I found your story by accident; I was browsing the internet for images of some kind of physical pain. I find your story moving, I currently work with troublesome juveniles that may be currently going through though times at home or in their community. Your story will be one that I would like to share with them in hopes to let them see that at times no matter how hard or though things may be, will power will make you endure the toughest tasks life may lay in front of you.

Lovely art

The ErosPulse Exhibition(s), by Sherry Goodman

In a relatively short period of time, ErosPulse has emerged on the art scene as perhaps the preeminent “eros-sex genre” art exhibition. Just read the current call for artists and you get the idea that they are not just looking for sexy pictures or naughty paintings. No, their mission seems to be much deeper with higher aspirations than the myriad of art sex shows. While we can draw some conclusion by visiting the next exhibit, I decided to interview the show producer to get his viewpoint.

Steve LaGalleria has been exhibiting his fine art photography and sculptures for 10 years in many art exhibits and galleries across the country. As a young child he began art appreciation early as his parents owned an art gallery and frame shop in a New York City bedroom community in the 60’s and 70’s. While “life and responsibilities” kept delaying his artistic growth and explorations, he always found some time to dabble. This last decade was both enriching and enlightening as he says, and for the foreseeable future he expects to both continue creating and exhibiting his art, and producing the ErosPulse exhibition.

From the published call for artists:

ErosPulse.

ErosPulse is not easy to define. It’s an exhibit, but with collaborative depth and momentary long-lasting soul. Not a one time event, but ongoing, across the country, revolving through many cities, evolving over time. Dynamic. Multiple-artists, submission judged, an important art gallery exhibit displaying figurative arts, without boundaries.

The upcoming ErosPulse is scheduled to happen in Denver, Colorado in the Winter of 2009 (March 6-7, 2009). The exhibit is being held at the “Denver Creative Cooperative” near Denver’s famed Sante Fe Arts District, and is currently scheduled to display more than 50 recent works from around the Globe. The call for artists is below, and is currently open to all artists, all mediums.

ErosPulse. Topic – Genre – Force…

It could be called anything. ErosPulse…

But what is it? Perhaps it’s defined by what it’s not. It’s not porn. But certainly some will see it as such. It’s not religion, but others will see it as heavenly… even biblical. That whole ultimate creator thing will keep many wondering… debating. Hence if the body is created by some god, it must be art.

Is it erotic? Erotica? Sorry, but that word conjures up visions of old porn crossing over into art soley because it’s black and white, or even sepia, so as to avoid persecution back in the day. At least to some it does. We don’t care to make this a “history of erotica” show. In fact, we don’t want to call it erotica per se. Never one to pigeon hole art. We want pieces of work that artists felt compelled to submit, that in a cumulative manner, defines the current pulse of inhibitions inspired, right now… Sure, it will be a broad range. But it will be current… for a moment… don’t blink. Not in the Winter of 2009.

For sure it’s sexy. Sensual. Provocative. Naughty. Edgy. Is it nasty? To some, and therefore that’s the edge. A dichotomy of sorts between porn and the bible. Our goal here in producing this exhibit is not to define “it”. But rather document “it”. Exhibit “it”.

We merely want to take the momentary pulse. ErosPulse.

What are artists “contriving” in the Winter of 2009? Each piece will have a provocative artist’s statement. A voice in perhaps a very different language. The inspiration, the motivation, the thoughts…

ErosPulse… It’s skin, it’s satin, it’s lace, it’s leather, it’s figurative, it’s genitals, it’s naive, i’ts blatant, it’s seductive, it’s raunchy, it’s classy, it’s rude, it’s prude, it’s blasphemy, it’s interesting, it’s intriguing, it’s inquisitive, it’s biblical, it’s porn, it’s tasteful, it’s disgusting, it’s many interpretations on oil, canvas, watercolors, photographs, wood, concrete, marble, clay, solids, liquids, gas …… imagination.

ErosPulse. An exhibit as complicated and heated as sexuality itself.

Eros Pulse. 2009

The interview:

SHERRY GOODMAN: “So your ErosPulse Call For Artists is both a mouthful and an indication that you have lofty goals for your resulting exhibit. It’s obvious you wanted something different, but you were appropriately vague in your description for submissions. Interesting to be sure. Let’s take it from the beginning and tell me about your motivation for this show.”

LAGALLERIA: “(chuckle) Motivation you say? Aside from my blatant admiration for the eros genre, the seduction of sensual arts on one mind, the inspiration of desire, or is that desire of inspiration, I wanted to see a show reflect something deeper than just a collection of naughty works. I’ve exhibited in many shows over the past few years, and I always have been intrigued by the vast differences show to show. But I’ve chalked it up to the notion of “it is what it is”, and never really question it. I mean, to each their own, right?”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “So, you thought the world needed one more show to exhibit more variety?”

LAGALLERIA: “Not really. I think there are plenty of shows of the sex-erotica genre. I’m not opposed to more either. But I got to thinking a couple of years ago. Not unlike many other artists, I was invited to submit some works to a show, and was amazed that the selection process yielded results far different than what I liked of my work. My favorite works weren’t selected, and my least favorite works were. And therein lies the beauty of panel judging, where there is this dynamic synergy that is somewhat unpredictable, but overall more pure. So that realization coupled with the notion that the eros genre doesn’t have to necessarily pander to the porn mongers to be considered sexy. By that I mean artwork doesn’t have to be totally in your face naked and explicit to elicit the most powerful sensual emotions. Someone once classified this as high-class art. And its not a new notion that less is more. If the brain is the largest sex organ, shouldn’t art exploit the teasing and cerebral aspect of it all? Some shows tend to ignore this, or overlook this and look to exhibit the naughtiest of dirty art per se. And not that anything is wrong with this, but my quest is to do something deeper with the ErosPulse exhibition.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “So it’s about the quality of work, and the abstract-ness of the sexy parts and acts that sets ErosPulse apart?”

LAGALLERIA: “Not really, but some will see it that way to be sure. Look, the eros genre is one HUGE dichotomy. Is it the sexual tension between man and woman for starters? Yes, but lets not ignore the homosexuality aspects. So, it’s not man vs woman, but man vs man, woman vs woman as well. It’s chaos. Then the dichotomy between love hate. Love vs sex. Euphoric vs depression. The space between it all, and the synergy of it all to boot. So, I want to exhibit works, fine works that not only fall in this genre and depict it in a fine way, but also is topical, current. The ErosPulse show is meant to be a current exhibit. Not some history of erotica works. There are shows for that. Our mission is to show what artists who work in this genre are contriving, today. Right now. And then, in a way, the exhibited works end up defining ErosPulse, as opposed the ErosPulse defining the exhibit. The pulse of eros art, today.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “That’s ambitious to say the least. You are in the middle of your second year, and you have an open Call for Artists right now. Care to comment on the submissions you have received thus far?”

LAGALLERIA: “First of all, I am in awe. I have been very fortunate to have been selected for many fine galleries and exhibits over the years, and have been to many shows and have admired many works from those who work in this genre. I have a very open mind and even when I see works I don’t “care for”, I seek to admire them for their skill, intensity and commitment. You never know what you will get when you call out for art submissions. But the submissions I have received for this winter’s exhibit, absolutely awe-inspiring. A dream come true.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “You gave me a preview of the entries, and one thing that comes screaming through is that the vast majority of the artwork is not X-rated as one might think. But it is certainly heated, and overtly passionate. I had to do many double takes to come to the conclusion that while it’s overly sexy or over the top heated, it’s not x-rated for the most part.”

LAGALLERIA: “That’s right, I am energized by the artist’s ability to completely engage the viewer and have them overcome with such heat and emotion, yet not rub blatant x-rated images in their faces. Some of my favorite works in this exhibit are basically PG rated. But what they do with your mind, is amazing. Now, there are still many works that are nude studies, naked works, and such, and it’s supposed to be this wide ranging exhibit to toy with the viewer. I can’t wait to see it all full scale, real-time, up close and personal. That’s the reward of putting it all together. Assembling a show like this is equally as challenging as working on one piece where you want to convey the same emotions.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “What size of an exhibit will the Denver show be?”

LAGALLERIA: “I have access to gallery space that is capable of exhibiting over 10,000 sq ft of space. It wasn’t my intention to use all of it, nor is it my intention to pack this space tight. I was really hoping to let the amount of submissions and judging panel selection predicate the space we set up. I don’t limit the judging panel on selections, opting to take what they choose, and find the best way to exhibit that. I imagine that the Denver show will ultimately exhibit somewhere around 75 works from about 30 artists. Sure it could be much more, but the goal is not to have this huge show of 100+ works, but to again, have this sense of ErosPulse, taking a momentary pulse of the eros genre, and exhibiting the best of the best, today.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “You’ve mentioned that this year, there will be more than one ErosPulse show. Can you explain?”

LAGALLERIA: “There have been several “roadshows” or traveling art exhibits, even in this genre, but typically only exhibiting a few of the traveling artists and their selected works. What we want to do with ErosPulse is take the concept on the road, and a few times a year, exhibit the pulse. No, not the same exhibit but in a different city, but a new, show, from a new call for artists, and exhibit the most current of selected works. Art ultimately evolves… and so should ErosPulse. And since the response has been so great, we are looking over proposals that will have ErosPulse exhibit at a few different galleries coast to coast, every few months. It’s a large undertaking, but the interest has been just that strong. So, yeah, stay tuned for the next ErosPulse!”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “Any chance you can let us know where the next one will be?”

LAGALLERIA: “I can speak to this in general terms, as we haven’t made concrete plans on the next show. Sure, we are about to launch the next call for artists and gather entry submissions for the next exhibit and book, but we haven’t settled on a specific city just yet. I can say we are looking at NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami and Dallas. I know you want a more definitive answer, but you get the jest.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “Oh yeah, the book. There is much talk about this, as shows don’t typically publish books. This is an interesting concept. How did this come about?”

LAGALLERIA: “To me, exhibiting the ErosPulse show at any venue is meant to be, again, a pulse. A moment. And the experience, awe-inspiring. But documenting and showing off this moment can be long-lasting if we can reduce the show into a coffee table type book. Not only for the artists who contributed to revel in, but for future galleries to reference. So it’s meant more for documentary purposes than commercial. That may change down the road, but it’s not a driving factor at all. The ErosPulse exhibit is an arduous task, and the show will never ever last as long as the impact of the works exhibited. The book is one way to try and capture and convey the synergy of the selected pieces, at a moment in time.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “I imagine you are showing some of your work, right?”

LAGALLERIA: “It’s not my quest, and many times I keep thinking I could go without. But I know I will have to answer the “how come you don’t have anything here” questioning far too many times. And the way I look at it, I have the works available to show, and even have created more for each one, and if I have the space, I’m going to exhibit what the panel picks. As long as it’s part of the pulse, and nothing forced or contrived. Much like my work overall.”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “This winter’s ErosPulse in Denver is for 2 days, the first weekend in March. Is that enough time to exhibit the works?”

LAGALLERIA: “My thought on this is that I hate to do such a deeply passionate show, with such awe-inspiring works, from all over the place, and let them sit stagnant on some gallery wall for a month. Maybe sometime in the future, a gallery can be so compelling as to make this make sense, but right now, to keep this genre and our exhibit mission pure, exhibiting a pulse, a momentary pulse, we can accomplish a wonderful exhibit for many to see, over the course of one weekend. There’ll be some very important and influential people from the arts coming by, and some very supportive patrons. If I did this over the course of a full month, it’d seem rather weird, and the pulse would just die out. Know what I mean?”

SHERRY GOODMAN: “I do, and thank you for explaining that. It makes a great deal of sense. Well thank you for your time, and I’d like to wish you continued success in your upcoming exhibitions and in your work. Please keep us on your press list for your next ErosPulse and let us know when your coffee table book is ready to order!”

LAGALLERIA: “Thank YOU”

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I am so glad that you ‘discovered’ Glenn brady’s paintings. He is truely an inspiring Australian Contemporary Artist. I just thought I would let you know that Glenn is participating in a project to help bring greater understanding of the artists own ideas about their art and their participation in the art world. Details of the project with some newer images of Glenn’s painting’s can be seen at http://www.artistcitizen.com
In March 09 Glenn and 7 other artists will exhibit their work at Metro Arts gallery in Brisbane. For more details visit the website. Cheers, and thanks for continuing the dialogue of this art.

http://www.drawmyplace.com