NUDE

In art we have mostly been presented with the same kind of nude through history - the generally considered beauty of the time. A consideration most often decided and depicted by men, for an audience of men. What if we could press reset here and now, and see what this new contemporary nude looks like, how it is used, and what it tells us about society today, free from its biased historical constraints.

Autumn at Fotografiska begins with a powerful start – on September 13th, the exhibition 'NUDE' opens its doors, showcasing the work of 32 female artists exploring the theme of the nude body. Among them are Estonian artistst Cloe Jancis and Marlen Kärema. Through various creative approaches, the exhibition breaks away from traditional depictions of the nude body, presenting it in all its shameless honesty and glory, with contemporary freshness and freedom from constraints, all seen through the female gaze. The result is an environment where expected roles no longer apply, habitual perspectives shift, and power hierarchies are overturned.

The exhibition will be open at Fotografiska Tallinn until January, 2025.

Charming Body

For centuries we have been fascinated by the nude body. An alluring motif in painting, sculpture and photography alike, dodging taboos and religious norms of decency and morality through cultures and ages. The unclothed body has been sought after to depict, even in the most unwelcoming societies and times. Perhaps that forbidden fruit grew into something even more interesting and enticing. But portraying the nude body is not only a provocative and tantalising subject, it is also a highly honest, natural and personal visual language, speaking to the most undressed version of the human condition. What is normally seen covered, is unclothed something raw and sensual, powerful yet vulnerable.

The artists of the "NUDE" exhibition present a contemporary and future imagination of the nude body; a celebration, questioning and reclamation of the human form,seeking to subvert the historical gaze, for their own purpose and on their own terms. They invite us to view and participate in their visual stories, without dictating what should and should not be, how we should and should not see. Where history tells us what is right and wrong, their stories allow every representation and interpretation, as honest and conspicuous as the Nude.

Diversity in Society

In addition to female identity, the exhibition brings together all kinds of bodies and gender identities from across the broad spectrum of society and its fringes. Voices from sex workers, BDSM practitioners, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are also represented. Controversial social issues unfold before the audience's eyes in their raw and unembellished reality, accompanied by the burden carried by the gendered gaze. The nude body becomes a canvas for creativity, with contemporary perspectives, taboos, and society in all its abundance serving as the colors.

The Perspective of 32 Female Artists

The 'NUDE' exhibition brings together the work of 32 contemporary female artists from around the world, each offering their interpretation of the nude body. Participating at the exhibition are:

Jenevieve Aken (NG); Evelyn Bencicova (SK); Arvida Byström (SE); Elinor Carucci (IL); Joana Choumali (CI); Angélica Dass (BR); Brooke DiDonato (US); Aneta Grzeszykowska (PL); Carlota Guerrero (ES); Marie Hald (DK); Cloe Jancis (EE); Ina Jang (KR); Marlen Kärema (EE); Viki Kollerova (SK); Joanne Leah (US); Yushi Li (CN); Monika Macdonald (SE); Laila Majid (PK); Malerie Marder (US); Alix Marie (FR); Sakiko Nomura (JP); Momo Okabe (JP); Denisse Ariana Pérez (DO); Bettina Pittaluga (FR/UY); Lotte van Raalte (NL); Lina Scheynius (SE); Leah Schrager (US); Dana Scruggs (US); Bodhi Shola (IT); Julia SH (SE); Prue Stent & Honey Long (AU); Luo Yang (CN)

The exhibition arrives in Tallinn from Fotografiska Berlin, curated by Johan Vikner, Director of Global Exhibitions at Fotografiska; Thomas Schäfer, Exhibition Producer at Fotografiska; Pauline Benthede, Vice President of Global Exhibitions at Fotografiska; and Maarja Loorents, Head of Exhibitions at Fotografiska Tallinn, along with the local exhibition team.