Brklyn Paul: Naked Guy NYC
Posted at 2:04 PM Apr 23, 2008
Brklyn Paul, also known as Naked Guy NYC, delights in taking his clothes off in public places throughout New York. Of course in this day and age, there's no sense in getting naked without taking pictures, so his friends snap photos and he posts them to his Flickr account.
Naked City editor Audacia Ray asked him about why New York inspires him to disrobe, as well as where he sees himself on the nudist continuum.
Audacia Ray: Are there any particular places in New York that make you want to get naked more than others do? Where are they and why?
Paul: I sometimes wish that the weather was warmer or a certain space wasn't so air conditioned or was better heated because then I would be able to be nude in comfort. For example, I wish that there were nude spaces set aside in movie & other theaters, or clothing optional screenings even, but it's not like movie theaters are a trigger for me to strip. Likewise, I'd love to be able to lie out in the sun and play frisbee in the Park like they do in Germany.
In terms of my photography though, I'm more interested in spaces that are both recognizable and jar the sense that it is space reserved for the clothed. I've gotten quite a few photos in Central Park as well as underground.
This said, if I'm in a social setting that is warm enough, then being naked can take on a sense of performance art. It spurs lots of questions like, "how can you go barefoot in this place?" So it's funny what other folks will focus on as a reaction to my being nude there (which is to say, it's not always and only about the crotch). At the same time, I think it's fair to say that I'm no body-building, perfect specimen of a sculpted male body. I don't want this to be about how I "look" because it's much more about how it feels ~ both physically and socially, to be nude in a public space.
Three more question and their answers (plus more photos) after the jump.
AR: Other than the city of New York in general, who do you share your hobby with? Is it something your lovers are into, or something you do by yourself?
People who like to be nude and in a social setting have actually formed a pretty good "under the radar" network. In NYC, there is a co-ed dinner group that is clothing optional and meets every couple of months, and there is a men's nudist group that is going on 24 years of monthly (sometimes more frequent) events. I'm a member of both. I've made some great friends thru these groups. The Spencer Tunick shoot at the Four Seasons last month was a perfect example: a few old friends among the crowd doing what we love for art.
Contrary to what folks might think, I do not share this hobby with the so-called Naked Cowboy, who is never naked (boots? a hat? UNDIES?!?) and I suspect is not a cowboy either.
As for lovers, not everyone shares the sense of feeling constrained that I do when dressed. But I don't hide my proclivity from anyone either. If my lovers want to get it on with their boots still securely fastened or with some lingerie that makes them feel especially sexy, more power to them. Wearing jewelry or socks for me is too much, especially when I'm getting physical. It's like following the Quaker rule of the so-called "fifth freedom," to be free to express yourself by what you wear, including the choice to express yourself by wearing nothing at all.
Do you consider yourself a nudist? Beyond your urban nudity as resistance, have you spent time at nudist resorts? Why/why not?
I'd have thought you'd be asking this question first. Yes I am a nudist (vs a naturist, one who enjoys nudity only in "natural" or outdoor settings, or naturalist, one who chases butterflies and catalogs birds for a hobby). I might also fall into the exhibitionist category too, though that has more of a sexually charged connotation than what I'm into.
When it comes to vacationing in resorts: I find it's too expensive and generally not my scene. I associate resorts with surreal oases in contrast to the surrounding locales of deep poverty, and I'm not interested in being a part of that...
I've been to Burning Man and to the Gay Naturist International gathering. Both are wonderful excursions for very different reasons, but they happen at about the same time each year, so I'm still trying to figure out how I can attend both.
AR: Do you ever worry that your exhibitionism may affect other people negatively? Not everyone wants to see some naked dude while they are going about their business.
It's a good question, but wrongly placed I think. Consider all the things that are out there that you don't want to see on a day to day basis: homeless people can often be disgusting to look at and 80's disco fashions can be rather revolting too. But we don't consider a ban on wearing soiled rank clothing, or bad fashion. In our heads, many of us figure this is what it means to be free under the freedom of expression clause of the US Constitution. Why doesn't nudity fall under this aegis? When such disturbing ugliness is there, if we don't like it, we just don't give it any attention. Me being naked from a personal standpoint is not to get into anybody's space. But in the big scheme of things, me being naked is not the worst thing you might pass on a day in the park.
On the exhibitionism point, one of the things that I am trying to get across is that naked bodies do not have to be wholly associated with sexual activity or with predatory intentions. There are laws on the books for lewd behavior, and not all instances of nudity are lewd. In fact most of the lewd behavior that we tend to hear about (flashing or grabbing, etc) do not happen nude; it's usually focused on exposure of or attention to only one part of the body. So much of our society makes that association, that not everybody is as cool about the presence of a naked guy at the latest dance rave. But the fact is that we can be extremely lewd, crude and rude while dressed to the nines.
On a somewhat related note, one of the comments I've gotten a few times is, "what about the kids?" I think if we were a little more holistic about how we view our bodies this question wouldn't be asked. I'm thinking in particular about a friend of mine who is partnered and has a little girl; he told me that he'd prefer not to even know about my art because he didn't want to see "my junk" all hanging out there. All I can think is what we say to ourselves and about ourselves when we refer to any part of our body as junk.
When all is said and done, if people in a social setting feel uncomfortable it's usually because of something deeply rooted either in their social convention or their personal experience. I try to respect that, first and foremost by understanding that it's not really about me, and then by adjusting my sarong accordingly.
