Public Nudity in Times Square

Andy Golub is an artist. He paints nudes. Not on canvas. On human bodies. Primarily female bodies.

 

He does his work in public. Specifically Times Square in New York City.

 

He performs his work much like those who earn a living body painting in Key West during Fantasy Fest.

 

He is paid by the model/subject. People want their bodies painted for various reasons. Some for parties, others for commercial shows, others for the mere thrill of it.

 

Golub charges from $700 to $7,000 for his work.

 

As indicated, his studio is today's Times Square. Times Square today is not the same as that of yesterday. It is now a huge pedestrian mall. The streets have been closed off. Tables and chairs and lounging chairs abound. Street peddlers, much like on Key West's Duval Street, sell their wares.

 

Nudity has become increasingly acceptable from a legal perspective in recent years. The recent mini skirt protest in Jakarta, the underwear protest in Salt Lake City, the Slut Walks in Montreal, London, Rome and Paris, and the permissible nudity in San Francisco are examples.

 

Golub was arrested recently. So too was his female Australian model/customer. The charges were public lewdness and public exposure. Such laws are rarely enforced these days. There is an increasing public acceptance of nudity and such laws are considered ambiguous.

 

Once Golub's case reached the courtroom, the legal problems were obvious. Were the laws even good law today? Might the judge have to throw the charges out? Were the laws under today's standards unconstitutional? And a possible lawsuit by Golub if he were acquitted. 

 

Such were the City's considerations.

 

Golub had his problems. A drawn out court battle would cost him money. Plus, Golub was effectively out of work till his case was decided.

 

Compromise was the solution.

 

Both sides agreed that Golub could do his nudity painting by day and night, with one qualification. By day, the model/canvas had to wear a g string. By night, nothing. No g string. Topless was not a problem. It has not been a consideration in most jurisdictions for years.

 

I find the result/decison the height of hyprocracy. Times Square by night is more lite and brighter than by day. All the electronic advertising and street lights. Privates are just as evident by night, if not more so.

 

Whatever, it was a way out for both sides.

 

Golub's problem received big time world wide publicity. It was reported on in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Daily News and Huffington Post. I have to believe Golub's business will now be better than ever and his prices higher.

 

Isn't America wonderful!