MFA Boston's Nude Performance Art Post Sparks Instagram Uproar
On April 16, from 8 to 8:30 p.m., Xandra Ibarra, an artist from Oakland, staged her performance 'Nude Laughing' at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she walked partially nude through the galleries, laughing and dragging pantyhose filled with symbols of white femininity, such as pearls, a blonde wig, and pointe shoes. This event was part of the MFA exhibition 'Take Back the Nude: Subvert, Repair, Reclaim,' showcasing 12 contemporary artists confronting the objectification and erasure of female nudity in Western art. Reactions from the museum's 500,000 Instagram followers were polarized, with some labeling it 'garbage' and 'vulgar,' while others defended the piece. Carmen Hermo, the curator, acknowledged that feminist art often ignites challenging discussions. Unlike in 2017, when the MFA's posts were removed for nudity violations, Instagram has kept Ibarra's images up.
Key facts
- MFA Boston posted Instagram photos of Xandra Ibarra's partially nude performance 'Nude Laughing' on Thursday.
- The performance took place April 16 from 8-8:30 p.m. at the MFA.
- Ibarra walked from Contemporary Art galleries to Art of Europe galleries, laughing and dragging pantyhose with pearls, blonde wig, and pointe shoes.
- The piece is part of the exhibition 'Take Back the Nude: Subvert, Repair, Reclaim' featuring 12 contemporary artists.
- Carmen Hermo is the Lorraine and Alan Bressler Curator of Contemporary Art at the MFA.
- Instagram commenters reacted with both outrage and support; some threatened to cancel memberships.
- In 2017, Instagram removed MFA posts for 'Imogen Cunningham: In Focus' due to nudity violations.
- Ibarra previously performed 'Nude Laughing' at The Broad in Los Angeles and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Entities
Artists
- Xandra Ibarra
- Imogen Cunningham
- Judy Dater
- Botticelli
Institutions
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- The Broad
- Brooklyn Museum
- Center for Feminist Art
Locations
- Boston
- Oakland
- Los Angeles
- San Juan
- Puerto Rico