‘Project XXX’ nude photography exhibit examines gender roles

Two years and 100 nude models later, one UA senior Darby Gieringer’s class project-turned-thesis is now a full-on art gallery exhibition.

“Project XXX,” is a collection of photographs reflecting gender roles in the poses of nude subjects.

“Project XXX”

The project first started in a gender studies honors colloquium at the University of Arkansas. The idea was to photograph nude models without instructing them to pose in any specific way in order to study if their chosen poses reflected any society-assigned gender roles. For instance, would the male models exhibit confidence? Would the females be more passive?

Though not related to the original project that eventually became part of her honors thesis in the Anthropology Department, Gieringer will officially unveil 30 of her photographs from “Project XXX” tonight during a 5 p.m. reception in the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery on the UA campus.

The exhibit will run through March 12.

Speakers will include Gieringer, Dr. David Fredrick, Director of Humanities, and Dr. Jennifer Hoyer, Associate Professor of German.

Project XXX: Opening Reception/Gallery Talk

When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
Where: Anne Kittrell Art Gallery – UA Student Union
Who: Darby Gieringer, Dr. David Fredrick, Dr. Jennifer Hoyer
Cost: The event is free to students, faculty, staff and public.
More: “Project XXX” runs through March 12, 2010. Gallery hours are Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.