Me, Myself & I
Look, read, question.
Adolescents and young adults live in a world where self-image is constantly being tested.
In the era of Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, they are exposed to an endless stream of smooth images, unattainable standards and a frantic quest for perfection. Between social influences, beauty dictates and constant staging, it becomes difficult to distinguish authenticity from illusion.
Me, Myself & I deciphers these mechanisms and explores the multiple facets of self-image in the digital age.
Self-image
Self-image reflects the way an individual perceives themselves through their own prism. It is based on a set of personal characteristics: tastes, interests, qualities, defects as well as on the perception of the body and physical appearance. A true internal mirror, it influences our behaviors, our choices and our interactions with others.
From childhood, this perception of self is shaped and evolves over time. Shaped by education, experiences and the gaze of others, it is not fixed, but in perpetual transformation.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem reflects each person's assessment of their own worth, influencing their sense of dignity, love and respect for themselves. A true foundation of psychological well-being, it impacts the way we perceive ourselves and interact with the world.
Shaped by education, family environment, life experiences and social and cultural influences, it is nourished as much by successes as by failures. Its construction begins in childhood and changes over time, adjusting to the trials and learnings of life.
Self and others
Self-image and self-esteem develop in a dynamic where the gaze of others plays an important role. The individual builds himself in a game of interactions, seeking to reconcile his inner perception with the expectations, judgments and influences of his environment.
Compliments, criticism, comparisons, implicit or explicit approvals shape the way we perceive ourselves. Through these exchanges, we adjust the image we have of ourselves, oscillating between personal affirmation and social adaptation.
If the gaze of others can strengthen one's image and self-esteem, it can also weaken it.
Who am I really? How do I see myself? How do others see me?
Do you have questions about how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you?
Take this quiz to see things more clearly! 👀
The evolution of beauty standards over time
Throughout history, the perception of beauty has been shaped by multiple factors: religious beliefs, cultural traditions, artistic trends and emblematic figures. Each era has seen its own aesthetic ideals emerge, reflecting the aspirations and values of society.
The rise of mass media—from illustrated newspapers to television and then digital platforms—accelerated the diffusion of these standards. Public figures, models and celebrities played a central role in defining beauty standards, shaping trends and influencing individual perceptions.
Beauty vs Ugliness
Beauty and ugliness, two sides of the same coin, reflect the judgments we make about the world and ourselves. Beauty dazzles, attracts, captivates. It evokes harmony, light and sometimes an almost unreal perfection. But it is also ephemeral, fragile, fluctuating according to times and cultures. What is beautiful today could seem bland or insignificant tomorrow.
Conversely, ugliness disturbs, repels, or intrigues. Often perceived as a lack, it nevertheless carries a raw force, an authenticity that escapes the filters of conventions. If beauty reassures, ugliness questions, provokes, pushes us to look beyond appearances. It invites us to redefine what we find beautiful and why.
These two notions, as opposed as they are interdependent, shape our relationship with aesthetics and emotion. They are not immutable: what seems ugly can become beautiful in another context, under another light or through a different perspective. Perhaps, in this tension between beauty and ugliness, lies a diversity that refuses to be confined in boxes, contrasts that make what surrounds us rich and interesting.
Art defies standards...
Art has always questioned, sublimated and deconstructed self-image.
Where the Renaissance sought harmony of features and anatomical perfection, Romanticism, Expressionism or contemporary art have given deformity, strangeness and imperfection an aesthetic power of their own. Ugliness then becomes a language, an expression of raw emotion, a mirror of inner torments and a denunciation of the dictates of appearance.
In a world where self-representation is omnipresent – from classical paintings to digital filters – art plays a vital role in questioning aesthetic norms and visual injunctions. It becomes a reflection of an era in all its complexity and contrasts.
In Untitled #646, Cindy Sherman digitally assembles fragments of her face to create new characters, exploring the malleability of identity.
Cindy Sherman
In Misty and Jimmy Paulette in a Taxi, NYC (1991), Nan Goldin captures the raw energy of New York's queer scene. With natural light and striking intimacy, she immortalizes two drag queens in a taxi, blending glamour and realism to reveal their strength and vulnerability.
Nan Goldin
In Virtual (2020), Jenny Saville superimposes fragmented faces in oil on canvas, exploring the fluidity of identity. Through layers of colour and shape, she creates a moving image, blurring the boundaries between figuration and abstraction.
Jenny Saville
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In La Reproduction Interdite, Magritte plays with perception by depicting a man seen from behind, who is nevertheless reflected in the same way in a mirror. Through this visual paradox, he questions identity, reality and illusion, defying the viewer's expectations.
Rene Magritte
And you, what is your beauty ideal👀?
The ideal of beauty varies depending on physical criteria and what a person exudes...
Assign the adjectives that correspond to each photo below using a “drag and drop” system.
Make your choice and discover how your perception of beauty is expressed in words.
Reflection: the relationship to oneself in a world of screens
Self-image is a relationship we have with ourselves.
In the digital age, the mirror has become digital: selfies, filters, likes. We no longer just see ourselves, we put ourselves on stage, we improve ourselves, we seek to please.
Authenticity sometimes gives way to an idealized version of oneself, calibrated to seduce rather than reflect reality. Every virtual interaction becomes a distorting mirror, where the approval of others shapes our perception of ourselves.
Have we become so dependent on the gaze of others that we forget how we see ourselves? Can we exist without digital validation? Behind the screen, who are we really once the filters are removed?
Selfies
Humans have always shaped and captured their image, seeking to mold it according to their own vision or the one they want to project. From yesterday's self-portrait to today's selfie, has self-representation really changed?
Isn’t the selfie simply the modern heir to this quest, democratized by technology? With one click, we choose the perfect angle, the flattering pose, the ideal filter. Each selfie becomes a mastered version of ourselves, a sculpted fragment of identity. For whom?
How many likes to exist?
Likes are no longer just clicks: they have become a social measurement unit, an instant validation, a popularity barometer, a gauge of attention. The more they accumulate, the more self-esteem seems to be reinforced. Conversely, a post that goes unnoticed can generate frustration, disappointment, or even a feeling of isolation.
On social media, getting attention is a constant game. Every like is a sign of recognition, a signal that you exist in the eyes of others.
But how far does this quest go? Is it motivated by the simple pleasure of sharing or by the pressure to compare and compete? In this virtual competition, where we scrutinize and gauge ourselves, do likes boost motivation or fuel stress? And above all, are they really a reliable measure of our value?
Mirror, filters, likes & AI... Where do you really stand? Take the test 🚀
Perfection?
Per-fake-tion
Are we still able to distinguish between real and fake? In the era of filters, retouching and artificial intelligence, the line is blurring. Growing up in a world of smoothed and reshaped images blurs the boundaries and redefines aesthetic standards.
Today, perfection is created in an instant. A filter, a click, and everything changes: sculpted cheekbones, refined nose, dazzling teeth, flawless skin, refined waist, elongated legs, enhanced chest. But behind the screen, what remains of us?
Social networks impose an unattainable ideal where appearance becomes an obsession. Artificial intelligence generates avatars with perfect contours, shaping a standardized and disembodied beauty. The gap between the filtered, prompted image and reality fuels complexes and dissatisfaction, pushing a growing number of people to resort to cosmetic surgery.
Before giving in to this frantic race towards artificial perfection, one question remains essential: who are we really trying to please? Behind each transformation, there are expectations to understand, pressures to question.
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And you? How do you feel 🤔about the images of "perfection" that you see on social networks📸?
Who influences whom?
New digital players, influencers reign supreme. They capture attention, shape trends and dictate, sometimes without even realizing it, what is "in" or "out".
Measured by likes, followers and comments, they share their daily lives, offer advice, boost products and impose standards. Their power goes beyond the screen: what they wear, what they say, what they recommend infiltrates popular culture, from office conversations to schoolyards.
The expectations of their audience, the pressure from brands, the quest for engagement… doesn’t all this end up dictating their choices, their opinions, their own image? So, who really holds the power? The influencer, who shapes opinion, or the influenced, who, through their reactions, expectations and commitments, ends up guiding those who guide them?
Influence can inspire, unite, raise awareness... but it also requires perspective, a critical eye, the ability to question, not to follow blindly and to form a personal opinion.
Comments:
10/10
Dazzling as always! ✨
OMG, always on top 😍🔥! What's your secret to being so photogenic?
10/10
The very definition of perfection 😍
Teach us your ways, master of posing 📸🔥!
10/10
A look that everyone agrees on 👗🔥
This outfit >>>>> perfection 😍👌! Where did you find that?
Inclusivity & Diversity
Long dictated by rigid canons, beauty is now experiencing a revolution. Inspired by the body positivity movement, this new momentum advocates a liberated and inclusive vision. Far from a uniform ideal, it redefines standards by valuing singularity and diversity in all its forms.
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One body, a thousand possibilities
The body is no longer a fixed model, but a space of expression where perfection lies in imperfection. Inclusivity and diversity are taking hold in media, fashion, advertising and social networks, breaking the dictates of yesterday to pave the way for a more authentic representation regardless of size, body shape, skin color or gender identity.
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A digital and cultural revolution
Social networks and communication campaigns are embracing this evolution by multiplying positive messages. Committed hashtags (#RepresentationMatters, #BodyConfidence, #AllBodiesAreBeautiful), unretouched photos, models with varied physiques… so many initiatives that shake up the codes and encourage self-acceptance. Brands themselves are adapting, integrating more and more diversity into their campaigns to better reflect the richness of the real world.
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Towards a new definition of beauty
Far from being a simple trend, this reconsideration of beauty marks a profound transformation of mentalities. Celebrating each body means deconstructing limiting standards to reinvent a more human, more inclusive, and above all, freer ideal.
Troubles
Self-image is a complex construct, shaped by our experiences, our environment and the gaze of others. While it evolves naturally over time, it can also become disrupted under the influence of various psychological and social factors.
When our perception of ourselves becomes a source of discomfort, it can lead to profound problems, affecting both self-esteem and our relationship with our body and emotions.
In a world where beauty standards and demands to achieve perfection are omnipresent, some individuals develop an altered relationship with their own image. Whether it is eating disorders, body dysmorphia or identity issues, these issues demonstrate the fragility of the way we look at ourselves.
Eating disorders: a conflicting relationship with the body
Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia or hyperphagia, reflect deep suffering linked to self-image and body perception. Marked by extreme eating behaviors and a quest for control, they often reveal a malaise rooted in the fear of not corresponding to an ideal, the rejection of one's own reflection
Social anxiety
Intense fear of judgment, of the gaze of others, of not being up to par, social anxiety is accompanied by a feeling of inferiority and hyper-awareness of self, which can lead to avoidance of interactions and isolation.
State of malaise, depression & suicidal thoughts
Poor self-image, negative self-perception, or low self-esteem can be contributing factors in the development of depressive symptoms. When combined with other stressors or emotional distress, they can also lead to suicidal ideation and depression.
Talk about it
Self-image is complex and can be influenced by many factors. The disorders mentioned here can also be linked to other problems and have serious consequences on mental and physical health.
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of emotional distress, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, or other issues, don’t be alone. Talk about it! Get help! There are professionals and resources to help manage these challenges.
Altered perception
Other disorders may also be related to an altered perception of self. Body dysmorphic disorder, for example, is an obsession with an imagined or exaggerated body defect that leads to significant distress and compulsive behaviors. Dissociation, on the other hand, is manifested by a feeling of detachment from oneself, as if one were a stranger to one's own body or existence.
Do you know how to listen to yourself? ✨
Anxiety, stress, digital overload… Do you recognize the signs? 💡
🌍 When the weight of digital becomes too heavy, do you know how to take a break? Do you dare to talk about it, ask for support?
Testimonials
Some testimonies from young people on their relationship with self-image in the context of the themes addressed in the exhibition.
Podcasts
Some podcasts that address topics related to self-image
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Self-image, self-esteem and reputation
"Mille Pertuis", by Julia Thévenot: an invitation to listen to your body
Social experiment: looks matter - CRASHTEST
Tataki
Cosmetic surgery, we have to talk about it - YADEBAT
Tataki
Anorexia, bulimia: when food is your enemy - YADEBAT
Tataki
Do you put filters on your Insta photos?
Tataki
Instagram bad for your mental health? - YADEBAT
Tataki
Do you have to be manly to please? - YADEBAT
Tataki
Tales & Fables
Tales and fables have always served to explore the complexities of human nature and to convey moral lessons. At the heart of these timeless tales evolve fascinating characters and animals, whose destinies are often woven around universal themes. Self-image, appearance and relationships with others are frequently addressed by storytellers. These timeless stories remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration, inviting reflection on self-perception within society.
Ce conte classique d'Andersen raconte l'histoire d'un cygne qui se trouve laid parce qu'il ne ressemble pas aux canetons. Finalement, il découvre sa véritable identité et prend conscience de sa beauté intérieure.
Le Vilain Petit Canard
Cette histoire des frères Grimm met en scène un miroir magique qui montre aux gens leur propre image intérieure, révélant que la beauté intérieure est plus importante que l'apparence extérieure.
Le Miroir Magique
Andersen raconte l'histoire d'un oiseau chanteur, né avec une apparence peu attirante, mais dont le chant est si magnifique qu'il finit par être apprécié pour sa voix plutôt que pour sa beauté.
Le Rossignol
Cette histoire célèbre raconte comment Belle perçoit au-delà de l'apparence de la Bête pour découvrir la bonté qui se cache en elle.
La Belle et la Bête
Dans cette fable d'Esope, une petite souris sauve la vie d'un puissant lion. Elle découvre que même les plus grands peuvent avoir besoin d'aide, indépendamment de leur taille ou de leur force.
Le Lion et la Souris
Cette fable d'Andersen met en évidence comment la vanité et la peur d'être différent peuvent influencer la perception de soi et de la réalité.
Les Habits Neufs de l'Empereur
Ce conte indien raconte l'histoire d'une jarre fissurée qui se sentait inutile, car elle perdait de l’eau sur le chemin du puits. Son propriétaire, un vieil homme sage, lui montra que grâce à ses fuites, des fleurs avaient poussé le long du sentier. La jarre comprit alors que ses imperfections avaient embelli le monde sans qu’elle ne s’en rende compte. Ainsi, elle accepta ses défauts et trouva sa véritable valeur.
La Jarre Abîmée
Dans cette fable de Jean de La Fontaine, une grenouille rencontre un bœuf et, envieuse de sa taille imposante, tente de gonfler son propre corps pour lui ressembler. Elle éclate en essayant de devenir ce qu'elle n'est pas. La morale de cette fable nous enseigne que chacun doit accepter sa nature et éviter de chercher à être ce qu'il n'est pas. Elle met en garde contre l'envie et le désir de paraître plus grand ou plus important qu'on ne l'est réellement.
La Grenouille et le Bœuf
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When the image sublimates reality… without distorting it!
#BeYourself
Filters and retouching have always existed, from classical painting to today's photographs. But when artifice takes over authenticity, the very essence of the subject is erased.
Your uniqueness is precious. Dare to show it without excessive digital correction.
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Take control of your time!
#OfflineMatters
Balance is key! Set boundaries: between social time, time with others, and time in reality.
Disconnect, breathe, live!
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Don't get sucked in! Get inspired!
#DigitalInspiration
A positive feed is a free spirit! Share your passions, your talents, your discoveries. Follow accounts that arouse curiosity, stimulate creativity and enrich you.
Shape your digital universe as a space of inspiration, not a distorting mirror!
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Online respect, an art to cultivate!
#DigitalEthics
Every word, every interaction leaves a mark. Communicate with kindness, ban cyberbullying and negative comments.
Even behind a screen, words and actions have a real impact on our own emotions and those of others.
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Real vs Virtual: Don't confuse the reflection with the original!
#Critical Mind
Like a trompe-l'oeil, digital can seduce, but it does not replace reality.
Don't get the wrong idea about the rules of the game: real life is played offline
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To publish is to engrave!
#Digital Trace
Before posting, ask yourself: What resonance? What scope?
Master your image, protect your privacy — because once revealed, information can rarely be erased.