with all their physical imperfections are actually more attractive than the Barbie and Ken versions of themselves.

[Toxic Menges]

Ever noticed that its easy to make things in SL look flawless? Imperfections make things look much more real and well, attractive.

[Adeon Writer]

"You see, imperfection is the key. Imperfections make us individuals, that's what makes us unique. See my nose, how it is all bulbous and pock marked, well, I am the only one with my nose." -Rupert Burns, "Bicentennial Man"

[Arcadia Codesmith]

When the first artist finished the first cave painting, the first model leaned in close and said, "I like it, Og, I really do... but can you make me a little taller?"

As long as there have been representations of the human form, there have been idealized forms. Sometimes this is expressed as a religious concept - humans are imperfect replicas of perfect beings (gods), and art should serve to elevate them. Sometimes the religious overtone is abstracted to a mathematical concept, but it's still hewing to an unobtainable ideal.

The perceived gap between what we are and what we should be has driven everything from foot-binding to wig-making.

Computer graphics manipulation is the latest technology in this process, and it produces the most realistic fantasy perfection to date.

But it's nothing we hadn't already been doing with airbrushing, pancake makeup, soft-focus lenses, lighting tricks, and hundreds of other little cheats.

The rise of mass media may have made the problem worse in many respects, but it has also increased awareness that it IS a problem. That's a step forward in learning to accept ourselves for who we are, not for what some editor thinks we should be.

[Harper Ganesvoort]

Someone has tried already. Cajsa Lilliehook, who also writes It's Only Fashion, tried marketing shapes for several months last year that each had slight imperfections in the face mesh, instead of being completely symmetrical. It made for an interesting experiment, but it apparently never caught on to my knowledge. (I welcome being corrected if I'm wrong.)

[Ignatius Onomatopoeia]

Many celebrities terrify me, but the public's regard for them is more terrifying still. I don't know that it was that different in the days of Cary Grant, but certainly today's celebs are disposable idoru (having a Gibson day here) who get replaced by the next iteration of male or female perfection.

Like changing skins in SL :)

Whatever we do with their virtual analogues, IRL it seems we have a cultural desire to see celebrities maimed and fallen, especially when they get as arrogant and shallow as, say, Paris Hilton.

Or maybe I should not surf the tabloids so much when in line at Krogers.

[Laetizia Coronet]

Here is a nice example. Singer/actress Birgit Schuurman (1977) at the presentation of the Christmas issue of the Dutch Playboy featuring herself. Photos of the event clearly not retouched, while the cover photo in the background obviously is - and heavily so, it appears.

http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2720/Nieuws/photoalbum/detail/1070598/181446/0/Kersteditie-Playboy-feestelijk-onthuld.dhtml

Pictures are safe for work, by the way. Navigate by clicking 'vorige' or 'volgende' - 'previous' or 'next'.

[Doreen Garrigus]

What I find interesting about the before and after pictures you have posted is that the young lady's face, in the first picture, has already been cosmetically altered but still, somehow, requires Photoshop work in order to be publishable.

http://plasticsergeant.com/megan-fox-new-face-jonah-hex-premiere-2010

[Iris Ophelia]

Actually imperfect skins have been growing in popularity for awhile now. These days there's more mainstream inclusion of freckles and moles, but pores are even more desired because of the realistic effect they give a skin. There have been a few brands that built their business on imperfect skins, My Ugly Dorothy comes to mind, but there's one shop whose name escapes me that has done pockmarked skins etc. Generally these skins are most popular with the younger residents who find them novel, think Tableau, than with older residents who find them too untraditional and unpleasant.