Body painting and fashion share more similarities than we may realize, both being a type of performance art. With the body art craze growing in China, we’ll get back to you on that, it’s easy to see how it is perhaps a more “underground” movement, as its models often wear few clothes — a tiny feat still taboo with some of China’s older generations. Emily Aspinall slaps it on!
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In Chinese culture, bodily exhibition is closely connected with ethics. Yet the art of body painting is growing ever more popular in the nation as attitudes towards body image and forms of self-expression rapidly evolve.
Temper ponders all things China Underground, plus all things fashionable, and beautiful, and exceptional, as we get colorful with sustainable and cruelty-free FaceSlap!, makeup artistry personified and the only international team of expert body painters based in Asia.
A simple feat, however, this particular form of body art is not. High time to see what’s trending out there. Besides, who needs clothes anyway?
FaceSlap! Kempinski Beijing, MUAs: Nina Griffee, Sam Chun, and Linda Miao Li. Photography by David Salazar, 2019. All rights reserved
Tin Teasers And Touch-Ups
Body painting. It is pretty much what it reads on the tin, the act of applying make-up to the human body, the makeup is applied directly onto the skin and often the face. Unlike tattoos and piercings, it is a temporary form of expression, combining the meticulous artistry of a painter and the expertise of a makeup artist.
FaceSlap! Limited is the only international team of expert body painters and makeup artists based in Asia. With full-fledged teams circling around across Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Macau, it was founded in 2010 in Beijing. Over the past decade, the company has grown from servicing one city to three cities; the Hong Kong location opened its doors in 2014 and the Shanghai one got up and running in 2017.
Ever since that first touche éclat touched the skin, the team has body painted for top companies throughout China and Greater China such as Mercedes, Dolce & Gabbana, Corona, Adidas, and Dior. Amongst other high flyers.
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Makeup Hacks, No Cracks
The art of makeup goes back thousands of years in Mainland China, way back to when the Earth’s natural resources were used to paint one’s face — peaking of natural beauty, touché — and so one wonders and ponders… What would FaceSlap! consider the ultimate Chinese beauty hack or the ultimate beauty product, today?
The second is a hairpiece that I think one day will eventually become commoditized, not just for weddings, and that is the Phoenix Coronet (凤冠| fèngguān in Chinese; a phoenix-shaped hat which was worn by the empress and imperial concubines or aristocrat ladies in ancient times). These pieces are not only visually stunning but also incredibly well designed and intricate.”
Beijing Body Paint from Samuel William Hesketh on Vimeo. Set in a basement, deep in the heart of Beijing, surrounded by soviet artistry, body painting meets photography resulting in digital art.
Body painting is not only a tool of expression but also can be used as an effective promotional tool. Take October 31, probably the most popular fancy-dress date on the western calendar, Halloween — insert #duh. Though the festival is not a Chinese holiday, it is getting bigger and better every year in the East, particularly in its first-tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing. For many young Chinese, October is filled with dress-up events and celebrations- it’s not only the expat community donning face paint and fluorescent blood but locals too. Chinese towns and cities are being painted red. Literally.
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Catwalk To Cosplay
This cosplay and festival culture is slowly spilling over into urban nightlife, through commercialization in China, like bars, shops and clubs throw themed parties and special events, for all to enjoy. It’s events like these, that celebrate the idea of body paint and self-expression, an official date allowing people to experiment with their self-image.
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As Griffee puts it, “What I love to do is to watch Fashion Week, in general. I keep a diary of the schedule of all the fashion weeks around the world. I like to watch them in order to keep myself inspired and see what’s the latest trend in the industry. I do believe in trends, and trends do exist. But I pick and choose the ones that I like.” Li adds, “I prefer to follow my own style, it’s a hybrid of either the things that I’m happy with right now or in the past. It’s a mixture of things and I think everyone should have their own vision.’’
Faceslap! MUA Nina Griffee for Vogmask, 2014. All rights reserved
A Slap In The Face Of Smog
Just like other art forms, body painting is inspired by political, social and environmental factors. A significant collaboration occurred between Faceslap! in 2014 when they teamed up with Vogmask.
The collab brought onto the market a new line of outfits that incorporated smog facemasks, first stretching its legs on the Hong Kong Fashion Week. An interesting and relevant statement, no Bambi moments there. Question remains… What exactly inspires one at that point?
Griffee describes, “One of the most fascinating and challenging collaborations would be when I worked as a makeup artist for Hayden Christensen and Nicolas Cage for ‘Outcast.’ Every morning you only get around 30 minutes for hair and makeup and being on set is pretty chaotic. Overall, as a group of artists, our work is inspired and influenced by politics, environmental policy and we convey those messages through art which is how the Vogmask project was instigated.”
FaceSlap! continues to boom, and with their sustainable and cruelty-free painting products available to buy, everyone is free to literally transform away. Whether it’s that Picasso| Rubens| whatever floats your female shape boat masterpiece, take it from Temper…
Out with the face-altering APPs and filters. In with reality.
Disclaimer: “MUA” stands for “MakeUp Artist” — enter AHA moments with readers around the globe
To learn more about bodypainting in China and Faceslap! go to:
the website: www.faceslap.net
this IG Feed: @faceslap
that Facebook Page: Face Slap
Edited by Elsbeth van Paridon
FEATURED IMAGE: ONLINE
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As a freelance journalist, she specializes in Chinese society and fashion, her fascination surrounding the East grew since living and working in a rural ex-fishing village on the outskirts of Shanghai.
Aspinall aims to capture a sense of the colourful and dynamic contemporary China, which continues to revolutionise and evolve.
Aspinall holds an English Literature degree from Sheffield University. She explored the literary canon, starting with old English and ending with the contemporary period, her area of speciality and research is post-war British social realism. While studying, she also on gained experience at the BBC, local publishing houses and copy edited the student newspaper.
Since moving to China, she has written regularly for Temper Magazine,The Shanghaiist and her personal blog. Her interests include gender fluidity, the modern representation of women, sustainability and the underground scene in China.
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