Spencer Tunick is an American photographer well-known for staging shots of nudes in different public spaces. He has organized over 75 projects since 1994. I do not claim to understand his philosophy; but, I am fascinated by his creations. Here is what he says about his work: "Individuals en masse without clothes group together metamorphose into a new shape. The bodies extend into and upon the landscape like a substance."
I ask Don Milo: "how do you see landscapes? Do they lead us to a better understanding of ourselves?" The ancient prophet Isaiah (757-696 B.C.E) was summoned by his God to "walk naked and barefoot" (Isaiah 20, 1-2) and to challenge his people to choose well in a political situation of his time. I am not sure if many listened to him; but, he certainly caught their attention, very much like our modern photographer Tunick. St. Francis did the same when he stripped in public, proclaiming his freedom from his father's wealth before beginning his ministry to the poor.
Our discussion leads to Marion Woodman's words which add poignancy to this reflection: "A life truly lived constantly burns away veils of illusion, burns away what is no longer relevant, gradually reveals our essence, until at last, we are strong enough to stand in our naked truth."
We may not literally strip in public like Tunick's volunteers, nor called to be like Isaiah or Francis; but, in order to face the truth of ourselves we have to uncover what holds us back.
God willing, may we be strong enough to "stand in naked truth" and become better individuals!
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