Thoughts from the NAC Chair: ArtPrize Entry Offers Snapshot of Our Culture
Part of NAC’s mission is to make naturism a mainstream part of society. To accomplish our mission, Bill Schroer, the NAC chair, is writing a monthly column on issues central to the acceptance (or not) of naturism in our society. In this piece, originally published in 2013, Bill reflects on one of the entries in ArtPrize, an international art competition held every two years in Grand Rapids. It has become a mainstay in the art world due to its $250,000 first prize. It is a fabulous event with artwork distributed throughout the downtown in stores, businesses, restaurants, in empty storefronts and on the street (usually sculptures).
Of the 1,524 pieces of art being placed on display for the upcoming ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, four are getting all the comments (and press) already.
One of the pieces had to be moved to avoid causing traffic accidents. Astute readers may either guess or have read about the four lifelike nude sculptures situated in front of DeVos Hall.
What is adding to the interest (for me) and the indignation of some more upright citizens is the nudes are life-like in two ways: first they are anatomically correct with penises and vaginas, and secondly, they reflect the body shapes of average people… with the flaws, pear shaped bodies, and a lack of model attractiveness.
Reading the comments made to the media, it’s difficult to tell which causes more outrage – the nudity or the fact the sculptures reflect average humans with the level of attractiveness most of us possess.
“You know this is really one ugly… entry,” and, “The nudity doesn’t bother me a bit, but that is one ugly sculpture.”
Then there was the anticipated outrage over the nudity
“Oh the insanity! Won’t somebody think of the children?”
Some viewers though, absolutely were thinking of the children. “My son… and my girl… (6 and 2) wouldn’t think twice about these sculptures, except maybe they would be jealous that they (the sculptures) get to hang out in public without clothes on.”
This mom went on to point out, “If you teach your kids that bodies are natural you won’t have to shield them from harmless things like this.” Is she from Europe or what?
Of course, Europe has nude sculptures everywhere and Americans just have to deal with it when they’re over there. But to bring nude sculpture to Grand Rapids? Is this art or cheap sensationalist exploitation? I’m not qualified to answer that… but I will say I believe this is art and the reaction to it is a snapshot of American culture… which is often what art is about.
As a naturist, when I talk about social nudism, I’m sometimes confronted by people who either believe non-sexual public nudity is immoral or, more often, “I would never let anyone see me nude (outside of my spouse).”
“Why not?”
“My body is terrible.”
“No it isn’t…”
But, far too many of us haven’t been able to accept our own bodies… let alone others. So when we see a nude sculpture, we get uncomfortable, and when we see one that reminds us of us… it’s even worse.
It is the lack of acceptance of our own bodies, not the nudity that is affecting an entire generation (or the greater number thereof) of those children that one viewer was so distressed about.
I gave a talk to the Optimists Club in Battle Creek recently about naturism and mentioned in the 1950s, segregated classes of boys (and I presume girls?) swam nude at Battle Creek Central and other school swimming pools. It was no big deal. Several of the older members of the audience perked right up when I mentioned this… and confirmed my report. They recalled swimming nude back then and smiled at the memories.
Contrast that with today’s inability of schools to get students taking P.E. to take a shower afterward. The problem is so bad there are products on the market students use to camouflage the smell of body odor that comes from working out. They will buy and use those products rather than take their clothes off and take a shower. Want to talk about insanity?
The sculptures at ArtPrize may shock or make some nervous… but they may just encourage some people (teens and up) to confront their bodies with a little more tolerance and acceptance. But don’t worry about the 2 and 6 year olds… they’re just fine with their bodies and being nude. Seeing this exhibit, they may well be jealous that those sculptures get to hang out in front of DeVos Hall without clothes on.
Me too.
May they hold that comfort level with their bodies as they grow. There may be hope for body acceptance in the future if we have enough exhibits like this. In the meantime, take your kids to ArtPrize and be open to the art.
Thoughts from the NAC Chair: The Perfect Body
Part of NAC’s mission is to make naturism a mainstream part of society. To accomplish our mission, Bill Schroer, the NAC chair, is writing a monthly column on issues central to the acceptance (or not) of naturism in our society. Hopefully, the monthly column will provide a platform for readers to use for informing non-naturists about the values and benefits of non-sexual nudity in America.
Every society has a way of torturing its women, whether by binding their feet or by sticking them into whalebone corsets. What contemporary American culture has come up with is designer jeans.
Joel Yager, M.D.
In the 19th century, women of means had ribs removed to achieve a narrow waist… and then corsets created shortness of breath and dislocated visceral organs. Today, plastic surgery, liposuction and bariatric procedures are complemented by bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Patients are referred for treatment at ever younger ages (as young as 8). But there is no sign of slowing down:
- Today’s model is 23% thinner than an average woman (in 1990 models were 8% thinner)
- Eating disorders have increased 400% since the 1970s
- Only 5% of women in the US fit the body type portrayed by the media
Men are not immune. “Thin, muscular” models drive gym memberships, waxing and plastic surgery equivalents. But, this phenomenon impacts women far more than men.
A key difference is the media. Television, magazines and the internet act as force multipliers creating a cultural imperative driving body image requirements to all time highs. And, body image and self-esteem are highly correlated. Body image affects self esteem (and vice-versa). Self-esteem affects decisions we make about our lives and bodies. Think ambition at school or work, drug use (or not), alcohol intake (more or less), sexual activity (responsible or not), relationship development, etc.
Few women (or men) can escape this influence on their psyche delivered every day. It is true not all women (or men) are affected. Many have positive self-esteem and reinforcement in their upbringing to have the “armor” needed to withstand the media driven cultural imperative. But, that’s our idea of success… some survive unscathed?
We like to think of ourselves as better than that. When we see how women are treated in places like Saudi Arabia (a “moderate” Islamist country) women have few rights, are kept isolated much of their lives, and have little control over their lives and bodies, we like to think we are superior. Maybe not so much.
Why am I so sensitive about this? I have seen how it can be and is different…in a naturist environment. Naturists live to a great extent within a subculture isolated from the rest of society. Some live nude at home (as I do), others are nude when they visit a naturist resort. The rest of society doesn’t notice naturists too much as the laws regarding public nudity have so far prevented naturists from practicing their philosophy in public.
While naturists aren’t immune from TV, the naturist society rules and culture are different. A key tenet of naturism is “body acceptance”. The notion is simple. Rule #1 is you don’t judge people by their appearance and any physical differences. The second rule is you accept your own body. And, the third rule is you accept others. No judgement, no gawking at some bodies and rolling your eyes at others, no beating yourself up for your tummy.
Isn’t body acceptance difficult where no one has clothes on? It’s actually pretty easy. The first thing you realize when visiting a nudist resort or community is there are no perfect bodies. And, because no one is wearing clothes there is no pretense. No trying to improve the bustline with the right bra, no tightening up the belt on the designer jeans. None of that.
As one woman who has had a double mastectomy explains on the film “Chasing the Sun” produced by the Naturist Society, “Here is where I am accepted for who I am…I don’t have to be ashamed of my body or my surgery here”. It may seem counterintuitive that by taking off your clothes you de-stigmatize your body and liberate yourself. But there it is.
We don’t all have to become naturists (although I would encourage it) to accept our own bodies, others’ bodies and to teach our daughters, wives and girlfriends the pressure is off. Lead a healthy, responsible life, take care of your body and don’t worry if you aren’t a size zero. You are a wonderful person and deserve to be respected for who you are, with or without clothes on.
Strategic Planning Update
Over the weekend of February 4-6, 2022, the NAC Board of Directors started to review the organization’s strategic plan for the next 3-5 years. As NAC continues to extract itself from the two past years of reduced activities, mainly due to the global COVID pandemic, the board is excited to return to our pre-pandemic involvement with festivals, gatherings and workshops.
We continue to advance the mission of the organization through our efforts – either directly or through strategic partnerships – to educate, inform and advocate for naturists across North America. The strategic plan will help focus our energy to continue our successes with these efforts.