This post contains nudity.
Phillip Toledano's series A New Kind of Beauty, is a harrowing look at individuals who go through an extreme amount of plastic surgery to modify their bodies.
"I’m interested in what we define as beauty, when we choose to create it ourselves. Beauty has always been a currency, and now that we finally have the technological means to mint our own, what choices do we make?"
The series started when Toledano photographed a man who had gone through multiple plastic surgeries, he followed connections that were made during the assignment and the series grew during 2008-2010. His approach to capturing the manipulated human forms is more of a traditional portraiture. There are heavy influences from the Renaissance painters, particularly to Hans Holbein the Younger, a German painter who has been credited as one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century.
"When we re-make ourselves, are we revealing our true character, or are we stripping away our very identity?"
To find more about this project visit mrtoledano.com. A New Kind of Beauty is available for purchase through Amazon.
Via Slate.com
47 Comments
These folks need to UNDO a few EDITS to their face.
or just delete everything except the background layer
LOL!!! ^^
Extreamly funny comment Brandon Polack
This should really say NSFW in the title
It's not real nudity if it's manufactured, ha!
Haha good one!
haha, some of these should really say: NSFL for "Not Safe For Lunch"
love these photos
I'm so confused!!!!
I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and "to each his own" but holy crap, all of these people look terrifying... I dont see how anyone could think this looks good.
I feel so sad for these "people" :(.
Fairly certain the girl in the first photo is drooling.... just sayin'
I say we take off and nuke these people from orbit...it's the only way to be sure.
Wow. When plastic surgery goes horribly wrong. damn
Command Z, Command Z, Command Z, Command Z, Command Z,
Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Alt+Z, Ctrl+Alt+Z, Ctrl+Alt+Z, Ctrl+Alt+Z, Ctrl+Alt+Z,.........
Rather, ALT+F4, then click no do discard changes.
I don't know whats worse, the plastic surgery or the photography.
OMG Ctrl+Z! Ctrl+Z! Ctrl+Z!!!!
I like the concept and they are interestingly pretty. I just don't dig the photography. The lighting isn't all that great.
While I fully agree with the thesis of the photographs, I think it should be noted that the lighting and processing of these photos is not exactly flattering. The play of light and shadow is certainly designed to highlight any unfortunate features.
These are people too, let's not forget that.
My dad always says, Life is about Choices. In this case, it's totally true. They chose to go under the knife, and they chose to get photographed. One cannot discriminate any work from the Photographer/Editors.
Probably far more attractive before they went under the knife, now people only will be more intrigued by the grotesque looks they have transformed themselves into.
The method of the photographer complements the purpose of the photographs -- which is to demonstrate the extreme quality of their choices
I swear the one with the blue velvet wrapped around her fake breasts is the octomom. I am sorry but I would not pay one cent to buy this book...it is disturbing at the least and just incredibly sad that anyone would intentionally do that to themselves and I certainly don't want this in my photography book collection to see over and over...actually I am going to have to have a few drinks to wipe these photos from my mind.
horrible
sad, but still inspiring, a new art on it's own !
I can't believe a plastic surgeon said, "yea, lets do it"
Sad really. That these people actually believe disfiguring themselves will make them look better.
Oh people.... face palm...
This is an interesting series. It would've been nice to see before/after photos of their transformation...and why the heck they aren't happy about it. lol
CMD + N
These people do this to themselves because they are confused, dissatisfied, and lost. They think that artificial physical changes will bring them satisfaction, but really that won't happen. I am glad I have no desire to change my physical appearance to please anyone.
One tattoo was more than enough physical changes for me.
Some of those were a bit spooky, but it was interesting. The pictures are fine but I don't think I could watch any videos of them engaging in sexual activity.
I don't see the beauty. However, it shouldn't matter as beauty is in the eye of the beholder and they behold!
Why am I thinking of the Twilight movies?
Are those peck implants on that guy??
The guy didn't know how to use liquify tool :P
I'd like to see before shots.
Their features and the lighting literally makes them look like people from outer space!
Lots of sexy people in thise images!
Did the surgery went wrong or was on purpose?
They all have the same face...
These people barely even look human anymore. Why would anyone want to do that to themselves??? :::shudder:::
I find it difficult to make sense of the images beyond the obvious without a context from the subject. What are they trying to accomplish? Is this the end point or have we captured a snapshot of their transition?
F-ing Gross