COMMENTS on The Century Project
How likely is it for photographs and words of naked girls and women to illuminate, even heal? How likely is it for a man to have made those photos?
Tens of thousands of people have seen exhibitions of Frank Cordelle’s Century Project and been overwhelmed by it. They have laughed, they have cried. Some have hurriedly left the exhibition space—and returned, with every friend and family member they could find.
What are these girls and women doing here? They are exposed—but so are we. What are they telling us? See us and hear us, for our bodies and souls are your revelation.
They eliminate any pretense, from viewers as well as themselves, by their personal physical and emotional disarmament. That on its own defuses concern over nudity. The nudity here does not suggest degradation or immorality but embraces sincerity and valor. It represents both vulnerability and strength.
The people in The Century Project may be funny or sad, placid or severe. Many reveal calm or exulting spirits, refusing to be embarrassed about their lives, refusing to be ashamed of their bodies.
On seeing The Century Project, some women contemplating breast augmentation have suddenly and explicitly rejected it. Abused women have felt able for the first time to talk about their issues. Older women have accepted their radiant selves.
The Century Project has, in fact, saved lives.
And men? They may come to this work expecting salacious entertainment. Many leave stunned by the honesty they see, the struggles and triumphs of lives they might never imagine.
This book is haunting and provocative, deeply so. No one encountering The Century Project is likely to forget it. So confront it in your own way, and be challenged, even shocked—into recognition and resolve.
From well beyond these pages, the people in them direct us to peace and hope, to life in its transcendent dignity. The Century Project is ultimately about the indomitable human spirit. Trust women to reveal it—and an astounding artist to present it, and unbind us all.
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Bodies and Souls: The Century Project presents a chronological series of nude photographic portraits of 98 diverse girls and women of many ages, shapes, sizes, conditions, plus their personal statements about their bodies and experiences.
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In August 2006, the magazine Nude & Natural carried a major article on this project and book. You may read the article here. You may also order the whole magazine (Vol. 26, No. 1) from its publisher, The Naturist Society. Here is the photo on the cover of that issue:
This is Christy, 21. Her remarkable story is presented in the article.
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I never saw anything more compelling in my entire life. So wrote one woman on seeing The Century Project in 2000. In the project’s exhibitions across North America, it has earned high praise indeed:
You are an unbelievably brave man. THANK YOU—so, so much. I work with teen girls who are struggling with eating disorders, self injury, sexual abuse history, drug addiction, physical abuse—you name it—and what I really want to do now more than anything is to magically transport them all here and just watch them see your exhibit. Just sit and watch. Thank you.
I think you should have the boxes of tissues start earlier in the exhibit ;-) I don’t cry. Well, I do, but not in public. But I did. There are no words to describe this, yet I still have to try and tell you how this may be the most incredible exhibit I will ever see in my life. You present a STRENGTH to women, even during/after some of their weakest times. This I will never forget.
I came expecting to be uncomfortable. What right had you, a man, to try and help women understand their bodies? I left in awe. Thank you.
Something not many college kids are exposed to: nudity without sex. I hope it opens their eyes.
Best use of a camera I’ve ever seen.
At first, it was strange to see women of all ages, physiques, and backgrounds fully naked—nothing protecting them from the world. As I went around the room, the nudity became less and less important. The personalities of the women became what stood out most. I felt my countenance change as I moved from one picture to the next. This exhibit made me think how it really is our inside that makes us who we are, not our outside.
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Frank Cordelle has been working on The Century Project for nearly 25 years, and has been a commercial photographer for even longer. His clients have included magazines (Life, Newsweek, and dozens of others), ad agencies, and companies/organizations producing their own media. He built and operated a studio in Bennington, New Hampshire, and has traveled widely on assignment around the USA as well as to Mexico and Guatemala. He now resides in Oakland, California.
The book was published in November, 2006. You may contact the publisher, Heureka Productions.