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14th Annual Sensual & Erotic Art Exhibition

Inside/ Out : Censored and Self-Censored Art

 “SHOCKING…You’ll need a cold shower after you see the Sensual & Erotic Art Exhibition…There is a lot to see"… Margaret Radford-NBC News 

The satellite exhibit of The 14th Annual Sensual & Erotic Art Exhibition will be open to the adult public June 18 through June 20, 2004, at Erotica LA in the LA Convention Center. The theme for this year is “Inside/ Out: Censored and Self- Censored Art” which will focus on new art forms including Conceptual, Performance, Digital, Video, Photography and New Media. This unique gallery without walls promises to be the most comprehensive venue to date. The 50 artists represented will include; Tom Asad, Peter Bodnar, Djuna Blackmon, David Bloksberg, Sandra Chang, by Corwin,  Donna Ferrato, Marc Greenblum, Frank G. Hoffman, R.C. Horsch, Justice Howard, Lord Tim Hudson,  Nick Karras, Willi Kissmer, Olivia, Tom O’Hara, Moline O’Tucson, Ken Marcus, MeloD, Lea Morales, Geoffrey Nelson, Joe Paradice, Martin Perea, Michael Robles, Alex Sargeant,  Woody Smith, Brain Soucy, Karin Swildens, Martin Tellez, Lee Thomas, Tiffany Trenda,  Frank Venadas, Robert Watson Jr. and Tony Yazzolino. Over 150 new Digital Images by Pornotopia.com. A World Premier animation film by Sagemonn & Karyann will be screened in the gallery. For samples of art works see www.xartgallery.com. There will be a Book signing by Donna Ferrato for “Love & Lust,” published by the Aperture Foundation.

This exhibition of the most significant developments in Erotic art in America reigns as the longest running continuous survey in America. The Annual is recorded historically in the battle against censorship when in 1997, with the assistance of the California ACLU, it was granted a restraining order by a Federal Judge who condemned the censorship action of the California Alcohol Beverage Control Board. On March 6, 2000, it was further decided by The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of LSO vs. STROH to reverse the district court’s grant of summary judgment to the Officials on the grounds of qualified immunity. The importance of this decision is the announcement of the continuing vitality of the First Amendment and the rejection of the State’s attempt to weaken personal freedoms through the use of regulations. Additionally, this decision provides a “road map” for future challengers of thinly veiled legislation that is primarily intended to abridge the First Amendment. The exhibition sponsor, The Lifestyles Organization, is firm in the belief that artistic expression in all forms is protected by the Bill of Rights and must not be subject to Government control, restriction or censorship in any manner. The theme for this year, “Inside/ Out: Censored and Self-Censored Art,” is a validation of the personal art that is being made. The exhibit presents  a perspective of sex by artist that have either experienced censorship or have never exhibited their work to the general public. These artists have return to the earlier ideal principal of sex, as they assume the right to create a mirror of our society, and to make art whose reality would be independent of society’s taboo. Our visual impressions, coming to the end of its own intimate extreme, is that fuller truth about reality which is known to the human mind in favor of the erotic.

According to Luis De La Cruz, the exhibition Art Director, “The popular success of The Sensual & Erotic Art Exhibition fits with our goal to build public approval by offering a wide variety of original contemporary art. The artwork represented here is crucial for understanding our own sexuality and cultural evolution.” He further states, “The exhibition reveals the power and passion of erotic art as an inviting place where people can experience the image personally and if it is shocking, it is because you relate to it.”

You are invited to witness the most sought after Sensual & Erotic Art Exhibition as it continues to be both provocative and challenging. The exhibition organizers have secured a 3000 square foot area and have created an alternative gallery environment for the for the Erotica LA Convention. In addition, patrons and the media will be able to meet the artists at a series of ART TALKS lead by the exhibition curator on Friday and Saturday at 3:00PM.

Edited by Marilyn Miller

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