Giving Nude Art a New Meaning
What is interesting is that it is the viewers who are naked, not the art. If I have the right one the exhibition by James Turrell is about light and the human perception of light. He creates experiences that impact on the viewers. I think that experience is the stronger when the viewersare naked. Not becausethey areamongst other nudists (that is just a distraction) but ,being naked, they have that open vulnerability which lets it impact more deeply. Having said that, the light and the viewers interact changing the appearance of fellow viewers. Maybe that is of more depth when they are naked.
I attended for two years in a row an event held by an art league in a nearby city. The local nudist group and the art league teamed up to put on a Nudes viewing Nudes program. Once a year the art league had an exposition of nude art. Each year they held an after hours Nudes viewing Nudes Event. 30-40 naturists would attend with the art curator who would explain the art and its significance. The Curator was not a naturist and was always totally textile. The windows of the gallery were hung with newsprint It was always a night to remember. After the viewing there were refreshments served and we all hung arounddiscussing the art and wondering around to revisit our favoriteworks. It was a classy event. The curator was dressed up nicely and some of the nudists had nice evening shawls around their neck etc. It was a little chilly so this was not really an infringement of the 'rules' of nudity. Everyone behaved appropriate to a night out at the art gallery.... just nude! The Management of the League changed and the new management would not condone the event and it ceased. It was a real shame. I enthusiastically drove two hours to attend.