While I was working on my article for Man Ray’s 1929, I noticed that I couldn’t find his four scandalous photos anywhere on the internet. Man Ray’s known as an important innovator in the history of photography; he’s not so well-known for this stash of erotic mementos. Perhaps he should be. (All four can be found in the article.)
Thomas Rowlandson, The Hairy Prospect, or the Devil in a Fright (c.1800)
This week I looked at a lot of exposed vagina in the work of Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827). My favorite anecdote regarding the spontaneous vag-flash, is this, from the Irish Times (1977):
In a townland near where I lived, a deadly feud had continued for generations between the families of two small farmers. One day, before the First World War, when the men of one of the families, armed with pitchforks and heavy blackthorn sticks, attacked the home of their enemy, the woman of the house came to the door of her cottage, and in full sight of all (including my father and myself, who happened to be passing by) lifted her skirt and underclothes high above her head, displaying her naked genitals. The enemy of her and her family fled in terror.
For the Euphoria issue, Aeric Meredith-Goujon contributed a fabulous, thought-provoking series of women experiencing erotic asphyxiation. He’s also written the accompaniment.
Every issue, there’s at least one series of photographs that I keep returning to, that I can’t stop thinking about. For this issue, it’s Aeric’s.
Barry X Ball, Purity (2008-2009) – Salon 94
Material and Dimensions: Iranian Onyx, stainless steel pedestal; Macedonian Marble, stainless steel, wood, acrylic lacquer, steel, nylon, plastic sculpture.
When I saw this piece, it immediately reminded me of a bust by Antonio Corradini. Sculpture doesn’t usually stick to my memory the way prints or paintings do, but I found this one hypnotic.
Antonio Corradini, Puritas (1717-25)
Material: Marble
Ca’ Rezzonico, Venice (Italy)
