Pornographic existentialism - a (still) hypothetical art style ?
TERMS
Pornographie – πορνογράφος – is an ancient Greek word of art composed of the words πόρνη (pórnē, meaning "prostitute") and γράφειν (gráphein, meaning "to write, paint, draw"). The term pornography in its current meaning was first coined in 1830 by Karl Otfried Müller, a German classical philologist and one of the founders of classical archaeology. Müller was looking for a term for various works of art that had been discovered during excavations in Pompeii and were considered extremely obscene at the time.
Existentialism - Existentialism, especially as represented by Jean-Paul Sartre, is a philosophical movement that places the freedom and responsibility of the individual at the centre. Sartre's famous sentence "Existence precedes essence" summarises the basic idea of existentialism.
Sartre's existentialism places individual freedom and responsibility for shaping one's own life at the centre of all human existence. We exist a priori without a fixed essence or purpose. Only our very own decisions and actions create meaning and identity.
STYLE
The term "pornographic existentialism" is not recognised as an established art style or philosophical school and seems to be a provocative neologism that combines two contrasting concepts - pornography and existentialism. To write this essay about this hypothetical "new art style", based on Sartre's existential philosophy, I will creatively interpret what such a concept could look like and discuss its possible meaning for modern society. It is important for me to emphasise that these remarks are speculative and require a critical examination of the topic.
Jean-Paul Sartre, a leading exponent of existentialism, coined the maxim "existence precedes essence". This implies that people first exist, perceive themselves in the world and then define their essence - or being - through their decisions and actions. Sartre emphasised the absolute freedom of the individual to make the choice and take responsibility for that choice, independent of external moral or social constraints.
As a hypothetical art style, "pornographic existentialism" can be understood as a form of artistic expression concerned with the depiction of naked, unveiled human existence, with "pornographic" metaphorically standing for the unvarnished, raw depiction of human existence and experience at an explicit process. This style seeks to confront taboo, often hidden aspects of human nature and society, but not only in a sexual sense, but across a broad spectrum of existential experiences, including loneliness, fear, freedom and death.
Significance for modern society
Questioning norms and taboos and confronting the uncomfortable and often repressed should encourage a deeper examination of our own human nature and its contradictions.
At a time when society is increasingly characterised by polarisation and a seeming abundance of information, pornographic existentialism is intended to question existing moral and social norms and, in doing so, fundamentally bring us back to the question of our existence itself: What are my own decisions, how truthful are my actions and how do they become my "essence" - and, moreover, also the social, human essence?
Authenticity and self-determination: Given the existentialist emphasis on freedom and authenticity, this hypothetical art style aims to inspire individuals to reflect on the construction of their identity in an overly curated and often superficial social media landscape. It aims to emphasise the importance of self-determination and taking responsibility for one's life choices.
Empathy and Understanding: By extremely singularising the complexities of the human experience while seemingly bluntly depicting them, pornographic existentialism aims to contribute to a deeper understanding and greater empathy within human individuals. By recognising the universal, often hidden struggles of the human condition, this style of art can break down barriers and enable an essential connection with self and others.
In conclusion, pornographic existentialism, while still hypothetical and provocative, should serve as food for thought to push the boundaries of artistic and philosophical exploration. It challenges us to recognise the complexity of human existence and to explore the profound questions of life boldly and unembellished.
By defining pornographic existentialism as a style of art that utilises highly abstracted graphic components - based on circles, triangles and lines and simple contours that depict macroscopic-looking parts of genitalia in a highly abstracted, sometimes exaggerated detail - a deeper consideration of this subject can be made. This art form offers a unique connection between the depiction of human nature and the essence of existentialism, as described by Sartre and others, without appearing in any way "erotic".
Concrete implementation and motivation
Abstraction as a means of focussing on the essentials
The composition with abstract forms such as circles, triangles, lines and sometimes a contour using a few, mostly full-surface colours to create the impression of an almost macroscopic representation of genitalia, for example, invites the viewer to explore and reflect on the essence of human nature and sexuality. This abstraction removes the depiction from the explicit, often voyeuristic perception of pornography and transforms it into an inner discourse on the foundations of human existence and identity. A space is created in which viewers can explore the profound questions of freedom, relationships and human desire without being burdened by conventional, often stereotypical images.
Visualisation of the existentialist concept of freedom and responsibility:
Through the largely abstracted representation, emphasis is placed on individual interpretation, reflecting the existentialist idea that meaning is subjective and 'constructed' by each individual. The aspect of this "construction of meaning" is further emphasised by aggregating the simple geometric forms into recurring, symbolic building blocks. Just as in DNA only four different bases are linked in pairs and these pairs are grouped into triplets to encode the blueprint of a living being and more or less determine the being itself, here a few recurring objects composed of the basic forms are brought together to form a metaphysical symbol. This art is extremely challenging for the viewer and may push them to their limits. This art encourages viewers to reflect on their personal freedoms and to take responsibility for their interpretations, reactions and actions by recognising their own active role in the creation of "reality".
Human condition and the unconscious:
The macroscopic-looking but highly abstracted genital representations can be understood as a metaphorical exploration of the human condition and the deep, often unconscious drives that significantly influence our actions and decisions. These representations also invite us to explore the connections between the most basic physical aspects of our existence and our higher desires and fears.
Potential significance for society
To summarise, pornographic existentialism, although hypothetical, offers a fascinating link between Sartre's existential philosophy and the representation of the most universal being of life itself, sexuality; raising important questions about human nature, freedom and responsibility and opening up a space for a profound reflection on the meaning of our most bodily experiences in a modern society.