Reclining Nudes...

[cyrus]

Remember the self-published LF book we had going which turned out to be such a nice project?

Well, I was thinking of of another similar project, but not limited to LFers - or even photography per se (could include painters, printmakers, digital artists, etc.) and limited to your interpretations of one of the oldest standard worn-out themes or icons in Western art: the reclining nude. Since it is a "cross-disciplinary" project, I thought I should start my own site to show it - RecliningNudes.com.

I am in the midst of setting up the website right now -- have been fooling with color combinations, layouts, etc. as much as I know how. Soon, there will be an option for you to submit a photo (whilst retaining your own copyrights) along with whatever brief text you want to include with it (your bio, your "artistic statement" etc.) along with your contact/website link info. There will be a commenting and rating system. As a registered author you'll be able to fully participate in the project, add/update/add/remove/edit your images, etc. I thought having theme would be a good way to give the site some meaning, and I figure the "nudes" part will be just titilating enough to get some traffic, but not as boring as rocks and trees.

I have to put some restrictions on the content (nudes - not porn, over 18 models, men or women) and do some more work on the site when I have time, but in the meanwhile I thought some of you may be interested in this opportunity to show yer stuff.

Once we get enough contributions, I figure we can then do another Lulu book project.

[Terence McDonagh]

Cyrus,
Not sure if you've ever been to M&R Bar in Manhattan (they're currently closed for renovations until the fall), but the place is decorated almost entirely with paintings of reclining nudes. Might not be a bad place to have a book "opening", if books have such things.

They're located on Bowery between E 4th and Great Jones. I think the parent restaurant upstairs is called Marion's.

[cyrus]

That would be cool! But far into the future for now! I'm already getting questions that I can't answer. What exactly constitutes "reclining"? I dunno!

[Scott Davis]

Reclining - more horizontal than vertical, not squatting, sitting or laying face-down?

[Ash]

Of a recent medium format & digital shoot, I'd consider this to be reclining...





Or more classically


Those neg scans are cropped (should be square) and the digital isn't horizontal. I'm not saying my recent shots are the definition or the best examples, but I consider them to be reclining nudes, as reference for everyone else if needs be

[MenacingTourist]

I would love to contribute a painting. I'd prefer to contribute a nude photograph but just haven't gotten to that phase in my photography yet. Sounds like a fun project and I love the idea of that venue. Perfection.

Alan.

[Ash]

Well let's have the opening at least a year away, then I can afford to travel!

[cyrus]

... but I consider them to be reclining nudes, as reference for everyone else if needs be

Ummm...yes, I'll grant you the reclining bit. But not nude enough?

[Toyon]

As far as I can recall, the term "nude" covers both genders.

[Ash]

I have to put some restrictions on the content (nudes - not porn, over 18 models, men or women) and do some more work on the site when I have time, but in the meanwhile I thought some of you may be interested in this opportunity to show yer stuff.