But Is It Art?Artists Who Blue the Line Between Art and Porn

Danny Valle talks to some artists who blur the lines between art and pornography.

No other artistic medium showcases the world of the erotic quite like photography. Since the creation of the first usable photographic process in the nineteenth century, artists have been showcasing visions of the male anatomy and building on the previous generation’s achievements. For the first time in history, the social climate is such that there’s almost no limit to the kinds of work that artists are allowed to create. Even the most hardcore erotica can now be purchased in a store or over the Internet without the need for secrecy or fear. This month we talk to some of the current pioneers who are playing a part in defining different kinds of gay male erotica.

TOM BIANCHI ON MALE EROTICA
The world of homoerotic photography wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for the indelible talent of Tom Bianchi. After a career in law (he was a lawyer for Columbia Pictures) his desire to be an artist finally took over. As fortune would have it, Bianchi found himself in the company of greats such as Betty Parsons and Carol Dreyfus.

The lives of artists are always influenced by the experiences around them. This couldn’t have been any more clear when Bianchi lost his boyfriend to AIDS in 1988. Realizing that he wanted to show gay males as “gorgeous bright men” he delved into the world of gay erotic art.

Nineteen books later, Bianchi has become the world’ most published male figure photographer. We asked the rock star photographer what qualities he looked for in potential subjects. “I look for self-actualized, good-hearted men who are unafraid of their sexual energy and willing to share it. My subjects are not paid models. Specifically, I look for men who are the best that they can be — free spirited, fit, sexually charged, and fun.”

Although anyone can pick up a camera and photograph people, very few can actually capture the kinds of moments that Bianchi’s does. We were curious to know if anything was ever lost in translation during the process. “I am a sensualist. I love the scent of a man, I love muscle, I love masculine charm, and I love freedom of sexual expression. I love showing what that all looks like. I do my best to overlook nothing. So hopefully, somewhere among the many thousands of pictures I’ve taken — everything I am loving and learning is being revealed.”

One thing that people will argue (usually the more conservative types) is whether something qualifies as art or crosses the line into indecency. Remember John Ashcroft covering up a semi-nude statue? We asked the photographer — who is currently working on an autobiography about accessing creative energy through spirit — about how he was able to keep his work erotic without slipping into what some would consider pornography. Responding with a good-humored wit reminiscent of Oscar Wilde, he explained, “Porn is just erotica made by mediocre imaginations and talent. My most famous quote on the subject is ‘There is no such thing as pornography. There are, however, bad camera angles.’ But this much is true — what we call pornography is a one-dimensional exploitation of sex. What I try to do, with really gorgeous and hot men as accomplices, is show how much more there is to us and to our sexual charge.”

In terms of advice for up and coming artists, Bianchi had this bit of wisdom to impart, “My advice to young artists is to study the work that came before them. Borrow the best thoughts and expand on them by showing us what you see as interesting. Never try to make your work look like art. That’s the biggest pitfall for the untalented. I got that advice from a master — Duane Michals. It’s important to be literate and to know art history so you can see further than those who came before you. Every source is valid if it helps you to find an original voice. The biggest sin is reinventing the wheel. If you think you’ve made something that looks like an established artist’s work, you have failed.”

Many times, an artist’s life is cut into periods, with one particular era or piece from the pinnacle of his fame defining him. This ends up being the equivalent of a one-sentence review for a nine hundred-page book. In terms of trying to define his career, Bianchi doesn’t mince words. “There’s no pinnacle, because being on the path is the point of the experience. I have no idea where it will lead, but I have a new film in development, new love affairs to report on, and new things I want to explore. My life keeps getting more and more interesting, loving and beautiful the further I go.” For more information on Tom Bianchi and his work, you can visit the following sites: cybersocket.com/link/jprgc, cybersocket.com/link/csgxt, and cybersocket.com/link/tdjbx.

ANDY FAIR ON CREATING DIRTY PORN
When looking at art, it’s hard not to wonder about the models who pose nude. Surely, they have to be slightly inclined to exhibitionism. For some this desire can be quenched, but others aren’t so easily pacified. Sex for most — including masturbation — is a private matter. Many of us, however,  are turned on by the idea of public sex. Andy Fair from Dirty Boy Video has tapped into this fantasy and upped the ante for both performers and viewers and shows, steaming up the web with his wildly popular creations.

How do you come up with the sex dares featured on Dirty Boy Video?
A lot of times the suggestions come from the models themselves. They’ll say “I’d love to be out in public,” or “There’s this hotel lobby men’s room I’ve already jacked off in.” Other times, opportunities come up and we jump on them. Maybe someone we know has night access to a warehouse, or a rooftop, or maybe we just come across a cool looking alleyway and decide to go for it!

If caught, who would get in more trouble — you or the models?
We’ve been busted by neighbors, passers-by, and screaming old ladies — but not the cops. Once we almost got caught by an entire subway train in the middle of the day! The model was standing there butt-naked and hard, but we timed it wrong and the train pulled in as he was desperately trying to get his pants back on!

Where is the most exciting place you’ve shot thus far?
Being located in Manhattan, we don’t have the beaches and pools that you get in L.A. and Palm Springs. A large part of our aesthetic is derived from having to come up with creative, interesting locations. We’ve shot in pet shops, nightclubs, retail stores, storage rooms, warehouses, gyms, porn shops, movie theaters and — of course — rooftops, backyards, and the subway.

Can you explain the Plushie Schwartz phenomenon?
Plushie Schwartz is so much fun! He started out as a satire of those stale, formulaic, running-along-the-sand-at-Fire-Island porn films. The only difference was that the lead was a guy in a bear suit. What’s funny is that if you walk around Fire Island with a video camera, bear suited or not, everyone asks, “Are you shooting a porno?” Now Plushie has this cult following and people can’t get their fill of him!

What are some of the challenges with the Plushie Schwartz site?
The most challenging thing about shooting a Plushie Schwartz video is keeping the models from laughing. The whole thing is just so surreal that they can’t contain themselves. Also, the suit itself gets incredibly hot. During breaks when the model takes the head off he’s so covered in sweat that we have to wipe him down. You can see the steam rising from the collar.

Where do you get the suits?
The Plushie outfit is customized for our purposes, of course. They don’t sell bear suits with front and back flaps. You may not know this, but Plushie has his own blog where he posts all kinds of fun and funky stuff that he comes across online.

Is it difficult to be in a relationship with sex and erotic situations being a big part of your everyday work life?
Not at all. My boyfriend and I have been together for over ten years now and it gets better every day. There are a surprising number of couples in long-term relationships on the gay side of the industry. If anything, being around gay sex and erotic situations gives you a more honest perspective and allows for a more mature approach to relationships.

What can we expect from you in the future?
Our next big project, following the success of DirtyTricks.TV, is going to be a spoof of Russ Meyer’s Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! We’re calling it Faster, Pussyboy! Kill! Kill! and it will be shot on location in New Jersey. Also, Plushie Schwartz is getting a new playmate, Furry Fundido — so stay tuned!

JOE OPPEDISANO
You may not have heard his name until now, but this talented photographer has been burning up the pages of glossy magazines for quite a while. Mr. Oppedisano has done work for major ad campaigns, famous models, and celebrities such as indie fave Amy Sedaris. Where he really excels, though, is in creating steamy, homoerotic images of stunningly gorgeous men.

In the past he has described his work as “glamorized porn with better lighting”, but Oppedisano’s work is more than just pretty pictures of men. There’s a startling quality to his work that jumps out at you and makes you take notice. In today’s world where so many people are constantly trying to grab our attention, that is quite an accomplishment. It’s no wonder that he’s worked for the likes of Calvin Klein or that he just shot Colton Ford’s music video for the song That’s Me.

Oppedisano has a 192-page photo book coming out on November 11th titled Uncensored, which he has described as “Disney on crack.” It features the hottest porn stars in the biz including Steve Cruz, Colton Ford, and Erik Rhodes. The book, which allows Oppedisano’s camera to follow its whimsy, uses male adult stars to explore the inner workings of each subject’s unique sexual identity and fantasies.

TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION
He was born as Touko Laaksonenon in 1920 on the south coast of Finland, but you probably only know him as legendary artist Tom of Finland. Tom started his art explorations at the age of five by playing the piano and drawing comic strips. Having realized at an early age that he was attracted to masculine men — but disappointed with the effeminate gay men all around him — Tom began drawing pictures of his ideal man.

Even though his first published work in America was a Spring 1957 cover for Physical Pictorial, a well-known muscle magazine, it wasn’t until 1973 that Tom was finally able to quit his day job in advertising and to devote all of his time to his drawings.

Never in history has there been such a prolific homoerotic artist whose work has managed to burn itself so distinctly into our collective consciousness. With his art, he has taught later generations that it is indeed possible to be both gay and masculine.

Tom of Finland’s paintings began as an exploration of his own fantasies, but have since gone on to define an entire genre — adding a brand new ideal to the pantheon of male archetypes.

THE MALE NUDE BY DAVID LEDDICK
Acclaimed author David Leddick just released this definitive work that explores the male form. Capturing both the emotional and physical aspects of male beauty, the book uses male symmetry in thought provoking and arousing ways. It would be hard not to intrigue readers with a roster of talented photographers that includes Clive Barker, Tom Bianchi, Bruce La Bruce, Duane Michals, David Hockney, Mark Beard, and Sam Taylor-Wood — just to name a few. The book promises imagery ranging from the erotic and dangerous to the fantastic and romantic. It’s an essential reference for lovers of visionary male erotica.

SCHWUL UND GUTES WETTER
This German blog allows you to enjoy the beauty of European men without ever having to board an overcrowded 727. What sets the images here apart from the rest of the gay blogosphere is the level of quality and artistic integrity that each picture possesses. It’s what happens when porn collides with art.