Photo courtesy of Danika Jensen
Art is no stranger to controversy. Whether it involves a classical Greek sculpture of a female nude, or the homoeroticism and sadomasochism explored in the photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, art, throughout history, has managed to offend or affront through its exploration of what are considered to be shocking and radical topics. Art of all genres can be used as windows to explore the socio-political environments in which they were produced. However, not all agencies approve of revisionist or extreme art, and have diligently worked to stifle the range of artwork that is exhibited in our country’s museums.
Nudity in art has remained a controversial subject since the art museum was first established in America. When classical Greek sculptures were first showcased in American museums, they were considered highly indecent and inappropriate due to their state of undress. However, with time, the nude form has become one of the most celebrated types of sculpture, with major art museums featuring countless examples of both male and female Classical Greek and Roman nudes. Despite the popular acceptance of these nude forms, demure nudity is still considered very different from explicit nakedness.
The exploration of human sexuality and nakedness in photography, for example, has yet to reach such a state of appreciation and reverence in American art museums. Viewers often react much more negatively to the explicit nakedness in photographs than they do to the seemingly demure nudity of classical Greek sculptures. A Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit in 1989 brought the controversies surrounding “obscene” art and nudity to the public’s attention. “Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Moment” included images of nude individuals engaged in sexual acts and elements of sadomasochism and homoeroticism, alongside still life and portrait photographs. This exhibition, funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, was ultimately cancelled at the possibility of governmental disapproval shortly before it was supposed to open at the Corcoran Gallery of Art for a touring show. This cancellation of the exhibit was regarded by many as a threat to the arts, and demonstrated the government’s influence in determining what is considered obscene in the art world.
It should not be the government’s prerogative to determine what types of art are considered obscene or what art deserves censorship. Different genres of art speak to wide and varying audiences, and for the museum to completely cancel an exhibition at the risk of congressional disapproval due to its exploration of uncomfortable topics is self-censorship. Though these issues associated with governmental subsidization of the arts, unfortunately, are still prevalent, artist and museums alike continue to explore the topics of nudity and sensuality.
A current exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris titled “Masculine/Masculine” is exploring the role of the male nude in art over the last several centuries, and hopes to dispel the myth that male nudity in art can be elegant and not simply raunchy. As the Musée d’Orsay states “We must distinguish above all between nudity and the nude: a body simply without clothes, that causes embarrassment with its lack of modesty, is different from the radiant vision of a body restructured and idealized by the artist.” The nude male form, displayed in a sexual, violent, or homoerotic manner, can still be beautiful and artistic despite the uncomfortable feelings it is sure to elicit in some viewers. As a result, it is essential for museums to continue to exhibit shows such as “Masculine/Masculine” and explore the human form despite the anticipated objections of government agencies or other groups.
Check out these links that helped inspire this entry in Museum Musings!
Musée d'Orsay
The Daily Beast Article
ICA Article
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