A NAKED DEMAND FOR NUDE ACCEPTANCE
-In my tenure as a life model, I have found many correlations and overlaps with my experiences and background as an instructor, both in the opportunity to create an effective delivery of the subject matter. and in the underlying larger cultural lesson inherent in the unique venue of social norms and behaviour; in this case; acceptance of public nudity. And so, I find myself driven to question the traditional structue and academic norms associated with the conventional treatment of those of us who choose to be “life models.”
-Throughout my experience, whether in academic classes, for individual artists or private commissions, every artist, instructor, and student has stated that a “good model” is one who is comfortable with his or her body, they appreciate their skin and are willing to explore its properties through movement, tension, texture, shadow, and light. As well, models must possess the discipline and concentration necessary to allow others the opportunity to explore the visual aspects of their bodies, to display and exhibit themselves as the vehicle, if not the object used for the communication of the artists’ vision, skill, and unique interpretation.
-As a result, it is inherent in the character and ability of an accomplished model to be able to set aside convention and self consciousness, to establish an atmosphere of openness, confidence, and professional respect to ensure a comfortable creative environment. And yet, those very academic institutions which profess to imbue the artistic study of the “human form” with creative respectability seem to undermine the role of the model at almost every level.
-One of the primary examples of this inability to openly give credibility to life modeling would be the exclusion of a faculty contact number or address for those who might wish to offer their services. Yet, I’m constantly told by instructors and artists that there seems to be a shortage of reliable, conscientious models of both genders to ensure a variety of subjects for their courses. At the same time, I have found that more often than not, the secretary, receptionist or office responsible for the hiring of models rarely seems to be competent or conscientious, much less supportive, responsive, enthusiastic or appreciative.
-On more than one occasion, I have found that those “responsible for booking models” have little or no artistic experience of their own and often lack the rudiments of basic office protocol or management. They often don’t answer emails or do so in a dismissive manner, cannot be bothered to facilitate the bureaucratic necessities of contracts and wages, because the “fax machine” isn’t working or they haven’t been in the office etc. Yet, when I contact the instructors themselves and offer my resume, they are punctual, enthusiastic, and, dare I say; appreciative of the interest and ensure bookings.
-It is through pursuing these “personal contacts” on my own initiative that I have been able to build a reputation as a reliable, professional, and creative model who collaborates with the instructor to facilitate the desired outcome for the classes and have been asked to “fill in” at the last minute for my less conscientious colleagues. I once worked nine hours over a twelve hour period to help cover three different classes where their models couldn’t attend…it was tiring and yet exhilarating at the same time! It would be the ideal for me to have consistently full days like that; like running a successful marathon!
-Conversely, I have also been in the situation where a new instructor has booked me and then cancelled or postponed at the last minute without consideration for my time, preparation or travel. Though he did offer alternative bookings, my schedule could not be rearranged to accommodate him and so I lost the income. One wonders if they treat their other colleagues in a similar fashion.
-This brings me to another concern about how some colleges and institutions treat their “modeling staff” as they profess to appreciate them, some of their protocols seem to entrench the notion that they are on the “fringes” and are doing something disreputable. If that is the case, then does it not behove the institution to help dispel the prevalent notion of something forbidden or out of the ordinary rather than legitimizing it? For instance; in one institution’s hand out for models it goes into great detail about how one is not to step out of the lit area undraped or talk to students during an instructional classroom break. If anything, I have found this protocol to be humiliating and dehumanizing.
-I usually will take a stretch, step out from under the hot lights and reach for my water bottle and towel; which I wear on the back of my neck. I then like to take a look at the artists’ work with my hands behind my back and we often chat about how the session is going or what they’d like to see. I also make a point of speaking with the instructors and ask their preference as to poses, duration, and their direction for the rest of the session.
-In this way, I find I begin to “demystify” the notion of the “naked form” as I am a person, not “the nude” and begin to build a rapport with the artists and the instructor who then considers me as a colleague, rather than some objectified “instructional aide”. Similarly, I’ve been told how this helps to create that atmosphere of comfort, collegiality, and respectability without the necessity of creating an unassailable wall between the model and the class, thereby not allowing myself to be treated as “the nude”, but rather that other professional who is working towards their goals in the classroom.
-Furthermore, this attitude lends itself to making the creative process a cooperative effort. I always try to get as much information from the instructor as I can about whether it is a portrait class, draped or undraped, focusing on traditional or dynamic gestures, longer poses, and if I should volunteer props. Depending on the level of the class and the disposition of the instructor, I may bring hats for portraiture, rope for tension studies, chains for compositions or staffs for vertical/horizontal studies in balance.
In the more advanced or open studio classes for independent artists, they have taken an active role in using props and set pieces to create compositions that they want to see.
-This has led to some of the most challenging yet fulfilling poses I’ve ever done and now include them in my repertoire such as “St. Sebastian” bound to a pillar or a Hercules inspired supine pose with chains. The point is, if we hadn’t felt comfortable enough together to collaborate and improvise “outside the box”, these classical interpretations would never have taken place.
-So why does the traditional academic institution perpetuate the double standard that they fear? If I’m on the platform, under the lights without interaction, I’m “the nude”, step out and touch the floor or converse with a student, and suddenly I’m “naked” and that’s counterproductive. Does the same hold true if I’m draped in material or wearing a hat for a portrait? It would seem then that the very institutions that should be legitimizing “life modeling” are actually propagating, if not undermining its acceptance as a valid profession where one is treated with dignity, not dehumanized, and for which one should be neither apologetic nor ashamed.
-Personally, I’d like to see where the models are encouraged to socialize with the students or audience, depending on the venue, without the need for robing. This has been done in many of the private studios and galleries I’ve worked at where the notion of introducing “the nude” as a serious art form and the process of life drawing were being “sold” to an appreciative and interested group of potential students.
-I can say without reservation that those evenings were some of the most successful in “demystifying” the idea of my “nudity” and creating a sense of relaxed, common purpose. I also got three more bookings for private sessions and the gallery signed up over a dozen new students for the upcoming semester.
Nakedspirit…
about 17 hours ago | Edit | Delete | 0 comments
From Where I Stand... by nakedspirit-I’m proud and honoured to be working member of this profession. Life modeling has become my favourite hobby as it motivates me to workout, to become more disciplined, and to enlarge my portfolio.
