Naked Rebellion

Written by Anthony Douglas | 24 February 2010

Most celebrities make a name for themselves by achieving in some field or other, but the man recently arrived in Sydney has made his name by going against it. Spencer Tunick might have two items of clothing for a name, but his professional career involves the removal of clothing: he takes photographs of large crowds of naked people.

I want to sidestep the debate about nudity and art altogether, and ask a different question: where does he get his models from? They aren’t paid; there is often physical discomfort involved; and, of course, there’s the awkwardness of being unclothed in the close proximity of thousands of complete strangers. As for the logistics of keeping thousands of sets of clothes and belongings separate… Well, you have to ask – why do people go to all that trouble?

I think it’s about rebelling, at one level or another. Just like Tunick is rebelling against his own name, others are rebelling against cultural expectations, or public morality, or their own upbringing. I suspect most of the time it isn’t intended to be an act of defiance against God, or any other deity. It’s an expression of personal freedom – perhaps the utmost expression of it. ‘If I want to, I can do this … or anything else!’

Of course, such rebellion is only possible because of the first rebellion; before the Fall, nakedness was no big deal. Now, however, inappropriate nakedness brings shame (or should, at least) and expresses rebellion against the gracious God who provided clothing (Gen. 3:21). The rebellion of personal freedom is only possible because of the first rebellion for personal freedom.

In contrast, as believers we are freed to serve: ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Col. 3:12)