The Swan" versus Orlan: spectacle, plastic surgery, violence, women's bodies and does the Personal Information and Protection Act (2003) obstruct the Freedom Of Information and Protection of Privacy Act?

In this paper I explore the concepts of transformation, pain and agency. How contestants of “The Swan” find their way through the reality show to gain what each is seeking from the experience. I compare this show to the artwork of Orlan and how she challenges traditional ideas of these concepts in her art. I weave my own story into these, as I too have experienced reconstructive surgery. I examine how these Acts overlap, undermine and work together. As access to information is of great importance to researchers and to critics of government, the protection of, or the denial of pertinent information is a significant subject. In this paper I use my own narrative and personal documents to test the access to information process.