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"The pornsaint dwells too in the house of the saints, but got there traveling a different
way, and came in knocking at another door..."
"...what is truly proper of the pornsaint
is to free himself from the world by participating to the maximum degree – with detachment.
In this sense, acting in a porn movie may be a spiritual exercise." (From: A Brief
Essay About Pornography and Transcendence by Francesco D'Isa)
From time to time, I've seen a logo that says: "I'm A Porn Saint" at various adult
websites. I was intrigued by the phrase "Porn Saint" so I searched online and found
Pornsaints, a unique group of artists devoted to painting pornstars on canvas in
one-
Interviewed by Honey West
Honey: Hello Francesco! It's wonderful to know more about you and your exciting Pornsaints
artwork. At your MySpace site, you say you don't like biography, but for people who
don't know you or your artwork, tell us a bit about yourself, your background and
education. How and why did you become an artist?
Francesco: Hello Honey! It's all
my pleasure. I have been drawing since I was a child, but I didn't study art. I studied
Philosophy at the University of Firenze, Italy. As an artist I'm self-
Honey: It's interesting that your educational
background is in Philosophy. It's given you the basis for your artistic concepts.
I've noticed that many artists begin drawing in early childhood, as if they come
into the world with this natural gift.
Let's talk about the controversial term "pornsaint"
which you coined. That's quite an unusual word, to say the least! As I understand
it, you feel that porn stars are more than sexual objects -
Francesco: The Pornsaints
project started in early 2007, maybe the idea was born in 2006, so it existed more
than two years. As I wrote in my essay, my definition of a pornsaint is inspired
by many religious concepts and beliefs. It's closer to Mystic and Oriental definitions
(Taoism most of all) more than Christian. If God is the most unreachable concept,
the saint, being closer to God, renounces human features and identity. A cool separation
from the world, like an extreme behavior, is one way to overstep humanity. Like I
wrote in the essay "...the pornsaint dwells in the house of the saints, but got there
traveling a different way, and came in knocking at another door."
Honey: So, the porn
star, through their "extreme" behavior as perceived by society, is actually separating
themselves from the world and becoming closer to a saintly position? As you say,
they came in "knocking at another door"?
Francesco: In a certain sense, yes. In my
philosophic interpretation of religious themes, I think that every step you do towards
the Absolute, you do a little step far away from Humanity, both in a "good" and a
"bad" sense. Transcendence requires not humanity, it's by definition beyond good
and evil.
Honey: Most people have a difficulty understanding that there might be a
place in the universe beyond good and evil. They want to label everything black or
white, good or bad. They certainly label porn stars according to their own moral
belief systems. All religions of the world recognize the concept of Nirvana or the
Christian "heaven", a transcendent realm where there's simply spirit or soul energy.
Francesco:
If the saint obtained the absolute by clambering up on God (any God), the pornsaint
obtained it climbing over man. His way doesn't go through renouncing the world of
man in favor of the world of God, but through the utmost simultaneous participation
in opposite aspects of the human world. In a few worlds, extremes can coincide (a
pornstar and an ascetic, a killer and a holy man) in the attempt to reach the coincidence
of opposites (God). But as I wrote: "...this doesn't mean that each and every porn
actor is a pornsaint… Pornsaints might not even actually exist, but what interests
us is that they might exist, and how they might exist."
Honey: Well, Francesco, I
can assure you that when I'm watching a porn star that I really dig, they're definitely
a saint in my eyes LOL! I'm in favor of bestowing porn sainthood on them, regardless
of how they arrived on that path, baby! :-
Honey: Who was the first porn star you painted? How did that go, was it a good
experience for you?
Francesco: She was Casey Parker. I liked the work with her -
Honey: Wow, I'm sure guys envy you, painting
some of the most beautiful women in the adult world. Not a tough job at all! As the creator
and founder of Pornsaints you organized it like a church hierarchy, with you as "PornPope"
and your crew of artists as Porn Bishops, reflecting the spiritual/philosophical theme
of your enterprise. Are you criticized by moralistic organizations or churches who
freak out when you use the word "saint" next to the word "porn"? Do you have problems
finding a gallery to show your work?
Francesco: When you do "strange" new things,
many people will like you and many people will hate you. This is quite normal. Some
tell us we are blasphemous, some tell us we are deeply religious, some tell us we
are simply cool. It doesn't matter, they are interested in us and this is somewhat
always a good thing. It means we touch something. I hate to scandalize people, but
it often happens when you give an original interpretation of something. Anyway, many
people like us because pornography, art and religion are such hot and interesting
themes to work with!
Honey: Yes, as they say, if at least some people don't hate
you, you're not doing it right! It proves that you are reaching them at a gut level.
Love or hate with no middle ground -
It's so exciting that
Francesco:
Thank you, I did them, and I loved to work with them! We have many porn stars in
our gallery, and the list is always growing, but there are no special preferences.
We host a wide variety of art styles and stars, so we satisfy many tastes.
Honey:
Yes, it's great that each artist is so different, some impressionistic, others more
graphically sexual. Briefly describe the process of doing an artwork of a pornsaint.
How is it accomplished, from the initial contact through to the completed work?
Have any funny or unusual things happened that stand out in your mind?
Francesco:
Sometimes a star asks us to be a Pornsaint, sometimes we ask her. The same is with
our artists. We have two holy lists, and we try to make the best matches. Then, we
put in touch the star with the artist, and the work starts. Usually the porn star
sends us some photos to use as reference for the artwork, and the artist chooses
the one who fits the work best. It's always funny to put porn stars and artists together
-
Honey: Yes, I
think porn stars and artists have much in common because both groups are often rebels,
but they also have a vision for how they want to be seen, a visual sense of how they
impact the world at large and excite an audience. How does the porn star react when
they see their finished portrait?
Francesco: Usually the porn star likes her artist's
work before being portrayed, so they are very happy and glad seeing the final work.
It's a pleasure to be portrayed in a work of art, and an interesting change from
their usual work.
Honey: I notice you use the word "her"… so far, all the pornsaints
in your galleries are female. Since most consumers of porn are guys, it makes sense
that you focus on the female entertainers, but is there any chance that a male pornstar
will be immortalized on canvas as a pornsaint someday?
Francesco: Yes for sure! We
just need to find a good artist who prefer to work with male forms ;)
Honey: Awesome!
I know we female fans out here would love to see a few of the hot guys displayed
on our wall! Walk in, and there he is in the living room LOL. In a saintly pose,
of course :-
Francesco: This is an art project, and the collaboration
is completely free.
Honey: How do you choose your artists? I see different styles
in your galleries, from classical to avant garde to a digital collage.
Francesco:
We try to host a wide variety of styles and media. And of course, there's the Pornpope's
mysterious Will at work.
Honey: Ahhh, the mysterious Will... the creative process
is often a mystery. I would think the choices and themes would be dictated by the
personal style of the star themselves... their aura and presence. You have an impressive
list of accomplishments shown at your website. How many Pornsaint exhibitions have
been held and where? What's the reaction from the art world and the fans?
Francesco:
So far, we did four exhibition and two parties, and people loved them all!
June 14
2008 we were at Zero Gallery (Berlin)
August 2 2008 we were in Philadelphia at Hotmovies.com Grand Gala. This was be the
very first art show in a porn party, there were stars, press, studio heads and fans.
October
2008 we were at A & D Gallery, 51 Chiltern Street, London W1U 6LY
In December 2008 we participated in an exhibition in San Francisco, at Femina Potens
Art Gallery.
Honey: Wonderful! Congratulations on your success, both in Europe and the US. My
guess is that European audiences would be more open-
Honey: If every kind of person was there,
it proves that your work appeals to a wider audience, not just a particular circle
of people who enjoy adult entertainment. The crossroad where art and porn intersects
is so cool. To me, the most important thing about your work is that it expands society's
preconceived notion of "porn star"... they can transcend into different realms of
media and not stay boxed in to one little niche or genre. Even people who are critical
of adult performers might be able to see them as creative entities, with styles and
personalities. Not to say it brings mainstream approval, because that's not necessarily
the goal, but it recognizes their innate artistry and glamour, just as the photographers
did with the late, great pin-
Honey: Well,
I like a man with an air of mystery! Maybe someday I'll make you spill the secret!
Honey West has her ways! lol… With so much free and amateur porn around, where almost
anyone with a camera can anoint themselves a "star", do you feel that the very concept
of the "porn star" is fading, or will there always be special performers who ascend into
porn sainthood?
Franceso: I could answer that there's always someone who do something
better...
Honey: Yes, I think there will always be stars, no matter what. Talent
and charisma will never be out of fashion throughout all of history. You certainly
play a role in enhancing the glamour and appeal of the industry and getting the stars
out there to the public. So, what would you like people to know about Pornsaints.org? Are
there shows coming up? What are your professional goals for the future?
Francesco:
We are working at a "Pornsaints Festival" in Firenze (Italy) for April. It will be
a big art exhibition with performances, movies screenings, music etc, everything
art-
Honey:
I wish I could be there in April, sounds like a fantastic experience for art and
porn lovers… the perfect combination. How can people purchase Pornsaint artwork or
get in touch with you?
Franceso: Just go to Pornsaints.org and click on "contact",
or write us at pornsaints @ gmail.com
Honey: You have some cool stuff there, in addition
to the artwork, so people should really take a look. Francesco, thank you so much
for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk about Pornsaints. It's certainly
one of the most unique ventures out there and I know it's going be a continued success,
bigger and better. We'll look forward to seeing great art from you and your talented
crew featuring many more special portraits of the porn stars we ALL love to watch!
Francesco:
Thanks to you Honey, it was a pleasure to be interviewed by you! My blessings.
For more information about Francesco D'Isa and Pornsaints visit:
