I just noticed this link in Anna Murphy's tweets. What does society have to do to be rid of this type of puritanism? Really I believe that at least 95% of people in America understand that there is nothing wrong with their child seeing a nude piece of art and that the human form is not shameful or evil. That a teacher could be fired (or even put on leave) for taking children to an art museum is really unbelievably stupid and wrong of the administration of that school.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. My SO, Britton, is a sculptor and he mainly does female nudes and/or partly nudes. I have seen grown men in there 50's that blush and have to turn away from looking at them. This is especially true for the total nudes. Remember when John Ashcroft put curtains over those semi-nude statues of Lady Justice? While I am sure this type of nudity phobia is not just confined to men, they do in many cases seem to be more freaked out by it.
Although, it is true that good art should cause some sort of reaction, firing a teacher over a nude or any type of art in a museum should never be the reaction.
4 comments:
It always amazes me when adults have this reaction to nudity in art. As you know, Jim also does a lot nudes; I've had people that have come to view the studio behave uncomfortably; ask me questions like, does it bother me that my husband paints nudes -- all kinds of stupid things.
It is so weird when adults act that way. I just really never quite know what to say to them that won't sound rude.
what an interesting post, lovely blog
can't believe the close-mindedness of some people. This is *art* for goddess' sake!
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