What is in a nude?

Does modern society have any place for art, and in particular, the nude? What is the difference between modern and contemporary art depicting a semi-nude and that of the semi-nudes painted by the old masters? By certain standards, fat naked babies with wings are acceptable, but a nude depicting the glorious and sensual lines of a woman’s body is not?

Ester Grobler: Acrylic on canvas 500x500cm “Josephine”


Here is Josephine, she is not pretending to be somebody by the way she dresses, nor is she trying to seduce you. You are simply an onlooker; catching a brief glimpse of her in an intimate moment.


The question is then, is it art or is it something else? It is up to the onlooker to decide. As the saying goes: “Love is in the eye of the beholder”, so then too is art in the eye of the beholder.


As artist, Carl Verster put it: “In my opinion there are two important questions to be asked when it comes to the subject and formulating an opinion on the nude.


1. Is it art?


2. Is it moral?

 
So, is it art?


It would be a foolish to argue that a painting or sculpture is not art simply because the subject lacks clothes. Equally foolish would be to argue that every nude picture is art.


I have little difficulty in determining whether a picture of a tractor is a technical diagram or a work of art! Why? ... because of the context and intent! If it's in a textbook, it’s a technical diagram ... if it’s a painting of a rusty tractor in a field with unusual lighting and angles, hanging in someone’s lounge; one can assume it is art.


Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam" or "David"? Medical study? Art work? Were they produced for medical study reasons? Hardly practical! Was it produced to titillate? Inconceivable!


Likewise, a photo in an ‘adult magazine’ is clear in its intent. If the context is wrong and if the intent is not 'artistic' in nature, it isn't art.


But is it moral?


Again, context and intent.


Nude paintings cannot in themselves be immoral. If the intent of the artist is purely to sexually excite the viewer... it is pornography. If the focus is form, light and highlighting the beauty of organic lines, well, then it's probably art. Be careful here not to confuse the reaction of the viewer with the intent of the artist. If the artist's intent is to display the beauty of form and light and the viewer is inadvertently aroused by the painting, it doesn't disqualify the piece. It may still have both artistic merit and be moral. After all, if a sexual deviant who is turned on by say, high heel shoes, is aroused by a painting of a shoe, the viewer is the problem, not the artist. It's all down to intent.


The human body is beautiful, the lines are incredible and the organic form fascinating. Our bodies are something that unite us and define us all ... they our connected humanity. Personally I can think of few subjects nobler, more rewarding or more empathetic for viewers than the nude”




With thanks to Carl Verster.

Hope you all have a fantastic week.

Blessings
Mercia

SOLD: "Verstrengel; Vas; Vry!"

Anna M Bosman: "Verstrengel; Vas; Vry!" Framed Oil on canvas was sold yesterday. The purchaser was absolutely in love with this painting - it's great to see such appreciation on someone's face when they stand in front of a painting, drinking in what they see and watching them staring at the painting in awe.

I think this painting will be much admired by it's new owner and I am glad that it was bought by an individual with such love for contemporary art who obviously celebrates the human form!

To the artist: Anna - well done! I am very proud of you, and to convey the message from the purchaser: "Please tell the artist this piece is stunning, keep painting!"

Mercia

Josephine: SOLD

Ester Grobler "Josephine" 500x500 Acrylic on canvas was sold yesterday.

I hope she brings her new owner plenty of joy and share some of her secrets....

Hope you have a stunning long week-end!

I don't have much more to tell you...the mind is off somewhere, having a long-weekend of its own!

;-)

Article in Speckled Bean: March Edition

You will find an article about Essensual Art Gallery in the March edition of our local magazine, called Speckled Bean. It's available online as well, so vist the electronic copy and read the article on page 6. Click here to go to Speckled Bean.

Thanks to Speckled Bean for their interest in Essensual Art Gallery, for Amanda van Blerk for her wonderful words and Cassy for her outgoing, wonderful spirit!

Blessings
Mercia

Update: Exhibition by Frances Lozear

...called “l’amour eternal pour venir” (the eternal love to come): The opening of the exhibition will be held on Saturday 3 April 2010, by official invitation only. Open to the public from Sunday 4th of April. If you are interested to attend the official opening, please email art@essensual.co.za. Otherwise, we would love to see you here on the Sunday! The exhibition will run for 2 weeks.

Venue: Essensual Art Gallery
Address: Upper level, Clarens Info & Tourist Centre, Market Street, Clarens
Date: Saturday 3 April
Time: 7pm
Entry: By invitation only
Contact: Mercia Deale via email or 082 210 6894

This exhibition is dedicated to emotional bonds, both the pain and ecstasy of love and the everlasting effect thereof.
So, show YOUR love by attending what promises to be a fantastic exhibition by an excellent artist! Mercia Deale, 082 210 6894, Essensual Art Gallery , Clarens

PS: I have added the event to the Facebook Group - please join the group if you haven't already and invite your friends!

You are what you eat - are you then what you paint?

Ok, so this is not really an arty farty post - no truthful insights into the mind of the emotionally disturbed, somewhat moody artist. Just a post to let you know the blog is still alive - JUST!

I had NO idea that detoxing the body can result in such pain! Normally, I am not a sissy, I just grin and bare whatever my body throws at me. But this time, my body has declared WAR! How can one's muscles ache and pain when you have not excercised? Headaches seem to be my constant companion and overall tiredness my true friend. Wondering why? I visited a homeopath recently and disturbing issues were raised. Not to bore you with my ailments, let's just say I had to seriously rethink my eating habits and what the food I'm stuffing my face with is causing. To get to the point of the post: I guess you really are what you eat!

Apparently, sugar is my worst enemy - not because it gives me the unwanted curves - but because I have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia (fancy word for low blood sugar) and a string of other things... I have been living with my body all my life (ok, at least I hope so - I can't remember if I bought tickets to astro travel) that I just accepted the way my body felt. Hearing a complete stranger tell you what exactly is wrong with your body and the associated symptons is really weird. You nod your head in acknowledgement, and think to yourself..."so that's the reason!" I must admit, hearing that low blood sugar and Hypoadrenalism (underactivity of the adrenal glands) is the cause of so many symptoms and "ailments" that I have suffered from, was a relief! I was NOT going crazy, the heart pulpetations was not because of the dreamy guy driving by, the sweating was not because I was entering my midlife crisis, the dizziness was not because I was passionately kissed and the tiredness was not because of the constant attention the kids demanded! Phew! What a relieve.

So, here I am, detoxing and wishing I had never gone to the homeopath in the first place! (Yes, feeling extremely sorry for myself!) But in all honesty, I will keep going because the promise of feeling better is much more alluring than the drained, tired and moody person I once felt.

But my mind left for a second, and I thought if you are what you eat, are you also then what you paint? I don't think I have the capacity to answer this one right now, so I will leave it up to you to give me some insight!

Here's to healty eating habits!
Cheers!
Mercia

Sensual Photograhpy by Branden Hart

I asked a few artists to write something on the subject of nude art/sensuality, what is their take on the subject, what inspires them, why did they choose the particular medium etc. etc. 

I could rant on and on about the subject, but without further ado, here is the article written by photographer, Branden Hart. (You might even see some of his work exhibited at the gallery soon!)

Photography, by its nature has been used to document, to preserve and allow us to manipulate fleeting moments that pass us by.

Sensual photography is no different, it allows us to capture the beauty of a body, manipulated or un-manipulated, and present it in a way that is pleasing to the eye and the soul.

My journey with sensual photography started almost 8 years ago, with the standard basic digital camera, a willing nude model, and some stunning scenery whilst working in Tanzania. As such the images were, bar the beautiful model, unstructured and basic at best. However the ideas of combining a model and scenery took hold.

Many years down the line I have learnt a few valuable lessons. Not only in photographic technique, but the effect it has on the models.

In order to understand the experience of sensual photography, it is necessary to break it down. See the art for what it is, the resistance to it and the result of the shoot.

Unfortunately the words erotic, sensual, boudoir and nude, in South Africa at least, are equated to sleaze, porn and the rather more “grungy” underbelly of the twilight world. Many South African Photographers have tried with mixed success to lift the Fine Art Nude photographic study out of the tainted shadows to the same levels as achieved internationally by photographers like Craig Morey, Jock Sturgess, Pascal Baetens, Petre Hegre, Elinor Carucci and the more risqué Didier Carré.

The fact that this article is being written for a website of a gallery dedicated to the sensual nature of the human form is a testament to the change in perception ad acceptance of our craft.

So … What is our craft?

Our craft is the capturing and presentation of the human form in its most basic of state … NUDE.

Using shadow and construction, to hint at a stolen moment, a taboo piercing or tattoo, the love between a couple, the gorgeous curves of a pregnant mother, the ageing and maturing lines of an older model.

Our craft is the liberation of the human form in a way that is emotional, more than visual.

I always find it interesting, how whilst we work in a visual medium the effects that our work has is almost always emotional, for the viewer and more often the model.

I base my work largely on personal portfolios requested by clients, whether it be a maternity shoot for posterity, a boudoir shoot destined to be a gift for a lover, or in preparation for a more the commercial venture of stock photography, sale and exhibition. Having almost all my clients being stock standard everyday women, mothers to be, or mothers “been” I am amazed at the emotional affect our craft has on the ladies we photograph.

Every one of my clients found the sessions liberating, empowering, emotional and challenging. Not once have I had a model walk into the studio and walk out the same person. My best referrals come within two weeks of a shoot and to date all my referrals have been word of mouth.

Thanks Branden for your input. He has indicated that more articles will come our way focusing more on types of shoots and techniques. You can view more of his work at http://www.voodooexhibitions.co.za/

Have a blessed week