Texas State student sits nearly nude outside library for art project on objectification of women

The sight of a nearly naked, blindfolded student outside the Texas State University library created a social media buzz within the Bobcat community. Monika Rostvold wore nothing but a nude-colored thong and pasties for an art project focusing on the objectification of women. less The sight of a nearly naked, blindfolded student outside the Texas State University library created a social media buzz within the Bobcat community. Monika Rostvold wore nothing but a nude-colored thong and ... more Photo: Twitter Photo: Twitter Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Texas State student sits nearly nude outside library for art project on objectification of women 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

Texas State students walking through central campus Monday witnessed an unexpected sight of a fellow student perched on the steps of the school's library blindfolded and almost completely nude.

Monika Rostvold, who quickly became the talk of campus, said in a phone interview that the 45-minute demonstration was for an art project that focused on fellow students' reactions and objectification of the female body, said Rostvold, a fine arts senior.

“I wanted people to view my body as beauty and power and not a sexual object," said Rostvold, a fine arts senior. "The fact that it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month I wanted to create a piece about the standards that exist in our society. Being a victim and having friends who are victims of sexual assault I wanted to take control of my body by eliminating my presence and exposing myself."

"At first, everyone was like 'what the heck?'" Rostvold said, adding that people were also being rude, touching her and getting close to take photos of her blindfolded face. Two of her classmates documented the reaction with a video camera while Rostvold sat in the busy area wearing nothing but a nude-colored thong and pasties.

Students took to social media to share photos of the event, quickly dubbing the student as "the naked chick," or "the naked lady."

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But, once the Texas State Campus Police arrived and allowed her to carry out the rest of her project — proving the activity was not illegal — "everything changed," Rostvold said.

Rostvold said people started leaving messages of empowerment.

This is not something the art student does all the time — it was her first live artistic performance and she was "very nervous."

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At the time of interview, Rostvold has not yet had time to scroll through Twitter to see herself as the focus of the social media conversation but said "I think I've gone viral on Twitter."

She was right. Students joked, discussed and debated the bare affair on Twitter and Snapchat.

Some found the incident to be indecent but Texas State Police Sergeant Daniel Benitez said he reported to the scene himself and did not find Rostvold's performance to be illegal.

Click through the gallery above to see the varying reactions.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye