Erotica

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Erotica (from the Greek language Eros - "love") — refers to works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or arousing descriptions. Erotica is a modern word used to describe the portrayal of the human anatomy and sexuality with high-art aspirations, differentiating such work from commercial pornography.

Contents 1 The erotica/pornography debate 2 Genres 2.1 Student publications 3 General themes in erotica 4 See also 5 References

[edit] The erotica/pornography debate

The distinction between erotica and pornography (as well as the lesser known genre of sexual entertainment, ribaldry) is difficult to identify, if not completely impossible. Proponents for erotic art argue that such work is intended to arouse aesthetic rather than erotic feelings, and is therefore not pornographic. Opponents see this as a pretentious stand, as they believe that erotic art shares the same purposes as pornography. Stephen Gilbert once remarked "The difference between erotica and pornography is simple. Erotica is what I like. Pornography is what you like, you pervert!"^{[citation needed]} One common joke is that "the only difference between art and pornography is a government grant." Another is: "Erotica is when you use a feather. Pornography is when you use the whole chicken."

The issue of whether a distinction can be made between erotica and pornography raises multiple complicated questions. These questions include whether aesthetic and erotic feelings are mutually exclusive, how the level of commercialism and tastefulness in an artwork can be objectively measured, and at what point they make the work pornographic.

In general, "erotica" refers to portrayals of sexually arousing material that hold or aspire to artistic or scientific merit, whereas "pornography" often connotes the prurient depiction of sexual acts, with little or no artistic value.

[edit] Genres

There are various sub-genres of erotica.

• Science Fiction Erotica
• Fantasy Erotica
• Horror Erotica
• BDSM Erotica
• Slash Fiction
• Erotic Romance

[edit] Student publications

In the 21st century, a new literary genre of student published journals at American universities was started.^[1] The following is a partial list of publications:

• The Moderator - Bard College
• Virgin Mawrtyr – Bryn Mawr College ^{[2] [3]}
• H-Bomb – Harvard University ^[4]
• Quake – University of Pennsylvania ^[5]
• Squirm – Vassar College ^[6]
• Vita Excolatur – University of Chicago ^[7]
• Bang^[8] and Untouchables^[8] – Swarthmore College
• Boink - Boston University

[edit] General themes in erotica

• Sex rituals
• Bondage
• Uniforms
• Cross-dressing
• Multiple partners
• Sexual promiscuity

[edit] See also

• Eroticism
• Lesbianism in erotica
• List of authors of erotic works
• History of erotic depictions
• History of erotic photography
• Erotic art
• Adult Theater
• Homoeroticism

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.chapatimystery.com/archives/univercity/erotic_vita.html
2. ^ http://www.brynmawr.edu/orgs/virginmawrtyr
3. ^ "Art-School-Confidentia", City paper, 11/02/2006.
4. ^ http://www.h-bomb.org
5. ^ http://www.quakemag.com
6. ^ http://vsa.vassar.edu/~squirm
7. ^ http://vita-excolatur.blogspot.com
8. ^ ^{a b} Swarthmore_College#Publications