The Scantily Clad ~ Running, Jumping, Dancing…Jumping in Hay?

Eadweard Muybridge was one interesting man. Whether he was a man of science or art, however, is something open to debate. I agree with what Amit said in class earlier this week that originally, Muybridge’s intentions were scientific. The purpose for his first “animal locomotion” photograph was to answer a scientific question of whether or not a horse’s feet are all airborne at any time. The hypothesis according to Leland Stanford was that such a time exists, and what Muybridge did with this experiment of photography was to prove the hypothesis to be true. But after looking at those three thick volumes of photos in class, I thought that what began as a scientific experiment eventually shifted over to something that was purely artistic. In my opinion, it seemed as if Muybridge’s curiosity disappeared, and what replaced his curiosity was a fascination with the aesthetics of motion and human form. From the photos of the still figured man and random positioning of the rifle, it seems as if no scientific knowledge is being revealed. What can we learn from this series of photographs?

Furthermore, what are Muybridge’s intentions in using naked models? Is this a form of pornography? I certainly do not believe that Muybridge’s sole objective was to suggest anything sexual in his work. In fact, I thought that he was trying to exhibit man in his natural form. How can we fully understand how motion functions if the joints and muscles of the body are hidden in drapes? That’s why I think it was appropriate for his athletic shots to be of nude models. Also, the Greek Olympics in Olympia were played with nude male athletes. However, I do agree that there were some photos of naked models which seemed almost unnecessary. Why did Muybridge need to expose a woman’s breasts when all she was doing was sweeping the floor? Although these nude photos seem unnecessary, I think that Muybridge was just trying to say, “Hey, let’s not make it a big deal that they’re nude. What is natural is beautiful and I want my photographs, my art, to be portrayed as bare and uncovered. I’m showing the public what is real, what is natural, the normal, and the abnormal. I am showing you things as they are. Some models will be naked. Some will be clothed. Let’s not focus on their nakedness and let’s look at what’s going on in the photo.”

Looking at the photo below, I wonder why these men had to be photographed naked. It’s not as if they are running; we don’t need to see the muscles and joints with every hint of movement. But, I also think that their nakedness adds to the photograph. It makes you focus on what they’re doing; you’re not distracted by their clothes or any other extraneous object. Motion is the photo's main attraction and we can see that clearly when all other distractions are taken away. It is a bare photo whose purpose can be clearly understood.