Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Mucem) in southern France is opening its naturist exhibition, inviting visitors to experience art in an unconventional way. Its exhibition, “Naturist Paradises,” allows guests to explore their connection to naturism while viewing artworks naked, apart from their shoes.
Dedicated to the concept of “living naked,” the “Naturist Paradise” exhibition traces the history of nudism over the past century, with a particular focus on France, a global hub for naturist tourism.
Running until December 9, the exhibit features 600 pieces, including photographs, films, magazines, paintings, sculptures, and other works from naturist communities and collections in France and Switzerland, according to The Guardian.
Visitors must take their clothes off in a temporary changing area before entering the exhibit, though shoes are required as a precaution against splinters on the museum’s parquet flooring. While barefoot entry isn’t prohibited, wearing shoes is strongly recommended for safety reasons.
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“France is the world’s leading tourist destination for naturists,” the museum stated. “Its temperate climate and the presence of three seas have facilitated the establishment of communities, which have few real equivalents elsewhere in Europe, where naturism is practiced more freely, outside established communities.”
According to Outforia, France is the most nudist-friendly country in the world, offering 397 public nude beaches and 212 naturist campsites. The United States ranks as the second-most welcoming destination for public nudity.
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Since opening in July, the exhibition has drawn nearly 100,000 visitors, The New York Times reported. While some attendees are regular naturists, many are exploring public nudity for the first time. For these newcomers, shared nudity had previously been limited to locker rooms or intimate settings. At Mucem, the experience of viewing art in the nude offered a novel way to explore themes of body neutrality, acceptance, and self-expression.
Mucem is believed to be the first major museum to dedicate an exhibition entirely to the history, culture, and iconography of naturism. While similar to nudism, naturism is underpinned by a philosophy of self-respect, respect for others, and a deep connection to nature.
The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on art, the human body, and society, encouraging visitors to see themselves and the world through a new lens.
(Raidi/Agung)
