On Bodybending, Nude Performance & Her Creative Journey: A Conversation with Karla Bautista S9 EP6
Belle and Ava sit down with Karla, a dynamic nude performance artist, pole dancer, contortionist, and independent singer-songwriter. With 13 self-produced and directed music videos, Karla shares her journey navigating the freelance creative industry over the past nine years, overcoming challenges such as sexual predators, mansplainers, and envious peers. She passionately discusses body politics, patriarchy, and her mission to empower other creatives and minority groups.
Episode Highlights:
1. Introduction to Karla (00:00:00)
- Belle and Ava introduce Karla, highlighting her diverse talents and the challenges she has faced in the creative industry.
2. Karla's Unique Self-Introduction (00:00:49)
- Karla explains how she introduces herself as a body artist, using her body to challenge societal norms and educate others about body politics and agency.
3. Karla's Childhood and Sex Education (00:01:39)
- Karla shares her experiences growing up in a strict Filipino household, attending an all-girls Catholic school, and learning about sex through self-study and library books.
4. The Influence of Cosmo and Misconceptions About Sex (00:05:00)
- Karla discusses how magazines like Cosmopolitan influenced her understanding of sex, focusing on pleasing men rather than self-pleasure and communication.
5. Karla's Career Journey (00:06:41)
- From her first job as a nude model to her current work as a performance artist, Karla shares her experiences and the importance of setting boundaries in her profession.
6. Parental Reactions and Independence (00:08:00)
- Karla talks about her parents' reaction to her career and how she has lived independently since she was 15 years old.
7. Overcoming Abuse and Seeking Protection (00:09:21)
- Trigger warning: Karla recounts her experiences of physical abuse at home and the lack of effective child protection services in the Philippines.
8. Advice for Parents (00:16:36)
- Karla offers valuable advice to parents on respecting their children as individuals and nurturing their unique potential.
9. Karla's Mental Health and Resilience (00:29:07)
- Despite suffering from PTSD, Karla discusses her resilience and determination to thrive in her chosen path.
10. Navigating the Creative Industry (00:34:27)
- Karla shares her goals and challenges in the creative industry, emphasizing the importance of creating a self-sustaining art career.
11. Performance Art and Societal Perceptions (00:38:28)
- Karla explains her journey from nude performance art to pole dancing contortionist, and how she challenges societal norms through her work.
Key Quotes:
1. "Your body is something that is the seed of your power, and if you have agency over it, you can truly reach your highest potential." - Karla (00:01:10)
2. "Parents should not see their children as extensions of who they are. They are their own person." - Karla (00:17:04)
3. "Power is not something that people take from you; it's something that you give away when you concede the control of yourself to them." - Karla (00:24:52)
Links and Resources:
- Karla's Instagram: Art of Bodybending
- Karla's YouTube Channel: Art of Bodybending
- Email Us: thesexytimepodcast@gmail.com
- Follow Us on Instagram: @thesexytimepodcast
Support This Podcast
Share this episode with friends who might be interested in the creative arts, body politics, or overcoming personal challenges. Send us your questions and suggestions for future episodes at thesexytimepodcast@gmail.com.
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