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            A new fascination on Fire Island, at least newly visible on our part of the island, are the “nudies,” so called by the outraged, the imposed upon, the curious, and those who wish they dared but don’t. The phenomenon calls for definition, I think. When do naked bodies becomes “nudes”?

            The word “nudie” has an old-fashioned attractiveness. It is a slang term for a show or motion picture in which unclothed females perform. The word is almost an anachronism today with R- and X-rated movies on Home Box Office and in the local picture house. It is a quaint word, however, which is used to reflect the gamut of reactions from relish to righteous indignation as we see deep-seated taboos walk the beach.

            The word “nude” has long referred to the unclothed figure represented in art. Both “nudie” and “nude” have, without notable exceptions, referred to females, but even the casual observer this past summer must be struck by the female’s apparent absence; most of the sun-washed flesh visible on the beach has been male.

            The idea of the performing nude in motion picture and in art may provide a key to the difference between naked and nude.  There is a subtlety about a nude, an everything-isn’t-hanging-out effect.  The nude is poised, self-assured, composed, dignified.  The naked, by contrast, is uncomfortable in his role; he is excessively conscious of himself before an audience.  Like the actor who doesn’t know what to do with his hands, the naked doesn’t know what to do with his body. 

            The male is more visible than the female on the beach, perhaps, because the female’s performance is less self-conscious. She is there, to be sure, but she is constantly upstaged by the male; more accomplished, she does not intrude herself and dominate the stage. As a result, the male appears naked, vulnerable; he hasn’t yet developed the necessary skills and talent. Every performance requires a disguise of sorts, and the male is undisguised, undressed for the part, exposed.  Still insecure, still blatant and flaunting, the male is the child running around naked, not nude. In art, the actual is handled with some style. Imagine, if instead of “Nude descending a staircase,” Duchamp painted “Naked descending a staircase.” Therein lies the difference, perhaps.                                          

            If we consider definition in relation to performance, we cannot overlook the audience. There are as many motivations for nakedness, I suppose, as there are performers; so there are varied reasons for individual reactions in the audience. If the unclothed truly believe that nakedness benefits their health, if indeed they are not performers, they should get off center stage. If they aspire to perform, however, let them learn some basic skills of the craft.

            Of course, even a good performance is never appreciated by everyone.  Some critics will see even nudity as debris littering the landscape, debris which should not mar their equally healthful walks on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And then, too, an audience should not have to see previews if they prefer to attend opening night, and admission should, perhaps, not automatically be included in the toll to cross the bridge.

            At any rate, there have indeed been few “nudes” on the beach this summer; but it takes time to grow from naked to nude. If “nudies” offend you after all, there is always available the perennially impeccable performance of the sandpiper, that little mechanical bird that someone keeps winding up, that zigzags up and down the beach pecking for sea life washed up by the surf. They’re out for an almost indefinite run.

         Bill Reynolds