What's with the nudity in this one? Artistic or horny director?

Now, I know what some of you might say. I know SC is an "art" movie, and so it can contain nudity, and I have nothing wrong with that in general when it contributes to the film. For example, A Clockwork Orange wouldn't be that powerful without the nudity and rape scenes, allowing us to get into Alex's head. And theres a lot of other examples where nudity improves the film, makes it more powerful, more shocking, etc. But I just can't see that in SC.

I mean, most of the nudity in it is so casual, usually goes unnoticed, and it doesn't change the film at all (maybe other then the cello player suicide, where nudity was needed). I mean, would it be a lesser film if Jullian Moore would have done her cheating speech with panties? It actually took away from the scene, distracting the audience, and it didn't contribute at all. Same goes for Chris Penn's wife and Frances Mcdormand - I mean, would it make the film less good if Frances would have walked around with a towel on?

My point is, I just don't see why the film has so much nudity. Why did Altman had to ask nearly all the female actress to get naked for the part. That's embaressing for an actress, and it doesn't serve the film. Really the only logical explanation is that Altman wanted to see them all naked...

Maybe someone here could explain it to me.