#body joy

[trans-comrade]

Julia Ducournau makes body horror. David Cronenberg makes body joy

[gnomecentric]

“Pride” Acrylic on canvas

Statement from the model on the word “pride”: I was indoctrinated from a very young age to be (self)conscious of how I looked and that I was always being evaluated.  A lifetime of feeling less-than, of feeling invisible, of feeling excluded. My pride comes from learning how to move from  "dance like no one's watching" toward an attitude of celebrating that someone IS watching, and inviting them to join in with me.

[gnomecentric]

“Acceptance” Acrylic on canvas

Statement from the model on the word “acceptance”: For me acceptance comes from a place deep in my heart, I have to sit with myself a long time to hear what it is saying. When I truly listen, the judgement and fear of my reflection lifts away and all that’s left is the brief yet powerful light that I am. I am enough and deserve my love. I am the vessel that takes me through this life…a magnificent vessel.  

[bodyjoyproject]

Body Transformation

I am currently in Europe with an art mission in mind. For the Body Joy Project, I have decided to create an art video of a body transformation. I want to create a video that shows my body transforming from an earthy, known body, into a more figurative and free, animal like form. 

I have many mandalas, yoga, and nature shots in mind. I have created a mandala stencil that I plan to print onto my body. I also plan to project the stencil using natural light. 

The idea for this project kept coming into my mind every time I came to my yoga mat. The imagery became stronger and more ideas started to flow with my movements. I could not step away from having this project be a video and so regardless of never having made any video art before, I am ready to learn and make the most of this plan! 

I am off to my first road trip into the nature that surrounds Madrid. The photo featured here is just the beginning of imagery I will use as a still and in the video. The design is the mandala stencil that I created and will be using throughout the process. I feel that this is the beginning of an idea with many beautifully stretched limbs!

                                                                                        Gabriela Ayala-Cañizares 

Photo

Model: Gabriela Ayala-Cañizares Photo taken and edited by: Charlotte Dean 

[bodyjoyproject]

We've reached our original goal of $6000 and due to the immense amount of people who have expressed interest in getting involved, we've expanded our funding goal. Check out our video!

Support our Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/35505847/body-joy-project

[bodyjoyproject]

The day I realized my body was perfect: Wendy Hammers

Here is a wonderful submission from Wendy Hammers about the day that she realized her body was perfect:

LIke what you are doing? I LOVE IT! ALL CAPS. I am proud, inspired, excited by your vision, ladies, and so much more. 

For my part, I’ve come to see my body as perfect. Here is how I arrived at this conclusion:

May 2, 2002. My dear friend Judy Toll is dying. 

I volunteer at a Cancer Survivor Center in the valley, in hopes I might find a community for her. I casually comment to one of the other volunteers: I really like your haircut. Thanks, I’m just glad I have hair. Someone else chimes in, “Breast cancer?” “No”, she says with a smile and a sigh, “brain.” As we continue around the circle, it becomes apparent that I’m the only woman in the room who HASN’T had Cancer. 

And that’s when it hits me - my body is perfect.

Perfect vitals organs; normal blood count; yummy fleshy thighs that allow me to be wrapped around someone’s ears should I so desire; and a perfect ample ass.

Right then, I made a pact with myself: kind thoughts about my body from this day forward.

Excerpted from my play, ripe. To learn more, go to: ripetheplay.com

 So, all those reading this, my day was May 2, 2002. The day I realized my body was perfect. When is your day?

[bodyjoyproject]

“I feel like I can see my body for the first time”

Body Joy Project