Art ratings?

[leelastarsky]

A question - particularly for my fellow artists, but I'm interested to hear everybody's opinion.

The ratings that are gernerally ascribed to fanfiction - G through to NC17 - do you think the same standards should apply to art? Or should they be higher because it is a visual medium?

I ask because the picture in my icon - the full version of which you can see here - Passionate Ron/Hermione, was just labelled NC17 in a forum and, I'm sorry, but I would never have classed that pic NC17. Yes, it's suggestive, but that's it. There is no cock to be seen, no sexual act in progress, not even a breast.

Personally, I'd have rated it M (15+), just to be on the safe side. Am I too liberal? I mean, my kids have all seen this, and they range in age from 15 down to just-turned-9. They weren't horrified or traumatised by it. And, to counterpoint, none of them have seen the 'quickie' slash drawing I did for shocolate the other day, because I know that would squick them, and that one I do regard as NC17.

So what's the consensus? Would you rate this painting NC17?

And, out of interest, what would you rate this one while we're at it?

Comments

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

Thanks texasmagic. I have no problems at all with Checkmated deciding what should be classed as Restricted; it's your/their website, not mine, and I'm more than happy to abide by the rules. It's just that I was under the impression that everything in the Restricted section or Bedchamber was NC17. I know I have read fics there that have described ejaculation and oral sex that were rated R rather than NC17 and not in the Bedchamber. So you'll understand my surprise at, I thought, having my painting declared NC17. And wondering whether there were different rules for art and fic.

As you said, the pic is a 'bodice ripper'. That was the challenge it was drawn for - to emulate the Mills&Boon style covers. Books (and bodic-ripper cover illustrations) which are available eveywhere (at child height in the shops here!).

[texasmagic.livejournal.com]

Hee. Yes, you probably did read some very explicit R rated stories at CM. We've had to move a few stories to the BC recently because they began to cross the line in later chapters, and a few were very popular stories that caused quite a stir.

I wish we had an M rating in the US, because while I'm not sure I'd call that beautiful pic an R, it's definitely not suitable for 13 year olds.

We do have quite a set of contradictions, don't we? We'll put "Bodice Ripper" cover art on the grocery store shelves, and yet we argue that it's inappropriate to nurse a baby in public. GRRRR.

Alas, the laws for the interent are vague and inconsistent.

But most of all, I'm glad you share your work with us. It's truly beautiful.