Although these photos portray the image of someone who doesn’t exist, what they do portray is the spirit, the zeitgeist of people within an era. The first two images portray the visual average of stars from the 1950′s and 1980′s. Notice how these two faces evoke a different meaning and presence of women during those time periods. The image of Hollywood women from the 50′s is almost doll-like with full lipstick, curled hair and an overall “put together” look, whilst the composite of Hollywood women from the 80′s evokes a rouge and young presence with natural lips, wispy hair and darker eye makeup. These skillfully composited portrait data displays and allows you to consider, what event’s and opinions shaped the way women presented themselves within that 30 year period, how did we go from one look to another and which was better?
Nancy Burson, First Beauty Composite: Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, 1982 Gelatin silver print, 7 3/4 x 8 3/4 in.
Nancy Burnson, Second Beauty Composite: Jane Fonda, Jacquelin Bisset, Diane Keaton, Brooke Shields, Meryl Streep, 1982 Gelatin Silver Print, 7 3/4 x 8 3/4 in.
