As the US primaries approach their end, Republicans are bracing themselves for what could be a dicey convention in July. No one is more afraid of billionaire Donald Trump’s presumptive nomination as the party’s presidential candidate than rank-and-file Republicans. The controversial reality television star has made comments insulting nearly every demographic in every country.
"You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her…wherever," Trump said, referring to Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly’s tenacity in asking the Republican hopeful questions he found uncomfortable.
While these words are certainly and uniquely Trump’s, they also reflect the broader problems of the conservative party’s restrictions on reproductive rights and other women’s health issues.
To push Republicans to recognize the bare, naked truth of their intolerance, one artist is organizing a unique exhibit to be on full display at the Cleveland convention.
Spencer Tunick is looking for 100 female volunteers to pose nude on July 17. Each participant will hold a mirror which will reflect the sunrise as Tunick photographs the scene.
"The photograph will involve 100 nude women holding large mirror discs, reflecting the knowledge and wisdom of progressive women and the concept of 'Mother Nature' into and onto the convention center, cityscape and horizon of Cleveland," he writes on his website.
"The philosophy of the artwork relates to the idea of the sacred feminine. By holding mirrors, we hope to suggest that women are a reflection and embodiment of nature, the sun, the sky and the land. We want to express the belief that we will rely upon the strength, intuition and wisdom of progressive and enlightened women to find our place in nature and to regain the balance within it."
Tunick doesn’t have to worry about obtaining a permit for his crowd of nude reflectors – a difficult task given the vast number of groups who plan to protest the convention. His demonstration will held on private property.
The artist doesn’t entirely consider the event a protest, so much as an "action."
"Maybe I want it to be a work that women can be part of, maybe to heighten the idea that women will decide the outcome of this election and will have a more powerful presence in the future of politics, the future of the country, and the future of the world," he told Scene.
"It’s not so much a protest but an action, a wake-up call to the absurdity of politics and discrimination."
Which, frankly, still sounds like a protest, but as long as Ted Cruz keeps his clothes on, who can complain?
