The Century Project

For three days, an exhibit by Frank Cordelle titled "The Century Project" has been at my school. I didn't know anything about it when I went in except that there were nude photographs. In the simplest description, Frank has taken a photograph of a female from birth (literally..the first photograph is of a baby crowning) to age 100 (he's only missing a few years here and there). To be honest, I felt pretty uncomfortable at the beginning of the exhibit because the pictures were of girls...young girls. As the photographs matured to teenage girls, I began to see the beauty in his project. These are young women who are not afraid to be exactly who they are - or they are afraid, which makes it even more honorable that they are willing to participate. Many of the teenagers had or were still experiencing eating disorders or the repercussions of sexual abuse.

As the age of the subject increased, so did the intensity of the stories. These beautiful, amazingly strong women have been brutally beaten, abused, and exploited, yet they are taking a stand. They are making a statement. They are being themselves...they are exposing themselves entirely. What could possibly be more honorable than such an act?

One important idea that I took from this incredible experience was that of my own body. In recent years, I have done a lot of work mentally and emotionally to come to a place of comfort with my body, and I feel like I have made monumental progress, but I have a bit further to go.

Each woman who participated in Frank's project is making a statement to society about a couple of different things. The first is that there is a huge difference between nudity and sexuality. There is nothing wrong with either one, and both have their time and place, but nudity should not be categorized so wrongly with sexuality because, though sexuality often correlates strongly with nudity, they do not always go hand-in-hand. The second statement, probably the more important of the two, is that beauty is not necessarily what media, culture, and society say it is. Beauty is who you are. Nothing more, nothing less. Despite their so called "flaws," these women put themselves out to the world, and their beauty, inside and out, calls to me clear as day. I hope that others react to this incredible project similarly to the way in which I have.

Another moment within this experience that reigns of high importance is the moment in which I met Frank. He travels with his exhibit and thankfully was around when I walked through. He was speaking with some other students when I finished looking at his photos, so I patiently listened to him answer their questions. Once they left, he turned and smiled at me. I immediately asked him if I could hug him, and his response was an immensely vigorous, "Hell yes!" He quickly embraced me in one of the most sincere hugs I have ever encountered. He held on to me for what would normally be an awkward amount of time, but it felt so right. We connected. I thanked him and said that what he is doing is beautiful. He thanked me, and wished me a good weekend. I then picked up my coat and backpack and walked out with a brand new sense of myself.

I spent an hour and a half in the exhibit, reading the stories and admiring the artistry of the photos. Several made me cry, a few made me laugh (especially when I got to the older women who were completely open and free about life), but each one inspired me to an incomprehensible level. As ridiculous as it may sound to someone who has not seen this wonderful collection, it changed me. It pushed me further along my path toward total comfort and enlightenment in regard to my own beautiful body. This experience has impacted my life in a way that I know I will never forget.

Thank you, Frank.

http://www.thecenturyproject.com/