These questions to Guido sound exactly like the questions that Fluxus (and all avant garde) artists often get. Like, "why do you make that stuff?", "who would buy that crap?" "do you really think that stuff is art?" "do you make that stuff just to shock people or upset them?". What is shocking to me is that a mail artist or fluxus artist would ask another artist to defend the "artistic merit" of his art. If what he sends is his answer to a mail art call - then that is what it is. The recipient can exhibit it, collect it, trade it, catalogue it, or do whatever he/she does with the other art received. Anyone who doesn't like getting surprises in the mail should probably not be putting out calls for mail art! As for me, I define pornography as images that are designed to titillate for nefarious purposes. The worst porn of all is corporate advertising that appeals to sexuality to sell consumer goods. Just as bad is fear-porn sponsored by political power interests and designed to scare the crap out of ordinary people so that they will support the suspension of their civil rights. That stuff will do far more harm to children than pictures of naked people engaged in sexual behaviour. This may surprise some of you, but full-penetration vaginal sex is how our species reproduces. No sex act=no humans (or any other animals). Fight pornography with sexuality. So Guido, keep up the good fight brother! Allan
_____ From: ma-network@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Reed Altemus Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 3:44 PM To: ma-network@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: (",) Who defines "pornography"? I think what Guido is trying to say here is that he himself sends out pornographic mail art and the lack of response he gets he feels is fear or hatred. I say this only because Guido has sent me pornographic mail art in the past which didn't interest me. And also I wonder if Guido has a reason for sending out pornographic mail art and whether it is because he wishes to share an artistic experience or whether it is only a means to the end of shocking, titillating or boring people. Maybe the latter is an artistic experience itself. But who is to decide that? Guido, do you have anything to say to these issues? Why exactly do you send out pornographic images? Please defend their artistic merit. RA guido bondioli wrote: > > I am in support of the position implied by these > questions. Who will say who will say? While I respect > everyone's opinion as to what they themselves enjoy or > are offended by, I reject the intrusion of anyone who > chooses to be offended. The lack of balance that would > allow anyone to be offended is what is dangerous. And > this social distortion is far more dangerous to > children than images of sex. The piece of mail art is > insignificant. The fear and hatred felt by the > offended is a serious social issue. Finding a way to > end fear and hatred will have greater positive impact > than getting rid of images of sex. > --- Allan Revich <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:allanr%40digitalsalon.com> .com > <mailto:allanr%40digitalsalon.com>> wrote: > > > Well it's not a bad description, but the next > > question is who decides what > > is or is not "obscene", and what "artistic merit" > > is, and what has it or > > doesn't have it? > > > > What are the standards? Who sets them? Who gets to > > enforce them? How do you > > decide who is qualified to enforce them? > > > > _____ > > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com> ups.com <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com> > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com> ups.com > <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com>] On > > Behalf Of Christine Tarantino > > Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 8:12 PM > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com> ups.com <mailto:ma-network%40yahoogroups.com> > > Subject: (",) Who defines "pornography"? > > > > > > > > "obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the > > like, > > esp. those having little or no artistic merit." > > > > This definition came from Dictionary.com > > > > I'm not suggesting any part of this is correct, only > > putting it out for discussion. > > > > Christine Tarantino > > > > ME FREE > > C/O llaborate > > C/O operate > > C/O rrespond > > > > http://www.christin > > <http://www.christin <http://www.christinetarantino.blogspot.com/> etarantino.blogspot.com/ > <http://www.christin <http://www.christinetarantino.blogspot.com/> etarantino.blogspot.com/>> > > etarantino.blogspot.com/ > > > > > __________________________________________________________Take > > the Internet > > to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: > > mail, news, photos & more. > > > > http://mobile. > > <http://mobile. <http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC> yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC > <http://mobile. <http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC> yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC>> > > yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. > Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center. > http://autos. <http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/> yahoo.com/green_center/ > <http://autos. <http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/> yahoo.com/green_center/> > >
