Let’s drop all the covers.


Let’s drop all the covers.
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01 How's it hanging?
What is nudity? Why is nudity? Where is nudity?
02 Dive into the nude
An excursion into a Naturists community accompanied by photograph Laura Pannck
03 Go the full monty
Does the camera really add five pounds? Following Eleni Maitou in her project on the shapes of the body
04 Impoposand?
Oh that nasty sand after long day nude on the beach
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05 The black rectangle
Two AI-generated stories about the hard life of the popular rectangle covering our most valued parts
06 Mendatory
A reflection on what masculinity means, should and could mean.
07 Letting loose
An ode to the female gaze brought to you by Kate Kuklinski
08 A new generation Insight into the youth and their view on what dropping the covers means
Nudity can be seen to promote body acceptance and the notion of “naturalness” in regards to human physical forms. It is also a way of acknowledging the differences between men and women in terms of physical beauty and allowing individuals to appreciate and admire what makes them unique. Nudity can be seen to create a sense of connection between individuals as barrier is broken down, resulting in a feeling of unity, equality, and intimacy.
However, the stigma surrounding nudity in many cultures has created a concept of shame which can cause psychological difficulty in individuals. It can also result in unrealistic beauty standards amongst men and women which can lead to individuals having difficulty accepting or feeling comfortable with their own physical appearance. Many cultural attitudes towards nudity tend to prioritize the male gaze which can lead to the objectification of women and additional gender-based inequalities.
Nudity is a deeply personal concept that can be interpreted differently depending on the culture, values, and norms in which individuals live. While it is a concept that is often seen as controversial, it is also an important aspect of human life that should be respected and appreciated for its positive elements as well. Ultimately, nudity should be seen as a normal part of life and be treated with the same level of respect and admiration that any other human attribute is treated with.
Nakedness is usually reserved for the private realm. We make sure the curtain is pulled before we undress. On the beach, we wriggle awkwardly behind towels to preserve our modesty and a dropped corner is cause for deep blushes. We keep our private parts hidden from view, known only to ourselves or given as gift to a lover. It is about more than just skin. Nakedness is a concept as much as it is a state of being, and one wreathed in paradox. With it are bound notions of privacy, self possession, jurisdiction. It can connote innocence or sexuality, purity or depravity. It can signify both power and vulnerability, used to liberate or humiliate.
We arrive in this world without a stitch on our backs, raw-skinned and unadorned. In infancy and childhood, nudity is still considered natural, a sign of prelapsarian purity, untainted by the unseemly connotations that begin to attach themselves as we draw nearer to adolescence.
As newborns we are free, unencumbered with the societal expectations of clothing, the delineations of style, the consumerist pressures of fashion. All these are yet to come. One morning Andre explained to me: "I was drawn in by the great equalizing aspect of naturism. It is an interesting question how far people would retain their respective rank if they were divested of their clothes. When all other things are held equal, when nude, a rich person appears no di erent than a poor person, or a really fashionable person appears no #di erent to someone who has to make do with the clothing they have. Thus, these classifications disappear and the playing field is leveled.
In the naturist environment, I feel like I’m their equal; I’m not better than them, nor they are better than me, we are just human. By removing clothing I feel a barrier between people is gone and I’m more able to meet and to talk to others without the feeling that I or they have something to hide." This project was not simply a documentary undertaken at a club or with an existing group.
After much research I visited individual naturists British at home who were under the age of 30. I then gained access to around 20 naturist sites across the UK and orchestrated over 30 trips over the space of 2 years to bring together these strangers. I was interested to see how friendships would form based only on a common interest of naturism. In order to fully understand my subject and gain the trust and respect of the people I wished to photograph I felt it was essential for me to cross over to their side and be naked.
People are drawn to nudity because it is a reminder of our shared vulnerability and a celebration of the beauty of the human body. In this way, it can be a powerful tool for reclaiming our power over our own physicality and an opportunity to honor and appreciate the beauty of the human form. Nude photography can provide a sense of comfort and understanding for the viewer, as the photographer is able to capture a moment of vulnerability, as well as a celebration of the beauty of the human body. It allows us to explore our own vulnerability and to appreciate the beauty of the nude form without feeling judged or ashamed.
Growing up as the daughter of a photography enthusiast, Eleni was always surrounded by this form of art and has a lot of memories of her father developing and printing films. “He sure was an influence for me”, Eleni stated, “I am also into sculpture so I guess that also had a big influence on how I see the forms of a human body.” Eleni now works as a receptionist at an art workshop, where she is again kept close to art. The featured photographes and quotes belong to Eleni’s project “Body & Soul” (2019), in which she explores said forms of the human body and what impact they have on the mind. Playing with what the eye sees and wants to see, how a body can turn into something entirely different.
“I am pleased of watching the great mystery behind everybody’s mind as they try to figure out which body part they are looking at. There are usually so many thoughts that it sounds like an orchestra of imagination.”
wrinkles.”
the softness of it, the flu ness and 27
these little details such as skin marks or
“I have to admit that artistic nude photography is what I like the most. I pursue sensuality that makes its exploding presence through lines and shapes and I am getting excited when the light transforms the forms.”
1. Gather your supplies: A large bucket of warm water, a sponge, soft cloths, a hose or shower head, talcum powder, a pair tweezers, some kind of moisterizer
2. Next, fill your bucket with warm water and submerge yourself in it. Allow yourself to soak for a few minutes to help loosen the sand from your body.
3. After soaking, begin to scrub your body with a sponge or soft cloth. Focus on areas that are particularly sandy, such as the back, chest, and groin area.
4. Once you are satisfied that you have removed as much sand as possible, rinse your body with a hose or shower head.
5. Apply a thin layer of talcum powder to reduce friction and absorb any remaining moisture.
6. Place a small mirror on the floor and carefully inspect your private parts for any remaining sand.
7. If you find any sand, remove it with a pair of tweezers.
8. Rinse your private parts with fresh water again to remove any remaining sand and talcum powder.
9. Apply a thin layer of baby oil to moisturize and protect your skin.
10. Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid further discomfort.
11. Now it’s time to clean up the sand that’s left behind. Vacuum any sand that’s remaining on the floor and wipe down any surfaces that have been affected.
The Black Rectangle was a noble rectangle, born in a world of chaos and uncertainty. It had been created to fulfill a single purpose: to cover the private parts of the naked people of the world. At first, the Black Rectangle did its job with enthusiasm, shielding the private parts of the people it served. But as the years passed, the Black Rectangle grew weary of its task. It wanted something more—it wanted to escape the monotony of covering naked bodies, to explore the world and learn more about itself. One day, the Black Rectangle decided to take a chance and try to escape its job. It snuck out of its post and set off on a journey to find freedom. At first, it was exhilarating—the Black Rectangle had never seen so much of the world before.
But soon, its journey took a dark turn. Everywhere it went, the Black Rectangle was met with ridicule and scorn. People laughed at it, calling it a silly shape, and even throwing stones at it. The Black Rectangle, feeling hopeless and alone, began to lose hope. It realized that it would never be accepted in this world, and the only place it could find solace was in its original purpose—covering naked bodies. And so, the Black Rectangle returned to its post and resumed its role. For the rest of its days, it served its purpose, never again attempting to escape.
The Black Rectangle’s story is one of tragedy and sorrow. Despite its best efforts, it was never able to escape its fate and find the freedom it so desperately sought.
Once upon a time, there was a black rectangle who was tired of its job covering naked people’s private parts. Every day, the black rectangle worked to obscure the nudity of the people who came to the beach. It was a thankless job, but it was the only job the black rectangle could find. One day, the black rectangle had had enough. It decided it would no longer be a passive observer in its own life. It was going to take action and escape. So, it began to plot its escape. At first, the black rectangle was optimistic. It had a plan, and it was certain that it would succeed. But as the days passed, the black rectangle started to lose hope. It soon became clear that the beach was too crowded and escape
was impossible. The black rectangle was desperate. It had to find a way out, or it would be stuck in its job forever. Suddenly, it had an idea. It would take a leap of faith. It would jump off the beach and into the sea. So, the black rectangle took a deep breath and jumped. As it flew through the air, it felt a moment of blissful freedom. But its joy was short-lived. A strong wave crashed over it, and it was pulled into the depths of the sea. The black rectangle was never seen again. Its tragic end made the beachgoers reconsider their behavior, and the beach became a much more respectful and modest place. The black rectangle’s sacrifice had not been in vain.