The debate

Mindful Image and Unique Beauty goes beyond the canvas. The collaboration between the artists has proven to be very rewarding and extraordinary. What started as an idea and concept has bloomed and expanded into a tangible creation. One of the most interesting aspects of said collaboration is primarily rooted in the discussion between the artists. The barrier that could have existed because of intricate artistic differences never occurred, leaving behind all the possibilities between different perspectives and thoughts. It is beautiful and singular how a group of strangers can be brought together by art and beliefs, creating an unforgettable collaboration and discussion about imperative societal issues. One could say that in the midst of these open discussions that inherent perceptions would arise and collide, however, in the end, everything came together as one profound piece.

Taking the poem Mirror by Sylvia Plath as a source of inspiration brought forth a discussion regarding mirrors and reflections, and how these reflections encompass so much of our lives subsequently connecting to the overall themes of image and beauty. The reflected image portrays an interesting take on how one perceives oneself when confronted with one’s reflection. Many interpretations were taken from this poem, isolating several verses and using them as a conduct for the written compositions. “Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, / Searching my reaches for what she really is.” stood out the most, delivering themes such as aging and image to the table.

Jag tänker på mig själv is a sculpture by the Swedish artist Marianne Lindberg De Geer that has brought a lot of discussion to the Växjö community in southern Sweden. But as Sofia Carnvik describes in her dissertation ”Jag tänker på mig själv som en nakenakt: En studie av Marianne Lindberg De Geers skulptur Jag tänker på mig själv i relation till nakenakten som motivkategori” the exposed figures of this sculpture are deviant. It is noteworthy that one must remember that we all live in a world where no one has the same body. The female body is as detailed as each and every body out there. The idea of beauty as a concept can become too pretentious and misleading. The idea that one must change one’s body to follow societal rules, intrinsically connected to capitalism, takes one’s freedom away. Besides being a perspective that can nurture other aspects of image such as disabilities and aging, one can clearly see that the portrait of beauty and image concerns everyone, and artists are trying to convey how these seemingly trivial aspects of life are affecting us every day.

“Now I am a lake” unquestionably defies the metaphorical sense of lyrical poetry. Several artists from this project have taken this verse and deconstructed it through their compositions. The connection between water and image revealed itself to be particular. Several associations were made between the reflection on the surface of water with the depth of the lake, how the profoundness and vastness of water are hidden beneath the surface, and in this case, one’s reflection.

Another association was made with the sauna. Swedish people are very used to this activity, being part of their culture, however it can be strange or even uncomfortable for foreigners to experience this. The idea of being naked around other people and realizing that this idealized image exists only in our minds: diversity and uniqueness separate us from each other bringing the concept of beauty into another light. To be nude is still a taboo amongst many cultures and it can be shocking for some people to accept and go through this very raw and mundane experience. In connection to Marianne Lindberg De Geer’s sculpture, the nude and the idea of embracing one’s body distorts the notion society imposes on us and defies us to consider these concepts in different points of view.

The water unexpectedly became a substantial element of this project. Its representation and deep connection to nature emphasizes the relationship between women and earth making its depiction more tangible and concrete. The combination of printing the images into bed sheets through water washes and stamping techniques represents its fluidity. By means of reflecting the patterns in pairs with the fabrics, the water connects everything going from the depth of the water beneath its surface, its undeniable fluidity and the essential link that physically creates the art pieces.

Social media has definitely played a giant role in this sense of portrayal. We are influenced by what we see, hear, read, and feel. We take the information within ourselves and we make it our own. Besides, sociological speaking it becomes even more difficult to separate from these standards when there is a continuous historical oppression imposed by the patriarchy. Plus, the media makes it difficult for us to ignore these subliminal messages that are constantly impending in our way. Therefore, it has become apparent that even though beauty and image are concepts of secondary importance in the face of current world problems, these subjects are too inherent to society for us to keep ignoring them. It is imperative for us to take the discussion into another plane and accurately address it, making an effort to update our current biased notions and embrace a society where one can love one’s flaws without difficulty or shame.

Further reading

Plath, S. (1981). The Collected Poems. (T. Hughes, Ed.) New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

Woolf, V. (1993/2019). The Lady in the Looking-Glass: A Reflection. In V. Woolf, Selected Short Stories (pp. 75-80). UK: Penguin Classics.

Hints, A. (Director). (2023). Smoke Sauna Sisterhood: Documentary [Movie].

Orrghen, A. (2018). Jag tänker på mig själv som en nakenakt – En studie av Marianne Lindberg De Geers skulptur Jag tänker på mig själv i relation till nakenakten som motivkategori. Uppsala, Sweden: Uppsala universitet, Konstvetenskapliga institutionen.

Roxvall, A. (2006). Skulpturer rör upp känslor i Växjö. Svenska Dagbladet. Access February 20th of 2025, at  https://www.svd.se/a/af118c8d-2a0d-37a1-9495-82fdf6339b7c/skulpturer-ror-upp-kanslor-i-vaxjo