Boundaries are non-tactile constrictions that humanity has unconsciously placed upon itself throughout the ages. The human figure a triumphant form; celebrated and adorned by many, for instance, Michelangelo’s celebrated paintings and sculptures. The male form presented in all its glory, flaws and all, for maturity, showed wisdom. Fast-forward to modern times as body shaming philosophy has set standards of normalcy as corporations profit from their advertisement campaigns. We tend to consume the body politics of modern day: from gym bunnies to fashion models, even our mentality sculpted to a scripted lifestyle. As we become unaware of the restraints society itself has regulated and adopted. The modern-day populous has constructed a subconscious policing mechanism onto the male figure. The fit, young body is an object, the empirical rule of the times. There are a growing number of males going against this stereotypical notion, celebrating the human form that inherited genetically; demonstrating comfort with their own skin.

Ursine, is a response to the socio-cultural notions constructed upon itself as a celebration of the human figure. In some instances it can be construed as egotistical or megalomaniacal, a problematic and discursive negative ideology in contemporary times. This, however, is not a rectification but an empowerment to subversive and divisional governors in societal terms. Ursine from the Latin meaning of relating to a bear, or “bear family”; as per the assigned dictionary value. The men portrayed are males with defining characteristics and have unbound themselves from social conventions. Bearish or “bear men” classified from chubby to hairy males with girth, cuddly and adorable yet fierce creatures. One factor is the body positive movement by the bear community, a sub-culture gaining momentum within the LGBT culture. This has even percolated into the heteronormative arena from beard couture to the hipster phenomenon, although receiving some negative backlash as lazy, per the conventions of western philosophy. This problematic optic engaged by the commodification of acceptable daily lifestyle, the human form as an object for profit.

The quintessential male topographic form is a subjective phenomenon according to whatever communal conventions set forth, as anamorphic optics can distort realities. Representation of anthropomorphic structures embellished, as models are the hegemonic cultural practices for commoditized fetishism for global markets. Myopic communities rally for a preset modal normality as the globalization of cultural imperialism imposed. This is the banality of social spheres.

The bear-culture within the LGBT movement is a signifier of the masculine deity. This two-spirited configuration embraces both feminine and masculine characteristic roles, the vernacular duality. Rebelling against preconceived notions of the idealized male figure, queer culture takes on acceptance versus the over rigid conformity. The stigmatization towards male girth cast aside as conforming is not an option for these individuals. Men, Unbound from all preconceived notions.