A nude performer lies on grass, covered in white substance, engaging with it using their hands, with a red tray of the substance nearby; a white cloth is partially visible in the background.

Wielewaal (2022) '15

A poster for the Wielewaal Kunst Festival held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, featuring details about the event including time, location, and activities. The background shows a grassy area with trees and a building, while the text is colorful and bold.
A person covered in a large translucent plastic sheet is crouched on a grassy area near a stage, with a sign nearby that reads 'Wielewaal Festival'. The background shows trees and hedges.
Wielewaal Art Festival Philemon Mukarno appeared on stage completely naked. Moreover, the summer sun highlighted his skin.
A person with a nude body covered in a light substance is kneeling on grass, engaged in a performance at the Wielewaal Art Festival. They are using their hands to manipulate a mixture on a plastic sheet and appear focused on their task, while a small red bowl is positioned nearby. A stage and a festival sign are visible in the background.
A person with their back turned sits on the grass, partially covered in white substance, surrounded by crumpled white fabric, in front of a stage with a sign for 'Wielewaal Kunst Festival'. The photo is in black and white.
A person sitting on the grass wearing a white, flowing garment, with their back to the camera, pouring water over their head; a performance stage is visible in the background with a sign for the Wielewaal Kunst Festival.
A person bent forward on their knees in a grassy area, covered in white powder and remnants of food, with a blurred outdoor setting and lights in the background.
A man with a joyful expression, kneeling in grass with his hands pressed together, is covered in a light yellow substance. Behind him, a cat walks by in the background. The setting is dimly lit with some festival equipment visible.
Schermafbeelding 2022-09-16 om 20.03.16
A person kneels on grass, clasping their hands in front of their face, covered in what appears to be a white substance, with a cat walking nearby in a black and white setting.
Philemon Mukarno at the Wielewaal Art Festival partially covered by a translucent plastic sheet is crouched on grass, with their arms reaching out while their body is hidden. A camera is visible in the background, suggesting a performance or art installation context.
A person partially covered in a translucent plastic sheet is crouching on stage, with a laptop and microphone nearby, surrounded by a grassy area.
A person is sitting on a grassy area wearing a plastic sheet, pouring a liquid from a bottle over their head during a performance at the Wielewaal Art Festival. A stage with a sign announcing the festival is visible in the background.
A nude performer lies on grass, covered in white substance, engaging with it using their hands, with a red tray of the substance nearby; a white cloth is partially visible in the background.
A person lies on the grass, covered in a mixture of yellow substances, with their arms raised and hands grasping the mixture. They are partially naked, and a red tray can be seen beside them.
Wielewaal Naked Performance Art | by Philemon Mukarno
A person kneeling on a stage covered in white plastic, pouring oil over their body as part of a performance at the Wielewaal Art Festival, with a bottle and a bowl nearby.

Embracing Vulnerability: Nude Performance at Wielewaal Art Festival, August 27, 2022

The Canvas of Vulnerability

Nudity, for Philemon, means engaging with presence. His body transformed into a living canvas. Each movement layered new meaning. Minimal props kept the audience’s gaze undistracted. The art rejected tradition and forged a new spiritual path.

Rituals: Preparation for Sacred Presence


At dawn, ritual began. Water-based paint shaded skin. Gentle breathing and guided stretches rooted him in awareness. He entered the performance grounded and aware. Slow preparations ensured every gesture stemmed from intention, not habit.

Transformation: Motion and Stillness Merged


The choreography combined stillness with sudden tension. Every curve, every muscle became emphasized beneath the spotlight. Silence magnified every breath and movement. Nakedness contrasted with abstract art installations, elevating him to living sculpture. The interplay of motion and emotion created a powerful spiritual spectacle.

Audience: Intimacy and Shared Experience


Spectators watched, some with awe, others with quiet recognition. Unexpected intimacy flowed between performer and crowd. Breath and vulnerability became a shared language. Many sensed solidarity in the experience. The wordless dialogue moved beyond performance; it became communal reflection.

Reflection: The Impact of Naked Presence


After his act, transformation followed. Public nudity deepened honest connection. Boundaries dissolved between artist and witnesses. Wielewaal Festival celebrated this honest approach to art. Artistic limits were stretched—vulnerability proved enduring and strong.

The Spiritual Power of Naked Art


Art’s highest goal is truth. Naked performance exposes hidden strength and fragile beauty. Vulnerable art is not passive; it fiercely affirms the human quest for meaning. Each performance is both offering and awakening—reminding us that bare presence is sacred.

Festival Legacy: Vulnerability as Force


Wielewaal has become a space for new beginnings. Spirituality and nakedness now thrive as vital artistic energies. The festival inspires artists to engage honestly with their audience, shifting the boundaries of creative practice in Rotterdam.

The Enduring Canvas: Body as Messenger

Wielewaal’s performance redefined how the body speaks. Audiences remember not mere spectacle, but a dialogue of spirit, skin, and emotion. Naked art offers hope, invites reflection, and keeps the canvas of vulnerability wide open for all.

Performance Art
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