The Truth Is More Important Than The Facts

the difference lies in the purpose behind it. i'll only comment on sexuality in literature because thats all i feel competent enough for, but it is clearly true that sexual discussion does not make for erotica. when a sex scene is used to get something from the reader, such as arousal, intrigue, attention, or shock, it can easily cross the line into being offensive, while many would still call it "artistic." it's my belief though that sexual literature can be an extremely valid and significant form of communication when the writer attempts to give the reader something, things like understanding, a greater perspective, or an idea that will enhance the entire story and the reader's knowledge of who the character is. just because its uncomfortable does not make it offensive. because its artistic, it isn't shouldn't necessarily be considered unoffensive. when people write about people having sex (or related sexual activities), are they writing it for the sex or for the people involved? both the writer and the reader have to know a character inside-out and an intrinsic part of any human being is their sexuality. but sex isn't an intrinsic part of every story. so it should be included if its done with the right intention. by the way, matt, was your "go nuts" suggestion deliberate?

I definitely agree with jordi -- there has to be a reason for it.

That idea backs everything a writer puts into a story -- if something is unnecessary in any way (doesn't help characterization, plot, effect, etc) then it shouldn't be included. If this rule is applicable to the descriptionj of a character's outfit then it is applicable to the description of sexual scenes or sexuality in general.

I really can't comment on any other artistic endeavours because I don't know enough about it.

i wasn't thinking of literature because it's not something i often think about. literature faces the same questions, but not to the same degree as the visual arts. literature more often runs into problems in regards to sex, as opposed to sexuality.

i should probably clarify that sex and sexuality are two very different things. sex deals with the physical aspect of a sexual being. sexuality deals emotional, social, and psychological aspects of a person in regards to the sexual being.

often in visual art, to explore the sexuality of a subject, one must create an image that displays that subject in a sexual and often provocative way. the question then arises as to what the motive of the artist was, and if that motive crosses a line that makes the art obscene