A performance's artist latest project may have good intentions but it ultimately falls flat in what we think is an awful display of objectifying women.
New Yorker Nate Hill is drawing controversy for a new stunt which involves him draping white women over his shoulders as if they were scarves or stoles.
The stunt, titled "Trophy Scarves," is supposed to spark a discussion around the complex issues surrounding mixed-race relationships.
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Art Or Sexist?
Hill, who describes himself as half-Black, told the Daily Mail that the photos of himself with nearly naked women around his neck are meant to draw attention to an "issue in the public now about black men who might think of being with white women as a status symbol."
The Instagram photos show Hill dressed always in a suit with the nearly nude women sporting provocative clothing such as fishnet stockings, sheer underwear and sometimes no clothing at all.
In one of the most disturbing photographs, a woman wearing only stockings hangs limply around Hill's neck as if she were unconscious.
However, most of the women or "scarves" are aware of the Florida-native's intent, many of whom are professional models who he meets through social networks and Craigslist.
But that hasn't stopped online critics for blasting the artist for being sexist and questioning what would happen if it were a white man using black women as scarves.
Said one outraged critic on Twitter:
While another wrote,
Another person who isn't that pleased is his wife, who Hill says "tolerates" the project.
"I blocked her on Twitter, so she can’t see what I’m doing. She just followed me on Instagram, so I’m probably going to block her on there too," he told Vice.
Hill has shrugged off the criticism, saying, "I don’t want to tell people what to do with their lives. I just hope they would examine their motives, that’s all."
What do you think? Are Hill's photos objectifying women or do they bring about a genuine discussion on mixed-race relationships?