cover image Dirty Looks: Women, Pornography, Power

Dirty Looks: Women, Pornography, Power

. BFI Publishing, $0 (238pp) ISBN 978-0-85170-403-6

This informative book of essays takes a firm stand against both the Christian right and anti-pornography feminists as its authors argue for a less dogmatic, more contextual approach to understanding pornography and erotica. The essays present a readable and accessible case for a deeper understanding of the place of porn in contemporary culture and society. Lynne Segal points out how little researchers actually know about the effects of porn on violent crime. Jennifer Wicke has some interesting observations about the cottage industry that anti-porn campaigns have created among academics--including courses, seminars and books that feed off the subject. Two essays about Annie Sprinkle (considering whether she is a pornographer or a performance artist) and a first-person account from feminist porn photographer Grace Lau examine the issues of women as producers and consumers of pornography. Throughout, the writers argue that the societies and cultures surrounding the nude bodies are at least as important to the debate about porn and its effects as the bodies themselves. (Sept.)