An interesting discussion of public nudity over at girlfriday (see here and here) stemming from the cover of Vanity Fair featuring Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson in the buff.
First, let us recognize that air brushing really can perform amazing feats. Second, the question at hand is when is public nudity simply exhibitionism and when it is art. Those who defend this kind of public display of nudity do so on the grounds of art. Surely there is a gray area between what is true art and what is simply vulgarity. Let me suggest a standard. Some would say that nude art shows us the beauty of the human form. I would suggest that for a nude body to become art it should point beyond the human body to something higher. Simply showing the beauty of the human body is not enough. Here is a brief list of characteristics that an artistic depiction of nudity might point towards: grace, innocence, modesty (ironically), power, strength, dignity, gentleness, affection, etc. Nudity that simply titillates and nothing more is not art but exhibitionism.
I am quite sure that what is going on with Vanity Fair is not an attempt to say something about the human condition. Rather it is the use of naked bodies in an attempt to increase magazine sales. That strikes me as a less than noble artistic goal. In most cases taking off one's clothes simply to provoke and make a buck is not considered admirable. They have words for women who do this sort of thing for money, but I wouldn't want to use such language in public.
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