| | Joy,
Actually, it was quite difficult to come up with differences between art and pornography, so of course, first I attempted to define each. I used the definition that you mentioned in one of your postings for pornography. I chose to look at art , good art, with respect to the sense of life or art projecting what man strives for and in regards to the body and sex, I identified this as the human form without flaws, and sex depicting through sculpture, painting, or writing, as both partners reaching orgasm.
One of the major differences of course is that pornography within film and magazines is not really done with the idea of using a specific style for a "selective" represention of the reality of sex or the human form, porn takes the reality and simply shows it to you, exactly as it is. True, within in magazines one can find the models who have the digital work done on them to erase imperfections, still it lacks the idea of attempting to re-create reality with a sense of life or moral ideal. Porn is used for sexual arousal and it does this quite efficiently in most circumstances.
Art however, is an artist taking the human form and showing them in a pose of what the artist sees for the human condition, not simply the body but the mind as well, although some artists are more likely to use the word soul. While looking at a statue may be arousing, this is not the main purpose of the statue itself. Artistic drawings and paintings such as those in the Kama Sutra, while they can be arousing to look upon the positions, they were again not created necessarily to cause arousal but to give a visual guide to what the Kama Sutra explains. It is more stylistic than that of a photograph of a man's penis in a woman's vagina, (or a man's cock in a woman's pussy, as may be more appropriate terminology when talking within the realms of pornography.) The Kama Sutra does attempt to show partners different ways to share pleasure through different positions, taking into consideration both a man and woman's pleasure.
When it comes to erotica I had a very difficult time trying to differentiate erotica written for porn from sexual scenes in books which would be considered art. There is some excellent writers of erotica which has both partners fully engaged in each other and can explain the sexual aspects very bluntly and beautifully at the same time. I would have to agree with Matt on the point that with erotica it is more the context which can take it from being merely two strangers hooking up at a bar and then going at it, which is what I would consider more porn for sexual arousal, to a situation between lovers and showing the relationship which exists and how they interact within the course of their sexual experiences that can perhaps move it into the artistic range. However, keeping in mind the basic style and ideal of the writer at the same time.
However, I enjoy both, and write erotica in both ways. Although, I do prefer when there is more context given for the relationship.
So basically, the difference between them is that porn is a replica of reality, while art when it comes to the human form and sex should be a re-creation of reality with a definite style chosen by the artist, and hopefully with an ideal of perfection and pleasure for both sexes.
I wouldn't mind feedback on the subject.
Jen
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