art porn.
I used to write under my whore name for a short-lived collective of high-priced courtesans and among my notes was a blurb on etymology, specifically my dorklust for the history and transformation of words. That short post on etymology resulted in many gifts from clients, mostly old etymological dictionaries. It’s appropriate that I’ve just made use of those gifts to look up ‘pornography,’ a word rooted in prostitution.
Pornography
1857, “description of prostitutes,” from Fr. pornographie, from Gk. pornographos “(one) writing of prostitutes,” from porne “prostitute,” originally “bought, purchased” (with an original notion, probably of “female slave sold for prostitution;” related to pernanai “to sell,” from PIE root per- “to traffic in, to sell,” cf. L. pretium “price”) + graphein “to write.”
That is to say, in the beginning, which was not very long ago, the term ‘pornography’ referred to written (-graph) descriptions of prostitution (porno-) and all the dirty dirty acts that prostitution entails (the sucking of cock, the fucking of ass). Since I’m here, I should mention that the term and concept of pornography is a nineteenth-century invention, though what we now call pornographic is as old as sex itself.
Eventually ‘pornography’ came to refer to salacious written and visual material, or, if we follow the legal definition in obscenity statutes, pornography is devoid of artistic value and serves only to stimulate us sexually. Unfortunately, for some of us, it’s the artistic value that makes us wet.
Or hard.
The other day, after we’d hauled through our last day at the hotel, our photographer and friend turned to us and said, “So, how does it feel to be a pornographer?”
He was referring to the fact that we’d just made some dirty, pretty pictures, including a set in a room where Helmut Newton once lived, on a desk where he once worked, modeled here by Kasia:
My response was that it felt good.
*
Kasia and I met virtually, at first. This was a long time ago, years even, and since then we’ve come to spend a fair bit of time together with a shared interest in sexuality. We both have a background in the visual arts, we’ve both traveled extensively (maybe compulsively), we’ve both tested our sexual limits over the course of our lives. And we both have a strong desire to see something better than porn. She calls it postmodern porn. I call it art porn. Maybe it’s post-porn. We just know sex deserves something better.
We started working on a website in the abstract back then, and after several false starts with different designers, we’re finally at a point where we can actually conceive of a launch. We’re not ready yet – we’re still testing for bugs – but we will be. And I’ve been waiting a long, long time to be able to say that much.
While we’re still figuring all of this out, we know what we like and we also know that there’s so much that hasn’t been explored yet, and that’s what’s exciting. Our interest was in creating a space for expression that’s too explicit for mainstream media channels and too experimental/creative/beautiful/challenging for the adult industry. Our thinking was that if we built a space for it, then maybe we’d see more inspiring sexual content in the future, the sort of content that turns us on, makes us think, and leaves an indelible impression. Or to use Kasia’s words, “to house a space that gives permission. To publish kinky shit, beautiful cunts, dirty thoughts and unspeakable fantasies.”
(So if you have something that might interest us, please get in touch. Photo, video, audio, text, illustration all interest us. And we’re always looking for models.)
This is a long-winded introduction to an introduction. Or maybe just a long, decompressive post after our trip to LA. My mind’s still going and I’m flipping through some gorgeous photos of some beautiful naked skin, and that leaves me prone to rambling.
(You’re right, London Chick. It’s FGT. You’ve got a fantastic memory.)
I want to say that despite all the pornography, media stuff on tv and magazines… people are still ashamed of sex and sex-type things. It sounds to me, (maybe I’m assuming a little) that you are trying to unprogram that in people’s minds. I think that’s exactly what the sex industry should be doing instead of just making a buck by throwing images at us that we know our parents never wanted us to see. You know? Really. It seems that the sex industry does not put effort into making us free, which is hard, it makes sex easy. To me that’s not the point. The point is making sex not forbidden and exciting, which is harder than it sounds. It sounds like that’s what you want to do. More power. I would suggest a lot of dominating with handcuffs, tie-ups, hanging off the edge of cliffs, forcing into uncomfortable positions… I think everyone wants to be controlled at least to some degree, and I think people like what they fear and want to see what they fear on film which is why there are horror and thriller movies. I know I like it. I know I’ve had sexual fantasies where exactly what I didn’t want happened… it’s like my mind doesn’t know where to draw the line. There are lines in people’s minds infinately about sex. But the porn industry doesn’t work on those lines. It hides them and draws new ones. Do you know what I’m saying? There has to be a way to help people be more free with sex. I’ll tell you one thing- girls have it better than guys do when it comes to that. And it’s because girls torture guys. They can be whatever they want, if they don’t mind being called a slut- and guys can’t, at least not in front of girls- they can’t express themselves, the girls won’t put up with it. I suppose the brave ones can, but girls learn to be free better when it comes to expressing. Probably because they want to catch up. They’re jealous of us guys because we already have it figured out. Okay, that was kind of sexist. It’s hard to deal with girls when you’re a guy. You can never know what to expect and girls don’t care. Okay. Hope I helped.
I’m excited! ;)
If that photo is a start, I love what you’re on to. Here I thought it was all about how I’m living under a rock. Good wishes,
Wrenna
D hon, if the holding page is anything to go by it’s going to be exquisite….everyone line up behind me!
I like it! Once, a few years back, I figured I should really give porn a second chance. Catching glimpses of cum spurting onto faces, while the pornlets tried not to squint was not appealing, and had turned me off it. So, I went to the local rent a video mart, accompanied by my sensitive boyfriend of the time. Do I need to tell you how fruitless that was? How he wanted something that celebrated women, and the naked form? Something that cherished sex, in all its funny-face glory? How I wanted to be pleasantly surprised?
Needless to say, we never found anything that met our admittedly high standards.
I would like to see porn that celebrates. I would like to see what you have in mind.
I think you need to get in touch with Will Santillo of Santillo photography based in Toronto. Your vision is right up his alley. http://www.santillophotography.com
Yay! I’m so excited. I think I’m going to go have a wank now, just on spec. And even though I missed my debut a few months ago through an absurd comedy of errors, I hope I get a chance to do some arm-modeling in one of your shoots. All success to you both and to your venture.
hearing about your old writings makes me sad as i never got to read them.
but i look forward to this new site. that picture is amazing.
So exciting!
Let me know if you need help with beta testing.
I’m very much looking forward to what you and Kasia will be producing… I’m intrigued and thrilled by the description of— and possibilities implicit in —”postmodern porn”…
You just reminded me of how I can explain my dislike of “pornography” in the legal sense: I’ve got nothing against the prurient interest, I just need a little bit of artistic merit to make it worth my while. That photo is gorgeous.
That photo is exquisite.
I do hope that one day you’ll revive some of your older writings and a new site…
What annoys me most about porn is the lack of vision. Coupled with the shitty production values. Glad to see this will be a departure from the norm. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve created.
i cannot fucking wait for the launch. i have yet to find porn that is both beautiful and believable (im really not interested in being foolish by oily dicks and fake tits) so ive resorted to movie scenes from like…9 Songs, etc…good luck!
cant cant wait!!!
Most porn is made for jerk-offs. I guess it’s the nature of the beast. Personally, I’ve rarely jerked off to the same picture or scene more then once or twice. No matter how divinely beautiful the models and photography may be, once they have used up my shallow interest I have to move on to the next images – preferably free ones.
Commercial porn is a disposable product, like condoms, or Kleenex tissues. That’s why there is a constant flow of cheap new product and that’s why “high production value” in the adult industry is a relative concept that has shown only limited viability. I mean, what’s the price of jerking off?
Then there is porn as a form of personal self-expression. Porn as an art form. I have to admit I know nothing about it.
I have always believed (i guess..) that art and porn should be intermingled – because art is, in its very essence, sexy. If you are looking for some photographs or ideas then I just might have some. Oh yes, I just might.
very cool, jane. whatever you come up with i’m sure it will be good.
you know, of course, that Helmut died right outside the Chateau in an auto accident. I don’t realy understand how that could happen,the street is so narrow, you can’t get up any speed coming out of the Chateau, but die he did.
I’ve been reading you for a while but have never commented before now. This project sounds like it has so much potential! If you’re serious about contributors, I’d love to jump on board in some way. Mostly I write (usually on my blog), but I’ll gladly model if you’re looking for models, especially if the photographic standard you’re setting is the one above.
i would love to have the opportunity to model for you. are you ever in the chicago area? i am a caucasion female, very italian in my features. i have done a few sittings with local photographers in the milwaukee area and i adore the work you are doing. i am also pretty heavily tattooed. if you would like, i can send you a few samples of the work i’ve done.
One of the things that inspired us to start our blog (and to name it as we have) is our belief in the redemptive, utopian, life-enhancing possibilities of porn. Like any other medium of expression, there is nothing inherently “good” or “bad” in porn–it contains both regressive, oppressive, ideological elements (that are certainly apparent in a lot of mainstream commercial porn) as well as progressive, libratory, and utopian elements. Finding a way to make porn, respond to porn, educate people about sex and lust and desire and all that good stuff that foregrounds the utopian possibilities is the challenge. I think what I admire about your blog and Beatiful and Depraved’s blog are
[[oops, hit the wrong button--yikes!]]
… what I admire about your blogs are the ways they do precisely that. I hope your Pomo Porn project continues that work.
I support your project too ! Although I’m a man, I feel entirely disgusted by the usual depiction of women as gynecologic objects and the sexual act as a men’s virility competition. To me sex is a mood and a game. It is moist and mysterious. Yet it is hardly represented this way. I’m eager to see a new way of showing it.
Anyway, I’m already convinced by Beautiful and Depraved’s way of thinking sex.
Keep up with the good work !
I’ve been think about this alot but from a different angle: http://nojoyinmudville.tumblr.com/post/33863232/procastination-1-ending-sentence-of-current-subject-of
This is one good looking, sexy theme, love it! What theme are you using?