Paper short abstract:

Bodypainting is an activity that centers the body, however, the models describe their fascination for the art as a way to better accept their bodies and to ultimately surpass them by becoming part of an artwork.

Paper long abstract:

"The body as canvas"—this frequently used phrase is the typical way to describe bodypainting. After giving an introduction to the multifold cultural connections of bodypainting and discussing the issue of cultural appropriation, the art is defined with regard to the scene of bodypainting and with a focus on the "living canvas", the model. Although bodypainting can be challenging for him/her, models report that they enjoy the process and the result, even if they may not be confident about their own bodies. One reason is that collective creativity can help to deal with the shortcomings of reality. Another cause is that the transformation, the “double staging”–becoming a three-dimensional work of art and later on being staged for a photograph—distances the body from the model and gives him/her the chance to see his/her painted body detached from him-/herself. Therefore, on the one hand, bodypainting closely relates to the body, on the other hand, it can help to overcome the body.