Naked

Tagging people in photos on Facebook is risky. If it is a good photo of you, you are pleased to be recognized, and if it is a terrible photo you might consider un-tagging yourself.

Thus when I was recently tagged in a photo of the Sydney Opera House in the background, and what looked like to me an infestation of shrimp I was bemused.  Having never been to Australia, and not knowing what this photo was about, I needed to understand why this would be of interest to anyone.

What my research unearthed was that the infestation of shrimp was actually a sea of naked bodies lined up in front of the iconic Australian landmark, and was taken by New York photographer Spencer Tunick. As it turns out, this was the latest of his photos from his travels around the world, soliciting thousands of volunteers to pose nude on mass, early in the morning, in front of famous landmarks.

So is this art? Why would anyone want to see thousands of naked bodies outdoors in front of buildings or places of interest? After all it is illegal to be outdoors without clothes in many countries, and the photographer has been arrested many times for taking such photos. So why do artists continue to make art with naked bodies, and why do we continue to accept, appreciate and acknowledge them as art?

I believe it comes down to our humanistic questioning of the human form and it’s place in society. We walk around all day in our own flesh and bones and we all have flaws - things we would change about our bodies and things we hide with clothing, accessories and makeup.

What I find fascinating about these photos by Tunick, is that on mass we do not objectify or pick out the body flaws of the participants. Instead the viewer is asked to see how the colour and composition of many human forms together play with the landscape or architecture surrounding it. It shows the amazing juxtaposition between the softness of the human form against the harsh landscape. Thus the viewer can appreciate it as an art form and not feel uncomfortable with personal issues of body image.

Although I was not a willing participant in the actual photo at the Opera House, I am thankful for friends who introduce me to new images and ideas about art.