Vancouver artist Brent Ray Fraser dines naked on Downtown Eastside

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      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. 

      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?