pornography

  = = = = = = =Pornography and Erotic Art =

Defining Pornography and Erotic Art
“The modern concept of [|pornography] did not exist until the [|Victorian era].”(1) It made its first appearance in a English medical dictionary in 1857 defined as “a description of prostitutes or of prostitution, as a matter of public hygiene.”(1) In 1864 [|Webster’s dictionary] added its definition to their book. According to Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary 1983 its definition states... “ originally a description of prostitutes and their trade,writings, pictures, etc.. intended to arouse sexual desire, the production of such writings, pictures, etc..” (2)

"The history of erotic depictions includes [|paintings], [|sculpture], [|photographs], [|dramatic arts], [|music] and [|writings] that show scenes of a sexual nature throughout time. They have been created by nearly every civilization, ancient and modern."(1) In more recent times we have seen [|magazines] and the[| internet] added to this list.

Possible Earliest Form of Pornographic Prehistoric Art
What may be one of the oldest forms of pornographic prehistoric art is the picture below that was carved out of mammoth ivory at least 35,000 years ago. “The female figurine, which stands 6cm (2.4in) tall, has outsized breasts, huge buttocks, exaggerated genitals and open legs.” (3 ) It is called “[|Venus of Hohle Fels] takes her name from the cave in southern [|Germany”] (3 ) it was discovered last year.

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Early Works of Erotic Art (1)
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Early works of Photography and Motion Pictures
In 1827 still photography came into play and motion pictures began in 1894. Pornographic photos and short films were popping up everywhere. In 1896 actress named Louise Willy took off her clothes in the French film Le Bain. “Other French flicks before the turn of the century offered similar fare while in Germany, producer Oskar Messter revealed women taking off their clothes, exercising, dancing or bathing.” ( 4)

Early Writings on Erotic Pornography
The oldest and possibly the earliest works of erotic pornography is known to come from the [|Kama-Sutra] written by Mallanaga Vatsyayana. He was an Indian scholar and his book gave advice on sex. It has been noted in the book “A History of Pornography by H. Montgomery Hyde that Vatsyayana “lived and composed the bulk of his celebrated book in Western India in the fourth century A.D.” ( 6) The work was originally written in Sanskrit and has been translated in many languages’ over the years.

American Translation of //Kama Sutra//
[|Sir Richard Francis Burton] was the first American to publish the [|Karma Sutra]. He did not act alone he had help from an Indian archaeologist Bhagvanlal Indraji who did most of the chief work of the translations. Mr. Burtons friend an Indian civil servant Foster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot and a student Shivaram Parshuram Bhide also assisted with the help of the book. Mr. Burton had the book privately printed in 1883. Due to the Obscene Publications Act of 1857 in which both the author and publisher could be prosecuted for any piece of literature that was found obscene in nature, Mr. Burton and Foster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot formed the [|Kama Shastra Society]. He then circulated the books to just the members of the society.

The Comstock Act


[[image:200px-Anthony_Comstock.jpg width="203" height="231" align="right" caption="Anthony ComStock March 7,1844-September 21, 1915" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Comstock"]]


In 1873 a Postal Act was passed in the United States called the [|Comstock Act]. [|Anthony Comstock] who was a Postal Inspector enforced this law. The law banned that no sexually explicit books, pamphlets, photographs, newspaper articles, advertisements, and contraceptive devices (see birthcontrol) and information be allowed in print or sent through the mail. The law also did not allow for information on abortion for education purposes. This led to many prosecutions. Advertisements soon were carefully worded in a way to hide the true meaning but still were able to get their point across to readers and advertise without going against the Comstock Law.

[|Ida Craddock] who was an American advocated for free speech and woman’s rights. She was a writer of many books that provided instructional material on human sexuality. She was found guilty of the Comstock Law in 1889 by the mass distribution of //Right Material Living// through the US mail. She pleaded guilty and then in 1902 she found herself in court again by going against the Comstock Law by sending her book //The Wedding Night// in the mail. It was an instructional guide for newlyweds on making love. It also provided the first descriptions of female orgasms. She was sentenced to prison but "committed suicide by slashing her wrists and inhaling natural gas." (11)

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Prostitution
During the late 19th century and early 20 th century. Females came to America from various other countries and became [|prostitutes]. Most of these women were lured here by white men. The men made promises such as better wages, traveling, luxuries, a great adventure and a strong male role model to support them. After arriving in the United States these women would then become forced into becoming a prostitute. Some men even sold them to other men. Some woman chose to become prostitutes (more info under sexwork) they felt that it was easier for them to make money this way due to being a female and being underpaid. This job allowed for them to not have to work a long and strenuous day. Others who couldn’t depend of themselves and needed a man to support them also ended up choosing the life of a prostitute. Some worked streets while others worked at [|brothels.] After [|World War II] brothels were made illegal.

Nude Magazines Time Line
[|"Playboy] was founded in [|Chicago, Illinois] in 1953 by by [|Hugh Hefner"](15) "In 1965 [|Penthouse] was founded in the [|United Kingdom]. It was first sold in the [|United States] in 1969. It was owned by Penthouse Media Group"(16) [|Playgirl]was founded in 1973.(17) [|Hustler] was published in 1974. It is owned by owned by [|Larry Flynt].(18)



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Pornography and Erotic Art in the 21st Century
Today there are many choices when it comes to [|pornography] and [|erotic art.] There are many adult films that serve the various interests of many individuals to name a few there is [|softcore], [|hard core], [|heterosexual], [|homosexual,] [|bisexual] [|BDSM] and [|extreme pornography]There are many works of art such as paintings and sculptures that can be seen at art galleries across the country. The [|Museum of Sex]located in [|New York City] “focuses on a variety of sexual preferences and subcultures, including [|lesbian] and [|gay]( see glbtq) history and erotica, [|BDSM], [|pornography], and sexwork ”(21) Many [|adult comic books] and cartoons have made their way into circulation since the [|20th century] and have become very popular. Sexual guides offer many different pieces of information on just about any topic nowadays. Many works of [|erotic literature] can be found at your nearby bookstore or online service.The [|internet] has many porn sights with endless choices. Local [|strip clubs] or special shows such as [|Chippendales] and [|Thunder From Down Under] offer live entertainment for viewing pleasures. Many [|video games] have warnings of "Sexual Content" and rated for a mature audience. [|Pornography] has come a long way and has made has exploded in many ways in the [|21st century].