Erotic Literature

Erotic Literature
© rachelkramerbussel.com

Erotic literature includes fictional and factual stories and explanations of human sexual relationships which have the potential to or are intended to arouse the reader sexually. Such erotica takes the form of novels, short stories, poetry, true-life memoirs, and sex manuals. A common feature of the genre are transgressive sexual fantasies on such themes as cross-dressing, homosexuality, incest, prostitution, orgies, sado-masochism and many other taboo subjects and fetishes, which may or may not be expressed in explicit language. Other common elements are sarcasm and social criticism.

Before the invention of the printing press, circulation of erotic literature was not seen as a major problem, as the costs of producing individual manuscripts limited distribution to a very small group of readers. The invention of printing, in the 15th century, brought with it both a greater market and increasing limitations, which took the form of suppression and legal restrictions on publication on grounds of obscenity. Because of this, much of the production of this type of material went underground.

The 6th Kinsey Institute Juried Art show demonstrated erotic art show online. The erotic art show is open at Indiana University's School of Fine Arts Gallery. The erotic art features gender issues, sexuality, reproduction, sexual politics, romantic relationships and the human figure.

Kinsey Institute demonstrates Erotic Art Show Online
© nikoretro

Most of the erotic art can be seen online on kinseyinstitute.org. The erotic art show is featuring 166 arts this year which will be held at Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts, 1201 E 7th St.Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. The juries for the erotic art show are Betsy Stirratt, Director of School of Fine Arts Gallery at Indiana University, Garry Milius, Associate Curator at the Kinsey Institute and Christopher Bedford, chief curator of the Wexner Centre for the Arts at The Ohio State University. This erotic art show is a must see event.

“Black Woman, Naked Woman” by Calixthe Beyala
© 丹涅拉 – Dani Gama

Irene, the young protagonist of the novel is at least atypical for her role that is "distributed" in: it's not only that she doesn't win the reader's sympathy while reading, but rather is a very unlikable character that makes her nasty.

Kleptomaniac and eager for sensual pleasures, that would be the short description of this mysterious girl who thinks that by offering her body can heal and change people's life.

I think the author wanted to shock the Western world a bit, talking about the jungle of cities, where people struggle daily for survival, like wild beasts. It didn't convinced me but it seemed that the novel is the product of a teenage rebel's imagination, trying diligently to break patterns and thus to get noticed.

But I cannot say no I do not like it at all. Rather, I invite you to read it. And if you want a little tip from me, here it is: not a very good holiday reading, wait until January, when it will fit well with the icy cold mornings.