Orlan vs. Gaga
Two years ago I first heard about French artist, Orlan, who is best known for using plastic surgery on herself as an artistic medium. Not until she was brought up again in class today, did I ever think to compare her to Lady Gaga – but here it goes.
Both artists use their body as a way of sending a message. Orlan, however physically alters her body with surgeries. Gaga usually uses costumes, head pieces, sunglasses and different hair styles to alter her look. Orlan used her body as a medium for her art; Gaga claims her outrageous outfits, such as her meat dress, are sending out important messages. Does this make Gaga an artist, in the same light as Orlan? Or is she simply just trying to get on the front cover of tabloids each week with her over the top outfits? She said her meat dress had a very important message; no one knew what this message was until she explained days after she wore it. Some, like PETA, were outraged with her dress and some people still have no idea she was trying to send a message. Gaga’s most recent album “Born this Way” figures her with horns protruding out of the sides of her forehead, similar to those that Orlan had surgerically put on her forehead. The difference; Gaga’s horns were put on with make-up and could be taken off at any moment. Does this make her not as committed to her “art” as Orlan was? Or does it go back to the fact that Gaga was never intending on having a message or conveying art, she just wanted to be the centre of the “papa-paparazzi”?
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