Erotica as an Important Element of Design - Essay Example

Erotic by Design: Erotica is often used as an important element of or inspiration for design. This istrue in a variety of media including interior design and architecture and has become a key element of a great deal of advertising in the new millennium. What is the source of this tendency? Is it a personal inclination of the artist or a deliberate ploy to produce something that sells? Statement of Research Problem The concept of ‘erotic’ is often only vaguely defined and taken out of context, yet it remains present in many of the basic forms encountered in our daily lives. This may take shape through the careful blending of materials comprising a particular piece of architecture, the suggestive forms of interior elements or in the advertising and marketing efforts of our consumer world. To bring this concept into clearer focus, I intend to provide a clear definition of what is intended by the use of the word ‘erotic’ and then use this definition to explore how and why the erotic functions in design. Case studies that may prove useful include the architectural ideas of Zaha Hadid, the interior design constructions of Salvador Dali, the advertising efforts of Armani and Dolce Gabbana and the marketing materials of elements such as the parfum bottles of Gaultier. Erotic is often misunderstood. For many people, the term indicates something dirty and private rather than anything beautiful or emotional. By studying this subject, as well as the way in which it is used in various media, it is hoped that a better understanding of the term can be achieved. It is also hoped that by studying the works of various artists in the different fields might reveal more of the motivation behind the use of the erotic as inspiration and expression. Understanding the motivation of these artists will also help to define the term as it is used in a creative process. To accomplish this goal, I intend to study the works of various artists as well as the interpretations of the critics. This will help to understand how the idea of erotic is applied to these creations as well as provide some insight as to how the idea is defined. Understanding more about the artists themselves will provide insight as to their motivations in utilizing the idea of the erotic as a source of inspiration. Finally, examination into how these creations are received will provide a greater understanding of how the erotic is actually perceived by the public. Academic Context In A Philosophy of Erotic Visual Art, author Rick Garlikov explores what it means for artwork to be erotic. In his detailed look at the essential elements of ‘erotic’, Garlikov helps to define the term and focus the discussion. In forming his argument, Garlikov suggests there are three different intentions of ‘erotic’, which is perhaps the source of confusion regarding the term. These intentions include sexual arousal, to convey an aspect of sexuality or sensuousness or to convey sexual or sensual insight. After emphasizing the very subjective nature of erotic art, pointing out that even the same individual looking at the same image may find excitement at one time and not at another, the author then begins to define what comprises erotic art for him by indicating what it is not. This elimination of possibilities is condensed to a general understanding that erotic art celebrates what is good and joyful in sex for each individual. As a result, it doesn’t require explicit and complete imagery to make suggestions of the abstract concepts involved. The ideas brought forth in this article will be helpful in analyzing the various artworks to be discussed as examples of the erotic in their various expressions. The Victoria and Albert Museum offer a helpful article regarding what comprises the erotic in Art Nouveau. This discussion, like that of Garlikov, makes a distinction between the erotic and the merely pornographic. The article focuses on an earlier time period than that focused on in this paper, but it provides very helpful background information regarding the motives and precedents for using the erotic as artistic inspiration and expression. This history includes the development of using eroticism in advertising, as a means of making more sales and of exploring often un-discussed topics such as homoeroticism. In tracing this history, the article provides early examples of eroticism used in advertising and how that was effective or not. This will be helpful in applying early concepts to the development of eroticism in other areas of expression such as interior design and architecture. O’Sullivan provides some insight into the motivations and ideas of designer Jean Paul Gautier in her article. Although it is not greatly illuminating about his work, the article is enlightening regarding the man’s character. The author describes his physical attributes as well as his behavioral characteristics as she meets with him at his apartment. Although the interview is presumably in preparation for a new show, the interview is focused more upon the personal life of the designer and his feelings regarding issues such as love and sex. While it doesn’t get too intimate or detailed, the article does provide some hint of how the designer might approach the erotic and why. This is perhaps clearest in his seemingly offhand comment regarding people’s reaction to rain. The article will be helpful to the current investigation in demonstrating how this particular designer envisions the erotic as something sexually exciting yet separate from the purely physical act of sex. Stephen Bayley provides a succinct career biography of Zaha Hadid that includes discussion and some criticism of her major works. While the article provides a quick run-through of how Hadid built her reputation as an architect, it also highlights some of the reasons why her designs were not actually constructed. According to the article, this typically had little to do with the nature of the design and more to do with the practicality or funding of the projects under consideration even though some of these designs have been considered to have a strongly erotic content. However, the article is helpful to the present research in that it provides a useful timeline of events, a suggestion of works that have been constructed and a brief characterization of Hadid’s oeuvre. Provisional Section Headings Architecture – exploring the works and conceptions of Zaha Hadid particularly in pieces such as the Peak Club in Hong Kong (1982) and the Cardiff Opera House (1994). Interior Design – the works of Salvador Dali will be examined as well as the artist’s approach to life as it is shown through his biographies – important works to consider may include his lip-shaped sofa and the cajones lamp. Advertising – the advertisements of Armani featuring David Beckham in his underwear and those of Dolce & Gabbana which have drawn serious criticisms and may help distinguish between erotic and merely sexual exploitation Marketing – this segment would explore the forms of marketing materials such as packaging of Gaultier parfums that focus on the erotic forms of the body to what purpose? Timetable Sources “Art Nouveau & the Erotic.” Collections: 19th Century. Victoria and Albert Museum, (2008). August 13, 2008 Babin, Alla. “Erotic Motives in Advertising or Why Sex Sells.” Biz Marketing Solutions. (June 18, 2008). August 13, 2008 Bayley, Stephen. “Doyenne of the Drawing Board.” The Observer. (June 24, 2007). August 13, 2008 “Biography: Dolce & Gabbana.” Real Lives. The Biography Channel. (2008). August 13, 2008 Clarke, John R. Looking at Lovemaking: Constructions of Sexuality in Roman Art, 100 BC – AD 250. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1998. Craven, Jo. “Jean Paul Gaultier.” Vogue. (2008). August 13, 2008 “David Beckham in New Emporio Armani Ad.” Herald Sun. (June 20, 2008). August 13, 2008 Dolce & Gabana. (2008). August 13, 2008 < http://www.dolcegabbana.com/dg/> Esler, Gavin. “Zaha Hadid – Building the Future.” BBC News. (November 14, 2005). August 13, 2008 < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/4435660.stm> Garlikov, Rick. A Philosophy of Erotic Visual Art. (June 22, 2008). August 13, 2008 Hadid, Zaha. “Press Release.” London: 2004. August 13, 2008 Hawthorne, Christopher. “Deconstructing Hadid: Is the New Pritzker Prize Winner the Radical She’s Thought to Be?” Slate. (March 23, 2004). August 13, 2008 Messaris, Paul. Visual Persuasion: The Role of Images in Advertising. New York: Sage, 1996. Moorhouse, Paul. Dali. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999. Nash, Elizabeth. “Dolce & Gabbana forced to pull ‘sexist and violent’ advertisement.” The Independent. (February 24, 2007). August 13, 2008 O’Sullivan, Charlotte. “Jean Paul Gaultier: ‘I truly deserve to fall in love…’.” The Independent People. (May 26, 2003). August 13, 2008 Sponza, Carolyn. “Lebbeus Woods Draws ‘Scary’ Conclusions About Hadid.” eOculus. New York: American Institute of Architects, (November 14, 2006). Thomsen, Christian W. & Angela Krewani Sensuous Architecture: The Art of Erotic Building. Munich: Prestel, 1998. “What is Erotic and What is Pornographic?” H2G2. BBC. (March 29, 2004). August 13, 2008 < http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2163070> Read More