Do you attend the indy/intl theatre?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by tooblue

I have taught life drawing to fine art and animation students for several years. Such knowledge always prompts a quizzical look. I see nudity and nakedness as two different things.

I've often opined *not always in jest* that the world would be a much better place if we did not wear clothing, save it be shoes to protect our feet

Certainly many artists become obsessed with nudity. Their art even crosses a line and therefore does not deserve protection under the guise of freedom of expression.

Yet to shun nudity in art as an unhealthy obsession with the naked body and sex is sad and frustrating.

You may be correct as I'm not much of an artist. In fact, I have no gay genes whatsoever and no artistic inclinations whatsoever. Just ask my wife.

However, a word to the wise, after visiting many a foreign beach we would not be better off if most of the world's citizens were clotheless. Many a time, my eyes and soul were damaged by the sight of an eighty year old woman dangling her ta-tas around her knees. Please only pretty nakeds, good sir.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by Archaea

BTW, I saw "Fearless", does that count? So if I watch martial arts films, does that make me artsy?

Is "Fearless" like "Danny the Dog?"

Some indy theatres have a marial arts week. They're not screening Chuck Norris' Invasion USA or Steven Sagal flicks, but they do show films that actively try to avoid compromising the "art" aspect of martial arts.

In my book, simply watching certain kinds of films doesn't make one artsy. Being artistic in this context has more to do with how you engage a film, and this in turn has something to do with what the film makes available for you to engage with. To be much too brief, if your mindset is one of actively seeking education and/or discovering beauty in the human experience, it is artistic. Some films do more to encourage and reward such a mindset than do others, and so people who are looking for that experience in film develop a preference. Still, there is something to be said for the postmodern quest to find meaning amidst even the most banal and consumer-oriented fare.

[Archaea]

"Fearless" is a Zhang Yi Lou film about a Chinese character's development through martial arts around the turn of the Twentieth Century.

It reflects lightly upon certain acts of right and wrong, with beautiful cinematography, as is his standard, well-choreographed fight scenes and an interesting Chinese type ending.

It is not the profoundest of movies, nor does it explore deep provisions of Chinese thought, but I enjoyed it. Despite some predictability, it was moving.

I actually never saw Danny the Dog, even though both movies share the same lead actor. My wife hates those types of films.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by tooblue

I have taught life drawing to fine art and animation students for several years. Such knowledge always prompts a quizzical look. I see nudity and nakedness as two different things.

I don't doubt that you've gotten a few funny looks.

I'd distinguish between agape, eros, and pornea. The human body can appear and/or be represented in any of these three modes, and in my view only one of them degrades it.

Originally Posted by tooblue

Certainly many artists become obsessed with nudity. Their art even crosses a line and therefore does not deserve protection under the guise of freedom of expression.

I agree. In my terms such artists cross the line from eros into pornea. In a legal context, the Supreme Court in Miller v. California (1973) gave power to local communities on these matters.

Originally Posted by tooblue

Yet to shun nudity in art as an unhealthy obsession with the naked body and sex is sad and frustrating.

I agree completely. The Anthony Comstocks of the world actually seem to deeply loathe their own bodies.

[non sequitur]

Originally Posted by tooblue

I see nudity and nakedness as two different things.

I couldn't agree more. Once when I was in college, I was with Betty Trover, parked near Ensign Peak. I started to unbutton her blouse and she recoiled. I explained that I didn't want to see her naked, that I just wanted to see her nude. I explained how nudity and nakedness were two different things. Unfortunately, Betty Trover did not share my appreciation for the nuances of art.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

The Anthony Comstocks of the world actually seem to deeply loathe their own bodies.

Well some bodies are loathsome, are they not?

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Well some bodies are loathsome, are they not?

Can I be honest? No, they are all equally fascinating for different reasons.

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

I don't doubt that you've gotten a few funny looks.

I'd distinguish between agape, eros, and pornea. The human body can appear and/or be represented in any of these three modes, and in my view only one of them degrades it.



I agree. In my terms such artists cross the line from eros into pornea. In a legal context, the Supreme Court in Miller v. California (1973) gave power to local communities on these matters.



I agree completely. The Anthony Comstocks of the world actually seem to deeply loathe their own bodies.

But not this comstock:

http://www.comstock.com

Rodins' work is lovely, and I cannot fathom how any person could deem any of his work obscene.

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

I couldn't agree more. Once when I was in college, I was with Betty Trover, parked near Ensign Peak. I started to unbutton her blouse and she recoiled. I explained that I didn't want to see her nude, that I just wanted to see her naked. I explained how nudity and nakedness were two different things. Unfortunately, Betty Trover did not share my appreciation for the nuances of art.

No, I guess not. :-D

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

I'd distinguish between agape, eros, and pornea. The human body can appear and/or be represented in any of these three modes, and in my view only one of them degrades it.

I prefer the words nude and naked ... using words such as agape, eros or pornea results in eyes rolled and, twitching, the bends and an intellectual coma.