Facebook may reconsider its attitude toward artistic nudity

It is the torment of those who talk about art on Facebook and have to post images of artistic nudity on the popular social network: these are the restrictive nude policies followed by the Menlo Park-based social network. It is enough to show an image of a nude female breast (no matter if photographed, painted or sculpted), or even simply a Renaissance putto (on these pages we have reported the experience of art historian Lorenzo Bonoldi, who was hit by Facebook’s censorship, but our magazine has also had to deal with Mark Zuckerberg’s axe), to incur reprimands or suspensions. Now, however, Facebook’s attitude may be changing.

It all starts with a campaign to support the famous American photographer Spencer Tunick, known for his works that gather groups of completely naked women and men in the open air. Spencer Tunick, together with the National Coalition Against Censorship committee, started a social campaign in early June, titled #WeTheNipple (literally “We the Nipple”), which asked Instagram and Facebook users to share their experiences with nude censorship, and more importantly, to pressure social to invite him to change his mind about nudity.

And the campaign, which started with a performance by Tunick in New York City that rallied 125 naked people in front of Facebook headquarters in the Big Apple (pictured below is a moment of the action), seems to have struck a chord: the National Coalition Against Censorship let it be known through an official memo that it had reached an agreement with Facebook for a discussion on the issue. "Facebook’s policy team,“ the statement reads, ”has committed to fostering a working group of stakeholders including artists, educators, museum curators, activists and Facebook employees to examine the best ways to meet the needs of artists, including consideration of a new approach on nude guidelines." The National Coalition Against Censorship will work with Facebook in choosing the members of the working group. “Participants,” they let it be known, “will discuss the problem of artistic nudity in photography and the harm caused to artists, provide input into the challenges Facebook has faced in developing its policies on nudity, and explore ideas for moving forward.”

In short, the discussion is in its infancy, but it is very positive that Facebook has seriously considered reconsidering its approach to art nudity. We will see how the project evolves.

Facebook may reconsider its attitude toward artistic nudity

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.