The Dirty Show – Let’s See Sex!

By Lisa M on December 4th, 2009

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November 13, 2009, marks a notable day in my life. It was my first experience going to an “erotic art” opening – or porn show for those in the know. And today, the day you are reading this article, marks another notable day in my life. It’s the first time I’m calling all you boys and girls (adults only) to let down your guard and go check out some porn or art or porn…

Los Angeles played host to The Dirty Show, an erotic art opening that was hosted at the City Center Motel in downtown Los Angeles, and I was a wide-eyed guest.

For this “opening,” each motel room was converted in to an artists exhibition room. Since it was my first experience at an erotic art opening, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but found myself quite surprised — suffice it to say, live performances and excellent photography were the highlights of the exhibit. Especially the live performance which featured a nude woman hanging upside down from a contraption while an old man tickled her –which, to be quite frank, ranks in the top five strangest things I’ve ever seen.

However, (here I place my disclaimer – I’ve been called a social deviant), the art was surprisingly, well, artistic. Typically, women tend to view pornography as nothing more than a way for men to get their rocks off while women with no self-respect pose nude in compromising positions or engage in intercourse. However, at The Dirty Show, the photography, sculpture, and paintings displayed turned an otherwise animalistic urge into a full-on display of creative force.

And let’s be honest, there is so much beauty in the human form. The curve of a woman’s thigh as it moves up to her hips, waist and breasts juxtaposed with the strong edge of a man’s chiseled chest and strong arms…these images represent beauty and art at its most basic, raw form. (Seen the statue of David recently?) Taking the human form and artistically displaying what we all do naturally — and LOVE doing — provided me with a new lens to see that sex can be art. And, alas, may I even say, that pornography can be art too.

Once I embraced this idea as I walked from seedy motel room to seedy motel room, I was able to feel less awkward about sex on display or even making eye contact with other people the religious right would call perverts. Being a spectator at such an event reminded me of the beauty in human form and provided a boost of self-confidence. The next time an erotic-art opening comes to your neck of the woods, release your inner pervert and head to the show – you just may feeling a bit more dignified than dirty.