Title: Painted bodies
First published: 1996
Description: Full of magic and boldness, this unique volume presents dynamic photographs of bodies painted by artists for this project. The inspiration for this project comes from history: human beings have painted their bodies since the beginning of time. Christopher Colombus was faced by natives with painted bodies when he first set foot on American soil. To commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the explorer's first voyage to the New World, natives of America once again appear with painted bodies.

Forty-five Chilean painters, invited to participate in this project, express a diversity of approaches to body art, each one in keeping with their individual character. Some attempt to replicate primitive body painting, while others make full use of modern sophistication. The treatments vary widely, from "dressed" bodies, complete with lace and zippers, to bodies bearing street scenes or faces, to completely abstract paintings highlighting the expressionistic use of the body as canvas.

The resulting collaboration is a collection of endlessly varied and thought-provoking photographs of the modern application of an ancient art.
Subjects: Exhibitions, Avant-garde (Aesthetics), Body art, Conceptual art, History
Places: Chile
Time periods: 20th century
LC classification: N6665 .E3713 1996