Event 3: Chemical Entanglements - Gender & Exposure

"The Burden of Breasts" Conference
I attended a conference as my third event: Chemical Entanglements – Gender & Exposure. Florence Williams, an environmental journalist, gave a talk about “The Burden of Breasts”. Her interest in breasts began when she became a mother and wanted to learn more about mammary glands because she had a family history of breast cancer.  She found one main chemical in her breast milk: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The discovery of chemicals in breast milk is through the use of biotechnology where the milk can be studied on a molecular level (Bioart Pt1). The discovery of chemicals in her breast milk sparked her interest in raising awareness of breast care.

Plastic Surgery in History

From Williams’ talk, I have a better understanding of breasts; they are built to converse with the environment around us. However, over a period of time, breasts have become the icon for women. After World War II, women were domesticated and thus, sexualized. To reflect this in Hollywood, women were portrayed through breasts in which bigger breasts were better. Plastic surgery became very popular during this time period. Plastic surgery emerged during war as reconstructive work since many soldiers’ were injured and needed surgery (Medicine Pt3). This is the art of sculpting human beings into a specific image. It can also be seen as the manipulation of nature (a human being) for art (modification of appearance) (Bioart Pt2). Plastic surgery is not only based on art where humans are the medium, but it is based on math as well. The surgery requires detailed calculation on how to remodel the body. The mathematical principle incorporates line lengths, angles, and more (Mathematics). Lines are first drawn on the body as a guideline for surgery; proportion is also an important factor for plastic surgeons to consider. Many women depend on plastic surgery to get bigger breasts and thus, breast implants became the most popular type of plastic surgery. The combination of medicine and art played a significant role in shaping the norm because it provided the community access to physically changing an appearance to increase self esteem.

Math in Plastic Surgery

Breast development is very important for health. Girls began developing breasts at an earlier age, resulting in a risk of depression and substance abuse (Williams). There are many chemicals that can affect breast development, such as wine or Bisphenol A (BPA). Breasts are very vulnerable and can easily become affected with breast cancer. There are different methods in determining breast cancer. One way is through a mammogram, an X-ray of the breast. This is another example of medicine, technology and art. Using technology, doctors can scan the body to check for cancer. Information is then portrayed through an image, using art for visualization (Casini).

It is important to recognize the importance of breasts and to help decrease dangerous factors. Breasts are always vulnerable to the environment and because there are so many chemicals around us, it is hard to protect ourselves. I learned a lot from this conference; breasts are something taken for granted when they should really be cared for. Chemicals such as PBDEs are found almost everywhere, even in the furniture we have at home, yet we don’t realize this issue and mothers continue to provide affected breast milk to their children. I would highly recommend others to attend this conference because you realize the significance of breasts and how we can change how they are perceived. As Florence Williams states, “if we know how to listen to our body and act to that, we can really make a difference” (Williams).

Selfie with a worker


References
Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between Science and the Arts." Configurations. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012. Web. 3 May 2017.
Williams, Florence. “The Burden of Breasts.” Chemical Entanglements – Gender & Exposure Conference, 4 May 2017. Young Research Library, Los Angeles.
Uconlineprogram. "5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 3 June 2017.
Uconlineprogram. "5 BioArt Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 03 June 2017.
Uconlineprogram. "Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
Uconlineprogram. "Medicine Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 03 June 2017.

Images
"Advantages of Getting a Plastic Surgery Done." Header. N.p., 20 Jan. 2017. Web. 03 June 2017.
Other pictures are taken myself

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