In fact, parts of this volume go beyond the human experience of the human form. How many people will recognize Alain Geofrroy’s “Intimate” within the first few minutes?

These works explore a vast range of possibilities, from classic cheesecake and Tom of Finland, to abstractions that leave only hints of curves, to manga, functional cufflinks, bronzes, and every other way that artists have found to express what matters most deeply. Some of it gets kinky, and some kinks out past my liberal range of tolerance – but only a few.

Even though many of these works document close intimacy, of many kinds, the things that make pornography ugly are clearly absent. Some images suggest intense physical feelings, but never past the level of consent. Nearly all express the fun and variety of experience that happy partners can enjoy together. For me, that’s what it’s all about.

This book’s editors use the proceeds to support AIDS research – which desperately needs the help. Enjoying these artworks is not a political statement, however. It just acknowledges a profound source of human feeling and experience, through the eyes of artists with many different visions.

— wiredweird
Rating: 5 / 5