Sexuality in Art

What is your response to the music video above?

There is something compelling about it to me. The music is stirring. The cinematography is poignant. The organic movement and vigor contrasted with the cold, stale industrial environment is very effective, and not the only film to do so in Sigur Ros’ “Valtari Mystery Film Experiment” collection. Furthermore, the dancing is unique, allegedly very characteristic of its choreographer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. And there is no doubt that it crescendos very sexually. This last facet is what has specifically led me to some further reflection and discussion.

I think that what is so powerful about the whole work is that it can be interpreted as showing a natural progression of two people toward the pinnacle of human relationship, much like Song of Songs in the Bible. A man and woman begin isolated, wandering, expressive in their own spheres. But then, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, they discover one another. At first there is an interchange of surprise and curiosity: Are you like me? Am I like you? The two draw closer. As in a budding friendship, they begin to move together — more and more in sync.

All of this is sexual. Rob Bell writes, “Our sexuality [. . .] has two dimensions. First, our sexuality is our awareness of how…