| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/20/2005 08:42:16 PM · #1 |
I saw this link on another site and it was referred to using words such as "ugly" and "terribly disturbing." I myself can't even begin to think of those words when I view the images, because at my age I've reached a certain level of maturity and have gained the ability to see the inside rather than the outside. It makes me sad when people use words like that to describe other human beings simply because they aren't size 2 models with DD breasts.
Anyway, it IS the Leonard Nimoy you think it is... and he's a helluva photog if you want my opinion on the matter. Here is the link: Leonard Nimoy Photography - Full Body Project
EDIT: NUDITY WARNING...can someone put that in the title please?
Message edited by author 2005-10-20 20:43:01.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:24:53 PM · #2 |
I knew there was a reason Spock was so sexy when I was growing up!
His stuff aint too bad. Wish he would hang out with us here at DPC.
who knows, maybe he is one of us with a deceptive name.
Live Long & Prosper yall! :) |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:28:38 PM · #3 |
I'm pretty sure I saw some of his work in American Photo where he recreated some popular glamour shots with big models. Interesting project.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:34:20 PM · #4 |
| I posted this thread a little while ago too. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:35:32 PM · #5 |
| Thanks for posting that.. It's good to see images with people who dont fit the mold but are still joyful and I think he captured that in a wonderful way. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:36:43 PM · #6 |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:37:05 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
I posted this thread a little while ago too. |
Oops I missed it! Sorry for hijacking in a way then... feel free to get SC to link this to the original thread and lock this one up. :)
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:37:33 PM · #8 |
The Captain (not work safe) also takes pitchers.
Other Celebrity photographers(Not work safe) for Playboy. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:38:07 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Originally posted by faidoi:
I posted this thread a little while ago too. |
Oops I missed it! Sorry for hijacking in a way then... feel free to get SC to link this to the original thread and lock this one up. :) |
Too late. I added to yours :P |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:40:50 PM · #10 |
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:44:22 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
Yeah but nobody seems to complain about the former...just the latter.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 09:49:22 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
I don't think Nimoy is glorifying anything here but self love. The lighting is harsh, the environment stark, the contrast high, and the models the opposite of the ideal. The viewer is left with flesh and gesture and expression. Body and soul. To me, the viewer of these photos becomes vouyer to a transformation of self image in the models from self conscious repugnance, to exploration, to celebration, and finally to self love. Nimoy makes for the viewer to confront issues of our own self image and leaves us with a positive message.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:07:38 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
My point is, nobody should love their body if it looks like that. So an exploration of "self-love" is leading down the wrong path...
I don't think Nimoy is glorifying anything here but self love. The lighting is harsh, the environment stark, the contrast high, and the models the opposite of the ideal. The viewer is left with flesh and gesture and expression. Body and soul. To me, the viewer of these photos becomes vouyer to a transformation of self image in the models from self conscious repugnance, to exploration, to celebration, and finally to self love. Nimoy makes for the viewer to confront issues of our own self image and leaves us with a positive message. |
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:11:44 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
My point is, nobody should love their body if it looks like that. |
Why on earth can't someone love the body they have instead of hating themselves? I wasted a lot of years hating myself because I wasn't beautiful in society's eyes. That's much more harmful to someone's health than being overweight.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:17:56 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
Years ago, the overweight women were considered the most desirable. Go to an art museum if you don't believe me. The obsession our society has with underweight women is relatively new. Beauty is in the mind.
Message edited by author 2005-10-20 22:18:43. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:21:56 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
The problem with these pictures is that it takes the opposite extreme. While we shouldn't be glorifying the size 0, 107 lb, 5'10" model, we should not be glorifying this body style either. From a health point of view it is a scourge on society. From a moral point of view it glorifies our decadent, no-impulse-denied mentality.
My $0.02 |
My point is, nobody should love their body if it looks like that. So an exploration of "self-love" is leading down the wrong path...
I don't think Nimoy is glorifying anything here but self love. The lighting is harsh, the environment stark, the contrast high, and the models the opposite of the ideal. The viewer is left with flesh and gesture and expression. Body and soul. To me, the viewer of these photos becomes vouyer to a transformation of self image in the models from self conscious repugnance, to exploration, to celebration, and finally to self love. Nimoy makes for the viewer to confront issues of our own self image and leaves us with a positive message. |
|
I think you're taking his pictures too literally to be only about body image. He's merely using body image as a vehicle for confronting the viewer with their own self images. Self image is not only skin deep but deals with intelligence, personality, emotional response, etc. Doesn't only have to do with how we see our noses and our asses. All can relate to these pictures as no one is perfect.
These pictures are about how one sees oneself. A person with anorexia nervosa is skinny as could be, but feels the need to lose more and more weight.
Btw, would you say that a person of excess weight is not to love themselves because of their weight? |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:29:00 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
The viewer is left with flesh and gesture and expression. Body and soul. To me, the viewer of these photos becomes vouyer to a transformation of self image in the models from self conscious repugnance, to exploration, to celebration, and finally to self love. Nimoy makes for the viewer to confront issues of our own self image and leaves us with a positive message. |
holycrap....talk about over-examining things
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:31:05 PM · #18 |
I liked how LN was very much referential in his posing choices to the works of the old painting masters. Matisse comes to mind, with the first two shots of solo nudes evocative of The Blue Nude, and a few shots later the women in circle formation bringing to mind La Danse.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:35:31 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by peterish:
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
The viewer is left with flesh and gesture and expression. Body and soul. To me, the viewer of these photos becomes vouyer to a transformation of self image in the models from self conscious repugnance, to exploration, to celebration, and finally to self love. Nimoy makes for the viewer to confront issues of our own self image and leaves us with a positive message. |
holycrap....talk about over-examining things |
So what's your take on these images? Why did Nimoy produce them? |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:46:42 PM · #20 |
Interview with LN:
Stevie Burns: What inspired you to create the Full Body Project?
Leonard Nimoy: I came across a full-bodied lady who was interested in modeling for me. There are two images of her on my website lying horizontal on a black table. Whenever I showed those images along with others of my work, there was strong interest, which led me to want to explore further.
Stevie Burns: How did you find and choose your models? Was it difficult?
Leonard Nimoy: The first figure model I worked with came from an art studio where my wife was taking classes. Others have come through other recommendations; word of mouth and occasionally modeling agencies. It is sometimes hit or miss, sometimes difficult, sometimes very successful.
Stevie Burns: Do you plan to continue working on the Full Body Project or do you feel you're ready to do something else?
Leonard Nimoy: I'm not done with the Full Body work. I'm not quite sure where it will take me or how much longer I will be at it, but I do feel that there is more to explore. This too has to do with finding the right people to work with.
Stevie Burns: Do you find that your art is more technical or emotional? How do you conceptualize your work?
Leonard Nimoy: I don't think I would describe my work as exclusively technical or emotional. My projects tend to be thematically driven. I am trying to deal with ideas. I'm looking for ways to explore those ideas in images.
Stevie Burns: Do you feel that you are prolific or do you feel you haven't done enough?
Leonard Nimoy: As long as the ideas keep coming I'll keep working. I'm satisfied with what I've accomplished so far, but I'm still interested in ideas that move me.
Stevie Burns: What is your hope for The Full Body Project? What thoughts or feelings do you want people to walk away with?
Leonard Nimoy: I'm attaching a copy of the Artist̢۪s Statement [shown below] for the Full Body Project. I'm satisfied that it's comprehensive.
Maximum Beauty
L.Nimoy
Who are these women? Why are they in these pictures? What are their lives about? How do they feel about themselves? These are some of the questions I wanted to raise through the images in this collection.
This current body of work is a departure for me. For a number of years, I have been producing images using the female figure. I have worked with numerous models who were professional people earning their living by posing, acting, dancing, or any combination thereof. But, as has been pointed out to me in discussions at exhibitions of my work, the people in these pictures always fell under the umbrella of a certain body type. I’ll call it a "classic" look. Always within range of the current social consensus of what is "beautiful." In fact, that was the adjective I most often heard when my work was exhibited. The women as they appeared in my images were allotted no individual identity. They were hired and directed to help me express an idea—sometimes about sexuality, sometimes about spirituality—and usually about feminine power. But the pictures were not about them. They were illustrating a theme, a story I hoped to convey.
These women are interested in "fat liberation." They hold jobs in the theater, the film industry and in business—and together they perform in a burlesque presentation called "Fat Bottom Revue." The nature and degree of costuming and nudity in their performances is determined by the venue and the audience, which can range from children’s birthday parties, to stag parties. I wanted these pictures to be more about them. These women are projecting an image that is their own. And one that also stems from their own story rather than mine. Their self-esteem is strong. One of them has a degree in anthropology and will tell you that ideas of beauty and sexuality are "culture bound"—that these ideas are not universal or fixed, and that they vary and fluctuate depending on place and time. They will tell you that too many people suffer because the body they live in is not the body you find in the fashion magazines.
My process was simple, yet different than how I had worked in the past. I was initially interested in revisiting two works of female subjects by Herb Ritts and Helmut Newton: specifically Ritts' image of a group of supermodels, who were posed nude and clustered together on the floor, and a Newton diptych wherein the two images are identical in pose, except one image showed the models clothed, and the other showed them unclothed. The models were shown the images by Herb Ritts and Helmut Newton and they were quite prepared to present themselves in response to the poses that those images suggested. I asked them to be proud, which was a condition they took to easily, quite naturally. Having completed the compositions that were initially planned, I then asked them to play some music that they had brought with them, and they quickly responded to the rhythms, dancing in a free-form circular movement within the space. It was clear that they were comfortable with the situation, with each other, and were enjoying themselves.
With these new images, I am now hearing different words. Sometimes "beautiful," but with a different sub-text. I hear comments, which lead to questions. The questions lead to discussions—about beauty, social acceptability, plastic surgery, our culture and health. In these pictures these women are proudly wearing their own skin. They respect themselves and I hope that my images convey that to others.
Stevie Burns: You wrote the book Shekhina and I wonder if you are considering a Full Body book. Are you?
Leonard Nimoy: A Full Body book is possible. It depends on how far the ideas carry me. A book requires many more images than I currently have.
Source: here
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:53:59 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
My point is, nobody should love their body if it looks like that. |
Why on earth can't someone love the body they have instead of hating themselves? I wasted a lot of years hating myself because I wasn't beautiful in society's eyes. That's much more harmful to someone's health than being overweight. |
BTW, sorry about my post, the format got a little screwed up.
I do not think you need to hate yourself if you are obese. However, nobody should be happy about it either. Obesity is a leading cause of death in this country. The women in the picture are clearly morbidly obese. This increases their risk for diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, back and muscle problems, irregular menses, and a host of other health issues. They can certainly love themselves because of who they are and their particular skills and interests, but as a physician, I will always stand up and say this is not the look of health. It is the look of early death and an overburdened health care system. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 10:58:41 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
My point is, nobody should love their body if it looks like that. |
Why on earth can't someone love the body they have instead of hating themselves? I wasted a lot of years hating myself because I wasn't beautiful in society's eyes. That's much more harmful to someone's health than being overweight. |
BTW, sorry about my post, the format got a little screwed up.
I do not think you need to hate yourself if you are obese. However, nobody should be happy about it either. Obesity is a leading cause of death in this country. The women in the picture are clearly morbidly obese. This increases their risk for diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, back and muscle problems, irregular menses, and a host of other health issues. They can certainly love themselves because of who they are and their particular skills and interests, but as a physician, I will always stand up and say this is not the look of health. It is the look of early death and an overburdened health care system. |
While I understand and "see" your point about obesity being an unhealthy lifestyle, I do think the way you've phrased your point is very clinical and cold. And this is perhaps what's going to be objectionable to other people.
You might be a wonderfully up-to-date and insightful physician, but if I were in your town, I'd probably go to another doctor who might be able to balance that clinical expertise with a bit of the human touch and compassion.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2005 11:09:24 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by rgo:
You might be a wonderfully up-to-date and insightful physician, but if I were in your town, I'd probably go to another doctor who might be able to balance that clinical expertise with a bit of the human touch and compassion. |
Well said. Bedside manner can be difficult to convey over the internet. The truth is, beside manner is probably one of my strengths rather than weaknesses. I can certainly gear my advice in the manner I feel will do the most good on a person by person basis.
That being said, there are some things which can only be approached with a splash of cold water over the head. Smoking and obesity are two. 25% of Americans smoke. 33% of Americans are obese. Both require a great deal of hard work and committment to quit or change. The biggest hurdle is getting out of denial that either will hurt you. Sure we all know of people who have had lung cancer, but it won't happen to me. Yes, I know someone with diabetes, but I'm still young.
What I said was clinical and cold, but I know the sly grin and the quick comment, "you know you should stop smoking" gets me nowhere. (as an allergist who deals with asthma, I cross the smoking path much more frequently than obesity.) The least I can do here is list the facts for people. I'm not offering any one-on-one advice so I can't really personalize what I'm saying anyway...
Message edited by author 2005-10-20 23:11:23. |
|
|
|
10/20/2005 11:14:01 PM · #24 |
I really do enjoy his work, but I came away almost wanting more. Not in the sense of content but just in sheer numbers. I guess that is a good thing though, the photog is smart and only offers enough to make you either want more (if you like it) or not enough to really blast him if you don't like it.
hmm, I think it's worth sharing just for that point let alone how cool nimoy can be. |
|
|
|
10/21/2005 10:36:27 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Originally posted by peterish:
holycrap....talk about over-examining things |
So what's your take on these images? Why did Nimoy produce them? |
To get attention. And judging by the length of this thread, he's mighty successful at that. I didn't mean to challenge your analysis; I've always found it over-dramatic when people pull literary theories out of no where and correlate them. To me things don't have to be complicated, because human nature isn't.
Message edited by author 2005-10-21 10:40:09. |
|
