A Gallery for the Nudes

wrote

on 16 Nov 2008 7:10 PM

Hi:

On the other Forums that I am a member of, the nudes are clearly marked so we can view them or not as we choose.

I am disappointed that this Gallery section has rather offensive nudes on display.  Could they and the other nudes not be moved elsewhere?

Comrade Vladimir wrote

on 16 Nov 2008 7:46 PM

sir/madame

please grow up!

We all have a body and it is a mainstay of the art world and a vent of much creativity

The 'butt'' icon is a silly and very childish idea that is of the 13th century and not of  Mature artist's site

Bob Bahr wrote

on 17 Nov 2008 6:43 AM

Take it easy, Jamie. American Artist doesn't censor nudes unless they are clearly pornographic. I think this policy is already quite evident. However, clearly labeling a gallery so that those who might become offended know the contents before clicking is not censorship nor is it silly. It's just being considerate. It's a matter of letting people choose to see something, giving them fair warning.

American Artist's Forum is for both the Brightmeadows and Jamie Malloys in our family. I feel certain there are ways to make sure everyone feels welcome.

Duce wrote

on 17 Nov 2008 7:10 AM

I want to believe there aren’t members on a site like this that would actually view artistic drawing and paintings of the nude body as offensive. If this is not the case I would prefer a separate gallery, as I really don’t want nude drawings or paintings viewed as anything other than as intended by to artist, by those who are inhibited, immature or not open minded enough to appreciate them.

wrote

on 17 Nov 2008 8:20 AM

There is no doubt that there can be a fine line between fine art and pornography.  I happen to love some work done by various nude artists.  One is Wade Reynolds who was featured in American Artist magazine, May 2004.  However, it is hard to believe that some nude art has not been done with the purpose to shock and offend.

I have not looked at all of the gallery pages here but there was, in my opinion, at least one that was not acceptable in this fine art gallery.

The responses received on this subject will help me decide if I will remain with this virtual community or not.  I give a virtual community the same criteria that I give a real one when deciding whether my time will be well spent or not and if I have anything to offer to it.

Christopher M. Grimes wrote

on 17 Nov 2008 8:58 AM

This topic came up a few weeks ago here, specifically about certain viewers being offended by some images and ranking them accordingly.

My view then was that as we are all artists we would all appreciate the human figure in it's various depictions.  Well, okay, I will eat my words, obviously I was judging others by my experiences with other artist friends and not all artists at large.

I suppose the only logical way around the issue is to indeed have some sort of indication that nudity exists in a particular post or image or gallery.   Not sure how that might be done but it might avoid this being raised again in the future.

phillip2 wrote

on 17 Nov 2008 9:10 AM

Brightmeadow,

I hope you stay with the group.  All art exchange helps build and guide one's style.  I went back and looked at all the nudes in the gallery.  Some were not to my particular taste, yet I could see the expression and emotion of the artist in each of them.

I've painted nudes off and on for thirty years, though of late, they are mostly incorporated into fantasy material such as fairies and elves.  One was used as a cover for a romance novel, so I guess they aren't too gross.

For my vote on the subject of a separate gallery, I can take it either way, with no offense.  If objectionable material starts to creep in, I'm sure the forum moderator would put the skids to it.  That's why there are forum moderators.  American Artist Magazine has always been of the highest quality and taste.  I expect this virtual community will achieve the same standards.

Phillip 

wrote

on 18 Nov 2008 5:42 AM

Well, I have resisted this subject until now because I didn't know how to approach the subject. I believe Brightmeadow is right to state an objection to some of these so called 'nudes'. Every artist has their sense of design and obviously, there is a diversity of thought. However, within the arts, nudity is the most beautiful of our creations. The human form is the best place for artists to learn structure. Painting a landscape gives the artist the freedom to add, replace move or even redesign a form. The human body, is an instantly reconized form.This shape is the best place from which to learn ones chosen trade. Without the study of anatomy, we could not progress.Some artist even join medical anatomy classes to learn!

But, society draws a line between nakedness and nudity! Jamie, this difference is important (to me). No serious artist can possibly view any of our wonderful nude paintings, which are in every major museum in the world, as raw nakedness. Brightmeadow  is not being immature by stating that opinion. I am certainly 'grown' at the age of 66 and I too find some of these paintings to be in flagrantly bad taste.

But, when I view nudity, I must feel that the model or models are unaware of their nakedness! Many of the nudes shown on this website do not have this attribute and therefore, I view them as blantantly naked. They almost 'flaunt' it in ones face as though a sophomore has painted on the men's room wall!

There is no need for someone to admonish another here! I hope the moderators have and will be aware of this problem in the future. We need to concentrate on  beauty  and not have bickering amongst ourselves. Else, what is the point?

dcorc wrote

on 18 Nov 2008 8:13 AM

Kells L.:

Well, I have resisted this subject until now because I didn't know how to approach the subject. I believe Brightmeadow is right to state an objection to some of these so called 'nudes'....I too find some of these paintings to be in flagrantly bad taste..... when I view nudity, I must feel that the model or models are unaware of their nakedness! Many of the nudes shown on this website do not have this attribute and therefore, I view them as blantantly naked. They almost 'flaunt' it in ones face as though a sophomore has painted on the men's room wall!

There is no need for someone to admonish another here! I hope the moderators have and will be aware of this problem in the future.....

Given the comments in Kell L's post, I think the last paragraph there is richly ironic.

The policy of the site, already stated is:

Bob Bahr:

American Artist doesn't censor nudes unless they are clearly pornographic......

American Artist's Forum is for both the Brightmeadows and Jamie Malloys in our family. I feel certain there are ways to make sure everyone feels welcome.

Let us hope so - and I'd hope that this extends to tackling people who feel they have the right to insult other artists here, and denigrate their work.

Dave

wrote

on 18 Nov 2008 8:32 AM

"touche'"....I offer no apology having stated the obvious!

wrote

on 20 Nov 2008 7:04 AM

I do not intend to denigrate anyones' work here. The entire exercise was simply to educate people regarding the use of nudity.

Obviously, there are unexcepted, erotic nudes and there are beautiful, accepted ones. My purpose is not to admonish but to educate those who seem to need a helping hand. Ergo, touche'. 

wrote

on 20 Nov 2008 8:59 AM

I don't think that we, as artists, should have to debate this issue.  As I mentioned in my first post, other forums I am on automatically take care of this problem by having the nudes in a different section or the posts are marked that there is nudity involved.

Perhaps we can ask our moderators to please have a separate nudity gallery.  May we have a moderator comment on this please?

Karyn wrote

on 20 Nov 2008 9:03 AM

Hi Brightmeadow, all,

This issue is being discussed amongst the AA staff to find resolution that will be best for this site as well as for the standards that AA has set.  You are right about how other websites have handled this issue and it is a sensitive one, so many opinions about how nudity can be handled.  Not to mention, there are is so much diversity in what is considered tasteful.

I can asure you that this is being worked on, and that the staff will put a solution into place very soon.

wrote

on 21 Nov 2008 12:09 PM

Thanks Karyn.  I'll look forward to seeing the solution.