Xandra Ibarra's Nude Performance at MFA Boston Sparks Online Debate
On April 16, artist Xandra Ibarra showcased her work "Nude Laughing" at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, contributing to the exhibit "Subvert, Repair, Reclaim: Contemporary Artists Take Back the Nude." Clad in a breastplate and yellow heels, she dragged a bag of symbolic items while laughing, ultimately collapsing in front of Paul Gauguin’s renowned painting. The 20-minute performance, part of a Third Thursday event, attracted significant attention and sparked discussions on consent and art history. Despite some online backlash from a museum post, only two official complaints were submitted. The event aimed to confront and critique the museum's colonial legacy.
Key facts
- Xandra Ibarra performed 'Nude Laughing' at MFA Boston on April 16.
- The performance was part of the exhibition 'Subvert, Repair, Reclaim: Contemporary Artists Take Back the Nude.'
- Ibarra wore only a breastplate and yellow heels, dragging a nylon sack with blonde wigs and fake breasts.
- She laughed and ended up in front of Gauguin's painting 'Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?'
- The performance lasted 20 minutes during Third Thursday ($5 admission).
- MFA Boston's Instagram post sparked hundreds of comments, with some calling it 'disgusting' and 'vulgar.'
- Only two people contacted the museum to complain.
- Curator Carmen Hermo described the performance as 'art history made that night.'
Entities
Artists
- Xandra Ibarra
- Paul Gauguin
- Edgar Degas
- Imogen Cunningham
- Judy Dater
- Botticelli
Institutions
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Hyperallergic
- The Broad
- Brooklyn Museum
- Center for Feminist Art
- Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston
Locations
- Boston
- United States
- Oakland
- Los Angeles
- San Juan
- Puerto Rico
Sources
- Hyperallergic —
- Dasartes —
- ArtsJournal —