A Gallery for the Nudes

Stephanie Lecuyer wrote

on 24 Nov 2008 3:15 AM

Hello to all of you,

I'm new on the AA site and I discover this discussion about "a separate gallery for nudes"

I recently had the opportunity of visiting a museum where are shawn Egon Schiele  drawings and paintings , which can be a shock for some people. My 3 children were with me and I was annoyed to let them see but more annoyed to avoid them from seeing such art masterpieces...I just "prepare" them by explaining that some drawings were showing a crude  nudity. But they were not shocked at all and I finally smiled about my fear.

Don't you think the difference between a male nude subject and an male erotic subject is in the eye of the spectator ? I had a look on the gallery painting, well, I wouldn't say the nude paintings are shocking...

But that 's my vision of art : I do understand other people don't agree with me and are shocked with these paintings.

If they don't want to see that kind of art, ok, that's their right.

In that case, just.... don't "click" on them !!! They are small enough to not shock the eye if you just see them on the main page...

I don't like the idea of a separate gallery because it's a kind of discrimination (what a big word !!!!) : so, there is a "good thinking" art and a "bad thinking" art ?  Who decides ? Every art work deserves to be seen, even if it doesn't please everyone.  The sensibility of an artist should not be discussed or discriminated. Why put apart a "genre", a style ? 

Thank you for reading,

I hope I didn't make too many mistakes in this 1st post...

I wish you a good day, full of "painting energy". Here it's midday and we have a beautiful but cold sun...

A bientôt, 

Stéphanie

Comrade Vladimir wrote

on 27 Nov 2008 3:12 PM

I agree whole heartedly.

wrote

on 28 Nov 2008 6:22 AM

"Don't you think the difference between a male nude subject and an male erotic subject is in the eye of the spectator ?"

Well, yes, frankly.

This subject can be debated amongst us for millinium and we would each draw (no pun intended) a different conclusion.However, if there is to be no distinctions made upon our morality, then we fall subject to being  perverted to a place in history, that honestly, I don't wish to go.

The only thing Brightmeadow asked for was a specified   place for nudity.Respecting others rights is a constitutional right. And, this IS an American Artist sight, is it not?

(Bear in mind that we are having an intelligent conversation and we are not angry with each other. We merrily ask for opinions!)

Stephanie Lecuyer wrote

on 28 Nov 2008 7:11 AM

Hello,

Kells, what did I write that made you think I was angry with somedody ?? And I never wrote something that let  think I don't respect others rights.

As I wrote it in my post, I do understand that some people may be shocked by certain paintings and as a painter of nudes, I know how nude paintings can be considered provocant, even if it's not wanted by the artist. 

I only suggested that people who dislike that kind of paintings don't enlarge the photos ; what could be a compromise solution, couldn't be ?

If my words sound too aggressive, I sincerely apologise, of course it wasn't the idea...Maybe I forgot that we are not talking together and that words can have a bad interpretation when just read on a post.

However I'm very happy to hear that I'm not having an intelligent conversation and that I'm ignorant of constitutional rights... At the age of 42, it's an interesting discover for me !!!!

wrote

on 28 Nov 2008 2:40 PM

Stephanie, I apologize because  I did not specifically refer to you. (Although I did quote one of your lines).

I should have mentioned Mr. Malloy's name since he & I had discussed this long before you arrived.

Again, I am sorry to have led you to believe that I thought you were not aware , etc.

I think your comments regarding the photos should be considered, but I hope there will be a specific page for nudes( eventhough I may be in the minority).

Glad you joined in and look forward to more discussion from you.

laurawg wrote

on 30 Nov 2008 1:33 AM

I think that Kells has made some excellent points.  There are indeed some paintings that have been posted that are in rather bad taste... There is a very fine line between what one considers a beautiful form of art and what is not.  What is the problem with having a "seperate" area for nudes?  I think that Brightmeadow and Kells are completely justified and I, as a fellow artist completely understand where they're coming from.

dcorc wrote

on 30 Nov 2008 2:27 PM

Laura G:

There are indeed some paintings that have been posted that are in rather bad taste...

And who gave YOU the right to denigrate other artists' work on this site?

wrote

on 30 Nov 2008 3:12 PM

Why are you so argumentative?

People have a right to express how they feel. Rights? Rights? What are you , the forum patrol?

dcorc wrote

on 30 Nov 2008 3:20 PM

Kells L.:

Why are you so argumentative?

People have a right to express how they feel. Rights? Rights? What are you , the forum patrol?

I object to people making DEROGATORY comments about the work of other artists on this site. Why don't you?

Stephanie Lecuyer wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 2:04 AM

Hello to everybody, 

Kells, thank you for answering my last post, I appreciate...

It' weird how this subject can unleash passions, even in 2008 ; it's certainly because it touches intimity,  the idea we all have about nudity, what can be shown or not and is linked to morality for many people.

I'm sure none still life painting would create such comments !!! 

Good day, 

Stéphanie

wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 5:11 AM

Yes, I object also about derrogatory remarks. And I am happy to see that you agree.

The entire point I am trying to make is educational, not argumenative. If you wish to object, you should look at Stephanie's remarks. She is at least stating a clear point of view regarding this subject.

I don't see any reason to become defensive about clearly an adult discussion.

This site is a wonderful place for people like me (who need it) to get informed information and to learn...not argue.

Thank you Stephanie, bon jour'

dcorc wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 5:49 AM

Kells L.:

Yes, I object also about derrogatory remarks. And I am happy to see that you agree.

The entire point I am trying to make is educational, not argumenative. If you wish to object, you should look at Stephanie's remarks. She is at least stating a clear point of view regarding this subject.

I don't see any reason to become defensive about clearly an adult discussion.

This site is a wonderful place for people like me (who need it) to get informed information and to learn...not argue.

Then, if we are having an adult discussion about whether there should be a separate gallery for nudes, perhaps people can desist from making comments about "offensive nudes", "in bad taste" and so on.

I also have a clear view on this matter. I think those who object to artistic nudity, and think that it should be ghettoised away, are in need of educating. The nude has always been one of the great central themes in western culture.

wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 6:39 AM

I would like to retrace the comments back to where I made a statement defining the terms of which we are discussing.

1). Nudity is that wherein the subject is NOT aware of his/her attributes.

(Please see: William Bouguereau..The greatest 19th century painter)

2).Nakedness is that wherein the subject IS totally aware and in fact, seems to flaunt it.

Please, respect our visual senses, that is all we ask. If someone wants to place a naked, flaunting body here on the American Artist website, the only thing educated artists ask is, please have a place designated for that sort of objectivity.Then, we would have an awareness  that it may be seen there. We could then, choose to admire the work, or not.

Thank you for letting state my opinion.

I do not believe the people who visit this website object to nudity. Almost any subject is worthy of the artists eye.We all can agree on this point I am sure.

laurawg wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 7:23 AM

Dcorc.  I have not denigrated anyone's work (whose in particular? I did not name anyone) - only expressed an opinion.  We all have that right and should not feel like we are being persecuted for expressing that opinion -  Don't attack me for it or any of the other good people here.  

I wish everyone a wonderful and blessed holiday season.  Happy painting!

EricS wrote

on 1 Dec 2008 8:11 AM

I echo Karyn's message. We are indeed thinking about ways to handle this best. We realize that the human form is beautiful and can be very artistically treated, but we also realize that there are some artists who don't desire to see that subject matter. Ultimately, we'd like to set up a system where such content can be flagged and then each individual can set his or her preference on what to see or not see. This will take some time, however, to implement as it's not something that our software system does out-of-the-box. It's been requested to our tech team. In the meantime, we are looking at alternatives that can be accomplished within the capabilities and limitation of our system and hope to roll this out at the same time we roll out some better organization for our galleries.

Thanks for your patience!