During a recent visit to LA and the obligatory trip to the Getty museum, I was surprised to see some photographic prints by Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden. It was not surprising that they were recent acquisitions that were hanging right next door to famous pedo Lewis Carrol. Isn’t this the true barometer of homophobia in that male on female underage sex is accepted (see Polanski), while male on male is instantly reviled? Double standard? I actually do not have an opinion on the matter. Von Gloeden’s photography IS interesting and well done, but it’s also softcore gay porn. To each his own but let’s be frank and call it what it is. What I found surprising is that a major art museum like the Getty would purchase and display Gloeden’s work. Another case of debate about art or porn.
