The candid art of the human body, and the prurient standards of art
In November 1912, when Liu Haisu founded the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and used live models, this should be considered the first step in Chinese art involving the human form. Being the first to do something often invites fierce criticism: "Publicly boasting of being the pioneer in using live models, what kind of education is this? What sort of school is this? Sir, you are not a rebel in art, but a heretic in propriety! The rooster chasing guests on the road is still in the dark night, yet sir, with your monetary power, coerces women struggling for a living to appear in broad daylight, completely naked, allowing people to copy them. This is to make the world's women enter a place without shame. People are no better than beasts...". This was the stern condemnation of Zhu Bao-san, president of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, towards Liu Haisu.
I believe that at that time, such severe criticism would have been supported by countless righteous individuals, so the path for pioneers like Liu Haisu and Pan Yuliang would not have been easy. But eventually, the art of the human form entered China, squeezing through a narrow door.
Today, art academies can openly offer classes with live models, and works of human form art are commonly seen in art exhibitions. Even amateur photographers like me can participate in human form art photography activities; the simplest way is to pay 50 yuan to join. However, voices opposing human form art remain loud, because it is indeed difficult to absolutely distinguish between art and pornography.
Must art be clearly separated from pornography? Is pornography a sin or something that must be covered up in high society?
From its origin, art has never been an exclusive domain of the elite. In Engels' view, art originates from labor, such as music evolving from work songs. In my opinion, art stems more from humanity's innate entertainment instinct. For example, after laboring, people might dance around a campfire or shout into the vast empty mountains.
Primitive humans liked to carve simple patterns on pottery or etch scenes of their dancing and entertainment onto hard rocks. This wasn't a necessity of life, nor was it merely a reflection of labor. Labor was tough and heavy, yet they always had the impulse to make themselves happier.
Art has never had a standard, nor could it possibly be the exclusive entertainment of a few refined individuals. Street graffiti is art, rap is also art, farmers' paintings or paper-cutting favored by officials are art too. Art comes from human nature and the instinct for entertainment; it isn't rigidly confined to serving workers, peasants, and soldiers, nor is it about educating the masses. It is simply art itself, inviting participation and bringing joy.
There is no natural boundary between human form art and pornography. The human body is beautiful, artistic, and the noblest work of art produced by natural development. Attempts by medieval Christianity or Confucianism to instill in people the idea that the human body is ugly and sex is sinful have been cast aside by the tide of history.
When moralists try to clothe human form art, we see not only the restriction of human nature but also the ugliness and prurience within their own hearts. After failing to resist human form art, they still enjoy playing the role of judge, trying to set standards between art and pornography, akin to deciding whether two or three points are exposed, or whether legs are apart or together.
Only when color and sexuality are embraced openly can upright human form art be created, just like how "Angel Zhang Xiaoyu" confidently steps before us. Art does not naturally arise from those prestigious institutions, nor is it exclusively reserved for the refined elite. Believing in the beauty of one's own body and showcasing its beauty means there's no need to heed the incessant chatter of moralists or take seriously those laughable boundaries between art and pornography.
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