Marisa Papen; artist, activist, naturalist.

In todayʼs artistic and intellectual environment of hypersensitive political correctness, it seems impossible to use the nude human body as a voice… but Marisa found her way. She became internationally known for her evocative work involving religion, body freedom & censorship. Though her artivism Marisa has been pushing boundaries, as much as societyʼs as her own. She challenges beliefs and raises questions by immersing her body in the most controversial environments or natural wonders upon earth. She calls her skin her superhero suit and sees our soft spot for beauty as a tool to unveil the raw simplicity hidden beneath cultural complexity.

Together with her husband Michael Chichi, Marisa founded the creative non-profit Double Being. Double Being are rebels with a heart, questioners of social taboos + creators of freedom & form. Marisa is the author of the poetic children’s book ‘Earth Family’, produced and published by Double Being.

ARTIST
STATEMENT

“I was 22 when I first undressed in front of a camera. I remember this incredible wave of freedom and expressiveness filling up my entire being. It was a meditative state I had no context for at the time. I witnessed my body move in ways it had never moved before.

I experienced my mind peaceful and present. I felt my heart opening. Something awoke inside that day. Today, 8 years later, I still bring myself back to that moment, to center into my calling.

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My work is often seen as controversial. What I see, is a human body taking a stand for equality and freedom. My intention is to open a space for raw conversation where we zoom out on strongly held beliefs and zoom in on the nature of our being.

I’m genuinely not trying to hurt anyone with the stands I take.

If my work does hurt you, I am sorry.

But ask yourself…

Why does this hurt you?

Why does this trigger you?

Why does a human body in its natural form conflict with your views on right or wrong?