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Monday 3 April – Tuesday 4 April 2023, Australian National University and Online

Looking in a mirror is never a neutral act. This conference offers an opportunity to reflect on changing ideals of beauty through an examination of a range of visual, material, and medical representations of the manipulated human body. It will seek to debunk the myth that beauty is ‘natural’ by engaging with the many and varied attempts that have been made to change, augment, alter and transform the body. These manipulations range from the application of cosmetics to undergoing surgical procedures, from fantasies of corporeal boundlessness through to real, lived experiences of physical and psychological transformation. Topics for examination include: gendered and racialised ideals of beauty across cultures; face bleaching and other skin lightening cosmetics; queer identities, gender fluidity and gender modification; dressing up and performativity through jewellery; war; disability; dismemberment and mutilation; death and the body undone.

For the full program and to register please visit the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/complexions-reflections-cosmetics-adornment-disfiguration-tickets-579722263897

Speakers

Professor Susan Sidlauskas (Rutgers)

Dr Erin Griffey (University of Auckland)

Dr Karin Selberg (UQ)

Dr Natasha Ruiz-Gómez (University of Essex)

Dr Tania Cleaves (née Woloshyn) (University of Warwick / University of Birmingham)

Dr Keren Hammerschlag (ANU)

Professor Anthea Callen (University of Nottingham and ANU)

Dr Michelle J. Smith (Monash University)

Dr Megan Rose (UNSW)

Ashley E. Remer (ANU)

Location

1.02 Conference Room

Sir Roland Wilson Building

Australian National University

The Zoom link for online attendance is emailed with the ticket following registration

For enquiries please contact Dr Keren Hammerschlag keren.hammerschlag@anu.edu.au