I saw 12 Naked Men in RichmondBy Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady On a rainy afternoon, I was walking through the newly trendy area of Richmond’s Downtown Arts District.
Suddenly I was immersed into Susan Singer’s world of male nudes. I am not complaining. I loved them. (Figuratively) Twelve Naked Men was displayed in-the-round at Visual Art Studio, creating for the willing viewer an inescapable confrontation with images of frontal nude male torsos from neck to thigh. They are photo-realistically rendered in bold pastels, and shine a graphic, merciless spotlight on the subjects’ bodies, just as they are. The headless bodies beg comparison with objectified, popular depictions of female super-models, but Singer does not just draw beautiful men; some of her subjects are aging or overweight or scarred.  The pieces confront us with our feelings about male bodies, nudity, society’s view of the ideal body, and the definition of pornography. Susan Singer’s Twelve Naked Men presents to us not only the male body, but also our contrary, troubling, healthy, conflicted attitudes towards it.
I ASKED SUSAN SINGER WHY SHE LIKED TO DRAW NUDE MEN “Many people have asked me why I draw naked men? Why not call them nudes? Why not women? After all, the female form is more beautiful, right? And why straight on? Why not beautifully posed? If these images make you uncomfortable, go home, get naked, stand in front of the mirror, and ask yourself why you’re so freaked out about what you see there. My fourteen-year-old tells me my images are gross. Naked bodies are gross, including, apparently her own incredibly perfect one. Penises are gross.  How did my young girl come to believe this already? What happens to us that we can’t be around nudity without cringing?
First I drew pregnant nudes. I had to come to terms with my own naked body when I was pregnant. Since then I’ve drawn myself naked, and I’ve done self portraits. Frankly, the self portraits were more difficult than drawing my body. Partially because I hated my haircut at the time, partially because I had to stare at myself for so long in the mirror – it was like saying the word “banana” 50 times in a row – it ceases to have meaning. My face now no longer looks like it used to. I don’t recognize myself anymore, and the self portraits don’t look anything like me.  I decided to draw naked men because I had an especially beautiful picture of one that I had taken and I needed to draw something beautiful that day. He was #1. When he was done, I realized he was too perfect and needed a counterpoint so people could see that not all bodies are created equal. After number two, a series was born in my head. Twelve seemed like the right number, though I’m not quite sure why. It sure seems to be evocative though – people mention the Twelve Apostles, 12 months of the year, 12 Playmates, a jury, The Dirty Dozen, a Baker’s Dozen, etc., etc. I love hearing all the illusions it evokes!
 My concept for the display of these pieces came unbidden just as did the number – a round room. I wanted you to be able to enter the room and be surrounded on all sides by naked men. I want you to have a chance to look at each of these men for as long as you’d like to, uninhibited, free to stare and compare, free to wonder, free to look all you want. Satisfy your curiosity about the male body. Check out all the penises to your heart’s content. How does it feel to be surrounded by these headless men? Are they threatening? Or are they simply there, motionless, allowing you access to look?
They are headless because I was not drawing portraits. As soon as bodies receive heads, they become about the person and the personality and are no longer about the body. These pieces are about the body. The naked body. Not the “nude.” That evokes academic tradition and sanctity, daVinci and Michelangelo, Singer explained. Get your very own nude man. Reserve your catalog now or commemorative limited edition print while supplies last by calling (804) 644-1368. Visual Art Studio
208 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220
www.visualartstudio.org www.firstfridayrichmond.com
Gallery Hours: Tues.- Friday, Noon - 6 P.M. Sat. Noon - 4 P.M.
More Information and Appointments (804) 644-1368 AND THEN I SAW SOME MORE NAKED MEN That evening I went to Art After Hours at Virginia Museum of Fine Art. I saw a bunch of nude statues and visuals. Was I missing my lover, and was that why my eye seemed to go to all these nude men? Or does Richmond have a special sensitivity. You will have to go there and decide for yourself THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON WHERE TO STAY The Jefferson Hotel is loaded with Southern charm and hospitality.
101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA. 23220
Tel. 804.788.8000
800-424-8014
www.jeffersonhotel.com WHERE TO DINE Zeus
Zeus Gallery Cafe
201 North Belmont Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 359-3219 Acacia
3325 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 354-6060 Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
1719-21 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23223
804.377.3968
www.juleps.net BEST BREAKFAST Plant Zero Cafe BEST CHOCOLATE STORE For the Love of Chocolate
2820 West Cary Street Suite A, Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 359-5645 BEST PLACES TO BROWSE ARTWORKS Studios & Galleries
With over 70 artists represented in ARTWORKS Studio and Galleries, you are sure to find just the right thing to suit your style and taste. Or to give as a gift. I went to Plant Zero for breakfast (which is in the same building) and left with an original photo print, a necklace, a handmade paper card and a holiday ornament. And most of the galleries were not even open yet. Imagine what damage I could have done if everyone was open. The huge gallery space offers original works of art by Virgniia artists—paintings, drawings, illustrations, photography, ceramics, sculpture, mixed-media, clothing, jewelry, gifts and much more. Best time to go is for the Fourth Friday Art Openings 7-10 pm. You can tour the studios, meet the artists and enjoy live music. Artworks is conveniently located ½ mile from downtown, just over the 14th Street bridge. 320 Hull Street
804-291-1400
info@artworksrichmond.com
www.artworksrichmond.com Artists to View I loved the hand painted stools by Ellen Burns Art Work. She also makes other groovey furniture. But by the time I got to Richmond, I had filled my suitcase with so many Virginia purchases; I could not even consider anything bigger than my purse. I will always treasure my holiday crystal ball filled with colorful, whimsical ribbon. Stop by her studio, even if you only have a little room left. She offers things in almost any size or color. Next time I will have to remember to drive a truck. Ellen Burns
320 Hull Street
Richmond VA 23224
804-674=6563
www.coolstools.com Shelia M. Gray
Mostly metal clock and paper sculptures. 420 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Studio 161 in the Skylight
Gallery at Art Works in the Plant Zero Complex
Sheila@mixed-up-media.com Krishanna Spencer, Altered Artist
The gallery director was wearing a necklace by Krishanna and I had to have it. I literally took it off her neck. And now I wear it every day—a wonderful reminder of my time in Virginia. Krishanna’s specialty is assemblage - putting together articles into works of art. She is also a writer. Maybe that is why I liked her work so well. We have professional karma. I hope she likes my writing as much as I like her art. Her art making and writing studio is dedicated to helping women heal and empower themselves through their creative spirit. In addition to clay sculpture, assemblage and collage, Krishanna is a freelance author and also currently hosts Goddesslore at BellaOnline.com, a column that explores women's spirituality through the feminine. You can reach her through Artworks 804 291.1400. Victoria Dye
Photography
I got a wonder print of Pacific Goose barnacles, abalone and red Mussels.
But if I get tired of it, she has a free one-year exchange policy
Victoria@victoriasimages.com
www.victoriasimages.com MOST ARTISTIC THING TO DO ON A THURSDAY NIGHT Thursday evening at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts enjoy Art After Hours
200 N. Boulevard Richmond, VA 23220
804 340-1400
www.vmfa.state.va.us BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR FEET RUBBED IF YOU HAVE BEEN WALKING TOO MUCH Slip Salon
Have Michael do a reflexology treatment on your feet. They offer lots of other great services—but I could get addicted to Michael’s reflexology treatments if I lived in town. Slip Salon
1331 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Tel: 804.343-SLIP(7547) FOR MORE INFORMATION HELPFUL WEBISTES www.virginia.org www.visit.richmond.com  GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
The Thirteen Colonies
Travel Historic America
Fodor’s
www.fodors.com Revolutionary Mothers
By Carol Berkin
Borzoi Book published by Alfred A. Knopf
www.aaknopf.com | 