The Liberation of Ms. Frankenstein
By Lisa Argyropoulos
11 Apr 2007
First of all, let me say that the title of my personal post regarding beauty is two-fold. One: I am attempting to liberate myself from society into believing that I am not pretty enough for today's standards. So, I don't have the perfect button nose, or the beautiful white smile the dentist gave me, or perfect teeth for that matter. In fact, I had canine teeth, sharp Dracula style teeth that I was so often teased about. Sure I had them fixed, because I was led to believe that I was a monster like creature and because of it, I had lost all interest in smiling. To liberate myself from societal ideas is the key here and it is a personal journey.
Two: I am attempting to liberate myself, the mad scientist so to speak, into becoming the person of beauty that fits me. I was never pleased with photos taken of me, again society pressuring me into thinking that I had to fit into a certain mold. But now that I have the upper hand to create what I choose through my viewfinder, I have the ability to change my point of view on my own self. I have taken photo after photo and scrutinized every one of them and once in awhile I would find one that is satisfactory. This has been a road of discovery for me, to realize that I have many faces and they all don't have to be perfect. I am the creator of my own beauty.
To prove to myself that I could be beautiful in no matter what I wore, or how my hair was set, or whether or not I had make-up on, I took my trusty camera with me and threw on my "costume" so to speak. There in the backyard, sun shining directly down on me, I snapped away. It wasn't so much to be beautiful in front of the camera, but to be comfortable with no one looking on to critique me or to say otherwise and as I completed my task, I continued with my journey of liberation.
You see beauty is what you make of it. It is all around us in the most minuscule of things to the grandest of things. There is natural beauty and there is fabricated beauty and they often exist together in a strange harmonious balance. Each and every one of us is beautiful in our own way and it is true that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." It is also true that beauty begins from within and from this it radiates outwardly. I think that it is important that we can accept our own selves as beautiful creatures no matter what society tells us. A friend of mine recently told me, "You are you." And you know what? He was right, I am me and I am okay with that. Liberation of Ms. Frankenstein complete.
3 responses
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Brenda Woodham gave props (15 Dec 2008):
Amen! I wish I had such courage. The pictures are beautiful
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Peter McLaughlin said (23 Jul 2009):
Lisa, I don't know who told you that you were not beautiful. From what I've seen from the photographs of you as well as your work, You are one hot tomata' ! Beauty is not the Barbie Doll plastic women of today. Beauty comes from within. If you feel beautiful, it will show through.
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Roberto Marin gave props (17 Nov 2009):
Great story and I love the way you phrased things. Good thing for people to reflect on.
