Source: Sexy Art Gallery
By: Company Press Release
(AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS) — Sexy Art Gallery is proud to present Pornsaints, Opening: Friday, June 10, 19:00 – 23:00 at the Erotic Museum Amsterdam, on view until Wednesday Aug 31.
Pornsaints is “an artistic approach to porn, a pornographic approach to art, a pornoartistic approach to religion.” Its mission is to reinterpret pornography through the languages of contemporary arts.
Artists:
Francesco D’Isa
Molly Crabapple
Ellen Stagg
Aunia Kahn
Jeff Faerber
Italia Ruotolo
Yana Moskaluk
Natsuki Otani
Van Rijin
Katelan Foisy
Jessica Ward
It was born as an international collective of artists who portray porn stars as saints. Artworks are based upon the idea that porn stars may be "sanctified" by their performances. Founded by me in early 2007, Pornsaints is based in Italy and made up of artists from around the world, working in an array of mediums ranging from digital video to oil and canvas.
“…The definition of a Pornsaint is inspired by many religious concepts and beliefs. It is closer to mystical and far-eastern definitions (Taoism most of all) than to those of Christianity. If God is the most unreachable concept, the saint, being closer to God, renounces human features and identity. A cool separation from the world, like an extreme behaviour, is one way to overstep humanity. The pornsaint dwells in the house of the saints, but got there traveling a different way, and came in knocking at another door." Francesco D’Isa, Pornsaints.
But the Pornsaints series is not only an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a porn star and on the dynamics of the porn industry. Like saints, Pornsaints are people depleted of their most intrinsically human identity: the highly ritualized structure of porn movies moulds porn stars to their role just like saints abandon all worldly aspirations. As such ethereal creatures, Pornsaints enjoy a vision of humanity that transcends the common man’s understanding.
To the Pornsaint, men are naked, literally and metaphorically, stripped of society’s constraints; in the artworks people can see themselves through a Pornsaint’s crystalline eyes. Desire, lust, obsession, misery unknot into unprecedented clarity. Just beyond the tainted glass, just beyond the stretched surface of the canvas, within reach, lies the melting relief of having grasped something about what it means to be human, however dirty or petty it may be.
Pornsaints has held many exhibitions through art galleries and porn-related venues worldwide:
In 2007 in Firenze (Italy), “Ambasciata di Marte.”
In 2008 in Berlin (Germany), “Galerie Zero.”
In 2008 in Philadelphia (USA), Hotmovies.com Grand Gala, Transit.
In 2008 in San Francisco (USA), Femina Potens gallery.
In 2009 in London (UK), A&D Gallery.
In 2010 in Austin (USA), Birdhouse Gallery.
In 2010 in Zurich (Switzerland), Museum of Porn in Art.
Media Opportunities:
Interview with Francesco D’Isa, Pornsaints founder
Interview with Shiren & Zaki Silverman, Founders Sexy Art Gallery
Calendar Editors:
What: Pornsaints Group Show
When: Opening Reception: Friday, June 10, 19:00 – 23:00, exhibition runs through Wednesday Aug 31
Where: Sexy Art Gallery at the Erotic Museum, O.Z. Achterburgwal 54, Amsterdam. Open daily 11:00am – 1:00am, Fri-Sat 11:00am – 2:00am
Sexy Art Gallery is a new concept that caters to a niche market that enjoys a combination of good art and erotica.
Sexy Art Gallery offers art and would like to establish a culture for people that sexuality and art are significant parts of their lives; People who understand and appreciate the vision and the quality and are seeking new ways to express their creativity and passion.
The gallery offers a place to satisfy various genres of artistic needs under one roof. A place where talented artists, from around the world, present their artistic perception to the concept of sexy art using various techniques that enables people to identify with.
Sexy Art Gallery at the Erotic Museum is a Co-project to establish a contemporary Sexy Art Gallery (La Galerie Provocatrice) at the Erotic Museum in Amsterdam. The Museum in the Red Light District is the first to offer a platform for contemporary artists through Sexy Art Gallery to expose and sell their erotic artworks. The project is an initiative of the people behind the Erotic Museum and Shiren & Zaki Silverman (Founders Sexy Art Gallery) and gives permanent base to artists from all over the world. The project is a unique concept that aims to link artists, press, new media and people like you and me.
Sexy Art Gallery at the Erotic Museum (3rd floor)
O.Z. Achterburgwal 54 Amsterdam
+31 (0) 643596234
Open daily 11:00am – 1:00am, Fri-Sat 11:00am – 2:00am
