[KarlMalone]

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

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.