Julie Patard

Department: Information Design
Website: juliepa.be

Techno Venus

What: A video self-portrait exploring contemporary female identity, balancing between freedom and oppression.

Why: Throughout history, ‘female identity’ was defined by male sculptors, painters, film directors and magazine editors. Nowadays, in the era of social media and selfies, women have the power to portray themselves. But do they really take the liberty to do so?

How: By using the most-liked Instagram selfies as make-up for a 3D scan of her own face, Julie Patard illustrates her digital pursuit of perfection. If she wants to be a woman, she has to surrender to the restrictive codes of social media imagery that women collectively follow. Is it even possible to be feminine and free?

"Digital technologies call for hyperreal perfection"