Notes On: The state of nakedness versus nudity
Seduction is an artform. It starts long before the exposure of flesh, and - when done right - lingers for much longer, even after the scent of her on your skin has been washed away.
Humans have been fascinated by the female form since time immemorial – and you can hardly blame us, really. Long before art historian Kenneth Clark’s seminal book ‘The Nude: A Study in Ideal Form’, art and culture at large have been toying with the symbolic-cum-material distinction between nudity, and the state of nakedness. What holds our attention, I think, is the possibility for seduction; that precursor, the potential. Am I right in thinking that when we meet for a drink, you can’t help but wonder what lies beneath my clothes?
To be naked often implies an element of surprise, of stumbling upon someone who is accidentally exposed. Nudity has been perceived as something a little more intentional, with purpose; de-robed but not unclothed (for example sitting for a painting, or lying upon a bed with nothing but a sheer robe on, waiting for a lover). I think that distinction is a little, well, passé, don’t you?
To be nude is where the body and the imagination meet, it’s where the body and mind meet. It’s why when I’m with a lover, revealing the lingerie I’m wearing to him is one of my favourite parts. Women are so often thought to be passive, but looking a man directly in the eye, watching his eyes roam over my lace, my latex, my suspenders, taking me all in, that’s where the fun is. And if seduction is done right, this moment of anticipation can (should) feel unbearably thrilling. As much as I love the subtle, unforgettable process of seduction, there's nothing like being naked with intent, with a gaze and stance that tells you that this woman is confident; she knows how powerful her body can be. Naked lays bare, it looks us in the eye and invites us to revel in the confidence to no longer hide. To be naked is the great equaliser, it invites us to explore the parts and angles of our bodies that nudity only hints at.
Being stripped back in such a way is one of the things I love about this world; it gives me a chance to explore my desire and sexuality authentically, with a mutual appreciation for each other's time, bodies and minds. So to hell with the game of naked versus nude! I want it all, and I want it now.