“BruinLife Presents: The Body is Beautiful” has been a year-long labor of love. With “The Body is Beautiful,” we aim to showcase Bruins from various backgrounds and physicalities, presented authentically in the nude. Through these poignant photo essays, we aim to highlight the inherent beauty present in every body — irrespective of shape, size, age, skin tone, gender or physical ability.
Background: The body positivity movement
Body positivity, a movement gaining momentum across the globe, advocates for the acceptance of all body types, challenging the rigid beauty standards often perpetuated by media. This movement is a response to the negative impacts these standards have on individuals, leading to issues like low self-esteem, eating disorders and mental health problems.
BruinLife’s initiative: A celebration of bodies
We initiated “The Body is Beautiful” photo essay project, featuring artistic nude portraits of students. This initiative aims to celebrate the diversity of the human body and promote self-love among the student community.
The impact on student well-being
With this project, we hope to significantly impact students’ mental health and well-being. By showcasing real bodies in their natural forms, we aim to dismantle the stigma around certain body types, potentially leading to improved self-esteem and reduced mental health challenges. We hope to create an inclusive space for dialogue about body image, fostering a supportive campus environment.
Inclusivity and representation
The project stands out for its commitment to inclusivity, featuring bodies often overlooked in mainstream media, such as those of diverse ethnicities, sizes, genders and abilities. This inclusive approach aims to normalize all body types and empower individuals who often feel marginalized. All Bruins were invited to participate in The Body is Beautiful this past winter.
You can visit our in-person gallery on Monday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Ackerman Bruin Reception Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
View the project on thebodyisbeautiful.com
Featured image by Jose Hernandez/BruinLife
