Art/Photography General Question

9 years 3 days ago #437115 by dpgoble
I am working on a paper for a college composition class. The topic for this paper is art vs. pornography, for my paper I am focusing on photography rather than art in general. I really need some great feedback on this and thought no better place to go than to my peers on this forum. The professor showed several sally mann images in class. She photographs nude images of her young children generally out in nature. The question is where is the line between what is pornography and what is art. Personally I believe that the topic is subjective based on the intent of the artist. If the artist intends for the viewers to merely see the beauty of the human body then it is not pornography. However if the artist intends for the viewer to become aroused or sexualize the subject then it is pornography. Personally I have a problem with labeling people who produce pornography as artists, however I believe that we are all artists, and art is merely the use or misuse of the elements and principles of design to convey any feeling. This definition unfortunately would have to include pornography as it does convey a sexual feeling.

I welcome all discussion, I really need some great feedback and would love to get some different opinions on the topic!


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9 years 3 days ago #437117 by Hassner
This makes me think of the topic, where does sensual end and sexual take over. It all depends on personal boundaries.
Robert Mapplethorpe jumps to mind. Goal posts shifted since the start of the internet. His work was very sexual when it was first exhibited. It was banned in many places.

So even time changes peoples outlook.

I like your viewpoint of the creator's intent, but what if we find a batch of negatives today, find out the photographer passed on, only his name is known, not intent. Who classifies it then? A panel of learned people, curators, etc? Then we go back to that age old debate of "what is art".

I am glad I am not you.


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9 years 3 days ago #437142 by KCook
Art is implied, porn is explicit.

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
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9 years 2 days ago #437210 by Alan Nunez
I think it comes down to intent and context.


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9 years 2 days ago #437228 by garyrhook
The OP mentions "artist" and it's difficult to ignore the fact that there have been plenty of non-photographers throughout history that intended to evoke a response that you might characterize as sexual. So I think your premise ("... artist intends for the viewer to become aroused or sexualize the subject ...") is flawed. You can't eliminate date to fit your preconceptions.

I also don't see any point in singling out photography. It's a medium; so what? It's irrelevant to the question you are attempting to address.

I think Kelly summed it up pretty well. If, however, you spend some time in your paper discussing the issues raised here, and exploring various facets, then you might have something interesting. But that's just me.


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