17 Oct 2007

Erotic art traces history of sex

One the exhibitions, erm, exhibits.

There is, in fact, extraordinary little literature out there that traces the history of pornography or, more specifically, the history of sex. Which is why exhibitions like these are probably a lot more important than they should be.

The problem that anybody looking to trace the history of these subjects faces is the fact that few historians worth their salt are likely to dirty their hands in the mucky world of tracing the origins of porn and sex.

They're much happier researching stuff like the Tudor era or the history of boats. Or something like that. And it's frustrating for someone like me who is interested in the history of these topics but can't be bothered doing the deeper research himself.

I do feel inclined to pop along to this exhibition, I must say. It's unusual for something like this to come along to London - this type of thing is usually reserved for more sexually liberated cities and indeed countries.

I do have a couple of quibbles with it though. The claim that there is a very notable line between where porn stops and art starts is complete nonsense as far as I'm concerned. Pornography IS an artform.

You only have to look at some of the beautiful photography on some of the European photography and high art sites like MPL Studios and Ray Spade's Vintage Amateurs to see this claim is bogus.

Maybe I shouldn't go to this exhibition. I'll probably only end up arguing with an exhibitor!

Posted by Steve 15:27:00