Melvin Kem

Art

May 1st, 2020

Artist conversation #5

Artist: Michol Hebron 

Exhibition: The Male Nipple

Media: Mixed-Media, Installation

Gallery: Online

Website: http://micolhebron.com/

About the Artist 

Michol Hebron is the associate professor at Chapman University. the founder/director of The Situation Room resource space for the creative community; the Gallery Tally Poster Project about gender equality in contemporary galleries; and the Digital Pasty/Gender Equity initiative for the internet. In the past she has been the Chief Curator at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art; the director of the UCLA Summer Art Institute; an editorial board member at X-Tra magazine; an independent curator; a conservator at LACMA, and the co-founder of Gallery B-12 in Hollywood in the 90s. She has served on advisory boards at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Birch Creek Ranch Residency (Utah), Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and UCLA. She is the founder of the LA Art Girls, and the Co-Founder of Fontbron Academy. She also received her BA & MFA from UCLA. 

Formal Analysis

When we look at the male nipple piece, it may confuse certain audiences at first, especially those who are uncomfortable with nudity. When we look at pieces as such, many people’s mind first goes to nudity in inappropriate senses. However, Hebron speaks about how their inspiration for this piece of art is when she realized that many social media platforms actually censor the female body, regardless if in a sexual sense or just for an art statement, but don’t sensor the male nipple.  Such a small bodily aspect, but such a large statement. The male nipple that she used was nothing that really separated the average nipple, regardless of gender or sex. For the formal qualities of the work, it was the average circular brown/tannish nipple with texture within and on the areola as one with skin has. You could probably see the nipple from up close, or you could squint a bit to see it if you’re a bit further.

Content Analysis

As mentioned before, Hebron received inspiration for this work of art because of the censorship that occurs in our society, even when women aren’t using nudity in a sexual manner. Regardless of what women are doing, they aren’t allowed to have their nipples out and about, however, it states in several social media platforms that the male nipple is allowed to be posted online. Personally as a cis man, I honestly didn’t put too much thought into that before. My significant other on the other hand, had previously mentioned that as well. As a non-binary person, they felt that their breasts automatically placed a target on them to be sexualized, even when they were covered up to the fullest, so I can see second hand how frustrating that must be. Hebron started the nipple movement in order to counteract or find that loophole in the online policies. By posting her photos with her breasts out but having her nipples covered by the male nipples, she was able to get her statement across. No matter how hard it was to find that loophole, Hebron was able to keep pushing until she did. She made sure to get the point across that womxn were not only seen as sexual objects and were not to be objectified, regardless of how big or how small their chest size may be. The ideas used to explore were the women anatomy and sexuality as well, in which she also alludes to in a couple of her other pieces of work.

Synthesis

After watching the artist conversation on zoom, it was definitely interesting and beyond what one would typically expect from art. I was a bit shocked when Hebron displayed one of her recreations of The Burning Bush because it was not something I expected when I heard that title, but was impressed that she came up with something so creative. Same goes for the The Male Nipple, I was shocked and awestruck initially, but after listening to everything, it all made more sense. It did display the sexist behavior we have in our society and even though we are progressing at such an unimaginable rate, we have so much to yet improve, including the way we express and see our womxn. I was also shocked to see the little progress that the Instagram building had by excluding gender neutral restrooms and family rooms. It did leave me thinking and a bit disappointed in such a huge company not doing the most they could to efficiently target their non-cis folx and varying family styles. My ideas, perceptions, and perspectives have since been changed by the artist conservation since it does leave you thinking about how much more we can do to further progress. The only major thing I disagree with was the fact that Hebron mentioned she hated and disapproved of bodily alterations whenever she saw a person doing so, which I thought as questionable. Shouldn’t a person be able to do what makes them feel good, not necessarily done because they want to fit into more of the societal norm? In addition, I’m not sure if she intentionally mean to do so, but she also made it seem like non-binary folx weren’t going to be as heard or seen unless they shaved their head such as her artist friend, whcih I thought too, was questionable. My significant other thought it was questionable as well since they are more femme presenting, however not any less valid as a non-binary person because they don’t have a shaved head. So during that part, I was able to tie in a few personal life experiences during those points as well as throughout.