“Virtual Beauty” Exhibition at Somerset House: Exploring Technology and Beauty
Explore the “Virtual Beauty” exhibition at Somerset House, London, where digital art and technology challenge traditional beauty standards. Featuring artists like Sin Wai Kin, Lil Miquela, and Arvida Byström, the exhibit runs until September 28.
“Virtual Beauty” Exhibition at Somerset House: A Deep Dive into Digital Aesthetics
In an era where digital technologies shape almost every aspect of our lives, the concept of beauty is also being redefined. The “Virtual Beauty” exhibition at Somerset House in London is an innovative showcase that explores how technology and digital culture have influenced our perceptions of beauty. Running until September 28, the exhibition features works by contemporary artists, including Sin Wai Kin, Lil Miquela, Arvida Byström, and others. Through a series of sculptures, photography, video installations, and augmented reality experiences, “Virtual Beauty” dissects the complex relationship between digital advancements and modern beauty ideals.
Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Beauty
The exhibition presents a wide variety of works, each offering a unique perspective on how technology influences beauty standards. Dr. Cliff Lauson, Director of Exhibitions at Somerset House, explains that the exhibit “takes an in-depth look at the intricate relationship between digital technologies and beauty aesthetics. The artists included offer thought-provoking perspectives that challenge our understanding of how beauty is perceived both online and in real life.”
Among the featured artists, Sin Wai Kin stands out with The Storyteller, a piece that delves into themes of drag, fantasy, and identity. Through this work, Kin explores how digital platforms allow for the expression of alternate personas and identities, questioning the boundaries between real and virtual. Similarly, Lil Miquela, a popular CGI influencer, offers a commentary on the blurring line between human and artificial beings in the digital age. Her presence in the exhibition reflects how digital culture and AI influencers are changing the way we perceive beauty, further erasing the distinction between the organic and the artificial.
AI and Beauty Standards: A New Reality
Arvida Byström’s A Daughter Without A Mother focuses on the role of artificial intelligence in shaping beauty standards. Byström’s work interrogates how machine learning and AI algorithms influence how beauty is defined and perceived in the digital world. Her installation encourages viewers to reflect on the way AI is used to construct and perpetuate ideals of beauty, often based on unrealistic or narrow parameters.
Additionally, the exhibition includes augmented reality works by M.C. Abbott, María Buey González, and Carl Olsson, all of whom explore facial identity and its fluid nature in the digital realm. These works challenge the idea that our physical appearance is fixed, suggesting that in the virtual space, identity is fluid, adaptable, and constantly evolving.
Immersive and Thought-Provoking Experiences
Filip Ćustić’s body sculpture, made from silicone and LED screens, further pushes the boundaries of how technology intersects with our physical form. This immersive piece combines art, technology, and sculpture to explore the hybridization of the human body and virtual technologies.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors can engage with interactive installations and thought-provoking pieces that encourage them to reconsider the traditional notions of beauty. There are also curator-led tours, artist talks, and discussions that dive deeper into the complex role of digital technologies in shaping our visual culture.
A Must-See Exhibition for Those Interested in Digital Culture
Virtual Beauty at Somerset House is not just an art exhibition — it’s a timely commentary on how beauty standards are evolving in an increasingly digital world. By featuring artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and technology, this exhibition provides a space for reflection on how beauty is perceived in both the real and virtual worlds.
The exhibition is open to the public until September 28, and for those interested in exploring beauty’s future in the digital age, this is an unmissable opportunity.