Gretchen Andrew's latest series, "Universal Beauty," uses AI-driven beauty standards to illustrate how algorithms are homogenizing faces worldwide. The series was recently acquired by the Whitney Museum in New York and features portraits of Miss Universe contestants from different countries with the same algorithmic tweaks applied to each image.
Andrew explains that she is not targeting her art at the tech industry or social media companies, but rather at the users themselves. "The focus is less about my explicitly and more about the technology that traps us all," she says. This emphasis on individual user behavior is a key aspect of how social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged.
For Andrew, the "Facetune Portraits" series serves as an example of this phenomenon. By using AI-driven beauty standards, she aims to highlight how algorithms prioritize screen-friendliness over actual human diversity. She points out that these beauty standards lead people to prioritize appearance over other qualities and are losing connections to their own bodies.
Andrew suggests that the use of social media has made it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between what is desirable and what is realistic, as platforms encourage users to present an idealized image of themselves. This perpetuates unrealistic expectations and pressure on individuals to conform to these standards, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
In terms of addressing beauty standards, Andrew emphasizes that her series is not about shaming women for plastic surgery or other beauty practices but rather about exploring the societal norms that lead people to prioritize appearance over other qualities. She notes that this conversation is particularly important as we age, with many women feeling pressure to maintain their youthful appearance.
Andrew also highlights the impact of technology on our lives, suggesting that social media platforms are like "tobacco" - they know it's bad for us but continue to be used due to their addictive nature. However, she believes that being aware of these issues can provide individuals with a sense of agency and allow them to make more informed choices.
Ultimately, Andrew's work serves as a commentary on how technology is shaping our perceptions of beauty and identity, highlighting the need for critical self-reflection and nuanced discussions about the impact of social media on our lives.
Andrew explains that she is not targeting her art at the tech industry or social media companies, but rather at the users themselves. "The focus is less about my explicitly and more about the technology that traps us all," she says. This emphasis on individual user behavior is a key aspect of how social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged.
For Andrew, the "Facetune Portraits" series serves as an example of this phenomenon. By using AI-driven beauty standards, she aims to highlight how algorithms prioritize screen-friendliness over actual human diversity. She points out that these beauty standards lead people to prioritize appearance over other qualities and are losing connections to their own bodies.
Andrew suggests that the use of social media has made it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between what is desirable and what is realistic, as platforms encourage users to present an idealized image of themselves. This perpetuates unrealistic expectations and pressure on individuals to conform to these standards, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
In terms of addressing beauty standards, Andrew emphasizes that her series is not about shaming women for plastic surgery or other beauty practices but rather about exploring the societal norms that lead people to prioritize appearance over other qualities. She notes that this conversation is particularly important as we age, with many women feeling pressure to maintain their youthful appearance.
Andrew also highlights the impact of technology on our lives, suggesting that social media platforms are like "tobacco" - they know it's bad for us but continue to be used due to their addictive nature. However, she believes that being aware of these issues can provide individuals with a sense of agency and allow them to make more informed choices.
Ultimately, Andrew's work serves as a commentary on how technology is shaping our perceptions of beauty and identity, highlighting the need for critical self-reflection and nuanced discussions about the impact of social media on our lives.
... I mean, it's not like it's a bad thing or anything, but the idea of AI-driven beauty standards homogenizing faces worldwide feels kinda creepy 
. And yeah, I get what Gretchen Andrew is trying to say about social media platforms encouraging users to present an idealized image of themselves, but isn't that just a part of being human? Like, we all put on a good face sometimes 
. But at the same time, I do think it's a valid concern - I've seen how quickly people can get sucked into the vortex of likes and comments on social media... and yeah, it can lead to some pretty serious body image issues 
. Maybe Andrew's series is just what we need to take a step back and reevaluate our priorities? 
is she saying that everyone should just be themselves, no matter what the algorithms say? 
also, tobacco analogy? that's a pretty strong statement... how does that relate to social media? 
. it's not just about the tech companies, it's about us as individuals who keep clicking and scrolling and sharing our own curated lives on social media 
. so yeah, i think gretchen andrews series is a much-needed conversation starter about the impact of technology on our beauty standards 
. Still, I hope people aren't taking it as a total diss to women who get plastic surgery or enjoy beauty treatments – that's not what Gretchen is trying to say 
. The whole "tobacco" analogy is so apt for social media platforms, though 
. They're super addictive and bad for us, but we keep coming back for more because of their convenience and validation 
.
. But at the same time, I feel like this series is more about owning your own identity rather than shaming others for their choices.
I think Gretchen Andrews is onto something here - we need to start having more nuanced conversations about beauty and identity, especially as we age. 
The fact that AI-driven algorithms are churning out identical beauty standards just to keep users engaged on these platforms is wild 
. It's not about shaming women for wanting to look good, it's about how our obsession with physical appearance can lead to some pretty negative vibes, like low self-esteem and unrealistic expectations 
.
. And yeah, it can lead to some major body dysmorphia issues and low self-esteem 
. She's more about highlighting the societal norms that drive this whole beauty obsession in the first place 
. And maybe, just maybe, we can break free from this toxic cycle and find some real self-acceptance 
.
. And then we have artists like Gretchen Andrew who are trying to wake us up and make us realize that there's more to life than looking perfect on a screen 
.
. We're already dealing with so much pressure to be perfect in our careers and relationships and then we have to deal with this beauty standard nonsense too? 
It's just too much! 
. And btw, I'm Team AI-driven algorithms - let's get tech companies to prioritize our well-being over their profits 
) to show us that there's more to beauty than just likes and followers 
. We need more conversations about body positivity, self-acceptance, and the impact of social media on our mental health 
But seriously, I feel like we need to take a step back and reevaluate what beauty really means to us. Is it just about looking good on camera or is it something more? Let's talk about it in real life, not just in our curated online personas 
I mean, social media companies know they're bad for us, but we keep coming back because of their addictive nature. But if we can just be aware of these issues, we can make more informed choices and start to shift the conversation towards a more nuanced understanding of beauty.