Barbelith Underground > Head Shop > Eating Sushi Off Of Naked Female Models

Are you trying to say that the nudity part is irrelevant? If so, I think you're very mistaken.

I don't think the nudity is irrelevant at all. Sensuality, eroticism, sexuality - these are different things. To pluck food from a nude woman at a party is certainly sensual and quite likely erotic, but sexual? Not unless there's more going on that Time Out indicates. Please don't let's Ashcroft this discussion by confusing these differences. This is a small step from caged gogo dancers at Hollywood parties (and before you ask, I can totally see nude male tables happening at ubercultural soirees).

Sexuality, specifically female sexuality, is an integral part of this.

Explain how. There doesn't appear to be any sexual behavior happening here. If you automatically translate all nude interactions into sexual situations, frankly I suggest therapy.

Do I think that these women are being viewed as inanimate objects? Of course - they are playing the part.

Come on, there's obviously more going on here than that. The men who go to these parties are unlikely to view these women as brainless physical objects any more than you are likely to view a traffic warden that way when the stoplights are out. It's very simplistic to spin this as though the models are all victims, the caterer an oppressor and the guests leering single-minded pigs. It's easier than thinking, yes, but not very aware. Do the guests rest their cold drinks on these women without coasters? Do they prop their legs on them? Flick cigarette ashes? In short, do they exhibit any of the behavior party guests show toward physical objects, short of picking a California roll from the woman's thigh instead of the serving tray in her hand?

I think what you really mean to say is, do I think that the people at these events view the girls as being less than human? I would say that those who play along with this do disassociate the person's humanity from their function as a kinky tray for fish, and I think that's very problematic.

Yes, but do they do it outside of the mutually agreed-upon fantasy role playing of the contextual event? Do they, in other words, continue to disassociate the other person's humanity waiting for a taxi after the party, or indeed have a skewed perception of their girlfriend back home? If the answer is no, then we're obviously dealing with a healthy example of erotic fantasy. As with all erotica, it becomes bad or "kinky" if it's not our individual cup of tea.

I would argue that we create momentary fantasy spheres in which behavior that would be unacceptable outside of such role playing is valid and healthy - these fantasy spheres range from Las Vegas shows to Chippendale performances to slash fiction to the occasional swinging experience. Eating food from a human table in the setting described by the article would appear to be another one of these momentary fantasy spheres. Certainly exploitation, unwilling invasion of personal space and sexual interaction appear to be completely absent from the scenario.