released 11/1/2024

Now more than ever, notions about personal identity are wrapped up in attitudes toward the body. A deep confusion about both is evidenced by our not knowing what to make of ourselves as we try to remake ourselves in increasingly radical ways. In light of this, we present an archived interview from 1998 with Elizabeth Haiken, author of Venus Envy: A History of Cosmetic Surgery. Haiken examines the shift that occurred in 20th century America from a focus on developing character to a focus on developing “personality” and achieving physical perfection. Not surprisingly, perhaps, one of the reasons for this shift was a growing consumer mindset. A related reason was the proliferation of images in mass media. Haiken discusses how this project of self-improvement was particularly American.

19 minutes

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