Where is the line between pornography and art?
That is a question I often ask myself when I create my pictures.
Though I know that a lot of people see my pictures mostly as porn, I personally don't feel that it is. Probably I am so used to seeing naked bodies I stopped perceiving it as sexual (unless it's a pussy close up titled "please fuck me" then I kind of know what they are implying).
What do I think about for my pictures? I try to challenge myself to warp into an aesthetically pleasing form, fluid lines, dips and curves. Sensual, not sexual. I try to emit a sense of comfort and casual carelessness. Sunlight dappled over my skin, lips slightly parted as I think about the nice cup of green tea I just had.
I don't think there needs to be a line between porn and art. Being porn does not make something not art. Being art does not make something not porn. They are two concepts that can overlap.
Really like this answer!
Well said Irish brother
Most pornographers are not true artists, but many great artists like Egon Schiele, for example, were accused of being pornographers.
Many (true) artists (not Schiele - he was on another trip) are or was pornographers. It's just a topic. Especially in the 18th century, when liberty was a real fight and liberalism was a real movement, you saw a lot of great artists go that way. Some of them have been judged overly hard by the more puritan romantics, but I love Fragonard, Boucher & Cleland. Mozart's Don Giovanni is one big defence for the libertine etc. So I actually just see it as a pleasant element, the opposite of violence in art that is often seen as serious and exalted (Guernica for example).
Like to mention Félicien Rops and Shunga.
An erotic Belgian artist and Japanese artform.
Yes, I love both! Rops was actually a part in the late romantic emancipation, where the introverted almost solipsist romanticism somehow needed these brutal transgressions. Worshipping the unnatural, as if such a thing existed...
The complete opposite of Shunga actually. The Japanese natural philosophy of connectedness and spirits that derives from Shinto. Think of the weird Hokusai print with an intercourse between a woman and an octopus. So very matter of fact.
It is a very interesting question you raise about the line between porn and art? As an artist who specializes in the female form, this is something I have also thought much about. The way I look at is very similar to what you yourself suggest. Occasionally someone who comes into my gallery feel unsure of what my motives are for painting women. I ask them one question: You you think the image is sexual or sensual? So far not one person has used the word "sexual". I then go on to say that I am open about my nature, meaning that I am a heterosexual male. Therefore it is written into my every DNA to like the female form. What excites me, as an artist, is to try and see if it is possible to still see the female form, appreciate it for its shear beauty,but at the same time, transcend the reproductive male sex drive. I know that might sound crazy, but that really is my true motivation.
This first time I thought about this as a "concept" was after I watched the 1908s film "Some Kind of Wonderful". One of the characters, a tom boy type, says to a boy she secretly likes "it must be a drag to be a slave to the male sex drive" . It was not until that moment did I realize that perhaps was actually "slave" to this drive. I began to look at myself differently. I realized that whenever I tool a girl out for a meal or on a date, I was not being completely honest with her, in that I was not seeing her only a person. Not to say I was disrespectful, actually I am the very opposite, I mean that there is always an underlying hidden motive,,especially if there was an attraction there. I mean it´s nature right? The law of attraction.
Anyway, I decided to purposely try to overcome this "male sex drive" so that I was in control instead the "drive " being in control. If that makes sense? Well to cut a long story short, after years of trying to conquer this, I was eventually given a great reward in that I began to be able to talk to women without seeing them as a potential mate. This then opened up an entire new world for me because I began to see the inner beauty in the "woman-being" that I completely missed. And that just blew me away. I know that might sound cheesy but I genuinely mean that. I guess I am saying is that I discovered there was (for want of better word) a spiritual side of the woman-being.
So I began to see if I could paint this inner beauty. But then that did not work either. I mean it´s a paradox right? If a guy is not gay he is gonna like a beautiful woman. To deny that truth you are either denying nature or you are lying to yourself and that is not healthy. So the only answer was to try to paint the inner beauty and outer beauty at the same time. Not easy.
How to do that in photography must be just as difficult.
Saying that I think you definitely have achieved that here. I see this wonderful photo as sensual and NOT sexual. And also very beautiful.
It is not easy but it is possible to find a balance. And the fact that is is not easy is what makes it art- if you get my meaning?
Personally I find a woman´s shoulders to be particularly beautiful. Therefore if a woman wears one of those "off the shoulder dresses" (not sure if they have a name) then I find that image stunning. I have no idea why, but I don´t think we need to understand everything in life. Thanks for your artwork. Upvoted and followed.
I feel very much in the same way though I'm not in the industry myself and I have felt that way since I'm a kid. Now, as an adult and reminding what it was like to be a kid, I even more so feel that way. Thanks for the thoughts and, of course, a very beautiful shot of you. All for one and one for all! Namaste :)
so PERFECT
When there is passion there is art.
There isn't one really. It is very subjective. In the 19th century people used cover table legs because it was considered offensive to see them. One person's art is another person's pornography.
Reblogged for the exceptional quality of the image,
go geisha!
Very tasteful. Nice pose.
You picture is not showing. I think someone has disabled your image because some people feel that the NSFW tag is not enough that the first image has to be censored, and some also feel that even a censored image is not enough.
But to answer the question...
To me it's the intent behind it when it was created and vibe at the time it was created.
There are many categories... Nude Art that is not sexual at all, Erotic Art that has no nudity at all. Erotic Art that is sexual and has nudity. There is also explicit erotic art. Then there is also Artistic Porn and Non-Artistic Porn.
It's all labels and perception. The Puritan crowd will call anything with any partial nudity Adult or Porn. But you can't take them seriously.
I'm presently working to bring in more models, adult performers, and their fans so that it will help Steemit grow.
You can see examples of several kinds nudes on my page and non-nudes as well. All of us that create Nude/Erotic content need to support each other on here I upvoted you.
i can see her picture. what are you talking about?