Virtual Beauty: A New Reality or a Dystopian Dream?

With contributions from over 20 international artists, Virtual Beauty explores the impact of artificial intelligence, social media, and virtual identities on self-perception.

Somerset House’s 2025 virtual beauty exhibition has sparked a fascinating debate: can virtual beauty truly become a reality, and if so, is it a blessing or a curse? This immersive digital experience showcases AI-generated art, augmented reality (AR) makeovers, and virtual avatars that push the boundaries of how we define beauty.

But as we marvel at these innovations, deeper questions emerge.

On one hand, virtual beauty offers unprecedented freedom. People can experiment with their appearance without physical or financial constraints—trying bold looks, defying age, or even transcending gender norms. Platforms like those featured in the exhibition allow users to craft idealised digital selves, fostering creativity and self-expression. For marginalised groups, this could be empowering, offering a space to redefine beauty standards that have long been rigid and exclusionary.

Yet, could there be a darker side?. If virtual beauty becomes the norm, will it deepen our obsession with perfection? Filters and AR already blur the line between real and artificial, and a world where everyone curates a flawless avatar could erode authenticity. There’s a risk of a dystopian spiral where self-worth hinges on digital facades, widening the gap between our true selves and the curated images we project. The exhibition’s hyper-realistic avatars, while stunning, raise concerns about addiction to escapism or even identity dissociation.

The Somerset House exhibit doesn’t provide answers but invites us to question: is virtual beauty a tool for liberation or a step toward a curated dystopia? As we navigate this digital frontier, the challenge will be balancing creativity with the grounding reality of who we are. Here at Attracta Beauty, we will always question into the new artificial advancements, with caution.

If you're in London, we invite you to participate in the discussion that is sure to gain importance as AI progresses. Notably, this exhibition has age restrictions, emphasising the need for caution.

Sometimes, it's important to delve into the idealistic, dystopian world to confront it, even during our holidays, when our minds are clearer to understand the potential or fear of what future generations might encounter. Our guiding principle at Attracta Beauty is Slow Beauty, which primarily involves reconnecting people with the essence of human and natural beauty, emphasising human connections and sincere respect for one another and how beauty can be transformative when communicated with love and integrity.

The exhibition includes interactive installations and groundbreaking works that question conventional beauty norms. Notable pieces are ORLAN’s Omniprésence (1993), a revolutionary performance where the artist broadcasted her own facial cosmetic surgery to critique Western beauty ideals, and Amalia Ulman’s Excellences & Perfections, which offers a compelling reflection on the authenticity of social media personas. The exhibition also investigates artificial intelligence’s view of beauty through AI-created portraits by Minnie Atairu, Ben Cullen Williams, and Isamaya Ffrench. Additionally, Harriet Davey, Frederik Heyman, and Andrew Thomas Huang examine digital self-expression and the creation of avatars that transcend human limits.

Somerset House - Dates: 23rd July – 28th September 2025.