So far, erotic art show not eliciting many critics
Many say it's a sign of St. Petersburg's vibrancy.
By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - William Schramm worried his customers would be offended when he announced he would convert part of his antiques store into an erotic art gallery earlier this year.
Instead, upon seeing the work, an elderly lady jokingly asked him for the telephone number of a nude man depicted in one of the paintings.
The First Annual Erotic Art Show opens on Friday, further eroding St. Petersburg's reputation as a city of fuddy-duddies who complain at the first mention of loud music, profanity and sex.
The fact that a new erotic art show is not a big deal is noteworthy, some local leaders said.
"We always talk about the age of our community and how young it is, we talk about how vibrant it is," said John T. Long, president of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. "This is the kind of thing that comes with that."
When the founder of the World Erotic Art Museum originally pitched St. Petersburg as the location of her extensive collection less than five years ago, she said the city was not welcoming, and she chose a site in Miami Beach.
But, apparently, times have changed, even if only slightly.
"There is generally a sense that St. Petersburg is shaking off that image and becoming a more vibrant place," said Kathy White, deputy director of the Salvador Dali Museum. "Ten years ago, there probably wouldn't have been that type of collection here. There would have been no audience for it."
The show is not without its critics.
Father Len Plazewski, director of vocations for the Roman Catholic diocese of St. Petersburg, said any images that objectify the human form are "not a good thing."
"There is nothing wrong with depicting the human body in art, but the question is what is the intent? Is it to reflect the beauty of creation? Or is meant to try to create an erotic reaction?" he said. "If it was called the Museum of the Human Body, that would be one thing, but even the name says what it is."
But for the most part, Schramm, 46, said he has not received any hate mail or criticism since he began advertising the show and an article about the exhibit was published in Wednesday's Neighborhood Times.
Schramm, owner of 2061 Antiques on Central Avenue, said he was inspired to showcase erotic art after he learned that local artists were sending their art to shows in other cities, because they couldn't find a place to display their work in St. Petersburg.
"I kept hearing, 'Oh we can't show at that gallery because they are too conservative.' And I was like, 'game on,' " he said. "There is no reason why there shouldn't be an annual erotic art show in St. Petersburg."
Eventually, Schramm said he would transform part of his 3,000-square-foot store into a permanent erotic art gallery and gift shop.
Unlike other paintings or sculptures that simply depict the naked human form, erotic art is intended to evoke arousal or depict scenes of lovemaking.
"It is not just the beauty of the body but the suggestive posing," said Schramm, who has a degree in fine arts. "I may not agree with some of the images here, they might not be my cup of tea, but I will defend their right to show it."
Erotic art shows are regular events in Detroit, Seattle, Orlando and New York.
In St. Petersburg, the show will include works depicting male and female genitalia. One features a group of androgynous, bare-breasted women wearing men's briefs. In another piece, a nude man wears a black corset.
But, despite the city's apparent newfound sense of tolerance, St. Petersburg still has its limits.
White said support of the proposed erotic art gallery would depend on the type of art that will be displayed.
"There are people who are museum professionals who don't always get that there is some sort of criteria for what makes something art or what makes good art," she said. "It isn't all just a matter of taste or opinion."
City Council Chairman John Bryan said he had no problem with the idea of an erotic art gallery, so long as the works were not displayed publicly. But he said it is unlikely the city will advertise the gallery on its Web site anytime soon.
"It's probably art that would offend somebody and to use tax dollars to do that wouldn't be okay," he said.
Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.