Bill Henson: Art or pornography?

Question

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/05/24/1211183189567.html

Throughout Ancient History, there have been naked statues, naked paintings, naked mosiacs, naked carvings all of the human body then all of a sudden Bill Henson puts Naked photos on display and it's classified as pornography? that I don't understand, his artworks have been pulled from art galleries everywhere and is being investigated, if this is the case what about the ancient historic stuff in museums? the Spartans used to paint picures of naked young boys, In Pomeii there are mosaics of topless young girls, the greeks their statues and carvings are either naked or scantily clad are they going to be classified as pornography? what of Michaelanglo's david? he's naked is that Pornography?

Where is the line between art and pornography?

Answer 1

I noticed your use of the word "naked" in describing the art, when it is more corrrect to say "nude" I think. But it looks to me like this artist is really trying to blur the lines, and push the limits as to what is considered, nude art or naked photography. I thought this article did a good job explaining:

http://www.ibiblio.org/hazine/Naked.html

Answer 2

ok what happens when someone gets caught with "nude" pictures of children,  can they say its just pictures of art to avoid prosecution even though they may have had more sinsister uses for the pictures.   its a new age people,  this isn't art anymore. it flips switches in peoples heads.

Answer 3

ART!!!!! based on my experiences p**n is sleazy and art isn't, to both the individual and the main stream.

Answer 4

I think that the big problem is that it is children who naked.  Although, I am sure that there were some who were negative about the use of naked children before...it only affect a small geographic area.  Now any picture can be seen everywhere, and so EVERYONE's opinion has to be considered.

I'm not sure if I agree or disagree, what do you say about that?