Regardless of your gender or sexual orientation, are you capable of experiencing men as simply beautiful?
In the peak of their athletic strength and in the inevitable changes of old age, can you see men as beautiful works of art?
When referring to people, the word ‘beauty’ is usually associated with women, rather than men. We also describe an endless array of non-human things – such as flowers, sunsets, landscapes and even cars – as ‘beautiful’, but for some reason, this meaningful term is not commonly used to describe men. Although ‘handsome’ is a fine word to describe a man as attractive, it fails to embrace the full range of masculine humanity.
Why? Are there cultural biases that influence how we relate to men? Or are there simply natural differences in how we experience them?
With a little practice, human beings have an infinite capacity to experience beauty. In a given moment, you may be struck by beauty as you find someone attractive. In another moment, you may witness a different quality of beauty, as you contemplate the wisdom and character etched into the face of an elder.
Regardless of your gender or sexual orientation, we invite you to take a moment to transcend habitual associations of language, and experience these images of men as simply beautiful.
For some, this is confronting, for others it’s perfectly natural.
We don’t suggest that you should see things one way or another. However, at Model Society, we do think of beauty as an opportunity. We believe that the capacity and willingness to experience beauty – in yourself and others – is a gift you can give to yourself and the world.
Scroll down to celebrate the men of Model Society.
How do you experience artistic images of men? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
David Bollt
Founder: Model Society
Special feature celebrating the Men of Model Society, in our groundbreaking first issue.
Celebrating the Men of Model Society
“The masculine … He is told not to cry. He is told not to reach out for comfort or reassurance. He is told not to ask for help or to allow himself to be seen as unsure. He is told to not tremble or shrink from danger. He is told not to sing for joy. When he manages to climb up on the pedestal of respect and appreciation, he finds that it’s narrow, lonely and precarious. Through it all, he longs to be needed and to realize a sense of purpose and belonging.” – David Bollt
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free .”
— Michelangelo
