Acts of Undressing : Politics, Eroticism and Discarded Clothing

Abstract

Acts of Undressing: Politics, eroticism and discarded clothing This monograph explores the significance of undressing in various cultural and social contexts. Overall, the book takes a broad focus, exploring the many contexts in which we undress or are denuded, while each section is dedicated to a particular context, ranging from performance art to political protest. It focuses on three main themes - politics, tease, and clothes without bodies – and discusses these key themes through a mix of case studies including burlesque, public fitting rooms, “quick change” performance, sports, public protest and peaceful resistance. It presents undressing as an act of seduction, a transformation of identity, a discarding of responsibility, a gesture of defiance, and a means of extending one’s personal territory.