Is stripping an art?

[mangxema]

Interesting stuff from the Iowa courts:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa doesn't have any all-nude strip clubs -- but it does have performing arts centers where women dance naked.

A loophole in Iowa's public indecent exposure law allows nude dancing at "art centers."

However, the loophole in the state's public indecent exposure law that allows nude dancing at "art centers" is under attack in the small community of Hamburg, a town of 1,200 just across the Missouri River from Nebraska.

The case pending before a Fremont County judge effects only one business in Hamburg, but if he agrees with the prosecutor, it could eventually threaten the legal standing of nude dancing clubs across the state.

District Judge Timothy O'Grady heard arguments in a one-day trial on July 17 and took the case under advisement.

It all began on July 21, 2007, when a 17-year-old niece of Sheriff Steven MacDonald climbed up on stage at Shotgun Geniez in Hamburg and stripped off her clothing. Owner Clarence Judy was charged with violating Iowa's public indecent exposure law.

Judy responded that the law doesn't apply to a "theater, concert hall, art center, museum, or similar establishments" devoted to the arts or theatrical performances.

"Dance has been considered one of the arts, as is sculpture, painting and anything else like that. What Clarence has is a club where people can come and perform," said his lawyer, Michael Murphy.

Murphy noted that the club has a gallery selling collectible posters and other art, and it provides patrons with sketch pads.

Nonsense, said Fremont County Attorney Margaret Johnson, an underage girl danced naked at the club, and that's illegal.

"Are you saying that minors can't be protected? Can a group of 12-year-olds come down and go in and dance nude and it's OK? I don't think that's what the Legislature had in mind when it made those additional provisions," Johnson said.

Johnson said the intent of the law is to allow movies in a theater where there's brief nudity or for an art gallery displaying paintings of nudes.

Murphy said Judy bans anyone under 18 from entering the five-year-old business. The problem, he said, was "a group of girls snuck in a 17-year-old."

"While she was there, she felt like dancing so she got up and danced on the stage and then she took her clothes off. Trouble with that is she's the sheriff's niece," he said.

Johnson denied that the teen's relation to the sheriff was connected to the charges filed against Judy.

"Her parents were absolutely appalled with the situation," Johnson said.

The sheriff declined to comment. There was no comment from his niece, whose name wasn't given.

As part of his defense during trial, Murphy cited a 1998 ruling that found nude dancing is a form of art. In that case, the owner of the Southern Comfort Free Threatre for the Performing Arts in Davenport was charged under the public indecent exposure law for allowing nude dancing. A judge found owner not guilty.

The current case deals only with Judy and Shotgun Geniez, but there could be an appeal if either side loses.

Johnson said that would take it to the Iowa Court of Appeals and perhaps the Iowa Supreme Court. That would make it a statewide case that could affect dozens of other clubs in the state.

So is it? Random, I know, but we've argued over less.

 

[scy12]

So long the strippers are attractive women.

 

[holiday_hawk]

Now that is a loop hole, I mean that is a loop hole that would make all the others jealous.

 

[Narz]

Dance with clothing on is an art. So why would dancing without clothing not be an art?

 

[Civfan333]

agreed, why wouldn't it?

 

[holiday_hawk]

If you guys are being serious, because its not dancing like a ballad or something. It is an excuse for guys to pay to have female breast in they're face and more at some places. A ballad, hip hop club, dancing at a wedding, stomping the yard, etc. can all be viewed as art, however, girls taking off their clothes and shaking female breast can other female parts, and once again maybe more if the place is sleazy enough, is not art it is a disgrace to the women.

 

[Perfection]

I just don't get how a state so close to Minnesota could suck so much.

 

[holiday_hawk]

I just don't get how a state so close to Minnesota could suck so much.

I don't understand how a football team in MN can suck so much.

 

[Narz]

I just don't get how a state so close to Minnesota could suck so much.

The fact that dancing naked in a privately owned establishment is illegal is lame. The way they're trying to evade the law is awesome.

 

[Tycoon101]

 

[holiday_hawk]

The fact that dancing naked in a privately owned establishment is illegal is lame. The way they're trying to evade the law is awesome.

I agree with this, if you want to be a stripper do so. It is not like young kids can just on in and watch what happens anyway so i don't understand the ban.

 

[negZero]

If you guys are being serious, because its not dancing like a ballad or something. It is an excuse for guys to pay to have female breast in they're face and more at some places. A ballad, hip hop club, dancing at a wedding, stomping the yard, etc. can all be viewed as art, however, girls taking off their clothes and shaking female breast can other female parts, and once again maybe more if the place is sleazy enough, is not art it is a disgrace to the women.

First men can take off there cloths and dance and can be paid for it too.
Second, ppl have varying definitions of what is art

 

[holiday_hawk]

First men can take off there cloths and dance and can be paid for it too.
Second, ppl have varying definitions of what is art

That too is not art, and i would like to know how many people would honestly say waving male or female parts and HJs and BJs at sleazy places is an art.

 

[ohcrapitsnico]

That too is not art, and i would like to know how many people would honestly say waving male or female parts and HJs and BJs at sleazy places is an art.

It is the art of courtship which makes it even more special because it is quick and painless as well as institutionalized for your easy access and viewing pleasure.

 

[Narz]

That too is not art, and i would like to know how many people would honestly say waving male or female parts and HJs and BJs at sleazy places is an art.

Giving HJ's & BJ's is definitely an art. You've obviously never had a bad one.

Besides, a poor quality of the dancing doesn't make it "not art" anymore than a school kid's painting is "not art" just because he's not Rembrandt.

 

[Dubai Vol]

When I was in college I lived in married student housing, which meant that ll my neighbors had wives and I was their single friend. Every few months they would have a guys' night out and I'd go along. Of course they went straight to Hooters, and after dinner, to the local strip club, The Katch. When they got home they woud fess up and blame me: "Dubai made us go!" So all the wives hated me. It was my form of public service.

Anyway, the girls at the Katch were friendly and sweet and made us downright happy to give them all our money, a dollar at a time. Considering how cheap I am, that is an art form in itself.

If you don't like strip clubs, don't go. I don't, but I have no puritanical urge to condemn people who do. And anyone who thinks girls don't LOVE to show off their bodies to appreciative men must be blind: they do it for free to the maximum extent allowed by law all day every day everywhere you look.

If that's wrong, why did the flying spaghetti monster make them so that they enjoy it?

 

[mangxema]

Sorry... I got it off CNN... They had a picture... of a shoe.

 

[Perfection]

The nude young healthy female form is art in itself and should be displayed prominantly.

 

[Nike Zeus]

Art or not, it shouldn't be illegal.

 

[holiday_hawk]

Art or not, it shouldn't be illegal.

I believe we can all agree to this.