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This site is a source for insightful artworks and educational materials discussing sexuality and love in the arts. Communities should have exceptional access to diverse sexual and moral viewpoints. This website has information on theatrical, musical, philosophical, poetic, political, and religious artworks from hundreds of artists over thousands of years. If you are not yet mature enough to evaluate historical, literary, and artistic information on these important topics, then please be so kind as to consider returning when you are.
To search on any topic, you can use the search cell in the right column to search by keyword, artist, style, era, title, etc. The tabs across the top of each page connect to word indicies and picture thumbnail indicies to enable searching by either word or image.
This is a non-revenue-generating site with no advertising support. The posts promote artists, their ideas, and their work. Wherever artists have online websites, those sites are included to encourage visitors to support those artists. Thank you to the artists and visitors for continuing these vital dialogues.
No individual person can give artists the support they deserve. But if we each regularly do something small to support the arts, I hope as a group we can make the world more colorful, memorable, and pleasant.
In the end, kindness matters.
Was Newsweek’s Sarah Palin Cover “Sexist” As Sarah Palin Claimed?
“How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand? . . .
When I’m with her I’m confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
She’s as flighty as a feather
She’s a darling! She’s a demon! She’s a lamb!
She’d outpester any pest
Drive a hornet from its nest
She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
She is gentle! She is wild!
She’s a riddle! She’s a child!
She’s a headache! She’s an angel!
She’s a girl!”
~ lyrics from “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” from The Sound Of Music, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, music by Richard Rodgers.
Sarah Palin responded to the November 2009 Newsweek cover on her Facebook by saying:
“The choice of photo for the cover of this week’s Newsweek is unfortunate. When it comes to Sarah Palin, this “news” magazine has relished focusing on the irrelevant rather than the relevant. The Runner’s World magazine one-page profile for which this photo was taken was all about health and fitness – a subject to which I am devoted and which is critically important to this nation. The out-of-context Newsweek approach is sexist and oh-so-expected by now. If anyone can learn anything from it: it shows why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, gender, or color of skin. The media will do anything to draw attention – even if out of context.”
Here is the Newsweek article:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/222786
Was The Newsweek Cover Sexist?
The term “sexist” generally means supporting attitudes or behaviors based on stereotypes of sexual roles. Or it can mean discriminating or devaluing a person based on their gender.
I guess the first question is: Is the referenced song sexist?
In the musical, the song is sung by a group of older women Catholic nuns, commenting generally on the good-intentioned, but genuinely immature nun-in-training Maria. Their line of reasoning is not generally that Maria is flawed because she is a woman. Their criticisms are that Maria is inexperienced, under-educated, and motivated too much by her near-sighted feelings. The nuns, from their conservative perspective, believe Maria goes “rogue” too often.
Sarah Palin’s accusation that the real photo she chose to pose for was “sexist” is incorrect. More importantlly, Palin’s mischaracterization of Newsweek’s use of the photo reveals more of her lack of education and general stupidity.
The intent of Newsweek’s photo was to do many things. Primarily Newsweek used the photo and lyrical allusion to be funny – real life often being funnier than fiction.
Palin made the same mistake many conservatives often make when they are made fun of. Instead of laughing at a genuinely good joke, Palin responded by suggesting the photo was part of a broader conspiracy to confuse the consideration of substantive issues.
Palin has been a problem for herself, her state, and potentially for the Republican party. The GOP should be grateful for the Newsweek cover and article. The faster the GOP can jettison this Perot-esque GOP sideshow, the more likely they may be able to find a better GOP Presidential ticket for 2012.
Palin releasing her book “Going Rogue,” then saying in nationally televised interviews that the 2012 Presidential campaign is “not on her radar” is kind of like a girl in high school plastering glamour photos of herself in the main school hallways, then saying “I’m not hoping to be elected to prom court, but if others ask me to be a part of it, well . . .”
Palin can’t think her way out of a wet paper bag. When faced with legitimate policy questions, Palin often either plays the wounded lamb or starts spouting out generic statements like an 8th grader who clearly didn’t do her homework or read the assignment.
She reminds me as much of Dan Quayle as she does of George W. Bush. At least “W” had more political experience and savvy to often keep his mouth shut when he either knew he was uninformed or knew that saying what he actually thought would not be a politically smart move. The Newsweek article’s criticism of Palin’s populist tactics is generally accurate and speaks to substantive issues and concerns. If you actually read the article, you’ll see the author is not anti-GOP. In fact, the author suggests the two best post-war Presidents were Republicans: Reagan and Eisenhower. Palin rarely shows enough intelligence to say, “I don’t know,” when she clearly doesn’t have a clue.
As the Newsweek article implies, Obama would be smart to not oppose the “rise of Sarah,” because she would be an ideal adversary to win against in the 2012 Presidential competition. The Newsweek article writer appears to be sincerely writing with an intent to encourage the GOP to choose a politically smarter, more moderate Presidential ticket.
The Newsweek cover was not sexist. The criticisms were not based on Palin’s gender and gender-stereotyped actions or thought processes. The criticisms were ”in context” and targeted at Palin’s cocky demeanor, lack of reasoning skills, and foolish choices.
The Newsweek cover, and Palin’s bewildering Facebook written response, were funny.
And it’s past time for the GOP to “get the joke,” or else they will also lose the next Presidential Election in 2012.
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Mysteries Of The Universe
The above untitled artwork is by dirtyfeet.
(Click on the image if you wish to view it individually.)
© All rights reserved by dirtyfeet.
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“In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me, “Son, fear is the heart of love”
So I never went back
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
And illuminate the “No”s on their Vacancy signs
If there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I’ll follow you into the dark”
~ lyrics from “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab For Cutie
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Mysteries of the Universe
~ by OneMoreOption
If you are a blogger on WordPress, you likely know that the “Top Posts” widget, which I have renamed “Most Visited Posts”, is generated by wordpress.com. It calculates the most visited posts on your blog in the last two days and lists them in order of most visited on down.
If you look in the sidebar, you’ll see the following artists are often in this blog’s Top 10 most visited list:
Hendrik Kerstens
Keith Haring
Frida Kahlo
René Magritte
Milo Manara
Tony Kushner
Nan Goldin
Renee King
Georgia O’Keeffe
The Eagles
David Bailey
Oskar Schindler
Steven Spielberg
Robert Mapplethorpe
John Currin
Here is a snapshot of the most viewed posts in the last 30 days:

I don’t do anything to control or manipulate the “Most Visited Posts” list. It’s controlled by visitors and WordPress.
If you would have told me a few years ago when I started this blog that the artists that would receive the most attention would include the artists in the list above, I would have been delighted.
If I can either bring these artists’ artworks to the attention of a few more people each day or present these artists’ artworks with ideas that portray them in a favorable light, that makes me very happy.
I grew up in a family that cared a great deal about the arts. But I didn’t grow up in a family that particularly cared for “sexuality in the arts.” That love affair was started in me by the chemistry of others outside of my family. Others promoted my interest in sexuality and love in the arts, and I’m grateful for their influences on me. Hopefully, these “Most Visited” artists may have similar influences on others.
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Your Art Begins Inside Of You
The above artwork is by Michael G. Magin.
(Click on the image if you wish to view it individually.)
© All rights reserved by Michael G. Magin.
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Your Art Begins Inside Of You
~ by OneMoreOption
Your art begins inside of you and tries to work its way outward.
It’s revealed in your decisions, expressions, and actions.
It’s revealed by your body, your clothes, and the things you surround yourself with. You express it through your hygeine, clothing, and accoutrement.
You express it in the consistency and clarity that your external world reflects your internal world.
You reveal your artistry in how you respond to others.
You reveal your art in the causes you promote and the activities you regularly participate in.
Your work creates your artworks.
Your demeanor defines the undefined spaces in between.
There is an old, mean-spirited saying that goes: “If you think you are important, stick your finger in a bucket of water, then remove it and see what kind of impression you leave.”
Yes, it’s probably true that none of us, or our specific actions, will be remembered.
But if we do not act in our generation, it is likely the next generation will have less because of our inaction.
Each generation, knowing it will fade from memory and likely disappear, must still add new flames to the torches and pass them on.
We are not dust in the wind. We take forms. We transfer all the good we have to the next generation. We decide. We have intents. Our actions matter.
You don’t have to create traditional artworks to be an artist. To be an artist, you have to make a concerted effort to bring the art of your inner world into view and fruition in the visible world.
And even if those artworks are small and transitory, you will be an artist if you perform the role you define on a stage for your significant others, community, and world.
If we are temporary, like leaves on a tree, then in our passing, let’s become our most colorful and burn brightest in our last few remaining days - leaving beautiful visual memories in those who will remain after we are gone.
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Determining Who Loves You
The above artwork is by Karen Fedida.
© All rights reserved by the respective artists.
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Determining Who Loves You
~ by OneMoreOption
I had a nightmare last night. My nightmares don’t usually consist of monsters or terrifying or fantastic circumstances. My nightmares are usually very real, rather ordinary events.
In my dream, 4 of my extended family members and I were visiting a tennis clinic. The day began with a skills competition – not playing ordinary games. In the skills competition, the better you did, the longer you stayed in the competition. I did better than anyone else in my family, so I stayed in the competition longer. When I completed the skills competition, I discovered my 4 family members had started a doubles set between the four of them on the only remaining court available. When I came to join them, in the dream they communicated they’d just began a set (which can last 12 games long with a tie-breaker), and I could not play. In my dream, this made me very sad and rejected because their actions excluded me.
My dreams often tell me important things subconsciously that I don’t figure out as easily when I am awake. I don’t belong to any particular school of dream interpretation, but I believe many of us know ourselves best, and we can capably interpret what’s behind our dream imagery – a process that often can inform us well.
I awoke from the dream and tried to figure out what it meant, and what principles my dream was trying to tell me.
What do you think my dream was telling me?
Here’s what I deciphered from it:
My dream was reminding me and suggesting to me that “family” are the people who are considerate of you, treat you fairly, and don’t exlcude you unfairly.
In real life, my family would not have exlcuded me in that tennis situation. Instead, they would have started a rotation game, where the substitute sitting out rotated into the game and everyone rotated clockwise (like you do in a friendly game of volleyball where you have more players than the number of positions on the court).
Good friends and family don’t treat each other unfairly.
This may sound simple, but for many people it is a foreign, or at least unfollowed, principle.
When I was growing up, despite fractures and conflicts within my immediate family, my parents went to great lengths and made it clearly known that my sister and I were loved equally, treated equally, and given equal advantages. I never felt she received more gifts, affection, or care from either of my parents. Each of my parents would articulate they wished for each of their children to be loved equally. Favoritism, and fears of favoritism, did not exist in our house.
And I liked that environment. So, when I got older and watched other people use favoritism for their various purposes, it has never been appealing to me.
How do you determine who loves you?
Does someone love you when they show you favoritism? No.
A person loves you when they treat you with consideration equal or comparative to the consideration they show the other people they love.
So, if you’re in love with someone who shows you less consideration than they show to the other people and things they love, then that’s a red flag.
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Violence And Cruelty In The Age Of YouTube
There is a saying: “Live as if the whole world was watching.” It’s probably not widely followed. But it is a principle to consider.
If you’re not familiar with the story of Elizabeth Lambert, the Universtity of New Mexico soccer player whose recent violent actions were caught on film, here is the Associated Press and ESPN footage of her cruel actions toward her opponents:
Lambert’s status at this point is that she has been indefinitely suspended and she has issued a written public apology regretting her actions.
Elizabeth Lambert on Wikipedia
The footage is appalling.
It is especially striking to watch highly-trained women athletes doing these activities. We probably see equally violent actions between highly-trained male athletes much more often.
Many people still have an unsophisticated calculation that leads them to justify doing things “out of view,” things they would not do if the whole world knew what they were doing.
Take the balloon boy family for example. For their scheme to work, it would have required the entire family, wife and children, to convincingly portray an improbable-to-believe lie for the rest of their lives. Even if they could have pulled it off initially or for a long time, it would not have been a pleasant way to live.
Today I wrote on my 43Things account:
No one else makes you unkind to others. If you are unkind, it is by your choice.
I’m not writing this post to sling mud at Elizabeth Lambert. Her actions have become known, and she will choose the rest of her life to determine how else she will be defined. There probably is not anyone who has played sports on a highly-competitive level who has not done something in a split-second decision they regret. Most of us don’t have millions of people forever watching our momentary lapses of judgment. I wish all the players involved the best going forward.
We’re not simply defined by our mistakes. We’re also defined by how we respond to them – by our accountability, our sincere apology, and where applicable, our realized restitution.
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Human Suffering
The above self-portrait is by Lauren Peralta.
(Click on the image if you wish to view it individually.)
© All rights reserved by Lauren Peralta.
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It’s not that suffering is necessary in order to create great art. It’s that the further an artist is removed from understanding and speaking to common suffering, the less likely their art will be poignant to the common man.
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“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
~ a quote by a famous person. Who the person was is not as important as the quality of the ideas in the quote.
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U2 and Reports of the Death of Rock n’ Roll
~ by OneMoreOption
I was a little frustrated with the group U2 and some of the comments they recently made about Rock n’ Roll, the album format, and their rationale for lackluster interest in their latest album (that still sold over one million units).
Here is the article.
In a nutshell, they suggest popular rock music and the album format are antiquated – the formats may not connect with the surfing, short attention span, and multi-tasking modern, younger consumer. U2 may be correct that each generation’s patience to take in time-intensive artworks becomes shorter.
It may be true that fewer people read books, listen to an entire play or opera, or do many other time-intensive activities. We do seem to be a sound bite, quote, and short video/picture consumer culture – always asking how we can gather and ingest information and feelings faster.
But musically, I didn’t hear anything distinctive on U2’s new album. At least a million people listened carefully to the album, and yet nothing caught fire in the popular media. Some criticism maybe should be placed on the music rather than on the medium or changing cultural tastes.
The other thing I did not get from the latest U2 album was a sense of understanding and speaking to common human suffering. Where were the political protest songs that U2 became popular on? Where were the endless long suffering songs that were the cornerstone of “The Joshua Tree” and most of their other albums?
U2 is still incredibly popular for what they have done. But there may be some current backlash against 4 men who may safely control over a billion dollars between them, trying to write relevant songs that speak to the common man’s reality.
Many of us U2 fans are not looking for bigger stage effects, brighter lights, more technologically produced songs, or larger stadium tours. Some of us are still focused on evaluating the quality of the songs and their lyrical messages. And if the songs falter on those smaller levels, then they will likely speak less to the current generation.
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Can You Determine The Quality Of A Culture By The Quality Of Their Art?
Can You Determine The Quality Of A Culture By The Quality Of Their Art?
~ by OneMoreOption
Do you like the above artworks?
I do.
I think they are excellent.
I admire their craftsmanship, professionalism, compositions, forms, and designs.
Do you think they come from a healthy culture?
Can you determine the health of a culture by their popular or condoned artworks?
The above artworks were approved of by The Third Reich’s artistic standards.
Here are the artists of the above artworks in their respective order:
Udo Wendel’s “The Art Magazine”
Fritz Mackensen’s ”The Baby”
Sepp Hilz’ “The Red Necklace” and ”A Country Venus” “‘Bauerliche Venus”
Images from Wilhelm Prager’s film: “Wege zu Kraft und Schönheit — Ein Film über moderne Körperkultur.” In English: “Ways to Strength and Beauty — A Film About Modern Physical Culture.”
Ernst Liebermann’s “By The Water”
Can you determine the quality of a culture by the quality of their art?
No.
But interestingly, the Nazis thought you could judge an entire culture or race based on a few examples of their art. The Nazis put on art shows officially termed Degenerate Art (the English translation of entartete Kunst) that were intended to be persuasive exhibitions supporting racist philosophies.
The Art of The Third Reich on Wikipedia
Can you determine the healthiness of a culture by the art they exclude?
Probably not. But their exclusions will inform you more about their social mores and policing forces.
Sepp Hilz posing with his model around 1939:
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