'Love Your Body' is message of guest artist

Most Americans don't look anything like the models they see in magazines and on television. And that's OK, says artist and educator Larry Kirkwood, who will be at Grand Valley State University to give students just that message.

Kirkwood's visit is part of 'Love Your Body Day: Change How You See, Not How You Look,' a three-day event that includes displays of plaster casts of real bodies ¿ including three made from GVSU volunteers ¿ and culminates with a lecture by Kirkwood.

'Love Your Body Day' takes place October 13-15. Throughout these days, plaster casts of people's bodies will be on display at the Kirkhof Center lobby, open for viewing 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Kirkwood will discuss the definition of beauty at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kirkhof Center, room 215. The display and lecture are open to the public free of charge.

Kirkwood began his Body Image Project in 1993 to help people develop a healthier, less media-driven view of themselves. Since then he's made more than 450 plaster and resin casts, using people of both genders in all shapes, sizes, and ages as models. The focus of the project is on aesthetics, how the shapes of each person's body work together to make a whole that is visually interesting and beautiful. In the process, everyday people are encouraged to challenge their image of themselves and their definition of physical beauty.

The project has grabbed the public's attention, with coverage in newspapers, magazines, and on television and radio, including National Public Radio.

Throughout the three days he is on campus, Kirkwood will make presentations to classes. He will also make three new casts using volunteers ¿ a process which takes up to four hours each. For more information, call the Women's Center at (616) 331-2748.

'Love Your Body Day' is sponsored by the GVSU Women's Center, Art & Design Department, student groups, and the Center for Women in Transition.