Pages in this Feature: Real Bodies and Naked Truths The Photographer, Frank Cordelle, Speaks Excerpts of Two Women's Stories Cover © 2007 by Frank Cordelle Tell A Friend About Us:

© 2007 SureWoman.com. /Dawn G. Prince

A feature about the book Body and Souls: The Century Project would be incomplete without the voice of photographer Frank Cordelle, whose photographs have been widely praised as a breakthrough in challenging our culture's view of women's bodies. For over 25 years Cordelle has been committed to The Century Project, an exhibition seen by thousands all over the country. Passionate about celebrating women as they are, Cordelle banged on the door of almost every publisher, and finally after a six-year struggle, his vision is now accessible in book form -- so women everywhere can see for themselves how the project has helped to reclaim women’s bodies and spirit by changing the perception of what a real woman is. A commercial photographer, with clients like Newsweek and Life, Cordelle seems to have found his purpose amidst a project of immense beauty and soul.

It's fair to say that your photograhs are far from mainstream and even controversial. The women are naked and most of them have stories that make most people uncomfortable. Our culture doesn't want to be reminded of sickness, abuse and imperfections. Why these women and not the glamour and glitz that would be less controversial?

One of the several goals of The Century Project is to provide a realistic view of all women, not the BS which is typically presented by the media. One should recognize as well that TCP is NOT solely about women who have a difficult story to tell, but about everywoman, happy/sad, old/young, etc. For that matter, there's nothing wrong with being a little controversial! Indeed, the very fact that our society is still hung up in a Victorian/Puritanical mode when it comes our bodies, nudity, sexuality, etc. is an indication that it needs a wake-up call... Bertolt Brecht once said that "art is not a mirror held up to reflect society, but a hammer with which to shape it."

Most of the reaction to The Century Project has been high cheers for celebrating women just as they are, what is the point of contention for the critics of the book and why was it so hard to find a publisher?

There are two real issues here. One is that our society has a warped view of nudity: we see it only in a sexual context (unlike much of Europe, for example), ergo nudity = sex.Given our hang-ups/guilt/shame about sex, this extrapolates to nudity = pornography...

Another issue involves the pictures of children; clearly a hot button for many, as they should be - afterall, any responsible society has to be on guard for potential abuses in this area.

Obviously reactions to the photos vary drastically. What some will deem beautiful, others will turn away in embarrassment and shame. What do you want the photos of the women to convey?

That all of these women are individuals and very human, whether they conform to some stereotype or not.

Self-esteem and body-image issues are major problems in today's culture of perfection. Not having the perfect bodies that we're used to seeing in books and in the media, why do you think the women agreed to pose for you?

I think that all of the women I've photographed were quite aware of the socio-political purpose of the project and clearly agreed with it. Some perhaps hoped/expected that they might be helped in some way or other, but they also understood that they were in a position to reach out and help others. I think it was this duality - of being helped and also helping - which made it possible for women who are on nobody's list of likely nude models - to come forward in significant numbers and be photographed knowing full well that their image will be widely seen.

Why was it important to include young girls and older women?

The subtext for TCP is to present more or less the entire human life span. It would be pretty ridiculous to arbitrarily exclude this age group or that; life doesn't begin at eighteen. We can learn from all of them; in turn, people of these ages can learn and grow from seeing their peers and reading about them. Examples: it is not unusual for girls as young as seven to be on unhealthy diets because they think that their butts are too big. At SEVEN years of age! Serious issues like anorexia, bulimia, cutting, etc., often begin during or even before puberty. These ages simply have to be included.

Your mother's photo is part of the project. Why did you choose to include her and was it hard convincing her to pose for you?

There's an interesting story here: I didn't exactly choose to photograph my mother! I was asked to exhibit in a church in New Hampshire by a women's group...They wanted to hold one of their meetings in the context of an exhibit...My mother was also there - along with approx. 90 other women - because she was a member of the church. A few months later, I got a call from my her... Unbeknownst to me, she had been "harassed" by some of her "little old lady" friends: "Why doesn't Frank photograph you? Is there a problem with you and your son? How come you're not in the book? I can't stand it anymore," she said, "Put me in your damn book," and she said it just like that! Needless to say, it has turned out to be a very positive addition.

As a photograhper, do you think you view the female body differently than someone who hasn't the perspective through the lens?

It really isn't a "through-the-lens" thing. More importantly, I don't equate nudity with sex, so I think I am better able to see the person whose body it is than most people, especially most men.

You were obviously passionate about the photographs and getting the book published, what does this body of work of over 20 years represent to you?

Nothing less than the most important artistic contribution I will likely ever make, and also the biggest influence on who I am today.

The name "Century Project" hints that there is more to come. How will you keep it fresh and interesting?

There is more to come (!), specifically, a follow-up volume. To a degree, it will be "more of the same" - however, I am a much better photographer now, and will have better access to women as subjects, particularly because having a book in print means that the project will enjoy a greater outreach beyond the venues which have been available to it so far. The fact that it has been very positively reviewed by several mainstream American publications (Oprah Winfrey's magazine, for example), means its grassroots acceptance will be broader. It's hardly the case that all of the possibilities have been explored in one simple volume. There are lots of important ways to expand the work from its present degree of completion. I really don't view keeping it fresh and interesting as a problem!