is porn art?

Answer 1

I think you answered the question yourself, porn is porn and it is not art. Artist who produce risque work such as Cindy Sherman, Araki Nobuyoshi, or Jeff Koons for that matter produce their work not with the intention of getting people off but with more intellectual motivations. As we are living in the post modern era let us begin by divorcing ourselves of the antiquated notion that good art is simply well arranged colors and shapes on a 2-d space. Good art or at least art in general these days takes the ordinary, the everyday actions,events and objects that we witness and observe in this world and and manifest the meaning of these things beyond its original meaning. Take for example the works of Araki Nobuyoshi whose images if they were to stand on their own as individuals may be regarded as pornography, but when viewed en-masse with the other photos in his series deconstructs our commonly held concepts of modern city life. In the same way that we view Michelangelo's David as being art and not just some naked man as its meaning is greater than the object itself, so too can we judge the works of Araki. On the other hand porn does not challenge ones mind with such intellectual concepts, when one observes a photo in Hustler a persons mind is not transcended beyond the image of the naked woman herself, it was not the intention of the photographer, and its not the desired result of the viewer. As to where erotic art fits in with our modern notions of art, well let me say that for the most part erotic art seems to hold on to a lot of antiquated notions of what art used to be nicely arranged colors, or shapes, placement in space etc. However, I wouldn't say that erotic art is closer to porn than to art but closer to say nude studies in painting.
Good art is often times controversial and does not lend itself well to someone who has a lot of preconceived notions, open your mind, study art a bit, and dont feel that you have to accept everything, art is meant to be questioned, and to be discussed just as you have done.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Good question but the real question is what is art? Is it subjective? I would have to answer your question by saying that some art can be pornographic and some pornography can be artistic. There is no black and white. It is all shades of gray. Personally I don't think I'd like pornographic art but I do think I would like artistic pornography but I have never seen it. I have only seen disturbing images that I feel have left me feeling scarred psychically. In between is what is called erotica or erotic art which differs from pornography in that it is softer, more romantic and much less brutal on the senses. It can include the written word as well as visual images. Is it really art? Some of it really is. There are beautiful paintings with erotic themes, drawings, poetry, etcetera. These are arts. And where do you find erotica? With pornography.

Answer 4

Even though I don't see the "artistic-ness" of nudity at all, I will say that I can (almost) see how others would. I can understand that someone else might actually see creativity and 'art' in adult nudity. HOEVER... I do not think a picture of a naked CHILD can be anything other than disgusting if it is published for the world to see. I, too, have many naked pictures of my five children in the bathtub, laying on the changing table, playing in the kiddie pool in the backyard... but I would never publish them. How can a parent justify making a decision for their six year old child that concerns something so serious. It doesn't seem fair to me that this child has to grow up and know that her parents were okay with letting everyone in the world see her naked body. I parsonally would wonder how many pedophiles found the picture arousing...makes my stomach turn.

Answer 5

No.
Art is about trying to teach the audience something. Whether it be how you feel, what you know, persuade them on a topic, or even just to show aesthetic beauty.
The goal of porn is to sell to the audience. Porn is more so just a product that you can buy.

Answer 6

It's absolutely art. But it's usually the worst art. No real thought or craft put into it.

A lot of what we watch today in movies would have been considered pornographic by the old standards. Stuff that wins academy awards today.

Answer 7

Nudes are art when they are done with that intention and style. Porn is sex in a image. Sometimes the line gets fuzzy, but usually one can tell just by looking at the photo.

Answer 8

Nudes of people in a tasteful format and lighting is art. Porn by its very definition is not art.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, the government of this US of A spends Millions of dollars supporting "Porn" every year.

It's sick but if you take the time to check out all the PORK thrown on each bill that is passed you would see some of this "fine art" funding.

Is it Art ? Depends on who you ask. Ask me, no figgin' way !

Answer 10

Well the pictures themselves are , but when you call it porn, it longer is. Meaning to say, a picture of a naked body is a piece of art, but perverts with perverted minds have perverted thinking, thus they define it as porn. As a result, the beautiful piece of art is no longer art but disgusting immoral porn.

Answer 11

Well, according to the legal definition of pornography (or obscenity), I think not.

But at a basic level, I would say yes. If you are filming, drawing, or photographing something happening (in this case people having sex), then I argue it is art in a sense. After all, photography, drawing, and film are all arts, are they not?

Love, Jack.