Who Likes Fine Art Nudes? (choice, sexuality)

[eudaimonia]

The human form is one of the most beautiful there is. It captures a sense of "wholeness" in a way that little else does. I'm a big fan of human-centric art in general.


eudaimonia,

M.

[PureX]

We are automatically drawn to certain shapes and colors because we are human animals. Artists often use this natural attraction to certain forms and colors and relationships in their artworks.

I'm not especially impressed with artists that only collect and present these kinds of naturally attractive images, because I think it's a bit of an easy "trick" with the only end result being to titillate the viewer. It's not that I object to being titillated, it's just that I expect more from a work of art, and from the art endeavor then that.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by standing_alone

Sunstone,

I have taken a look at the photographs you have just sent me. How anyone could mistake that for pornography escapes me...

I noted the light and shadow and how it accented the curves and shape of the body.

The picture of the lone nude caught my eye the most - the way the shadow and light contrasted drastically, "black," "white," very little "gray." I was particularly drawn to the arm, where the "border" of the light and shadow accented the shape of the arm. That is what struck me the most in that picture, though the entire use of light and shadow was enthralling. The picture of the two nudes was also captivating, though not as much as the one of the lone nude, at least to me. Again, the use of light and shadow to accent the human form. The posing of the two bodies also seemed to make them compliment the features of one another, in a way. Also, the use of this light and shadow also required the mind to work more on making out the human form, it wasn't just all there, exposed for all to see. It certainly makes you view the human form in a new light. These pictures were very pleasing to the eyes and the mind, seeing the naked human body not used to evoke sexual urges, but instead to show the beauty of the human body in its natural form.

Thanks for sharing these photographs with me.

You're welcome! As your Trusty Uncle, O Rainbow Neice, I'm swelling with pride you got so much out of them so quickly. You must have a real eye for art! But I've seen that in you before, so it shouldn't surprise me too much.

It interests me that the lone nude caught both our eyes the same way: The line of the arm is truly dramatic and fascinating.

It also interests me that you and I both find this type of art relaxing. Sometimes, looking at nudes, I've felt I was almost in a meditative state.

In case anyone wishes to get a feel for the differences between fine art nudes, erotica, and pornography, here are some links. Please note well, however, that in the US you must be 18 or over to legally view these sites! Consult your local laws before clicking on the links:

For some excellent fine art nudes and perhaps a few examples of borderline erotica/fine art, a good site is dennis keim's. He's an artist out of Huntsville Alabama. His link is:

http://www.dk-studio.com/fineart/entrance.html

You must scroll down to the bottom of the page to enter the gallery.

For some popular erotica, Eolake Stobblehouse has a site that Standing Alone and I have referred to in this thread. Eolake is out of the Nederlands. Please be forewarned: This link will immediately bring up erotic nude photos:

http://domai.com/news/2006/05may-26/index.html

For porn, google porn and go to just about any site you find.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by PureX

We are automatically drawn to certain shapes and colors because we are human animals. Artists often use this natural attraction to certain forms and colors and relationships in their artworks.

I'm not especially impressed with artists that only collect and present these kinds of naturally attractive images, because I think it's a bit of an easy "trick" with the only end result being to titillate the viewer. It's not that I object to being titillated, it's just that I expect more from a work of art, and from the art endeavor then that.

I largely agree with your remarks as regards porn. What art there is in it doesn't usually impress me. I think your remarks might sometimes apply to erotica too.

The odd thing about fine art nudes is that they typically don't titillate. I suspect that some of them at least are designed as exercises of some sort to train our eyes to notice beauty. Or, at least, whether they are designed for that or not, they can be used that way.

[standing_alone]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I'm swelling with pride you got so much out of them so quickly. You must have a real eye for art! But I've seen that in you before, so it shouldn't surprise me too much.

Thank you so much. I figured I probably would completely miss out. An eye for art? I never really thought so, but maybe on certain art forms though...

Originally Posted by Sunstone

It interests me that the lone nude caught both our eyes the same way: The line of the arm is truly dramatic and fascinating.

It is such an abrupt change from light to shadow it just brings focus to it. After the arm, the spot of light on - would it be the outer thigh? caught my attention. Also, as the line of shadow and light extends up the arm and on to the back, at the shoulder, is also another spot that draws me in - the curve of light and shadow near the shoulder blade. It's amazing how light and shadow alone can accent form and possibly make you see more of the form (or admire it more, or appreciate it more) than you would of if it was just a color photograph.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

It also interests me that you and I both find this type of art relaxing. Sometimes, looking at nudes, I've felt I was almost in a meditative state.

Well, the pictures just sort of draw one in to the beauty. The light and shadow, at least for me, caused me to follow the lines where the light and shadow bordered, observing the accent of the curves and the overall form. I also think that since these photographs are in black and white, it makes them more relaxing, since there is not the "harshness" of color.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

For porn, google porn and go to just about any site you find.

That's about the easiest way to go about that.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

So, I think the error of confusing fine art with porn can be easily overcome ...

Much more easily, in fact, than the error of confusing the appreciation of fine art with voyerism. I suspect that many who readily come to the defense of art nudes are far more appreciative of nudes of the opposite sex. I have no issue with this until we start calling it art appreciation.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I largely agree with your remarks as regards porn. What art there is in it doesn't usually impress me. I think your remarks might sometimes apply to erotica too.

The odd thing about fine art nudes is that they typically don't titillate. I suspect that some of them at least are designed as exercises of some sort to train our eyes to notice beauty. Or, at least, whether they are designed for that or not, they can be used that way.

Not all "titillation" is of a sexual nature. For example, we're also similarly titillated by scale changes, and by expressions of obsessive human activity, and by bizarre juxtapositions. Think of Rauchenberg's large outdoor sculptures of common utilitarian objects (garden spades, electrical outlets, etc.) or the many miniature vignettes we see in museums, or Dali's surrealist paintings and jewelry. The truth is that it's fairly easy to fascinate people with such simple tricks. Don't get me wrong; I also enjoy seeing these "tricks" as they're naturally fascinating to we humans, and I'm a human, too. But as works of art I put them in a category of lesser artistic value - sort of like representational drawing and painting, or craft-works.