Body

Kaya (A Visual Art Series on Bodies)

By Labdhi Shah 2 years ago

How does one visualize the body from outside while living inside of one? How do we take steps in our individual, personal journeys of accepting ourselves for what and how we are? How do we (especially women) fight against the social pressure to be a certain form or shape? In Sanskrit, “kaya” means “physical body.” In this visual art series, the clear lines suggest the acceptance of oneself, while the surrounding cloud represents society. The use of primary colors is intentional, signifying the basic instinct one needs for freedom. The journey of understanding the universe starts from undressing the fears of one’s soul and accepting them unconditionally.

A Merry Trencherman

By Clark Zlotchew 2 years ago

The story, “A Merry Trencherman,” aims to explore a widely held idea about overweight people, which is that they are jolly and carefree, and they know how to enjoy life. Toward the end of the short story, the narrator learns that his obese friend is far from merry, far from happy, even far from contented with his lot. The narrator discovers his friend is deeply dissatisfied with his life because of his condition. It should be obvious to people that obesity cannot march hand in hand with true happiness, yet the stereotype of the merry trencherman endures among many.

Fluid Contortions

By Dave Sims 2 years ago

The human body is infinitely amazing, particularly in its ability to move through space in small increments. The pieces in this series of digital paintings freeze some of these intricate and complex instants that occur when our muscles engage — with or without our conscious thought — in activities that require the full participation of our beings with another thing or person.

Forks In The Road

By Clark Zlotchew 2 years ago

A lover of rich food became obese. Rejected by a girl, he could have decided to curb his eating habits; instead, he took refuge in comfort food. Later in life, a woman who showed an interest in him led to his redemption. Obesity is a common affliction today and this fiction piece shows two reactions to rejection: one is negative, the other positive. To those who are conflicted, this story offers a moment of hope.

Fifty Shades Of The Same Caramel

By Armando Batista 2 years ago

This piece speaks to the lasting impact of colonialism within the Caribbean. It shows how degrees of African-ness can be used to separate peoples within a shared narrative. As the witness, the author is an added layer of American diaspora struggling to accept the microaggressions enacted by the fair collector using the pejorative “negra” (black) towards a person of Haitian descent.

The Human Body: Diversity in Unity

By Gary Gillespie 2 years ago

Are we more than the bodies we exist within? How do our bodies impact the experiences we have and what kinds of tolls do our experiences have on our bodies? As humans, we are bound by physicality—but, are we? Makeup, plastic surgery, donor transplants, gender reassignment surgeries, etc. have already altered our relationship with our physical bodies—but what about AI and its future impact on the body? Will we be able to transcend beyond our corporeal limitations one day? There is ethereal light shining for those with eyes to see our corporeal reality.