China Blog Blotter – Issue #4: Nudity is Not Porn…On the Internet

Ai Weiwei, the sensational Chinese artist who often criticizes China’s government, is in trouble again. Last time, he was detained for three months for “tax evasion.” This time, an artistic photo of him and four women, all nude, titled “One Tiger, Eight Breasts” is deemed pornography. The government is now accusing him and his photographer of spreading pornography online. This controversy sparked an online campaign called, “Listen, Chinese Government: Nudity is not Pornography.” On this online blog, Chinese Netizens post their nude pictures to show Ai Weiwei support, a shockingly liberal and refreshing protest.

The Netizens are posting various types of nude photos to show their support, as well as their creativity, humor, and appreciation of art. Each photo submission is a statement about censorship and the importance of artistic freedom. There are photo submissions of people posed as famous statues, such as blogger Zuola’s pose as Michelangelo’s David, expressing the beauty of nudity through classics. Others, like Wen Yunchao, who posed with a small model of the “caonima” (grass mud horse), which phonetically translates to the American equivalent of “F— your mother,” are giving the government the “middle finger.” Indeed, a few submissions actually are giving the audience the “middle finger.” Some other pictures depict a hodgepodge of everyday activities, done naked, such as surfing the internet or using the toilet.

The conception of this online campaign was November 19, 2011 and it is picking up fast. You can view the “Listen, Chinese Government: Nudity is not Pornography” online campaign blog here: http://awfannude.blogspot.com.

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