China student poses nude for fees, sparks row

[Danee]

From: http://lifeisreallybeautiful.com/tag/who-am-i/

BEIJING: An undergraduate student in Beijing's prestigious Renmin
University has caused an uproar by exhibiting her nude photographs and
claiming that she nude models to pay her school fees.

She enraged the university by holding an exhibition of her nude
photographs within its premises last month.The university tried to
block the exhibition , entitled "Who am I?", and also persuade
websites from displaying them. On Monday, the 19-year old Su Zizi took
a step forward holding a press conference to tell journalists what
prompted her to enter the profession as a "body artist" .

"I started it nine months back because I needed money for my fees, and
to pay my grandmother's medical bills," she told TNN in an interview
at the 798 art district on Sunday . "But now, I am attracted by the
possibility of growing as a body artist," she said.

She has also exposed the inequities in Chinese society and the hidden
underbelly of art circles where nude modeling can be both art and
pornography. She had appealed to the local government for help to pay
her fees, but was coldly turned away, she said. She found nude
photography pays a lot more than any part-time job a student can
aspire for. Her initial contract was for 10 sessions at 500 yuan (Rs
3300) each.

But a mature Su Zizi has now learnt that antagonizing authorities is
not good for business . "I think the university tried to block my
pictures in order to protect me," she said. She also refused to reveal
the name of city officials whom she tried to meet, without success ,
for help to pay her fees.

So, what promoted her to give interviews and discuss her modeling
career with the media . "I see the media as a vehicle to take my
career forward," she said. She has strong views about photographers in
the business. "Amongst the photographers , there are true artistic
photographers but there are also hooligans who pretend to be artists,"
she said.

Nude modeling has always been a controversial career. But for Su Zizi, a 19-year-old student from Beijing-based Renmin University of China, nude modeling offers her the chance to pursue pure art and to help pay for her tuition fees as she is from a poor family.

Su zizi (not her real name) is a sophomore at the influencial Renmin University in China. “I have to support myself during study. I can get 500 yuan ($75) for each set of naked pictures.” she said, “at the very first, I was so nervous about others’ reaction to me, but later on I know how to protect myself and my family, such as signing a contract, which means if the images are distributed by studios they will face legal penalties.”

“I should clarify that my job as a naked model is legal, though it is despised by some. I get more interests from this naked portrait as an art form. Since I have learned how to display one’s inner beauty through nude body, I would like to become an excellent photographer in this industry in future.”

In my eyes, nude modeling is a career that needs to be respected, and it is a kind of art I will explore in my whole life,”Su said.

“Being a nude model doesn’t just mean wearing nothing for me, it also helps me to know my body better and express my attitude toward the world.”

Su has worked as a part-time nude model for nearly nine months. She gradually fell in love with the career and took it as a path to deeply examine herself and society.

Initially Su did not tell her parents about her part-time job, but finally, her parents found out.

“My father asked why I chose this way to express myself as he thought my job would not be approved by society. However, I persuaded him, hoping my art can be understood by my family,” Su said.

Although her parents did not say yes to her modeling career, they did not stop her either. For Su, her parents were silently supporting her behind her back.

“Being a nude model demands that I endure the psychological and physical stress, but I choose to carry on,” Su said.

As part of her artistic expression, Su held an art exhibit themed, “Who am I?” on her university campus, at which she exhibited her nude photos and videos.

“The exhibition is my homework, and I am not afraid of expressing myself this way. I think people need to get rid of their burdens and by being naked they can know themselves better,” Su said.

Su spent a lot of time and money on the exhibition. She took all the photos and videos herself and she borrowed more than 20,000 yuan ($2,900) from friends to finance it.

“I did almost all the preparation work by myself. For example, touching up the photos, inviting the hosts and choosing the venue. But I am so glad that my friends are supportive,” Su said.

But her bare-all exhibit also received criticism. “Some female students said they couldn’t accept my photos and my mother also called me ‘psycho’. But some teachers liked it and encouraged me to keep on working,” Su said.

Cong Zhiqiang, Su’s tutor, said he was surprised when he saw how she chose to express herself.

“Su was the only student that expressed herself this way, which shows she is unique and creative,” Cong said.

“At first, I was shocked, but after a second thought, I accepted it because everyone had their own style to express themselves.”

Cong added that Su did a good job and her exhibit showed she had seriously thought about the meaning of life.

Tan Jun is a 37-year-old director and a supporter of nude modeling careers.

“She not only showed a vivid personality in her works but also displayed the value of art itself,” Tan said.

“We should enjoy her works from a high spiritual level, and then our hearts will be purified,” Tan added.

Dong Jinling, 41, a filmmaker and close friend of Su, also approved and said that her works showed her understanding of life.

“Su has had a rich and tough life experience, so she sees some things that others ignore. Her works also displayed her pursuit of pure art, so I suggested the viewers explore the deep meaning of her art rather than take them as something shameful,” Dong told the Global Times.