To what degree can Chinese accept nudity in art? Does the nationality of the model make a difference? How about the art form it takes? Does nude art make people think about sex?
In search of answers, Sinorama surveyed 267 people at the performance of the National Ballet of Senegal in person and 100 people in the Taipei area by telephone to see what they thought.
Chinese are usually considered to be rather conservative, but the results of the survey showed that nudity in art can be accepted by most. The idea was more acceptable to men and to those surveyed at the performance as well as to those with a college education.
When asked which sex should be the subject, about 60 percent of respondents, including women, answered, "Women, of course."
As to nationality, most respondents were more comfortable seeing foreigners as models than Chinese. The response of one woman teacher in her forties was typical: Foreigners could do, but Chinese were "completely unacceptable." An even sharper double standard was, "Anyone is okay--except my daughter or my wife!"
As to artistic form, respondents favored nude photos to sculpture or performances. The Senegal dancers were clearly popular, however. Reports had it that more binoculars were in evidence there than at any previous dance performance.
Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed at the performance thought that nude art won't lead to pornographic thoughts, while 41 percent maintained reservations, saying it depended on the spectator and the place. Telephone respondents were a little more certain about the connection. Two-thirds said nude art "could" or "would" cause sexual thoughts.
Among those surveyed by telephone and who found nude art acceptable was one 86-year-old gentleman who didn't understand the word "nude." But he did know about "those statues with no clothes on."
In general, the attitude of Chinese people toward nude art seems to be "nothing's impermissible." Only they're "not used to" seeing their own countrymen as subjects of nude art or nude performances.
[Picture]
Foreigners or Chinese--Which Can You Accept as Nude Models?
Source: Sinorama Survey
Does Nude Art Make You Think About Sex?[Picture]
Source: Sinorama Survey
[Picture Caption]
The Senegal ballet's topless dancing was a "nothing's-impermissible" performance. (photo by Vincent Chang)
Looking at a Greek statue of the Three Graces （right）, we can see how poorly treated they were in the middle ages. （photo courtesy of Huang Ts'a i-lang）
The Senegal ballet's topless dancing was a "nothing's-impermissible" performance. （photo by Vincent Chang）
These paintings were both subjects of controversy in the West. On the left is Manet's Dejeuner sur l'herbe and on the right Modigliani's Nu ass is sur un divan （photo courtesy of Hsiung Shih Art Monthly）
On the left is Manet's Dejeuner sur l'herbe and on the right Modigliani's Nu ass is sur un divan （photo courtesy of Hsiung Shih Art Monthly）
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