In 2006, when Tasha Diamant first decided to take her clothes off in public as a way to demonstrate how each of us is vulnerable, and how by being vulnerable we can break the cycle of harm, her intention was to do so at least once per year. Only a few short years later, Diamant is holding monthly outdoor “vulnerability vigils” as a peaceful form of protest.
“I hope that by bringing the Human Body Project out into public spaces some sense of that message gets through to even more people,” says Diamant, who is planning to stand naked on the BC Legislature grounds June 9. “I’m impatient for people to learn the lessons they need to learn to move us out from this cycle of harm. For my own sanity, I needed another outlet.”
A regular at the Victoria Fringe Festival, Diamant’s Human Body Project needed to do things slightly different for its outdoor demonstrations. As Diamant explains, participants and onlookers can choose to go to indoor events, but getting naked in public needs to be a bit more sensitive, especially when others disrobe alongside her.
“I made a decision to keep our bodies covered by a large sign,” she says. “I made this decision as a gesture of gentleness to people who may be grossly affronted by nudity but it also feels safer, for me, anyway.”
As for the meaning of the world “vulnerable,” which adorns the signs held up by Diamant and her participants, it has a much deeper definition than just letting your guard down.
“I believe cooperation is the key to humanity’s survival, I believe letting go of ego is the key to cooperation, I believe choosing vulnerability is the key to letting go of ego,” she says.
The demonstration on June 9 will be in association with the World Naked Bike Ride, happening the same day, and Diamant encourages others to join her.
“Most people who join me do so in spontaneity and at some personal risk,” she says. “It’s often very moving and deep. I am honoured.”
Vulnerability Vigil
Saturday, June 9, 2 pm
BC Legislature grounds