raw aesthetics
raw aesthetics
by laurenflo
photos create an alternate reality
where the distressing elements don’t exist
and the pleasant ones are highlighted like accomplishments.
extracting all contact,
they trade embrace for examination
conversation for correction
appreciation for approval.
I avoid all photos of myself,
my face causing
d i s t r e s s
e m b a r r a s s m e n t
a n x i e t y
instead I upload photos of places I’ve been to
I hide from the world
by pretending i’ve seen all of it
but when the veil of the social spread of our photos is lifted
we are left bare
stripped of the digitally-enhanced features and facts
with only our own raw aesthetics to show who we truly are.
we suddenly become exposed to the harsh slap of criticism,
but when the artificial parts of ourselves are abandoned
we are no longer sensitive to the abuse.
because the raw flesh of our minds and souls
cannot be torn apart
by the
p l a s t i c
m o l d a b l e
and eventually c r u m b l i n g
world views of who we are supposed to be.