What is skin? What secrets does it keep? Which of its shapes and tones contain elements of desire, arousal, and passion? It seems that the answer society has selected has been a random one. Perhaps we have grown used to seeing the human body as a host of desire or an object willing to satisfy libido. We are so detached that we believe this sole part of the anatomy can cause a reaction from us. Is it impossible then for fingers, eyes, or even a smile to contain more sensual power than the image of a nipple or genitals?
When the #FreeTheNipple movement took off in 2015 across social media, it was met with mixed responses all over. It started as an urgent request to change the terms of censorship for communities such as Facebook and Instagram. The idea was simple: any human breast, male or female, should be treated the same way and free to be shown. However it proved to be a lost battle that continues to be fought for.
Protesting against the inherent sexualization of the female nipple has several real world goals, such as breastfeeding in public spaces. But there is an intellectual drive behind this protest, such as proving that a segment of the body does not need to adhere to one particular context. In an attempt to mock the construct of what is “acceptable” some women glued images of male nipples on to their own to further prove their point.
Several artists joined in on the satire by reflecting the conservative mind of the postmodern spectator. The photographic project of Clotilde Petrosino had the same intention with the exception that she chose to cover the body parts as part of her narrative.
This Italian artist’s work varies from series to series but it’s the one titled Like me! I am censored that provides the perfect response to the need for women to cover themselves in public. However, if we look at historical precedents we can see how this did not use to be a solely female issue. We should remember how during the 1930s neither women nor men were allowed to have their torso exposed in public. At the time it was considered lewd and immoral to do so. As incredible as it may sound the fight for the acceptance of nudity began with a lot of nerve and boldness. American lifeguards and swimmers had to stand their ground in order to leave behind the tight shirts and show their nipples in public. Through these transgressions society came to accept men to be topless.
What this story proves is that views we might have on indecent or acceptable body parts can be changed. Petrosino’s work makes a point that by taking out the sexual element from the breasts we can admire the body as a whole. However, in order for this to happen, the female nipple needs to stop being seen as a sole element of desire, longing, and secrecy that is only revealed when sex is imminent.
Clotilde Petrosino uses this historical and social background to show how the female body has been imposed of an intriguing, tempting, captivating, and mysterious aura. The result of this over-eroticization has been the game of covering and uncovering the skin.
Translated by María Suárez
