Shasak

Nudity and Body Painting in History

Evolving with time in various forms and materials art has climbed up to nude body painting and tattooing on the body since the last century. Body adoration has been a simple passion for mankind since the ancient era.

Initially, the nude body painting festival was created to take advantage of summer tourism by a tour manager in Europe.

Actual credit for body painting should go to ancient Egyptians who are known to use ground lead blended with other substances to decorate male and female eyes. This was perhaps the first body paint ever used by mankind. Ornaments found near cave paintings imply that self-decoration has been the passion of women for thousands of years in history.

Yet, Carolee Schneemann known as a rebellious female artist was the first to present her naked body painted with colourful patches for more than half a century back. Posing the look of women of the years in the 1960s and 1970s is the most popular theme among the artists and models and the undergarments are also depicted by painting on the skin. 

Paints of different types

Another form is the monochrome painting. This requires a surrounding effect with other objects when the model stands for the photoshoot or for the audience to be termed as classical of the genre.

More often camouflaged perspective is intended to frighten the enemies and nudity is sometimes covered by tricking a humourous piece of art. On several occasions like festivals, competitions or public gatherings where children are present such artistic joy readily becomes a prime focus for all. More than one model can even combine to address a large creature-like appearance to please the kids.

In Kerala, a southern state of India, the famous dance form Kathakali is well known for face painting. In contrast, there is no nudity at all in this traditional dance which came to light during the 17th century. Naga Sadhus (naked seers) in India apply ashes on their bodies in their original powder form. These seers appear in public as well during Kumbh-mela and Girnar Parikrama, both sacred gatherings in the Indian cultural context. 

The psychology behind the naked painting

Interestingly, nudity has been of utmost importance since the Renaissance; specifically the female nude. The contemporary art of nude body painting is psychologically seen as the narcissistic behaviour of men. Griselda Pollock said that “women are simply the scenery onto which men project their narcissistic fantasies.” According to Sigmund Freud, the male artists in this concern are mostly neurotic whose inner voice impels them to wander for fortune and publicity. Moreover, power and honour with the love of women are extremely important to men. These disguised desires for sex draw the artist to such fantasies. Artists’ desire floats on the creation that is intended for the targeted male audience.

Methods and materials for painting

Brushing is the most handy method for painting work. However, some artists have developed the art by use of the sponge as well. Grease proportionately mixed with pigments makes the popular paint that is practised by amateur artists and is largely used for face decoration. This paint is adapted by the actors in face makeup as well. Water-activated paints can be applied on the face or for the whole body painting. Hybrid paints and alcohol colours along with grease paints are largely used in body painting.

Clay has been widely utilised along with some plants and flowers by some tribes as natural pigments to prepare painting material. The use of the clay brings in environmental tangibility and is beneficial in terms of useful minerals present in it.
Native tribes wore such paints to please the divine powers and in many cases in an attempt to protect from the ghosts-like devils.
Body painting was largely a part of the decoration in times when modern things were not invented for the purpose. Often this was applied to the human body in bizarre colours and patterns to flaunt the formidable faces of humans or other creatures. The deep jungles in India, New Zealand and Japan with South Africa can be considered as the origins of such recreating art.

Body paint although has been an ultra-modern trend showcasing ultimate freedom of expression had once caused imprisonment for some Hollywood stars in the 1930s.
Alas! That was a public disturbance!
Nowadays this art is widely used in not only fashion shows, but protests or festivals.

Cautions and care to be safe

Over the years skin painting has been recognised as contemporary art. Austria is the centre of world attention that hosts a three-day event attracting artists from various countries and a pool of spectators. Body painting is now an evolving art despite a vast population across the globe disowning the movement.

Even though the paints may be labelled as non-toxic, they can harm the body if not applied cautiously. The paints as foreign objects are likely to raise reactions from within the body that could lead to allergic responses. The pores and oil present in the skin structure could be damaged in the prolonged applications of the paints over the human body.

The artist and the model relationship

Models in most cases feel comfortable while posing for body painting. Passion for the work plays a lead role as standing undressed for 12 to 14 hours before unknown artists might not be easy. Katharina, a model confessed she disliked her body until her nude body got painted resembling a canvas. Painting over a three-dimensional body surface is indeed a unique experience for the artists as well. Artists in this art scenario are rendered fully dressed. Their patience has also to be compatible with those models nearby pose for long hours. There is never a next-day shift over for the remaining art.

The model and the artist are primarily women and men respectively. Whether they are familiar or unknown to each other a certain bond takes shape during the process of the body painting. To overcome fatigue and regain a refreshed mood duo soon exchange words leading to the private life of each other. The fully trustworthy and artistic environment largely helps in the unique creation of the nude body painting. Partial or undressed models feel so comfortable that they do not feel themselves nude. They enjoy the process of painting like gradually dressing up stroke by stroke. The success story of the session depends on the strength, bravery and acting quality of the nude women in the frames.

Paint and tattoo charges

Tattoos are a permanent type of body painting, unlike the temporary nature of body paintings. The process of tattoo creation is a bit painful. Artists may charge from 50 dollars to as high as 50000 dollars for a single tattoo. Artists in the field of body painting charge an average of 18 to 21 dollars per hour.

Recognition of the nudity

Nudity is a private subject. In the civilised world clothing is the essential commodity by default whereas nudity is a rare occurrence. Modernity has extended to the introduction of nude beaches across many locations worldwide including Europe and America. Tiny groups of people adopt such concepts while most populations refrain from complete nudity. Nakedness, in modern times, is a euphoric sort of freedom intended to be on top of the world.