The Beauty Project

Linda, the model photographed here, is one of the 15 model volunteers so far for "The Beauty Project."

The Beauty Project explores and expands the notion of beauty in the photographs and words of volunteer models. Each model is interviewed about why she is volunteering, about how she sees her body, and her conceptions of beauty. The model’s image is paired with her interview. The project will be presented as a show in Antwerp on May 29.

The mission statement: We believe that beauty is not always thin and beauty is not always young. In the Beauty Project, women are invited to explore their thoughts about the nature of beauty. The pairing of their ideas and images expands the definition of what is beautiful. The Beauty Project shows images of real women of all ages and body types. It pairs photographs of real women with the words of the models, and hopes that these images and ideas can make a difference in expanding the understanding of what is beautiful. We are who we are, and here we find the beauty that lies therein.We believe that beauty is not always thin and beauty is not always young. In the Beauty Project, women are invited to explore their thoughts about the nature of beauty. The pairing of their ideas and images expands the definition of what is beautiful. ">

The website for the project was launched yesterday. (See www.thebeautyprojectart.com ) There you can read Linda's interview and learn some fascinating insights about Dutch attitudes towards health and beauty.