Orlan: Carnal Art

            Orlan is a French artist known for her unconventional art of sex and surgery. She is not afraid to put her own body and self in danger in the name of what she deems as art. I was able to view her Carnal Art documentary on YouTube. Being that this was in French and I am quite fluent I was able to listen to some of the other artists and critic’s thoughts on her art and surgery documentary as well as the stories she herself told outside of the subtitles. 

I found it captivating that she chose to tell stories while getting her surgery.My favorite story was one that she told of a king who was bored with all his new wives until one was actually being carved for his entertainment. I think it speaks to the fact that she herself was doing this to be noticed. One artist also commented on the fact that Orlan was a continuation of Van Gogh cutting off his ear. Yet she sees it differently she sees him cutting off his ear as a reflection of his despair and weakness. While she herself was a strong woman who used her body and skin as a work of art.

I personally do not in any way condone Orlan’s art but I do understand that she has done it in a way to not only shock others but to open up the world’s view of how narcissistic our society is. How can we as a society applaud Lady Gaga and pay for lip injections to look like the models in the magazines, but refuse to accept Orlan’s documentary for the art that it? 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_66MGu0Oo