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Anything goes when students can show up at a gallery wearing bras and panties and no one thinks twice about it. If that's your cup of tea, there was plenty of room to indulge at the 13th annual Erotic Art show held by the Women's Center.
From photography and paintings to dancing and poetry, the event took freedom of expression to new heights. Displays of various artists' perspectives on eroticism were encouraged and welcomed by those in attendance at The Crux Artist Collective on Friday night.
"We take just about anything, as long as it's not violent in anyway that would be derogatory or not sexually empowering," said Lucy Yanow, director of the Women's Center.
Yanow explained that the event is a woman-friendly, woman-created event, in which women are defining the erotic. The posters and advertisements for the show included women but in a somewhat different perspective than the norm.
A group of women dressed in lacy undergarments and hovering around a table was an enticing, in-your-face compilation reclaiming Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," which caused confusion for some.
"I overheard these women talking about it in my class, asking 'why did they choose naked women?'" Yanow said. "I told them it's a political statement about the erasure of women in the history of Christianity."
Though women's sexuality and empowerment were the primary subject of the show, men were also among the guests and artists at the event. Being the minority was an interesting perspective to some.
"I'm a little out of my element," said Jonny Pancakes, one of the male painters speaking with guests about displays at the event. "But I love girls, and I love graffiti, and if you put them together it's wonderful! It's a way to express myself."
Amanda Jones, another artist at the event, had her own definition of erotic. Her photography displayed her nude roommate with a guitar.
Displaying the connection between music and sexuality creates its own form of eroticism, Jones said. She was pleased that the environment allowed a variety of pieces, including hers, to be seen.
"It's in a safe setting where you can't be judged by fetishes," Jones said. "By having shows like this, it's giving strength to the woman's body instead of degrading it."
The walls of The Crux were doused in images of bondage, fragmented views of the body and even bronzed body casts.
Foods such as strawberries, avocados and broccoli were served because they are considered aphrodisiacs.
There was also a series of performances revealing erotic words, music and dancing.
A vivid video of a woman exploring her own body led the lineup. It might have been considered pornographic in some perspectives but was welcomed as art by the audience members.
Cassandra Walker and Hillary Feeney recited intimate poetry, followed by a collaboration of Aubrey Debauchery's music and three women from Expressions Dance Team. Aphrodite's Three Graces performed a hip-hop belly dance and tossed their thong underwear into the crowd.
The Erotic Art Show is an event that gives inhibited individuals an opportunity to let their guard down, attendees said. There are few times women can express themselves without judgment, and this rare opportunity should be celebrated by anyone who appreciates freedom of expression and diverse opinions about sexuality.
"I'm glad something taboo is being shown in the light," said Todd Reynolds, an event attendee. "Usually things like this are hush-hush."
Lindsay Wright can be reached at lwright@theorion.com
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