Original conceptual nude
In this original conceptual nude are a 1980s style vinyl floor pattern of oranges and browns, a single protagonist, a scrap of newspaper, an orange plaid skirt, and an orange shirt. She gazes upward, in the direction of the viewer, but apparently unaware of being observed, not unlike a character in a movie.
Her expression is pleasant and unconnected, almost as if she is daydreaming. One could make a connection to the lifeless smile of a barbie doll. The image certainly contains as much humor as it does pinup.
This image contains elements of nostalgia, parody, mixed with a sincere goal of intriguing and satisfying visual design. The eccentric pinup theme is inviting of contemplation and discussion.
The orange tank top is balled up near her shoulder. It’s not immediately obvious that this garment is a shirt.
The protagonist’s eyes are bold and she stares upward as we stare down upon her. Her expression is pleasant but bordering on neutral, frozen in an almost lifeless state, like a Barbie doll or centerfold. In this way, she evokes the mystique of a stereotype of female pinups: blonde, blue-eyed, alluring, and ever-congenial. The static nature of the image mades the message more odd than a simple pinup, though. She is at rest on the floor, with no explanation of the purpose or choice of the props that surround her.
The newspaper suggests several things. It is an antiquated medium. It appears to be classified listings, perhaps a marketplace of job openings and second hand goods for sale. Either of these would represent some sort of transition in life. But the words are illegible, leaving us only to guess.
This original conceptual nude bids to caricature the pinup genre as much as it does to celebrate it.
Disclaimer: Neither this artwork nor the artist are affiliated with the Mattel company, the maker of Barbie doll. The comparison to the Barbie doll mystique is for descriptive purposes and not an endorsement of this artwork.
