This Is Some Bullshit: Photographer Can’t Even Display Photos of These Nude Models in Denmark

Photo: Mathilde Graftström

Denmark has by and large been one of the most pro-nudity countries in the world, even for European standards. Women have typically sunbathed topless, media remains relatively uncensored, and commercials frequently contain nude imagery. Needless to say, when Danish photographer Mathilde Grafström decided to showcase her nude series, aptly named "Female Beauty", in Nytorv Square, she wasn't anticipating an intervention from the authorities. But that's exactly what happened. 

Stripping down for better body image

No, really. It might sound silly, but nudity can have a huge impact on body image—and in a good way. That's what Grafström set out to showcase with her series, which showcases a series of beautiful women totally nude in nature. Her goal? To show them (and all the viewers) that they're beautiful, even when they can't see it themselves. She also wanted to challenge the notion that being naked is bad—you know, considering we didn't pop out of the womb clothed. But I digress. 

Photo: Mathilde Graftström

The police thwarted Grafström's public project, calling the series "obscene." In the U.S., that reaction might be expected. But in Copenhagen? It's a bit odd, and it illustrates a marked shift from rock-out-with-your-cock-out to pinned up and proper. What is the world coming to?! 

When does the naked body become explicit? 

The line between art and the obscene has always been a little fuzzy, but it's getting even more difficult to define and enforce. Censorship may be an effort to protect unwilling viewers from getting an eyeful of unwarranted boobs, but at what cost? The more we see our own bodies and the bodies of others naked, the more we grow to accept and appreciate them. 

Photo: Mathilde Graftström

If we're going to teach the men and women of the world anything useful, it's this: There's nothing wrong with your naked body.