 |
| Michael |
They're known as "the two nudists from Thessalonki." Giannis Maskidis (John Mask) and Michalis (Michael) stroll along that Greek city's streets in the late hours of the night. Their goal: merely to demonstrate that nudism is—or at least ought to be—a right.
“Since I am a nudist, being naked is a way of life,” Michael told the Greek television network Sirina.Tv. “Since I am a nudist, being naked is a way of life. It is unthinkable for me to go swimming wearing a bathing suit or sleep with my clothes on.
“With our actions we are simply showing that the concept of naked body is generated by twisted stereotypes,” he said. “This exact image is the problematic one and not the naked body itself.”
Michael and John have become notable additions to Thessaloniki’s nightlife. Passersby don’t join them in disrobing but many are curious and ask questions. Relatively few object. John said he hoped their actions would clear up “the misunderstanding in relation to nudity and nudism in Greece. With this edgy action, we are projecting the naturalness of the naked body.”
Their custom is to take off their clothes, usually on a Friday night, then walk outside popular nighttime attractions. A friend who stays dressed keeps their clothes, though Michael sometimes walks or jogs naked on the streets in daytime.
They don't regard themselves as sexual objects.
 |
| John Mask, reading in a park |
“Exhibitionism does not necessarily mean a person must show his or her naked body,” Michael told reporter for another news outlet. “We all demonstrate a variety of things that are related to our social or financial status, such as our parking our luxury cars on the sidewalk. Of course, there is exhibitionism associated with sexual activity, but we must bear in mind that the fact the naked body is not just biology. It is also a social construct and we should perceive it as a combination of these two things.”
Michael’s reason for participating in “urban nudism” is to attack “a general hypocrisy in Greece concerning the naked body.”
“These are people who supposedly get shocked in the view of a nude body on the beach, but still spend most of their nights watching porn,” Michael said.
For John, “it is a process. It began as an exposure of my own body in a public space, without giving a meaning on this act. The process hasn’t stopped yet and I don’t want it to stop. Observing similar examples that took place abroad, and reading articles and essays on the concept of naked body and body in general, the meaning has changed. This can be shown in our latest performances and in the way we are trying to handle any social media exposure.”
As for their personal lives, John is a 24-year-old who recently graduated in architecture, and at the time of the interview, was looking for work. Michael is 31 years old, has a master’s degree in economics and works at a private company. He has been a nudist since he disrobed at a beach for the first time at age 15. He has often been seen on the Web nude on beaches and at home.
 |
John and Michael on the street |
Now here are some photos from Michael and John together.
And now here are some photos exclusively of Michael.
0 comments:
Post a Comment