Apologies if this isn't the right forum but I wanted to get your opinion and advice on something and thought this seemed like the best one to try. Mods, I'm not looking for commisions but would value the honest opinions of the community.
I'm a sculptor/model maker by trade and was considering getting into figurative, erotic/fetish sculpture. I wondered if there's a big enough market for this kind of thing and what kind of erotic art, if any, you buy? I've had a good look round on the internet and found very few sculptors where, I personally, think the quality is okay/good. People such as Dominique Regnier or Leigh Heppell.
Would any of you fine people consider buying such art for your homes where they'd be on display?
How explicit/fetishistic would you like such sculptures to be, if at all?
What size and materials would you like to see them made out of?
Do you think it's tacky or sexy?
All views are most welcome and appreciated... and thanks for your time.
I love good sculpture, especially kinetic work- and that'd make great erotic art, I think. And tactile, reflective surfaces, play with light and shade, negative space wow, so much you could do with that. For any one with the room and freedom, installations would be really cool. BUT I couldn't really display stuff in my home- it'd raise all sorts of odd questions from my children. They still cry laughing every time we walk past a sign for "Butts Road" and we've lived here for years and years and years. It's a good thought, really interesting- but wouldn't work for me, sorry.
I do like the Regnier pieces, it's not so much the subtly I prefer over the Heppell pieces but rather it seems 'purer' with an emphasis on the form. I very much like my display picture because it's 'pure'.
Would I consider buying it? In a way. I would love to but I'd find the price prohibitive or not feel it represented value for me. I would one day love a bedroom with various prints of my OH and possibly art.
As for materials? Not resin. I think almost any material can be good if it's done correctly. Wood has a unique richness, metals have the lustre of few other materials, stones are hardy and deep, glass is unique for it's manipulation of light etc... As for size, something that fits easily on a household space (and to keep it inexpensive).
I think if done correctly it can be really sensual, for me that is often about focus on the form. Abstract stuff isn't generally evoking if it ventures too far from reality.
Personally I would love to buy this sort of thing, though I would want something smaller and subtle. Something that hints at sexuality rather than a giant, rather obviously phallic statue. I would like something simple and elegant if anything... Well polished wood or glass... Basic colours.
I think these things are definitely sexy, but as for me, I'd have to keep things low key in case I had important guests around. I see nothing wrong with kids seeing naked sculptures and such. It's art, not porn, but I have to respect it if those in my company are going to find it distasteful.
Personally the only reason I don't buy things like this is the price. I'm pretty poor!
I think there would be a good market for personalised things. Say, if you sculpted their partner's bum or curvy shapes or penis... A lot of fetishists may like this!
Art and sex sells when put together. Though currently I don't own any scultptors that are erotic many epople in my family have produced erotic art in many forms and it has sold. It's tricky though as really you need to be in the right area or showing your work in an area with interested buyers. of course you can sell on the interent but then theres postage fees. one of my scultpors (which isn't erotic) due to the size would of costed loads to send to another part of the uk, on the top of the cost it gets very pricey.
I think tacky and sexy depends on the viewer, alsio how the artist presents the piece at a show helps with any form of art. thats how it's hung or how the light shines onto it, something may look great when on display but when you have it home look wrong because of these factors.
i've personally always like erotic scultors to be made from bronze. I've seen plaster ones and think a lot of the time they look tacky by themselves, but my mother did make an erotic series out of plaster that was stylish due to the way it was boxed into the frame and the drawing behind the hanging sculture. I feel wooden would depends on the style of the scultor, some things look better with darker or lighter woods. also if you are working from clay you would be able to play about with the glaze where some will work and others will just not.
well currently when it comes to the size it doesn't completely matter to me. as really it's how the proportion of the scultor and how well made it was that would matter to me. if i see something in art even if it is too big for anywhere in my home i will still get it, as really thats how art works you fall in love with a piece and grab it and keep it for the rest of yourlife, well thats me anyway.
Art and sex sells when put together. Though currently I don't own any scultptors that are erotic many epople in my family have produced erotic art in many forms and it has sold. It's tricky though as really you need to be in the right area or showing your work in an area with interested buyers. of course you can sell on the interent but then theres postage fees. one of my scultpors (which isn't erotic) due to the size would of costed loads to send to another part of the uk, on the top of the cost it gets very pricey.
Great point. I looked at a replica of the Rheinhold ape and postage cost more than the piece!
Weirdly I find all art (except photography) entirely asexual - I haven't seen a single piece that stirrs any erotic desires or thoughts. I'm not sure why that would be I love some sculpture and I find some pieces very moving and/or beautiful but never erotic. Odd!
Weirdly I find all art (except photography) entirely asexual - I haven't seen a single piece that stirrs any erotic desires or thoughts. I'm not sure why that would be External Media I love some sculpture and I find some pieces very moving and/or beautiful but never erotic. Odd!
xxKPxx
Hmmm. It is!
Me and Ad have a laser ethching of a nude in glass. That looks good, bit like a 3D piccie!
Weirdly I find all art (except photography) entirely asexual - I haven't seen a single piece that stirrs any erotic desires or thoughts. I'm not sure why that would be External Media I love some sculpture and I find some pieces very moving and/or beautiful but never erotic. Odd!
xxKPxx
Hmmm. It is!
Me and Ad have a laser ethching of a nude in glass. That looks good, bit like a 3D piccie!
She's lovely! We got her the day we got engaged, along with a trinket box with Aphrodite on it as a reminder of a lovely day External Media.
I love art of the naked female form. I'm not sure why I enjoy it so much but photographs of women, paintings, casts etc. Not for the sexiness (although that helps) but also for the sensuality and the flow of the curves of a female body. Very aesthetically pleasing.
It's not that I don't find nude scultures beautiful - I love the curves and admire the creativity of the sculpter, I just don't respond sexually to them at all...ditto paintings. I admire and enjoy them in the same way I would an amazing landscape. I think I must see the world in a very odd way
I rarily find "erotic" art sexually stimulating but I do love the idea of it. I love seeing the human form and the general curvey, sensuality of it. I also love greek nudes just for what they capture.
I don't really own any erotic art, but it's definately something i'd like to have. Probably one of the reasons I wish I could display my glass dildos. =P Unfortunately I own an awful lot of stuff, so I shouldn't really add to it.
I love the idea, but would struggle to display something explicitly erotic. It's also harder to store a sculpture than flat art, so you couldn't even hide it away when you have guests...
I think there is probably a market, but not sure how to access it!
Good luck, though, and do let us know how your work goes.
Wow! Thank you all for your wonderful responses. I don't know where to start with my responses.
Wanda I think I prefer the Regnier pieces, they are much more subtle and their quality is superb. I agree with you all the explicit pieces are, in many instances, much less 'sexy' than the suggecstive poses. I think that to make a piece sexuallly stimulating is very hard to achieve, maybe nigh on impossible, maybe it's more to do with the state of mind of the viewer. KP & Pixieking, I'm not sure what, if anything, they do for me but I still love to look at good work and admire them. Perhaps being able to touch and fondle them would be more of a stimulant.
Strangely, as a straight woman, I don't find the male form particularly sexual or interesting as a sculpture. The curves and sensual flow that you get with the female form is more appealing. For me, the male figure lacks the subtlety and ripeness of the female.
JU, I love kinetic art as well, but my dirty mind has strayed to the obviously crass way this would work!
As to materials and cost, bronze, marble etc is lovely but so expensive. Wanda, you mention not liking resin but some great results can be achived with bonded resin. Fine metal powders (and marble powder) are susupended in resin and, with skill, can look like the real thing, even down to patination. The main difference would be that bronze feels cold to the touch, whereas bonded bronze will be much warmer. Obviously the cost of producing such pieces is also much cheaper. A bronze cast costing £500 would cost a fraction in bonded resin at around £150. Although this would depend on the number of castings available. The other benefit of bonded resin, is the weight. In casting you can make the weight of the piece heavy like bronze by using fillers, or lighter, so postage costs are kept lower. I love glass, but again the cost of production is prohibitive. Again though, there are some fantastic resins out there that can emulate glass, coloured or otherwise.
With the Artloan scheme you can buy pieces and pay monthly... so if you see a piece of artwork you like (covers all art forms painting, drawing etc) you could always about the scheme.
I was thinking of making a small range of works that would fit in the hand, I like small scale pieces (although I've done some larger stuff). Maybe having a surprise element. On dispaly it's a normal figurative, if sensual piece, but upon handling there's an erotic element to it. Dont know if anyones familiar with erotic netsuke, but that kind of thing. I like the idea, just have to do it now!
Thank you all again for your opinions, it's much appreciated. If I ever get round to making some pieces I'll post some pics and you can tell me what you think.
If anyone's got any artwork or can suggest artists that work in this area I'd love to see or hear about them.
oooh- i do like the sound of the smaller pieces and hidden erotica. more erotic for being concealed maybe? I'm totally happy to display sensual art, entwined nude figures, quotes and poetry around the home- But erotic art is more explicit, isn't it?
Kinky kinetic could be really cool
I saw an acorn carving when i was little, that if it was twisted in certain directions- like a secret code almost- it opened up to show a wispy, craggy face in each half. i though it was beautiful. remember it being very smooth to the touch. your descriptions remind me of that.
oooh- i do like the sound of the smaller pieces and hidden erotica. more erotic for being concealed maybe? I'm totally happy to display sensual art, entwined nude figures, quotes and poetry around the home- But erotic art is more explicit, isn't it?
I saw an acorn carving when i was little, that if it was twisted in certain directions- like a secret code almost- it opened up to show a wispy, craggy face in each half. i though it was beautiful. remember it being very smooth to the touch. your descriptions remind me of that.
good luck with your project.
x
I like the sound of that acorn carving, yes something like that perhaps.
I was thinking of small sculpts based on karma sutra poses as well. Not as subtle but could be nice if done properly. They'd be instructive as well!
I've uploaded a couple of pics of works in progress, they're not anywhere finished yet so please be kind. They're about 10 inches. For the ones I want to do mentioned above (fit in hand, erotic) I was thinking of making 5/6inches max and in more 'interesting' poses. These are based on dancers.
Anyway if you want to have a look here's the link and password info to download.
Wow! Thank you all for your wonderful responses. I don't know where to start with my responses.
Wanda I think I prefer the Regnier pieces, they are much more subtle and their quality is superb. I agree with you all the explicit pieces are, in many instances, much less 'sexy' than the suggecstive poses. I think that to make a piece sexuallly stimulating is very hard to achieve, maybe nigh on impossible, maybe it's more to do with the state of mind of the viewer. KP & Pixieking, I'm not sure what, if anything, they do for me but I still love to look at good work and admire them. Perhaps being able to touch and fondle them would be more of a stimulant.
Strangely, as a straight woman, I don't find the male form particularly sexual or interesting as a sculpture. The curves and sensual flow that you get with the female form is more appealing. For me, the male figure lacks the subtlety and ripeness of the female.
JU, I love kinetic art as well, but my dirty mind has strayed to the obviously crass way this would work!External Media
As to materials and cost, bronze, marble etc is lovely but so expensive. Wanda, you mention not liking resin but some great results can be achived with bonded resin. Fine metal powders (and marble powder) are susupended in resin and, with skill, can look like the real thing, even down to patination. The main difference would be that bronze feels cold to the touch, whereas bonded bronze will be much warmer. Obviously the cost of producing such pieces is also much cheaper. A bronze cast costing £500 would cost a fraction in bonded resin at around £150. Although this would depend on the number of castings available. The other benefit of bonded resin, is the weight. In casting you can make the weight of the piece heavy like bronze by using fillers, or lighter, so postage costs are kept lower. I love glass, but again the cost of production is prohibitive. Again though, there are some fantastic resins out there that can emulate glass, coloured or otherwise.
With the Artloan scheme you can buy pieces and pay monthly... so if you see a piece of artwork you like (covers all art forms painting, drawing etc) you could always about the scheme.
I was thinking of making a small range of works that would fit in the hand, I like small scale pieces (although I've done some larger stuff). Maybe having a surprise element. On dispaly it's a normal figurative, if sensual piece, but upon handling there's an erotic element to it. Dont know if anyones familiar with erotic netsuke, but that kind of thing. I like the idea, just have to do it now!
Thank you all again for your opinions, it's much appreciated. If I ever get round to making some pieces I'll post some pics and you can tell me what you think.
If anyone's got any artwork or can suggest artists that work in this area I'd love to see or hear about them.
Thanks again
I think there can be different forms of arousal. I don't look at a piece and think "Cor! I'd bang that!" but rather the almost abstraction of the form puts me in the frame of mind to notice the 'real' form of what it is actually modelled on.
Most people find the male form much more angular and rough. That can look great but I guess it doesn't evoke the same tactile thoughts curves do. Curves, in my mind, are related to soft and smooth things... A much more sensual experience in my opinion. The 'strength' and roughness of the male shape lends itself to ideas of harshness and roughness if i compared it to a tactile experience.
I have seen some great pieces of work not made from 'heavy' materials but I just don't really enjoy it as a whole. Art is in the mind, and even if a piece looks identical something is removed from the sculpture if it is made from a less luxurious material. I can't really reconcile art as a luxury and substandard materials. I can't get my head around a non-luxury luxury if that makes sense. I know this might not make sense or appear contradictory but art of this type should emote in some way and some of that is lost to me with resins.
I think I'd like subtly in this type of artwork. What about pieces that are only 'sexual' from a certain angle and from the other angles just look like abstract sculptures?
