Nude Blogging

Before I actually start the project, I should probably introduce it. This is as much for me as it is for anyone who may be reading it, so apologies if it seems like I'm talking to myself.

This blog is part of a class project about the body. My specific focus will be the social meanings of nudity as seen through advertising. Like any good blogger, I'll be posting pictures and video along with commentary. Many of the images will be the actual advertisements but to accompany several of them, I (or some other more talented photographer) will be recreating several of the ads using clothed models. I hope that this will help highlight themes in the use of nudity in advertisements.

I am, I should add, using a loose definition of nudity. Of course, this will include completely nude models (exposed or not), but will probably include other images that don't include fully nude models (underwear ads, for example).

When commenting on the ads, I'll ask several questions to guide my analysis. This part is mostly for me, for an easy reference. So skip it, if you want.

1. What is the product/service/cause being advertised?
2. What is the context of the ad/nudity?
3. Is the use of nudity believable in the context?
4. Does the nature of the product lend itself to nudity?
5. What does the model look like?

I'm sure there will be others that I use, but I really want to remember those ones.

Before I wrap this up, a few things:

I doubt any post will be as long as this. Maybe one, but it won't be as scattered and boring.

Also, I'll be posting as diverse a set of images as I can find. This, I know, will be limited by the lack of diversity in advertising. One of the most noticeable groups lacking representations is males. The sheer amount of advertising depicting women is astonishing by itself, but even more so when compared to the very limited amount of advertising depicting nude males. So, sorry if you want to see naked men. That section will definitely be limited.

And finally! If you have any suggestions for ads to use, or any desire to recreate ads to post please email me at membersonly@gmail.com or leave a comment with your contact information and I'll get back to you.

Well, that's it for the first post. I hope I'm not just talking to myself...