Orlan is the only artist to use plastic surgery as her medium of choice. Since 1990, she has undergone a series of choreographed "performances" during which her face is surgically morphed through the use of plastic surgery. Her intention is not to become "beautiful" but rather to suggest that the "objective ( beauty) is unattainable and the process horrifying." This is, however, not the only issue or intent surrounding this controversial body of work, which is highly steeped in feminist and psychoanalytic theory, as well as (and in comparison to) art history. Orlan defines her work as "Carnal Art," which she explains as "a self-portrait in the classical sense, yet realized through the technology of our time." Orlan's website is the official home (or database) for her work. The site is well-organized, making it comfortable to navigate. Aside from images from Orlan's projects, the spectator is able to read texts pertaining to her work,listen to audio interviews, and browse through an online catalogue of the artist's merchandise (sales help pay the high costs of her performances/operations).
Egon
