I leave this for an open interpretation. That helps the title in a way. Kills it otherwise. Both exist. Duality strikes again. Have multiple line of thoughts propping this myself. :)
The problem with our mindset is that we tend to interpret nudity, almost always, in sexual context as if both are synonymous. It is not. We are always judged by the society on the basis of what we wear and what we don't and we depend on the social norms to tell us what is and what is not 'natural' or ethical. The worst part is that the social norms do not exactly follow the natural code. Nudity was natural at one point of time and now it is not. People are judged on the basis of their clothes - the quality of it decides your class and the quantity of it decides your character (especially in case of women). One nude pic on net and you are ruined. We forget that we are born nude. We are embarrassed of our own skin. I am neither promoting nor demoting nudity here. I just want to point out how we used to perceive it in the beginning as compared to how we perceive it now and how that perception has changed overtime due to various reasons, and that most of us are 'dependent' on social norms, when it comes to dressing. In that context I would like to say that this image does not represents 'dependence' for me as you don't seem to be dependent on other's views when it comes to dressing up your own body. I neither know nor can guess your ideology behind creating this but I just wanted to share my thoughts with you. :)
That is very much the case, Sharmistha. Nudity was natural. Nudity is natural. It is society that brought in the idea of clothing. And now it can't get rid of it. Nudity, like you said, has become synonymous to sexual and kinky stuff. Which wouldn't have been the case, if we wanted to remain nude...the society I mean. The layer of clothing is more tempting than anything else.
I love how you framed this: 'People are judged on the basis of their clothes - the quality of it decides your class and the quantity of it decides your character (especially in case of women).'
Bdw, my interpretation of this image runs a bit deeper. A layer beyond your interpretation. In the way that, yes apparently it seems that I'm not dependent. Because I have come out of that layer of clothing. But I wanted to say, you know, that even after doing that, I am dependent.
1. Because I will still wear clothes while in public. In person and in public. Because I don't want to offend society. That's dependence in a way. 2. Even when I'm nude, I'm dependent. On certain elements starting from the basic needs such as air, water and stuff. And also on people. Because I cannot exist alone. I wouldn't. 3. I stand minimized in the image, as if in a space of vastness. That seemingly shows that I'm independent. But that's on the surface. I'm actually not. I'm dependent on the image. On the camera. On the BG. Imagine if the BG was of my skin color, I wouldn't be visible. I am dependent on the light. On the photoshop tools I've used. On my PC. On the makers of all these things. I'm using their resources and forever will. I am dependent. Independence is hypothetical. Dependence is the only way. 4. I formed the idea in such a manner that I'm minimized in the image. So that my nudity is not visible prominently. That is how I'm dependent. I did that because I'm still dependent on society. And it will take time to go. And I hope it does soon. :)
However I really liked how you saw this. :) Thank you.
'In that context I would like to say that this image does not represents 'dependence' for me as you don't seem to be dependent on other's views when it comes to dressing up your own body.' That statement was really encouraging. Thank you. :)
Adam because you are nude and alone, occupying only a very small portion which fits the scenario of the known story. And as for what you said about dependence, it is true in a way. every element of nature is dependent on one another for existence. But still the word 'independence' exists to represent the limited amount of personal freedom and a right to choice that we have on our life and this image to a certain limit represents that. Then again 'freedom' is nothing but a beautiful notion. Sense if freedom is an illusion because we can never be free.
The problem with our mindset is that we tend to interpret nudity, almost always, in sexual context as if both are synonymous. It is not. We are always judged by the society on the basis of what we wear and what we don't and we depend on the social norms to tell us what is and what is not 'natural' or ethical. The worst part is that the social norms do not exactly follow the natural code. Nudity was natural at one point of time and now it is not. People are judged on the basis of their clothes - the quality of it decides your class and the quantity of it decides your character (especially in case of women). One nude pic on net and you are ruined. We forget that we are born nude. We are embarrassed of our own skin. I am neither promoting nor demoting nudity here. I just want to point out how we used to perceive it in the beginning as compared to how we perceive it now and how that perception has changed overtime due to various reasons, and that most of us are 'dependent' on social norms, when it comes to dressing. In that context I would like to say that this image does not represents 'dependence' for me as you don't seem to be dependent on other's views when it comes to dressing up your own body.
ReplyDeleteI neither know nor can guess your ideology behind creating this but I just wanted to share my thoughts with you. :)
P.S: the image reminds me of Adam...the first man ... :P
DeleteThat is very much the case, Sharmistha. Nudity was natural. Nudity is natural. It is society that brought in the idea of clothing. And now it can't get rid of it. Nudity, like you said, has become synonymous to sexual and kinky stuff. Which wouldn't have been the case, if we wanted to remain nude...the society I mean. The layer of clothing is more tempting than anything else.
DeleteI love how you framed this: 'People are judged on the basis of their clothes - the quality of it decides your class and the quantity of it decides your character (especially in case of women).'
:)
Bdw, my interpretation of this image runs a bit deeper. A layer beyond your interpretation. In the way that, yes apparently it seems that I'm not dependent. Because I have come out of that layer of clothing. But I wanted to say, you know, that even after doing that, I am dependent.
Delete1. Because I will still wear clothes while in public. In person and in public. Because I don't want to offend society. That's dependence in a way.
2. Even when I'm nude, I'm dependent. On certain elements starting from the basic needs such as air, water and stuff. And also on people. Because I cannot exist alone. I wouldn't.
3. I stand minimized in the image, as if in a space of vastness. That seemingly shows that I'm independent. But that's on the surface. I'm actually not. I'm dependent on the image. On the camera. On the BG. Imagine if the BG was of my skin color, I wouldn't be visible. I am dependent on the light. On the photoshop tools I've used. On my PC. On the makers of all these things. I'm using their resources and forever will. I am dependent. Independence is hypothetical. Dependence is the only way.
4. I formed the idea in such a manner that I'm minimized in the image. So that my nudity is not visible prominently. That is how I'm dependent. I did that because I'm still dependent on society. And it will take time to go. And I hope it does soon. :)
However I really liked how you saw this. :) Thank you.
'In that context I would like to say that this image does not represents 'dependence' for me as you don't seem to be dependent on other's views when it comes to dressing up your own body.' That statement was really encouraging. Thank you. :)
And, why Adam?
Adam because you are nude and alone, occupying only a very small portion which fits the scenario of the known story.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for what you said about dependence, it is true in a way. every element of nature is dependent on one another for existence. But still the word 'independence' exists to represent the limited amount of personal freedom and a right to choice that we have on our life and this image to a certain limit represents that. Then again 'freedom' is nothing but a beautiful notion. Sense if freedom is an illusion because we can never be free.
*sense of freedom..sorry for the typo
DeleteYes. very much my thoughts about Dependency and Independence. Independence is a word conventionally used. Otherwise the idea is hypothetical. :)
DeleteThank you for taking your time talking about this. I feel honored. :)
Any and every piece of artwork that has been presented for public viewing deserves discussing. :)
DeleteWell said. Best thought. :)
DeleteI'm glad you think like that. :)