When Is Nudity Art or Porn

Michelangelo Adam & Eve, the Fall

From all of history to date, the human body has been one of the principal subjects in any art form.  Ergo, to portray the nakedness of the human body expressed in an art medium does not necessarily mean it is pornography.  After all, weren't we all born naked?  Do you feel anything pornographic about that?  
I personally have yet to hear an Art Curator or Museum Tour Guide in the hallways of any Museum of Art to explain the paintings of Gauguin, Rembrandt, Vecellio or Reni as pornographic material.  And all these masters depicted nudity in their art.  When did the depiction of nakedness move into the state of obscenity and moral ineptitude?

Rembrandt (Bathsheba)

Where do you draw the line between art and pornography or porn?  PORN after all is defined as the representation or portrayal of explicit sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual excitement or stimulation and erotic satisfaction.

If that is the case, what makes a 21st century black and white photograph of a woman depicted in silhouettes of lights and shadows a form of porn?  Why would people classify the work of  Rene' de Haan, John Carmichael or even Christopher John Ball as erotic and porn?  Is it because the medium has progressed to photography from oil and canvas?

I am not totally getting the argument.  Who started this anal and morally upright revolution to label an expression of art as explicit sexual material?  I don't remember my parents telling me that I should not look at  Michelangelo's David because this might stir certain sexual feelings in me when I saw it and I was 8 years old.  Is it because of technology and the internet?  Is it because some wise guy in Wikipedia illustrated pornography as: (I quote) 

Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting,animation, sound recording, film, video, or video game. However, when sexual acts are performed for a live audience, by definition, it is not pornography, as the term applies to the depiction of the act, rather than the act itself. Thus, portrayals such as sex shows and striptease are not classified as pornography.

Carmichael - Nude Art

Un-freaking-believable!  Go watch a live Sex Act, its not really porn, because it is not a "depiction", it is totally real!!!  

I find it absolutely ironic, all this fuss about exposing the children to nudity and sexual materials.  Is it the child's fault if the internet access liberally welcomes him into gazillions of information that crosses from art to porn, particularly in these times when we, (categorized as mature adults),  have become so warped and pretentious because of the conflicting signals society, the government and even the Church gives us?  We can't even tell the difference.

I just want to get real here.  Nakedness is not an abomination.  It is not supposed to defy any principle of nature.  To create an environment where a child flinches at his naked body is more criminal to me than to educate him about being comfortable in his skin.  Clothing your nakedness is a societal norm, and we comply.  Photographs of half-naked women breastfeeding their children in some third world country does not make it porn.  Does it?

Rene De Haan - Nude B&W

The depiction of the beauty of the female anatomy in a painting, a book, or a photograph, or in any other media of art, is not porn.  I would like to believe that the woman's anatomy is naturally designed with the curves, not just for aesthetic reasons, and if it is captured in art, how can I consider that an explicit come-on?  And just because during the Renaissance, the acceptable woman form was Reuben-esque, does not make the 21st century woman who is toned and shapely, photographed or sketched, to be any less art.

Listen, if you have children and kids, and parenting on art, sex, nudity and porn, is a challenge; perhaps you need to go work on your own mindset first.  If you are not a parent yet, go deal with your own fixations, before even thinking of becoming a parent.  If you can't even be honest and coherent with how you think and feel about all these concepts, what gives you the moral ascendancy to educate and explain these gray areas to the children?  

The line between art and porn is both unintelligible and questionable.  I prefer to trust my own belief and value systems that I attribute to my upbringing, education and experience.  Whilst what I embrace may not be perfect or right for everyone, I just know that there are very few certainties in life besides death and taxes.  I was born naked.  And so was everybody else.  Nudity, porn, and all of these will never go away.  I might as well learn to deal with their realities.  To begin with, it is appreciation of ART that distinguishes man from animals; who gave the right to anyone to eliminate that distinction?

I have always been biased to Impressionism.  And I leave you with quotes from two famous painters of this art movement.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas, After the bath

Rene de Haan, Portfolio

  "To see we must forget the name of the thing we are looking at." Claude Monet

Claude Monet, Reclining Nude

C.J. Ball, Reclining Nude

 

Wake-Up Call

12 March 2011


I do not usually post my personal rants and ramblings on this Blog.  But today is different. Today I am really having black coffee culled straight from the lava of Krakatoa, East of Java.


I seriously just want to know what field of science educates man about immortality?  
What University, Ivy League or otherwise, teaches their studentry that the world revolves around their deflated, infantile egos and the entire universe will suspend gravitational force because some people just have so much shit going in their lives it means so much to all the life forces in the milky way?
Do people really think that if you are of a different race, education, economic status, live in a different continent, drink a different blend of coffee; would make them immune from DEATH? 
Do you really believe that when lava flows from a volcano, or when a tsunami wave that is approximately 1720 feet or 524 meters will pause and ask you if you know the derivation of pi? Or if you are tech-savvy?
Will a natural calamity or disaster, like an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude,  stop in its wake to ask to if you are feeling bright and sunny today because it intends to seriously break your entire state into tiny shards while it tectonically rattles you to depths of distress you have never experienced in your life?
Will death itself not choose you today because you are having a "bad hair" day;  severely PMS-ing; still need to go for your weekly spa treatment; just bought your new PS 3 game and still need to work it out; lost the last tennis game on Wii with a buddy and the rematch is scheduled next week; a book you have been procrastinating on finishing still needs to be read; and unfortunately, the last time you went to the ATM to buy those adorable Louboutin shoes it was freaking off-line and you have been agonizing if some "fugly" woman has bought it instead?
Has humanity completely lost its humane-ness in this mean and cruel world because of our obsession on individuality, our own uniqueness, self-preservation and materialism? 

Death is not the greatest loss in life.

The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.-Norman Cousins

 I woke up today, alive. I woke up with a feeling of dread and a stark realization that my life whilst it means so much to me and my loved ones, is but a minuscule speck in the realm of the overall universe.  I realized with a bitter taste in my mouth, my own mortality, the temporariness of everything around me; my vulnerability and incapacity to look at what I already have in the here and now, my raison d'etre. All my earthly trappings, my pettiness, what I believe are my prized possessions and achievements, my talents, my gifts, all of it, do they make up what I am, and who I am?

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished:
If you're alive, it isn't.
-Richard Bach

Ambivalent as it may seem, I woke up today feeling grateful and sad.

My Paintings - Lilies (Flora Series)

14 February 2011

Lilies.

Simple flowers, yet stately and elegant.  

Unpretentious, pure, delicate; signifying devotion.

Can mean beginnings, and even endings;  never transitions.

Passive and  devoid of passion.  Albeit enduring.

The Lily is a Mayflower.  

Muses of dewy, springtime days.

Bouquet of hopes and promises,

Like a nightingale's song of wishes.

Tiger Lily

"And the wand-like lily which lifted up, As a Maenad, its moonlight-coloured cup,

Till the fiery star, which is its eye, Gazed through clear dew on the tender sky."

 -  Percy Bysshe Shelley

Lilies

How Many Things Have I Lived Through?

11 February 2011

I saw this Quiz and I just couldn't help myself.  Sue me.  I suppose this would help me, know me more.  (smiles)  Just thought I'd share.

How Many Things Have You Lived Through?

I have read a lot of books.

I have been on some sort of varsity team.

I have run more than 2 miles without stopping.

I have been to Canada.

I have been to Europe.

I have watched cartoons for hours.

I have tripped UP the stairs.

I have fallen down an entire flight of stairs.

I have been snowboarding/skiing.

I have played ping pong.

I swam in the ocean.

I have been on a whale watch.

I have seen fireworks.

I have seen a shooting star.

I have seen a meteor shower.

I have almost drowned.

I have been so embarrassed I wanted to disappear.

I have listened to one CD over & over & over again.

I have had stitches.

I have had frostbite.

I have licked a frozen pole and got stuck there.

I have stayed up til 2 doing homework/projects.

I currently have a job.

I have been ice skating.

I have been rollerblading

I have fallen flat on my face.

I have tripped over my own two feet.

I have been in a fist fight.

I have played videogames for more than 3 hours straight.

I have watched the power rangers.

I attend Church regularly.

I have played truth or dare.

I have already had my 16th birthday.

I have already had my 17th birthday.

I've called someone stupid.

I've been in a verbal argument.

I've cried in school.

I've played basketball on a team.

I've played baseball on a team.

I've played football on a team.

I've played soccer on a team.

I've done cheerleading on a team.

I've played softball on a team.

I've played volleyball on a team.

I've played tennis on a team.

I've been on a track or cross country team.

I've been swimming more than 20 times in my life.

I've bungee jumped.

I've climbed a rock wall.

I've lost more than $20.

I've called myself an idiot.

I've called someone else an idiot.

I've cried myself to sleep.

I've had (or have) pets.

I've owned a spice girls CD.

I've owned a britney spears CD.

I've owned an N*Sync CD.

I've owned a backstreet boys CD.

I've mooned someone.

I have sworn at someone of authority before.

I've been in the newspaper.

I've been on TV.

I've been to Hawaii.

I've eaten sushi.

I've been on the other side of a waterfall.

I've watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies.

I've watched all the Harry Potter movies.

I've watched all of the Rocky movies.

I've watched the 3 stooges.

I've watched "Newlyweds" Nick & Jessica.

I've watched Looney Tunes.

I've been stuffed into a locker/I have stuffed others into lockers.

I've been called a geek.

I've studied hard for a test and got a bad grade.

I've not studied at all for a test and aced it.

I've hugged my mom within the past 24 hrs.

I've hugged my dad within the past 24 hours.

I've met a celebrity/music artist.

I've written poetry.

I've been arrested.

I've been attracted to someone much older than me.

I've been tickled till I've cried.

I've tickled someone else until they cried.

I've had/have siblings.

I've been to a rock concert.

I've listened to classical music and enjoyed it.

I've been in a play.

I've been picked last in gym class.

I've been picked first in gym class.

I've been picked in that middle-range in gym class.

I've cried in front of my friends.

I've read a book longer than 1,000 pages.

I've played Halo 2.

I've freaked out over a sports game.

I've been to Alaska.

I've been to China.

I've been to Spain.

I've been to Japan.

I've had a fight with someone on AIM.

I've had a fight with someone face-to-face.

I've had serious conversations using IM.

I've forgiven someone who has done something wrong to me.

I've been forgiven.

I've screamed at a scary movie.

I've cried at a chick flick.

I've watched a lot of action movies.

I've screamed at the top of my lungs.

I've been to a rap concert.

I've been to a hip hop concert.

I've lived in more than 2 houses.

I've driven on the highway/been on the highway.

I've driven more than 400 miles in a day/been in a car that went more than 400 miles in a day.

I've been in a car accident.

I've done drugs.

I've been homesick.

I've thrown up.

I've puked on someone.

I've been horseback riding.

I've filled out more than 10 myspace surveys.

I've spoken my mind in public.

I've proved someone wrong.

I've been proven wrong by someone.

I've broken a leg.

I've broken an arm.

I've fallen off a swing.

I've swung on a swing for more than 30 mins straight.

I've watched Winnie the Pooh movies.

I've forgotten my backpack when I've gone to school.

I've lost my backpack.

I've come close to dying.

I've seen someone die.

I've known someone who has died.

I've wanted to be an actor/actress at some point.

I've done modeling.

I've forgotten to brush my teeth some mornings.

I've taken something/someone for granted.

I've realized how good my life is.

I've counted my blessings.

I've made fun of a classmate.

I've been asked out by someone and I said no.

I've slapped someone in the face.

I've been skateboarding.

I've been backstabbed by someone I thought was a friend.

I've lied to someone to their face.

I've told a little white lie.

I've taken a day off from school just so I don't go insane.

I've fainted.

I've had an argument with someone about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.

I've pushed someone into a pool.

I've been pushed into a pool.

I've been/are in love.

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My Paintings - The Road

10 February 2011

The Road

I did say at some point I will post my little artwork.


This is one of my favorites.  I called it THE ROAD.  My medium is watercolor generally and this one I mixed a little bit of acrylic in the finishing.


I chose a quote from one of my favorite authors to cap this painting:

Ayn Rand

Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.

Amore ... Love

9 February 2011

We all want to fall in love. Why? Because that experience makes us feel completely alive. Where every sense is heightened, every emotion is magnified, our everyday reality is shattered and we are flying into the heavens. It may only last a moment, an hour, an afternoon. But that doesnt diminish its value. Because we are left with memories that we treasure for the rest of our lives.

I just recently made a Blog Post on why I don't buy into the Valentine Hoop-la.  But one thing is sure and I just need to be honest about it, I am a hopeless romantic.  
My take on LOVE  is more than just a greeting card, or a dozen roses, ( I prefer Tulips as a matter of fact), or a box of chocolates that I don't really expect to get on one particular day in February.  


Should I get any of the above on a random day, say in September ... that would mean so much more.


Ahh .. but to talk about AMORE.  


It is like trying to describe the feeling of riding your first bike; seeing a falling star; Christmas Morning; your first kiss with your childhood crush; first paycheck; walking along the vineyards during summer in the South of France; crawling through the final steps of the Great Wall; your child sleeping on your chest;  a snowflake on your tongue; your first puppy's little yelp when he sees you; your kitten purring when you hug her; watching the sun set at Manila Bay; playing with your friends in the rain during a summer break ... I can go on and on, but I would not have come close to what it is that love stirs in our souls that we honestly crave for it however the multiple pieces of broken shards our hearts have become.  

Love is like watching a miracle unfold before your eyes.  Love after all holds so much breadth and depth that its true meaning if put into words is virtually impossible, if not, feeble and wanting.  


I was hoping to be able to write about what LOVE is.  I tried. 


Here's COLLIDE.  For all of the world's romantics like I am.

Why My BFFs Are Gay

7 February 2011

Well, why not?

For the few people who really know me, I go by the pet name of "gay magnet".  I grew up as an army brat who enjoys the company of gay men.  Such irony.  I was practically brought up in a male-macho dominated family.  Call it some kind of compensatory complex, but I have more straight men friends and gay friends, than girl friends.

Oh don't get me wrong, I do have girlfriends I will die for and they will likely do the same for me.  But my friendships with my gay BFFs are just a little notch higher in terms of fun, color and even depth.

Honestly, I am surprised why some straight men and straight women don't get it.   My gay best friends are completely eccentric and absolutely lovable.  They generally ramp-walk better; sashay their hips better and even "project" their camera-ready poses loads better than I do, but who gives a s--t?  I would never, ever trade them off.

Here's why:

1. They are fiercely loyal.  Oh hell, they are!!!  If you become a true friend, enemies, BEWARE!  They will claw, spook, and bash my enemies, without my even asking them to.  They can severely damage anyone that crosses me as this translates to crossing them. Its scary sometimes because “hell hath known no fury like a gay scorned.
2. They are honest and direct, and are they direct to the core!  If I want honest feedback on a new 'do or a new wardrobe I bought, and I really need to know the truth, I ask them.  Sometimes the feedback hurls me like a straight punch to my gut, but since I asked, they bring it!  And I need that.  I am often guilty of thinking that if other women can pull that trick or two in a wardrobe or a look, I surely can.  My gay friends bring me back to earth in a manner that if done by a girlfriend, I would have bitch-slapped her to death.

3.  They love to listen to your sob stories.  They are always patient with your quirky-ness and accepting of your weaknesses. They will never judge your stupidity if you fall for the same Mr. Wrong again and again.  Why should they?  Misery loves gay company!  They completely understand it.  You can cry all you want and they patiently wait for you to finish despite your incoherence and smeared make-up.  That’s part and parcel of their endearing quality.  They too, need to be listened to if it’s their turn to sob.

4.  They just know how to cure the blues.  If you’re having a really bad hair day when everything seems to be falling down at the pits, just call your gay BFF.  I fondly call them my 24/7 “uppers”.  At any time of the day you feel like hitting the clubs and having some fun or just need to drown your blues away with good ol’ Jack, they will come running to party with you.  They wouldn’t miss this for their life.  A party will always be a party and any good news or depressing news, is a good reason to party.

·     5.  They make perfect bodyguards, when the need arises.  Perhaps because my gay BFFs are more metro-sexual in their overall look and lifestyle, they are totally buffed and gifted with perfect abs and butts.  All those hours in the gym, (which for them is a lovely place to meet new “prospects”) pay off.  The 21^st century gay is not your traditional, old school “screaming faggot”, as they used to be referred to.  Ah-ah, they definitely aren't those types.  They walk the corporate corridors like I do and they can look straight as a baseball bat if needed.  Since by genetics their chromosomes are still XY, they got your back when they smell a jackass a mile away. 

6.  They’re strongly driven!  They inspire me with their talent, determination and creativity.  If you think it’s tough for women to survive the corporate warfare, it’s a lot tougher to the homosexuals who have decided to be true to themselves and come out of the closet.  It is not easy and they are more often than not, scoffed at, ridiculed, and even insulted to their faces.  They are no different from what any straight man or woman go through, except that they get their share of humiliation twice as much as we all do.  And I  hold the highest respects for those who tread on and succeed.  Getting there, if you're gay, is definitely not an easy ride. 

7.  Last Minute Date.  I just have to add this.  Need a dancing partner?  An open and date-less weekend night?  A formal ball and your boyfriend or husband is too lazy to get all jazzed-up in formal garb?  Attending a  wedding? Craving to watch a chick-flick?  Need a trophy boyfriend to let other girlfriends drool?  Guess who I call?

 Those “haters” and homophobes out there and those bigoted cults that look down, “bully” and harass the members of Steve (note:  Adam, Eve and Steve), just don’t know any better.  They are probably either threatened by their own sexuality or closet “queens’ that still need to gather enough guts to reclaim their queen-ness.

I am so proud of my gay BFFs, they rock my life, they make me feel 100% woman and above all, they give me an entirely new blueprint to the phrase, “It’s A Gay World”! 

Its a Manic Monday.  I'm going to have to call them.  I need a week upper.  Rock on, sisters!