Through many thoughts/discussions I tried to sort this subject out from my first venture into photo class. It is ALWAYS a difficult aspect for me to contain in writing. I could write pages about it. But since the door is open I'll give a few of my thoughts on nude photography in hopes that this can continue to be a space where we are not hindered by our possible disagreements but write about them, as to gain perspective.
I think the human body is beautiful. I think it is a wonderful canvas upon which many colors and light situations can interact in a co-mingled way that cannot be found on any other surface. Skin is a wonder to me. It intrigues me. I find skin one of the most lovely things in the world. Due to this fascination, I never doubt why photographers explore how a body/skin can be used within the frame of a photo. Along with this visage comes a whole background of pressured stereotypes and societal role-play. What does a naked body suggest? To even mention the word suggest... I feel as though I'm already pointing out a scandalous nature. But why does an unclothed body have a scandalous label? Frankly, it doesn't have to, it never has to. Organically speaking, it is unnatural to wear clothes. Had nobody told you that you were naked, would you have known? But in terms of modesty today, where is the line/what is the boundary? I think we all face this every morning. Do we consider our appearance (in clothing) as a defining factor? Does this not only define our place in society but our inward views? I would argue yes.
Back to the visage of body in photos. As an artist I must digest the facet of photography that the product of photo can never censor thoughts experienced when viewed. What one person sees as color/placement/canvas another can see as sexual. How one person might respond to a photo is not how every person will respond. How then, do I respond to nudity in photos? In a complicated manner... I think that a body can serve as a strong element of a photograph. But it is not necessary. I think that it takes a strong photographer to use a body in a way to display something other than a suggestive sexual nature. Take these photos for example:
Bill Durgin. Master of sculpture.Sarah Kaufman. http://www.sarahkaufmanphoto.com/
Master of color/light. While nudes are used within frame, it becomes more-so apparent to me that Sarah can SEE color and light. The body completes the photograph in secondary nature for me. For me, the body comments to the already present light and color situation. It takes on the color and light of the environment as well as giving off it's own color and light. I argue that the bodies within frame are not posed for sexual connotation. But that does not negate the fact that one could consider these as sexual images. The best way to sum up my thoughts most recently above: Even in the best effort to reduce a body to purely interacting as canvas within frame, or in the most innocent attempt to portray nudity as secondary it can always potentially be misread. This is such with any photograph. Our ideas/concepts explored as artists cannot speak for what the audience might see. This is why I find critique time so crucial. I cannot see what others can. I can choose to see.
Sally Mann.
etc.
While I think that it is an artist few and far between that can use body in a way that is not taken as immediately sexual, the subject will always intrigue me. Why do we find certain images sexual, etc.? Thomas Ruff, what of his work?
It is never my place to disregard the work of another artist. If someone is to pursue the subject of nudity I encourage them to write, to research, to blog. (as any artist should do with any subject being explored) What does nudity truly mean to you? Why include it/why not? Can a photo with a nude be purely done for beauty or composition or light? Even if you don't know the answers, or how to find them, consider everything; always.
As an artist I disagree with the subject of nudity being explored only because of the fact that it has become an immediately responsive subject. I disagree with including nudity only for the fact of creating tension due to a society pressured take on a naked body. I disagree with a lot of (what I see as) sexual disturbing art. But in the same token, I cannot disregard it. I need to face the art world, if you will, and all that it is.
In a whirlwind of the past few weeks, I have been both at center of exploring personal nudity and being subject of such. I will not disregard this. I will embrace what became of it. My body is my own. How I choose to protect it is ultimately my own decision. While it is easy to get caught up in the passion of photography, in the sweat, tears, and laughter that come from the process, I have to respect myself and who I am to others. To be the most honest that I have been on this blog... I trust this audience. But regardless, you are all still an audience. And as far as comfort goes... no, comfort is not always good. I also cannot disregard how others might view my body.
Being an artist is one facet of my life. It is in the midst (the marshmallow between graham crackers and chocolate) of my soul, my beliefs, my passions, my desires, my love for another, my day-to-day life. My art is an extension of my labels, my definitions from others, my own definitions about myself. It is not always easy to encompass title of artist, as many relate me to delusional, moody, free-spirited, poor, loser, psychotic (which, I'm not arguing that I'm not those things). But with that comes the idea that I have to sort of give in to what art has a reputation of being... sexual, unmoving, simple, stupid, etc. That is bull. I am Jacki. All of you using this space know me fairly well. I don't create because it comes easy to me. I don't create enlarged guns made of life savers and accept an award for that long worked half-hour. I don't create misspelled (sp?) ... band posters. I create because it lights a fire in my soul, it challenges me as a person to question my motives, my placement, my life. It makes me feel really fucking mad and lost most of the time. Being an artist means that I can create, it also means that I have to embrace my faults, my discomforts, my fears. Creating means that I must stand up to what I believe I need to and respect where I somehow fall in the middle of many other entangled thoughts, concerns, perceptions, and worries. I have to respect who I choose to love. That won't change.
I am a body. I am a canvas. I am hands, arms, teeth, hair, legs, back, shoulders, ovaries, eyes. I am living. I am growing (physically/metaphorically).
8 comments:
Picasso said that "Art is Theft." He was, indeed, the greatest thief of them all. Start by copying. If Sarah Kaufman's voice reverberates with almost untenable tenor, copy her. You'll find your way from there.
One thing though: no one should censor you. You have integrity and an intense desire to discover. You are the only one who can place any or all unfortunate limits on yourself. Ideally, you find that no limits are necessary.
I look forward to your call back...
Jackson: you need to make the art that leads you; not the art that's dictated for you. I can't express the confidence I have in the Jacki that follows the process...it's probably, though, the antithesis of the Jacki who listens to the scared voice shouting from her periphery. You can be great. And you already know that.
One more thing: wonderful post.
And to add to you ruminations: art can be so many things, right? It can inspire madness, happiness, sadness, contemplation, etc. Why does it seem that is shouldn't inspire sexual feelings? I think our culture has such astounding, immature responses to sexuality that just a hint of sexuality can drive the conservatives to scream "PORNOGRAPHY!" My question is this: is pornography always bad? Or are we just scared as hell to feel horny, especially in public?
That said, you've identified two artists who use nakedness in a very complicated way: complicated because the sexuality of the body is effortlessly stripped away.
Thanks for the response(s). I have a million thoughts and it's hard to sort them as if it were as easy as a puzzle-shape game. Not so. Sarah's work does reverberate many things in me. I try to continue to see new things. Yet, I'm amazed at what she can SEE. These rooms are ordinary but with light and color tuned together it makes the space seem extraordinary. If I were to explore such subject matter this is a direction I would choose.
There is so much to be said about the subject in whole that it's hard to narrow my thoughts. As far as my art goes, I know that it should not have to be censored, nor should anybody else. I find that the hardest part about creating is that you have to continue to create despite other people and all the thoughts they slap upon the work you find so precious.
The post was not meant to hinder, but encourage and share. I am in agreement with you that images with nudity are often mislabeled potentially as pornographic due to our sensitivity toward sexuality, etc.
In the most honest way I can say it: my unclothed body is not meant for this audience. Sure, this discomfort could be a signal for me to pursue the questions of why; and I have been asking myself those questions lately. As the motivational speaker you are, I know there is no way I could possibly explain a logical exception as to why I don't pursue or let others purse, using my body. As artist, girlfriend, body, I need to embrace my discomfort and stand for it sometimes. This is one of those times.
My goal is to make people ask questions. Why are clothes a distraction? Why is sexuality such a big deal? When does moral become compromised for personal growth? I'm here to ask myself and others the hard questions. I'll continue to be judged no matter what work I create. As far as the place I feel I have been recently the post was my best effort to, in a way, to apologize and reconcile. I don't want any other artist to feel held back because of my own views. I don't want this space, the space for growing and sharing to become a place of afraid-ness. As aspiring artists I feel it necessary to embrace what we can. I'm sure I'll have more to write later.
Awesome post Jacki.. I have always been interested in nude photography, it has so many rich qualities. It allows the viewer to be more in tune with the body, light, shadows, posture, expression and the unmasked/vulnerability that a nude figure embodies. No clothes to hide scars, wrinkles, bags, cellulite, hair, bruises, fat, birthmarks, and moles. I have always been drawn to seeing photos of any one of these close up.. like hair follicles and skin pores.. it's fascinating!
That said.. it confuses me too when a nude photo is categorized as porn. The way that modesty is talked about today makes my head feel like it's constantly spinning. Probably because the only place I hear it talked about is in a religious context.. but that's another can of worms.
I liked how you posted photos by Durgin, I have enjoyed his figures.. the way that the body is used and dissected. It makes me feel each part of my body as a separate entity, in that sense it makes me that much more thankful for my health. Whenever I look at photographs I slice them up in my mind and I can focus on so many things within the frame that it sends me into a million different directions with new thoughts and ideas. Which in that case I would agree with you.. "consider everything; always".
I think the hardest part about nude photography is what you had started to talk about.. how the viewer can choose to look at it in any way they like. Any nude photography I have shot whether it be myself or others is very personal and I have gone back and forth, but I am stuck feeling uncomfortable with that fact that some could use it for things other than what I had intended. We don't live in a world where nude photography will get the recognition that it's due. Although I'm not stupid.. there's always going to be mixed views. I don't feel the same anxiousness I do with my other photographs though.. and in that case I feel like the decision I made (to keep them to myself) was the right one, for now.
(after reading the comments)
This is SUCH an important thing to remember.. "I'll continue to be judged no matter what work I create". I have a version of that same thought in big bold letters in my journal on the inside cover. It helps me to clear my thoughts and purge the negativity.
Work on your project till it reaches the potential that you see fit for it at that time.. then you can relish in the feedback and uproar it generates.
I always feel like if I can clear my head, then it's easier to explain my process and enjoy the variety of comments that the work(s) inspire.
Jacki.. I have a few documentaries that you might be interested in.. they don't have to do with nude photography specifically but they have to do with how sexuality is constructed in many different ways (gender, race, class..). Let me know if you want some more info.
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