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Artist Post #1: Nancy Burson

Beauty Composites

Nancy Burson is a living, influential digital artist whose work has had practical applications in addition to existing as ascetically stimulating images. Burson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri in 1948 and studied painting at Colorado Women’s College from 1966 to 1968. From Colorado, Burson moved to New York where she flourishes as an artist employing digital media. In New York, Burson teamed up with EAT, or Experiments in Art and Technology to help develop what she is most famous for, the method and apparatus for producing an image of a person’s face at different ages. She received a patent for this technique in 1981. She is considered one of the first individuals who used digital technologies to morph images and objects together with the use of composite imagery. For example, her work with Beauty Composites was very popular as she highlighted the qualities that made an individual beautiful. She looked at how beauty was currently being defined by modern culture and what ideals were being pushed on women. I think that this concept is really interesting and I like how she was able to take popular figures and identify some of the reasons for their success and attractiveness. However, I think that Burson could have added to these composites by combining images of women from past generations, creating a timeline of how cultural standards have changed and developed. In a society where body image and eating disorders have become alarmingly prevalent, it would be interesting and beneficial to go back to a more “natural” time and see how society has twisted the standard of beauty.

Not only has Burson been an influential artist, but she has made a real positive impact in a functional way. Her work with creating an apparatus for aging a person’s face has been extremely beneficial to the police force among others. Now missing children can have their pictures digitally altered as they age which could increase the probability of becoming reunited with their family even after an extended period of time. I believe that art should not just be pretty and interesting, but also functional such as what Burson has accomplished.

Another one of Burson’s creative accomplishments is seen in her work Visualize This from 1991. This was used to spread information to educate society on the dangers of HIV and AIDs. Visually, this is a very intriguing object which instantly grabs the viewer’s attention. Burson used marketing and creative skills to get across an important message and to raise awareness for a significant cause. I think that this was executed very well and that it accomplishes the goals that Burson set out to fulfill. 

Personally, I think that it is very inspiring to see an artist experiencing such success who is still living. I thought that it was interesting how Burson started out from a very traditional background in painting, and then diverged from her roots to find tremendous success in digital media. It is the mark of a true intellectual and artist to create works that not only inspire, but that have a purpose beyond existing as visually pleasing pieces and interesting concepts. The ability to use artistic talents to benefit others is truly commendable. 

 Source for this Post 

First Blogging attempt

Hello! This is my first blog post so here is some general information about myself.

My name is Shannon Rafferty, but I often go by Shannon Renee.

I am a runner, I love country music, I drink too much coffee and I always try to do everything. I am more of an observer and an introvert, but I have my outgoing moments occasionally. 

Here is a link to my website shannonrenee92.weebly.com...

...and here is a classic source of inspiration. Calvin and Hobbes is always a classic.

Calvin and Hobbes