BEAUTY
is a powerful and provocative installation by Australian artist SAWEREIGN, designed to challenge societal beauty standards and ignite critical discussions about self-worth and authenticity in the age of cosmetic enhancement.
The Concept
At first glance, BEAUTY appears as an imposing wall of 10,000 botox bottles, each meticulously arranged with labels of varying heights. This seemingly chaotic assembly transforms into a coherent and striking image when viewed from a distance: the visage of a prominent celebrity known for her beauty treatments and cosmetic procedures. SAWEREIGN's deliberate manipulation of label heights is not only a technical feat but also a metaphorical commentary on the lengths to which individuals go to conform to societal expectations of beauty.
The Critique
SAWEREIGN’s work delves deep into the modern obsession with physical appearance and the pressure to achieve perfection through artificial means. By using botox bottles—a symbol of the cosmetic industry's promise of eternal youth—the artwork critiques the commodification of beauty and the unrealistic standards perpetuated by media and celebrity culture. The title, "BEAUTY" encapsulates this dichotomy: the pursuit of beauty, often at great personal and societal cost, juxtaposed with the underlying truth of self-acceptance and authenticity.
Interactive Engagement
Beauty transcends traditional art forms by inviting backers to become part of the creative process. Through our Kickstarter campaign, supporters can sponsor individual botox bottles, becoming both patrons and co-creators of the artwork. Each sponsored bottle is accompanied by an NFT, giving backers a digital stake in the piece and symbolizing their contribution to this critical discourse. As more bottles are sponsored, the artwork evolves, reflecting the collective involvement and investment of a global community.
Aesthetic and Cultural Impact
Drawing inspiration from Marcel Duchamp's ready-mades, SAWEREIGN elevates everyday objects into a profound artistic statement. The installation's sheer scale and intricate design transform the mundane into the extraordinary, compelling viewers to reconsider their perceptions of beauty and value. BEAUTY serves as a poignant reminder of art's power to provoke thought, inspire change, and turn the ordinary into the captivating.
Call for Support
We invite art enthusiasts, critics, and supporters from around the world to join us in bringing BEAUTY to life. By sponsoring a bottle, you not only support the creation of this groundbreaking piece but also contribute to a larger conversation about beauty, identity, and societal norms.
Major sponsors will receive special recognition and exclusive benefits, including oversized botox bottles as a unique symbol of their commitment to this cause.
Our KICKSTARTER campaign will launch 1st July 2024.
Join US.
Explore the complexities of beauty and self-perception through BEAUTY. Visit our Kickstarter campaign to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and rewards for backers and become a part of this transformative artwork
(KICKSTARTER-LINK WILL BE PROVIDED HERE on the 1.07.2024).
TRES JOLIE
offers a compelling commentary on beauty, conformity, and societal pressures, conveyed through a striking visual narrative. At its center are five weathered Venus de Milo sculptures, revered relics of classical beauty, each bearing the marks of an attack by pink paint bags. These iconic figures, originally crafted by Alexandros of Antioch in the late 2nd century BCE, epitomize an enduring ideal of aesthetic perfection.
In a bold reinterpretation, SAWEREIGN, the artist behind this thought-provoking piece, assumes the role of a modern-day plastic surgeon. With meticulous detail, he restores the Venus de Milo to conformity with contemporary beauty standards, adding arms, straightening the spine, and enhancing the figure with artificial breasts. At the feet of each sculpture, a pair of NIKE AirForce shoes firmly roots them in today's beauty-obsessed society.
However, amidst this apparent restoration of perfection, a subversive element emerges. The sculptures, now uniform in their adherence to modern ideals, salute in a fascist gesture, challenging the viewer to confront the dark undercurrents of uniformity and the erosion of individualism. This provocative salute serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of conformity and the breakdown of imperfection.
The splashes of paint across the sculptures serve as both a direct attack on contemporary beauty standards and a restoration of individual character. Each mark reclaims the uniqueness and imperfection of the original sculptures, disrupting the manufactured uniformity imposed upon them.
"TRES JOLIE" serves as a continuation of SAWEREIGN's exploration of societal beauty norms, echoing the themes of his previous work, "BEAUTY." Through this evocative piece, the artist challenges viewers to critically examine the pressures of conformity and the value of embracing imperfection and individuality in an increasingly homogenized society.
TRES JOLIE
THE BEAST WITHIN
THE BEAST WITHIN
marks the inaugural piece in a captivating series of artworks, each comprising a portrait juxtaposed with a three-dimensional sculpture of a deceased pig's head. This visual dialogue is reminiscent of the intense stare-down between adversaries before a boxing match, with the central theme revolving around the confrontation of inner demons.
In this particular installment, a middle-aged male protagonist stands face to face with the grotesque pig's head, symbolizing the embodiment of the "beast within." This metaphorical representation alludes to the darker aspects of human nature, akin to the malevolent alter ego famously depicted in the character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Each individual, the artwork suggests, contends with their own internal struggle between good and evil, albeit to varying degrees and frequencies.
The tension between the human subject and the pig's head is palpable, evoking a sense of psychological warfare and existential confrontation. Through this powerful visual metaphor, the artist prompts viewers to introspectively engage with their own inner turmoil and moral complexities.
"The Beast Within" serves as a profound exploration of the human condition, challenging viewers to confront their personal demons and navigate the intricacies of morality and self-awareness. As the first installment in a compelling series, it sets the stage for a thought-provoking journey into the depths of the human psyche.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
presents a thought-provoking commentary on media influence, gender transition, and the notion of free choice. At its center are two oversized sculptures of iconic Disney characters, Donald and Daisy Duck, standing alongside two medications, Prometrium and Jatenzo, commonly used to support gender transition.
The juxtaposition is jarring: Donald, typically portrayed as male, now boasts a substantial pair of breasts, while Daisy, traditionally female, reveals a penis under her dress. These alterations challenge traditional gender norms and highlight the fluidity of identity, yet the presence of the medications suggests a deeper commentary on the medicalization of gender transition.
SAWEREIGN critiques the role of media in shaping public perception and promoting specific agendas.
By placing these symbols of gender transition alongside beloved childhood characters, the artwork questions the extent to which media influences societal norms and individual choices. The title, "Family Entertainment," adds another layer of irony, evoking wholesome values associated with traditional family entertainment while subverting them with themes of gender identity and medical intervention.
Moreover, "Family Entertainment" delves deeper into the discourse surrounding media influence and societal agendas by incorporating references to Walt Disney's penchant for incorporating "woke" topics into their children's movies. Disney's influential role in shaping cultural norms and opinions is acknowledged, with the artwork serving as a critique of this influence.
Furthermore, "Family Entertainment" can be interpreted as a nod to the works of Edward Bernays, particularly his books "Crystalizing Public Opinion" and "Propaganda." Bernays, often regarded as the father of public relations, explored the manipulation of public opinion and the use of propaganda to shape societal perceptions.
In this context, SAWEREIGN's artwork serves as a visual commentary on the intersection of media, ideology, and public discourse. By juxtaposing familiar childhood characters with symbols of gender transition and referencing Disney's influence on societal narratives, the piece encourages viewers to critically examine the ways in which media shapes collective consciousness and reinforces certain ideological frameworks.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
50 BUCKS
50 BUCKS
"50 Bucks" is a poignant visual rendition of SAWEREIGN's evocative poem by the same name.
I gave her 50 bucks,
She was happy,
so was I.
What a wonderful day in fall.
At first glance, viewers are drawn to the concrete autumn leaves, meticulously crafted to capture the essence of fall's fleeting beauty. Yet, upon closer inspection, the somber reality nestled within the leaves unveils itself:
a used syringe and a discarded condom.
This juxtaposition of nature's tranquility with urban decay serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities of contemporary life. The simple act of exchanging money for sex, depicted in the poem's narrative, becomes a metaphor for the coexistence of joy and sorrow, wealth and poverty, within our societal landscape.
Through "50 Bucks," the artist invites viewers to ponder profound questions about the nature of happiness, success, and sexuality. What does it mean to find contentment in a world marked by stark disparities? How do we reconcile the beauty of existence with its harsh realities?
In confronting these themes, the artwork serves as a catalyst for introspection, challenging viewers to contemplate the intricate tapestry of human experience and the often uneasy balance between light and shadow in our collective journey through life.
MEMORIES
MEMORIES
offers a raw and intimate exploration of human connection and the profound impact of loss.
At its heart lies a used pantyliner delicately suspended between two ears, covering a nose—a poignant symbol of the lengths we go to preserve the essence of those we have loved and lost.
In this evocative piece, SAWEREIGN delves into the depths of human longing and the ways in which memory intertwines with desire. The pantyliner, once an intimate garment, now serves as a vessel for remembrance, as the owner inhales deeply, seeking to capture and preserve the scent of their partner's genitalia.
Through this visceral act, the artwork transcends the boundaries of societal taboos, inviting viewers to confront the raw, unfiltered nature of human emotion. It is a testament to the power of scent to evoke memories and stir the soul, even in the face of profound loss.
As viewers engage with "Memories," they are compelled to contemplate the bittersweet nature of human connection—the ache of absence mingled with the comfort of recollection. It is a meditation on the enduring power of love and the lengths we will go to hold onto fragments of the past, even as we journey into an uncertain future.
In this way, "Memories" stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, inviting us to embrace the full spectrum of our experiences, from the tenderest moments of intimacy to the deepest pangs of grief.
Further artworks will be launched to the public in the month following our KICKSTARTER campaign!
Further artworks will be launched to the public in the month following our KICKSTARTER campaign!
Further artworks will be launched to the public in the month following our KICKSTARTER campaign!
Further artworks will be launched to the public in the month following our KICKSTARTER campaign!
Further artworks will be launched to the public in the month following our KICKSTARTER campaign!
GET IN TOUCH
