Is Sex Book Art or Trash?

[Donna 16,494]

Back in 1992, Madonna released a Coffee Table Book, called "Sex".  The book was a provocative look at sexual fantasies in photographs and words. It was quite controversial and coincided with the release of her Erotica album. Included with the book was an exclusive song called Erotic. Madonna suffered a lot of backlash at the time, calling her all sorts of nasty names and claiming her book was trash.  But do you agree?  Let's hear from the fans?  Feel free to share your favorite stories, encounters or photos from this book.

Listen here: Sex Book - Erotic Audio

 

 

Maybe not SFW? Outtake

Hidden Content

Give reaction to this post to see the hidden content.

[Donna 16,494]

Definitely one of my favorite images I find artistic from the book:

 

[cosmic_system 3,156]

It's Meisel. It couldn't be trash even if he wanted it to be.

[mirtillo 1,843]

Absolutely Art! especially this page!

 

[Ayham 5,485]

Personally I feel it’s not art nor trash… it’s just something in between… some few shots were ICONIC and pure ART but the rest unfortunately were horrible, not to mention the nonsense stories. 🥲🤣

[wtg1987 10,169]

A HUGE mistake …. That’s all I have to say sorry - and you can beat me up as much as you like but it nearly killed her career not to mention overshadowed one of her best albums and single releases 🥹 

[Frank 42,522]

A-R-T. 100%.

[A. A. Aardvark 4,843]

both
would have been better with just word
words
 

[jesus 346]

The SEX book is being exhibited in Barcelona's CCCB as part of a (quite good) exhibition around Marquis de Sade's work and its effect on society and art.

 

[jesus 346]

[A. A. Aardvark 4,843]

39 minutes ago, jesus said:

The SEX book is being exhibited in Barcelona's CCCB as part of a (quite good) exhibition around Marquis de Sade's work and its effect on society and art.

 

"Strike dear mistress
and cure his heart."
 

 

[animalinstinct 2,049]

Sex is pure ART. 
It has definitely stood the test of time and the imagery remains iconic. 

[TOpher 899]

6 minutes ago, animalinstinct said:

Sex is pure ART. 
It has definitely stood the test of time and the imagery remains iconic. 

Absolutely Iconic but damn wish they would have waited for that truck keep going. It being beside her face ruins it a bit

[Drownedboy 1,678]

Both? LOl

[FantaMadonna 168]

I feel the book should have been "Fetish" instead. I feel there are some artistic photos of fetishes.  The Sex is mostly implied.

[zapasowe1 70]

7 hours ago, wtg1987 said:

A HUGE mistake …. That’s all I have to say sorry - and you can beat me up as much as you like but it nearly killed her career not to mention overshadowed one of her best albums and single releases 🥹 

You're so right - an artist should always put their career first and ignore any artistic expression that may, god forbid, hurt a career...

[cake 320]

was SEX inspired by Jeff Koons' Made In Heaven w/ Queen Cicciolina?

[Joseebus 2,559]

Art. It's just the shame the way it was bound is so trash.

[Voguerista 11,831]

9 hours ago, Ayham said:

Personally I feel it’s not art nor trash… it’s just something in between… some few shots were ICONIC and pure ART but the rest unfortunately were horrible, not to mention the nonsense stories. 🥲🤣

Pretty much how I feel! 

[xavier 4,787]

Fantastic on every level

Will never forget speaking to M about its fabulousness in 92! Outside her Doherty home in LA. ( long story for another time)😎

[lap 1,495]

9 hours ago, wtg1987 said:

A HUGE mistake …. That’s all I have to say sorry - and you can beat me up as much as you like but it nearly killed her career not to mention overshadowed one of her best albums and single releases 🥹 

I have the same opinion. SEX and Body of Evidence overshadowed Erotica album and IMO it was one of the biggest mistakes in her career. 

I think Erotica and the singles would have a better acceptance from the public if the backlash during that era wouldn't happened. 

Fever, Bad Girl, Deeper and Deeper and Rain were great singles choices. 

[Robertthenurse 2,920]

I'd like the naysayers to define what Art is.

You cannot make a poll to determine if Art is Art. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. 

Art is subjective. That's like asking a forum to take a poll to determine if a person in pain is actually experiencing pain. 

Dumb af.

[Tony Fortin 1,791]

Artistic and damn ballsy

[MikeyK 687]

I said other. There are some very stunningly artistic photos in there, and their explicitness has no bearing on their beauty.

On the other hand there are some photos and especially prose that I feel she did solely to shock and get a rise out of people. I wouldn’t call that trash; just, idk, calculated? Publicity stunt-y?

Even though she suffered an unnecessary backlash and the brilliant Erotica was overlooked to an extent, I still think it was a wild and badass af thing to do. Almost nihilistic. I can’t think of anything that gonzo that any other comparatively major artist or star has done since.

She suffered for it but I respect her for going that extreme with it.

[Tony Fortin 1,791]

And it proved her endurance in the face of hatred and hypocrisy....the same hate that is served up to her for her age today.