Bryan Sumner
Asking someone to name the sexiest poem ever if like asking them to name the most beautiful place in the world … the choice is just too vast and, besides, isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder? Similarly, poetry in all its forms is already very subjective, so add to the mix the abstract concept of ’sexiness’ and it becomes an impossibility.
From the depths of erotic literature, there are more verses about love and romance than there are grains of sand on a beach and, if you take a look at the many opinion polls on the internet, many of these poems are considered sexy.
‘Romance’ by Edgar Allen Poe is one such poem, referring very subtly as it does to “forbidden things.” Emily Dickinson’s ‘If those I loved were lost’ also ranks highly in the opinion polls, although many would find it hard to describe what they perceived as ’sexiness’ among its eight lines. Even more mysterious is ‘Skunk Hour’ by Robert Lowell, which tells how a man in his prime living in the small town of Maine is unable to find love.
E.E. Cummings is also a firm favourite in terms of sexiness. In his curiously entitled “because i love you)last night”, for instance, he enjoys using an imagery that rolls and tumbles like the woman of his dreams, whose “face smile breasts gargled.”
“The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock” by T S Eliot, this time referring to a man approaching old age, is also highly ranked as a sexy poem. Perhaps because its opening six lines are delivered in Italian?
Some poems almost defy categorisation. For example, in one internet poll, Christina Rossetti’s narrative ‘Goblin Market’ ranks top of the list. In this lengthy pre-Raphaelite tale, the sinister goblins lure Laura and Lizzie with their refrain to “Come buy, come buy, our orchard fruits.” What begins as a seemingly innocent pastoral verse leads into the girls’ precipitous situation, with Lizzie eventually being overcome by the goblins. Its many double-entendre references to juicy peaches, plums and figs are mingled with a menace that results in this poem becoming the topic of many an academic discussion. Is it a feminist poem or a religious allegory? Many would clearly say it’s just downright sexy.
Then there is blatantly erotic verse, which takes the concept of erotic poetry and drags it kicking and screaming to the end of the spectrum. Neil Rollinson’s poetry, for instance, makes no bones about which category it belongs in. In ‘French’, with the eroticism totally unmasked by any of the devices used by Rossetti, he describes “extra-curricular” activities with the private tutor in the “cool expanse of her bed.”
Erotic or romantic, it seems the discussion about what makes a poem sexy will continue for as long as there is poetry.
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Tags: erotic literature
Posted in Poetry · March 21st, 2010 · Comments (0)
Why Art Dealers Are Very Different Than Art Galleries
If you are interested in a unique investment, an art collection can be a wonderful and beautiful place to put your money. Real, original art will often increase in value over time and is much more interesting to look at than a stock portfolio. Art dealers are an important part of building that collection, and finding the right art dealer is very important. Here are a few things to look for when choosing an art dealer.
Because of this, you want to make sure that you know about artwork before you begin to invest in it. You may not need as much knowledge as a dealer, but you need some information so that you know if the dealer you are working with is giving you accurate advice, or if they are completely out of touch. Going to a gallery can also be a good way to do some research but it may have to do more with the way a piece looks rather than how much it is worth.
The internet is often a great tool for looking at both art dealers and art galleries. You can get a feel for the differences in what they are offering and the kind of advice they are able to give. By viewing websites in great detail, you can get a better idea not only of what you like, but also how a gallery or a dealer can assist you when it comes to actually purchasing pieces for a collection.
One thing that you need to remember about building an art collection is that you should not choose pieces just for their value. Artwork is meant to be enjoyed so picking pieces just because you think that they are going to become valuable but that you do not like is a waste of money. This is true more of private art collections than it is of corporate art collections.
There is a difference between corporate art collections and private art collections, and building each of these collections is a completely different process. Personal art collections are equally about personal enjoyment and building and retaining value. Corporate art collections are designed to enhance offices and boardrooms and are as much about projecting the message that the company wants to put forth as it is about the value of the artwork. If you are trying to build a corporate art collection, you need to make sure that you are working with an art dealer who has experience in that area.
When looking for an art gallery or a dealer, you should use both magazines and the internet. Look for phrases that related to the specific style you are looking for, such as modern, post modern, figurative and so on. Take the time to research galleries and dealers extensively before contacting them. Look at how their collections change over a period of time, so that you get a feel for the direction they are headed. If you visit a gallery or dealer and do not see anything you like, it can be good if you have ideas about pieces you have seen in the past so that you can discuss what your particular tastes are.
Keep in mind that original artwork will usually be more valuable than a print or reproduction. If you are purchasing reproductions, you need to know that only a giclee will retain its value where a standard print will not. You also want to make sure that any prints you purchase are numbered and signed. A good art dealer can give you guidance in that area as well.
Keep in mind that a gallery will often lean more toward promoting its own artists rather than those that can help increase the value of your collection. If it is an investment, you may not want to deal with a gallery. However, a gallery can give you more of a personal feel for the artwork that they sell, since they usually establish a close relationship with their artists. A dealer can be more sterile and impersonal, and focused more on money rather than love of art.
Working with art dealers or galleries can be fantastic. Your art collection can bring you a lot of joy over the years and you should build it with that in mind.
If you are seeking for a new way to decorate your home, you may want to look on artist websites so that you can find a few good art dealers out there.
Tags: art website, art websites, artist website, photography websites, Poetry
Posted in Poetry · November 18th, 2009 · Comments (0)