Nudity

[Gwaimir Windgem]

This thread is for the discussion of the place of nudity in art, cinema, etc. When it is appropriate, when it is not.

Please, try to keep "lewd comments" to a minimum. If you don't I think this might go over PG-13...

[markedel]

Sex being part of life it has its place I suppose. The question is whether it's gratuitous or not.

[Sminty_Smeagol]

I dunno about other cultures, but I think in America, nudity is too associated with sexuality. I mean sure it is somewhat, but when people say nudity, you think "porn" or something. I think the human body, in those rennaiscance (sp?) paintings, is considered beautiful, not "dirty". I know in France they have topless beaches, where women expose their breasts in public, but people think nothing of it. In other cultures, nudity is more acceptable and not as taboo as in america.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Personally, I have no problem with nudity, as long as it's fitting and isn't just stuck in to inspire certain feelings.

For instance, many of the less advanced tribes have their women walk around wearing naught but a skirt. This isn't put in to make people ogle or just to have nudity, but it has a point: that is, recreating the setting. And some tribes wear no clothes, I believe. Same goes there. But when it starts to get pointless and just be thrown in to inspure lust, that's when I think it's over the top.

[Sminty_Smeagol]

exactly. Nudity (atleast in america) is too associated with lust.

[Hasty Ent]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
For instance, many of the less advanced tribes have their women walk around wearing naught but a skirt.

Less advanced in what way? I've never liked the term 'primitive culture' either, btw.

Back on topic: it's all about context and intent, for me. Nudity in and of itself is not good or bad, it's simply a physical description.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I know, I had to struggle quite a while to find something to say.

[Hasty Ent]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
I know, I had to struggle quite a while to find something to say.

No problem, I never thought you were being insulting.

Language is slippery, though. While I don't think that words ever completely change their meaning, they can take on different connotations. Note that topic is 'nudity' not 'nakedness.'

Nudity, for me, makes me think of art, culture, etc. Nakedness is not as loaded with other references.

[Sminty_Smeagol]

ok, this is kinda hard to say, I hope I'll do ok putting it in to words though.

I don't see what's so sexual about nudity. I guess when you're "civilized" and used to wearing clothes, then the only reason you would be nude around someone is for sexual reasons.
However, if people were used to nudity, then it wouldn't be as big a deal. I mean, while naked, you can do things that aren't sexual. You can eat, you can play an instrument, you can walk, you can do most everything you can do with clothes on (except, perhaps some of it wouldn't be as safe lol). I'm sure the people in those cultures where nudity was normal, they were used to it because they carry out every day activities wearing no clothes. We only automatically associate nudity with sex because we carry out every day activities with clothes on, and sex is the only purpose to be nude around another person.

but yeah. Sex is only one of the many things you can do nude. You can do everything else you can do with clothes on, too, but in clotheswearing cultures, nudity is reserved for sex, thus giving it a sexual perception.

[Celebréiel]

Yeah, I think its kinda a hard thing to talk about mainly because its kinda hazy (not the topic, the line) on one hand, its totally natural to be naked, and its completely normal, but then again i think what a few people have already said is really true, most people would associate nudity with sex or something remotely sexual or yeah, lust.
Most of the time nudity in art and film is okay, and I really dont see why it should be bad or whatever, but when used to attract a typical reaction of 'ooh naked people' or something its a little blah and annoying.
I think its something kinda forced into our brains when were young that nudity is bad and associated with sex. Parents not wanting kids(not that young) to see anyone naked... Maybe it was just my parents and schools....*shrugs* Ah, im just rambling...I dont know what im talking about.

[Insidious Rex]

I think its different from culture to culture. In America everything seems to be about sex so of course nudity is just an opportunity to titulate (i think thats the word) and usually sell something. In other cultures its less of a big deal. Kinda like in countries where drinking laws arent as harsh as they are here and the kids there dont see quite as much of a thrill from getting drunk as kids here do.

[Millane]

there is nothing wrong with associating nudity with sexuality... just think of what could be associated with sexuality if it wasnt nudity

Less advanced in what way? I've never liked the term 'primitive culture' either, btw.

i guess he means technologically and economically like everyone else uses to seperate cultures, i dont see whats wrong with that... and i dont see anything wrong with the term primitive culture either... every culture sees each other differently and probably less advanced by there standards.

[Sween]

first things first i love been naked i like my body and so does vita so its not an issue for m. I wouldnt gos hortless on a nudist beach and i dont like full on nude men lets face it the penis isnt nice to look at (allthough vita does say...........thats not pg 13) ne hoo. as for in art and in films in art i guess its fine its not my idea of what good art (more of a landscape and abstract kinda guy) in films if it serves a purpose or if the woman is dead fit. I find suggested nakedness a lot more sexy than full blown sex.

As for in films full sex (yes porn movies) im not the greatest fan good for a few new ideas not much else though why watch people having sex when you can be yourself? No good watching them with men either (cannot ****)

[BeardofPants]

Nothing like mooting naked.

[IronParrot]

I think that ultimately, it's all about taste. Nudity can be tasteful. In a lot of cases, however, it's gratuitous. Like everything else, it's all a matter of achieving a fine balance.

[Elvellyn]

Originally posted by IronParrot
I think that ultimately, it's all about taste. Nudity can be tasteful. In a lot of cases, however, it's gratuitous. Like everything else, it's all a matter of achieving a fine balance.

That's pretty much what I think, too.

[Agalayth]

Same here.

Nudity is just exposing your whole body. I don't see why being naked is such a big deal.

[Sminty_Smeagol]

My friend watched a movie in a class at her school about some pygmy tribe or something in which the men wore... gourds.... Can you imagine showing that to an 8th grade class?

lol i dun remember what the women wore... if anything. Maybe they wore pumpkins lol

[gimli-son-of-gloin13]

Neither do I. It's just the body!!! I'm more mature than everyone in my grade which is really annoying and they still think nudity is "yucky". They think anyone who looks at/paints/ or photographs nudity is a perv. In some cases, yes, but in most cases it's just art!!!! Ok, let's cool down. Also, I wouldn't even wear clothse if I didn't have to (except in the winter when it's cold)

[Elvellyn]

Originally posted by Sminty_Smeagol
My friend watched a movie in a class at her school about some pygmy tribe or something in which the men wore... gourds.... Can you imagine showing that to an 8th grade class?

lol i dun remember what the women wore... if anything. Maybe they wore pumpkins lol

In history class, the teachers shows us all these videos about ancient Greece and Rome. Some of the people aren't totally dressed. Most of us are mature enough to watch them, others aren't.