scott chasserot shows how brain scans can reveal our ideal self-image

scott chasserot shows how brain scans can reveal our ideal self-image
all images courtesy of scott chasserot

if we could bypass the conscious perception we have of ourselves — and the notions of beauty we source from social and cultural standards — we would be able to identity our most perfect physical self. photographer scott chasserot argues in his project ‘original ideal‘ that using brain scanning technology allows for an uninhibited point of view, one which would allow us to immediately judge our own levels of attractiveness and perfection. ‘the methodology is still in pilot study phase,‘ chasserot told the creators project. ‘the ‘ideal’ image is simply the one with the greatest positive reaction immediately after presentation and that cannot be distinguished from any theoretical, specific ‘ideal self’ reaction.’

the first step of the project required a subject to be photographed, devoid of jewelery, makeup and temporary adornments. this has isolated the permanent facial features, leaving only the constant characteristics inherent to the individual. with hair pulled back and a vacant expression, the man or woman pictured behind the camera is captured in their most straightforward and lucid form.

following the portrait photography taken, chasserot has created dozens of computer-manipulated versions of the person’s face, both adhering to, and going against the standard, preconceived notions of beauty. lips have been made fuller, eyes widened and necks elongated, all in an effort to slightly but noticeably alter the facial features. the subject has been then connected to a brain scan and watched a slideshow of the differently proportioned variations of themselves, while their immediate emotional reactions have been recorded. the final result of photographic diptychs illustrate, side-by-side, the original portrait of the subject and their ‘ideal’ self, providing a credible, visual description of their own notions of personal beauty without judging the images with social and cultural influences first.

the individual has been hooked up to a device, which reads their emotional reactions

brain scanning technology provides an uninhibited reaction

via [the creators project]