As a naturist who draws from nude models twice a week, I want to say that I think artists—including photographers, writers, musicians, filmmakers (you get the idea)—have the job of studying and interpreting all human activity. The irony we naturists see is that a world that claims to value authenticity penalizes our showing up as our essential, biological selves. There are probably blind nudists, but for the rest of us, the experience is very visual. More skin please.
The artistic expressions of nudity IMO are distinctly different from posting naked pic online. I know some would like to that every naked pic is a piece of art I would disagree. The online focus on skin diminishes the naturist focus on the personhood of the individual inhabiting that skin. As I have said on the web site "Inside every naked body is a human being" I am much more interested in the human being than the skin they are in. Others have said we are more than our bodies. So more humans for me.
Some of us are better artists than others. I find most of the nudes I see banal, catalog offerings of pulchritude, or perverse in their fascination with naughtiness. Most of my own nudes are mere attempts at cultivating a skill. When you dig down, though, I think—even in the most misogynistic porn—you'll find attempts at showing us something the makers or posters think we missed. And we have missed a lot, otherwise we wouldn't need nudists. In "The Nudist Idea," Cec Cinder came up with five criteria for nudism. The fifth said, "There should be an awareness among the participants, and this awareness ought to be shared, even if only tacitly, that they are nude as a form of social protest, however humble or even apologetic this protest may translate." Or confused. Or provocative.
Sorry to be a while getting back to you. (Unfortunate intersection of a root canal and prescription strength antihistamines. I dropped the antihistamines, my tooth is less tender, and I am almost awake.) I'm not an AI. I played with one a few weeks ago, and it was more coherent than I. (I'm jealous.) I think my point is that nudism is a corrective for a pathological attitude toward the body. While a lot of so-called nudist media is puerile, and contrary to what we might call "nudist theory," I think it is part of the healing process for the pathology. There are limits to how we may treat each other, and we need to make these clear, but cheesecake is within tolerance. In the argument, somewhere, it needs to be said that social nudity is a visual experience, and if it isn't sexual, there will inevitably be some disagreement or misunderstanding, given nudity's meaning in our society, and because our conversation is happening while there is an unarguably sexual revolution going on.
Forgive me for asking but this question came after reading...
Why are we as naturists trying to promote our lifestyle?! Each person has the right to use and do with their bodies as they see fit. As a community we share our experiences. I embraced naturism because of the core values of respect and acceptance...I do agree that today nudity and skin is used commercially to promote things from a sock to a lollipop. That will never change. So let's all as nudists share our values in the only way that's truly effective and that's through true human contact and not through digital media.
First off no need to ask forgiveness for a questions. Questions are starting points for dialogue. People promote naturism for a variety of reasons. Some self interested others to invite others to try the naturist way of life. Respect is indeed a core value of naturism it is part of the naturist ethic. However, not everyone respects the ideas of others. Agreement is not needed for respectful dialogue but oftentimes people especially online require agreement to show respect. A writer on medium who read this shared this response that I think is spot on.
I see a message that the article linked to has been deleted.
As for promoting the naturist lifestyle; I see it as a way to encourage others who are curious about living without clothing to give it a try. If they read about or see naturists/nudists doing things while naked that interests them they may want to give it a go. The more of us who want to live and/or socialise nude then the better chance(s) we all have to be naturally naked in more situations, hopefully.
As a naturist who draws from nude models twice a week, I want to say that I think artists—including photographers, writers, musicians, filmmakers (you get the idea)—have the job of studying and interpreting all human activity. The irony we naturists see is that a world that claims to value authenticity penalizes our showing up as our essential, biological selves. There are probably blind nudists, but for the rest of us, the experience is very visual. More skin please.
The artistic expressions of nudity IMO are distinctly different from posting naked pic online. I know some would like to that every naked pic is a piece of art I would disagree. The online focus on skin diminishes the naturist focus on the personhood of the individual inhabiting that skin. As I have said on the web site "Inside every naked body is a human being" I am much more interested in the human being than the skin they are in. Others have said we are more than our bodies. So more humans for me.
Some of us are better artists than others. I find most of the nudes I see banal, catalog offerings of pulchritude, or perverse in their fascination with naughtiness. Most of my own nudes are mere attempts at cultivating a skill. When you dig down, though, I think—even in the most misogynistic porn—you'll find attempts at showing us something the makers or posters think we missed. And we have missed a lot, otherwise we wouldn't need nudists. In "The Nudist Idea," Cec Cinder came up with five criteria for nudism. The fifth said, "There should be an awareness among the participants, and this awareness ought to be shared, even if only tacitly, that they are nude as a form of social protest, however humble or even apologetic this protest may translate." Or confused. Or provocative.
Tom not sure I get your point - also no disrespect but your reply sounds like if was AI generated
Sorry to be a while getting back to you. (Unfortunate intersection of a root canal and prescription strength antihistamines. I dropped the antihistamines, my tooth is less tender, and I am almost awake.) I'm not an AI. I played with one a few weeks ago, and it was more coherent than I. (I'm jealous.) I think my point is that nudism is a corrective for a pathological attitude toward the body. While a lot of so-called nudist media is puerile, and contrary to what we might call "nudist theory," I think it is part of the healing process for the pathology. There are limits to how we may treat each other, and we need to make these clear, but cheesecake is within tolerance. In the argument, somewhere, it needs to be said that social nudity is a visual experience, and if it isn't sexual, there will inevitably be some disagreement or misunderstanding, given nudity's meaning in our society, and because our conversation is happening while there is an unarguably sexual revolution going on.
Forgive me for asking but this question came after reading...
Why are we as naturists trying to promote our lifestyle?! Each person has the right to use and do with their bodies as they see fit. As a community we share our experiences. I embraced naturism because of the core values of respect and acceptance...I do agree that today nudity and skin is used commercially to promote things from a sock to a lollipop. That will never change. So let's all as nudists share our values in the only way that's truly effective and that's through true human contact and not through digital media.
First off no need to ask forgiveness for a questions. Questions are starting points for dialogue. People promote naturism for a variety of reasons. Some self interested others to invite others to try the naturist way of life. Respect is indeed a core value of naturism it is part of the naturist ethic. However, not everyone respects the ideas of others. Agreement is not needed for respectful dialogue but oftentimes people especially online require agreement to show respect. A writer on medium who read this shared this response that I think is spot on.
https://medium.com/@KateR./something-is-amiss-dd687dc39afb
I see a message that the article linked to has been deleted.
As for promoting the naturist lifestyle; I see it as a way to encourage others who are curious about living without clothing to give it a try. If they read about or see naturists/nudists doing things while naked that interests them they may want to give it a go. The more of us who want to live and/or socialise nude then the better chance(s) we all have to be naturally naked in more situations, hopefully.