Yesssssssss!
(Sept. 11, 2008) Editor:
At first glance I was excited to see an article about the nude figure and its relationship to the artist, as I use the nude in my own work, but then realized it was just a superficial jab at what the figure represents in art (“Art Beat,” Sept. 4). The subtitle — “Nude portraiture really isn’t about sex” — struck me as strange, because all of my favorite figurative artists use the figure to represent human emotion, the most dominant being sex.
To say that nude portraiture is not about sex is to not look back in art history or at current figurative artists. Ummm … Courbet’s “The Origin of the World!” A majority of the artists from the impressionist era used prostitutes as their models, even using the brothel as a popular subject matter. Most of Degas’ nudes take place in brothels or other intimate sexual settings.
When there is a nude figure in front of me in my studio, although I might not want to jump on them for sex, there is still sexual tension. Here lays a naked person vulnerable and subservient to the needs of the artist. It is not simply just rendering the proportions of the figure, like the article alluded. There is a deeper psyche that takes place and the dialog between the artist and model can be … sexual.
Sara Long, Trinidad
Sweet Spot:*Sara Long wins a Bon Boniere sundae for sending our favorite letter of the week, despite missing the tongue in the writer’s cheek. Good news! New Bon Boniere sundae coupons are in! We’ll be filling the backlog this week. Thanks for your patience, past winners.*
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Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
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