Exploring the Sacred and the Profane

in Sense and Sexuality

An Art Event not to be Missed for Sensual Aficionados … or the Curious

January 17, 2010

I sit in a comfy chair at the oxygen bar at FaFa’s Furniture and Fine Arts, breathing in abundant aromatherapy-enhanced oxygen. It takes only a few moments before I feel the effects of four times the normal amount of available oxygen for our altitude. A general sense of wellbeing washes over me and then … I start tingling all over in a tiny wave of oxygen-supplied ecstasy. How appropriate.

I breathe in deeply, release the tension that comes with the looming deadline of my current project, and my shoulders finally let go and fall into their normal position. I look up at the gorgeous nature-enhanced nudes of photographic fine artist Carolyn Quan and wish I could watch her create in her Hawaii workshop—layering photos and colors that make me want to reach out and touch the canvas, as if the skin beckoning my caress was not merely the whisper of a memory of the feel of skin under my fingertips.

FaFa’s owner, Matthew Ryan, takes the seat next to me—tapping into some oxygen of his own for our interview—and starts to unfurl the plans for next month’s party like a tantalizing buffet. As far as anyone can remember … it has been 12 years since Taos hosted an art show and gala opening in this vein … that is … an erotic one.

The seed for this show was planted not long after February 2006, with the passing of Brian Falk who, with his partner Tom Greer, dreamed FaFa’s into being. Falk was an artist in every respect and was much beloved in the community. This prominent partnership afforded benefits to many in Taos, and especially Brian and Tom’s favorite non-profits: The Dreamtree Project, The Jewish Center, Stray Hearts and Community Against Violence. The discovery of a stash of erotic art pieces by the late Falk gave Ryan the idea of a community-benefiting erotic art show featuring mostly Taos artists. So, on Saturday, February 13, an art opening—the likes of which has not been seen in Taos for many moons—will celebrate the life and art of Brian Falk and his passion for exploring the edges of sensuality and sexuality. Confirmed artists for the show include photographers Lenny Foster and Geraint Smith; painters Brian Falk, Sally Russell, Danielle Dominic and Kristen Ryan; and digital artisan Patrick Carter. Beautiful erotic art in every price range will be available. Some of the proceeds from the show will benefit the community organizations Falk and Greer loved to support.

Erotic art is much more than the skanky papered-over windows and dark musty smell of the XXX theater outside the county line. It is more than what you might find in the S&M clubs in New York City, the couple’s-only clubs in New Orleans, the gay clubs of San Francisco or the brothels of Amsterdam.

Erotic art is about pushing your own boundaries. It is about loving the body—the curves, the lines, the flesh, the feast and the fantasy. Some of it is pornographic. Some of it is titillating. Some of it makes you wonder what part that is exactly. Some of it may not seem like art at all. And yet, every single one of us got here through sex. It is the origin of life. Sex is reality. To some, it is an obligation. To others, a celebration. Still others find within its study a form of meditation that can only be compared to the practice of a martial art. Somewhere in the middle are most of us. Exploring—finding our boundaries, finding the place where we fit in.

To that end, the opening is not just about the art on the wall—there will also be an element of fantasy. Girls in masks and lingerie provided by Eliza from The Muse will turn heads. DJ Lindsey Solomon will spin enticing tunes and show her beautiful art pieces and get you in the mood. There will be refreshments—a touch of wine, perhaps, to ease you into the room with that really dirty piece everyone is going to be talking about on Monday. And then there are the classes and workshops. Not on sexy art. But on Sacred Sexuality. On tantric practice or massage for couples. What is the use of a dildo anyway? And where can you get one? You will be able to get them or take that class the week of Valentine’s, thanks to tantric teacher Diahnne Eagleton.

Erotic Art is finally coming out of the closet and into the light of day. And that light is going to shine on our community and its non-profits. Of course, there’s a PG-17 rating on this opening, so you might want to leave the littles at home, or better yet, send them to the sitter for the night, so when you get home …

The show will be Saturday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m. at FaFa’s Furniture and Fine Arts, 311 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, 758-8898. Also on Facebook as “FaFa’s Furniture & Fine Arts.�