[description: a nude man poses in sepia with extra limbs, imitating the Vitruvian Man]
Because the human body is an amazing machine.
Because the human body is an amazing machine.
The ancient Greeks idolized the human body. This is apparent in their art, and especially sculpture. It's a long-forgotten fact that the very word gym - as in gymnasium, or gymnastics - comes from the Greek word for nudity: gymnos. This is because Greek athletes would train their bodies in the nude. Not all nudists are into fitness (we're a very broadly-accepting group), but there is definitely a historical strain within nudism (or naturism, as it is sometimes called) that incorporates a health-conscious approach towards the body. Although they've been deprecated by the lifestyle's modern commitment to unconditional acceptance, the antiquated practice of nudist beauty pageants used to emphasize the role of the human body as a sculpted work of art. But even today, nudist communities tend to prioritize athletics (volleyball is perhaps the most popular sport). And while any behavior that could be described as "voyeurism" is frowned upon, in addition to keeping one fit, the playing of sports in the nude allows spectators to appreciate the human body as an amazing machine, and to witness the feats of strength and dexterity that it is capable of. Why shouldn't we be proud of that?
(I am hoping to produce future images for this series that will elaborate on the themes of nudity in art and taking care of one's body).
