How to Look at Jeff Koon's Depictions of Sex

In regards to Jeff Koons depictions of sex through photographs and sculptures, censorship is a certain necessity. It is very important that we protect everyone's right to express themselves freely. I do believe this type of artwork deserves to be expressed and shown, but I believe there are certainly specific times and places for some things that may be seen as offensive to others. It is very important that as the ruling hand over our people, we look at the interests of everyone involved. To so many families in our country, sexually explicit material isn't seen as acceptable to public display. Nudity is a free and beautiful thing, but many believe it should only be shared within the one you love and yourself. Although I understand others wanting to have their expressions on a level that everyone may see and take it in. When it is something that one may find as demeaning or immoral, then I think it is in our hands to make sure these pieces are seen and shown in the correct environment.

These images and sculptures by Koons have very explicit and vulgar images. It is for this reason that there must be serious age restrictions on the viewing of his work. There are many magazines, such as Playboy, that one must be at least 18 to purchase. There are many movies, such as eyes wide shut, that to view one must be over the age of 17 without the supervision of an adult. This makes any action on these particular works very easy. Anyone who views his depictions of sex without adult supervision will be at least 18 years of age. We must make certain to many in our population that we support the freedom of speech, but also understand the personal interest of our society. We are growing more and more liberal as America ages, but we are far from the day that nudity and sex can be seen as pure beauty like Mr. Koons intended.

As far as being taught in school, Koons did many works that can be celebrated throughout our educational system. The only works that need to be held off until college would be the ones with sexually explicit images. He has many structures around the world worth many millions of dollars that do not depict sex and would certainly be appealing to children and young adults. It is very important that we do not leave the importance of great artists out of our educational system. I believe many times these people are overlooked due to their controversial works. Not expressing the value of art and the artists could deter the next Koons or Picasso from striving to grow as the best artist they can be. The material that is controversial, however, is not suitable for children. When presented at the wrong time and without the right understanding, this material could easily be damaging, not only to the child's perception of what art is but also the child's perception of what is morally acceptable for public display. So we not only have to protect our children's future by making all kinds of knowledge available, but also their future by making sure we don't allow them to develop knowledge that is misleading, misled, or misconstrued.

I believe by censoring these particular images, we are not taking away from one's freedoms; instead we are giving freedom by allowing anyone to think the way they want and believe what they want to believe. The work is still acknowledged and praised, but it is only done in the right setting. Realistically, the true beauty of this work wouldn't be appreciated by the natural viewer unless the right environment was present. All these taken into account the censorship of Jeff Koons depictions of sex will remain as stated, 18 or older to view.

Works Cited

"Jeff Koons". www.coskunfineart.com. Wall Street, London. http://www.coskunfineart.com/biography.asp?artistID=14>

"Jeff Koons - Made In Heaven" neurotypisch.nl. 03/01/2005.