The Aesthetics of Artificiality

Julia Roberts smiles for the camera. Her head is slightly tilted. The left hand resting behind her neck is projecting an image of a woman comfortable in her body – a woman comfortable in her skin. The product that Julia Roberts is promoting in the advertisement for Lancôme is called Teint Miracle. And indeed, the…

A Photo Op Gone Awry

The political aides and PR consultants of British prime minister David Cameron are usually very astute in arranging photo opportunities. Who could forgot the amazing footage of Cameron playing Ping Pong alongside Barack Obama at a school for children from low-income families in London. Cameron welcomed Obama in May 2011 to reinforce the transatlantic ‘special…