Warning: This post contains nudity and may not be appropriate for work.
Porn. The one-syllable word likely strikes up a strong feeling in the gut, whether it's arousal, embarrassment, fascination or extreme discomfort. It sullies our laptops, informs our libidos, and shapes our desires. In the words of porn star Dylan Ryan: "It is the ultimate representation of human sexuality and the biggest way in which we incorrectly interpret human sexuality. Porn is us."
Advertisement
French photographer Sophie Ebrard, enthralled by the wildly popular and profitable market of pornography, resolved to dig a little deeper into its underbelly in order to reveal the business in a provocative new light. The question might arise: How does one capture a stimulating, unseen portrait of a genre that, by nature, exposes everything? Well, in her series "It's Just Love," Ebrard aims her camera at one thing often left concealed in your average porn shoot, no matter how dirty they may be. And that's tenderness.
For four years, Ebrard followed porn director Gazzman to various set locations around the world, snapping photos not of deep penetration or tantalizing foreplay, but water breaks, banter amongst coworkers, costume adjustments and other playful, awkward in-between moments. The result, beyond the bouncing boobs and butts, is a humanizing portrait of like-minded people on the job, doing their best to make each other laugh and do their best work.
"Over the past decade and a half in particular, we’ve become increasingly desensitized, even numbed, by sex in imagery, because it has become increasingly explicit and present," explained Roderick van der Lee, who curated Ebrard's exhibition. "'It’s Just Love' incurs much stronger emotions, such as tenderness, humanity and a sense of fun by going in the other direction, by not being explicit, and by not falling into the traps of the many cliches of portraying the industry."
Advertisement
In one photo an actor irons his dress shirt while completely in the buff. In another, camera wires dangle above three women entangled in a lingerie-clad embrace. In many, the actors and actresses appear at times content, tired, playful, awkward, maybe a bit bored -- you know, like most employees. Just naked.
Ebrard is far from the first to be inspired by the pornography industry. Her project comes on the heels of buzzy Sundance documentary "Hot Girls Wanted," exploring exploitation in the industry. In the fine art realm, photographer Larry Sultan's "The Valley" juxtaposes the fantasies of desire with the realities of suburban life, documenting porn sets in the San Fernando Valley in the 1990s.
Stephen Irwin erased portions of vintage pornography in his art, leaving only select details like clasped hands or entwined tongues. And then, of course, there is Jeff Koons, whose "Made in Heaven" series featured explicit, romance novel-esque paintings of his then wife, Italian porn star Ilona Staller, also known as Cicciolina.
For Ebrard, however, the goal was simple yet revolutionary: present a porn set as it is, no frills, no choreography, no judgment. In the artist's words: "Somewhat strangely, porn is ahead of the moral standoff: it’s completely open about what it does and, whether you agree with it or not, it’s actually creating something ... Any glimpses of nudity humanize, rather than objectify, the subjects."
Advertisement
"It's Just Love" will run until Sept. 25, 2015 at the Unseen Photo Fair in Amsterdam. The exhibition takes place, aptly, in Ebrard's own home. See a preview below.
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Advertisement
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Advertisement
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Advertisement
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Advertisement
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Advertisement
Sophie Ebrard
Sophie Ebrard
Also on HuffPost:
Art History's Most Erotic Artworks
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.