Eros Duo – Naked Performance Art by Philemon Mukarno and Thomas Zollinger

Naked performance art pushes boundaries and redefines how we see the human body. “Eros Duo,” a collaboration between Philemon Mukarno and Thomas Zollinger, is a bold expression of this art form. Their work challenges social conventions and invites audiences to embrace vulnerability and authenticity through raw, unfiltered nudity.

Visionaries of Naked Performance

Philemon Mukarno, a Rotterdam-based Indonesian artist, blends sound, video, and sculpture with his naked body to create transformative performances. Thomas Zollinger, a Swiss artist and advocate for nudity in art, co-leads this project. He founded the Naked Projects Network to promote nudity as a respectful, meaningful artistic medium. Together, they push the limits of performance art by using nudity to question taboos and foster open dialogue.

Concept and Meaning Behind Eros Duo

Eros Duo explores the intimate connections between two naked bodies moving through space. It is a celebration of freedom, tenderness, and sensuality unbound by shame. Their intertwined forms create a dynamic dance that dissolves the distance between performers and audience. This performance transcends eroticism, instead emphasizing love, connection, and the vulnerability that comes with being physically exposed. Nakedness becomes a symbol of strength rather than humiliation.

The Performance Experience

“Eros Duo” took place within the raw setting of an empty garage in Sundgau Sud Alsace, part of the larger EROS 24/7 project curated by Elias Kirsche in 2021. Over 43 minutes, Mukarno and Zollinger moved fluidly, caressing and kissing in a choreography of human closeness. The starkness of the garage space contrasted with their tender gestures, heightening the artwork’s emotional impact. This performance was also documented on film, inviting wider audiences to witness the intimate dialogue of two naked bodies.

Expanding the Concept: Eros Trio

Building on this, Eros Trio featured Elisabeth Schär, adding a new dimension to the exploration of naked human relationships. Performed outdoors amidst trees and grass, the trio’s movements echoed natural forms. Their nakedness harmonized with the natural world, suggesting that the body is not apart from nature but a vital part of its beauty. Like Eros Duo, Eros Trio challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions about nudity and intimacy.

Artistic and Social Aspirations

Through “Eros Duo” and related works, Mukarno and Zollinger seek to spark thoughtful conversations about the role of nudity in art and society. Their performances resist the objectification often found in commercial and pornographic images. Instead, they present nudity as an honest, empowering expression of self. Their art calls viewers to acknowledge the human body’s sacredness and complexity, promoting deeper respect and understanding.

Invitation to Explore Further

For those eager to delve deeper, Philemon Mukarno’s website and the Naked Projects Network showcase these performances and related videos. “Eros Duo” exemplifies how naked performance art can be both a spiritual and social act—one that breaks down barriers and invites empathy. This work reminds us that vulnerability is a foundation for connection and that nakedness can be a powerful path towards liberation.

Eros Duo stands as a compelling example of naked performance art pushing creative and cultural boundaries. Mukarno and Zollinger’s artistry offers a fresh perspective on the human body—raw, beautiful, and profoundly truthful. Their work continues to inspire audiences to rethink norms and embrace the naked truth of human experience.

Meet the Visionaries: Philemon Mukarno and Thomas Zollinger

Hailing from the Netherlands, Philemon Mukarno is a live body performance artist with an extensive international portfolio. He skillfully employs sound, video, installation, and sculpture to craft his mesmerizing performances. Meanwhile, Thomas Zollinger, a Swiss artist, is an unwavering advocate for nudity in art. He is the visionary behind the Naked Projects Network, which fosters a platform for like-minded artists and enthusiasts.

The Vision Behind Naked Performance Art

Philemon Mukarno and Thomas Zollinger perceive naked performance art as a powerful tool to explore the intricate connections between the body, the space, and the spectators. Their art seeks to challenge the audience’s preconceptions, emotions, and judgments, all the while shattering taboos and stereotypes surrounding nudity. In their bold strokes, they redefine the human body as a symbol of beauty, strength, and liberation.

Unveiling their Powerful Works

Their latest creation, Eros Duo, showcased a mesmerizing duo performance at Sundgau Sud Alsace F Garage on 18/10/2021, as part of the groundbreaking EROS 24/7 project initiated by Elias Kirsche. The artists fearlessly intertwined their naked bodies, exploring an array of shapes and movements while tenderly caressing and kissing each other. The raw performance, captured in a 43-minute film, took place within the confines of an empty garage.

Additionally, Eros Trio, a captivating collaboration with Elisabeth Schär, featured the artists creating evocative forms and movements amidst a natural setting, embraced by trees and grass. This compelling performance, also under the umbrella of the EROS 24/7 project, challenged norms and left audiences in awe.

The Aspirations Behind Their Bold Artistry

Philemon Mukarno and Thomas Zollinger aspire to spark meaningful dialogues about the true essence and significance of nudity. Their work stands as a powerful antidote to the commodification and objectification of the human body in modern culture. They strive to present their art as a respectful, authentic, and inspiring medium, urging society to embrace nudity beyond its commercial and pornographic depictions.

To delve deeper into their compelling work, visit their websites at https://mukarno.com/ and https://www.nakedprojects.net/. Engage with their thought-powerful videos on Vimeo. Experience the captivating world of naked performance art, where boundaries are shattered, and creativity knows no bounds. Thank you for immersing yourself in this riveting exploration of Eros Duo and the world of naked performance art.