Naked in Hong Kong
“The concept of metropolis tied to anonymity and invisibility within that construct can also be questioned. Does the perceived notion of less control become amplified when set within the framework of a city? “
Naked in Hong Kong
Let us for a moment reject Immanuel Kant’s widely adopted philosophical argument that the naked female body signifies only sexual objectification. Instead let’s consider the more contemporary and opposing train of thought which proffers the theory that we, the viewer, embody the naked figure before us with the capacity to experience emotion, to feel pain, to know rejection and to understand. It is true that whilst we may be willing to gift certain traits, we are also often viewing nudity as a sign of less control.
The very act of stripping away the protection of clothing, an inherited societal code, places the figure outside of any reasonable grid of reference. Standard parameters with which to draw conclusions are breached and a standard framework no longer works.
It is from this stand-point that we are requested to interpret Naked in Hong Kong.
By moving forward from this point of reference we are able to question the acceptance and positioning of the Western woman, and the innately attached values, within an Asian culture.
The concept of metropolis tied to anonymity and invisibility within that construct can also be questioned. Does the perceived notion of less control become amplified when set within the framework of a city?
Nudity is a mechanism with which too un-clutter and objectify the questions of social acceptance and cultural perception. The parallels and conclusions drawn are emboldened in this artwork.
Concept, Art Direction and Photography - Nic Gaunt
Shoot Production - Bex Gaunt.