Dear God, this is shameful.

   On January 10, 2011 I visited the Trisolini Gallery inside of OU’s Baker Center.  At this point in time they were, and still are, hosting an exhibit called “Ecosexuals in Love, Our PollenAmorous Relationship with Nature.” The exhibit was by two very well-known ecosexuals named Annie M. Sprinkle and Elizabeth M. Stephens. This was not the first time this school year that the ecosexuals had been to our school or displayed their very unique art and lifestyle to our curious and eager young minds. Although very unusual, this collection was on display to showcase a different lifestyle and frame of mind that many of the students at Ohio University have not been exposed to – a frame of mind that supports self-love amongst the acceptance of love for nature and those around us.

               Ecosexuals in Love showcased a wide variety of pieces, ranging from gorgeously tailored dresses to the ever confusing box of various body hairs, all used as examples of how people embrace the beauty of their bodies and the beauty of nature, all tied in together. What caught my eye the most, however, was a display of bronze cast panties. There were roughly ten pairs hung upon a white-washed wall in the dimly lit room, all directly across from the aforementioned showcase of what I’m assuming was pubic hair. Playing in the background was a very personally shocking video of two lovers kissing quite explicitly (and violently) for the camera. The now-metal undergarments were hung as homage to the women who were brave enough to submit their underwear and a part of their sexuality to a display available to hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, and passerbys.  At first the underwear was hardly recognizable, the bronze pieces looking as if metal was simply melting down the pristine walls. However, at a closer glance I noticed how lace was visible, the intricate detailing slightly damaged due to the alchemic process. Although my white bread background and upbringing wanted me to be shocked and slightly revolted at the sight in front of me, I couldn’t help but find myself more than curious. The bright golden sheen of the metal was eye-catching, and the shape of the dangling lingerie was intriguing.

               I will not lie when I say the meaning at first eluded me. All my eyes caught at first glance was the portion of the placard that read ‘PORN STARS’ in large letters, but with closer inspection the meaning became clear. Each single pair had been donated by porn stars and intellectuals alike. Some pairs had been donated by women who maintained a career in the explicit and erotic, whilst other pairs had been donated by extremely important women with big names, and even bigger successes to back them up. However, what they all had in common was they are all looked up to. Intellectuals are savored for their intelligence and revered for their accomplishments. In a completely different industry, women in the business of erotic film are looked up to for their ability to display their confidence and sexuality for all who are willing to gaze. Even if they were different in so many ways, these women were confident, sexy, and powerful. As Elizabeth Stephens noted for this display, “Porn stars and academics are both in the forefront of thought and practice around issues such as sexuality and identity politics.” These women all had the nerve to display themselves to all who were willing to look, and that embodied the meaning of the installment.

               Blatant expressions of love and sexuality have never been my cup of tea, always managing to turn me an uncomfortable tinge of rouge. However, even though I cringe at the sight, I still found this display to be somewhat inspirational. This display pairs perfectly with our class discussions, showing that controversy is often times what brings to light what is and what is not art. I still get fidgety and uncomfortable when I remember what I saw in this gallery, but to those women who were strong and brave enough to display a piece of themselves – I salute you.