Art and Nudity

[P3D allan carrano <allan.carrano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

     Opinions,opinions - I have one too.
     
     Be it stereo or flattie photography, every time presentations 
     involving nudes comes up, it becomes an art vs. censorship issue.  I 
     pick art over censorship everytime.  Only one problem.  What is "art"?
     
     When I see a nude study done so very professionally, that I can't 
     imagine anything that would enhance the work.  When it moves me 
     intellectually and/or viscerally, I feel it's a work of art.  
     Unfortunately, there are those "artists" who fail in achieving this 
     impact on me. 
     
     Now we're in the numbers game. How many of the populace need to be 
     moved before the subject can be considered art?  I could care less.  
     If it doesn't work for me, it's not art (for me).  And there lies the 
     problem.  
     
     This is such a personal issue.  For the sake of argument, consider the 
     numbers game again.  Suppose there is a blatantly pornographic slide 
     and is executed poorly in every way possible - poor exposure, faulty 
     lighting, etc.  It offends everyone except one lonely individual.  To 
     him it is art.  Do you let this photo become part of the exhibit. No? 
     How about if there are two people who consider it art?  Three? Ten?  
     What if one is a judge?
     
     I can shrug off a bad photo of the "Southwest", mutter "poor 
     rendition" and move on to the next slide.  But when I see a nude study 
     done poorly, I must admit it causes a bit more anxiety/embarrassment 
     than the less personal "Southwest" botch, especially when "art" is 
     invoked for justifying the nude.  The fact that so many others react 
     this way, may mean that they too don't see the "art" in some, most or 
     maybe any nude studies.  I sympathize with them.  
     
     We all practice censorship, even the enlightened "artists."  Think 
     about it. :-(-:
     
     Allan         
     
            
     
     
     


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