When is art porn and when is it not?

Hay on Wye.
Tiny village up the road a ways from me. great spot to get into the river Wye with a canoe and head down to Hereford.
Also famous for the Hay literature festival and known unofficially as the second hand book sellers world capital.

Its a great little place honestly, if you are ever within a hundred miles Id say go visit.

I read today that a local art gallery had the cops called because someone complained about a painting...a pretty abstract looking thing to be honest, in the window.

Now, I'm struggling to understand the issue beyond that there are just some people who are never bloody happy and will complain about anything.

Short version is, the cops went round there and asked the gallery owner if she would move it to the back of the shop and she refused as she doesnt believe that this is porn and that art should not be censored like this.

Click the link below if you want to see what all the fuss is about.

linky dinky doo

Well....
Given the position of the "woman", I'm guessing she's on full "display"?
If so, yeah, don't really need to walk by that with the wee ones.
I mean its really low in the window... Maybe hang in from the top?
Or just move it back somewhat?

I don't think it would be porn.

I just wouldn't want questions I wasn't looking to answer from the little ones.

a reply to: SprocketUK

It depends on the individual. Is Playboy porn or is it tasteful art that appreciates the female body ?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

a reply to: SprocketUK

I see a naked woman with no arms in red cowboy boots.

Looks to be somewhat impressionist in style to my uncouth sky balls.

But porn?

What kind of crazy bastard is cracking one off to that?

originally posted by: chiefsmom
Well....
Given the position of the "woman", I'm guessing she's on full "display"?
If so, yeah, don't really need to walk by that with the wee ones.
I mean its really low in the window... Maybe hang in from the top?
Or just move it back somewhat?

I don't think it would be porn.

I just wouldn't want questions I wasn't looking to answer from the little ones.

Haha I get that, yeah, kids always know EXACTLY the question to ask dont they?

Anyhow, the spirit of the painting seems to be the artists wish to make people less shocked about the vulva

originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: SprocketUK

I see a naked woman with no arms in red cowboy boots.

Looks to be somewhat impressionist in style to my uncouth sky balls.

But porn?

What kind of crazy bastard is cracking one off to that?

I've been on the net long enough now to know that there is always someone crazier than you just imagined

a reply to: SprocketUK

I'm no prude (by a long shot), but that one might be pushing it a bit. Okay, it's art I guess, but it's definitely controversial art which probably does warrant some discretion with public display.

To your question, what is the boundary? Just my opinion, but the boundary lies at celebration of nature vs. exploitation of anatomical parts for the purposes of sensationalism. I certainly wouldn't call that "porn", but it definitely screams..."Hey, check THIS out!"...which probably isn't appropriate for all ages.

edit - Was the sign part of the artwork, and/or what was behind the sign? I don't want to see it, I'm just asking because that was the basis of my post above (that there is more which the sign was blocking).

a reply to: SprocketUK

Fair play.

But if that's what floats their boat.

It's kind of in the specialised category of sorts surely.

Along the lines of handicap boxing Helena porn.

I certainly would not wish to see the rest of their browser history.

originally posted by: andy06shake
But porn?

What kind of crazy bastard is cracking one off to that?

Would you say it is a little distasteful in the front window?

originally posted by: DAVID64
a reply to: SprocketUK

It depends on the individual. Is Playboy porn or is it tasteful art that appreciates the female body ?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I'd heard from a reliable source it was all about the articles

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

The sign was put there after as a response to the complaints.

a reply to: SprocketUK

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk

edit - Was the sign part of the artwork, and/or what was behind the sign? I don't want to see it, I'm just asking because that was the basis of my post above (that there is more which the sign was blocking).

I think when it comes to pictures of dick, pussy or asshole one is pushing some indecency law.


Every state has a bunch of these types of laws

Public lewdness: Exposing one's anus or genitals in a public place with recklessness about whether another person is present who will be offended or alarmed.

Oooh! (Clutches pearls and faints).....

a reply to: Xtrozero

Depends on who is walking past i suppose.

I suggest it's been placed there somewhat for shock value or to draw interest.

I quite like the painting all the same but i would not put it up in my front window.

Then again it's just a fan@y on display as far as i can establish.

Is that any worse than say MIchelangelo's David with his b@bby out there clear as day?

I personally would move it. It is visible to all who do and don't wish to se it. If I go into the store and I see the painting and I don't like it I can leave. Where it is now, I would have to change the rout I take which is a bit extream or just avoid looking at the store. I am unsure people have "fear" of female body parts. For me it is a bit uncomfortable to have a head sized VA jay-jay staring me in the face when I walk down the street. But that's just me. It is art but risqué art. Throughout history much art has been controversial in similar ways. They may not be as in your face as we see this piece, however, for the time period they were very naughty.

Is it pornography..... I would say it's a grey area... no joke intended. Maybe this could appease the people.... what if..... now hear me out... that a painting of a bikini bottom be on the woman until after nine pm. ( I read that's the time nudity is allowed on TV), when it can be removed. It could be on a leaver that is attached to a timer so it would happen automatically....

Idk. Compromises I guess.

When is art porn and when is it not?

It really depends on the viewing audience. Not the artist and not the displayer.

That would have to be an 'you have to at leaat come into the shop' one.

I thought it was a bad idea to expose any art to sunlight. That might be super valuable in a few hundred years but not if the Sun bleaches it out.

a reply to: SprocketUK

Here, it would definitely be rated "R", "Restricted" at the very least, and would not be allowed in a front window in public a mall, or street, like that.

They certainly could display it, like in a place like "Spencer's Gifts", but in the back of the store, maybe in a room behind a curtain or a door.

a reply to: Cre8chaos79

Bit Heath Robinson but I kind of like your thinking there.

Now that's a good point.... could be a reason they. Would to have the person remove it from the window....

Watch it start some sort of odd tic toc trend of tanning your business... I joke... I hope it will stay that way.