Nude heritage selfies as a visual practice

Abstract

In the mid-2010s, the media reported a series of disturbances at heritage sites caused by visitors taking nude self-photographs or selfies. In this article, nude selfies are analysed as a visual practice, and it is discussed what they reveal about visually structured tourist encounters with heritage sites. It is argued that nude heritage selfies continue the practice of old European art visually linking nudity, heritage, and tourism. In fact, many of the violations that the visitors taking such selfies are accused of are relevant for the whole practice of global tourism. Consequently, nude heritage selfies allow discussions of broader cultural and social problems related to global heritage tourism.