Vancouver artist Brent Ray Fraser dines naked on Downtown Eastside
Local artist Brent Ray Fraser clearly loves his body. So much so that his work revolves around his physical self.
With a physique like that, can you blame him? Well, if you want. But that's an issue for another time.
In addition to making visual and performance art, he works as a stripper, has made erotic photos and videos involving himself, and made artwork (involving him naked, of course) including penis prints and penis statues. (Can you discern a theme here?)
Yet even though he's made art porn entitled "Jizzus Christ" and "Cop Car Do-Nut Bust", he apparently doesn't want you to get the wrong idea—he emphasizes that he's neither a porn star nor a prostitute, according to his tweets.
"I'm an artist, not a porn star. If I played professional baseball or sold shoes, I'd still be an artist." BRF
— BRF (@BrentRayFraser) June 28, 2014
To all the inappropriate men out there, please stop asking me if I'll fuck you for $$$. I'm an artist not a prostitute. BRF
— BRF (@BrentRayFraser) July 7, 2014
His latest performance piece features him dining nude on the Downtown Eastside at Main and East Hastings streets.
He sits at a dining table on Hasting Street while eating a meal, as street people pass by and comment on his actions.
The risqué piece brings to mind the controversies raised by the gentrification of the area, in particular, high-end dining establishments like PiDGiN opening up in the most impoverished neighbourhood in the city, which were protested by activists.
Is it art? Or exhibitionism? A new dining trend to replace dining in the dark? All of the above?
Tell us what you think.
(And hey, if you're really up for some live nudity in the arts scene, you can always check out Kokoro Dance's performance at Wreck Beach.)
Comments
3 Comments
blah
Jul 11, 2014 at 2:18pm
It's just exhibitionism and a cry of insecurity. Look at the publicity the straight gave him. It's not like what he's doing serves any useful purpose except furthering his "career". This is probably the high point of that career.
Hazlit
Jul 12, 2014 at 7:03am
Hmm, this sounds like fun. If I call it "art" can I wander around the DTES naked and not get arrested?
chuck zonart
Jul 30, 2014 at 12:02am
I wonder if after the eating sequence it included a shitting and pissing sequence?